Review: A Worthy Pursuit
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 26, 2012
"It is a publishing truth, universally acknowledged, that anyone professionally involved in the pursuit of "Lit-e-ra-ture" must, by definition, despise Chick-Lit."  ~Pursuing the TimesFans of Bridget Jones, rejoice! Pursuing the Times and its well-intentioned, slightly wacky heroine, Mercury Lauren, are here for your reading pleasure.I am so thoroughly pleased, I don't even know where to start with my review. For starters, I love "Chick-Lit", and that is beyond ironic, considering the premise of this story. Mercury Lauren (yes, that really is her name, and no, she is not related to the famous designer, though she does have a brother named Ralph) is an unsatisfied author. Sure, she's successful, even receiving nice advances for her best-selling books. But she never meant to become labeled as a "chick-lit" author. Mercury wants what the big-time "Literary" authors receive, respect and reviews in the New York Times Book Review. However, it is hard to get a break when the editor is a man you despise, and the feeling seems to be quite mutual.Enter Frank D'Arcangelo, Editor. Much like the famous, aloof Mr. Darcy of Pride & Prejudice and Bridget Jones Diary, Frank is not the easiest acquaintance to make. It doesn't help that Mercury begins their strange meeting by insulting poor Frank. She appears to be his opposite in every way. She is almost always improperly dressed, seems to have no verbal filter, insults him by email, follows him on vacation...all in pursuit of the Times. Mercury is a bit of a mess, and I enjoyed every awkward, inappropriate moment.Pursuing the Times is a nice look, and a bit of a jab, at the publishing community. As a reader who loves books, no matter the genre (or lack thereof), author, publishing house, review publications, and the whole crazy business in general, I soooo wish that those who go on and on with the whole snobbery and quibbling in public forums would read this and take note of the ridiculousness of their bickering. A book is a book is a book. Many are good, some are awful, some are great. End of story.This is the third book of Lauren Baratz-Logsted's that I have read and I can easily say that Pursuing the Times is my favorite. With a main character as impulsive and caring as Mercury, a seemingly snobbish yet downright sexy leading man like Frank, and a story that will make you laugh, swoon, and cheer...Pursuing the Times is a charming good time.