The life of a young media striver (she's William Saroyan's granddaughter) overflows with brushes with greatness, aborted romances, glamour, doubt and expensive mixed drinks. In Saroyan's Sex in the City–style memoir, she explores her life as a determined 20-something in New York City, enthralled with and then repelled by her own aspirations. Soon after landing a job at Condé Nast Traveler, she becomes disenchanted with the glossy magazine world of which she had so badly wanted to be a part. Saroyan returns to Los Angeles, where she grew up, having "burned out" on the hyper-ambitious lifestyle of New York media by age 25. In L.A., she continues to struggle with the image of success she's created for herself and dabbles in a series of complicated relationships. At times, Saroyan (who is now in her early 30s) gets bogged down by the minutiae of her travails. However, she writes with ease and acuity about personal disappointments and dangerous love interests, putting into words what often goes unsaid about success and its relation to our private lives. After an article she writes for the New York Times Magazine
is abruptly dropped, she asks, "Why do we feel like we're going to lose everything personally if we fail professionally?" At this book's heart is the symbiotic relationship between personal and professional expectations. Saroyan's story will no doubt resonate for many, whether they're currently struggling in their careers or are in a position to reflect on the bumpy road that got them where they are. Agent, Andrew Wylie. (On sale July 8)
