When James Frey Saved My Life

Whatever other people still may say, I know what James Frey does for people out of the goodness of his heart.

I didn’t know James Frey, but another friend (she is also a public person, as they say, and may not want her name in here) put us in touch a couple of years ago. I had a family member going through a horrible time who needed help quickly and needed it from someone with experience in what this person was dealing with (I’m keeping this intentionally vague, and I'm sorry about that but it's not my story).

James responded immediately, calling and texting back and sticking with us closely for days like that until he got us the help we needed, which changed our whole life trajectories. So when I see someone like this Freddie guy on Substack writing shit about James that seems obviously fueled, at least in part, by jealousy and bitterness (I admittedly did not read the whole dumb thing, but I got the gist I think), I want to fight. On a more evenhanded note was that piece in the New York Times about James and his new book this past Sunday - which made me want to add my name to the list of people in that story that James has helped, without fanfare or getting anything in return.

This all just inspired me as I’m writing here: Want to start a book group where we read only controversial books? I would love to do that with you and I'll come up with a clever name for it (or feel free to suggest some names here, because you all are good with that kind of thing). I only ever read non-fiction, but because I want to support, and because I am intrigued, if you're in with me, let's start with James’ new book, Next to Heaven. Let me know and we will make it fun.

I love you all and I thank you again, James!