Genre Fiction

Where to start? I have so many good books on my shelves that I want to share. How about with the book that I am pages away from finishing in the moment: Janet Fitch’s third and most-recent fiction novel Paint It Black (2006), named for the epononymous song by the Rolling Stones.

You may recognize Janet’s name because her second writing was a huge hit, making top lists including Oprah’s Book Club. This bestseller - a little novel called White Oleander (1999) - was also one of the most successful book-turned-movie I’ve ever read and watched, starring Alison Lohman, Robin Wright Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Renee Zellweger, to name a few.

For me, White Oleander was such a powerful story of one foster child’s struggle to find her place and a family, that when I heard Fitch had a new book coming out I jumped with excitement. Her ability to weave intricate stories with skilled writing technique blew me away. But with all the anticipation I felt, why has taken me two years since it’s release to get around to reading Paint It Black? Well, I’m a bit cheap and it was only in hardback for its first year. Then, I kind of forgot about it. Until Janet Fitch added me as a friend on MySpace.

In my profile I had White Oleander listed as both a favorite book and a favorite movie, and Janet noticed this and sent me a “hello.” Trembling, I ran to the bookstore to grab Paint It Black - and I haven’t set it down since.

Going into it blind to the plotline, I was even more surprised and pulled in by the events that go down in the first few chapters. Thus, I remain quiet to the plot. You should just read it, and not ask why, or what it is about. Just know that Fitch continues her trend of creating heartbroken characters who long to find peace and understanding in a world that hasn’t offered them much of either. (If you must know, head over to Janet’s homeage.) It’s not a happy-go-lucky read, but it never fails to inspire and offer hope.

If you’ve never read any of Fitch’s work, and for some reason can only read one before you die, I would recommend heeding no hesitation toward picking up a copy of White Oleander, reading it, and then watching the movie. But Paint It Black will not disappoint in any way either … unless there is some mega surprise that I will discover tonight as I finish the last handful of pages.

Janet Fitch’s first novel was a young adult read titled Kicks (1996). In addition to writing, she teaches fiction writing in the Master of Professional Writing Program at the University of Southern California. If your on MySpace, add her as a friend! She loves hearing from readers, and will even try to respond personally to comments left on her space. Here’s what she wrote me: “Hi Sally– Thanks for the kind comment on Paint It Black–thanks for befriending it, and me!! So glad you’re liking it. Wish you good reading and many delights. all best, Janet F.”