I heard about this book on a podcast, The Rewatchables, where the hosts talk about the film You’ve Got Mail. It seemed like a fun read; however the book reminds me more of a magazine article about all the people involved in the three films. Even the title seems like a magazine article title. Anyway, Erin Carlson purports to explain how Nora Ephron saved the romantic comedy, but I’d argue she never really answers that question. Instead the book seems to love talking about background information - good to know, but just extra. Alongside fun anecdotes about the three films, it delves into Nora Ephron’s life, Tom Hanks’ early career, and especially Meg Ryan as the ingenue, fresh-faced and the next America’s sweetheart after Julia Roberts. Sure, this is interesting, but I expected the book to be more about Nora Ephron - her process and her writing style and influences on future romantic comedies. Instead, it jumps from Nora Ephron’s divorce to Rob Reiner as a director, to costumes and makeup, even namedropping Kevin Feige of Marvel fame as an assistant. It’s more insider Hollywood, and less treatise on Nora Ephron. Fun, light reading.

I’ve become a bit disillusioned about the true crime genre and how it’s blown up. However, this book is very well researched and written in a style that does not glorify the subject. It was also very interesting to read about the investigation; in particular, the diving team really stuck out to me as compassionate and dutiful individuals who we don’t really hear much about, but who must surely pay a price for their role in any murder investigation.