A New York Times bestsellerA WASHINGTON POST “FEEL-GOOD BOOK guaranteed to lift your spirits” “A warm, charming tale about the rewards of revealing oneself, warts and all.”—PeopleThe story of a solitary green notebook that brings together six strangers and leads to unexpected friendship, and even loveClare Pooley’s next book, Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting, is forthcomingJulian Jessop, an … book, Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting, is forthcoming
Julian Jessop, an eccentric, lonely artist and septuagenarian believes that most people aren’t really honest with each other. But what if they were? And so he writes—in a plain, green journal—the truth about his own life and leaves it in his local café. It’s run by the incredibly tidy and efficient Monica, who furtively adds her own entry and leaves the book in the wine bar across the street. Before long, the others who find the green notebook add the truths about their own deepest selves—and soon find each other In Real Life at Monica’s Café.
The Authenticity Project’s cast of characters—including Hazard, the charming addict who makes a vow to get sober; Alice, the fabulous mommy Instagrammer whose real life is a lot less perfect than it looks online; and their other new friends—is by turns quirky and funny, heartbreakingly sad and painfully true-to-life. It’s a story about being brave and putting your real self forward—and finding out that it’s not as scary as it seems. In fact, it looks a lot like happiness.
The Authenticity Project is just the tonic for our times that readers are clamoring for—and one they will take to their hearts and read with unabashed pleasure.
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How well do you really know a person? This is the premise of The Authenticity Project, a clever, heartwarming, fast-paced novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.
The Authenticity Project by Claire Pooley is the story a lonely author named Julian Jessop who believes most people aren’t really honest and real about their lives with friends, neighbors and people around them . Julian writes his truths down about his own life in a green journal and one day leaves it behind at Monica’s Cafe and The Authenticity Project is created and the journey begins as the journal changes hands and the characters begin to write their issues and truths in the journal. The cast of characters was well created by the author. In this crazy world we live in today, this is a heartwarming, sometimes heartbreaking, yet quirky and sometimes funny as the characters write their truths down in the journal. I received an Advanced Reader Copy in the mail and in my opinion only, I think readers will take these characters and their life truths to heart and possibly see a little of themselves somewhere in the journal. I rated it a four.
The Authenticity Project is a rich roast of great characters, even better relationships, wonderful entanglements, and a few surprises along the way. If Monica’s Cafe were a real place, I’d stop by every day.
The Authenticity Project reads like a gorgeous box of chocolates: sweet, surprising and impossible not to love. I found myself cheering, cringing, laughing and crying as I read this book and — above all — remembering the true value of community and human connection.
Insightful, timely, and utterly addictive, The Authenticity Project illuminates the importance of discovering — and honoring — our truest, most imperfect selves.
Fans of Fredrik Backman and Gail Honeyman — make room on your shelves for Clare Pooley. The Authenticity Project is a stunning debut and it left me inspired me to share more of myself with the world.
It’s full of life’s truths, funny, poignant and ultimately uplifting. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It’s a joyous, funny read that leaves you all warm inside.
Beautifully written, thought provoking, and uplifting, The Authenticity Project is a warm and endearing tale about truth, friendship and the power of connection. Pooley’s characters will stay with you long after you turn the final page. It was a joy to read.
The Authenticity Project cracks the facades that people present to the world and shows what happens when you’re willing to share your true self. This is a story of love, of community, of found family, and of forgiveness. A beautiful book with a poignant message, perfect for our time.
What a quaint story, but beware: things are a not always as they seem! I liked the interesting plot twist with Julian. He got his comeuppance for his philandering and selfish ways, but also a second chance at life – redemption is probably a better word for this part of the story line.
The narrative meandered a bit, and I wondered whether the author was playing at misdirection, like a magician, but I could also foresee the potential ending of this story right in the first few chapters, so I suppose a bit of misdirection was necessary in order to keep things interesting. I loved how new characters kept being added to the mix, and how their contribution to The Authenticity Project enriched this story. Just a really great read!
I received an ARC of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Let me start by saying I loved this book and its incredible characters!!! I read this book very fast because I needed to know what would happen with everyone. Julian is an older lonely man who takes green notebook and writes down his truth. He calls it The Authenticity Project. He leaves the notebook in Monica’s cafe. She reads Julian’s truth and adds her own. As the notebook travels and new characters are added and you read their truths , you realize how much truth you keep from yourself and your friends. I loved this cast of quirky, lovable, real characters! This is a book that will stay with me for a very long time!!!