I know virtually nothing about Twitter.
I mean, I know that Ashton Kutcher beat cnn.com to reach a million followers and Kenneth Cole found himself in a hot Twitter mess last week. I also know that Twitter is considered micro-blogging (and that’s the one thing that might make me sound like I know a lot more about this social media channel than I actually do). But, the reality is I need to know more about it. A lot more about it. Especially because I am super involved in social media at work; it’s just my focus has been more on Facebook. So, to ease my way into Twitterville, I took the recommendation of my book blogging buddy and dipped into the micro-blogging maelstrom that is Twitter with a delightful little rom-com, Goodnight Tweetheart by Teresa Medeiros.
Advertised as “A Love Story in 140 Characters or Less”, Goodnight Tweetheart centers around Abby Donovan, a novelist experiencing writer’s block after her debut effort tops the charts, earns Oprah’s adoration and almost earns a Pulitzer. Her publisher is getting antsy and in a last ditch effort to keep Abby’s exposure high and momentum going, her agent creates a Twitter account for the fledgling writer.
Within hours, Abby has a small following, including the interest of Mark Baynard, a witty, English Lit professor on sabbatical and traveling the world. Their exchanges are reminiscent of the rapid-fire, pop-culture infused witticisms of The Gilmore Girls, but more flirty since we aren’t talking a mother-daugther relationship here.
As Abby and Mark’s relationship develops, she becomes more smitten with this man who sends her pictures of his European escapades, has faith in her writing and who inspires her in a way that breaks the block that previously had her paralyzed. It would seem that all is peachy between the tweets, but quickly Abby learns that relationships created in an online world of direct messaging and imaginary dates can create a false reality. Abby is now forced to confront the truth about Mark and must decide if a relationship with Mark, online or otherwise, is such a good thing.
I really enjoyed the currency of Goodnight Tweetheart. Published just this year, the pop culture references are as good for the children of the 80s as they are the Gossip Girls set. Medeiros has created an engaging protagonist in Abby and I was left closing the book wanting a sequel. Goodnight Tweetheart rises above the vacuousness found in much of the chick-lit genre; it’s chick-lit for the thoroughly modern, culturally aware woman.