Julia Hansen (1)

A Life in Smoke is ostensibly about Julia Hansen's attempt to quit smoking, but really delves into many facets of her life and upbringing including her alcoholism and family issues. I'm not sure how much research Hansen did into quitting smoking before quitting (quitting and relapsing multiple times isn't a terribly good research method), but while I was reading her thoughts regarding quitting throughout the book I knew that she would probably be unsuccessful. Based on the epilogue, I was show more correct.

It was definitely an interesting memoir, but if you're currently quitting smoking you might find this book a little tricky to read, as at times it does glamorize smoking and you might feel yourself pining for a cigarette. And I'm sure a non-smoker reading this will just think "I don't get it... why doesn't she just quit!" Either way it is a good read, and does tend to be critical of smoking and how it impacts one's life in negative and not-as-negative ways (and not just in matters of health as so many people see it), which is not a view of smoking that we normally see. It is usually such a highly polarized issue that we only get stories told in black and white, and I enjoyed the more subtle shades of grey here. show less

I bought this book two years ago after hearing the author interviewed on NPR. I bought it to read someday, when I was ready to quit smoking. My readiness is questionable, but I started reading this book last night. I'll update this when (if!) I get to the other side.