Synopses & Reviews
A funny and uplifting debut novel about stumbling through the early years of adulthood while taking (or not taking) the advice of the women who've gone before you.Dawn West is trying to make her way in New York City. She’s got an ex-boyfriend she can’t quite stop seeing, a writing career that’s gotten about as far as penning an online lawn care advice column, and a small hometown in Oregon that’s her last recourse if she can’t make next month’s rent.
So when Dawn lands a job tracking down the past winners of Charm magazine’s “Ten Girls to Watch” contest, she’s thrilled. Not only is she being paid to interview hundreds of fascinating women, but she’s also sharing office space with “Secret Agent Romance,” Charm’s resident dating columnist, and he just happens to be giving her butterflies.
As Dawn gets to know the life stories of these former winners, she’ll discover that success, love, and friendship can be found in the most unexpected of places. And even more importantly, she’ll find that though those who have gone before us can be role models, ultimately, we each have to carve our own way.
Both an insightful look at the trajectory of female experience over the past fifty years and a witty coming of age story, Ten Girls to Watch introduces an unforgettable new voice in women’s fiction.
Review
"Once you turn the first page, you won't be able to tear yourself away from andlt;iandgt;Ten Girls to Watchandlt;/iandgt;. This is a thoroughly charming, sassy, highly satisfying debut from a writer with a rare gift: She sounds like your best friend, telling a story you don't ever want to end. I adored this book."andlt;BRandgt; andlt;bandgt;andlt;iandgt;and#8212;andlt;/iandgt;andlt;/bandgt;andlt;bandgt;Sarah Pekkanen, author ofandlt;iandgt; These Girlsandlt;/iandgt;andlt;/bandgt; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; "A sparkling novel about how we find our friends, our mentors, and our way in the world."andlt;BRandgt; andlt;bandgt;and#8212;Jean Hanff Korelitz, author of andlt;iandgt;Admissionandlt;/iandgt; and a 1983 andlt;iandgt;Glamour andlt;/iandgt;Top Ten College Womenandlt;BRandgt; andlt;/bandgt;andlt;BRandgt; "andlt;iandgt;Ten Girls to Watchandlt;/iandgt; will inspire you to follow your heart and believe in your own dreams, no matter how many challenges or obstacles the universe throws your way. It's a heartwarming story about a gathering of extraordinary women who offer wisdom, warmth and humanity, as well as shoulders broad enough for all of us to stand upon. I can't wait to give this book to my sisters and best girlfriends." andlt;BRandgt; andlt;bandgt;and#8212;Nicolle Wallace, andlt;iandgt;New York Timesandlt;/iandgt; bestselling author of andlt;iandgt;Eighteen Acresandlt;/iandgt;andlt;/bandgt;
Review
"Charming in its honesty and humor, this novel captures that time right after college, when we all feel overwhelmed and adrift. Shumway expertly guides us through a young woman's love life, her family, friends, and career as she proves that perfect endings aren't the only happy ones."andlt;BRandgt; andlt;bandgt;and#8212;Lauren Weisberger, #1 andlt;iandgt;New York Timesandlt;/iandgt; bestselling author of andlt;iandgt;The Devil Wears Pradaandlt;/iandgt;andlt;/bandgt;andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; and#8220;andlt;iandgt;Ten Girls to Watchandlt;/iandgt; is an insightful, funny take on post grad tribulations that thoughtfully mines the wisdom of women.and#8221; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;bandgt;and#8212;andlt;iandgt; andlt;/iandgt;Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus, #1 andlt;iandgt;New York Times andlt;/iandgt;bestselling authors of andlt;iandgt;The Nanny Diariesandlt;/iandgt;andlt;/bandgt;andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; "The heroine of Charity Shumway's lively, smart and funny debut is as inspiring as the female luminaries it is her job to interview. What I loved about this coming-of-age story was its realistic and confirming celebration of feminine resilience, brilliance and generosity. Not your stereotypical single gal novel, Shumway's book is a passion-stirring breath of fresh air."andlt;BRandgt; andlt;bandgt;and#8212;Helen Schulman, andlt;iandgt;New York Timesandlt;/iandgt; bestselling author of andlt;iandgt;This Beautiful Lifeandlt;/iandgt;andlt;/bandgt;
Review
"A smoothly paced plot, peppered with robust vignettes from andlt;iandgt;Charmand#8217;sandlt;/iandgt; success stories and quirky details from Dawnand#8217;s life, ensures a fast, funny, and moving read.and#8221; and#8212;andlt;iandgt;Publishers Weeklyandlt;/iandgt;
Review
"Debut author Shumway offers a fresh and modern take on chick lit. Instead of showcasing the melodramatic and helpless, she highlights the power and will of women. There is an inspirational undercurrent without being sappy. Dawn makes a great everywoman, and her story will appeal to girls of all ages." and#8212;andlt;Iandgt;Library Journalandlt;/Iandgt;
Review
andlt;divandgt;"A winning debut featuring the kind of witty, appealing good girl that captures readers' hearts....a sort of modern-day Mary Tyler Moore,
Review
and#8220;Upbeat and engrossing, this chick-lit novel gratifyingly focuses more on Dawnand#8217;s burgeoning career than on which man sheand#8217;ll end up with.and#8221; and#8212;andlt;Iandgt;Booklistandlt;/Iandgt;
Review
and#8220;Delightfuland#8230;a debut that proves to be nothing short of charming. An intriguing plot, brilliant characters, and beautiful prose combine to create a novel that readers will adore.and#8221; and#8212;andlt;Iandgt;Deseret Newsandlt;/Iandgt;
Review
"A winning debut featuring the kind of witty, appealing good girl that captures readers' hearts....a sort of modern-day Mary Tyler Moore, Dawn West...is a young woman of substance and her trials are of more consequence than the search for the perfect Little Black Dress." and#8212;andlt;iandgt;Kirkusandlt;/iandgt;
Synopsis
A funny and uplifting debut novel about stumbling through the early years of adulthood while taking (or not taking) the advice of the women who've gone before you.
A radiant debut novel about stumbling through the early years of adulthood-- and a love letter to the role models who light the way.
Like so many other recent graduates, Dawn West is trying to make her way in New York City. She's got an ex-boyfriend she can't quite stop seeing, a roommate who views rent checks and basic hygiene as optional, and a writing career that's gotten as far as penning an online lawn care advice column.
So when Dawn lands a job tracking down the past winners of Charm magazine's "Ten Girls to Watch" contest, she's thrilled. After all, she's being paid to interview hundreds of fascinating women: once outstanding college students, they have gone on to become mayors, opera singers, and air force pilots. As Dawn gets to know their life stories, she'll discover that success, love, and friendship can be found in the most unexpected of places. Most importantly, she'll learn that while those who came before us can be role models, ultimately, we each have to create our own happy ending.
Synopsis
A radiant debut novel about stumbling through the early years of adulthood--and a love letter to the role models who light the way. Like so many other recent graduates, Dawn West is trying to make her way in New York City. She's got an ex-boyfriend she can't quite stop seeing, a roommate who views rent checks and basic hygiene as optional, and a writing career that's gotten as far as penning an online lawn care advice column.
So when Dawn lands a job tracking down the past winners of Charm magazine's "Ten Girls to Watch" contest, she's thrilled. After all, she's being paid to interview hundreds of fascinating women: once outstanding college students, they have gone on to become mayors, opera singers, and air force pilots. As Dawn gets to know their life stories, she'll discover that success, love, and friendship can be found in the most unexpected of places. Most importantly, she'll learn that while those who came before us can be role models, ultimately, we each have to create our own happy ending.
Synopsis
andlt;Bandgt;A radiant debut novel about stumbling through the early years of adulthoodandlt;Iandgt;and#8212; andlt;/Iandgt;and a love letter to the role models who light the way. andlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Like so many other recent graduates, Dawn West is trying to make her way in New York City. Sheand#8217;s got an ex-boyfriend she canand#8217;t quite stop seeing, a roommate who views rent checks and basic hygiene as optional, and a writing career thatand#8217;s gotten as far as penning an online lawn care advice column. andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;So when Dawn lands a job tracking down the past winners of andlt;Iandgt;Charm andlt;/Iandgt;magazineand#8217;s and#8220;Ten Girls to Watchand#8221; contest, sheand#8217;s thrilled. After all, sheand#8217;s being paid to interview hundreds of fascinating women: once outstanding college students, they have gone on to become mayors, opera singers, and air force pilots. As Dawn gets to know their life stories, sheand#8217;ll discover that success, love, and friendship can be found in the most unexpected of places. Most importantly, sheand#8217;ll learn that while those who came before us can be role models, ultimately, we each have to create our own happy ending.
About the Author
Charity Shumway received an MFA in Creative Writing from Oregon State Universityandnbsp;and a BA in English fromandnbsp;Harvard University. After graduate school, she spent nine months reporting on the 50th anniversary of andlt;i andgt;Glamourandlt;/iandgt;and#8217;sandnbsp;"Top Ten College Women" contest. Her writing has appeared in andlt;i andgt;Glamour, Ladies Home Journal, Fitness, andlt;/iandgt;and andlt;i andgt;Garden Design, andlt;/iandgt;and her short fiction has been honored by andlt;i andgt;Glimmer Train andlt;/iandgt;and andlt;i andgt;Slice andlt;/iandgt;magazine, among others. She lives with her husband in Brooklyn, New York.andnbsp;