Bright Lights, Big Ass: A Self-Indulgent, Surly, Ex-Sorority Girl's Guide to Why it Often Sucks in the City, or Who are These Idiots and Why Do They All Live Next Door to Me?
by Jen Lancaster
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Read in September, 2007
Yep, another literary treasure from Jen Lancaster, who also wrote <A HREF="http://bookcrossing.com/journa... is the New Black</A>, which hit the shelves at the tail end of when she was writing this book. I bought this at the end of August but apparently had never registered it. Whoops.
Apart from? her annoying habit of random question marks (while at the same time railing on those who use LOL)...more
Apart from? her annoying habit of random question marks (while at the same time railing on those who use LOL)...more
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Read in June, 2007
recommends it for:
anyone with a sense of humor.
I'm a little late to the Jen Lancaster party...I picked up this book from the "New in Paperback!" section of Barnes and Noble on a whim one night when I was bored and desperately searching for something to read that I hadn't already perused a million times.
I realized quickly (because it says so on the cover) that there was ANOTHER one of these books out there...a predecessor, if you will...but I decided to stick with what I had, and go grab the first book if I liked this one. Luck...more
I realized quickly (because it says so on the cover) that there was ANOTHER one of these books out there...a predecessor, if you will...but I decided to stick with what I had, and go grab the first book if I liked this one. Luck...more
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I bought this book based solely on the description you see above. As a person who is unhappy living in the suburbs and fantasizes about moving back to the city, I thought this book would give me an un-romanticized glimpse into city living. I was definitely not disappointed. Jen Lancaster puts city living into perspective, and does so hilariously. I found myself laughing out loud many times while I was reading, much to the discomfort and confusion of my boyfriend, and I think that anyone who has ...more
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While Jen Lancaster is clearly funny - and has a good way with a turn of phrase - this books is not nearly as entertaining, in a trashy way, as Bitter is the New Black was. It doesn't hang cohesively, some of the vignettes are not even in order chronologically, and there's not a real "point" to it, which you could say about Bitter, despite its huge ego. This is just a collection of basic short story vignettes that...more
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in June, 2007
recommends it for:
no one, really
I allowed a humorous title and promising amazon blurb to build up my expectations for this dreary collection of essays.
OK, irritating point #1: In one of the first essays, there's this guy from Texas who refers to everybody, including people in the second person singular, as "y'all." I've lived in various parts of the Southeastern U.S. and have yet to meet anyone who does this (unless it's a southerner imitating a non-southerner attempting a southern dialect--a la "Steel Ma...more
OK, irritating point #1: In one of the first essays, there's this guy from Texas who refers to everybody, including people in the second person singular, as "y'all." I've lived in various parts of the Southeastern U.S. and have yet to meet anyone who does this (unless it's a southerner imitating a non-southerner attempting a southern dialect--a la "Steel Ma...more
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Read in March, 2008
recommended to Maurean by:
bookring
I originally joined this bookring simply because I thought the title was funny, having never heard of Jen Lancaster before, or any of the hype surrounding "Bitter is the New Black". When it arrived and I read the back cover, I imagined in would be alright for a few chuckles (having never been a "city girl", I didn't suppose I would relate to alot of it).
OMG! This book was brilliantly, bitingly, HYSTERICALLY funny!! Rather she was discussing her feelings on Ann Coulter (.....more
OMG! This book was brilliantly, bitingly, HYSTERICALLY funny!! Rather she was discussing her feelings on Ann Coulter (.....more
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Read in June, 2008
recommended to Corrie by:
Maya Freeto
This is my designated 'car book'. It stays in the car so if I ever get stuck somewhere (like a doctor's appt) and need a book. I have one. It's a great car book because it has nice short chapters and it's easy to remember what's going on even if you only read a little bit of it every few months. One day I'll get through the whole thing.
Well, I had another doctor's appointment and finally finished this book.
I have to say that it was really funny and did definitely have me laughing. ...more
Well, I had another doctor's appointment and finally finished this book.
I have to say that it was really funny and did definitely have me laughing. ...more
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Read in January, 2008
I LOVED "Bitter is the New Black," and this is Jen Lancaster's follow-up memoir. Also check out jennsylvania.com! Good for a great laugh every day!
Oh, Jen, thanks for making everyday things as well as ordinary things freakin' HILARIOUS!
Now, having finished it, I have to say it's a bit less satisfying than the first book. In that one, there was more of a "novel" feel to it, as we followed Jen's progress from 200K-plus VP job to extended unemployment, relocation, and...more
Oh, Jen, thanks for making everyday things as well as ordinary things freakin' HILARIOUS!
Now, having finished it, I have to say it's a bit less satisfying than the first book. In that one, there was more of a "novel" feel to it, as we followed Jen's progress from 200K-plus VP job to extended unemployment, relocation, and...more
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Read in April, 2008
recommends it for:
Women that can somewhat relate (read the book info)
Three stars for me, although it could have been bumped up if Lancaster's love for Ann Coulter (ick!), and the Conservative party wasn't highlighted numerous times. She also could have been a tad less whiny (because in my opinion anyone that can afford the brands she buys has no room to complain about the public transportation system). All in all this book gave me many laugh out loud moments as Lancaster has a wonderful way to transpose events she's experienced to paper very well, and I could pi...more
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Read in June, 2007
recommends it for:
those who need a good laugh and can't afford Prada
Though I can't say this book opened up any doors for me or in any way illuminated the meaning of the universe and humanity's place in it, it DID make me laugh and laugh and laugh...which is just what this very pregnant girl needed while recovering from a car accident. Jen Lancaster writes about how writing/living in the city (Chicago) is in NO WAY like the series Sex and the City. Jen can't afford most of what Carrie Bradshaw does on her writer's salary, not that Jen's bitter (she is). If you...more
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recommends it for:
stacey, diane, sydney
I read Jen Lancaster's first book (Bitter is the New Black) after I read this one.
"Bitter" is funny, but this one is so much better. I stayed up to read it in one night- I couldn't put it down. I was laughing so hard. It's hard to believe the stories are true.
If you also look, she has a blog where her stories continue. That's always worth a check and a laugh. Oh and I forgot, if I haven't adequately sold this book, for those of you who know of my shopping addiction- Jen has tw...more
"Bitter" is funny, but this one is so much better. I stayed up to read it in one night- I couldn't put it down. I was laughing so hard. It's hard to believe the stories are true.
If you also look, she has a blog where her stories continue. That's always worth a check and a laugh. Oh and I forgot, if I haven't adequately sold this book, for those of you who know of my shopping addiction- Jen has tw...more
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Read in September, 2007
I don't really like to use goodread's 5 star rating that often, because there aren't many books that I find "amazing." I was a little reluctant to use it for this book, because I don't want to imply that it's literary genius or anything - I just thought it was a really funny book that I was able to lose myself in for a few hours.
The book is basically a collection of essays about her life. She adds in her two cents to everything and includes witty footnotes. This will never be ca...more
The book is basically a collection of essays about her life. She adds in her two cents to everything and includes witty footnotes. This will never be ca...more
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Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
unintellectual yuppie wannabe cool kids i.e. no one I would ever interact with
Aside from the fact that this funny book isn't very funny, it lacks any sort of focus and doesn't go anywhere. Great humor could have saved it but Lancaster's jokes all feel extremely forced, and I obviously didn't find them nearly as funny as she did as she laughed at herself. I have actually been a victim of this kind of self-conscious, attempt at humor in some of my own writing in the past and nothing makes me cringe more than reading back over those essays. Lancaster clearly needs a new edit...more
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Read in December, 2007
recommended to Kory by:
Bookswimrecommends it for: any woman
This is the best book ever. When I stopped reading it, I felt as though my best friend moved away. We had some good times together :) Jen Lancaster has a very witty, sarcastic, and always hilarious way of explaining her world. She tackles various subjects such as annoying neighbors, her crazy dogs (I can totally relate) and her constant procrastination against working out. I guess it sounds like every other chicklit book, but I must say I think it stands out among all others in terms of laugh...more
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Read in June, 2007
recommends it for:
sarcastic people
I love the way Jen writes - like a real person talks. She's sarcastic and she's honest. Her book is a series of stories, kind of like David Sedaris' books. She lives in Chicago so it was cool to know about the places she was writing about - and I felt like an insider because when she complained about the creeps on the bus or the bad music at Jewel, I knew EXACTLY what she was talking about!
Want to read her other book, Bitter is the New Black - it's not at the airport where I get my books......more
Want to read her other book, Bitter is the New Black - it's not at the airport where I get my books......more
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Read in June, 2007
This is one of those books where I had to stifle laughter while riding the bus home from work. I totally related to Jen and her Chicago thoughts---as I live in Chicago as well. I too have giggled at the idiots on parade at IKEA, been frustrated by public transportation, etc. It's nice to see that someone else has noticed that Carrie Bradshaw's city life isn't real.
Jen's writing has a wit and sarcastic bite that is similar to my own sense of humor. Reading her books makes me feel like ...more
Jen's writing has a wit and sarcastic bite that is similar to my own sense of humor. Reading her books makes me feel like ...more
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Read in December, 2007
recommends it for:
anyone
not as good as her first, but still enjoyable. I got a bit tired of hearing that she is a Republican, but then I bet my R friends get tired of my Democrat politics also, so we're even. That said, I did love the chapter where she gets attacked for reading Ann Coulter on a bus -- I personally hate Ann Coulter but isn't there something about freedom of speech and freedom of the press in the Constitution? I would personally like to add 'freedom to read'.... I don't personally agree with Lancaster...more
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Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
chick lit fans
So I actually read this in about 2 days. It was an interesting compainion to Emma. Decent chick lit. I actually laughted out loud multiple times. Takes place in chicago- they reference my Trader Joe's and Target!
Drawback - she is a sorority girl and a republican. But, it is nice to know they get fat too. There is only one Ann Colutre essay - it was hard to get through (because I identified with the "dirty hippy" on the bus instead of the author). But all in all wasn't bad.
If ...more
Drawback - she is a sorority girl and a republican. But, it is nice to know they get fat too. There is only one Ann Colutre essay - it was hard to get through (because I identified with the "dirty hippy" on the bus instead of the author). But all in all wasn't bad.
If ...more
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Read in May, 2008
I'm nearly done with this book and there are many "laugh out loud" parts because I can just picture the author doing these things, or even myself.
I really enjoyed the first book and this one is good too, I would like to give it 3.5 stars but that isn't an option. I'm not sure if it is up to a 4 star rating but perhaps close.
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after finishing this book I decided to up it to 4 stars. there are lots of LOL parts but I feel...more
I really enjoyed the first book and this one is good too, I would like to give it 3.5 stars but that isn't an option. I'm not sure if it is up to a 4 star rating but perhaps close.
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after finishing this book I decided to up it to 4 stars. there are lots of LOL parts but I feel...more
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Read in May, 2008
Sometimes when an author does a series of memoirs, it gets boring. I found with another author who writes in a similar style that I LOVED her first book, liked her second book, and kinda didn't like her third.
Jen Lancaster breaks this mold by being as funny in her second book as she was in her first. Her antics continue (the previously mentioned author "grew up" a little, but Lancaster... well, doesn't) and hilarity ensues.
My husband wanted to know what the heck I was laughin...more
Jen Lancaster breaks this mold by being as funny in her second book as she was in her first. Her antics continue (the previously mentioned author "grew up" a little, but Lancaster... well, doesn't) and hilarity ensues.
My husband wanted to know what the heck I was laughin...more
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