Talking As Fast As I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls, and Everything in Between

Published by Little, Brown (Hachette UK) Audio

A New York Times best seller

Winner of the GoodReads Choice Awards 2017 for Humour

In this collection of personal essays, the beloved star of Gilmore Girls and Parenthood reveals stories about life, love, and working as a woman in Hollywood along with behind-the-scenes dispatches from the set of the new Gilmore Girls, where she plays the fast-talking Lorelai Gilmore once again.

In Talking as Fast as I Can, Lauren Graham hits 'pause' for a moment and looks back on her life, sharing laugh-out-loud stories about growing up, starting out as an actress, and, years later, sitting in her trailer on the Parenthood set and asking herself, 'Did you, um, make it?' She opens up about the challenges of being single in Hollywood ('Strangers were worried about me; that's how long I was single!'), the time she was asked to audition her butt for a role, and her experience being a judge on Project Runway ('It's like I had a fashion-induced blackout').

In 'What It Was Like, Part One', Graham sits down for an epic Gilmore Girls marathon and reflects on being cast as the fast-talking Lorelai Gilmore. The essay 'What It Was Like, Part Two' reveals how it felt to pick up the role again nine years later and what doing so has meant to her.

Some more things you will learn about Lauren: she once tried to go vegan just to bond with Ellen DeGeneres; she's aware that meeting guys at awards shows has its pitfalls ('If you're meeting someone for the first time after three hours of hair, makeup, and styling, you've already set the bar too high'); and she's a card-carrying REI shopper ('My bungee cords now earn points!').

Including photos and excerpts from the diary Graham kept during the filming of the recent Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, this book is like a cosy night in, catching up with your best friend, laughing and swapping stories, and - of course - talking as fast as you can.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Little, Brown (Hachette UK) Audio
• Release date: Dec 20, 2016
• ISBN: 9781405538190

Reviews for Talking As Fast As I Can

[kslade-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good actress memoir. Fun and quirky.

[smorton11 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I find the best way to “read” celebrity/prominent people’s memoirs is to listen to the audiobook. Oftentimes the person in question reads the book themselves, as is the case not only with this book, but also with Who Thought This was a Good Idea, I Hate Everyone Except You, Why Not Me?, and all of Anthony Bourdain‘s works, or at least those are the ones I have listened to. The other side of celebrity memoirs, which Lauren Graham actually points out, is the idea that the celebrity clearly didn’t write the book themselves. Of those mentioned above, I can guarantee at least two were self-written, one admittedly co-written and the other, who really knows?

Then I start thinking to myself, well, do they only have a book deal because they’re a celebrity? Most likely. Does being a person of interest increase public interest in their lives? Yes (whether this is good or bad is not the topic of debate here, but an interesting one to be sure). Lauren Graham is certainly a good writer. And her essay collection here is entertaining and delightful. She approaches her life honestly and with contemplation, particularly in why the character of Lorelai Gilmore has always had such a precious place in her heart.

As a long time fan, I was delighted when the revival of the show was announced, however, I was extremely disappointed. Lauren, naturally, loved stepping back into the role and, as the book, and therefore stories, were written and published before the series was available for viewing and as she was a large part of it, it would make sense that her opinion differs from that of the public. However, her stories were good, and her emotional investment in the series certainly contributed to our continuing love of it in 2018 (despite the revival – we’ll pretend that never happened.)

My only gripe, is that she continually referenced the photos in the book, while reading the audiobook. Can’t very well look up the page in the book while listening to it while driving, now can I? And for those who don’t have the physical copy and just the audiobook? Not going to work out so well.

[ms_rowse · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Funny, sweet, enjoyable, and a quick read. Contains two pages of the best advice about writing I've ever read in my life. Glad I bought this one so I can reference that advice over and over again. Essential reading for any Gilmore Girls fan--those chapters especially felt like hanging out with a friend.

[carleyshea · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

There are very few books that I believe should be listened to rather than read. This is one of them.Lauren Graham brings such joy and fun to her own words and I’m so glad she read it herself. It feels like a giant story time with her, where she regales us with her beginnings in life and in acting and all about coming back to Stars Hollow. I got super emotional through the entire Year in the Life portion of the book and it was so interesting to see how quickly and strangely the whole thing came together, from the viewpoint of one of the main actors.If you’re a fan of Gilmore Girls, Parenthood, or witty female memoirs, I recommend this!

[bookconcierge · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Book on CD narrated by the authorGraham is a talented comedic actress with a charming personality. She chronicles her life from birth to her success in television with honesty and occasional self-deprecating humor. As celebrity memoirs goes, this is pretty entertaining.I watch little TV so have never seen either of her most successful TV series: Gilmore Girls and Parenthood. But listening to her talk about her experiences on these shows, particularly Gilmore Girls, makes me think I may have missed something. Graham narrates the audio version herself. I can’t imaging anyone else doing a better job. And, YES, she does talk fast!

[stephanie_m-868484 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It wasn’t bad.....but not necessarily the best novel I’ve read that’s been written by an actress. It was a light, fun read though. The part about the loss of Edward Herrmann drove me to tears, as it was incredibly heart-felt and sad. (I also cried at his loss, when he died).
The audiobook is narrated by the author, and very well I must say. Three stars.

[whybehave2002 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Yes. Lauren Graham is hilarious but I got some solid life leading guidance from this. I know. I know. I signed on for the humor. She has some good advice. I really enjoyed this book in more ways than one. She is obviously a smart and loving person. One of the good guys. :)

[preston.kringle · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Talking as Fast as I Can is a laughable, hard to put down, puts you in a good mood book written by Lauren Graham about her life, stories, and her life as Lorelai Gilmore.

[strangelibrarian-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I got this book as part of an event in DC where Lauren came to speak about it, acting, life, and what's next. The next day I left for vacation and took this book along. I'm glad I did- i mainlined it in several days. It was funny, witty, full of lovely little nuggets and I couldn't put it down. Highly recommend if you're into Lauren, The Gilmore Girls, or humor about life and acting.

[boundtogetherforgood · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed listening to Lauren talk about her life. She is funny, smart, and engaging.

[susangeiss · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

You can hear her speaking...I would love to hear her narrate this book! So much fun reading the back stories of her upbringing, rise to success (and her many blunders), and of course, Gilmore Girls. Read it in 3 hours!

[eraderneely · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I cannot be objective about this. I could listen to Lauren Graham talk to me for days.

[pepperwings · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book, it was fun to hear things from her point of view, I can see why she did so well as Lorelai Gilmore, her sense of humor is very similar, and she seems to care deeply about her fellow actors. She found out fairly early on what her values are as an actress, and has stuck to them. I admire that.

[mrsgrits · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Excellent! I really enjoyed the audiobook as I feel that memoirs, especially by actors and comedians are best when read by the author, themself.

[jessika.c · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As a Gilmore Girls fan, I almost choked when I saw this. I remember watching the show when it was in its final two or three seasons when I was a kid and then as a teen I went checked out the DVDs from the library and binge watched them all one summer I was taken aback with how different Lorelai was speaking in the first season. I became a fan of Lauren Graham and after reading how she’s totally fine being known as Lorelai, I feel no guilty conscience referring to her as Lorelai. Graham writes about her childhood experiences and what led her to choose acting as a career. She was that stereotypical theater kid and I loved reading about it. I really liked the behind the scenes stuff she shared about her shows. Maybe I’m biased but this was a really good story and I enjoyed learning more about someone who played such an iconic character for me.

[norabelle414 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Actress Lauren Graham describes her early life, her beginnings as an actress, and roles she had before Gilmore Girls. She rewatches some episodes of Gilmore Girls (which she says she has not done before) and talks about what the experience was like and how she felt at the time. She discusses a little bit of her time on the show Parenthood (but not very much), mostly focused on how the experience was different than that of Gilmore Girls. For example, she had a lot more free time since she was not the only lead of the show and that is how she got started writing. Then she transcribes sections of the diary that she kept while filming the Gilmore Girls revival in 2016. (This book came out in the same month as the Gilmore Girls revival.)Graham is, as to be expected, a funny writer and an excellent narrator. The memoir is chronological, but the writing is mostly a stream-of-consciousness style that is popular with celebrity (especially comedian) memoirs currently. Overall I did not like this memoir as much as I liked Graham’s novel. However, that’s mostly because 1) I am not a memoir person and 2) I probably waited too long to read this. It’s been almost two years since the Gilmore Girls revival came out, and most of the Gilmore Girls behind-the-scenes tidbits I already knew, because I was ravenously consuming everything Gilmore Girls-related at the time.All that being said, if you want to spend some time being inoffensively talked at by a soothing and familiar voice, you cannot go wrong with this audiobook.

[joeyee-4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I listened to the audio version of this book before receiving a physical copy from the publisher.  Even though having Lauren Graham narrates the book makes it 10 times better, I suggest readers don't be lazy like me and skip all the photos.  She does tell reader when to look at them.  P.s. she really does talk really fast.

I was hoping there is more about her and Alexis Bledel or Scott Patterson.  However, the person from Gilmore Girls she talks about the most is Amy Sherman-Palladino, the creator.  Since Amy is more like a backstage staff, so I do not feel as connected.  I have not had the chance to watch Parenthood yet, so nothing much to say about that section.  Still, it is nice to read about how actors think more their works. Also there is a lot of spoilers, so watch the shows before reading this book.

3.5 out of 5 stars
Received a free copy from LibraryThing Early Review Program in exchange for an honest review.

[plancultivatecreate · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A fun read, I could image LG's voice as I was reading through. I wonder if she ever found that coat...

[villemezbrown · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is less a memoir and more a pleasant visit with a chatty, bubbly conversationalist. I bet this would be better experienced as an audiobook.

[electrascaife · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Graham delivers tidbits about her early career, landing the Gilmore gig and life in between the two lives of the show.Fun and fluffy, but I came away feeling that I didn't learn a ton about Graham or about Gilmore Girls behind the scenes. Still a good, quick listen, and of course Graham does a great job reading for the audio version.

[justacatandabook · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lauren Graham's first nonfiction work is a series of stories and essays covering her thoughts on her time on Gilmore Girls (both the old show and the new Netflix series), her childhood, breaking into acting, Parenthood, and more. It's told in Graham's unique, humorous voice, and it's just a fun, witty look at her life and what it was like to play Lorelai Gilmore (twice).

I've read a spate of celebrity memoirs over the years and always felt a tad let down. Of late, I've read Anna Kendrick's and Carrie Fisher's latest. I enjoyed them, but they just didn't completely fit the bill for me. (Is that the phrase? I don't know. This is why I'll never get my own memoir.) But Graham's book was really fun and a step above. I know it won't be that way for everyone. And I'm not just completely swayed by my absolute love for both Lauren and her characters (both Lorelai and Sarah Braverman), because I also love Anna Kendrick, Tina Fey, etc, and didn't adore their memoirs.

Graham's book is filled with fun observations about her work over the years, particularly on Gilmore Girls. I could have read about 100,000 more of her perceptions. Some of them are so unfathomable because they counteract the completely realistic portrayal of the characters on the show. But they are insightful and intriguing. Graham reminisces about her time on the actual show -- a lot of it reinforced by going back and watching the episodes (something she does reluctantly, as she hates watching herself on film). She admits that she doesn't remember a lot about that time without the help of watching the show. I've read a lot of reviews that her insights about that time on the show are slim, and it's true, but I still found them delightful and entertaining. Since she doesn't remember much otherwise, I'd rather have these tidbits than nothing. Plus, there's more to the book than just those memories. (Still, can we all just petition Lauren Graham to keep a diary for the rest of her life going forward?)

While reading the book, it's kind of crazy to realize how much can change in eight years -- between the end of Gilmore Girls and the start of the reunion show on Netflix. Graham points that out too, in the humorous way that only she can pull off. The layout of her book works, and I liked all the pictures she interspersed throughout. She's a strong writer, and the little life lessons at the end of each chapter do not seem too forced. We hear about her childhood, her relationship with Peter Krause, and Graham's aversion to technology. What I enjoyed is that Graham comes across as both believable and appreciative of her fame (unlike some memoirs I've read lately).

Finally, Graham kept a journal during her time on the Netflix revival of Gilmore Girls, so we get a little more insight into that show. My favorites were some of the guest characters, how she had no idea about the four words controversy all these years, and her actual thoughts on those infamous four words. Overall, sure, this book is a little light. But it still spans a lot of Graham's life and I felt like a learned a decent amount about her, considering she's such a private person (something she repeatedly mentions). She's a fun and humorous woman, and I gained some insights about all the various versions of Gilmore Girls I would have never had before. I read this book in basically one day and thoroughly loved it. This book may not have the same impact on someone who isn't a Graham/Gilmore Girls/Parenthood fan, but if you are, it's a fun, quick read.

[nessa33-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Love Lauren!!! Gilmore Girls is definitely one of my all time favorite shows and I absolutely loved reading this book. Lauren is hilarious and I love the fact that reading her words is more like having a conversation. So relaxed and so great!

[saresmoore · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Lauren Graham is a fabulous actress and after reading this memoir, I'd say she's a genuinely wonderful human, as well. This is a book to which I would somewhat affectionately refer as an "extraverted memoir." There is little to no introspection or serious reflection and it is clearly written outwardly toward a specific audience—namely Lauren Graham/Gilmore Girls super-fans. Her writing style is a bit all over the place, but she's sweet and funny, so it's still enjoyable. I would recommend for super-fans only.

[mhanover10 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I never saw Gilmore Girls but I did watch Parenthood so I enjoyed listening to this. Lauren talks really fast but there are some added bonuses to the audio like phone conversations. A disadvantage is when she refers to a photo and you can't see it. I will have to go to a bookstore and look at the photos in a printed version. This was very enjoyable.

[berly_4 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Actress Lauren Graham writes just the way she talks in Gilmore Girls, fast with snark. My oldest daughter and I watched this show together and it brought back some fond memories, but if you are not a fan of GG or Parenthood don't bother.

[karen.helfrick · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I won a copy of this book through LibraryThing Early Reviewers group. Lauren Graham has always seemed to be a genuine, down-to-earth, smart woman, and this book confirms that for me. She explores her feelings about the roles she’s played, her beginnings in the biz, and things up to now. I enjoyed this quick and easy read and would recommend!

[dknight0918 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved this one! I can't wait to read her novel.

[jtsolakos · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Superficial, weak, and disjointed. All over the map and left me feeling like it was a money grab with little thought given to the reader. Did not hold my attention. Really, really difficult to finish. Thank you Random House Reader's Circle for a copy of this book.

[strongstuff · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Fans of the Gilmore Girls will enjoy spending a few hours getting to know Lauren Graham and seeing the show through her eyes. Lauren, who comes across a bit like the fast-talking Lorelei, is funny, cheeky, and introspective about her path in life. You won’t find any real scoop or less-than-flattering details about the show, and you do get the sense sometimes that Lauren is keeping us at arms length. However, it may just make you want to head back to Stars Hollow for another trip with old friends.

[carolfoasia_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received a free copy of this book through LT's Early Reviewers Program. Who doesn't love Lauren Graham? Her great personality comes through in this book. This was an enjoyable, quick read. I love behind-the-scene information. She is a delightful and funny person. Loved her writing voice. If you are a Lauren Graham and/or a Gilmore Girls fan, you will definitely enjoy this book.