JUNE. 2022
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Issue 336 |
Qsaltlake.com
REVIEW BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER
Hello, Molly! A Memoir BY MOLLY SHANNON, C.2022, ECCO, $27, 304 PAGES
The audience roars. That’s music to a performer: the best you can ask from a group of people expecting to be entertained is approval for your efforts. Laughter, for a comedy. Gasps for a drama. Tears for a tragedy and tapping toes for a musical, that’s what you want. But remember: as in “Hello, Molly,” the new memoir by Molly Shannon, not all of life’s a stage. For most of her life, Molly Shannon’s mother stood off to one side, a main charac-
q scopes JUNE
BY SAM KELLEY-MILLS
ARIES March 20–April 19
A failure in communication with a friend can cause some problems. Remember that we are all human, and the failings of others are mistakes, not assaults. More likely than not, a friend’s carefree attitude is simply their way of dealing with their problems. Take a moment to do the same and simply chill out for a bit.
TAURUS Apr 20–May 20
Constant nagging from someone is getting on your nerves. While it may not actually be so bad, the constant pressure is getting you down. Take some time to simply get away and find a sense of normal again. Rest in a place where the mind can reset. Your personal matters and career can wait. Work on yourself now.
GEMINI May 21–June 20
The beauty of nature will be a great inspirational source during this time period. With weather that is ever-changing and a hot-andcold dynamic occurring, much of your duality is represented by the world itself. This could be a good time to
the bookworm sez
ter with a big role but few lines. She was killed in a car accident when Shannon was just four, as if she made a cameo appearance and then was off the script. But not entirely. With the help of family and friends, Shannon’s father, Jim, raised Shannon and her sister, Mary, to remember their mother and to seize life in every way possible, encouraging his girls to be bold and “wild.” Once, when Shannon was thirteen and her best friend was eleven years old, Shannon’s father planted the idea in her head to hop a plane. The girls ended up stowing away in plain sight on a flight from Cleveland (near their home town) to New York City. He paid for their trip back home. And yet, being Jim Shannon’s daughter wasn’t all fun and games. He was an alcoholic, as was his father and his father-in-law; when he was sober, Shannon recalls parties, be involved with the creative process and share what you see with others.
CANCER June 21–July 22
Feeling that things could be going better right now? Likely this feeling comes from boredom rather than failure. There is always a higher conquest and a goal to accomplish, but only because you want more than you have. Look for some new adventures but don’t lose sight of how good things are right now either.
LEO July 23–August 22
There’s nothing totally wrong with switching up the orders of operations. The more tasks that are piling up, the more boredom tends to set in. Keep things interesting by having dessert first, play before work, and taking different positions than normal. It’s a good time to break the norms and alter perceptions for the better.
VIRGO August 23–Sep. 2
The need to flex the muscle of authority could be a turn-off to others. Don’t be so impressed by your accomplishments that it undermines your efforts to gain respect. A friend or lover is finding an obsession rather weary, but don’t let this get you down. Find satisfaction through casual fun and lay off the need to prove yourself.
BOOK REVIEW | QSALTLAKE MAGAZINE | 49
spontaneous trips, loving encouragement, and permission to skip school. When he was drunk, she says that she and her sister were always watchful for his mercurial moods and his propensity for a different kind of “wild” behavior. She couldn’t wait to leave home. And yet, through college, a fledgling career, and a popular spot on “Saturday Night Live,” her father was always there, always a touchpoint for her past but also an irritation; enormously proud of her, but with a short wall between them. It wasn’t until she was well into her adulthood that Shannon realized he harbored a secret, and then everything made sense... You don’t expect a terrible, gasp-worthy accident to be the foundation for a funny story, but there it is, the opening number in “Hello, Molly.” Quickly-quickly, though,
LIBRA Sept 23–October 22
Follow through on tasks that have fallen behind. The saying, “better late than never,” can be applied in many ways, whether it be in business or the bedroom. Communication has fallen by the wayside, and there is a lot of confusion surrounding your recent actions. Rest assured others will listen, so explain.
SCORPIO Oct. 23–Nov. 21
It’s getting warmer and so is your temperature, Scorpio! It may seem like a prime time to get out there and look for adventure. Stay out of danger by keeping close to those you know, and don’t travel far from home. The ability to control emotional responses may be compromised, especially regarding personal interactions.
SAGITTARIUS
Nov. 22–December 20. No one is going to desert you at this time, despite a few moments of despair. Stay focused on working on yourself and become your own pleaser. Fate has a way of bringing tragedy in threes, and you’ve already received two in a row. While this may not be quite obvious to some of you, rest assured some letdown is possible.
author Molly Shannon pulls readers in — somewhat awkwardly, at first, but in the same excited way that your fourth-grade BFF did when there was something important or interesting that you simply had to see. That, in fact, is the feel you’ll get in the first part of this book: like you’ve been taken by the hand and pulled toward something that was going to make this the best day ever. As you read on, that’s not much hyperbole. If you like Shannon’s work, you’re going to adore this memoir, which appears a lot like her skits: hectic, heartfelt, hold-your-sides hilarious, honest, and always, always arms-wide charming. Bring your sense of humor here — but bring tissues, too. So, take a look, fellas. Here’s what you want in a book, fellas. “Hello, Molly!” is gonna make you roar. Q
CAPRICORN
Dec 21–Jan 19 A fellowship of friends and lovers is going to lead to nice times. Enjoy what you can and do your best to stay safe. There could be drama, but that is to be expected. No one is trying to bring you down, despite some suggestions. Allow good feelings to be channeled into the work you are doing. It never hurts to feel inspired.
AQUARIUS Jan. 20–Feb. 18
Whatever is troubling you is likely to affect others if not kept in check. The worst thing you can do is spread negativity, which has a tendency to bounce back. The best course of action is to take a submissive role and allow others to show what it really means to be happy. Realize that sometimes the best action is no action.
PISCES Feb 19–Mar 19
During what is turning out to be a lull period, spend time gaining focus. Get involved with projects and meet with people you’ve been putting off for a while. Someone may challenge your opinions in a seemingly offensive manner but don’t take it too hard. It has more to do with a competitive need than discrediting your ideas. Q
