gracef's Full Review: Paige by Paige: A Year of Trading Spaces Books
If you look up the word "perky" in the dictionary, I wouldn't be surprised if the picture of Paige Davis appeared next to it. The host of the popular TLC series Trading Spaces has been something of an "overnight" success. A little over two years ago, she was hardly known, except possibly to those who frequented traveling Broadway shows. Now, she's everywhere... rental car commercials, Hollywood Squares, the cover of TV Guide, and more. Her latest bit of exposure comes from the book, Paige by Paige: A Year of Trading Spaces.
If you're looking for an extensive autobiography or biography of Paige Davis, forget it. Paige by Paige is simply a compilation of Paige Davis' observations from Season 3 of Trading Spaces. The book is written in a sort of diary format, going chronologically from the start of production of the season (June 15, 2002) to the final wrap-up party for the season (April 30, 2003). Not every day is covered, nor are all of the episodes discussed in any great detail.
Mixed among the pages of diary entries are photographs (oftentimes of unknown origin, since credits aren't always shown), doodles, and other paraphernalia. Many of these are things that the most people would never have a chance to see otherwise. A page from the Emmy Awards ceremony program that shows Trading Spaces was nominated and a copy of the Betty and Veronica spoof of Trading Spaces were just a couple of the more interesting ones. Laurie is shown breastfeeding her baby Gibson, but relax! It's tastefully done. (Sorry guys! There is a rather nice picture of Gen in a wet suit you might like better.) More surprising are the pictures of the homeowner who decided to strip naked and dress only in a tool-belt and paint sample cards and the one of a dead frog that was found in one of the homes. Irritatingly, not all of the photos and items are captioned, so you can't just browse through the book and easily identify who the people in the photos are or their significance to Paige Davis.
On one level, Paige by Paige is what it is set up to be: a behind-the-scenes look at the production of a show. It is what Trading Spaces: Behind the Scenes fails to be. Paige discusses many of the minor mishaps and dramas that never really appear on screen. Accidents. Paint on carpets. Plans that failed. She talks about projects that she screwed up, deliveries that didn't get made and needed to be worked around, and weather that didn't cooperate. My favorite story was one that involved Edward, who went into a chain-smoking funk after the crew mistook his black silk for garbage and threw paint trays and other messy crap in with it. She also talks a bit about each of the cast members, though she seems to talk more about Gen, Vern, and Doug than others. On more than one occasion, she expresses her disgust with people who like to see negative homeowner reaction and shares a couple stories of homeowners that were far from amused at the final results. Those who want to learn about what really goes into the production of the show would do better to buy this book than the real Behind the Scenes book.
On another level, Paige by Paige is the story of a rising star. At times, Davis shows great naiveté and is really surprised at the "star treatment" she receives. At other times, she reports acting in ways that seems to disappoint even her. She talks about her extensive travel and the frequent separations from her husband Patrick, who was touring with The Lion King during Season 3. At times, she seems a bit self-involved and overly pleased with herself and the show, but even this didn't bother me too much. After all, a person who is is suddenly living his or her dream would get carried away. (At least she had the dignity to not have it edited so that she would look perfect.) Occasionally, when she complains about the things that she has to do that she hates (early morning workouts, giving up dancing, etc.), she catches herself and says something like, "Why am I complaining? I have a great life!" The most poignant passage was one where she learned the hard way that being a "star" didn't mean that you can accept any offer that comes your way. I felt so badly for her that I just wanted to hug her.
I finished Paige by Paige with a new kind of respect for Paige Davis. She's not just the cute front gal for a popular TV show. She's someone who is plucky, sensitive, quirky, and, above all things, human. I like that!
As much as I hate to say this, though, Paige Davis isn't a knock-out writer. Granted, Paige by Paige was theoretically created from diary entries that Paige Davis scribbled in her spare time. But in my experience, a great writer is one whose talent shines through regardless of what he or she writing. The true value lies in the depth of the writer's perceptions, and in most cases, Davis doesn't seem to look any deeper than what she sees right in front of her. Even the most moving passage didn't bring me to tears. (I'm easy on that mark. I cry at Danielle Steele novels. Does that tell you anything?)
Fortunately, the writing isn't terrible either. It's serviceable... light, breezy, and easy to get through in very short order. Pretty much what one would expect from a book whose appeal is primarily to fans of a television show.
My biggest gripe about Paige by Paige isn't the writing. It's the design of the book. Most of the diary entries are printed in the pseudo-grungy typewriter font that, on the glossy paper, is somewhat hard to read. Certain asides and captions are printed in a script font which isn't all that easy to read either. Those with poor eyesight will need good lighting to get through this one.
Overall, though, Paige by Paige is a book well worth reading, especially for fans of Trading Spaces. It shows that stardom isn't as easy or as glamorous as one might think. And it's a "must read" for anyone contemplating applying to be a homeowner on the show. For the rest of us, it's just a nice, light read.
Davis provides a fascinating look at her life as host of Trading Spaces. Fans peek into what happens when the camera isn't rolling and readers learn w...More at Alibris
Davis provides a fascinating look at her life as host of Trading Spaces. Fans peek into what happens when the camera isn't rolling and readers learn w...More at Alibris
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