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Spin
“At once comic, heart-breaking, and life-affirming.�
—Tish Cohen, author of Town House
“Imagine if Bridget Jones fell into a million little pieces, flew over the cuckoo’s nest, and befriended Lindsay Lohan along the way, and you are beginning to grasp the literary roller coaster ride that is Catherine McKenzie’s Spin.�
—Leah McLaren, author of The Continuity Girl
How far would you go to get what you wanted? That’s the question author Catherine McKenzie addresses in Spin—a delectable debut novel that takes readers into the connected worlds of pop culture, tabloid journalism, and celebrity rehab. The story of a newbie undercover gossip reporter who follows a troubled starlet into a rehab clinic intending to dig up all the dirt she possibly can, Spin is smart, hip, utterly engaging contemporary fiction in the vein of Jennifer Weiner and Emily Giffin.
—Tish Cohen, author of Town House
“Imagine if Bridget Jones fell into a million little pieces, flew over the cuckoo’s nest, and befriended Lindsay Lohan along the way, and you are beginning to grasp the literary roller coaster ride that is Catherine McKenzie’s Spin.�
—Leah McLaren, author of The Continuity Girl
How far would you go to get what you wanted? That’s the question author Catherine McKenzie addresses in Spin—a delectable debut novel that takes readers into the connected worlds of pop culture, tabloid journalism, and celebrity rehab. The story of a newbie undercover gossip reporter who follows a troubled starlet into a rehab clinic intending to dig up all the dirt she possibly can, Spin is smart, hip, utterly engaging contemporary fiction in the vein of Jennifer Weiner and Emily Giffin.
451 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 29, 2009
202 people are currently reading
6,652 people want to read
About the author
Catherine McKenzie
25books4,817followersCatherine McKenzie was born and raised in Montreal, Canada. A graduate of McGill in History and Law, Catherine practiced law in Montreal for twenty years before retiring to write full time. An avid runner and skier, she's the author of numerous bestsellers including HIDDEN, FRACTURED, THE and the GOOD LIAR. I'LL NEVER TELL was a #1 Amazon Bestseller, a Globe & Mail and Toronto Star Bestseller, shortlisted for the Hugh McLennan Prize for Fiction.
On April 30, 2024 Catherine will publish the first in a new funny mystery series named EVERY TIME I GO ON VACATION, SOMEONE DIES as Catherine Mack.
On April 30, 2024 Catherine will publish the first in a new funny mystery series named EVERY TIME I GO ON VACATION, SOMEONE DIES as Catherine Mack.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 645 reviews
June 2, 2010
I'm a guy who loves science fiction and fantasy, so what the hell am I doing reading chick lit? Well, aside from supporting a fellow Canadian author with her debut novel, I won't put down a book that speaks to universal themes like human failings and redemption.
Katie Sanford is a cleverly written protagonist and while this book is classified as Chick Lit, it contains none of the shallowness you might find in the genre. Katie is an all too real heroine who is behind the eight ball on the financial front, busting her butt writing for basically anyone who pays and she's dreaming big. Her ship comes in when a music magazine called The Line (I kept thinking The Hour with George Stromboloppidydoodad or whatever the hell his name is, as I read) is looking for a writer. Kate applies, lands an interview and you'd think she nails it, right?
Um... nope.
Ol' Katie get's hammered the night before the interview, waking up only a few minutes before she's supposed to be there and... well... you know the rest. Think stress of an interview mixed with a hangover and no access to Gravol or any other anti-nausea pharmaceutical. Sooooooo Katie just BLOWS the interview in the worst way possible to the point of fleeing from the room to barf her head off.
No job for you Katie... BUT...
One of the interviewers contacts Kate and wants her to go undercover to spy on big time celebrity babe Amber Shepard with the condition that if she can wing a good expose on Amber, she'll get her dream job.
Nice people at The Line - I had to wonder if Catherine used TMZ as an influencing factor because it screamed paparazzi...
I'm not going to delve into the plot any more than what I have other than to say in Katie, we have a refreshingly BELIEVABLE female protagonist who, while being ambitious, isn't afraid to dream. SPIN is a novel that touches an all too common issue, namely alcohol and drug abuse, but it doesn't do it like you're sitting through a Sally Ann commercial. Catherine Mackenzie gives the reader a seemingly functional up and coming woman who is so focused on making ends meet and achieving her dreams that she hasn't been afforded the luxury of looking inward at her true self - one we all share. You know what I'm talking about. It's always there... hiding in the shadows, patiently waiting for you to crash.
You will laugh with this book. You'll grin and you'll cheer because Katie Sanford is a wonderful new character and Mckenzie has made her believable, warts and all. There's a reason SPIN is a national bestseller in Canada because the book speaks a language that even a dude like me who basically runs pulling his hair out in clumps at anything that even smacks of chick lit will sit down, read and hope like hell the heroine finds redemption.
Catherine Mckenzie's SPIN is a remarkable book for a debut novelist.
Katie Sanford is a cleverly written protagonist and while this book is classified as Chick Lit, it contains none of the shallowness you might find in the genre. Katie is an all too real heroine who is behind the eight ball on the financial front, busting her butt writing for basically anyone who pays and she's dreaming big. Her ship comes in when a music magazine called The Line (I kept thinking The Hour with George Stromboloppidydoodad or whatever the hell his name is, as I read) is looking for a writer. Kate applies, lands an interview and you'd think she nails it, right?
Um... nope.
Ol' Katie get's hammered the night before the interview, waking up only a few minutes before she's supposed to be there and... well... you know the rest. Think stress of an interview mixed with a hangover and no access to Gravol or any other anti-nausea pharmaceutical. Sooooooo Katie just BLOWS the interview in the worst way possible to the point of fleeing from the room to barf her head off.
No job for you Katie... BUT...
One of the interviewers contacts Kate and wants her to go undercover to spy on big time celebrity babe Amber Shepard with the condition that if she can wing a good expose on Amber, she'll get her dream job.
Nice people at The Line - I had to wonder if Catherine used TMZ as an influencing factor because it screamed paparazzi...
I'm not going to delve into the plot any more than what I have other than to say in Katie, we have a refreshingly BELIEVABLE female protagonist who, while being ambitious, isn't afraid to dream. SPIN is a novel that touches an all too common issue, namely alcohol and drug abuse, but it doesn't do it like you're sitting through a Sally Ann commercial. Catherine Mackenzie gives the reader a seemingly functional up and coming woman who is so focused on making ends meet and achieving her dreams that she hasn't been afforded the luxury of looking inward at her true self - one we all share. You know what I'm talking about. It's always there... hiding in the shadows, patiently waiting for you to crash.
You will laugh with this book. You'll grin and you'll cheer because Katie Sanford is a wonderful new character and Mckenzie has made her believable, warts and all. There's a reason SPIN is a national bestseller in Canada because the book speaks a language that even a dude like me who basically runs pulling his hair out in clumps at anything that even smacks of chick lit will sit down, read and hope like hell the heroine finds redemption.
Catherine Mckenzie's SPIN is a remarkable book for a debut novelist.
March 15, 2012
“Imagine if Bridget Jones fell into A million little pieces, flew over the cuckoo’s nest and befriended Lindsey Lohan along the way.� Okay I might have stolen that quote from the back of the book but it does describe Spin perfectly, so I couldn’t help myself.
This was a fantastic read and from a new Canadian author no less. Totally relatable, addictive and hilarious, I had trouble putting this one down. It's written along the lines of Sophia Kinsley’s series or as I mentioned , I also had flashes of (if the loony bin were rehab) And yet despite all the comparisons Spin still manages to have a unique feel to it.
Peppered with pop culture references from movies, TV and music there's even a chapter by chapter playlist included at the end. I also just love books that are written the way we girls actually think, you know with random disjointed thoughts and crazy insecurities. And how much fun is it to follow a heroine who isn’t perfect? Kate, well she’s a mess so it was an absolute blast stumbling along with her while she finds herself.
Kate,(Katie, whatever) Sanford has just landed the job interview she’s been dreaming about her entire adult life, (other than writing for Rolling Stone that is.) It’s an interview with her favourite music magazine The Line. It’s also Katie’s 30th birthday which is all the more reason to celebrate, right? I mean what harm can meeting her friend Greer and having one little drink do? She’ll still get home early enough to be clear headed and fresh for the big interview tomorrow. Well as most of us know there’s no such thing as one drink (especially with friends like Greer.)
Katie’s botched interview is hilarious, she’s late arriving, still a bit drunk and concludes the meeting by excusing herself to throw up and lie on the restroom floor. Needless to say she doesn’t get the job. She is however just perfect for another assignment they have in mind; entering a 30 day stint in rehab to spy on the new “it� girl of the moment and writing a 5,000 word expose for their subsidiary gossip magazine. (Should she succeed the job she actually wants will also be waiting for her.) It’s a no brainer really, at this point Katie has burned almost every bridge she can and has nothing left to loose, besides its only for 30 days.
Kate’s observations from rehab while somewhat heartbreaking still retain the comedy. Her experiments with jogging had me laughing out loud as did the descriptions of her dog obsessed counsellor. Of course there’s a romance in bloom and hey what do you know she might just have a drinking issue after all. At the very least Katie needs to grow up and stop telling people she’s still in college or at least partying with college kids. The rehab section of the story is predictable but that doesn’t make it any less fun to watch the train wreck and cheer from the sidelines. The ending reads like a Hugh Grant movie and I loved it. Cheers
284jb5
This was a fantastic read and from a new Canadian author no less. Totally relatable, addictive and hilarious, I had trouble putting this one down. It's written along the lines of Sophia Kinsley’s series or as I mentioned , I also had flashes of (if the loony bin were rehab) And yet despite all the comparisons Spin still manages to have a unique feel to it.
Peppered with pop culture references from movies, TV and music there's even a chapter by chapter playlist included at the end. I also just love books that are written the way we girls actually think, you know with random disjointed thoughts and crazy insecurities. And how much fun is it to follow a heroine who isn’t perfect? Kate, well she’s a mess so it was an absolute blast stumbling along with her while she finds herself.
Kate,(Katie, whatever) Sanford has just landed the job interview she’s been dreaming about her entire adult life, (other than writing for Rolling Stone that is.) It’s an interview with her favourite music magazine The Line. It’s also Katie’s 30th birthday which is all the more reason to celebrate, right? I mean what harm can meeting her friend Greer and having one little drink do? She’ll still get home early enough to be clear headed and fresh for the big interview tomorrow. Well as most of us know there’s no such thing as one drink (especially with friends like Greer.)
Katie’s botched interview is hilarious, she’s late arriving, still a bit drunk and concludes the meeting by excusing herself to throw up and lie on the restroom floor. Needless to say she doesn’t get the job. She is however just perfect for another assignment they have in mind; entering a 30 day stint in rehab to spy on the new “it� girl of the moment and writing a 5,000 word expose for their subsidiary gossip magazine. (Should she succeed the job she actually wants will also be waiting for her.) It’s a no brainer really, at this point Katie has burned almost every bridge she can and has nothing left to loose, besides its only for 30 days.
Kate’s observations from rehab while somewhat heartbreaking still retain the comedy. Her experiments with jogging had me laughing out loud as did the descriptions of her dog obsessed counsellor. Of course there’s a romance in bloom and hey what do you know she might just have a drinking issue after all. At the very least Katie needs to grow up and stop telling people she’s still in college or at least partying with college kids. The rehab section of the story is predictable but that doesn’t make it any less fun to watch the train wreck and cheer from the sidelines. The ending reads like a Hugh Grant movie and I loved it. Cheers
284jb5
March 19, 2012
Utterly forgettable. In fact, I'm not entirely sure why I bothered to finish this one on the first place. Somehow, despite this book being a totally bloated 425 pages long, I felt like I didn't know anything about our protagonist, Katie. Even though the book wrapped up all of its loose ends, I felt like nothing got solved. I don't even know where this book took place, other than some unnamed city in the East, with a guest appearance by a mountain resort rehab which I guess was also East. My best guess, considering this book was a Canadian bestseller before it got publishing rights in the US, is that the city is Toronto, but it could've been New York. It is a mystery.
My chief complaint about this book is that everything came so easily to Katie. She remains in almost total denial about needing rehab throughout the entire book, even though it's obvious to readers that she needs it. However, we start the story right before the failed drunken interview that catalyzes the story's plot, so we never really see much of her past and it's unclear exactly how much and for how long alcohol has been ruining her life. Katie is estranged from her family for reasons that remain completely unclear, and by sheer coincidence, she is shipped to rehab in her hometown, forcing her to cross paths with family and past acquaintances in equally unlikely and coincidental ways. After one therapy session with her family, Katie's counselor thinks they're pretty much cured, despite the fact that it went pretty terribly and broached only the surface of the underlying problems. It's pretty obvious that Katie's not taking the rehab process seriously, but the therapists act like she was doing awesome by the time she gets let go. While Katie's in rehab, she falls into favor with the subject of her expose, Amber, so easily and gets around every obstacle preventing her from communicating with the outside world without any trouble, thanks to a couple of lucky coincidences, of course. There is a romance, of course, but he's not REALLY an addict (just the personal assistant of one), and while they have almost no chemistry (or much interaction on the page, for that matter), it all works out in the end.
Plus, did I mention all the coincidences and conveniences? Because the whole book is like one giant deus ex machina. All of these things could only happen in someone's imagination.
In the end, the book doesn't quite know if it's meant to be comedic or serious. The situation that Catherine McKenzie sets up could be played for laughs, but it's not off-the-wall enough to accomplish that. On the flip side, the sheer number of coincidences and Katie's utter lack of accountability prevent it from making a serious point. The book feels like a bridge to nowhere, counting on its premise to do all the work, and it can't. Interesting back cover copy does not a good book make.
My chief complaint about this book is that everything came so easily to Katie. She remains in almost total denial about needing rehab throughout the entire book, even though it's obvious to readers that she needs it. However, we start the story right before the failed drunken interview that catalyzes the story's plot, so we never really see much of her past and it's unclear exactly how much and for how long alcohol has been ruining her life. Katie is estranged from her family for reasons that remain completely unclear, and by sheer coincidence, she is shipped to rehab in her hometown, forcing her to cross paths with family and past acquaintances in equally unlikely and coincidental ways. After one therapy session with her family, Katie's counselor thinks they're pretty much cured, despite the fact that it went pretty terribly and broached only the surface of the underlying problems. It's pretty obvious that Katie's not taking the rehab process seriously, but the therapists act like she was doing awesome by the time she gets let go. While Katie's in rehab, she falls into favor with the subject of her expose, Amber, so easily and gets around every obstacle preventing her from communicating with the outside world without any trouble, thanks to a couple of lucky coincidences, of course. There is a romance, of course, but he's not REALLY an addict (just the personal assistant of one), and while they have almost no chemistry (or much interaction on the page, for that matter), it all works out in the end.
Plus, did I mention all the coincidences and conveniences? Because the whole book is like one giant deus ex machina. All of these things could only happen in someone's imagination.
In the end, the book doesn't quite know if it's meant to be comedic or serious. The situation that Catherine McKenzie sets up could be played for laughs, but it's not off-the-wall enough to accomplish that. On the flip side, the sheer number of coincidences and Katie's utter lack of accountability prevent it from making a serious point. The book feels like a bridge to nowhere, counting on its premise to do all the work, and it can't. Interesting back cover copy does not a good book make.
January 9, 2012
Spin by Catherine McKenzie is hands down one of my favorite chick lits ever! Thank you Harper Collins for giving me a copy because I absolutely LOVED it! The blurb had me a little skeptical at first because well, it's about Rehab. I assumed the book would go all serious on me and I wouldn't like it but thank goodness it didn't! I'm not sure what I enjoyed more, Kate/Katie's character or the plot itself! The credit goes to the author either way because it's her writing that kept me interested.
Kate is possibly an alcoholic but she doesn't seem to think so. After a job interview gone wrong and rather strange circumstances, she's forced into Rehab on an undercover writing assignment which might land her the job of her dreams at 'The Line' as a music reviewer. It was all supposed to be an act to get the dirt on a famous celebrity who has checked into Rehab but Kate did not expect to actually be affected by her stay there. Along the way, she makes friends, finds a higher power and even falls in love. I absolutely adore Kate! She's a naive thirty year old woman who has an alcohol problem and a compulsive need to lie. In short, she's a mess. She's lost and broken but at the same time incredibly self-assured and has a killer wit!
Spin's a story about a woman finding herself and getting responsible with her life written in a funny and enjoyable way! At the end of the novel, I was scouring ŷ for other novels by Catherine McKenzie.
Utterly charming and I definitely recommend it for all the Chick Lit lovers out there!
April 15, 2012
Catherine McKenzie Spins a Great Story
Though Kate Sanford has thirty years under her belt, what she really needs is thirty days of rehab. Luckily fate intervenes to procure the much needed treatment when she shows up completely drunk to a coveted journalist interview. It's no surprise when the magazine writes her off for that position, but they have another opportunity in mind: go to rehab (undercover) to spy on the latest it-girl actress Amber Sheppard. If she gets the goods on Amber, Kate may win her prized job.
What a catchy plot! I've wanted to read this since reading the blurb, and Harper Collins made that easier when they released the novel in the U.S.
Believing she doesn't need treatment (just like every alcoholic) but desperately wanting the job, Kate agrees to the undercover assignment. The slow dawning of realization about her addiction was interesting to read. I also enjoyed the added complexity of the whirlwind surrounding Amber, including the paparazzi stalking every move and her disdainful hot actor ex-boyfriend Connor. Amber is a typical actress who relies on the audience's applause for her self-worth, and believes she should be dating Connor simply because he's cool.
At the beginning Amber seems obnoxious and entitled, but as Kate gets to know her they forge a tentative friendship. My favorite part of the story is Kate's ethical dilemma--should she write a tell-all expose about her new friend once they get out of rehab?
When Connor shows up at the same rehab facility, with his personal assistant Henry, things get even more interesting. Henry isn't an alcoholic but he has an addiction of another kind, which adds some depth to the story. Henry and Kate begin flirting, and there's a hint of reuniting between Amber and Connor.
I read this novel quickly and felt satisfied by how Ms. McKenzie resolves Kate's ethical conflict. I would've liked a bit more explanation of Kate's family dynamics and why she chose to leave home so abruptly. The author strikes just the right tone for characterizing the heroine of the story--at times she's not very likable but her journey toward becoming a better person is compelling and strong.
Though Kate Sanford has thirty years under her belt, what she really needs is thirty days of rehab. Luckily fate intervenes to procure the much needed treatment when she shows up completely drunk to a coveted journalist interview. It's no surprise when the magazine writes her off for that position, but they have another opportunity in mind: go to rehab (undercover) to spy on the latest it-girl actress Amber Sheppard. If she gets the goods on Amber, Kate may win her prized job.
What a catchy plot! I've wanted to read this since reading the blurb, and Harper Collins made that easier when they released the novel in the U.S.
Believing she doesn't need treatment (just like every alcoholic) but desperately wanting the job, Kate agrees to the undercover assignment. The slow dawning of realization about her addiction was interesting to read. I also enjoyed the added complexity of the whirlwind surrounding Amber, including the paparazzi stalking every move and her disdainful hot actor ex-boyfriend Connor. Amber is a typical actress who relies on the audience's applause for her self-worth, and believes she should be dating Connor simply because he's cool.
At the beginning Amber seems obnoxious and entitled, but as Kate gets to know her they forge a tentative friendship. My favorite part of the story is Kate's ethical dilemma--should she write a tell-all expose about her new friend once they get out of rehab?
When Connor shows up at the same rehab facility, with his personal assistant Henry, things get even more interesting. Henry isn't an alcoholic but he has an addiction of another kind, which adds some depth to the story. Henry and Kate begin flirting, and there's a hint of reuniting between Amber and Connor.
I read this novel quickly and felt satisfied by how Ms. McKenzie resolves Kate's ethical conflict. I would've liked a bit more explanation of Kate's family dynamics and why she chose to leave home so abruptly. The author strikes just the right tone for characterizing the heroine of the story--at times she's not very likable but her journey toward becoming a better person is compelling and strong.
June 24, 2016
I loved this book from the first page. I loved the pacing and humor and the protagonist, Kate.
The day before a job interview for a dream job writing about music for a magazine called The Line, her friend invites her out for a drink, which turns into many drinks.
Because she’s had so many drinks the night before, she barely makes it to the interview on time. Her brain is cloudy and she can’t think straight. At one point she has to run to the bathroom to vomit. The woman who follows her recommends AA, which Kate thinks is ridiculous. She screwed up this interview, but it was just a one-time mistake. Yes, it’s true that for a while now, Kate has been stealing her roommate’s bottles of wine, which the roommate buys as an investment. Kate sees no issue with drink the wine since her roommate won’t.
Depressed, Kate goes home to drink and follow the story of Amber Shepard, a woman who became famous playing The Girl Next Door on a TV show as a teenager. Amber used that success to star in two successful horror films and a movie that garnered her an Oscar nomination. Unfortunately, she’s been caught on camera smoking crack, and is sent to rehab.
Bob, the owner of The Line, also owns a magazine called Gossip Central. He considers Kate’s less-than-spectacular job interview and thinks she might be the perfect candidate to go undercover at the rehab center to get the inside scoop on Amber.
Naturally, Kate doesn’t think she has a problem—she’s never had a DUI for example, because she’s smart enough to take cabs. But there are other things in her life that indicate she’s not living honestly—with her friends, family, and herself.
The story is fun and fast-paced. I recommend it.
The day before a job interview for a dream job writing about music for a magazine called The Line, her friend invites her out for a drink, which turns into many drinks.
Because she’s had so many drinks the night before, she barely makes it to the interview on time. Her brain is cloudy and she can’t think straight. At one point she has to run to the bathroom to vomit. The woman who follows her recommends AA, which Kate thinks is ridiculous. She screwed up this interview, but it was just a one-time mistake. Yes, it’s true that for a while now, Kate has been stealing her roommate’s bottles of wine, which the roommate buys as an investment. Kate sees no issue with drink the wine since her roommate won’t.
Depressed, Kate goes home to drink and follow the story of Amber Shepard, a woman who became famous playing The Girl Next Door on a TV show as a teenager. Amber used that success to star in two successful horror films and a movie that garnered her an Oscar nomination. Unfortunately, she’s been caught on camera smoking crack, and is sent to rehab.
Bob, the owner of The Line, also owns a magazine called Gossip Central. He considers Kate’s less-than-spectacular job interview and thinks she might be the perfect candidate to go undercover at the rehab center to get the inside scoop on Amber.
Naturally, Kate doesn’t think she has a problem—she’s never had a DUI for example, because she’s smart enough to take cabs. But there are other things in her life that indicate she’s not living honestly—with her friends, family, and herself.
The story is fun and fast-paced. I recommend it.
January 30, 2010
Love, love love this book! Really, it's chick lit at its best. Great characters, tight plots, realistic romance. If you are looking for the next great chick lit book, then this is definitely it.
February 5, 2018
Actual rating - 3.5
January 27, 2012
I didn't really expect to like this book. Too many books about wannabe writers who want to show off their Hollywood connections and lifestyles of the rich and famous behaving badly have turned my stomach. The authors are often self absorbed. Now I can honestly say this book kept me reading far past the hour that a woman with four children and a professional job should be reading because I was so intrigued and really cared about the protagonist. She was funny, snarky, and not very self aware but you just could not help yourself. I loved her "voice" and her ability to write a new and compelling story that made me crave a martini or a shot of whiskey. Just to clarify my drinking history - I have none. No, truly. Never even sipped champagne. That's how convincing the protagonist is. But I digress.
Katie does not have a drinking problem. She is not an alcoholic. She simply drinks too much and tends to be irresponsible. At least that's her story and she's sticking to it. Due to her presentation at a job interview, she is the lucky winner to enter a pricey rehab for celebs and rich and famous. Think Cirque Lodge via Robert Redford's influence. It's Utah's best kept secret where stars go to detox. Okay, whatever. We all about it.
So Katie's assignmement is to go to rehab and play the therapy game so she can report on the IT girl who is in the same rehab. But Katie does not have an addiction problem. Of course the reader knows Katie might have a little problem. The story is told first person in Katie's head. She justifies herself, talks to herself and is all too relateable and funny. There is nothing forced about the story as Katie starts out pretending to go through the twelve step program with a lot of deflection and lack of responsibility. She makes friends with a couple of the women in rehab including Amber but it is almost incidental. The meat of the story is the every day in rehab and her slow acceptance that she might choose to stay sober and she decides she has issues.
Somehow a little romance is introduced and new patients show up that shake up the chemistry. I don't think it is a spoiler to mention that she becomes friends with a couple of vacationers, including Amber which causes a moral dilemma for writing the story since she suddenly finds she has a conscience sans alcohol. This is about the time that I become convinced my choice to never partake are still sound. I simply loved Katie. In fact character development for all of Katie's best friends are well done. I just really liked them.
Be aware that swearing is heavy. Sex is implied but mostly in past tense. Drug and alcohol use and abuse is heavy with the caveat of the sweet friendships that develop in rehab, a more clear understanding of addiction, and real struggles to survive and successfully complete a rehab program.
Definitely worth the read but does not pass my Mom-o-Meter. You will laugh. You might cry. You will enjoy.
Katie does not have a drinking problem. She is not an alcoholic. She simply drinks too much and tends to be irresponsible. At least that's her story and she's sticking to it. Due to her presentation at a job interview, she is the lucky winner to enter a pricey rehab for celebs and rich and famous. Think Cirque Lodge via Robert Redford's influence. It's Utah's best kept secret where stars go to detox. Okay, whatever. We all about it.
So Katie's assignmement is to go to rehab and play the therapy game so she can report on the IT girl who is in the same rehab. But Katie does not have an addiction problem. Of course the reader knows Katie might have a little problem. The story is told first person in Katie's head. She justifies herself, talks to herself and is all too relateable and funny. There is nothing forced about the story as Katie starts out pretending to go through the twelve step program with a lot of deflection and lack of responsibility. She makes friends with a couple of the women in rehab including Amber but it is almost incidental. The meat of the story is the every day in rehab and her slow acceptance that she might choose to stay sober and she decides she has issues.
Somehow a little romance is introduced and new patients show up that shake up the chemistry. I don't think it is a spoiler to mention that she becomes friends with a couple of vacationers, including Amber which causes a moral dilemma for writing the story since she suddenly finds she has a conscience sans alcohol. This is about the time that I become convinced my choice to never partake are still sound. I simply loved Katie. In fact character development for all of Katie's best friends are well done. I just really liked them.
Be aware that swearing is heavy. Sex is implied but mostly in past tense. Drug and alcohol use and abuse is heavy with the caveat of the sweet friendships that develop in rehab, a more clear understanding of addiction, and real struggles to survive and successfully complete a rehab program.
Definitely worth the read but does not pass my Mom-o-Meter. You will laugh. You might cry. You will enjoy.
February 3, 2017
3.5 stars.
I honestly didn't think I was going to like this book because it's set mostly in a rehabilitation center. Last time I read a book set in rehab, I HATED IT, so my expectations for this book was extremely low. I'm surprised to say that I enjoyed the book. I had a few problems with it. For example: The main character is thirty, but she acts younger. I understand that a person's maturity level might not match their age, but Katie did not act thirty whatsoever. Also, I felt the story didn't really focus on what it's meant to focus on. The main idea was to spy on "It girl," but I felt like it was more focused on Katie's feelings with Henry or her drinking problem.
The ending: I didn't really like the ending because, again, I felt Katie and Henry was more concerning to the author rather than what really mattered- Katie's dream job. I felt like when we finally reached the main point of the book, it didn't matter anymore. The only thing that mattered was Henry.
I usually L O V E cute little romances, but I thought that it was just poorly done. I didn't really like the writing style. The characters were annoying sometimes and sometimes, I liked them. The book was just, "meh."
I honestly didn't think I was going to like this book because it's set mostly in a rehabilitation center. Last time I read a book set in rehab, I HATED IT, so my expectations for this book was extremely low. I'm surprised to say that I enjoyed the book. I had a few problems with it. For example: The main character is thirty, but she acts younger. I understand that a person's maturity level might not match their age, but Katie did not act thirty whatsoever. Also, I felt the story didn't really focus on what it's meant to focus on. The main idea was to spy on "It girl," but I felt like it was more focused on Katie's feelings with Henry or her drinking problem.
The ending: I didn't really like the ending because, again, I felt Katie and Henry was more concerning to the author rather than what really mattered- Katie's dream job. I felt like when we finally reached the main point of the book, it didn't matter anymore. The only thing that mattered was Henry.
I usually L O V E cute little romances, but I thought that it was just poorly done. I didn't really like the writing style. The characters were annoying sometimes and sometimes, I liked them. The book was just, "meh."
April 22, 2020
3,5 stars
Let me begin by stating that I am a BIG fan of Catherine McKenzie, I've read all of her more recent books and enjoyed everyone of them.
So I decided to read some of her previous books. This one was published more than 10 years ago, and it turned out to be very different from what I was expecting.
While McKenzie's latest books are deep, rich and profound, mostly mysteries with complex characters, I guess Spin is more romance/cick lit, not bad in its genre but a bit more superficial. I loved the ending and I would probably have loved more the whole thing if I had an audio version, because the story is simple and linear and it would have been a great listen while gardening or cooking. When I read I book (and so I don't do anything else at the same time!) I prefer something more complex. Still a cute and funny bookif you know what to expect from it.
Let me begin by stating that I am a BIG fan of Catherine McKenzie, I've read all of her more recent books and enjoyed everyone of them.
So I decided to read some of her previous books. This one was published more than 10 years ago, and it turned out to be very different from what I was expecting.
While McKenzie's latest books are deep, rich and profound, mostly mysteries with complex characters, I guess Spin is more romance/cick lit, not bad in its genre but a bit more superficial. I loved the ending and I would probably have loved more the whole thing if I had an audio version, because the story is simple and linear and it would have been a great listen while gardening or cooking. When I read I book (and so I don't do anything else at the same time!) I prefer something more complex. Still a cute and funny bookif you know what to expect from it.
March 28, 2016
What a book! It went beyond my expectations. It was enjoyable and lighthearted.
It's super underrated and I feel deeply sorry for this fact.
It talks about alcoholism and addiction and how a person can be in denial of this problem of his own and how he sees people just exaggerating their reaction toward their behaviour around addiction resources.
It surprised me In a good way in many pages and it made me laugh and smile a lot. Didn't expect it to be as hilarious as this much.
Highly recommended for any one who wants a light and funny read in the same time.
First time to read a book for this author and definitely wont be the last. I liked her sense of humour and would love to read something written by her again.
It's super underrated and I feel deeply sorry for this fact.
It talks about alcoholism and addiction and how a person can be in denial of this problem of his own and how he sees people just exaggerating their reaction toward their behaviour around addiction resources.
It surprised me In a good way in many pages and it made me laugh and smile a lot. Didn't expect it to be as hilarious as this much.
Highly recommended for any one who wants a light and funny read in the same time.
First time to read a book for this author and definitely wont be the last. I liked her sense of humour and would love to read something written by her again.
August 4, 2013
“Hi. My name is Katie. I’m a writer, and um... I’m an alcoholic.�
“Hi, Katie!� says the group.
“Wrebbit!� says TGND
The gist. Katie has a dream job. She wants to be able to write at this magazine she's been dying to be part of. There's an opening (a grace from heaven) and make do to prep and fill up her credentials. She gets too excited and gets way out of hand that ends her in a drunken stupor with the interview on the next day. So she went (15 minutes late) still in buzz and haze. Of course she didn't get the job. But funny how things in life became very considerate despite in a you-gain-I-lose situation. Who else to complain when opportunity knocked on your door twice? She thought to hell with it and drank herself to another oblivion.
"Whoever said there are no second chances in life was a moron.
So Kate got another "job" with her as an undercover where she gets the deets on the It Girl, following her on a 30day treatment in an expensive facility. It's very fitting considering her strong craving to alcohol. She realizes that Amber is more to what was percieved and somehow grew attached to her along the way. Of course, she didn't realize she needed the help that she can get.
Spin was such a wonderful story. With equal parts hilarious and melodramatic, I guess staying sober is the point. The flow of the novel is so fluid you can't see any flaw (should there be any) or even thought it gone to a different direction. The transcending events kept the story afloat together with the right characters, both figuratively and theoretically, and how they bring color, life and voice to the novel. But what I really loved most about it was Kate. God, 1st page in and I was already so into her and her humor.
Oh, Katie. How can you not love her? With her spiraling, laugh-out-loud antics, to her smart mouth and funny internal monologues you can never go wrong with her. I am definitely fangirling on her as Joanne fangirl's on Amber (TGND).
Though the romance came in a little later in the novel, I almost didn't notice it when I was really into Katie and Amber. Henry's character, playing as Kate's progressing relationship, wasn't done fast. Their happenstance wasn't overdone or rushed to get the feel of them as together. What I loved about Spin, or any Catherine McKenzie books, is that it always remained to what the plot is really about. It doesn't stray from the original point but rather creates a new detail that adds a good spin to it.
With my work being so demanding and taking most of my time by day and drains me by night, it's troublesome for me to have to start a book and decided to drop it after a couple of pages. What I need in this time constraining days is the right book to have my enjoyment. And so far, after 3 books, Catherine McKenzie just delivers these wonderful stories that fits the mood in the right time. Or in the contrary, her books sets the mood justly.
“This is where it really starts, Katie. And you only get out what you put in."
xx
May 17, 2023
I finished reading this novel a few minutes ago (it's now 6:11 PM EST) and I must say that it was a very good story, with an equal blending of humor, emotional tensions, and solid character development.
Normally, novels of this genre I don't read because contemporary novels don't interest me very much. But the author is a ŷ friend and for that reason, I bought the book and read it.
The main character, Kate Sandford, is a quirky, impulsive, fun-loving woman bordering on 30 who aspires to write for a top music magazine ('The Line') in town. But when she gets her chance for a job interview with 'The Line', she makes a mess of it, coming to the interview nursing a heavy hangover from her birthday celebration with friends the night before (when she drank herself into oblivion).
Kate struggles for a time afterward to get some semblance of order and stability in her life before she is offered a second chance of sorts with 'The Line.' But there's a catch: Kate has to go to a rehab center (where a famous young actress/celebrity known as "The Girl Next Door" [TGND] is undergoing treatment) for 30 days to do a story on TGND. Initially, Kate isn't thrilled about going into rehab. But as 'The Line' would be footing her bill, provided she would get the goods on TGND for them, she took this opportunity for a future with 'The Line'
Once into rehab, the story proceeds apace and the drama is intense, surprising, and never dull. For anyone interested in a well-written story with crisp, snappy, engaging dialogue and compelling characters, "SPIN" is it.
Normally, novels of this genre I don't read because contemporary novels don't interest me very much. But the author is a ŷ friend and for that reason, I bought the book and read it.
The main character, Kate Sandford, is a quirky, impulsive, fun-loving woman bordering on 30 who aspires to write for a top music magazine ('The Line') in town. But when she gets her chance for a job interview with 'The Line', she makes a mess of it, coming to the interview nursing a heavy hangover from her birthday celebration with friends the night before (when she drank herself into oblivion).
Kate struggles for a time afterward to get some semblance of order and stability in her life before she is offered a second chance of sorts with 'The Line.' But there's a catch: Kate has to go to a rehab center (where a famous young actress/celebrity known as "The Girl Next Door" [TGND] is undergoing treatment) for 30 days to do a story on TGND. Initially, Kate isn't thrilled about going into rehab. But as 'The Line' would be footing her bill, provided she would get the goods on TGND for them, she took this opportunity for a future with 'The Line'
Once into rehab, the story proceeds apace and the drama is intense, surprising, and never dull. For anyone interested in a well-written story with crisp, snappy, engaging dialogue and compelling characters, "SPIN" is it.
May 1, 2014
Spin is a fun, fast read for all of those 20-somethings (or who still feel like 20-somethings) who know exactly how it is to go out there and have just "one drink" ;)
I loved Katie and her fun personality. Landing a job at firm of her dreams was everything that she wanted and when she finally gets the opportunity... yeaaa she gets wasted. But no she doesn't have a problem and even going to rehab for a job to spy on a celebrity doesn't stop her.
Believing she doesn't need treatment (just like every alcoholic) but desperately wanting the job, Kate agrees to the undercover assignment. The slow dawning of realization about her addiction was interesting to read. It was one of those moments where you know what's going to happen but can't stop reading about it because you actually want to see how it happens.
I loved Katie and her outlook on life. She was so free and even though her life wasn't going as planned, she never gave up and along the way even found love.
Oh Katie. Defined as Chick-Flick, I really enjoyed it and recommend to anyone that wants a perfect light read on a summer day.
I loved Katie and her fun personality. Landing a job at firm of her dreams was everything that she wanted and when she finally gets the opportunity... yeaaa she gets wasted. But no she doesn't have a problem and even going to rehab for a job to spy on a celebrity doesn't stop her.
Believing she doesn't need treatment (just like every alcoholic) but desperately wanting the job, Kate agrees to the undercover assignment. The slow dawning of realization about her addiction was interesting to read. It was one of those moments where you know what's going to happen but can't stop reading about it because you actually want to see how it happens.
I loved Katie and her outlook on life. She was so free and even though her life wasn't going as planned, she never gave up and along the way even found love.
Oh Katie. Defined as Chick-Flick, I really enjoyed it and recommend to anyone that wants a perfect light read on a summer day.
November 26, 2010
Wow. That's what I'll start off with. I really enjoyed this book. The story was fast paced and engaging, and I found myself unable to put it down. When I finally finished, I was going back and rereading snippets. When I finally finished with THAT, I stuck it in my neighbor's mailbox was a large note saying READ NOW!!! Katie is a great heroine, despite all of her flaws. In fact, it's her horrible screw ups that make her so endearing. On one level, the book was hysterical. Katie is snarky and kick-ass throughout, but as the novel progresses, her vulnerbility becomes evident. I found myself relating to her issues and inability to break a cycle. I wanted her to suceeded so badly, and when she starts to spiral down again, I was about to whack her with a crowbar. Amber was also a great character, who despite her issues was well rounded. Together, they muddled through their problems and seemed to finally want to help themselves. Henry was my love. <3 Seriously. For a ginger, he was hot. ;) Okay, I feel like I'm going to stark giving stuff away. All I can say is READ NOW!!!
Is there an option for 6-stars?
Is there an option for 6-stars?
May 29, 2010
This book amazed me.
I was first drawn to "Spin" one day, when in the teen section of my local bookstore. Next to all the vampire romance and other such teen trends of the moment, a realistic, unique novel like this jumped right out at me.
I HAD to read it, no exceptions.
Because of where I bought this book from, I was somewhat surprised by the thirty-year-old heroine, but quickly became grateful that this book could focus on adult characters, and yet have a voice so familiar to all readers.
We all struggle with problems in life, and we all have goals that we would do anything to reach.
Even if our stories aren't quite as crazy as Kate Sanford's, I think that we can all relate to her in some way or another.
The characters in the book were memorable and fun, and I enjoyed every page of this book, right down to the bonus chapter song playlist in the back.
Catherine McKenzie is an incredibly talented new Canadian author, and I look forward to reading any other books she may write in the future.
I was first drawn to "Spin" one day, when in the teen section of my local bookstore. Next to all the vampire romance and other such teen trends of the moment, a realistic, unique novel like this jumped right out at me.
I HAD to read it, no exceptions.
Because of where I bought this book from, I was somewhat surprised by the thirty-year-old heroine, but quickly became grateful that this book could focus on adult characters, and yet have a voice so familiar to all readers.
We all struggle with problems in life, and we all have goals that we would do anything to reach.
Even if our stories aren't quite as crazy as Kate Sanford's, I think that we can all relate to her in some way or another.
The characters in the book were memorable and fun, and I enjoyed every page of this book, right down to the bonus chapter song playlist in the back.
Catherine McKenzie is an incredibly talented new Canadian author, and I look forward to reading any other books she may write in the future.
January 17, 2010
If you never thought of a posh rehab center as an ideal setting for a madcap adventure, think again. SPIN's unique setting makes for a fresh and funny read -- and one with a moral too. Katie Sandford stands heroic despite -- and perhaps because -- of her imperfections in this wildly entertaining debut novel by Catherine McKenzie.
December 1, 2023
“So, most days you need something to make you feel happy?� I knew it was a trick! “I guess.� “And if you weren’t drinking, would you be unhappy most days?� My eyes wander to the oblong window above Saundra’s head. The sky is gray and cloudy. “I don’t know... I really don’t think of myself as unhappy...� “Katie, when you’re using alcohol regularly to alter your mood, it’s generally an indication that there’s something that needs to be altered.�This one started out full of promise and possibilities, and was very reminiscent of Rachel’s Holiday, the almost classic Marian Keyes novel. But because I couldn’t help but compare them, it was ultimately disappointing. Rachel’s Holiday was so deep, dark, and hilarious. There were definitely some good things about this one. The premise was a great idea and roped me in right away.
Kate, a talented but struggling writer is in denial about her alcoholism. When she is invited to interview for a position in a respected music review magazine, The Line, she is thrilled. This is her dream job. She is invited by a friend to go out to celebrate this and her upcoming birthday the night before the interview. She puts up a weak resistance knowing she has to be on her game for the interview, but goes out anyway for “just one drink.� She shows up at the interview still drunk from the night before and simultaneously hung over. I’ll draw a veil. But when Amber Shepard a young star and current tabloid fodder enters rehab, they remember Kate. One of The Line’s affiliates is a celebrity gossip rag and they tap her to follow Amber into rehab to get the goods on the young erratic “It Girl.� If she does a good job, The Line will hire her for their magazine.
Written in first person by Kate, it was funny, serious, and well-written. I liked her voice. But the book doesn’t go deep enough. It’s kind of vague about many things. For example, how much does Kate really drink? We know it’s a lot. She randomly tells the doctor she drinks 2 bottles of wine every day which is what she guesses would qualify to get her into Cloudspin Oasis, the rehab facility, but is she lying or telling the truth? Kate is a liar about many things. It would have been effective if we find out that Kate is either lying to the reader, or if the reader is clear about the truth. We meet a few of the patients but we never get their journeys. They really don't add anything to the story. Of course, get to know Amber as Kate is successful in befriending her and gaining her trust. Amber is a good character, but Kate is warned not to let her get too close because she is dangerous. That knowledge keeps us suspicious and watchful of Amber, but nothing really plays out.
Amber is famously entangled with Connor Parks, another hot movie actor who plays the Young James Bond in a movie franchise. He follows her to rehab (why?) and it is when he enters the scene, about halfway through, that I started losing interest. It was one inauthenticity too many. First off that would never be allowed. Things became just so facile and contrived. Connor has a personal assistant who is allowed to enter rehab with him to look after him. What? Wouldn’t happen. He is Kate’s love interest and boring. I just can’t invest in a romance where the guy is an enabler of a bad person and addict just because he is an old-school friend. It conflicts with his character big time. The "why" of their relationship is a mystery and could have been intriguing but ended up to be more unexplored potential. Kate is able to smuggle in an Apple iTouch to submit copy to the gossip rag and is never caught. Wouldn’t happen. The doctors and therapists are naive and gullible. They seem incapable of holding anyone’s feet to the fire. There is no meaningful therapy that goes on. We never really get to the source of Kate’s addiction. Her friends, both enabling and disapproving, visit her but nothing comes of it. There was some hope when Kate’s eccentric and permissive old hippie parents were introduced. Failing anything interesting happening with her friends, I was hoping for some drama, revelations, and secrets uncovered involving them but it just fizzled as well. It looked like something might come of her relationship with her hostile and jealous sister, but again it came to nothing. We never get to the pain. Once Kate is out of detox which if Kate is anything to go by is no big deal, there are no struggles stemming from being cut off from alcohol and forced sobriety. When she finishes her 30 days and is released there is no real battle to remain sober. She does fall off the wagon once but just climbs back on again and all is well. Easy peasy.
Once out of rehab and sober, Kate does have one problem. How can she betray Amber who she likes and is now her friend? This is what triggers her short relapse. And then Amber finds out. This part of the book, the last 20% or so, where Kate's dilemma is resolved in a satisfactory way, is pretty good.
I gave the book 3 stars because I kept reading and didn’t end up skipping through to get to the end. It kept my interest, but it just didn’t fulfill the potential that it promised in the beginning. For such a long book, it took too many shortcuts.
December 16, 2017
The whole time I was reading this I felt like I’d read it before, not really something to strive for. It was predictable and didn’t have strong teeth. But it was an entertaining read. Great for the beach or short flight
January 19, 2018
I liked this book - very entertaining and well written. Look forward to reading more from Catherine McKenzie.
December 3, 2011
As soon as I saw Spin by Catherine McKenzie was on Netgalley, I wanted to read it immediately. The cover, the synopsis, it all sounded just perfect. We hear a lot about celebrities going to rehab for alcohol, drugs, nervous breakdowns, eating disorders etcetera, but we never get to hear about what goes on in rehab. (Obviously.) Which means that any kind of novel that gets the scoop on rehab is going to be worth reading and will help satisfy our cravings for knowing what celebrities go through. There’s only one novel I’ve read that’s also set in rehab and that is, of course, Marian Keyes� ridiculously awesome Rachel’s Holiday. So Spin was right up my street and McKenzie knocked it out. of. the. park!
So as you may be aware (because I’ve already mentioned it), Spin is about rehab and it all begins when Katie Sandford gets drunk the night before her 30th birthday � and, and the night before she’s meant to interview for her dream job at The Line. She shows up for her interview still drunk, forgets everything she’s meant to say, and then spends an age puking in the bathroom. No, she doesn’t get the job. However, when Amber Sheppard is sent into rehab Britney-style (as in, it’s mandatory not voluntarily), The Line’s sister magazine wants the scoop and who better to send into rehab than someone who, quite frankly, looks like she needs rehab. Enter Katie. Enter rehab. Enter 30 days of no drinking and a lot of talking at a time when Katie really, desperately needs a bloody drink�
It’s not just a novel about a girl sneaking into rehab by pretending to be a drunk, though. Sure, that’s how it starts and sure, that’s how Katie sees it, but somewhere along the way, Katie realises that rehab may actually be helping her and that, perhaps, Katie has been using drink in more than a social way. I think it’s kind of a given that that would happen; but it’s still fascinating to see Katie go through that, because Katie appears for the most part as a happy-go-lucky party girl who does not have a problem with alcohol and it’s only when she spends the time thinking (and talking) that she begins to wonder just how “social� her drinking really is. It’s on point, as well; I’m not a drinker myself because I just don’t like it and the idea of spending any amount of time in a bar drinking would bore me to death, but you’re always reading in magazines about binge drinking and how people just don’t realise that you don’t need to be a homeless person with a brown paper bag to be an alcoholic. It happens to everyone, or it can, I should say. So it’s a novel that will hit the mark with some people and I just found the whole thing fascinating.
McKenzie is a ridiculously talented writer. I mean, the novel just FLOWS. You just keep reading. I just kept reading. I went to bed at like 11.15pm and the next time I looked at the clock it was 12.15am and I hadn’t even noticed, I was just absorbed in carrying on with Kate’s madcap adventures. As she makes friends with Amber (aka “The Girl Next Door; TGND�, to write her article, as she avoids her ex-boyfriend who works as a gardener at the rehab center, as she starts up a cute flirtation with Henry, who is manager to an actor, Conner, who plays “Young James Bond; YJB�. It’s like a rollercoaster, I’m not kidding. An addictive rollercoaster, which probably isn’t the best way to describe a novel about rehab, right? But it is. I didn’t want to put it down! I didn’t want to go to sleep! I just wanted to read, read, read and I wanted to see how Kate would extricate herself, whether Kate would get the scoop, how she and Henry would get on, whether Kate would realise this was more than a chance to write an article on TGND.
It’s a fast-paced, frantic, addictive read. I’m not kidding, you get so caught up in Kate’s life that it’s sooooo easy to forget she’s a fictional character. She speaks to you and you want her to realise her own issues and you want her to learn something from her experience, but mostly, I just wanted her to be my friend and take me out. All of the characters are awesome (but mostly Henry, sigh) although I wasn’t a massive Greer fan (she kind of irritated me). I just loved Spin from start to finish. It’s the kind of novel that can suck you in so, so well that you’ll finish it all in one sitting. I read 70% of it to finish it up all in one go because it’s just so good and just so readable. It blew me away, utterly and truly and I knew from the first sentence it was a book I was going to love. I can’t wait to get my hands on Catherine’s second novel “Arranged� and I recommend you go and pick Spin up. What are you waiting for? It’s ridonkulously good and it’s become a firm favourite of mine.
So as you may be aware (because I’ve already mentioned it), Spin is about rehab and it all begins when Katie Sandford gets drunk the night before her 30th birthday � and, and the night before she’s meant to interview for her dream job at The Line. She shows up for her interview still drunk, forgets everything she’s meant to say, and then spends an age puking in the bathroom. No, she doesn’t get the job. However, when Amber Sheppard is sent into rehab Britney-style (as in, it’s mandatory not voluntarily), The Line’s sister magazine wants the scoop and who better to send into rehab than someone who, quite frankly, looks like she needs rehab. Enter Katie. Enter rehab. Enter 30 days of no drinking and a lot of talking at a time when Katie really, desperately needs a bloody drink�
It’s not just a novel about a girl sneaking into rehab by pretending to be a drunk, though. Sure, that’s how it starts and sure, that’s how Katie sees it, but somewhere along the way, Katie realises that rehab may actually be helping her and that, perhaps, Katie has been using drink in more than a social way. I think it’s kind of a given that that would happen; but it’s still fascinating to see Katie go through that, because Katie appears for the most part as a happy-go-lucky party girl who does not have a problem with alcohol and it’s only when she spends the time thinking (and talking) that she begins to wonder just how “social� her drinking really is. It’s on point, as well; I’m not a drinker myself because I just don’t like it and the idea of spending any amount of time in a bar drinking would bore me to death, but you’re always reading in magazines about binge drinking and how people just don’t realise that you don’t need to be a homeless person with a brown paper bag to be an alcoholic. It happens to everyone, or it can, I should say. So it’s a novel that will hit the mark with some people and I just found the whole thing fascinating.
McKenzie is a ridiculously talented writer. I mean, the novel just FLOWS. You just keep reading. I just kept reading. I went to bed at like 11.15pm and the next time I looked at the clock it was 12.15am and I hadn’t even noticed, I was just absorbed in carrying on with Kate’s madcap adventures. As she makes friends with Amber (aka “The Girl Next Door; TGND�, to write her article, as she avoids her ex-boyfriend who works as a gardener at the rehab center, as she starts up a cute flirtation with Henry, who is manager to an actor, Conner, who plays “Young James Bond; YJB�. It’s like a rollercoaster, I’m not kidding. An addictive rollercoaster, which probably isn’t the best way to describe a novel about rehab, right? But it is. I didn’t want to put it down! I didn’t want to go to sleep! I just wanted to read, read, read and I wanted to see how Kate would extricate herself, whether Kate would get the scoop, how she and Henry would get on, whether Kate would realise this was more than a chance to write an article on TGND.
It’s a fast-paced, frantic, addictive read. I’m not kidding, you get so caught up in Kate’s life that it’s sooooo easy to forget she’s a fictional character. She speaks to you and you want her to realise her own issues and you want her to learn something from her experience, but mostly, I just wanted her to be my friend and take me out. All of the characters are awesome (but mostly Henry, sigh) although I wasn’t a massive Greer fan (she kind of irritated me). I just loved Spin from start to finish. It’s the kind of novel that can suck you in so, so well that you’ll finish it all in one sitting. I read 70% of it to finish it up all in one go because it’s just so good and just so readable. It blew me away, utterly and truly and I knew from the first sentence it was a book I was going to love. I can’t wait to get my hands on Catherine’s second novel “Arranged� and I recommend you go and pick Spin up. What are you waiting for? It’s ridonkulously good and it’s become a firm favourite of mine.
January 19, 2010
Spin by Catherine McKenzie is a fresh and fun, yet serious debut novel from this author! For me it was a perfect escape to another world with characters I loved and a storyline that grabbed me from the beginning to the end.
The main character of Spin is Kate Sanford and she's a Bridget Jones type of character. I liked her right off. She's one of those characters that I formed a bond with from the beginning of the book. She's funny, a little crazy, vulnerable and just may have a serious problem with alcohol which just makes her all the more real. She's far from perfect and I think that's the trait that pulls people in - she's human.
The book starts out with Kate getting the interview of her lifetime to work at her favorite music magazine. She's beside herself in her excitement so when she gets a call from a friend to go out and celebrate for her birthday coming up, she agrees. What can a couple of drinks hurt? Then she'll come home, get a good rest and be in prime form for her interview. NOT! What starts as a few drinks quickly turns into too many drinks to count and Kate is hammered. She wakes up late the next morning, is late to her interview and even that isn't so bad if she'd just been sober for said interview. Needless to say Kate doesn't even get through the interview, doesn't get the job and goes home defeated and miserable.
Days later Kate gets a call from Bob, another boss at The Line, who works on the gossip side of things. While he didn't think Kate was right for the job she applied for, he does think she's right for going to rehab as a patient to spy on It Girl, Amber Sheppard for them. In return for a good story, she just might be reconsidered for that job of a lifetime she wants. Well, what is a girl to do? Kate is more than positive she doesn't need rehab - she doesn't have a drinking problem - but for this job she'll do pretty much anything so she agrees to go.
Kate heads into rehab and slowly finds herself becoming involved with the program and the people. As time goes by and she thinks about her past she starts to wonder if maybe she does have a bit of a problem with alcohol. Certainly her life has been badly affected by it at times. Not only that but Kate is finding that the people there are real people with real problems and even finds herself becoming close with some of them. One of those someones being Amber - It Girl Amber - the famed celebrity.
Amber's not such a bad person. Kate actually likes her. Now what is a girl to do? Kate is torn. She doesn't want to hurt Amber but she really wants this job, not to mention if she doesn't go through with writing her article she's going to be sued for a sum that she just can't afford. Kate's not sure she's willing to give up the new friendships she's developed just to write this article. There has to be a way around this - but what could it be?
While this novel is funny and amusing, it has it's serious side with the issue of drug addiction. Kate takes a good long look at herself and finds a lot of pieces missing - pieces she has missed having around her like her family. She's realized that just maybe rehab wasn't such a bad idea in so many ways - it gives hope that a new life is out there if you just look for it. Spin is about Kate finding herself again and you will find yourself rooting for her all the way and turning the pages as fast as you can to see what comes next!
The main character of Spin is Kate Sanford and she's a Bridget Jones type of character. I liked her right off. She's one of those characters that I formed a bond with from the beginning of the book. She's funny, a little crazy, vulnerable and just may have a serious problem with alcohol which just makes her all the more real. She's far from perfect and I think that's the trait that pulls people in - she's human.
The book starts out with Kate getting the interview of her lifetime to work at her favorite music magazine. She's beside herself in her excitement so when she gets a call from a friend to go out and celebrate for her birthday coming up, she agrees. What can a couple of drinks hurt? Then she'll come home, get a good rest and be in prime form for her interview. NOT! What starts as a few drinks quickly turns into too many drinks to count and Kate is hammered. She wakes up late the next morning, is late to her interview and even that isn't so bad if she'd just been sober for said interview. Needless to say Kate doesn't even get through the interview, doesn't get the job and goes home defeated and miserable.
Days later Kate gets a call from Bob, another boss at The Line, who works on the gossip side of things. While he didn't think Kate was right for the job she applied for, he does think she's right for going to rehab as a patient to spy on It Girl, Amber Sheppard for them. In return for a good story, she just might be reconsidered for that job of a lifetime she wants. Well, what is a girl to do? Kate is more than positive she doesn't need rehab - she doesn't have a drinking problem - but for this job she'll do pretty much anything so she agrees to go.
Kate heads into rehab and slowly finds herself becoming involved with the program and the people. As time goes by and she thinks about her past she starts to wonder if maybe she does have a bit of a problem with alcohol. Certainly her life has been badly affected by it at times. Not only that but Kate is finding that the people there are real people with real problems and even finds herself becoming close with some of them. One of those someones being Amber - It Girl Amber - the famed celebrity.
Amber's not such a bad person. Kate actually likes her. Now what is a girl to do? Kate is torn. She doesn't want to hurt Amber but she really wants this job, not to mention if she doesn't go through with writing her article she's going to be sued for a sum that she just can't afford. Kate's not sure she's willing to give up the new friendships she's developed just to write this article. There has to be a way around this - but what could it be?
While this novel is funny and amusing, it has it's serious side with the issue of drug addiction. Kate takes a good long look at herself and finds a lot of pieces missing - pieces she has missed having around her like her family. She's realized that just maybe rehab wasn't such a bad idea in so many ways - it gives hope that a new life is out there if you just look for it. Spin is about Kate finding herself again and you will find yourself rooting for her all the way and turning the pages as fast as you can to see what comes next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2010
Kate Sandford is almost 30, but she still poses as a graduate student at times for the free food available at graduate events. She writes articles for the newspaper about obscure but interesting bands, and when she gets an interview at The Line, a music magazine that she has always aspired to work at, she is ecstatic. The night before the interview she goes out with friends to celebrate the combination of her birthday and the interview and, well, over-celebrates a little. She arrives at her interview the next day hungover, reeking like alcohol, and sick to her stomach and it isn't long before the interviewers politely dismiss her. Kate is devastated, but a few weeks later she receives a call. If Kate follows Amber Sheppard, the current celebrity "It Girl" into rehab and writes a tell-all after completing the program she will get another chance to work at The Line. Kate doesn't think twice and hops onto a plane headed for the rebab centre Oasis.
Things get complicated after Kate arrives. Even though she was convinced that she didn't have a problem with alcohol, her time in rehab is starting to open her eyes a little to her own destructive behaviour. Kate also manages to not just meet Amber Sheppard, but befriend her, and then comes the ultimate question: can Kate still write her article without losing her new friend? Kate also meets Henry, a celebrity handler, and sparks begin to fly. Will Henry be able to fall in love with a girl that he met in rehab, and can their relationship last outside of the walls of Oasis?
Spin is chick-lit with a heart, and I absolutely loved it. Kate Sandford is definitely one screwed-up individual at times, with the habit of leaping into things without thinking them through first, but she is the type of character that makes you root for her. Not only was I hoping that she would be able to truly see that she had a problem with alcohol, but I was hoping that she would start wanting to get better, and maybe even fall in love along the way. The secondary characters in Spin are fantastic as well: Amber appears to be a spoiled celebrity at first, but as the story continues we see that she's just a girl who has made some bad decisions, and has managed to make those in the spotlight while the world followed her every move. Henry, the celebrity handler, was fantastic as a guy who didn't need to be in rehab, but certainly didn't have it all together either. Kate's parents were wonderful as well- people who truly want to see the best in people, even if those great qualities are in hiding.
There's a line on the last page of the book that I found absolutely swoon-worthy. I would love to share it with you, but won't for fear of giving away the ending. What I can say is that debut author Catherine McKenzie has written a fantastically entertaining and funny yet endearing debut novel and I'm excited to read what she comes up with next.
Things get complicated after Kate arrives. Even though she was convinced that she didn't have a problem with alcohol, her time in rehab is starting to open her eyes a little to her own destructive behaviour. Kate also manages to not just meet Amber Sheppard, but befriend her, and then comes the ultimate question: can Kate still write her article without losing her new friend? Kate also meets Henry, a celebrity handler, and sparks begin to fly. Will Henry be able to fall in love with a girl that he met in rehab, and can their relationship last outside of the walls of Oasis?
Spin is chick-lit with a heart, and I absolutely loved it. Kate Sandford is definitely one screwed-up individual at times, with the habit of leaping into things without thinking them through first, but she is the type of character that makes you root for her. Not only was I hoping that she would be able to truly see that she had a problem with alcohol, but I was hoping that she would start wanting to get better, and maybe even fall in love along the way. The secondary characters in Spin are fantastic as well: Amber appears to be a spoiled celebrity at first, but as the story continues we see that she's just a girl who has made some bad decisions, and has managed to make those in the spotlight while the world followed her every move. Henry, the celebrity handler, was fantastic as a guy who didn't need to be in rehab, but certainly didn't have it all together either. Kate's parents were wonderful as well- people who truly want to see the best in people, even if those great qualities are in hiding.
There's a line on the last page of the book that I found absolutely swoon-worthy. I would love to share it with you, but won't for fear of giving away the ending. What I can say is that debut author Catherine McKenzie has written a fantastically entertaining and funny yet endearing debut novel and I'm excited to read what she comes up with next.
June 1, 2015
I loved the writing and really liked hearing Katie's voice as she worked through her struggles. Spin by Catherine McKenzie is a fun book....until it gets a bit too unbelievable.
From the beginning you know that things will work out for Katie, I mean this is a chick-lit, but the way things worked out kind of bugged me. Considering how much she lied, I found it odd how quick everyone was willing to forgive her. There was no real fighting or consequences for her actions. She did bad stuff and got rewarded for it without doing anything to fix things.
I was hoping that by the end of the novel she'd realize that she is an alcoholic and actually needed to go back to rehab and take it seriously this time, but that never happened. Throughout the novel, Katie feels like she doesn't have a problem even though everyone thinks she does and the readers can see her spiraling out of control. She does say that she thinks rehab did something and even though she's attending AA classes, she doesn't really see that she has a problem.
Then again, her alcoholism seemed to cure itself fairly quickly. So maybe she doesn't really have a problem...
The romance didn't do anything for me either, even though I have a soft spot for gingers and the leading male is a ginger. The problem I had with this relationship is that they met at rehab...she's there to get the scoop on Amber (the current It Girl) and he's there because he's the manager of Connor (Amber's on again off again boyfriend) and Connor can't do anything with Henry by his side. He's clean, she isn't and that's fine. The problem with this pairing is that Katie is great at manipulating people to do what she wants and Henry is great at enabling bad behaviour. Even though they like each other, I don't see how they can last long considering this glaring personality quirks.
I think the first half of the book is great, but the last half, when she's out of rehab, kind of loses its steam.
From the beginning you know that things will work out for Katie, I mean this is a chick-lit, but the way things worked out kind of bugged me. Considering how much she lied, I found it odd how quick everyone was willing to forgive her. There was no real fighting or consequences for her actions. She did bad stuff and got rewarded for it without doing anything to fix things.
I was hoping that by the end of the novel she'd realize that she is an alcoholic and actually needed to go back to rehab and take it seriously this time, but that never happened. Throughout the novel, Katie feels like she doesn't have a problem even though everyone thinks she does and the readers can see her spiraling out of control. She does say that she thinks rehab did something and even though she's attending AA classes, she doesn't really see that she has a problem.
Then again, her alcoholism seemed to cure itself fairly quickly. So maybe she doesn't really have a problem...
The romance didn't do anything for me either, even though I have a soft spot for gingers and the leading male is a ginger. The problem I had with this relationship is that they met at rehab...she's there to get the scoop on Amber (the current It Girl) and he's there because he's the manager of Connor (Amber's on again off again boyfriend) and Connor can't do anything with Henry by his side. He's clean, she isn't and that's fine. The problem with this pairing is that Katie is great at manipulating people to do what she wants and Henry is great at enabling bad behaviour. Even though they like each other, I don't see how they can last long considering this glaring personality quirks.
I think the first half of the book is great, but the last half, when she's out of rehab, kind of loses its steam.
January 18, 2013
"Spin" has easily found it's way at the top of my "favorite book list". Kate(which is what I prefer to call i her in the beginning), has deep rooted issues that she didn't even realize she had. She's raw and I truly believe every reader can connect with her. I tend to connect with the main character of every book that I have read, but with Kate, I really felt like she was speaking to me, telling me her story, telling me to go for the changes I have longed to make in my life, and to really relax and stop taking myself so seriously.
Kate starts off very drinking heavily, which in turn ruins her chance at getting her "dream job". She doesn't seem to have any real deep connections with her friends, since they don't really know who she is, I don't think Kate really knew who she was in the beginning. She had half relationships with her friends, and drank her sorrows away. She wasn't really portrayed (in my opinion) as an alcoholic, it was more something that the reader realizes as Kate is realizing it.
Kate has another chance at her dream job, by joining rehab and trying to find out all she can about someone that is in the facility so that she can get her job.....only she learns a lot about herself along the way...this is when I start liking to call her Katie. (ask me about this, if you'd like)
I don't want to give to much away for those that haven't read this book, but for anyone looking for some inspiration into anything that you may have been putting off, I feel that Katie, albeit fictional, makes you feel like you can do it....if you stop being so hard on yourself and just do it, and keep doing it, and sooner or later it will get easier.
I doubt "Spin" will leave my #1 spot anytime soon, it hit my heart in such a way that no other book has done in a very long time.
Kate starts off very drinking heavily, which in turn ruins her chance at getting her "dream job". She doesn't seem to have any real deep connections with her friends, since they don't really know who she is, I don't think Kate really knew who she was in the beginning. She had half relationships with her friends, and drank her sorrows away. She wasn't really portrayed (in my opinion) as an alcoholic, it was more something that the reader realizes as Kate is realizing it.
Kate has another chance at her dream job, by joining rehab and trying to find out all she can about someone that is in the facility so that she can get her job.....only she learns a lot about herself along the way...this is when I start liking to call her Katie. (ask me about this, if you'd like)
I don't want to give to much away for those that haven't read this book, but for anyone looking for some inspiration into anything that you may have been putting off, I feel that Katie, albeit fictional, makes you feel like you can do it....if you stop being so hard on yourself and just do it, and keep doing it, and sooner or later it will get easier.
I doubt "Spin" will leave my #1 spot anytime soon, it hit my heart in such a way that no other book has done in a very long time.
July 18, 2012
Originally Reviewed at
Catherine McKenzie’s engaging debut novel has proven her as one to watch. Her voice is fresh, new and compelling. SPIN is a witty, fun, laugh out loud novel, yet had a grittier subject matter and I absolutely could not put it down.
I found the heavier subject of addiction offset nicely by Kate’s highly entertaining thoughts and antics along the way, so it didn’t come across as too heavy, nor did it feel too light. Kathryn felt this might have been made a little too light, but I think that comes from the first person perspective. Kate doesn’t take rehab seriously because she feels she obviously doesn’t have a problem with alcohol, so it does come across this way at times, but I think it’s a reflection of her character, rather than light being made of the subject.
Kate’s character is full of flaws, yet she’s vulnerable, funny and just wants to follow her dreams, but seems to keep getting in her own way. I rooted for her throughout her journey of self discovery. Kate’s character wasn’t the only quirky one in the bunch and the supporting characters were all so well developed that I ended up cheering them on as too.
My only concern when I started reading SPIN was the lack of specific setting. This novel could take place anywhere and at first I wasn’t able to get grounded in a place, but this disappeared almost immediately and I found it unique to be able to picture this taking place almost anywhere.
I loved SPIN, will probably reread it and will definitely be putting Catherine McKenzie on my must read list! Add this to your summer reading! Better yet, go get it now!
Catherine McKenzie’s engaging debut novel has proven her as one to watch. Her voice is fresh, new and compelling. SPIN is a witty, fun, laugh out loud novel, yet had a grittier subject matter and I absolutely could not put it down.
I found the heavier subject of addiction offset nicely by Kate’s highly entertaining thoughts and antics along the way, so it didn’t come across as too heavy, nor did it feel too light. Kathryn felt this might have been made a little too light, but I think that comes from the first person perspective. Kate doesn’t take rehab seriously because she feels she obviously doesn’t have a problem with alcohol, so it does come across this way at times, but I think it’s a reflection of her character, rather than light being made of the subject.
Kate’s character is full of flaws, yet she’s vulnerable, funny and just wants to follow her dreams, but seems to keep getting in her own way. I rooted for her throughout her journey of self discovery. Kate’s character wasn’t the only quirky one in the bunch and the supporting characters were all so well developed that I ended up cheering them on as too.
My only concern when I started reading SPIN was the lack of specific setting. This novel could take place anywhere and at first I wasn’t able to get grounded in a place, but this disappeared almost immediately and I found it unique to be able to picture this taking place almost anywhere.
I loved SPIN, will probably reread it and will definitely be putting Catherine McKenzie on my must read list! Add this to your summer reading! Better yet, go get it now!
December 24, 2014
I've now read 4 books written by this author and I have to say that this one is my favorite but first a general review of the author: I read a lot and I find some books simply exhausting. The author just tries too hard to incorporate too many time periods, too many characters and too many story lines. For someone who works and reads in their (little) free time, I often have to work so hard to figure out what is going on in the book.
Catherine McKenzie is smarter than that. She gives us one story line and one main character and she fleshes out both so perfectly. She makes sure that we know and like the main character and want to keep reading to find out what happens to him/her. She doesn't jump all over the place in time periods so that we are constantly puzzling over the chronological order of events.
The end result? I enjoy reading her books. Reading them feels enjoyable instead of taxing. I want to pick the book back up again after I have put it down so I can find out what happened.
Spin is the story of a young woman, Katie Sanford who shows up for an interview for her dream job, late and still drunk from the night before and ends up mid-interview throwing up in the bathroom. End of job interview.
But they decide to give her a second chance which comes with a caveat - 30 days in rehab befriending and reporting on a celebrity who is in that same rehab.
I won't give away anything else about the story but it is good and I really liked it. I recommend this book, especially if you just want something enjoyable to read that doesn't make you have to keep an excel spreadsheet of all the characters and what they are doing and when.
Catherine McKenzie is smarter than that. She gives us one story line and one main character and she fleshes out both so perfectly. She makes sure that we know and like the main character and want to keep reading to find out what happens to him/her. She doesn't jump all over the place in time periods so that we are constantly puzzling over the chronological order of events.
The end result? I enjoy reading her books. Reading them feels enjoyable instead of taxing. I want to pick the book back up again after I have put it down so I can find out what happened.
Spin is the story of a young woman, Katie Sanford who shows up for an interview for her dream job, late and still drunk from the night before and ends up mid-interview throwing up in the bathroom. End of job interview.
But they decide to give her a second chance which comes with a caveat - 30 days in rehab befriending and reporting on a celebrity who is in that same rehab.
I won't give away anything else about the story but it is good and I really liked it. I recommend this book, especially if you just want something enjoyable to read that doesn't make you have to keep an excel spreadsheet of all the characters and what they are doing and when.
February 16, 2010
I loved this book! More intelligent than your average chick lit, SPIN takes a sensitive yet humourous look at life amongst the celebrities inside a rehab facility.
Katie Sandford, the heroine of this story is equal parts clever, goofy, and natural. I found her easy to relate to, especially her love of music. In some respects, Katie's career dreams are very similar to my own, so I was avidly reading to see how things would work out for her.
Catherine McKenzie's writing is tight, funny, and fast-paced. I especially liked the fact that Ms McKenzie created original names for all of her characters. It's a pet peeve of mine when authors barely change the name of a famous person to make it "fictional" (i.e. in Candace Bushnell's Trading Up?, there is a characted named Mauve Binchley. Hmmm, who is that supposed to be?. There is nothing facile about Catherine McKenzie's writing, she'll never insult your intelligence.
If you want to be entertained, treat yourself. Read SPIN. You won't regret it. I eagerly await Catherine McKenzie's next book.
Katie Sandford, the heroine of this story is equal parts clever, goofy, and natural. I found her easy to relate to, especially her love of music. In some respects, Katie's career dreams are very similar to my own, so I was avidly reading to see how things would work out for her.
Catherine McKenzie's writing is tight, funny, and fast-paced. I especially liked the fact that Ms McKenzie created original names for all of her characters. It's a pet peeve of mine when authors barely change the name of a famous person to make it "fictional" (i.e. in Candace Bushnell's Trading Up?, there is a characted named Mauve Binchley. Hmmm, who is that supposed to be?. There is nothing facile about Catherine McKenzie's writing, she'll never insult your intelligence.
If you want to be entertained, treat yourself. Read SPIN. You won't regret it. I eagerly await Catherine McKenzie's next book.
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