154th out of 511 books
—
1,157 voters
Being Anti-Social
by
Leigh K. Cunningham (Goodreads Author)
WINNER GOLD MEDAL, 2012 READERS FAVORITE BOOK AWARDS (CHICK-LIT)
Mace Evans is single at thirty-eight. When her much unloved older sister, Shannon, declares that Mace is anti-social, she embarks on a journey to understand her condition; whether she was born that way or if it is the accumulation of thirty-eight years of unfortunate encounters with other humans and dogs.
For...more
Mace Evans is single at thirty-eight. When her much unloved older sister, Shannon, declares that Mace is anti-social, she embarks on a journey to understand her condition; whether she was born that way or if it is the accumulation of thirty-eight years of unfortunate encounters with other humans and dogs.
For...more
Kindle Edition, 316 pages
Published
May 17th 2012
by Vivante Publishing
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
480)
Being Anti-Social, set in present-day Melbourne, Australia, is award-winning author Leigh K. Cunningham’s second novel for adult readers. Because I thoroughly enjoyed her first, Rain, I looked forward to reading Being Anti-Social as soon as she published it. I wasn’t disappointed.
Mace Evans is one of five children in her family, with two older brothers and two sisters, one older and one younger. She’s 38 when the novel begins, and she’s unmarried, childless, and “anti-social,” according to her o...more
Mace Evans is one of five children in her family, with two older brothers and two sisters, one older and one younger. She’s 38 when the novel begins, and she’s unmarried, childless, and “anti-social,” according to her o...more
One word - hilarious! Being Anti-Social is a far cry from Cunningham's previous novel, RAIN, which was decidedly darker and aimed more for lovers of sad, emotional stories that can and will bring you to tears. Being Anti-Social on the other hand is a lighter read and a bit of a throw-back to Bridget Jones' Diary, except for an older protagonist (Mace Evans is late thirties) and it is set in Australia rather than England. You'll find the same dry humor that was a highlight of BJD, and a protagoni...more
Mar 21, 2013
Jhobell Kristyl
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
book-maven-s-picks-bookshelf
Source: http://bookmavenpicks.wordpress.com/2...
Being Anti-Social is written by Leigh K. Cunningham. First of all, I want to spotlight the cover. I think it’s very feminine and pretty. Don’t you think so, too? Although I don’t think that the smiling woman fits the image of the title which is Being Anti-Social. Nonetheless, I really like the cover.
I have extremely high expectations of this novel because of its catchy title, attractive cover, and the impressive bio of the author Leigh K. Cunningha...more
Being Anti-Social is written by Leigh K. Cunningham. First of all, I want to spotlight the cover. I think it’s very feminine and pretty. Don’t you think so, too? Although I don’t think that the smiling woman fits the image of the title which is Being Anti-Social. Nonetheless, I really like the cover.
I have extremely high expectations of this novel because of its catchy title, attractive cover, and the impressive bio of the author Leigh K. Cunningha...more
Blurb:
WINNER GOLD MEDAL, 2012 READERS FAVORITE BOOK AWARDS (CHICK-LIT)
Mace Evans is single at thirty-eight. When her much unloved older sister, Shannon, declares that Mace is anti-social, she embarks on a journey to understand her condition; whether she was born that way or if it is the accumulation of thirty-eight years of unfortunate encounters with other humans and dogs.
For reasons unbeknown to Mace, she has an affair with a work colleague, which brings an unexpected end to her perfect mar...more
WINNER GOLD MEDAL, 2012 READERS FAVORITE BOOK AWARDS (CHICK-LIT)
Mace Evans is single at thirty-eight. When her much unloved older sister, Shannon, declares that Mace is anti-social, she embarks on a journey to understand her condition; whether she was born that way or if it is the accumulation of thirty-eight years of unfortunate encounters with other humans and dogs.
For reasons unbeknown to Mace, she has an affair with a work colleague, which brings an unexpected end to her perfect mar...more
Rating: 4.0 Stars
I like Merlot with everything, except cereal and milk.
The story of a tight group of 5 friends, interesting plots with men, a mom and sister that are constantly nagging, self realization, and endless supplies of Merlot....what woman would not enjoy this read??
Mace Evans is the middle child of 5 children, and very different from her siblings. Self proclaimed independent, her family has labeled her as anti-social. There's nothing wrong with keeping to oneself...the majority of the...more
I like Merlot with everything, except cereal and milk.
The story of a tight group of 5 friends, interesting plots with men, a mom and sister that are constantly nagging, self realization, and endless supplies of Merlot....what woman would not enjoy this read??
Mace Evans is the middle child of 5 children, and very different from her siblings. Self proclaimed independent, her family has labeled her as anti-social. There's nothing wrong with keeping to oneself...the majority of the...more
Throughout the story, Mace reflects back on her life to see what may have led to her being "anti-social". She looks over her relationship with her siblings and her mother, her group of friends that she hangs out with, and even the men she has loved (and not loved) and lost.
I really enjoyed the flow of this book. The story felt like Mace told her entire life story without even taking a break to breathe. Whenever I would sit down to read, it was like I was having a wine-night detox talk with one o...more
I really enjoyed the flow of this book. The story felt like Mace told her entire life story without even taking a break to breathe. Whenever I would sit down to read, it was like I was having a wine-night detox talk with one o...more
I laughed all the way through Being Anti-Social, award-winning author Leigh K. Cunningham’s second novel for adult readers.
I laughed not because this is the usual situation-comedy froth but because Cunningham’s main character, Mace Evans, chooses to see the humor in the “anti-social” life she’s created for herself—and perhaps enjoys more than she’s willing to admit.
I also laughed because I adore Oscar Wilde’s pithy contrarian aphorisms, which Cunningham sprinkles throughout her story like flower...more
I laughed not because this is the usual situation-comedy froth but because Cunningham’s main character, Mace Evans, chooses to see the humor in the “anti-social” life she’s created for herself—and perhaps enjoys more than she’s willing to admit.
I also laughed because I adore Oscar Wilde’s pithy contrarian aphorisms, which Cunningham sprinkles throughout her story like flower...more
Being Anti Social: Leigh K. Cunningham
Mace Evans is considered anti-social. Her family and friends feel that she never enjoys the company of others. Defining who you are takes perspective, ingenuity, creativity and of course total honesty. Facing yourself in the mirror and taking a pad and pencil to write down what you see might be a unique way to start. Some of us enjoy the company of family and friends while others prefer their own company and limited interaction with others.
Mace Evans is ab...more
Mace Evans is considered anti-social. Her family and friends feel that she never enjoys the company of others. Defining who you are takes perspective, ingenuity, creativity and of course total honesty. Facing yourself in the mirror and taking a pad and pencil to write down what you see might be a unique way to start. Some of us enjoy the company of family and friends while others prefer their own company and limited interaction with others.
Mace Evans is ab...more
When I requested to review this book I have to admit I did it simply because of the title. I didn't really read the description - other than it was fiction. So when it arrived at my door I wan't sure what to expect. After reading the first few chapters I was glad that I had gotten it. It was a story that I can somewhat relate to. I used to have trouble reading books that have Australian characters - mainly because the language is pretty different. But I'm finding that the more I read the more I...more
Reviewed by Me for Readers Favorite
An excellent read for everyone, Being anti-social follows the life of an alcoholic in denial with a surprisingly functional family that she tries to deny her love for. Mace was blessed with a strange name, strange friends and a strange family. She's a middle aged woman who made a horrible mistake that ended her marriage. The subsequent death of her ex-husband has left her miserable with guilt and incredibly lonely. She tries to mask this with her favorite drink...more
An excellent read for everyone, Being anti-social follows the life of an alcoholic in denial with a surprisingly functional family that she tries to deny her love for. Mace was blessed with a strange name, strange friends and a strange family. She's a middle aged woman who made a horrible mistake that ended her marriage. The subsequent death of her ex-husband has left her miserable with guilt and incredibly lonely. She tries to mask this with her favorite drink...more
Amusingly clever and witty with a touch of sorrow, entertaining through and through.
Being Anti-Social is written in a first person format, so it reads like a memoir and could be anyone's life. Mace is 38, the middle child of 5 siblings, with an introverted personality and a sensitive nature that drives her to consume large amounts of merlot paired up with chocolate. Mace uses psychology to dissect and disseminate her birth order and also her name. But most important to Mace is her personal quest...more
Being Anti-Social is written in a first person format, so it reads like a memoir and could be anyone's life. Mace is 38, the middle child of 5 siblings, with an introverted personality and a sensitive nature that drives her to consume large amounts of merlot paired up with chocolate. Mace uses psychology to dissect and disseminate her birth order and also her name. But most important to Mace is her personal quest...more
Mace is a middle child and there-fore no one expects much from her. Her older sister has deemed her "anti-Social". But can that really be true of someone who regularly hangs out with her friends, attends all family functions and isn't opposed to dating?
Being Anti-Social, follows Mace during her 40th year and all of the things that can happen to a middle child who really doesn't have much ambition in her life. She lost her husband to infidelity and cancer, her job she tolerates, her friends are a...more
Being Anti-Social, follows Mace during her 40th year and all of the things that can happen to a middle child who really doesn't have much ambition in her life. She lost her husband to infidelity and cancer, her job she tolerates, her friends are a...more
Leigh Cunningham has done it again with "Being Anti-Social", which could also have been titled "Being True to Oneself". It is a poignant story of single woman as she approaches middle age and chronicles her journey to self-actualization as she thoroughly examines her lifestyle, her relationships both present and past, and her regrets. At times laugh-out-loud funny (my husband can attest to this; he could not figure out what was going on) to painfully sad, Cunningham does an excellent job at maki...more
Did I enjoy this book: This book was okay. It was not a book that I had to read every free chance I had...in fact, I had a hard time finishing it.
This book took too long to get through. The pace was slow and there were way too many Oscar Wilde quotes for my taste. I would have like the quotes better if they were used as a title or introduction to each chapter. Then, the quote would be there for what was going on in the scene but also the reader could skip it if they wanted to do so.
I could not...more
This book took too long to get through. The pace was slow and there were way too many Oscar Wilde quotes for my taste. I would have like the quotes better if they were used as a title or introduction to each chapter. Then, the quote would be there for what was going on in the scene but also the reader could skip it if they wanted to do so.
I could not...more
Very interesting book. The main character Mace, reminded me of myself. Some might find it boring but I thought it was interesting. Good read. A woman who was married to a good guy, did a dumb thing and cheated on him, lost him and then he passed away. This is not ruining the story...that was all "back story" that was explained at the very beginning of the book. The story is about her life now..the aftermath of that, if you will. A woman who is comfortable in her own skin and even though she is s...more
Mace Evans is the new, older, and Aussie, Bridget Jones. She has the same dry humour and attitude towards dating and relationships, and her carefree nature is enough to get her into a lot of sticky situations. I love chick-lit because it's a great break from the more serious reads, and sometimes you just want some light-hearted books that will make you giggle to yourself (unfortantly laughter occurs despite where you are, which sometimes leads to embarassing moments). Leigh Cunningham definitly...more
Despite Being Anti-Social's cartoonish, pastel cover art I disagree with it being labeled as chick-lit. It lacks the light hearted approach to life and love that defines the genre and instead is a fairly serious minded analysis of character, though there are the occasional flashes of dry humor, mainly from well placed quotes by Oscar Wilde, who certainly has sage advice to offer for every occasion.
When Mace Evans is accused of being anti-social by her older sister she gives the complaint consid...more
I see that most people liked this book, I thought I would however I did not. Usually the be true to yourself cahracter appeal to me but I found the main character in this book unappealing and self centered. I usually like these types of books but for some reason this one just did not click for me. The excessive Oscar Wild quotes did not help. The writing was easy to read and I would try other books by this author but would not recommend this one to anyone.
This story is written in the first person by a woman called Mace and is a journey of discovery - a discourse on her feelings and thoughts - the state of her emotions about love, life, and family.
The author is a gifted writer and her talent shines through each page. I loved the Oscar quips that were dotted here and there…eg: a true friend stabs you in the front. They added a kind of levity to the story and made me chuckle. A wonderful read!
Some books you can't put down as soon as you start. This one was kind of the opposite for me. It is more like getting together for a chat with one of your good friends, and I enjoyed visiting a chapter or two each night. It's not a thriller, nail biting, heart pumping read with a twist, it is more of an insightful and humorous look at yourself. Yes, I recognized myself in much of the main character Mace, and not just because we both just hit our 40's. Descriptions of friends, of family, of mista...more
May 16, 2013
Gypsyinpearls
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
free-kindle-books,
chick-lit
I really enjoyed this book although I feel like an older generation of adult women would appreciate it better. I liked the friend aspect and close knit family. I found the book to be oddly inspiring as well as entertaining and sad.
Rambling and only marginally interesting tale of a random slice of a marginally interesting main character. Some of the background characters are more interesting but left under used. Others are so annoying as to inspire disgust. The story doesn't really wind down or stop alarmingly, it just suddenly stops droning on. Certainly not comedic in any known sense of the concept. Lots of nice Oscar Wilde quotes, though.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Leigh K Cunningham is a lawyer with a career as a senior executive for a number of public companies in her home country of Australia. She has master’s degrees in law (Master of International Trade & Investment Law) and commerce (Master of Commerce) as well as an MBA (International Management).
RAIN, Leigh's first title for the adult fiction market (April 2011) was named the winner in the Litera...more
More about Leigh K. Cunningham...
RAIN, Leigh's first title for the adult fiction market (April 2011) was named the winner in the Litera...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »





























Regards
Leigh
Jun 15, 2012 10:19pm