The New Me

By: Halle Butler

Narrated by: Halle Butler

"[A] definitive work of millennial literature...wretchedly riveting." (Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker)

“Girls + Office Space + My Year of Rest and Relaxation + anxious sweating = The New Me.” (Entertainment Weekly)

I'm still trying to make the dream possible: still might finish my cleaning project, still might sign up for that yoga class, still might, still might. I step into the shower and almost faint, an image of taking the day by the throat and bashing its head against the wall floating in my mind.

Thirty-year-old Millie just can't pull it together. She spends her days working a thankless temp job and her nights alone in her apartment, fixating on all the ways she might change her situation - her job, her attitude, her appearance, her life. Then she watches TV until she falls asleep, and the cycle begins again.

When the possibility of a full-time job offer arises, it seems to bring the better life she's envisioning within reach. But with it also comes the paralyzing realization, lurking just beneath the surface, of how hollow that vision has become.

"Masterfully cringe-inducing" (Chicago Tribune), The New Me is the must-listen new novel by National Book Foundation "5 Under 35" honoree and Granta Best Young American novelist Halle Butler.

Named a Best Book of the Decade by Vox, and a Best Book of 2019 by Vanity Fair, Vulture, Chicago Tribune, Mashable, Bustle, and NPR

©2019 Halle Butler (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Ingenious . . . masterfully cringe-inducing and unsparingly critical . . . The New Me continues the author's interrogation of the disappointments of the workplace and the diminished rewards of the so-called American dream...[and] explores self-improvement at its absolute, impractical, soul-crushing worst...[Butler's] wit and insight keep the pages turning." —Chicago Tribune

"Few authors capture the acidic angst of downtrodden millennials like Butler, whose heroines, trapped in precarious and soulless work, take comfort in consumption, in cynicism, in ill-fated self-improvement." —Huffington Post

"A brilliant excoriation of the marketers telling us that life offers an unending parade of do-overs. Butler nails the unspoken hierarchies of contemporary office life in this wry and utterly terrifying work." —Vulture

Great writing, short story

This book is full of opportune quips, providing the main character with a lot of sharp personality. The story is relatively short in scope, but it's a (dark) funny journey with one girl's temp jobs. I'm sure many listeners would wonder what the point is if they don't enjoy snarky analysis of office politics. I just wish the story was a little longer and had a little more plot to it, but I don't think that was the author's aim. Well written.

Wonderfully depressing

As soon as I heard the narrator authors’s voice, I wanted to return this book. After giving it 5 minutes, I thought she was perfect. I already am listening to her other book.

About nothing really but still addictive somehow!

First of all, the narration by the author may annoy some people as it is quite monotone, but persevere if you can. It gives a perfect insight into the character and I read in an interview that Butler actually started this book for voice performing. I couldn't get past the first little while of her other book Jillian, but there is something simultaneously revolting and engaging about the character who leads this story. She's desperate, lonely and bored but realistically aren't we all sometimes? There is a brutal honesty in the writing that is refreshing and I couldn't stop listening. Will be well suited to young women listeners I think. Lots there to connect with.

Skillfully written

Great book. Not perfect but a solid work of millennial office fiction. The reader is excellent. I wanted more of a climax when Mille discovers she won’t be getting the job but, the well-written characters and themes make up for minor let-downs in the plot. Would definitely recommend to almost everyone.

The best the worst

I loved this book and it made me laugh out loud but man I would hate Millie but man I have BEEN Millie. I want more.

Left me feeling like there should have been more.

The story is great and relatable, but ends so abruptly leaving the reader with several questions. Why focus on the secondary character POVs only to have their plot threads discarded halfway through? How did the narrator find resolution in the end? It just all felt so random and unfinished, like it was a draft of a novel. Listen to this if love irreverent fiction, but understand that it doesn't feel like you're getting a full story with much development.

Boring

I thought this would be funny and insightful which it may be for some people. But I found it boring and I couldn’t get past chapter 12 I think? Maybe I’ll finish it. But honestly kinda depressing and messed with my mental lol

What I needed to hear as a 22 college kid with no idea what to do with my life

My favorite part, by far, was being read to by the author. I have a papercopy as well and I would skim it while listening, and I noticed while I was only reading I kind of longed the authors voice because you could tell she understood the character very well. Additionally, I really enjoyed the way the book was organized with some chapters being told in first person by Millie, and then to 3rd person over some random person Millie talked about in the chapter previously. I thought it was well done, though I guess I do wish more came from it in some chapters. I love any realistic fiction, but this specifically gave me the same feeling as when I read Catcher in the Rye my senior year of high school, like book candy, it was simple writing, but very well written and I loved the character. Anyhow, I’m going to buy both Banal Nightmare and Jillian now!

Narration by author is great

This book was 100% more hilarious read by the author who has the perfect sardonic millennial tone.

A flawless book

The New Me is a treasure of a book. It’s short but very impactful and gives you exactly what you want from a good book. It’s about a girl who is struggling to make it in the world. And you’re in her head in an unrelenting way, a barrage of experiences and thoughts, a lot of which are negative, which for me is relatable. The crux of the book is this character accepting her struggles, while wanting to become a new person, hence the title. It’s a joyous ride through comical hardships.