Book Blurb:
“Everybody lies about their lives. What would happen if you shared the truth?” This is the question that Julian Jessop, an eccentric, seventy-nine-year-old artist, poses within a pale green exercise book that he labels The Authenticity Project, before leaving it behind in Monica’s Café. When Monica discovers Julian’s abandoned notebook, not only does she add her own story to the book, she is determined to find a way to help Julian feel less lonely. And so it goes with the others who find the green notebook that will soon contain their deepest selves. It will also knit the group together In Real Life at Monica’s Cafe, where they’ll discover the thrill and sometime-risk of being completely honest–and, for some, find unexpected love.
My Review: 4 stars
The Authenticity Project was a delightful and thought-provoking book that sent an important message about being true to who we are. So often, we wear functioning masks of ourselves so we can be the person others need us to be. Sometimes, we need to unmask and decide who we want to be, all the time, for our own most authentic life. That is what this book covers in a sweet and tender-hearted way.
Julian, an eccentric, elderly man, got the ball rolling by writing his story in a small notebook. After he pens his truth, he encourages the person who finds the notebook to do the same, “Everybody lies about their lives. What would happen if you shared the truth?” When Monica, the owner of her very own dream come true cafe, comes across the book, she is forced to look at her own life and writes what her own authentic life would look like. Add in a handful of charming and unconventional characters and see how the book changes them and where it eventually leads them.
There is a lot about art, fashion, social media, parenting, friendship and romance within these pages. As you read on, I’m certain you’ll think about your own authenticity. Narrator was great; it made for a cute and easy listen.
Quotes I liked:
The truth often isn’t pretty. It’s not aspirational. It doesn’t fit neatly into a little square on Instagram.”
“Hazard noted Monica’s use of a colon. It looked a little incongruous. He didn’t think people did grammar anymore. They barely did write. Just texts, and emojis.”
Preparation is the key to effective spontaneity.”
