33. Going in Circles

33. Going in Circles by Pamela Ribon

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


If you're not reading Pamela Ribon's blog, Pamie.com, go add it to your feed reader right now. I'll wait. Really, it's funny and well worth it, GO!

All set? OK.

Going in Circles is a novel about a woman going through a difficult separation from her new husband. Sounds kind of bleak, right? It is a bit at first, but her coping mechanisms add humor and her sadness appropriately sets the stakes for the story.

Rest assured that the humor increases the further into the book you read and the tone becomes lighter.

Also, there's roller derby! Whip It is a fun movie, but it doesn't give you a real feel for what's it's like to learn and play roller derby. Ribon's book does, as it should since she plays the sport. I was fascinated by all the skills and strategies the rookie skaters, or Fresh Meat in derby parlance, have to learn.

I'm not sure if all editions of the book have it, but the one I read (a "pocket readers guide") has a roller derby glossary in the back as well as an interview with the author, both of which I thought were cool.

If you're reading this, Pamela Ribon, thank you for the acknowledgment! I am one of those good people you mentioned and am pleased to be in such good company.

Everyone else, go read Going in Circles! If you're on the fence, read her blog for a bit to tip the scale.


A year ago on TTaT: Scene from the Candy Aisle, Sparkles and shadows