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71st out of 1,871 books
—
3,701 voters
If Life Is a Bowl of Cherries What Am I Doing in the Pits?
by
Erma Bombeck
"See if you can read a paragraph without laughing out loud."
Art Buchwald
The enchanting lady of laughter has done it again--this time taking a hilarious swipe at husbands, honeymoons, tennis elbow, marriage, lettuce, the national anthem, and a host of other domestic dilemmas.
"It's fun from cover to cover."
THE HARTFORD COURANT
Art Buchwald
The enchanting lady of laughter has done it again--this time taking a hilarious swipe at husbands, honeymoons, tennis elbow, marriage, lettuce, the national anthem, and a host of other domestic dilemmas.
"It's fun from cover to cover."
THE HARTFORD COURANT
Paperback, 224 pages
Published
March 12th 1985
by Fawcett
(first published 1978)
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Every wife and mother should read Erma Bombeck. Her humor and insight will get us through those days when we're looking for a flight to Antarctica, just in hopes of being able to go to the bathroom alone.
When I was a little girl staying with my grandparents, after my cousins went home and there was no more playing Payday or that weird soccer game where your fingers are the players' legs, I would need to read (I was a very nerdy child). My options were the Bible, Sidney Sheldon, or this book. Obviously, I picked the Bible. No! I picked Erma, who I discovered to be totally humorous when I turned the light on after I was sure everyone else was in bed, and snuggled under my brown-and-orange swirled...more
Okay, I admit to being an Erma fan. I inherited several of her paperbacks when a friend of mine moved over seas and left several boxes of her books with me. I remembered reading this one as a teen, but it always seemed like something my mom would be interested in. However, for satirical insight on the middle-class female point of view on the big trends of the seventies and eighties, Bombeck is very insightful. I guess it took age and the ability to reflect back on those decades to appreciate her...more
I read this for an initiative at work. We are to read a book each month with a different angle. January's assignment was to read a book published in the year you were born (for me, 1978). Someone recommended Erma Bombeck, since she wrote humor based on being a mother and housewife. I must say, for the most part I just didn't get it. I didn't laugh or even smile once. First of all, there was language to decode. For example, "wedgies." No, not what happens when your undies get in a twist. Apparent...more
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Cute book written by Bombeck in the 70s. Some of the stories were dated but some still ring very true for today! I had to giggle at her comment about worrying about what the dog thinks when she steps out of the shower - never thought about that but now I do because my little pooch always follows me to the bathroom!! Her primer to her children on how to care for themselves was hysterical because my children never things back that they get out, rarely answer the phone (except when I don't want the...more
I first heard of Erma Bombeck when I was 13. My mom had gone to the doctor and came home with the news she was pregnant. I was the baby up until then so you can imagine her shock. My dad, being funny, brought home a pillow that said, " It's A Crying Shame," and a book by Erma Bombeck. That book was If Life Is A Bowl Of Cherries, What Am I doing In The Pits? My dad got hit by the pillow but the book cheered my mom up.
When I saw this book on Net Galley I had to get it. But, I admit, that I was won...more
When I saw this book on Net Galley I had to get it. But, I admit, that I was won...more
I read this for a book club, I don't know if I would have ever picked it up otherwise- mainly because I thought the material would be outdated. But I actually found myself really relating to Erma and her hysterical outtakes of motherhood, husbandry, and basic household chores...I found myself laughing right outloud! In one chapter she gives specific instructions to her children on how the dirty clothes hamper works, which CRACKED me up! There were a couple of chapters that left me unsure of the...more
Even though this book was written in the 70's it is still relevant for me today. From the snoring husband, the overly dependent kids, the housework never ending, and of course the totally wrong fads and fashion(Pantsuit that doesn't look good on anyone unless your 2), this book had me laughing and saying at least I'm not the only one who thinks that.
One of my favorite laugh out loud moments: "how come a child can eat yellow snow, kiss the dog on the lips, chew gum fromt he ashtry, put his mouth...more
One of my favorite laugh out loud moments: "how come a child can eat yellow snow, kiss the dog on the lips, chew gum fromt he ashtry, put his mouth...more
You really can't go wrong with Erma Bombeck. Her take on reality is hilariously dead on.
Read a long time ago. The comedians were much gentler in their humour then. Did we escalate the violence we need to listen to these days that is now called funny?
Today there is a much more aggressive and much louder version... laced with profanities they now stand or sit on stages or they write their not-so-funny messages... in numbness we read, listen, and learn before we think to click off. The funniest, no matter how crude their product, these days, are those that have sold the most. We bough...more
Today there is a much more aggressive and much louder version... laced with profanities they now stand or sit on stages or they write their not-so-funny messages... in numbness we read, listen, and learn before we think to click off. The funniest, no matter how crude their product, these days, are those that have sold the most. We bough...more
This is by no means a literary award winner but Erma Bombeck's books made me love the humour genre and made me want to write comedy myself. Its hard to write and harder to write something funny, but Erma is the queen. I gave this one five stars simply because I remember laughing until my sides split while reading it as a teenager. Even though I hadnt crossed the threshhold into adulthood yet I could still relate to Miss Bombecks tales of domesticity. All her books are great fun and I'm really sa...more
Sep 20, 2011
Valerie
added it
Bombeck was the favorite humorous essayist of both my mother and my aunt (Bombeck died in 1996).
I wouldn't think of badmouthing the woman. She was a brilliant humorist, and had the storytelling gift in full measure. If I personally always preferred Jean Kerr (who, like me, was definitely NOT a 'morning person'), I'm not blind to Bombeck's often wicked invective, tempered by a not quite unfailing compassion.
I can see why my aunt and my mother like her--their own storytelling styles are often simi...more
I wouldn't think of badmouthing the woman. She was a brilliant humorist, and had the storytelling gift in full measure. If I personally always preferred Jean Kerr (who, like me, was definitely NOT a 'morning person'), I'm not blind to Bombeck's often wicked invective, tempered by a not quite unfailing compassion.
I can see why my aunt and my mother like her--their own storytelling styles are often simi...more
Do you like standup comedy? This book reads like one.
It is a collection of humourous stories without chronological order or any order whatsoever about family life from the perspective of an overworked, overstressed mum. Some stories are better than the others, but they are all really funny, I laughed out loud every few paragraphs, people on the subway must have thought I was crazy :).
It ends on a bittersweet note that brought tears to my eyes. The story titled "When Did I Become the Mother and...more
It is a collection of humourous stories without chronological order or any order whatsoever about family life from the perspective of an overworked, overstressed mum. Some stories are better than the others, but they are all really funny, I laughed out loud every few paragraphs, people on the subway must have thought I was crazy :).
It ends on a bittersweet note that brought tears to my eyes. The story titled "When Did I Become the Mother and...more
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Erma Bombeck is the queen of home-based humor. If you know anything about her it's that she used to have a humor column in newspapers and that she published multiple books. Her books consisted of some content from her columns and elsewhere, but they also contained new material as well. Her inspiration? Well her home life and her family.
Bowl of Cherries continues to humorously dissect the image women have of ourselves, the image others have us in our multitude of roles. Bombeck takes on the subj...more
Bowl of Cherries continues to humorously dissect the image women have of ourselves, the image others have us in our multitude of roles. Bombeck takes on the subj...more
One review said that every wife and mother should read this book. I think every daughter should too, if only to get some insight on what lies ahead. (And, of course, to pick up little tips like "green is not a happy color" when it comes to food.) Erma Bombeck talks about everything with such wit and candor, not to mention comedy.
When I was little, my mom used to read the "funny parts" to my sister and me. Once I was a little older, I read the entire book, and still couldn't stop laughing.
When I was little, my mom used to read the "funny parts" to my sister and me. Once I was a little older, I read the entire book, and still couldn't stop laughing.
Read this for my book club. I remember my mom reading this when I was younger. I think there are a lot of timeless parenting issues that unfortunately come with most kids. There were some things, though, that weren't timeless. But, I still thought it was interesting just to see how far we've come since the '70s.
I think this would still be very funny if you're 60 + but only slightly funny for those of us younger. And if you don't have kiddos...well. You may want to pass on it.
I think this would still be very funny if you're 60 + but only slightly funny for those of us younger. And if you don't have kiddos...well. You may want to pass on it.
I remember reading this from my mom's bookshelves a long time ago, and when I saw it at the library, I picked it up for a fun, quick read. Written in the early 80s, it's fun to see how different (and how much the same) life is/was for mothers. Some of it is universal, and other sections are very much 30 years ago. But the parts that she writes on parenting (and being married) are so funny, I found myself laughing out loud at parts, and getting misty at others. Recommended.
I started reading Erma's books when I was in grade school. My mother brought them into the house. We had a library everywhere we went, next to the toilet, in the camper and our own personal books in our rooms. There where seven of us, mostly older. These were hand me downs. But let me tell you, I don't think I'd have had the sense of humor that I do if I wouldn't have been influenced by this lady. Its never to early to develop a funny bone. Start here.
My grandma LOVED Erma Bombeck... I remember once I was at her house and I needed something to read so I picked up one of her books and I thought um she is NOT funny and I do not understand this book.. I was a kid..I read this whole book from cover to cover in one sitting yesterday and I laughed out loud a several times.. She IS funny and I DO get it now.. I look forward to reading her other books.
The first book that I ever finished reading.
I was 12 years old then and about to start my new life in high school.
My puberty years.
Time when not-so-childish-not-so-mature ideas clashes with parents.
I begun laughing upon starting on its pages and end up cryin....
"I love you enough to say NO even if you'll HATE me for it
and that what HURTS the most."
From that time on,
I never got hurt when mom says NO!
I was 12 years old then and about to start my new life in high school.
My puberty years.
Time when not-so-childish-not-so-mature ideas clashes with parents.
I begun laughing upon starting on its pages and end up cryin....
"I love you enough to say NO even if you'll HATE me for it
and that what HURTS the most."
From that time on,
I never got hurt when mom says NO!
I loved this book. Sure, a very small number of the cultural references were lost on me due to my age, but I was laughing out loud--literally, not acronymically (is that a word?)--at least 80% of the time. Bombeck has a gift for making us laugh at the things that would otherwise make us throw our hands up and walk away. I think every mom should have at least one of her books hanging around the house for those days when we really just need to check out and have a good laugh. And the bonus is that...more
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My favorite of Bombeck's books. I haven't read it in 20 years, but certain turns of phrase, passages, even whole stories are so clear in my memory. Even with my familiarity with the material, it still made me laugh out loud. Let's face it, motherhood is funny and insane in pretty much the same way now that it always has been.
[These notes were made in 1984:]. Standard Bombeck fare: exaggeration and slightly outrageous diction combined with recognizable domestic situations make for a hilarious quick once-through reading. After that it palls. Her quick observation of small human details reminds me slightly of what Gerald Durrell does to animals.
A re-read from my favorite columnist ever, Erma "spoke" to me from the time I was a teenager about the age of her daughter and we bought prom dress the same week. I read her books as a newlywed in the 70's and as a new mom. Remembering what life was like before cell phones, computers, and dvd's was a joy. I miss this warm, kind and funny lady!
Erma Bombeck is my hero. She is funny and smart and absolutely wonderful. She is funny without being mean and just a wonderful observer of people and family. I love re-reading her work when I need a boost. In my opinion, everyone can read it -- but a mother gets so much more out of it!
In another thirty years, I'm sure -- if not so now -- people will read Erma Bombeck and be as flabbergasted that people lived like that as we are now considering the paintings on the walls of Lascaux. Bombeck speaks from a different era, and in some ways, an era that was better than ours now.
How can we have EVERYTHING as we do in America, and still be so depressed and downtrodden? Although these are older books, they are still very pertinent today. Besides getting a laugh, you will love her in your face style which questions just what we as women should find important.
This is one lady I really miss!!! I have read all of her books and probably 3 times each! You don't get funnier, more real, and more touching then her stories. It makes you feel like you are hearing the confidences and real life fiascos of your best girl friend!
Yes, I actually read this. I was sitting in my basement about ten years ago, waiting for a friend to arrive in town. She took significantly longer than expected, so Erma Bombeck it was. I can't say I understood any of the humour but hey, I read the thing.
Even though Ms. Bombeck was writing in the 1970s, her wit and wisdom ring true today. She offers refreshing and giggle-worthy insights into the realities of parenting and suburban life. A wonderful antidote to the pressures of perfectionism!
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Erma Louise Bombeck, born Erma Fiste, was an American humorist who achieved great popularity for a newspaper column that depicted suburban home life humorously, in the second half of the 20th century.
For 31 years since 1965, Erma Bombeck published 4,000 newspaper articles. Already in the 1970s, her witty columns were read, twice weekly, by thirty million readers of 900 newspapers of USA and Canada...more
More about Erma Bombeck...
For 31 years since 1965, Erma Bombeck published 4,000 newspaper articles. Already in the 1970s, her witty columns were read, twice weekly, by thirty million readers of 900 newspapers of USA and Canada...more
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