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Objects of My Affection
In the humorous, heartfelt new novel by the author of The Next Thing on My List, a personal organizer must somehow convince a reclusive artist to give up her hoarding ways and let go of the stuff she’s hung on to for decades.
Lucy Bloom is broke, freshly dumped by her boyfriend, and forced to sell her house to send her nineteen-year-old son to drug rehab. Although she’s lost it all, she’s determined to start over. So when she’s offered a high-paying gig helping clear the clutter from the home of reclusive and eccentric painter Marva Meier Rios, Lucy grabs it. Armed with the organizing expertise she gained while writing her book, Things Are Not People, and fueled by a burning desire to get her life back on track, Lucy rolls up her sleeves to take on the mess that fills every room of Marva’s huge home. Lucy soon learns that the real challenge may be taking on Marva, who seems to love the objects in her home too much to let go of any of them.
While trying to stay on course toward a strict deadline—and with an ex-boyfriend back in the picture, a new romance on the scene, and her son’s rehab not going as planned—Lucy discovers that Marva isn’t just hoarding, she is also hiding a big secret. The two form an unlikely bond, as each learns from the other that there are those things in life we keep, those we need to let go—but it’s not always easy to know the difference.
Lucy Bloom is broke, freshly dumped by her boyfriend, and forced to sell her house to send her nineteen-year-old son to drug rehab. Although she’s lost it all, she’s determined to start over. So when she’s offered a high-paying gig helping clear the clutter from the home of reclusive and eccentric painter Marva Meier Rios, Lucy grabs it. Armed with the organizing expertise she gained while writing her book, Things Are Not People, and fueled by a burning desire to get her life back on track, Lucy rolls up her sleeves to take on the mess that fills every room of Marva’s huge home. Lucy soon learns that the real challenge may be taking on Marva, who seems to love the objects in her home too much to let go of any of them.
While trying to stay on course toward a strict deadline—and with an ex-boyfriend back in the picture, a new romance on the scene, and her son’s rehab not going as planned—Lucy discovers that Marva isn’t just hoarding, she is also hiding a big secret. The two form an unlikely bond, as each learns from the other that there are those things in life we keep, those we need to let go—but it’s not always easy to know the difference.
310 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2012
60 people are currently reading
4,249 people want to read
About the author
Jill Smolinski
15books185followersI am the author of the novels Objects of My Affection, The Next Thing on My List and Flip-Flopped. I love calling in to book clubs, so visit my web site if you're reading one of my books and would like me to join in the discussion.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 780 reviews
July 26, 2021
“Objects of My Affection� was a freebee for me on audible. It’s a cute story of a professional organizer and her hording client. Lucy, the organizer, has written a book entitled “Things are Not People� in which she encourages people to honor and remember loved ones by living life well, rather than holding on to their things. Meanwhile, the hoarder, Marva, is a reclusive artist who feels that Lucy possesses no sentimental feelings.
Lucy has additional issues with her 19-year-old son who has drug problems. Lucy has sold everything, including her home, to finance her son’s rehab. As with all addicts, her son plays her and drives her to near financial ruin.
The story is about their unlikely friendship and about letting go. Mostly, it’s about what we SHOULD hold on to and what is best to let go.
The story is average. The narrator, Xe Sands, is the wrong voice for the character Lucy. I found her voice distracting as I didn’t think it fit Lucy’s character. It’s my opinion, I’m not sure if all will agree. Xe Sands is a talented narrator, just wrong for this story.
All in all, I can’t say I’d recommend this, considering all the fabulous novels out there.
Lucy has additional issues with her 19-year-old son who has drug problems. Lucy has sold everything, including her home, to finance her son’s rehab. As with all addicts, her son plays her and drives her to near financial ruin.
The story is about their unlikely friendship and about letting go. Mostly, it’s about what we SHOULD hold on to and what is best to let go.
The story is average. The narrator, Xe Sands, is the wrong voice for the character Lucy. I found her voice distracting as I didn’t think it fit Lucy’s character. It’s my opinion, I’m not sure if all will agree. Xe Sands is a talented narrator, just wrong for this story.
All in all, I can’t say I’d recommend this, considering all the fabulous novels out there.
May 22, 2012
I have given up on this book about halfway through ... here's the breaking point at which I decided enough was enough ...
Lucy, the protagonist, has a flashback to a night when she was woken up by her teenage son, announcing that money was needed to pay for the cab in which he'd just arrived. She goes out, hands the guy three twenties for a $53 fare, whereupon he berates her for letting her son visit crack dens. Whoa! My first thought was, "I had no idea that cabbies are summoned to crack dens, where they willingly pick up patrons?" The author seems to equate crack dens with say "dive" bars. Ummmm ... no.
Early on, Lucy had engaged in a bout of self-pity over her boyfriend Daniel having "dumped" her, mysteriously intoning "If only it had been for another woman ..." As it turns out, he stopped seeing her because she refused to address said offspring's drug problem. To me, THAT'S a valid reason; "dumping" would be along the lines of "sorry ... just not working out."
The kid, Ash, is away at rehab in Florida during the story, though Lucy speaks of him as though he were dead. Again, early on, we're told his father had stopped contact, saying Ash's visits were "disruptive" to the (new, second) family, implying I suppose a self-centered, hostile father and step-mother. Later, not long before I bailed, Ash calls his mother to say that he realizes his substance abuse stems from being "abandoned" by his father, but Lucy is to blame because "You didn't try to stop me using drugs!" Sounded to me like he's a spoiled brat, who refuses to own his actions, but hey ... I'm just a mean old curmudgeon I guess.
Besides the continuous moaning-over-Ash, there was too much of a chick-lit erotica aspect commenting on both Daniel and Niko, the hot guys she's thrown in with on her new job. Janet Evanovich got to the lust-triangle thing first, which I didn't like then, finding it even worse several copycats later.
What does work (and why I stuck around so long) is the character of Marva, the artist whose house she's been hired to de-clutter. Even there, I wanted to smack my mp3 player, as a proxy for Lucy, when she threw a huge hissyfit over a package containing three Dale Chilhuily bowls that arrives one day at the house, accusing Marva of "sabotaging" her work. HEL-LO ... Marva obviously ordered them long before Lucy was hired!
Marva had interesting potential, but I feared I might need drugs myself to deal with another reference to St. Ash. Ugh!
The audio narration seemed a slightly off fit in that Lucy sounded a lot younger than nearly 40, but then again, she is an immature, clueless character.
Lucy, the protagonist, has a flashback to a night when she was woken up by her teenage son, announcing that money was needed to pay for the cab in which he'd just arrived. She goes out, hands the guy three twenties for a $53 fare, whereupon he berates her for letting her son visit crack dens. Whoa! My first thought was, "I had no idea that cabbies are summoned to crack dens, where they willingly pick up patrons?" The author seems to equate crack dens with say "dive" bars. Ummmm ... no.
Early on, Lucy had engaged in a bout of self-pity over her boyfriend Daniel having "dumped" her, mysteriously intoning "If only it had been for another woman ..." As it turns out, he stopped seeing her because she refused to address said offspring's drug problem. To me, THAT'S a valid reason; "dumping" would be along the lines of "sorry ... just not working out."
The kid, Ash, is away at rehab in Florida during the story, though Lucy speaks of him as though he were dead. Again, early on, we're told his father had stopped contact, saying Ash's visits were "disruptive" to the (new, second) family, implying I suppose a self-centered, hostile father and step-mother. Later, not long before I bailed, Ash calls his mother to say that he realizes his substance abuse stems from being "abandoned" by his father, but Lucy is to blame because "You didn't try to stop me using drugs!" Sounded to me like he's a spoiled brat, who refuses to own his actions, but hey ... I'm just a mean old curmudgeon I guess.
Besides the continuous moaning-over-Ash, there was too much of a chick-lit erotica aspect commenting on both Daniel and Niko, the hot guys she's thrown in with on her new job. Janet Evanovich got to the lust-triangle thing first, which I didn't like then, finding it even worse several copycats later.
What does work (and why I stuck around so long) is the character of Marva, the artist whose house she's been hired to de-clutter. Even there, I wanted to smack my mp3 player, as a proxy for Lucy, when she threw a huge hissyfit over a package containing three Dale Chilhuily bowls that arrives one day at the house, accusing Marva of "sabotaging" her work. HEL-LO ... Marva obviously ordered them long before Lucy was hired!
Marva had interesting potential, but I feared I might need drugs myself to deal with another reference to St. Ash. Ugh!
The audio narration seemed a slightly off fit in that Lucy sounded a lot younger than nearly 40, but then again, she is an immature, clueless character.
June 20, 2012
As a Certified Professional Organizer, I'm always dubious about fictionalized accounts of the work we do and the portrayal of our clients. I guess I'm protective of both my professional reputation and that of the people with whom I work. So, while I was interested in the book, I was on guard for signs that the topic was going to be sensationalized or stupid. For the most part, it wasn't.
Objects isn't great classic literature, but for Chick Lit, it's fairly well done. Lucy, the protagonist tells her first-person narrative with matter-of-fact deprecation, a bit of unravelling delusion, and some humor. She's got a failed relationship, a failed writing career, and a son for whom she's sold her house and most of her belongings so that she can him to rehab. The set-up is simple -- she takes on an "organizing" job for someone who turns out to be, in Smolinski's interpretation, a hoarder. At this point, my annoyance meter is on high alert, because Lucy has no real professional organizing experience, has no training or experience with working with hoarders, and the character is written in such a way that Smolinski doesn't realize how little she knows about actual hoarders OR how professional organizers interact with and refer to such clients.
Pausing my wearied outrage at her poor understanding of hoarding (and diabetes!), I found it otherwise developed into a pretty good narrative. There's a little romance (with a few red herrings), a little modern family drama, a little mystery and the requisite happy ending. Is it realistic in almost any respect? No, like good Chick Lit, it's not. This is a book to read when you're nursing a cold, or on the beach, or just need something mild and comforting. Smolinski's book won't ever been taught in college English classes, but she creates a tight narrative that closes every open loop, resolves every issue, and creates a ready-made Lifetime movie-of-the-week with Tyne Daly as the imperious artist client Marva and just about any perky 40ish blonde actress as Lucy. Empty calories, but ultimately satisfying.
Objects isn't great classic literature, but for Chick Lit, it's fairly well done. Lucy, the protagonist tells her first-person narrative with matter-of-fact deprecation, a bit of unravelling delusion, and some humor. She's got a failed relationship, a failed writing career, and a son for whom she's sold her house and most of her belongings so that she can him to rehab. The set-up is simple -- she takes on an "organizing" job for someone who turns out to be, in Smolinski's interpretation, a hoarder. At this point, my annoyance meter is on high alert, because Lucy has no real professional organizing experience, has no training or experience with working with hoarders, and the character is written in such a way that Smolinski doesn't realize how little she knows about actual hoarders OR how professional organizers interact with and refer to such clients.
Pausing my wearied outrage at her poor understanding of hoarding (and diabetes!), I found it otherwise developed into a pretty good narrative. There's a little romance (with a few red herrings), a little modern family drama, a little mystery and the requisite happy ending. Is it realistic in almost any respect? No, like good Chick Lit, it's not. This is a book to read when you're nursing a cold, or on the beach, or just need something mild and comforting. Smolinski's book won't ever been taught in college English classes, but she creates a tight narrative that closes every open loop, resolves every issue, and creates a ready-made Lifetime movie-of-the-week with Tyne Daly as the imperious artist client Marva and just about any perky 40ish blonde actress as Lucy. Empty calories, but ultimately satisfying.
April 8, 2012
I received a copy of
courtesy of the publisher, and after reading a brief plot outline I was really excited to receive it. Unfortunately, despite the interesting idea, it didn't work for me.
The story is that of Lucy, a divorced single mother whose life is in a tailspin. Her 19 year old son is in a drug rehab facility, she was forced to sell her home to pay for said rehab, her long-term boyfriend has left her, and she's lost her job. Luckily, an opportunity arises and she's hired to use her skills as a professional organizer to clean out the home of a famous reclusive painter.
While the story was interesting enough, the writing left much to be desired. It was written as a 1st person narrative, and frankly I found Lucy to be pretty annoying a lot of the time. I think she was supposed to be 'quirky and fun' but she came across as just scatterbrained and, well, kind of stupid. Eventually she does see the error of her ways and finally fixes some things in her life, but watching her flounder around and be walked all over for 4/5 of the book wasn't particularly enjoyable.
There was also a moment when a few characters 'discovered' something that I guess was supposed to be a surprise, but the author laid so many really obviously clues that it was not at all surprising, and instead I was just annoyed that the characters took so long to figure it out. Speaking of being non-subtle, the author would frequently way over-explain things, which just makes me feel like she thinks her readers are stupid. For example, if there was a gentleman kissing a woman and the gentleman was married (that did not happen in the book - I am avoiding giving a specific example so I don't give away the book), then the author would detail the kiss and say something like, "The kiss was complicated. He was married, which made it less than simple. Because he was married, the woman wasn't sure how she felt about it." Yes, we know, thank you!
There were a few times that the author simply didn't seem to know what she was talking about. Like the time Lucy said she was going to sign her son up for Narcotics Anonymous . . . you don't sign people up for N.A. You just go. Or the time Lucy was reading over someone's Will, the person said they wanted their ashes scattered at some bridge, and then Lucy proceeded to discuss how she was pretty sure that was illegal - unless of course they could find a dishonest funeral director. Two seconds of research would have shown her that funeral directors don't usually scatter the ashes, families do. Later in the book there was a scene involving an urn filled with ashes, so I'm really not sure what the deal was. There were many other inconsistencies that just took me out of the book and made me roll my eyes.
All that said, this wasn't the type of book that was so awful it was aggravating to read. The pace was nice, I was able to read it for hours at a time without getting bored, and I'm sure many people will really enjoy it. I just felt that with such an interesting backstory and such interesting characters, a different writer could have taken it a lot further.
The story is that of Lucy, a divorced single mother whose life is in a tailspin. Her 19 year old son is in a drug rehab facility, she was forced to sell her home to pay for said rehab, her long-term boyfriend has left her, and she's lost her job. Luckily, an opportunity arises and she's hired to use her skills as a professional organizer to clean out the home of a famous reclusive painter.
While the story was interesting enough, the writing left much to be desired. It was written as a 1st person narrative, and frankly I found Lucy to be pretty annoying a lot of the time. I think she was supposed to be 'quirky and fun' but she came across as just scatterbrained and, well, kind of stupid. Eventually she does see the error of her ways and finally fixes some things in her life, but watching her flounder around and be walked all over for 4/5 of the book wasn't particularly enjoyable.
There was also a moment when a few characters 'discovered' something that I guess was supposed to be a surprise, but the author laid so many really obviously clues that it was not at all surprising, and instead I was just annoyed that the characters took so long to figure it out. Speaking of being non-subtle, the author would frequently way over-explain things, which just makes me feel like she thinks her readers are stupid. For example, if there was a gentleman kissing a woman and the gentleman was married (that did not happen in the book - I am avoiding giving a specific example so I don't give away the book), then the author would detail the kiss and say something like, "The kiss was complicated. He was married, which made it less than simple. Because he was married, the woman wasn't sure how she felt about it." Yes, we know, thank you!
There were a few times that the author simply didn't seem to know what she was talking about. Like the time Lucy said she was going to sign her son up for Narcotics Anonymous . . . you don't sign people up for N.A. You just go. Or the time Lucy was reading over someone's Will, the person said they wanted their ashes scattered at some bridge, and then Lucy proceeded to discuss how she was pretty sure that was illegal - unless of course they could find a dishonest funeral director. Two seconds of research would have shown her that funeral directors don't usually scatter the ashes, families do. Later in the book there was a scene involving an urn filled with ashes, so I'm really not sure what the deal was. There were many other inconsistencies that just took me out of the book and made me roll my eyes.
All that said, this wasn't the type of book that was so awful it was aggravating to read. The pace was nice, I was able to read it for hours at a time without getting bored, and I'm sure many people will really enjoy it. I just felt that with such an interesting backstory and such interesting characters, a different writer could have taken it a lot further.
August 30, 2014
If you want a generic version of how women see things, here it is! The story has a good plot, but the main character is your classic, naive, single mother that has no clue what men are thinking. She has no clue that a wonderful man loves her. Or that her son has no respect for her and uses her. She also gets offended if anyone tries to say anything to her about her drug addicted son. She lives with a friend and her family but never talks about how difficult it must be to share her home. It's all about what a perfect family her friend has.
It takes selling her car to realize things could be different. And from this point on it's happy times ahead, because it works that way I guess. I just wanted to slap her.
It takes selling her car to realize things could be different. And from this point on it's happy times ahead, because it works that way I guess. I just wanted to slap her.
August 31, 2013
Hard to rate this, listened on audio, and found the reader super annoying, first strike. The general story I liked, how ever main character Lucy, not entirely likable, strike two. She was too wrapped up in her own pity party for me to not think of her as a major brat. Saving grace, eccentric artist Marva, is spunky, mouthy and smart. I read to the end just to see how she fared.
March 26, 2016
2.5 stars - It was alright, an average book.
A light novel about serious things (hoarding, suicide, drug addiction). Marva was a fascinating character and the book would have fallen to a subpar level without her. The concept of minimalism appeals to me, so I was interested in a book that explores hoarding, but the exploration was on the shallow side. I listened to this as an audiobook which I thought added to the reading experience as the narrator, Xe Sands, was wonderful. Overall, an enjoyable enough read, but one that will likely not stick with me for long.
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Favorite Quote: The best way to honor someone who’s passed on is not by keeping their belongings, it’s by keeping their memory alive in the way you live your life.
First Sentence: I remind myself as I enter the coffee shop that it's actually a good thing that I sold my house, and for that matter almost everything in it.
A light novel about serious things (hoarding, suicide, drug addiction). Marva was a fascinating character and the book would have fallen to a subpar level without her. The concept of minimalism appeals to me, so I was interested in a book that explores hoarding, but the exploration was on the shallow side. I listened to this as an audiobook which I thought added to the reading experience as the narrator, Xe Sands, was wonderful. Overall, an enjoyable enough read, but one that will likely not stick with me for long.
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Favorite Quote: The best way to honor someone who’s passed on is not by keeping their belongings, it’s by keeping their memory alive in the way you live your life.
First Sentence: I remind myself as I enter the coffee shop that it's actually a good thing that I sold my house, and for that matter almost everything in it.
May 10, 2023
I liked this book. I liked the humor in it. I liked the topic--a professional organizer attempting to help a famous artist who is also a hoarder. It was kind of a light and enjoyable read.
On a deeper level, it dealt with a mom's pain trying to help their child who is an addict. And I thought that rang very true. Though you might want to shake the woman and help her "wake up" faster, in the end, as a mom, I think that we understand.
Note: this is a mainstream book with a little language and some suggestive dialogue.
On a deeper level, it dealt with a mom's pain trying to help their child who is an addict. And I thought that rang very true. Though you might want to shake the woman and help her "wake up" faster, in the end, as a mom, I think that we understand.
Note: this is a mainstream book with a little language and some suggestive dialogue.
June 3, 2018
Poor Lucy Bloom - her life truly has gone to the pits recently.
She's been dumped wholeheartedly and none to kindly by her boyfriend, is flat broke and must sell her house so her son can go into rehab. Can life get any lower?
To make ends meet, she takes a job helping a hoarder, Marva Meier Rios, who is a well know - if reclusive - artist. The house needs to be de-cluttered, which turns out to be an enormous job. The job pays well, so she takes it.
As with most hoarders, Marva has an unusal affinity and obsession with every object in the home; not just sentimental objects - every little thing. She is a tough cookie to handle. She doesn't want anything removed. Not. One. Thing. Thank you very much but no.
As time goes on, Lucy finds herself drawn to Marva, and Marva to her. Both are surprised at this. That's the good news. The bad news is that her 19-year-old son isn't doing well in rehab. The good and even better news is her ex is back - but she is already in the beginning of a brand new romance.
This book touches on the morals of learning when it time to say "goodbye" to things, and people, we love.
She's been dumped wholeheartedly and none to kindly by her boyfriend, is flat broke and must sell her house so her son can go into rehab. Can life get any lower?
To make ends meet, she takes a job helping a hoarder, Marva Meier Rios, who is a well know - if reclusive - artist. The house needs to be de-cluttered, which turns out to be an enormous job. The job pays well, so she takes it.
As with most hoarders, Marva has an unusal affinity and obsession with every object in the home; not just sentimental objects - every little thing. She is a tough cookie to handle. She doesn't want anything removed. Not. One. Thing. Thank you very much but no.
As time goes on, Lucy finds herself drawn to Marva, and Marva to her. Both are surprised at this. That's the good news. The bad news is that her 19-year-old son isn't doing well in rehab. The good and even better news is her ex is back - but she is already in the beginning of a brand new romance.
This book touches on the morals of learning when it time to say "goodbye" to things, and people, we love.
May 1, 2012
Take two women. Each has a son, each has issues � different yet similar. One has spent her life doing things “her way� alienating many, becoming famous, losing a lover and finding out that things are more important to her than people. The other has given up everything, her home, her things her self-esteem to put her addict son into rehab. She, too, has lost a lover and feels that people are more worth holding on to than items.
What happens when these two meet and try to work together is a wonderful, funny, sad and meaningful story called Objects of My Affection. Marva has a house full of “things. Mostly worth tons of cash and she does NOT want to part with them. Movie trivia, statues, her own paintings worth millions, etc., etc., etc. Her son hires Lucy, author of a book on organization titled Things are Not People, to get around Marva and have the house clean and empty by May 15th. The date is decided by Marva as it is her 65th birthday.
She has acquired a lot in 65 years, neighbors have no idea because it’s all inside � there are paths to rooms. Hoarder? Possibly but there seems to be a reasons in there someplace and it’s up to Lucy to find it. Marva is a bitch. No holds barred, says what she thinks, calls in the middle of the night……Lucy is trying to find common ground where there is only trash. Marva’s son may hate her and we know from his phone calls that Lucy’s son feels the same about her.
How the trash becomes treasure and two women from opposite sides of the universe bond together is the stuff of a great novel. And it’s right here between the covers of Objects of My Affection by Jill Smolinksi.
What happens when these two meet and try to work together is a wonderful, funny, sad and meaningful story called Objects of My Affection. Marva has a house full of “things. Mostly worth tons of cash and she does NOT want to part with them. Movie trivia, statues, her own paintings worth millions, etc., etc., etc. Her son hires Lucy, author of a book on organization titled Things are Not People, to get around Marva and have the house clean and empty by May 15th. The date is decided by Marva as it is her 65th birthday.
She has acquired a lot in 65 years, neighbors have no idea because it’s all inside � there are paths to rooms. Hoarder? Possibly but there seems to be a reasons in there someplace and it’s up to Lucy to find it. Marva is a bitch. No holds barred, says what she thinks, calls in the middle of the night……Lucy is trying to find common ground where there is only trash. Marva’s son may hate her and we know from his phone calls that Lucy’s son feels the same about her.
How the trash becomes treasure and two women from opposite sides of the universe bond together is the stuff of a great novel. And it’s right here between the covers of Objects of My Affection by Jill Smolinksi.
March 1, 2012
Powerful, insightful story of a woman who loses almost everything, yet through a new job, gains more than she lost. Lucy Bloom is hired to help organize (and de-clutter) the home of famous artist Marva Meier Rios, a woman with secrets hidden within a hoarding obsession. Humorous, engaging. The characters are well-written and sympathetic.
July 30, 2012
Right off the bat I am going to tell you I cannot stand Lucy Bloom only because I've seen enough Dr. Phil and Intervention episodes to know that she is doing absolutely everything wrong with her son. And it drives me NUTS through the entire book. But I will say that despite me wanting to smack Lucy up constantly, I eventually came around to liking her at the end because she finally gets it.
I loved the story line with Marva- she seems like a really fun crazy person you'd like to get drunk and chat with. You can tell she has a lot of history in her own past even though she's reluctant to share it and it obviously is connected to how she lives her present day life. I really loved everything you learn about Marva and honestly, at some points in the book it feels like we shift from Lucy to a more Marva driven novel, but then we come back around. And it's great. I also love that not only are we pulling things out of the Intervention show, we're also pulling some stuff from Hoarders. Clearly, Jill Smolinski is a fan of A&E programming, as am I.
I love so much how Jill can weave a story with serious plot lines and yet make it funny in a "it's so bad you can't help but laugh otherwise you'll cry" kind of way. And you really enjoy it. She's light-hearted, she's funny, she's realistic, and she's a good writer. Basically this book ends up being that creeper book you don't realize you really like until it's over.
I loved the story line with Marva- she seems like a really fun crazy person you'd like to get drunk and chat with. You can tell she has a lot of history in her own past even though she's reluctant to share it and it obviously is connected to how she lives her present day life. I really loved everything you learn about Marva and honestly, at some points in the book it feels like we shift from Lucy to a more Marva driven novel, but then we come back around. And it's great. I also love that not only are we pulling things out of the Intervention show, we're also pulling some stuff from Hoarders. Clearly, Jill Smolinski is a fan of A&E programming, as am I.
I love so much how Jill can weave a story with serious plot lines and yet make it funny in a "it's so bad you can't help but laugh otherwise you'll cry" kind of way. And you really enjoy it. She's light-hearted, she's funny, she's realistic, and she's a good writer. Basically this book ends up being that creeper book you don't realize you really like until it's over.
August 29, 2024
I wanted this to be good. I almost stopped a few times, but I kept hoping it would get better. But the story never got more interesting, and the main character remained irritating and dense. (I also wasn’t a fan of the audiobook narrator.) The book wasn’t awful; I just found it to be predictable and uninspiring.
August 23, 2017
I enjoyed this book. The book had a fun, light pace. Despite the fact that there were some serious issues going on, the author managed to make it enjoyable and readable. I look forward to reading more books by her.
December 16, 2023
I liked this book. It had plenty of interesting characters.
May 16, 2012
Objects of My Affections is author Jill Smolinski's third novel.
I always enjoy looking at covers first, imagining what the story inside will be. Moving on and lots of baggage? And I wasn't far off.......
Lucy Bloom (loved the name) has seriously downsized - in fact she's sold just about everything she owned, including her house. Why? Well, her son Ash is an addict and she finally got him to go to a rehab, but needed the money to finance it.
Lucy had mild success with her initial book Things Are Not People - an organizational and de-cluttering guide. That book has gotten her an interview with Will Meier. He's the son of reclusive (and difficult) artist Marva Meier Rios and there is a deadline for clearing out the clutter in the house. Lucy lands the job, but what she finds is more than simple clutter - Marva's home could be featured on one of those television shows about hoarding. There's a deadline to meet and Marva isn't going to make it easy - she needs to look at each and every item before a decision is made.
The cover of Objects of My Affection immediately brings chick lit to mind. And yes it is, but the story is much more than that. There needs to a be another genre heading - Chick Lit with Heart, Chick Lit with More? Something along those lines. For while Smolinski's book is light and breezy and does include the requisite hunky guy and missed meanings and connections, there's more to the story.
Jill handles some serious situations and topics with thoughtfulness and candor. Hoarding of course, which usually involves an underlying catalyst not dealt with. And the opposite - Lucy herself is able to let things go with no problem. I thought that Ash's drug use and Lucy's struggle to deal with it was done very well - it read as quite real. Relationships of all sorts are explored with an emphasis on mothers and sons.
I really enjoyed Lucy's ex boyfriend Daniel. His sense of humour, his caring, giving nature and his honesty made him one of my favourite characters. Nelson, the care nurse was also quite funny. And for reasons I'm not quite sure of, I actually found myself enjoying Marva over Lucy. Marva's crotchety ways actually endeared her to me! But, that's not to say I wasn't cheering for Lucy to succeed.
As one of her characters says " it's clear that everything here at one time was worth something to you but that doesn't mean it has to be forever. They're holding you back from the life you could have. Let it go."
Smolinski has crafted a warm, funny, sweet read that touches on the question what do we keep in our lives and what do we need to let go? Food for thought....
Recommended summer reading - tuck this one in your beach bag for 2012.
I always enjoy looking at covers first, imagining what the story inside will be. Moving on and lots of baggage? And I wasn't far off.......
Lucy Bloom (loved the name) has seriously downsized - in fact she's sold just about everything she owned, including her house. Why? Well, her son Ash is an addict and she finally got him to go to a rehab, but needed the money to finance it.
Lucy had mild success with her initial book Things Are Not People - an organizational and de-cluttering guide. That book has gotten her an interview with Will Meier. He's the son of reclusive (and difficult) artist Marva Meier Rios and there is a deadline for clearing out the clutter in the house. Lucy lands the job, but what she finds is more than simple clutter - Marva's home could be featured on one of those television shows about hoarding. There's a deadline to meet and Marva isn't going to make it easy - she needs to look at each and every item before a decision is made.
The cover of Objects of My Affection immediately brings chick lit to mind. And yes it is, but the story is much more than that. There needs to a be another genre heading - Chick Lit with Heart, Chick Lit with More? Something along those lines. For while Smolinski's book is light and breezy and does include the requisite hunky guy and missed meanings and connections, there's more to the story.
Jill handles some serious situations and topics with thoughtfulness and candor. Hoarding of course, which usually involves an underlying catalyst not dealt with. And the opposite - Lucy herself is able to let things go with no problem. I thought that Ash's drug use and Lucy's struggle to deal with it was done very well - it read as quite real. Relationships of all sorts are explored with an emphasis on mothers and sons.
I really enjoyed Lucy's ex boyfriend Daniel. His sense of humour, his caring, giving nature and his honesty made him one of my favourite characters. Nelson, the care nurse was also quite funny. And for reasons I'm not quite sure of, I actually found myself enjoying Marva over Lucy. Marva's crotchety ways actually endeared her to me! But, that's not to say I wasn't cheering for Lucy to succeed.
As one of her characters says " it's clear that everything here at one time was worth something to you but that doesn't mean it has to be forever. They're holding you back from the life you could have. Let it go."
Smolinski has crafted a warm, funny, sweet read that touches on the question what do we keep in our lives and what do we need to let go? Food for thought....
Recommended summer reading - tuck this one in your beach bag for 2012.
July 29, 2016
When I read this, it was the only un-read book I had in the house, so I was stuck with it- and I generally do finish a book once I've started it. I did not like this book, but it gave me plenty of laughs. Not that the book itself is funny, because it's really not. Just that the plot was so ridiculous that it was almost entertaining to see what stupid events were going to turn up next.
Every page provided me with plenty of cringe-worthy, eye rolling, and groan out loud moments. Enough reviews have been written here that give the basic plot, so I don't need to cover that again.
The characters were not very well developed- basically, they were just caricatures of a put-upon mom, a druggie son (who barely appears in the story, really), a lovely ex-boyfriend, and a quirky and self centered "hoarder" (which maybe I've watched too many Hoarders shows on TV, but I've not yet to see one that hoards just-- STUFF, with no garbage or rotted food, with piles of everything just being collectibles. Including a large Easter bonnet collection, which is inexplicably referred to more than once. Easter bonnets??) Ack.
And don't forget the hoarders' successful adult son, who starts out being a really nasty and un-caring guy who has a serious issue with his mother- but by the end (which is just a period of a month, maybe) he's apparently forgiven her and he's throwing her a birthday party and spending the night and they're hanging out.
Lucy, the mom, has a similiar epiphany in that month-long span, and has a complete and total personality makeover. If it were only that simple... therapists everywhere would be put right out of business.
The author doesn't take the time to focus on any one event or person or relationship, just breezes right along from one silly event to the next with barely anything tying it all together.
However, there were a few pages devoted to the biggest laughable plot point in the whole book-- for close to a year, Lucy has been mourning the fact that her ex-boyfriend "dumped" her. She's spent "many sleepless nights" thinking about the loss of the relationship and trying to understand it- but then-- wait, she had it all wrong !! SHE dumped HIM !!! Apparently she just had a mental block and "forgot" that SHE was the one who asked HIM to leave !
There's many, many, MANY more events like that one--- for people who will believe anything and just want a book to laugh at, this is the one for you !
Every page provided me with plenty of cringe-worthy, eye rolling, and groan out loud moments. Enough reviews have been written here that give the basic plot, so I don't need to cover that again.
The characters were not very well developed- basically, they were just caricatures of a put-upon mom, a druggie son (who barely appears in the story, really), a lovely ex-boyfriend, and a quirky and self centered "hoarder" (which maybe I've watched too many Hoarders shows on TV, but I've not yet to see one that hoards just-- STUFF, with no garbage or rotted food, with piles of everything just being collectibles. Including a large Easter bonnet collection, which is inexplicably referred to more than once. Easter bonnets??) Ack.
And don't forget the hoarders' successful adult son, who starts out being a really nasty and un-caring guy who has a serious issue with his mother- but by the end (which is just a period of a month, maybe) he's apparently forgiven her and he's throwing her a birthday party and spending the night and they're hanging out.
Lucy, the mom, has a similiar epiphany in that month-long span, and has a complete and total personality makeover. If it were only that simple... therapists everywhere would be put right out of business.
The author doesn't take the time to focus on any one event or person or relationship, just breezes right along from one silly event to the next with barely anything tying it all together.
However, there were a few pages devoted to the biggest laughable plot point in the whole book-- for close to a year, Lucy has been mourning the fact that her ex-boyfriend "dumped" her. She's spent "many sleepless nights" thinking about the loss of the relationship and trying to understand it- but then-- wait, she had it all wrong !! SHE dumped HIM !!! Apparently she just had a mental block and "forgot" that SHE was the one who asked HIM to leave !
There's many, many, MANY more events like that one--- for people who will believe anything and just want a book to laugh at, this is the one for you !
September 15, 2012
There were some really great parts about this book. Like for instance the plot, most of the characters, the dialogue and the pace of the book. I thoroughly enjoyed those parts. The parts that I didn't appreciate were the parts with the intimacy and some of the other characters. I felt that the intimacy was way too graphic for a fiction novel. I can understand getting intimate without going into all of the details... I was uncomfortable listening to it- it was just awkward. Here we have this great chick novel and then all of the sudden we're veering off into erotica-it was too awkward. There were three characters that bothered me- the nurse, the drug addict son, and the main character. The thing about the nurse was that he was extremely and I work in a home health care setting and that bothers me immensely. Good grief, our main character was the cleaning lady what right does she have to that information? I guess it just pissed me off that she wrote the nurse in that way, but I won't lose any sleep over it. I see that everyone's main complaint is the maturity of the character of the mother and the irritating son. O.K. I admit that I hated some of the mother son stuff as well- but that is how the author wrote her. I liked the fact that the mother actually learns a lot in just the short time that we read- no, it's not a classic or even one that I'll buy, but it was entertaining for the time that I listened to it. I thought the narration was excellent- I was torn up in all the right parts. If I ever buy a copy of this book it will be audio book style.
December 10, 2012
When we meet Lucy Bloom at the beginning of this book her life has become spartan. In order to send her only son to a drug rehabilitation centre she has sold her house, sold her belongings and even gave up her relationship. The only thing she has left is her beat up red sports car and an upcoming job interview to be a personal organizer. When she accepts the job she has no idea what she has let herself in for and when she meets the lady of the house, Marva she realizes she is going to earn every penny she is set to make. Marva is an artist and a hoarder. Marva wants to part with the possessions overrunning her home, but is finding it difficult to do so. Begrudgingly the two form a friendly alliance until Lucy discovers the secret of Marva’s frantic need to finish the process of decluttering.
Lucy is a believably flawed character trying to do her best with what life has handed her and fighting the guilt of sometimes having to say no to the people in her life. If you enjoy the show hoarders you will like this book. If you are a little bit of a pack-rat this book may make you cringe. If you like an ending wrapped up in a tidy red bow � this is definitely the book for you. A fun, light read that carries an interesting message. I enjoyed this book a great deal.
Lucy is a believably flawed character trying to do her best with what life has handed her and fighting the guilt of sometimes having to say no to the people in her life. If you enjoy the show hoarders you will like this book. If you are a little bit of a pack-rat this book may make you cringe. If you like an ending wrapped up in a tidy red bow � this is definitely the book for you. A fun, light read that carries an interesting message. I enjoyed this book a great deal.
May 14, 2012
I was first introduced to Jill Smolinski through my Book Clubs. That's right-two separate book clubs picked her book "The Next Thing On My List," to read at the same time, so I figured it was probably going to be a good read. It didn't disappoint. I really enjoyed that book, which drove great discussion and Jill was even kind enough to call in to one of the meetings. Since then, I've also enjoyed her Facebook and Twitter posts. Thus, I HAD To read her newest book, "Objects of My Affection" which was released earlier this month.
If you know me or you've read any of my other reviews, you will know I like "chick-lit"-well, this book satisfied that requirement for me, but was so much more. One part love story, one part mystery, one part self-help (and humor to boot!),this was a story that tackled a few serious problems--hoarding & substance abuse--and gave the reader pause to consider the items--physical or mental--that might be holding her back in her own life, but also left her with a sense of inspiration.
Highly recommend!
If you know me or you've read any of my other reviews, you will know I like "chick-lit"-well, this book satisfied that requirement for me, but was so much more. One part love story, one part mystery, one part self-help (and humor to boot!),this was a story that tackled a few serious problems--hoarding & substance abuse--and gave the reader pause to consider the items--physical or mental--that might be holding her back in her own life, but also left her with a sense of inspiration.
Highly recommend!
September 4, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. It made me want to clean out my house. The audiobook was good but the reader read it very depressing, which went with the moods of the women but was a little annoying.
November 20, 2018
It's hard to find a book that keeps you reading and surprises you with REAL characters.
November 2, 2020
Having read Smolinski's The Next Thing On My List, I know the mood of the author � the perfect amount of nonsense and silliness. While hoarding is not funny, the weird personality of Marva is. And Lucy's got the guts to stand up to her? Was even better. Although some elements of the plot may be expected, I did love the dynamic between Lucy and Mava. The part I didn't care about was how Lucy had blinders on when it came to her drug addicted son, but she finally awoke from denial about her son's troubles and later became motivated to create a whole new life.
If things are not people, why do they seem so significant? A moving look at the dangers of holding on to both objects and one’s misconceptions. This warm evaluation of our dependency on things shows a charming and airy tone. Cleaning and reorganizing a house seem much simpler than assembling a life that falls to pieces. But for Lucy Bloom, both represent a challenge and a tremendous opportunity for growth. The book Objects Of My Affection involves relationship issues, family secrets and personal development. This book has me thinking about the things I have to give up, too. The reason this gets a three start because of the narrator. She started off funny and happy go lucky, making the book funny at times, but around the end she lost her enthusiasm.
If things are not people, why do they seem so significant? A moving look at the dangers of holding on to both objects and one’s misconceptions. This warm evaluation of our dependency on things shows a charming and airy tone. Cleaning and reorganizing a house seem much simpler than assembling a life that falls to pieces. But for Lucy Bloom, both represent a challenge and a tremendous opportunity for growth. The book Objects Of My Affection involves relationship issues, family secrets and personal development. This book has me thinking about the things I have to give up, too. The reason this gets a three start because of the narrator. She started off funny and happy go lucky, making the book funny at times, but around the end she lost her enthusiasm.
February 20, 2023
This story has an overall lighthearted tone but it deals with some heavy emotions and serious aspects of life. It is a testament to author Jill Smolinski that this book never felt like a soap opera or similar type of drama, or honestly the “chick lit� that it likely is classified as. The serious moments are handled with the appropriate amount of respect, though I feel like I’ll be spoiling the story if I discuss them here. Suffice it to say, there are plenty of humorous moments, but also some heartfelt ones as well. I wouldn’t say the book was life changing, but it was a bit better than I expected.
For the audiobook version, I found narrator Xe Sands voice to be quite soothing, though I felt like her male character voice range didn’t quite have the nuances it needed to distinguish one or two characters from others. I personally really liked her voice but I can see some finding it a bit too sleepy for their tastes, so I’d recommend listening to the sample first.
The two main characters felt like real people, and I was invested in them all the way to the end. I don’t think this book will make anyone definitively understand hoarding, but it may make someone think twice about judging the reasons why it happens too quickly. We don’t always know what has happened to a person, or why certain objects carry such significance to some. This book explored those questions, but I think it was more about realizing what is important in life, what is worth holding on to, and what to let go of.
December 15, 2020
Read this book for the Hull book club discussion. Overall, the group gave it a solid three stars. I really liked the story line. A personal organizer must somehow convince a reclusive artist to give up her hoarding ways and let go of the stuff she's hung on to for decades. You don't expect it but this book has some deep concepts - suicide, drugs, divorce, broken relationships, and throws in some humor to try lighten the tone. What I appreciated about this book is how two very different women would learn to care for each other and learn from each other. And it's always good to read a book which reminds you what is important - it's not things but it's people. I also liked the title as it's thought provoking.
March 6, 2022
Listened on Audible and it was perfect for cleaning and debunking around the house 😃
Lucy is desperate for a paying job and is hired to help the eccentric artist Marva dejunk her house after a lifetime of hoarding.
Lucy is trying to earn money for her adult son’s drug treatment and is recovering from an ugly breakup as well. Marva was an unconventional mother and lives it up in the artist lifestyle. This makes for a bit of a rest of wills every time they try to work together, as well as some life decluttering for Lucy- who has enabled so many of the issues she is facing now.
I liked the pacing of the book, the side plot of the romantic interest, and the complex nature of being a mother trying to help (or are you making things worse) as a son is caught in the world of addiction.
At times the characters can be very annoying, especially Lucy as she feels so clueless to her own needs and actions, but the plot tightens up and the ending was satisfying enough.
4 stars
Lucy is desperate for a paying job and is hired to help the eccentric artist Marva dejunk her house after a lifetime of hoarding.
Lucy is trying to earn money for her adult son’s drug treatment and is recovering from an ugly breakup as well. Marva was an unconventional mother and lives it up in the artist lifestyle. This makes for a bit of a rest of wills every time they try to work together, as well as some life decluttering for Lucy- who has enabled so many of the issues she is facing now.
I liked the pacing of the book, the side plot of the romantic interest, and the complex nature of being a mother trying to help (or are you making things worse) as a son is caught in the world of addiction.
At times the characters can be very annoying, especially Lucy as she feels so clueless to her own needs and actions, but the plot tightens up and the ending was satisfying enough.
4 stars
May 26, 2022
Someday, I will be brave enough to DNF a book. Sadly, that day was not today. If I had, maybe this book would have gotten away with the 2 star rating I was planning - the last 70ish pages tanked it completely to a 1 star or lower. Being the mother of an addict is its own storyline and clearing out the home of a compulsive hoarder is its own storyline. Combining them only means that neither of them is done well. I could not stand a single person in this book and I hated the plot so so much!!
November 9, 2020
I really liked this one. Totally enjoyable read. As a neat freak, de-clutterer, I got a lot of satisfaction from "watching" Lucy clear up the clutter in Marva's house! The storyline with Lucy's son added depth to the book and I thought it was well done. Definitely a lighter "Michelle-type" read and right up my alley.
November 17, 2021
I enjoyed this book. Free book from audible. The main character is sarcastically funny. Loved her. Lucy gets a decluttering job of a very eccentric, demanding lady Marva that doesn't want to part w her stuff. Lucy is dealing w a breakup and a son in rehab. It takes a while but Marva and Lucy start to care and understand each other. It was a good story, very entertaining.
October 18, 2024
It’s romantic, light smut, brief suspense, and a tinge of mystery. As a woman who is not the mother of an addicted nor a neglected mother, I still found a way to relate to the story. Definitely a feel good read for when you need a break.
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