How to Be a Movie Star

Written by TJ Klune

Narrated by Michael Lesley

Josiah Erickson wants to be a movie star. The problem with that is so does half of Los Angeles. But he's on his way, what with memorable roles as a TV show background cadaver and a guy in a commercial for herpes medication. All he needs is his big break. And that break may come in the form of a novelist who goes by the enigmatic name of Q-Bert.

Q-Bert, who is ready to make his directorial debut in a film Josy would be perfect for. Q-Bert, who Josy may or may not have a friend-crush on, and potentially something more. Being demisexual can be confusing.

From the City of Angels to the small mountain town of Abby, Oregon, Josy will give his all to make sure his dreams come true-even the ones he never thought possible.

Contains mature themes.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: May 28, 2019
• ISBN: 9781541406568

TJ Klune

TJ Klune is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling, Lambda Literary Award-winning author of The House in the Cerulean Sea, Under the Whispering Door, In the Lives of Puppets, Somewhere Beyond the Sea, the Green Creek series for adults, the Extraordinaries series for teens and more. Being queer himself, Klune believes it's important – now more than ever – to have accurate, positive queer representation in stories.

Reviews for How to Be a Movie Star

[jen1206 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love this series and the TJ always know how to write amazing characters. I narrator was amazing

[zoe · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was so incredibly sweet and wholesome. Such a heartwarming story. I lived every word. And I laughed a lot. The narrator was perfect for this book.

[Lara Bre · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I tried listening to this book twice, because of the great ratings. The first time I stopped during the intro chapter and now halfway through chapter one. I obviously can't rate the entire book, but so far it's been ridiculous. The main character is such a foolish, cliche person and the entire story has been about how there's no real though in his little brain. I'm sorry for using such words. I can't identify with him at all and it's also not funny to me. So, unfortunately a No from me.

[Taima · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

When I started listening, it was all because I've loved other works of TJ Klune I've read... And I was not disappointed.

What started as something seemingly silly, soon turned into what felt like being wrapped up in a comfortable blanket on a rainy day... A sweet and funny cast of characters I can't help but wish I knew in real life, even if some (including the main) would've driven me insane at times. The love between them, the found family, a town I'd move to if given the chance just to surround myself with a community like it...

And a story about someone so unlike myself, yet similar, because I have never before seen representation of someone like myself; demisexual...

Every time they told Josy he was perfect the way he is, that he wasn't wrong or weird, they also told me that... When he described the ways to show love, he described me too. Hell, while our personalities are so different, he even shared my same likes about simple things like hugs and holding hands with the people I like; friends or otherwise... And of course, the friend crush that may or may not turn into something more.

On the other side of the coin, was the descriptions of depression from Quincy and moving through it, of living, of getting out of bed over and over again... Which is also me; me in the past, me now, me since I was just a child... I felt seen by this book, by this cast, by every word written and in such a loving way read out loud by the narrator.

Of course it's not until I finished reading I learned it's the second book in a series, but that's fine, I'll just have to pick up the first one now. (About Gustavo at that? Awesome!)

Either way, if you ever see this; thank you TJ, thank you for once again filling this world with happy queers. Your work made the life of a lonely enby all the way over in Sweden just a bit brighter during the dark month of November.

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

4,6 stars

Sometimes I worry that I'll tire of Klune's books, but once again I'm happy to say that such a day is yet to come.

This books is a blend of crackpot humor and pretty serious themes that are handled in a way that is so woke it would be nauseating if it wasn't done so self-awarely.

And it goes without saying the characters are amazing, as usual. (I absolutely love the relatable ace rep.)

[spinsterrevival · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book gets way more than just five stars and deserves all the squees; I can't even. Josy is the sunniest character I think I've ever read, and I adore him. I love that we got to return to Abby and see all the wonderful crew from How to Be a Normal Person; we also get a chance to meet more great characters that join the crew. This was truly a perfect book to me; FYI I feel that it can be read as a standalone, but for the true amazing experience I suggest reading How to Be a Normal Person first.