I discovered Kelly Oxford quite by accident. Having been a student for the past four years, I shunned all things social media (and in the end, it seems that I needed social media more than a degree in terms of job postings.. Ahem). I happened to pick up a Maclean's magazine in May because the cover story caught my eye. When I finally sat down to read it, I was instead enthralled by an introduction to Canada's Kelly Oxford.
When I joined Twitter a month later, I searched for her. I had seen that she had also published a book but there wasn't much pull to read it. I didn't know much about her. Last night she held a signing at the Chapters on MacLeod Trail in Calgary and though I hummed and hawed about going, I finally got my ass in gear. Since it was a book signing, I bought the book.
The line-up was long and I went all introvert because I had a book in my hand. That and it seemed as if I was the only one who hadn't read it already. I was two chapters in by the time I got to the front and forgot all the questions I'd wanted to ask. I could hardly wait to open it up again. I got home and did just that, reading until the early morning hours.
Maybe I should go out of my way to read more non-fiction from people my age because it was like a time capsule opened up. I was flooded with memories of my own childhood and junior/senior high. Maybe too because there were some startling similarities with my own life.
Even though the book is a memoir, it's mostly written in the third person. She doesn't just tell you a story full of memories, she places you in the moment with the conversation and thoughts of a child, a young girl, and then a woman. You forget that she's just reiterating what happened in her life because you are right there with her.
You feel the unconditional support her parents gave her. You feel the strength in her convictions when she stands up for herself or when she is making up a story about needing bladder surgery to explain why, at fourteen, she has totally just peed her pants in a public place. You admire the quick thinking and hope you'd be able to come up with something half as good if it happened to you.
I had some envy towards her seemingly unlimited confidence, like when she decides to try and find Leonardo DiCaprio in LA and books the trip. She appears fearless (and I'm definitely going to get Ocean to read her book) but the running mom commentary reminds you that she does know fear, she just learned to trust her instincts and is not afraid to act. And you can't wait to find out what will happen when she finally meets him - rooting for her all the way.
If you're a parent you will love the drive to return to school in case she becomes a single mother due to James' possibly impending demise. Her ability to work the what if scenario into a joke makes it so much more empowering. It's more than smart.
I cringed at her eventual choice though. Considering the somewhat whimsical events of her past, she is able to describe in heartwrenching detail that is out of her witty and confident element why it was not for her (and most of us) either. And for the first time you're less envious of what she's experienced.
I had personally hoped to read a little more about her struggles with writing but she only briefly touches on that subject. It only comes up once and you immediately understand why you don't read more about it- it's a confidence shattering desire before you've begun to do it- even for her.
Upon finishing, you will hopefully take away from it what I did: don't give up, take some risks, and above all, find the comedic in the shittiest moments and the scariest thoughts. Sometimes the tears that ensue are the result of laughing so hard.
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