Newbie

by Tali Nay

Tali Nay's fourth memoir takes you to New York City, a place to which she moved in order to pursue her dream of becoming a gemologist. From her study of gems to her love of city sweets to her disgruntled, cat-hating neighbor, you'll root for her every step of the way. Newbie is not just a book about city life and what it takes for a small-town girl to adjust. It's also a book about lifelong dreams and what can happen when we conquer risk and fear and doubt in our quest to achieve them.

248 pages, Paperback

Published September 3, 2019

About the author

Tali Nay always wanted to be a fiction writer and was thus surprised when "real life" is what came out when she actually sat down to write something substantial. Tali studied writing in college, and then—entirely by accident—found herself working in business. She went on to earn an MBA, although recently left Corporate America in order to pursue her dream of becoming a gemologist. After a stint in New York CIty earning her diploma at the Gemological Institute of America, Tali now works in the gemology industry and lives in San Diego, California.

Reviews

[Jasmyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author just keeps getting better! This is the 4th book of hers that I've read and her books are just delightful. I laughed out loud reading this on an airplane, I teared up at parts...can't wait to see what she has in store next!

[Jeneece Western · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was gifted to me and I SO enjoyed it! As someone who did not get the chance to live out the dream of moving to NY I really enjoyed all the energy, nuances and even annoyances and dissapointments that she captured. Everyone would find something to grumble about or hate but the fact that she was SO determined to make this something of worth made me smile so many times as she offered this glimpse of her life and dreams.

[Haley Huxford · Rating 5 out of 5]

My second time reading this classic and it always leaves me feeling nostalgic for a place I’ve never actually lived. I see so much of myself in these stories. I think everyone can. I want to be Tali Nay when I grow up!

[Brookie Cowles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so delightful. I felt like I was in New York, walking the streets with the author. 💕

[Christa Sigman · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who also moved from Ohio to New York around the same time, I found many of the observances and anecdotes to be familiar. I would point out that the Staten Island Ferry is free - no ticket purchase on either side necessary. My personal taste in writing I don't love the way the story jumps around. I know from the introduction that is what she intended and she succeeded well, it just isn't pleasing to me as a reader.

[Denver Nay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think we all would enjoy looking back on our lives in future years and seeing that we pursued our dream. Well, Tali did that. Newbie is a memoir that shares what it’s like to leave a secure (and well paying) career, to pursue what she’s always wanted to do. My favorite parts were the chapters specifically sharing information she learned about gemstones, and the process she went through to become a gemologist...all while experiencing the best, and sometimes worst, New York City has to offer.

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, quick read about Tali's experiences living in New York. Tali's writing always makes me laugh. She has a good writing style and fun stories to tell.

[Cami Koralewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Nay’s writing style. This was a fun, quick memoir about a girl trying to find a life for herself in New York.