Don’t just read The Counselors…Experience it!

I read The Counselors by Jennifer Goodman when I was in the mood for something dark. Goodman definitely delivered. As her story unfolds in two different timelines, I found myself on the edge of my seat. Or maybe it would be more accurate to say pillow since this is one of those books that I read in one setting late into the night…and then early into the morning.

Here we go: All Goldie ever wants is to speed through the school year to get to her next summer at Alpine Lake Camp where the kids of the financially elite spend their breaks. Even though she’s not wealthy, it’s the only place she’s ever really felt like she belonged. But when Goldie meets a townie who quickly becomes her everything she’s suddenly not so excited about her two worlds colliding in summer. Unfortunately a tragic accident leads to a lie that puts everything in jeopardy. When summer finally arrives nothing is the same…because it turns out she’s not the only one who’s keeping secrets, and some of them are more dangerous than others.

This book had me thinking about Anna Delvey, who inspired the Netflix Show Inventing Anna. Now, to be honest, I hadn’t heard of Anna Delvey until Chloe Fineman did a spot on impression of her on Saturday Night Live. Fineman is one of my current cast favorites. I especially crack up every time she does Jennifer Coolidge. When I first saw Chloe impersonate Anna Delvey, I wasn’t sure what was going on, so I had to do some research. It was different seeing the impression before the real thing, but I could still appreciate Fineman’s craft.

I read up on her inspiration. Anna Sorokin was a con woman who operated under the name Anna Delvey to defraud individuals, financial institutes, and banks over a period of four years. She used her connections with people and artists she’d met while interning for a fashion magazine to make her ploys appear legitimate. Her schemes were based in New York. Eventually she was sentenced to serve 4 to 12 years in jail for her crimes. 

Reading about her hit home how hard it is to keep up a façade. Sure, we’ve probably all thought at one point or another how nice it would be to have a fresh slate or be someone else…or maybe have a whole lot more money than what we currently have. As liberating as that may sound, it would also just be a lot of hard work to pretend to be someone you’re not. I’m talking superb concentration, keeping track of all the stories you tell, ensuring there’s no plot holes or contradictions. I imagine the pressure to meet the mark increases exponentially as the lies pile up, until eventually it’s hard to stay afloat. That sounds like way too much stress for me.

These ideas of fitting in and trying to be what you’re not often play into Goldie’s choices in The Counselors. Although, just like in real life, she’s not the only one that’s conflicted. How far is she, and those around her, willing to go to keep up a façade? What and who are they okay sacrificing along the way so they don’t get caught?

Well, don’t look at me for those answers. You’ll have to read the book to find out for yourself.

There you have it. Do yourself a favor and read The Counselors. My advice: start it early in the day, because there’s a good chance you won’t want to put this one down. Maybe also check out the Netflix Show Inventing Anna. Or if that seems too serious for you, there’s always Chole Fineman’s impression. Yep, just laughed at that again.

If you haven’t already read The Counselors, what are you waiting for? If you already have, why not pick it up again? Either way, take my advice when you do—don’t just read it, experience it!

Want information about purchasing this book from Neighborhood Reads, a local Washington, MO book store? Click the book cover above!