why I'm like this: True Stories
by Cynthia Kaplan
|
|
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of why I'm like this: True Stories.
discuss this book
friend reviews (0)
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 285)
Read in July, 2007
So this book was at the Gay Library in a bunch of gifts and I searched for any GLBT content and seeing none and seeing the stellar reviews and blurbs ("like David Sedaris... only a woman!") I brought it home to continue the short-humorous-essay kick I'm now suddenly on.
What is *Cynthia Kaplan* on? How is is that she's drilled into my brain?
How is it that me: ur-Catholic, male, gay, practically mid-westerner was speared in the heart by a Jewish, female, straight, mom from the g...more
What is *Cynthia Kaplan* on? How is is that she's drilled into my brain?
How is it that me: ur-Catholic, male, gay, practically mid-westerner was speared in the heart by a Jewish, female, straight, mom from the g...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
Those who like to laugh
I was at DiBo and Tricia's place for Sunday Dinner and I was looking through Tricia's bookcase to see what she had to read and I came across this book with an interesting title (I always judge a book by it's cover and title) Why I'm Like This and I was immediately interested, especially since it was true stories (I'm sorta a memoir and essay junkie). I can't say that I picked it up right away, but I put it in my work bag, just in case I was inspired to read while on the train or while on lunch ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2008
recommends it for:
Anyone who likes peeks into others' lives.
The USA Today review on the back cover says, "Knee-slapping hilarious!" I don't think so. While the author is eccentric and sometimes funny, she is not knee-slapping funny. In that sense, the book is overrated.
It's a collection of personal (sometimes painfully so) essays. They are well-written and seem honest. But I am not sucked into the book, dying to find out what happens next. I want to finish the book just to be able to say I've finished it, not because I find it deeply ...more
It's a collection of personal (sometimes painfully so) essays. They are well-written and seem honest. But I am not sucked into the book, dying to find out what happens next. I want to finish the book just to be able to say I've finished it, not because I find it deeply ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in August, 2007
Not to be harsh, but this book sounds like a bunch of random emails that I might have written, then edited, and bound into a book. I'm not a good writer. I'm sure this is someone's style to enjoy, but I actually got mad at myself for taking this book along to read instead of something more enjoyable.
Like this review?
yes
(2 people liked it)
add a comment
Read in June, 2007
This is a great memoir comprised of interesting vignettes about family, friends, self esteem and finding yourself. It's a really quick read, and the format is great because each chapter is its own short story, so if you happen to put it down for a while, you don't have to reread the last few cchapters. This is a great book for anyone looking for a humorous and touching book about the trials and tribulations of dealing with family and friends and making it through life with a positive attitude....more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2008
This book was both funny and sad. One sign that it's a truly good book, though, is that I kept thinking, "Oh, I should lend this to so-and-so" and "this person would find this amusing!" From her traumatic memories of summer camp through the nightmare of dating, from her grandmother's superstitious nature and bizarre knick knacks to her grandmother's decline into dementia, from marriage through the birth of her son, this book touched my heart.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in October, 2007
recommends it for:
short story lovers and all around insightful peeps
I was looking up books about bands in the library and this was somehow stuck in the midst of it, and who can resist such a title? Cynthia Kaplan is a bit older than me but I can still relate to the feelings of frustration and irritation that she presents here. I guffawed more than once to the annoyance of others on the bus, but who cares? This just might get me back into my short story groove.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in February, 2008
A collection of true stories written by Cynthia Kaplan detailing parts of her life -- hilariously well-written moments about summer camp, waiting tables in new york city, the author's honeymoon adventures, Jewish family life, etc. My favorite one is about her fear of moths-- but read for yourself. Kaplan puts things directly -- and is very believable.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in August, 2007
Great voice, fun short essays. In the "praise for" blips at the front of the book her writing style is compared to David Sedaris (multiple times), Anna Quindlen, and Dorothy Parker. I say she sounds like Mother Reader. I can't wait to read her new book, Leave the Building Quickly.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Probably one of the best collection of short, true-stories. Laugh-out-loud funny. One story is funnier than the previous... I share her pregnancy story with all of my friends when they get pregnant. This little gem inspires me to keep plugging away at Elephant Legs....
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
have been on the verge of purchasing this book a number of times b/c I LOVE THE TITLE!!!
(d@mn, i thought to myself... too bad it's already taken - now what am i going to call my memoir??)
will have to purchase and read someday soon
(d@mn, i thought to myself... too bad it's already taken - now what am i going to call my memoir??)
will have to purchase and read someday soon
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in December, 2007
This is an enjoyable read. It's a compliation of a bunch of short stories, so you never feel compelled to keep reading. Kaplan's writing is humorous and I can appreciate a bunch of what she has gone through, especially as a mother.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in February, 2008
Entertaining enough, with a decent number of witty/hilarious lines, but overall, it wasn't as clever as the jacket hype would have you believe. Sedaris is definitely better in this vein (most of the time, anyway).
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in June, 2007
This book was HYSTERICAL! I loved it. Cynthia Kaplan writes a bunch of little essays about her life. I could not put this down. Definitely a summer read and I am heading out today to get her new book.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Another one I grabbed at the airport gift shop... dang those stores :D But they all looked so good and I thought I would have read more on the boat. :S I shoulda known better :D
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 2007
recommends it for:
every jewish girl i know
This book was wonderful - great short stories that spoke right to my soul - a confirmation that i am not crazy and other people think the same way i do - such validation!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Has a copy to sell/swap
—
Read in July, 2007
Laugh out loud hilarious. She considers her life to be average, while I wish my life was half as exciting as hers. She is shockingly honest at times. I am true fan.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in May, 2007
A series of short stories, so an easy book to put down and pick up again over a period of time. Loved the humor-- some parts made me laugh out loud.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in August, 2003
This book is absolutely hysterical. I've read it quite a few times, and each time, people ask what the hell I'm laughing at. Go out and get it now!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Freakin' hilarious. I almost peed myself.
Love the stories on Camp and Pregnancy. Makes me never want to experience either, but SO funny.
Love the stories on Camp and Pregnancy. Makes me never want to experience either, but SO funny.
Like this review?
yes
1 comments
