Review: Texual Healing by Eric Smith

Publisher: Author House
Publishing Date: November 19th, 2010
Pages: 280 pgs
ISBN: 9781452062457

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Summary from GoodReads:
Few people have to deal with a haiku-speaking flower-shop-owning ninja every day on their way to work. Unfortunately for Andrew Connor, he is one of those people.

And poor Andrew, his week has been a rough one. His former bestseller, Chasing Fireflies, is on clearance at Barnes & Noble for $1.37, his girlfriend left him for a corporate America action figure, and he's been tricked into joining Textual Healing, a support group for writers who can't seem to write anymore.

Dealing with his employees at his failing used bookshop, a strange new love interest from the Midwest, and a pet sugar-glider that has somehow managed to destroy his entire apartment... when will he ever find the time to put pen to paper again?

A quirky comedy set in present day New York and New Jersey, Textual Healing follows the story of Andrew, a self-deprecating, once famous author, his small bookstore in Hoboken, and the colorful characters that surround him.

My Review:
I entered to win this book from the Good Reads First Reads program and didn't win but I was pleasantly surprised when the author contacted me and asked me if I'd like a copy of the book for review. I said yes right away. I have to admit that I read this book quite some time ago but I haven't had the time to write the review. That being said, it was not because I didn't love the book. Smith is an excellent writer and I really hope that he continues to write more books. This book is about a man who gets dumped and has writer's block. He wrote a bestselling book and while on a date with a girl he wants to impress he finds his book on sale for $1.37. First of all this book is hilarious! I found myself sitting in my living room laughing out loud. My boyfriend kept giving me looks like I was crazy but I couldn't help it. I think the best part in the book is when Andrew decides to buy a sugar glider in order to substantiate a lie that he told to Hannah in order to impress her. This sugar glider goes feral and reaps havoc on Andrew's apartment. I definitely can't do this book justice. I have to say that while the story line is great, the characters in this book are even better. The best one, the crazy ninja florist, who randomly shows up out of nowhere throughout the novel. I have to admit this may not be the kind of novel that I would normally pick up at the store but I can't recommend this book enough. I give it 4.5 stars out of 5.