Papa's novel shows a writer 'On the Verge'

Life after college graduation in three words: "On the Verge." As the title of Ariella Papa's debut novel, this phrase perfectly describes the future of most recent graduates -- waiting for something, about to get the big break, but not quite there.\nEve Vitali, the hilarious protagonist of Papa's novel is a 23-year-old recent graduate with a journalism degree turned assistant to the editor of Bicycle Boy in New York City. Everyone keeps telling Eve that she has her foot in the door, but she doesn't think so. After all, she's stuck working for, of all things, a bicycle magazine. \nUnfortunately, her job consists of inputting data, scheduling meeting rooms, ordering lunch and handing out office supplies -- not exactly the glamorous first job after college that she has dreamt of. One other fact that cannot be withheld -- she's from none other than New Jersey. Enough said! Trying to make it in the grand world of Prescott Nelson's many magazines, Eve goes through a series of entertaining but sometimes mundane tasks like sucking up to a future landlord. Although there is a lot of alcohol consumption involved, the portrayals of the characters end up not only funny, but incredibly timely and comical at the same time. Consistent with this trend in her book, Papa uses ingenious description of the many accounts of schmoozing with foreign celebs courtesy of Tabitha, Eve's friend and colleague, who has the power. You see, Tabitha is the assistant to none other than the editor-in-chief of NY By Night, the one and only magazine with the privilege of covering all the interesting events in the city. Reading this book is being drawn into a roller coaster ride through Eve's life.\nPapa's novel is oriented towards a growing population of young single women in big cities, but it lets everyone -- from the country gal to the woman who religiously reads Cosmo -- train their test buds on the city life. Reading "On the Verge" tastes of a captivating and fast-paced chick flick, but guys can do the Sherlock Holmes thing trying to find out the way women's minds work. Papa's book is colorful, funny and insightful. "On The Verge" is a lighthearted coming-of-age tale in the Big Apple. The protagonist shows growth throughout the story line making decisions that will eventually lead to her taking a huge corner risk. Readers will hope she succeeds because she's perky and bright displaying the potential to go far in her chosen field if she can get her act together. It made me feel like I have accomplished something, not just Eve.