If you're a Nora Ephron fan you have to read this book. Like a juicy chat with a romcom-obsessed friend. I loved it.

I don't believe that I care enough about the movie industry or these films in particular (though I do enjoy them) to finish this title.

I didn't finish this book.

I loved the bits that were about Nora and her films, but it felt like it wandered off a lot, and then so did I. The writing was strong and engaging, but I just wasn't grabbed by the voice and the story.

I quite liked this book—it's a fun look at the Nora Ephron era of 90s romantic comedies. I was a little disappointed because I was expecting more cultural analysis of the films themselves and how they fit into (or question) the romantic comedy genre, but the book is mostly a behind-the-scenes look at how the movies got made. Still entertaining for Ephron fans, but not as much of a comprehensive deep dive as I thought I was getting.

Being a huge fan of Nora Ephron and her films, I was ecstatic to receive this galley. It did not disappoint in the slightest and I will be suggested it religiously to fellow Ephron fans!

I'm a huge Nora Ephron fan. I love her work. I have her Scribble Scribble/Crazy Salad book on my nightstand like it's a Bible. I've watched her films. I watched her documentary. I sobbed when she died. So when this book came up on Netgalley, I prayed to her spirit that I'd get to read it. And I wasn't disappointed.
As an avid Masterclass subscriber, I wish she would have had an opportunity to teach Filmmaking, Screenwriting, or Writing because she had so much to teach. Unfortunately, those of us devoted to her have to rely on other writers and Nora's friends and family to get her history, her secret of being a woman in film and journalism.
This book, IHWSH (because it's just too long to type), is a great retelling of Nora's career in film. It shares the history of making or trying to make these amazing romantic comedies. Romantic comedy films are a huge pass time for me. In another life, I would like to have been in the industry. While this book delineates how challenging it was for Nora, there were some aspects where it seemed like it was easy breezy for her to get the green-light to make a film. But I can appreciate that she had difficulties. I loved how Nora relied a lot on her contacts and especially her sister Delia as a source of professional and emotional support while making her films. It seemed like she created her circle of support by being real with her cast and creatives, so she could get the best work out of them. But still, I can't even imagine how much work and stress came from the tasks at hand.
I'm a fan of nonfiction as well as a good mystery or romance, but this one had me riveted from the start. I highly recommend this book for readers who want to learn more about Nora or the process of film production with tidbits of script and anecdotes from the cast and crew.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read and write an honest review in exchange for the opportunity to read this work. Good luck to the author in her future endeavors.

An ode to Ephron's iconic romantic comedies: When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, and You've Got Mail. If, like me, you've watched and rewatched these movies, you'll enjoy the behind-the-scenes tidbits and the connections made to other works inspired by them.

Anyone who is even a basic fan of Nora Ephron knows of The Big Three, the three romantic comedies that she created that changed the game for everyone. When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, and You've Got Mail completely transformed romcoms from their saccharine formulas to complex stories with complicated characters. And author Erin Carlson has dug deep to bring us the whole story, from Nora's childhood through to her success with these movies. 

Meticulously researched, I'll Have What She's Having (based on the iconic line from When Harry Met Sally) is the story of how Nora Ephron conquered movies and won us all over with the intelligence, wit, and heart of her big three films. Her stories captivated her audiences as well as her peers, and her work helped make the careers of Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks, Rob Reiner, and so many others. 

This book has all the inside stories. You think you know how all this happened? You haven't even scratched the surface. With clips from interviews and more behind-the-scenes information than I knew you could fit into just one book, Carlson provides us with a fly-on-the-wall perspective of everything that went into the production, writing, and filming of these three iconic romantic comedies and in the lives of these game-changers as well. 

From the story of Princess Diana's request for a private screening of When Harry Met Sally to how Meg Ryan needed a bodyguard the entire time they were filming in Seattle for Sleepless in Seattle because she had a stalker who managed to get his hands on her schedules and call sheets to how Barnes and Noble turned Nora down when she asked them to close their doors for 2 days so she could film there. Instead, they built their own bookstore with thousands of books from dozens of publishers, creating the warm, inviting atmosphere of Fox Books for You've Got Mail. This book has these stories and scores more, as dense as it with all the facts behind these movies. 

When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, and You've Got Mail changed the face of romantic comedies. Nora Ephron changed the way women's stories are told on screen. And Erin Carlson has changed the way that we look at Nora Ephron, her writings, her films, and her life. I'll Have What She's Having is required reading for all fans of Ms. Ephron, of her films, of romantic comedies, those interested in the history of film, those in women's studies, and human beings in general. It's a fantastic, dense, informative, amazing look at how Nora Ephron made us believe in love again, and I adore it. 



Galleys for I'll Have What She's Having were provided by Hachette Books through NetGalley.com, with many thanks.

Link to full review of I'll Have What She's Having
by Erin Carlson : https://wordsofmysteryblog.wordpress.com/2017/09/19/book-review-ill-have-what-shes-having-by-erin-carlson/

I really enjoyed reading this book, its a great behind the scenes look at theses three movies. I felt the urge to re-watch each movie after the chapters pertaining to it. I didn't, but the urge was strong. The book offered so much insight into Nora, Tom, Rob, Meg, etc. that it felt like you were getting to know them as more than who we think they are.

If you love When Harry Met Sally , Sleepless in Seattle , You've Got Mail , or all three, then this book is a must-read! I'll Have What She's Having takes you behind the scenes at all three movies, sharing how they each came to be, including the origins of some of our favorite lines and scenes. (When Harry Met Sally originally was supposed to have a different ending. Can you imagine the injustice?)

Light and fun, gossipy and occasionally a bit rambly and slightly repetitive (the addition of a nude marble statue at Nora's New York apartment building comes up twice, or example--why?) this was a whole lot of fun to read for a fan of rom-coms as well as movies in the nineties in general. A bit more time was spent on WHMS than the others, though this only felt right since it was the first (and the one I can recite the most lines from--though SIS is a darn close second; obviously I need to spend more screen time with YGM). Where the plot ideas originated from and how they developed over time, how Rob Reiner really felt about his mother reciting one of the most famous lines ever in movies, and whether or not Jonah, Sam, and Annie really met on top of the Empire State Building (they didn't--it was a set created on a naval base on the other side of the country)--all this and more is revealed in this book, and darned if it doesn't all make you want to watch and re-watch all three films (and maybe a few others of Nora's) right now.

And then maybe re-read the book...or at least a few parts of it...

Rating: 4 stars / A-

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

A light hearted and fun read that covers the talents of Nora Ephron and her influence on the rom-com movies that we all love. Nora Ephron was a hilarious, talented light in Hollywood and in the literary circles and she is greatly missed.

Movies like "You've Got Mail" or "When Harry Met Sally" are still being made, but they will always pale in comparison to the chemistry of Ryan and Hanks/Crystal.

This is the exact kind of book that would work for readers of Ephron's books, or fans of any of her movies.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I am a huge fan of When Harry met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle. Both are fun and really romantic movies. So, I was really interested in reading this book. I'll Have What She's Having is a look at the iconic writer behind the screenplays of both movies, Nora Ephron. She was a great writer during her life and produced a trilogy of classic movies that will stand the test of time. Unfortunately ,this is one fan who didn't completely love the book.

The book is filled with interesting information about the movies and has behind the scenes anecdotes. So, I did like that. I guess I was hoping for something a little more entertaining. To me, the book was a bit long-winded and dry. It took me forever to get through just the first chapter. In that one, there is a huge information dump about Nora, her early life, and what led to her writing the movies. We are also given what felt like random information about all of the actors and actresses who were in the movies. It made the book seemed unfocused and not as entertaining as I would like. So, I did find myself skimming at times.

I think fans of non-fiction and Nora Ephron will enjoy this book. I wouldn't say it's one to read in one sitting. Maybe one section at a time?

I have been looking forward to reading this book since I knew it's publication date months ago. I had to beg Hachette Books for a copy, but it was well worth it and did not disappoint in any way. The pace is fast-paced and witty, just like a Nora Ephron film. Ms. Carlson provided so much Hollywood history and social context that it made me marvel even more at the genius of Ms. Ephron and the films I have grown to love so much.

Perfectly interjecting the careers and personalities of Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, she laid out wonderfully well-rounded view of why and how these great movies have become hallmarks of the genre. Next time I see these movies, I feel I will enjoy them so much more just because I have the full picture of what they were trying to acheive. In addition, I learned so much more about the life of the legend Nora Ephron-the good and the bad. Ms, Carlson gives an adulating look at the women, but does not neglect her flaws-which of course, makes her as multi-dimensional as the roles for women she put on screen.

This book covers a lot of background stories and history of Nora Ephron. If you are interested in all the small details around Nora Ephron's life and her career revolving these 3 movies that it's the right book for you. Personally I found the book to be too detailed and had trouble keeping track of all the names. But for a real movies buff and Nora Ephron fan this is a perfect book.

Nora Ephron was known for many things, but the two most common was by her movies and her writing. I knew her only due to her films, so I was excited when offered this book to review to learn more about those films and more about her.

The book was so much more than I expected. It did spend many pages telling Nora Ephron's story and behind the scenes of her biggest three movies, but it was more. There were so many stories about the development of the movies and about the stars involved in the movies. I loved how she used many of the same actors in her movies, she knew what she liked and didn't mind using actors over and over again if they performed well.

While reading the book, I took breaks and watched the trailers on youtube and any other videos or interviews, it was fun to add these into my reading to remind me about the movie and the actors and such. I was on a reading crunch because of prepping for vacation or I would have loved to watch each movie in between reading the chapters about them.

I would love to have this book replicated for another filmmaker who has a string of movies like this and learning the stories that happened before the movies even started filming. Do you know someone they could do this for? My first thought was Adam Sandler!

This work of non-fiction starts with giving the reader an insight into the personal life of Nora Ephron, the woman who famously brought us the iconic line “I’ll have what she’s having” from the movie “When Harry Met Sally.” We learn about her early life as a child of writer parents working in Hollywood, her personal relationships and her climb up the corporate ladder of Hollywood to become a director.

Taken from personal interviews conducted by the author herself and much sleuthing (her word) through the many reports written on the actors in magazines or told on television, this is a well-researched book.

At times the book can be a little confusing because the people Carlson was writing about don’t immediately come to mind so there is no metal foundation to place the information on. But when Carlson writes about people who are well known in the public eye, the flow was much easier to follow.

Carlson has managed to find any number of titbits about the actual making of the movies, the actors who had roles and the scenes created but not making the cut which is fascinating. She delves into the atmosphere on set and creates a panorama of the actors and their personalities which is so often hidden behind the perfectly constructed images created by publicity people to make the actors seem more appealing. This book is written openly enough that not everyone comes out smelling of roses. The temper tantrums, ridiculous demands and every facet of peoples ego’s are shown from every aspect.

The genesis of each movie are explored as well as the writing process including. “When Harry Met Sally,” “Sleepless in Seattle,” and “You’ve Got Mail” three of the most enduring romantic comedies of the 90’s to be directed by Ephron. It shows Ephron’s style of working with other people until the scene was perfect and then she would cling to her vision and demand that it be produced by the movie crew.

All in all this is a absorbing read for anyone of a certain age, fans of the historic trilogy or for the movie buffs who want a closer understanding of the dynamics behind the scenes.

This is an in the know account of the work that went into Nora Ephron's 3 timeless rom-coms - When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail...we know how much Nora was loved because we as readers probably loved her and her outlook on life. The book takes behind the scene to the sets and paints a picture of a woman passionate and practical

Part Nora Ephron biography, part romantic comedy history lesson- I'll Have What She's Having takes the reader on an indepth look at When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, and You've Got Mail and the events leading up to it.

The book starts with little bits of the early life and rise of Nora Ephron and then gets in depth on the making of the movies. It also talks about the stars surrounding them; primarily Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks and Billy Crystal. You get a pretty good look at the life of Meg Ryan and he roles over time, her personal life and her inner workings. She was the main muse of the movies, and she struggles to shake them to this day.

If you are a fan of the movies, it is a fun book to read. Personally, i would have liked a little more structure to it but thats how i like my non-fiction.

REVIEW
If you do not know from which movie the iconic line “I’ll have what she’s having” comes from, I am not sure we would be friends in real life. Erin Carlson unpacks three of Nora Ephron’s blockbuster films in this new book.
When Nora Ephron passed away in 2012, my closest friends and I mourned her passing. Having grown up watching When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle, I felt an attachment to the filmmaker and writer.

While these two movies play a critical role in the romantic comedy canon, You’ve Got Mail is my go-to movie. I remember watching it for the first time on vacation with my family when I was a junior in high school, and it was magical. It’s a movie that is also a love story to New York City and to books. Almost 20 years later, I have seen the movie hundreds of times. I can recite the dialogue in line with the actors - and often do. And, it still remains magical.

I’ll Have What She’s Having: How Nora Ephron’s Three Iconic Films Saved the Romantic Comedy by Erin Carlson takes readers behind the scenes as Nora Ephron makes these three films, as well as others. We learn about Nora’s own romantic life, her pioneering work as a female writer and director in a man’s world, as well as interesting tidbits about what happened to bring these epic films to life. One of the things I learned, and is just a good life lesson, is that there can never be enough twinkle lights.

Additionally, readers are able to learn about the casting choices for the various films and the stars who were almost cast. What if Julia Roberts had been the lead of Sleepless in Seattle? Where would we have been without the darling combination of Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in the 90s? I, for one, am glad we do not have to answer that question.

This book is a pure delight for fans of Nora Ephron, the romantic comedy genre, and the 90s’ romantic comedy genre. It debuts in late August!

PRAISE

“Deeply reported and deeply felt, Carlson’s account of Nora Ephron’s unlikely rise to romantic comedy queen deftly exposes the messy, human reality lurking beneath those sparkling paeans to true love. Magically nostalgic, cynical, and smart all at once."―Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, author of Seinfeldia and Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted

"In her love letter to the rom-coms of Nora Ephron, Erin Carlson brings us on a nostalgic, insightful, and joyous ride through the legendary writer/director’s most iconic works. Full of the whimsy, heartbreak, attention to detail, and romantic optimism that defined Ephron’s films, I’ll Have What She’s Having is a must-read for anyone who is a fan of the filmmaker’s genre-defining classics."―Danny Strong, co-creator and executive producer of Empire

"Erin Carlson would make Nora Ephron proud with this deeply reported valentine to her work. Written with warmth, humor, and surprises, Carlson provides plenty of dishy insider scoop on the making of the renowned writer’s beloved films. This book is the perfect companion to your favorite movie. A delicious read that will have you laughing out loud."―Jo Piazza, New York Times bestselling co-author of The Knockoff

AUTHOR

Erin Carlson has covered the entertainment industry for The Hollywood Reporter and AP. Her work has appeared in Glamour, Fortune, and the LA Times. She compiled and wrote an oral history of You’ve Got Mail for Vanity Fair. She holds a masters in magazine journalism from Northwestern, and has been profiled in the New York Times.

As a final note, I received this book from NetGalley and Hachette Books in exchange for an unbiased review.