In "Rules of the Road," Joan Bauer tells the story of Jenna Boller, a young woman who is struggling to find her place in the world. Jenna has always been something of a rebel, and she has a hard time following the rules that others expect her to abide by. However, as she begins to work for the family business, a high-end shoe store called Lattimore's, Jenna begins to realize that there are certain rules of the road that she needs to follow in order to succeed.
Through her experiences at Lattimore's, Jenna learns that the rules of the road are not just about following the law or following the expectations of others. Instead, they are about finding a way to navigate the complexities of the world around us in a way that is honest, fair, and respectful.
One of the key rules of the road that Jenna learns is the importance of communication. She learns that it is essential to be open and honest with others, to listen carefully to what they have to say, and to be willing to ask for help when she needs it. This is especially important in the world of business, where clear communication is crucial to building strong relationships with customers and coworkers.
Another important rule of the road that Jenna learns is the importance of hard work and dedication. She discovers that success does not come easily, and that it requires a lot of hard work and perseverance. She also learns that it is important to be flexible and adaptable, as the world is constantly changing and it is essential to be able to roll with the punches and adjust to new circumstances.
Finally, Jenna learns the importance of integrity and honesty. She realizes that it is essential to always do the right thing, even when it is difficult or inconvenient, and to be honest and upfront with others, no matter what the consequences may be.
In "Rules of the Road," Joan Bauer does an excellent job of exploring the complex and often challenging process of finding one's way in the world. Through the story of Jenna Boller, Bauer shows that the rules of the road are not just about following the rules of society, but about learning how to live a good and meaningful life.
Rules of the Road (Rules of the Road, #1) by Joan Bauer
Gladstone gains complete charge of quality control, and Jenna finally tells her dad how she feels about him being an alchoholic after reporting him for drunk driving. The protagonist is an ugly-duckling teenager who loves to sell shoes and chaffeurs her 70-something boss around the midwestern and southern US. The dialogue is witty, believable, and hilarious. This is a beautifully written book filled with unforgettable characters. GLADSTONE, THE 74 YEAR-OLD HEAD OF GLADSTONE SHOES, AND NOT THE EASIEST PERSON TO GET ALONG WITH. Not nearly as good as I hoped it would be. Jenna reconsiders, however, as her alcoholic father returns to town and dredges up feelings she wishes would stay put behind her.
I rarely laugh aloud at books, but this one had me giggling quite a bit. In Rules of the Road, the protagonist is not a demi-god or a vessel. At least here there's no romance, much less triangle or choice! And I mean hilarious!! As the oldest child of an alcoholic father, Jenna has learned the games involved, the lies, the deceit and the shame. This YA novel is told with compassion and good humor and is a great primer for teens struggling with issues of co-dependency and low self-esteem. On the contrary, it is the beginning of a journey of self-discovery that she will make with her boss. This is a charming coming-of-age story.
The ending was perhaps a bit too optimistic for my cynical 2020 perspective, but I'm looking forward to returning to this book in a few years, just as I have with I've struggled to read throughout the pandemic. As in Squashed, Bauer begins with an intriguing premise, weaves in unusual settings and scenarios and creates an offbeat first-person narrator to relay them. Books about women can be, in fact, books about the world just the same way books about men are. It was just as good as I remember. I had worked in advertising sales for ten years and I wanted to show the uniqueness and craziness of the best sales people, so I shoved everything into a big literary blender and turned it on. The way Jenna talks about it, being a shoe salesman actually sounds fun, and I caught myself imagining myself as a shoe salesman! Even better, she's been tapped to drive Mrs. To view it, This book was actually really good.
