Going in Circles

By Pamela Ribon

Book Overview

Charlotte Goodman has had enough surprises.

In fact, she reached her life's quotient when her husband of five months walked out on her, only to abruptly change his mind a few weeks later and move back in. Stung by a whiplash of grief, resentment, and confusion, Charlotte calls a time-out, taking a small apartment where she can figure out what she wants. Instead, the thought of making even the simplest choices triggers an anxiety attack. In order to get out of bed in the morning, she must concoct a to-do list for each day, The Plan, one with absolutely no surprises.

"Without The Plan, horrible things can happen. I'm likely to end up sitting on a curb beside a taco truck on Sunset Boulevard, crying over a carne asada burrito, wondering where my marriage went. I can't handle being the Weeping Burrito Girl."

Charlotte knows all this self-absorbed introspection isn't good for her, but she's running out of people to turn to, as seemingly everyone in her life is pressuring her to make an immediate decision about her future. Then her new friend Francesca--an impulsive, smartass co-worker--offers Charlotte salvation in the unlikeliest of places: the fast-paced, super-tough, bump-and-bruise-filled world of roller derby.

Sure, it's dangerous. Yeah, she could get hurt. But what's a little physical pain when healing your soul is at stake? The question is: whether she's on or off the track, will Charlotte be strong enough to stand on her own two feet?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1416503862
• ISBN13: 9781416503866
• Release Date: April 2010
• Publisher: Gallery Books
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.8" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Phenomenal!

I stumbled onto this book out of place on the bookshelf in WalMart(ugh-i know) But it was karma. I am at the beginning of a divorce myself and how she describes being overwhelmed by confusion and indecision and not trusting one's self,etc. It just really rang true for me. (I even met a derby girl recently.) I am a complete klutz but would be willing to risk broken tailbone and trade a (please it can't be soon enough) EX husband for a derby wife anyday- esp if she is like Francesca! Even calling off the jam was the same. Thank you Pamela Ribon for writing such an amusing read about something that can be so painful. Great characters, action, storyline, etc., humor and flow. I have not read your other books but look forward to doing so in future!

Luminous, cheering story

Going in Circles is one of those books where you battle the desire to rush to the end and find out what happens versus lingering over certain pages and conversations, enjoying the characters, their feelings, and words. Charlotte Goodman and her husband have been married for five months when he abruptly announces he is leaving her. Just as abruptly, four weeks later he decides he has made a mistake and moves back in, ready to start their relationship anew. Charlotte, angry, hurt, and afraid to love her husband again, decides a separation is necessary for her to discover what she really wants. Charlotte is an unremarkable 30-year old woman, with a comfortable but stagnant job, an uneven relationship with her parents, good and not-so-good friends, and a tendency for self-absorption and control. All of Charlotte's friends and family are shocked and uncomfortable by her marital problems, and her overwhelming sadness and introspection begins to affect her relationships and work performance. Then Francesca, a co-worker Charlotte never paid much attention to before, sense Charlotte's feelings of abandonment and powerlessness, and offers Charlotte friendship, support, and some tough love. Part of the tough love is introducing Charlotte to roller derby, where Charlotte discovers physical challenges, emotional resilience, and the strength that can come from supportive relationships. There are many stereotypes about roller derby, and I feared that it would be used as a plot device to simplistically turn Charlotte into a strong woman. I was delighted to discover just the opposite--the demanding, sometimes violent sport of roller derby and its participants are presented with empathy, compassion, and respect. Throughout the book, there are delicate hints of a secret in Charlotte's marriage. The revelation of this secret is on a parallel plot line with Charlotte's growing strength, creating a poignant ending. Going in Circles is a luminous story, one I enjoyed quite a lot and would recommend to others.

Entertaining and engaging

I've been reading Pamela Ribon's writing online for years, but this is the first of her novels that I have read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's -- refreshingly -- non-romantic chicklit. The main character does fall in love, though: with roller derby. Pamie is a derby girl, obviously -- the roller derby scenes feel very true (I say that as a derby girl myself). The characters are engaging, especially Francesca (the girl who draws the main character into derby), and the story kept me going.

Great Read

I've been a big fan of Pamie's for over ten years now and her writing never disappoints. This book is sweet, and sad, and touching, and makes me want to join roller derby.

A Beautiful Book

This book is intelligent, funny, and completely honest. It's like being in the booth at IHOP with your best friend while she tells you her sad and inspiring story. I love it.