Five Things I Can't Live Without

by Holly Shumas

On paper, Nora's life looks perfect. She's moving in with her boyfriend Dan, she has a stable job and a great group of friends. But she's stuck in what she refers to as meta-life, the plight of overthinking and secondguessing to the point of self-sabotage. One day at work, Nora decides to thwart her meta-life by following her instincts. In what feels like a moment of revelation, she quits her job. Immediately, her meta-life goes into overdrive: What...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446699063
• ISBN13: 9780446699068
• Release Date: July 2007
• Publisher: 5 Spot Pub
• Length: 276 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Fabulous book for a lazy Sunday in bed

I enjoy cheeky chick lit form time to time and have a few favorite authors such as Marian Keyes, Ann Hood, Emily Giffin, Sophie Kinsella and now Holly Shumas. Books about women and their usual mishaps with their boyfriends, horrible jobs, jealous friends and annoying mothers who always call at the wrong time can be boring but not when done in a fun, smart way that teaches me a few things about life and about myself. This novel was not only refreshingly easy to read; it was intelligent and had an actual point! From the beginning Nora is a self saboteur living a big crazy life in her head - she would rather cut her arm off than bear some small pain on it and over analyzes catastrophic scenarios and runs constant self investigation. On a whim she quits her job as a volunteer at an animal adoption shelter because writing bios for dogs who wouldn't get adopted was not something she truly got into. Instead she decided to write mini bios for people, more accurately - making great profiles for singles that have trouble getting noticed online. From the beginning Nora's own profile - part of the job even though she's not single - is empty and meager but as she meets people and helps them find themselves she shapes up her own profile and finds herself after a very bumpy road to success. Slowly but surely Nora found her own five thing's she can't live without and it was a lot of fun seeing those ideas take shape form her decisions. As she helps people out her own life starts to fall apart, friends and family members make her compare her own life to their and the move with her boyfriend Dan of six months couldn't be more hasty. Meeting cute strangers in cafes to work on their profiles isn't helping either as something starts to happen. I cannot say another word, this book was a breeze to read, it took me one day, but it was brimming with atmosphere and charm and the ending was the best part, about 40 pages before the final words something grandiose perspired and I was biting my nails unable to put the book down until I finished ( at 2:20 am thank you very much). I really didn't expect to adore this book so much but it really grew on me and I'm thrilled to have found a new author who makes me smile. Charming and refreshing, this book is deeper than it seems, the more I brood over what I read the more I like it! I will definitely be getting the author's second book, out next year. - Kasia S.

A Good Read.... and look in the mirror

I am glad that I found this book. I was just at a bookstore looking for something to read but not so sure what and the title attracted me. I have never read chick lit before. Its really a great book - very fresh and relevant. The characters are really endearing and I can't help but see the Nora in me. If you like stories about coming of age or self discovery then this is a good pick for you.

What I can't live without.............

.......another book from Holly Shumas I purchased Five Thing I Can't Live Without and enjoyed all 276 pages and wished for more pages. It's a gem and an easy read. Looking forward the authors next book It's Not What it Looks Like. I'll be sharing this book with many!

Recommended: A funny, light read that's written well

The above reviews have amply described the content and story line of this great debut novel from author Holly Shumas. To merely add to these reviews--this novel is a witty portrayal of a near 30 year old woman who has a refreshing and familiar way of observing herself in life. The writing is sharp, perceptive and very real. Although I am not a frequent reader of "chick reads," there is a great, easy freshness to this book (like a chick read, I suppose) but the writing skills and observational narrative are much smarter and interesting than a typical book in this genre. **I recommend this novel as a good, laugh-out-loud book that has interesting characters and inevitably you'll see yourself, your sister or your best friend in the story line.** Enjoy!

Fun novel

This is a totally charming book with lots of laugh out loud (or smirk out loud) moments!