I can't help but feel Jen Lancaster and I might be the same person. Proof: we both hate people on bikes, we both had the same experience with our spou...moreI can't help but feel Jen Lancaster and I might be the same person. Proof: we both hate people on bikes, we both had the same experience with our spouses during the life insurance testing, I lost one of my own Thunder Cats, thought he was dead only to have him saunter home a week later, and I know what it feels like to never want to be poor again. Quality essays, very well done. I laughed and snorted repeatedly on the treadmill reading this. (less)
You can tell the book is primarily written by Karen, it has her voice and flavor to it. That being said, I don't think this was the most well-written...moreYou can tell the book is primarily written by Karen, it has her voice and flavor to it. That being said, I don't think this was the most well-written book I've read, but it's a fascinating look at a gritty, dirty and yet still glamorous life. A great guilty-pleasure read. (less)
It's not wise to read a Jen Lancaster collection of essays before reading a Laurie Notaro collection of essays; you begin to wonder if they are in fac...moreIt's not wise to read a Jen Lancaster collection of essays before reading a Laurie Notaro collection of essays; you begin to wonder if they are in fact the same person. Their overwhelming love of animals, their issues with sleep medication and their weight issues are eerily similar. But, this was another fun collection of essays, and was enjoyable. (less)
Not as laugh out loud hilarious as some of her other novels but as Lancaster reminds you, she is 40 years old. There is a chapter that deals with sick...moreNot as laugh out loud hilarious as some of her other novels but as Lancaster reminds you, she is 40 years old. There is a chapter that deals with sick pets that is especially poignent and the chapter involving the "Thundercats" is really great. (less)
As a fan of Chelsea Handler, there's a good chance I'll read anything she puts her name to. I've read all her previous books and found this one to be...moreAs a fan of Chelsea Handler, there's a good chance I'll read anything she puts her name to. I've read all her previous books and found this one to be the weakest. I think the reason being she already covered so much of the content of the book on her tv show over the past year. Regardless, it was still a light fun read. And I loved the pictures!(less)
An interesting account of the woman behind the HeLa cells. Also raised the ethical debate of who cells really belong to. Even though I am not a scienc...moreAn interesting account of the woman behind the HeLa cells. Also raised the ethical debate of who cells really belong to. Even though I am not a science person, I thought this book was fascinating, (less)
I read both The Liars Club and Cherry in college and was moved beyond words. Certain aspects of Mary Karr's life mirror my own; and Lit was no excepti...moreI read both The Liars Club and Cherry in college and was moved beyond words. Certain aspects of Mary Karr's life mirror my own; and Lit was no exception. I found this book to be a love letter/explanation to her son, and the raw levels of honesty and emotion were moving. The element of the book that suprised me the most was Mary's deep spirituality that she was dragged into kicking and screaming after coming to terms with her addiction problems. It was very relatable and made me want to read her first two books all over again. (less)
Oh Jen Lancaster... how I adore your books... And while this one wasn't as laugh out loud funny as some of her previous books, it gives you an idea of...moreOh Jen Lancaster... how I adore your books... And while this one wasn't as laugh out loud funny as some of her previous books, it gives you an idea of how she became the way she did- and what she was wearing while it happened. (less)
Usually when I read a Laurie Notoro book I find myself laughing until I cry. Not so with this collection of essays. Which is not to say I didn't enjoy...moreUsually when I read a Laurie Notoro book I find myself laughing until I cry. Not so with this collection of essays. Which is not to say I didn't enjoy the book- the essays just seemed to take on a new (dare I say adult!) tone. A few essays deal with difficult subjects- losing a pet, saying goodbye to one's first home... but there is a certain relatability factor. I feel like I've moved past some of the Idiot Girl essays that center around binge drinking and dumpster diving... and it seems these books grow with me. Another great collection of reads!(less)
Lots of women have the realization at one point in their lives that they are overweight or unhealthy. Every single one of these women also has a story...moreLots of women have the realization at one point in their lives that they are overweight or unhealthy. Every single one of these women also has a story about the desperate attempts to lose weight and resemble Kate Moss. Usually the commen theme in all these stories is self-loathing of fat and a vicious cycle of binging and hating. What I found so refreshing and lovely about this book is the fact that Jen Lancaster never allows herself to sink into a pit of self loathing. She will tell you herself in the first chapter that she looks "Fiiiiine." All she is looking to do is become healthier and not feel winded after running up two flights of stairs. I think if a lot of women in the world would shift their focus away from "skinny" and instead emphasize "healthy" we'd find ourselves having a much more positive dialouge about food and body image. While I didn't find this book quite as laugh-out-loud funny as her two previous memoirs, I loved it none the less. The chapters that discuss birthday cake and Weight Watchers are particularly good. I have a feeling once I give birth to my daughter, I'll be picking this back up again for inspiration. (less)
Jerramy Fine's story is nothing new: feeling like you were born into the wrong family and an overwhelming aspirations of greatness. However, what sets...moreJerramy Fine's story is nothing new: feeling like you were born into the wrong family and an overwhelming aspirations of greatness. However, what sets this book apart from dozens of others like it is the humor and the determination on the part of the author to meet and marry a member of London's royal family. I loved this book- the descriptions of Fine's hippie family compared to her love of all things British and royal were hilarious. Also, you have to give the author props for her sheer determination. It was wonderful- a great summer read!(less)
Growing up with an alcoholic parent, this book was sobering (no pun intended) for me to read, because Jennifer Storm's story could very well have been...moreGrowing up with an alcoholic parent, this book was sobering (no pun intended) for me to read, because Jennifer Storm's story could very well have been my own. It was a very bleak, real look at addiction and recovery. (less)
This book is both sobering and funny- what the real world is like. Life in the big city is nothing like Sex and the City and Jen Lancaster vividly tel...moreThis book is both sobering and funny- what the real world is like. Life in the big city is nothing like Sex and the City and Jen Lancaster vividly tells you why. I'm not usually a fan of non-fiction or essays but you can't help but love the honesty and humor this book brings.(less)
Hilarious! Not only are there parts of this book that are completely relatable (the final chapter really hit home for my mom and I after losing my Gra...moreHilarious! Not only are there parts of this book that are completely relatable (the final chapter really hit home for my mom and I after losing my Grandfather and having to spend the next month caring for my Grandmother) but be careful where you read this book, because you'll be laughing out loud.(less)
I'm torn between feeling annoyed with Kingsolver's holier-than-thou attitude (no bananas- ever!), and smug about the number of things she discussed th...moreI'm torn between feeling annoyed with Kingsolver's holier-than-thou attitude (no bananas- ever!), and smug about the number of things she discussed that we already do in our house (participate in a CSA, eat local, seasonal food-except for bananas- can food for winter months and set local grown meat). There were things I found fascinating and all and all, I thought it was a great read. But it will be a cold day in hell before I give up my bananas, kiwis, mangos and pineapples. Just sayin. (less)
Set in Wisconsin (which I always love!) Trussoni recounts her difficult relationship with her Vietnam War veteran father. The book weaves together an...moreSet in Wisconsin (which I always love!) Trussoni recounts her difficult relationship with her Vietnam War veteran father. The book weaves together an account of Trussoni's own pilgrimage to Vietnam to understand what happened to her father, as well as narratives from her own childhood. Wonderfully written!(less)
First of all, this is not for the faint of heart or the elderly. This is a very graphic (albeit funny) look at the sex industry. Public masterbation,...moreFirst of all, this is not for the faint of heart or the elderly. This is a very graphic (albeit funny) look at the sex industry. Public masterbation, panty auctions and pregnant strippers abound! I'm not going to lie, I learned a lot- although I doubt it humanized strippers for me, which is what I think the ultimate goal of this book was. Regardless, it was a very fun, light romp. I recommend this as a great beach read. (less)
This is a beautifully written memoir of growing up Japanese in the Midwest. It's full of delicious recipies, stories of love and acceptance and cold u...moreThis is a beautifully written memoir of growing up Japanese in the Midwest. It's full of delicious recipies, stories of love and acceptance and cold undercurrents of racism. Wonderful!(less)
Nick Hornby writes essays about a variety of different books. It was great to see essays about books I've read, and it inspired me to read some books...moreNick Hornby writes essays about a variety of different books. It was great to see essays about books I've read, and it inspired me to read some books I haven't read yet!(less)
This was a fun fluffy read- I devoured it in almost one sitting. Jancee Dunn mixes chapters of her life as a reporter for Rolling Stone along with "Ho...moreThis was a fun fluffy read- I devoured it in almost one sitting. Jancee Dunn mixes chapters of her life as a reporter for Rolling Stone along with "How To" pieces about interviewing celebrities. The end result is that Dunn comes across as very endearing and reminds you of the cool girl that lives next door. The cool girl that lives next door that just so happens to have met Bono and Madonna. This is a great vacation/beach read. (less)
I related to this book in a myriad of ways. I've worked shitty jobs, I've almost had my car repossessed and oh yeah, I've worked shitty jobs. Needless...moreI related to this book in a myriad of ways. I've worked shitty jobs, I've almost had my car repossessed and oh yeah, I've worked shitty jobs. Needless to say I think a lot of women can relate to this. Jen Lancaster's humor is what makes this book. (less)
Laurie Notaro never disapoints and this collection of essays is no exception. As always the usual cast of characters appears in this collection of ess...moreLaurie Notaro never disapoints and this collection of essays is no exception. As always the usual cast of characters appears in this collection of essays- her crazy Nana (addicted to Lifetime television and could possibly be a dead ringer for my own Grammy), her over the top mother who lives for QVC and Laurie's sisters. The best essay in here is titled "I Love Everyone." Check it out- this book will have you laughing out loud. (less)
If you could define your life in a series of recipies, what would they be? That's the premise behind this cute cookbook. It also delves into food we l...moreIf you could define your life in a series of recipies, what would they be? That's the premise behind this cute cookbook. It also delves into food we love, people we love, and food we love to cook for people we love.(less)
I started crying as soon as I read this book- Sebold talks about a traumatic personal experience and how people told her she was "lucky" it resonated...moreI started crying as soon as I read this book- Sebold talks about a traumatic personal experience and how people told her she was "lucky" it resonated so deeply with me. Any one who has been a victim of any kind of abuse can relate to this gripping true story.(less)
I'm an idiot girl myself and proudly wear the label. There were so many parts of this book that had me laughing out loud- it's a fun collection of sto...moreI'm an idiot girl myself and proudly wear the label. There were so many parts of this book that had me laughing out loud- it's a fun collection of stories about what it truly means to be an idiot girl. (less)
I've always been facinated with Chinese culture- this book was a look into what it's like to be an unwanted daughter. Throughout the book the author d...moreI've always been facinated with Chinese culture- this book was a look into what it's like to be an unwanted daughter. Throughout the book the author details her complex relationship with her parents and her siblings. Anyone who has ever dealt with difficult parents will be able to understand and relate. Very emotional!(less)
Loading...
