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58th out of 197 books
—
21 voters
How to Love an American Man: A True Story
An endearing and unforgettable memoir of love, self-discovery, and enduring, old-fashioned values
Kristine Gasbarre made a New York career of dating driven, inaccessible men. When she realizes her love life will never result in happiness if she continues on the same path, she makes a big decision--relocating to Italy to discover her roots and find out what defines her adori...more
Kristine Gasbarre made a New York career of dating driven, inaccessible men. When she realizes her love life will never result in happiness if she continues on the same path, she makes a big decision--relocating to Italy to discover her roots and find out what defines her adori...more
Paperback, 287 pages
Published
August 16th 2011
by William Morrow Paperbacks
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Gasbarre moved back home to DuBois, Pennsylvania following the death of her beloved grandfather, the head of her loving family. She was a little lost, professionally and personally. The man she loved moved to Bahrain, and she was losing interest in her job as a nanny in Italy.
When Grandpa dies, he left behind a bereft wife. Krissy always admired her grandparents' marriage, and now she had the opportunity to spend time with Grandma and ask her how she and Grandpa made their marriage work. Could G...more
When Grandpa dies, he left behind a bereft wife. Krissy always admired her grandparents' marriage, and now she had the opportunity to spend time with Grandma and ask her how she and Grandpa made their marriage work. Could G...more
A beautiful and refreshing look at life, love, marriage, dating and singleness from the wisdom and experience of a grandmother to the ears of her granddaughter. It's not another one of those modern, jaded books on dating. Really sweet and fun.
Page 186:
Maybe the secret to fulfillment is to stop wondering what we're lacking; to stop seeking love and instead to start accepting ourselves and loving the people we encounter.
Page 248:
This is what it's like to be loved by a man. Before a woman falls in...more
Page 186:
Maybe the secret to fulfillment is to stop wondering what we're lacking; to stop seeking love and instead to start accepting ourselves and loving the people we encounter.
Page 248:
This is what it's like to be loved by a man. Before a woman falls in...more
I'm really not sure what to make of this book. It's a stereotypical rom-com and I was hoping that the family history and advice from her grandmother would play a larger role than it did. I hated Dr. Chris and Tucker and wish that Kristine wasn't mooning over them so much. I had to keep reminding myself that she is only 28 in this book and I'm considerably older, which means that I have learned all of these lessons already.
Still, I'm going through a rough patch. I've recently moved to a new city...more
Still, I'm going through a rough patch. I've recently moved to a new city...more
Definitely a 3.5 star--maybe a 4. Two of my favorite lines, "I teach the world how to treat me by the way I treat myself, and the way I present myself" and "a partner should make us want to improve ourselves constantly, and urge us to maximize what we contribute to the world." I loved the interaction between Kris and her grandmothers and what they teach her about herself and how to love first herself so that she can learn to learn others. It makes me reflect on how I present myself and if that's...more
There were aspects of this book that I did like, but overall I was kind of disappointed with it. The author had always struggled with dating and felt like she was never going to meet a good guy to get serious with. She decided to spend a year in Italy supposedly to research her family history, but really to try to make a long distance relationship with a British guy work. When that relationship ended not long after her grandfather died Kristine decided to move back home with her parents until sh...more
Gasbarre's grandfather and grandmother had the perfect marriage and the perfect life. Gasbarre is beginning to think she will never find anyone with whom she can share her life, that she will never have a marriage or a life like that of her grandparents. After a sojourn in Europe and yet another disastrous relationship, she returns home to spend time with her grandmother and listen to her counsel.
I had mixed feelings about this book. I got very tired of hearing about the clothing and the jewelr...more
I had mixed feelings about this book. I got very tired of hearing about the clothing and the jewelr...more
From my
blog
.
First, a little background. I have to admit - when I first saw the title of this book, I didn't have much of a desire to read it. And that was before I even read the synopsis! Have you ever done that? Have you made a snap judgment about a book just based on the title alone? Trust me, I will never make that mistake again!
After reading Meg's review (from Write Meg), I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that I had to read this book. Meg is one of my favorite book bloggers and her glo...more
First, a little background. I have to admit - when I first saw the title of this book, I didn't have much of a desire to read it. And that was before I even read the synopsis! Have you ever done that? Have you made a snap judgment about a book just based on the title alone? Trust me, I will never make that mistake again!
After reading Meg's review (from Write Meg), I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that I had to read this book. Meg is one of my favorite book bloggers and her glo...more
Favorite quote: "I teach the world how to treat me by the way I treat myself, and the way I present myself" SO TRUE. I am going to try harder on this!
Honestly, the title of this book turned me off at first. Who has the authority to tell me how to love an American Man? BUT WOW. This book was beautiful because it involved a strong relationship between the author and her grandparents. I am a SUCKER for grandparent relationships, as I love my grandparents to death. They are my WORLD. Kristine beaut...more
Honestly, the title of this book turned me off at first. Who has the authority to tell me how to love an American Man? BUT WOW. This book was beautiful because it involved a strong relationship between the author and her grandparents. I am a SUCKER for grandparent relationships, as I love my grandparents to death. They are my WORLD. Kristine beaut...more
I rarely give books one star, but feel I need to justify my feelings on this one. I've recently gotten into the "single woman travels or tries something new" genera - which seems to be growing as women get laid off or quit their full time jobs and decide to write a book. I liked "Eat, Pray, Love", and I loved Margaret Roach's memoir. Unfortunately, this book doesn't even belong in the same category as either. The writing is juvenile at best. I would say the characters are unlikable, but really t...more
You can read my take here.
This is a hard review to give since I personally know the author. I thought Krissy did a great job on her first novel. It's hard to catorgorize this book. You could put it in novel, fictional memoir and even a sort of self-actualization book. Knowing some of the things that I know about Krissy, when I read the book, it was like I could hear her telling this story out loud. I loved the insight she had on her grandparents relationship and really took to heart the words her grandmother had to say t...more
This "book" is a sign that our society is in great decline for 2 reasons: one, it was published - how and why I cannot fathom. The second reason is that there are people who actually positively reviewed this book. This is the worst piece of junk ever to lay before my eyes. The description made it seem interesting but that's the only good thing about it. Immature, badly written and overall just awful. I couldn't stand Ms. Gasbarre! What a super annoying, self-absorbed woman!
Oh, I must admit there...more
Oh, I must admit there...more
I kinda fell in love with this book hard. I loved just about everything about it. The writing was engaging, I could identify with the majority of the story, and I genuinely liked both Krissy and her grandma. It’s also nice to read a book about the relationship between a grandmother and a granddaughter where it is not all sugarplums and cuddly kittens all the time. This was a real relationship where neither the grandmother nor the granddaughter was perfect.
I’ve already passed this book around to...more
I’ve already passed this book around to...more
This book was absolutely refreshing. The family connection is so inspiring in today's world as we always read about strife within families. Gasbarre doesn't point blame at anyone; she simply struggles with relationships and turned to her grandmother as an alternative to today's ways of handling dates and the way guys look at relationships.
I could picture this as a movie soon. if hollywood doesn't see the emotional swings this book brings, then they're missing the boat. Good luck to Gasbarre in h...more
I could picture this as a movie soon. if hollywood doesn't see the emotional swings this book brings, then they're missing the boat. Good luck to Gasbarre in h...more
This book is poorly written, and felt like one way too long blog post. Every person/character is the story is written in a worshipful tone, even if she does occasionally mention that the person does have a couple flaws. While I'm sure she loves her family very much, this shows a lack of ability to analyze people and characters to make them compelling - it also makes the book boring and frustrating and difficult to get through.
Her relationship with her grandmother is somewhat compelling, but the...more
Her relationship with her grandmother is somewhat compelling, but the...more
Here's the problem I found with this book: the description/synopsis makes it sound AWESOME! And then you get into it, and you realize, it's not awesome.
Before I get into the bad about this book, I do want to say that Kristine's writing in the beginning was great. The first 30 pages were hard for me to read because they were so emotional. Kristine did a great job there. But after those first 30 pages...
It's supposed to be about the lessons Kristine learns from her grandmother, right? And about h...more
Before I get into the bad about this book, I do want to say that Kristine's writing in the beginning was great. The first 30 pages were hard for me to read because they were so emotional. Kristine did a great job there. But after those first 30 pages...
It's supposed to be about the lessons Kristine learns from her grandmother, right? And about h...more
Oh Dear.
Every now and then a book comes along where the premise sounds so good that you feel like you MUST read the book. In this case, the book in question was How to Love an American Man by Kristine Gasbarre and I’d requested it as my monthly book to review and eagerly waited for it in the mail. I couldn’t wait to read what I was certain was going to be an amazing story of intergenerational lessons, story-telling and romance.
I was wrong. This isn’t going to be one of those book reviews where I...more
Every now and then a book comes along where the premise sounds so good that you feel like you MUST read the book. In this case, the book in question was How to Love an American Man by Kristine Gasbarre and I’d requested it as my monthly book to review and eagerly waited for it in the mail. I couldn’t wait to read what I was certain was going to be an amazing story of intergenerational lessons, story-telling and romance.
I was wrong. This isn’t going to be one of those book reviews where I...more
2 likes · like · see review
I have really mixed feelings about this book and how to write the review.. The synopsis and premise for this memoir sounded enthralling and I was anxious to read it, imagining a rich story of maternal family relationships. Instead, it was shallow and self-serving.
After starting it, I had to force myself to pick it up, as it was very easy to set aside and forget about it.
While this is a memoir, I really didn't like Krissy. I didn't care about her. Her time in Italy was almost written as an aftert...more
After starting it, I had to force myself to pick it up, as it was very easy to set aside and forget about it.
While this is a memoir, I really didn't like Krissy. I didn't care about her. Her time in Italy was almost written as an aftert...more
Kristine Gasbarre’s How To Love An American Man is a book that emotionally socked me in the stomach in a way that few books ever have. Gasbarre’s true look at her grandparents’ marriage -- and what may have gone awry in her own love life -- was emotionally wrenching and unique.
In a word, I found this book invigorating. It’s not about a dysfunctional family, for one. Krissy has no qualms about spending the day with her grandmother, escorting her to doctor’s appointments before they sit down to ta...more
In a word, I found this book invigorating. It’s not about a dysfunctional family, for one. Krissy has no qualms about spending the day with her grandmother, escorting her to doctor’s appointments before they sit down to ta...more
2 likes · like · see review
I liked this book. The story was heartfelt and heartwarming. It's a memoir about a young woman who learns about love from her Grandma. I enjoyed the relationships she had with her family. The main guy she's "in love" with during most of the book is why I'm not giving it 4 stars.
I felt like his character was flat. He was unlikable (to me). There was no spark, he was kind of a dead fish and I didn't understand why she was mooning over this guy so much. That part was lacking for me.
I felt like his character was flat. He was unlikable (to me). There was no spark, he was kind of a dead fish and I didn't understand why she was mooning over this guy so much. That part was lacking for me.
This book is excellent and so refreshing! To think a younger person is inspired by her grandmothers speaks volumes and actually tells a lot about how our generation misses the mark so many times. this shouldn't be a new idea!...Grandmothers always try to give love advice based on their experiences 50 years ago. This book relates with the older generation and the twenty-and thirty-somethings, for sure! I can't wait to see this as a movie. Keep it up, Ms. Gasbarre!
This was a surprising sweet book. Although its a memoir it reads more like fictional story one young woman's journey to find love in today's world. I was really touched by her relationship with her grandparents and how she treasured their wisdom. It made me a little sad that my daughter won't grow up with her grandparents so close! I wanted a little more from the ending but I guess since its a true story I can't really complain.
There was something about this book that hit home. I don't know if it was because I felt a strong connection to the Author -- as she had moved from home & moved back, as she felt that she wasn't going to find love after a break up, as she was in a transition in her life. I don't know when the exact part of the novel was that I couldn't put it down. It was a very easy read, it was uplifting. I've never recommended a book to my friends as much as I have this one. I believe that every young wom...more
I read this in an afternoon. I really enjoyed this book and Krissy's story. I'm jealous of how close she is with her grandparents, but grateful that she shared her grandma's advice with this book. While I don't always agree with what her grandma did during her marriage, I appreciate everything she had to say. Her opinion on how to be a woman (not just a wife) is something every woman should hear.
What an odd title for a book by and about a woman who finally realizes she must love and depend on herself before she can love anyone else. I appreciated that it was her PA roots and a grandmother who had lost her husband that "taught" her the real "rules" of relationships~that true love is a slow burn; most relationships never make it out of the "precursor to love" phase.
My own rating has more to do with my connection to the story. My romantic journey also had a huge jolt with Both my grandfathers passing within 2 years of each other. I guess I am more attached to the idea that I'm not alone in this sort of situation than the actual quality of the writing. *shrugs* This was my second time reading it and I've recommended it to others.
I loved this book so much. It is a wonderful look into reconnecting/forming new relationships. Full of valuable insight into being independent, valuing relationships with family and new people you meet and how to love without losing your balance. You'll inevitably feel connected to the characters. Highly recommend it.
This one really surprised me. Gasbarre did a good job of letting us into her life, her conversations with her grandmother, their shared grief, and the issues that were resolved and unresolved. It maintained a healthy perspective on love and relationships, and loss.
This was an easy and entertaining read. I appreciated the overall message of loving and appreciating yourself so that you can love someone else. There were some good insights and even though I didn't really understand the main character's choice in a potential partner, I did appreciate her road to that decision.
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“In this moment, I understand that relationships aren't just a blessing, they're a necessity. The Trials of the individual are never enough reason not to love.”
—
6 people liked it
“Maybe the secret to fulfillment is to stop wondering what we're lacking; to stop seeking love and instead to start accepting ourselves and loving the people we encounter.”
—
6 people liked it
More quotes…
04. September, 13:20 Uhr