Lucy Bloom is well on her way to nowhere. Her boyfriend Daniel had left her with an ultimatum, her nineteen year old son was currently in a pricey drug rehab program that Lucy sold her home so he could get the help he needed. She had written a book called ‘Things Are Not People’ which was basically about how to let go of possessions and finally clean out that pesky storage room or closet…. it did ok, but Lucy needed a job with a little “cha-ching” behind it to get back on her feet.
When she makes a connection to a job that involves assisting a crew that will be cleaning out the great and famous painter Marva Meier Rios’s home, Lucy is thrilled to put her organizational skills to work. It doesn’t hurt that the money is good and if she finishes by the date given she will be given a nice bonus that will certainly start her out with a little nest egg for a home, or at least get her beloved car back in the shape it once once.
What Lucy does not know is that Marva really loves “things” and when Lucy first steps into Marva’s home she could not have imagined in her wildest nightmares, this sort of hording.
Yes, hording.
Marva hardly has space to move as items are stacked in her rather large home from floor to ceiling, in boxes, and free standing, piles and piles, on stairs, in hallways, every room… full with Marva’s treasures. And that is the kicker, the job would be enormous no matter what, but add the fact that Marva has the final say on each and every item if it stays or if it goes, and Marva really has a hard time letting go of anything.
This job, will not be easy.
While Lucy wants to make the bonus deadline, she is also juggling a run in with her ex-boyfriend, a hot guy who is leading a work crew at Marva’s, and her son’s inability to stay clean and in the rehab. Top that off while digging through Marva’s treasures, Lucy discovers that Marva is hiding the biggest secret of all.
Why did I want to read/listen to this book? I have read Jill Smolinski once before for book club when we read The Next Thing On My List. This was a great discussion book where we put what would be on our “to do” or bucket list before we hit a certain age. A chance to read her again seemed like a good thing to do.
Objects Of My Affection is really about a hoarder. And while we now have reality shows on all sorts of topics that are horrifying (the strange habits one gives me shudders), Jill Smolinski takes hoarding to a level where it is truly extreme, but never heavy. The book has a nice mix of humor and breaks between the house filled with goodies (and I mean goodies, like original art work, first edition signed books, screen plays, movie props and costumes…) where it ever feels heavy.
For the most part I enjoyed the storyline, it moved quickly and evenly. My only real “UGH” moment was some choices that Lucy made regarding men in her life that annoyed me and I felt at one point was not only highly unlikely but also highly inappropriate and that is all I am going to say about that. (I know, I know… I should lighten up, but I do like my books to be realistic!) Thankfully by the time the book ends, Lucy has redeemed herself.
Audio listeners, I do recommend this one in audio. Xe Sands narrates this book and she is fantastic! Her voice is smooth and the perfect narration for Lucy’s first person thoughts and voice. She also flows seamlessly to the male characters as well and Marva.
Book readers, this one is going to come across well in book format as well.
In the end, I thought the storyline was done well, there where a few moments where I wanted to hang Lucy’s son by his toes, but as a mother, I understand that her choices were hard ones – and tough love comes even harder.
I purchased this book from audible.com
Book Journey 