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I’ve been a fan of actress Lauren Graham since she first starred on “Gilmore Girls.”
When Netflix picked up a four-part “Gilmore Girls” revival, I rewatched the entire run of the original show last summer. At the end, I decided I would miss Lauren Graham so much that I binge watched her next show, “Parenthood” (which is fantastic).
I still can’t get enough of Graham, so I was thrilled to read her collection of essays, “Talking As Fast As I Can.” I’ve previously reviewed her novel, “Someday, Someday Maybe” (which I highly recommend) and enjoyed her voice as a writer.
“Talking As Fast As I Can” is even better. Graham’s written voice is so warm and lovely that, by the end of the book, you feel like her best friend. She’s someone who you would feel comfortable having a margarita with or dishing about a TV show with. She’s charming, funny and self-deprecating.
Graham takes readers on a tour of her life as an actress: from her early days as a young equity actress to the recent “Gilmore Girls” resurrection. She shares humorous anecdotes about how she came to make it as an actor, even as in the present time, she wonders if she has actually “made it” and what that actually means.
She discusses being single in Hollywood, and, without going into too much personal detail, how she fell in love with her “Parenthood” co-star Peter Krause. She shares the story of how she was a terrible judge on Project Runway and how she tried to be vegan just to be better friends with Ellen DeGeneres.
As a fan of her most well-known TV roles, I loved the chapter where she rewatched “Gilmore Girls” and reviewed the fashion and hair of her character, as well as her favorite moments of each season. Some of her commentary was dead-on to my thoughts while rewatching the show.
I also enjoyed reading about what a lovely experience it was working on “Parenthood,” a show I adored.
The end of the book is a lengthy essay about how it felt to take on the role of Lorelai Gilmore once again, as well as a diary of her time on set filming the revival, which was a fascinating read.
The book also includes pictures of Graham’s life, which was a sweet touch.
There are lots of actors who think they can write. Graham is the real deal. She received an English degree from Barnard College in New York City before pursuing an MFA in acting. Her honesty and earnest voice is compelling. She’s funny and adorable without being over the top and fake.
Graham has played two of the most beloved characters in recent pop culture: Lorelai Gilmore (twice!) and Sarah Braverman. She truly seems as personable and fun as the characters she plays, which makes this book a delight to read. In “Talking As Fast As I Can,” Graham references her second novel, currently a work in progress. While I hope she ends up in another wonderful TV show, I also hope she gets to take a break from acting to finish the novel so I can get my hands on it as soon as possible!
