Beverly Hills 90210 was my go-to show in the 90’s, even now, give me a teen drama any time. If I wasn’t home to watch that week’s episode, I sure as hell had my VCR (yes, I’m that old) set. It holds a special place in my heart because it’s the first show that my sister and I bonded over as adults and once went to see an unauthorized off, off Broadway musical of the show.
Back in the day, I was lucky enough to go to a Shannen Doherty (who played Brenda Walsh) book signing and this month I again made the trip into New York City for Jennie Garth’s (AKA Kelly Taylor) signing for her new memoir, “I Choose Me: Chasing Joy, Finding Purpose & Embracing Reinvention” at Barnes & Noble on Fifth Ave.
A major theme of Jennie’s book is choosing paths, so when confronted with a seated Jennie for our pic, I had seconds to choose my pose. Option 1: Put my arm around her chair, squish close and wait for security to come. Option 2: Stand and hover. Option 3: Crouch down and possibly end up falling on the floor. My self-diagnosed medical condition of aversion to decision making kicked in and I chose to lean in with my stomach out and bent one knee to lower enough to be in frame. So unflattering. Sure, I’m delusionally smiling but Jennie’s clearly wondering what’s wrong with me.
My hope for “I Choose Me” was for some 90210 dirt, which a few chapters deliver. Unfortunately, I’m not the target audience for this book since it’s more self-help than autobiography and I chose me a long time ago. The majority of the book focuses on Jennie “chasing joy, finding purpose and embracing reinvention” through partnerships, parenthood and perimenopause…Perry Man-O’Paws would be a great drag king name for fellow animal-loving vegan, Jennie.
In my gay opinion, this book is for women who are trying to find confidence after suffering through divorce, depression or anxiety. Especially women who may not have the time or resources to undergo all the therapy, rehab, retreats, plastic surgery, brain scans, trips to spiritual healers and religious exploration that Jennie writes about. Jennie’s been on this path for decades, sharing how she found her own power and gives pointers on how others can find theirs too.
