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It Could Be Worse, You Could Be Me
by
Ariel Leve
Meet Ariel. Her glass is half empty . . . and leaking.
If someone tells her everything will be okay, she asks: How do you know? If there's a wrong thing to say, she'll say it. If there's a downside to see, she'll see it. She lives in a permanent fear of what's to come. But at least she's prepared.
In these witty and entertaining tales from the front lines of woe, Ariel highl...more
If someone tells her everything will be okay, she asks: How do you know? If there's a wrong thing to say, she'll say it. If there's a downside to see, she'll see it. She lives in a permanent fear of what's to come. But at least she's prepared.
In these witty and entertaining tales from the front lines of woe, Ariel highl...more
Paperback, 304 pages
Published
April 13th 2010
by Harper Perennial
(first published 2009)
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It isn't often I pick up a book of essays to read, but occasionally I find they make good in between reading--even better than a short story collection in some ways. The essays are short and perfect for those moments when you don't have a lot of time to spare but must get in your reading. Although it took me a few months to make my way through Ariel Leve's collection of essays (I read it in between novels and short stories) , it was an enjoyable read, nonetheless. Leve's humor shines through in...more
Good Stuff
* Wickedly funny, must remember to not read this stuff while at the Reference desk, my snorting out loud continuously was upsetting the college students (Freaks them out that library staff have a sense of humor)
* After reading it I realized that things could be worse in my life and that I could be as neurotic and depressed as the author. Very life affirming I tell ya.
* Author says a lot of the things that we all think or feel but would never say out loud because other people would j...more
* Wickedly funny, must remember to not read this stuff while at the Reference desk, my snorting out loud continuously was upsetting the college students (Freaks them out that library staff have a sense of humor)
* After reading it I realized that things could be worse in my life and that I could be as neurotic and depressed as the author. Very life affirming I tell ya.
* Author says a lot of the things that we all think or feel but would never say out loud because other people would j...more
From the opening line, "People like to say it will all work out. But what if it doesn't?", you are instantly pulled into the self-deprecating world that Ariel lives in. She's constantly second guessing things and never moving on anything because it will definitely lead to some serious problem at some point in her life. And as sad as this sounds it's absolutely hilarious. It Could Be Worse, You Could Be Me is a book of the things we sometimes think, but almost never say out loud. And it was exact...more
Quite fun, I've read a few of Ariel's columns before. The book is presented as groupings of column-length pieces by subject - Romance, Socializing, Friendship - all focusing on one of Ariel's concerns/worries/frettings. Read all together, the columns make her seem like she's an extreme version of a female Woody Allen - all neuroses and therapy sessions - but ultimately a good soul. We can all identify with aspects of Ariel's life - we all have that "loser friend", we can all sympathize with the...more
I adore Ariel Leve and fell in love with her new book, It Could Be Worse, You Could Be Me. Sure, she’s a fabulous writer, but part of my girl crush has to do with the fact that I am just like her, in that neurotic-but-still-funny kind of way. Those of you who read my blog for my ranty health posts know what I mean. Ariel won my heart with her first sentence – “Sometimes after I wake up I will stand in my pyjamas in front of the mirror over the sink and watch myself getting older.” Yep, I’ve been...more
Leve writes well, but the more I read, the more I grew to dislike her as a person. What's so "funny" about someone who's perpetually pessimistic? She came across as rather smug to me. Moreover, unless one is familiar with her "Cassandra" persona details before reading the book, there are gaps. She throws in names, such as "Liza" without any explanation of who the that might be? Took me a few entries to realize it was a friend and not a lover. Also, I would have liked more background on this dual...more
Kill me now.
Maybe Ariel Leve should try stand-up comedy, because this is completely the wrong medium for her brand of humour. Face to face, she would probably be very funny and could possibly replace Jackie Mason as our favourite New York Jewish pessimist. But it just doesn't work in print.
What you get is a protracted, nihilistic whinge. Occasionally she tries to make it funny, but mostly she can't be bothered. That's not a problem in a newspaper column, where one reads one entry a day, or perh...more
Maybe Ariel Leve should try stand-up comedy, because this is completely the wrong medium for her brand of humour. Face to face, she would probably be very funny and could possibly replace Jackie Mason as our favourite New York Jewish pessimist. But it just doesn't work in print.
What you get is a protracted, nihilistic whinge. Occasionally she tries to make it funny, but mostly she can't be bothered. That's not a problem in a newspaper column, where one reads one entry a day, or perh...more
May 05, 2010
Jennifer
rated it
1 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Erin, Marie- some chapters are about things we've discussed
Well, here is another fine example of why I need to write a book. I know I say that a lot. This one was too bad, though- I think that she seems more like a wannabe stand-up comedian then the annoying, miserable, paranoid hypochondriac she makes herself out to be in this "humor/memoir." I didn't believe that she was that way for one page of it. I think she just tried to find a voice that would work, and didn't consider whether people would buy it or even finish her stories.
I was browsing the iBook store and found this one for 99¢. Based on the process alone, I bought it, with low expectations. I was pleasantly surprised though. It was actually a funny book. Given that she writes about her real life I doubt that she intended it to be all that funny. Nevertheless, it was very entertaining. Her lack and drive and real ambition, while being keenly aware of her own shortcomings, was, as the title itself might suggest, a refreshing change from the over-hyped, you-can-ac...more
An absolutely brilliant collection of essays by 30-something single hypochondriac writer living in New York. Her pessimism and realistic attitude towards life is right up my alley; I understand most of what she feels and I can't agree more. This is not a book for those who sees the world through rose-tinted glasses; you need a certain FTW attitude in order to appreciate the dry humour.
Really kind of obnoxious. I wanted to stop reading but had already invested so much time. Wow, someone else complaining about everyday annoyances. How original. Yes, we get you are negative, jaded, cynical, etc-can't possibly forget it since we are bashed over the head with it in every single sentence. Plus, why was there an Index? Was that supposed to be funny? Blech. Two stars for the two times I chuckled while reading.
This book got two stars from me only because it kept me reading until the end, although, if I'm being honest, that was only because of the way the chapters were broken up into short chunks. Overall, I found the author to be more whiny than Dorothy Parker-ish, substituting wit for a near-constant stream of negativity. I regret having this low opinion of the book as it would give the author just one more reason to be blue. The rating is more like one and a half stars.
At times, this was a fun read. I'm all for the Seinfeld-esque manner in which Leve cuts through some of the BS that occurs in life. But in the end, I really don't feel great about having stuck with a book whose author is clearly determined to find the worst aspect in everything and who, on multiple occasions, says that she really sees no purpose to life.
Aa snarky look at everyday situations in life where the author questions.....what if? What if the worst happened that you imagined....what if it didn't all work out for the best.... Perhaps it would be better to expect it not to and then be happily surprised when it did...or not. Loads of fun stories that will have you chuckling, guffawing, or at the very least smirking through your day. Just try to get through one of these situations without reacting...betcha can't! Definitely a fun read....
Too funny. The most pessimistic book I've ever read, to the point where I was mesmerized and laughing out loud. A book full of essays of a neurotic author - the stuff we all think but don't say for fear of looking as if we live in a world where the glass is always half empty. Leve gives us permission to say, yep, it is a lot of the time.
Perhaps her journalism is riveting, but this was extremely boring. I could certainly identify, but to me the minutiae of each self-conscious thought one has are not worth transcribing...
Wasn't something I'd normally pick up but my mother in law passed it on. It wasn't an easy read but I'm glad I didn't stop it was quite dark but still worth a read
I was disappointed with this book. The humorous title caught my attention. But it proved to me to be a repetitive, depressing book with a foggy theme and going nowhere.
Ehhh, I thought a book about someone constantly complaining about everything and was more paranoid than my worse nightmare would make me laugh.... it didn't
LOVED this. Blunt, truthful about herself and really witty and funny also. I related to so many things in this book, it was great!
Could not even finish this book. She is so negative! Somewhat funny but way too negative! She sees the world as glass totally empty!
Jul 30, 2011
Anne
added it
Is this woman hilarious or profoundly annoying? I cannot make up my mind although I did enjoy the book. The title says it all really.
Oct 11, 2010
Totofish
marked it as to-read
It's on its way. Ariel is a brilliant woman, I have followed her blog a couple of years. CAN not wait for this wonderful book..
It's extremely depressing to a point that it becomes hilarious. I got emotionally attached to the writer.
I actually did feel better after I read these essays. The author made me smile with her descriptions of the psychological flagpoles around which she winds herself.
Loved this .. a fun, quirky, memior ... taking you from the worlds of manhattan to england.
The most entertaining book I've read all year!! I LOVED it! Funny and insightful.
This author has a pretty funny outlook on life...almost too relatable.
Another Favourite that I return to regularly. HILLARIOUS!
Sep 12, 2011
Bren
is currently reading it
if you don't feel bad about yourself you're probably going to want to skip this. DEBBIE DOWNER TO THE MAX. i thought it would be ridiculous anecdotal stories, its much more in the tune of Eeyore magnified by 1000.
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“The only thing that's worse than people who say "I am what I am" is people who say "I yam what I yam" while doing a Popeye imitation.”
—
4 people liked it
“For Liza, a greeting is an opportunity to make new friends. For me, it's yet more people I'll have to avoid.”
—
4 people liked it
More quotes…
Aug 13, 2011 07:22pm