I admit, as a kid I was a Nellie-hater. But after reading Alison Arngrim's own words about the character, I not only love the author, but I kinda actu...moreI admit, as a kid I was a Nellie-hater. But after reading Alison Arngrim's own words about the character, I not only love the author, but I kinda actually *like* Nellie Oleson!
You probably have to have been a fan of the show to enjoy this book, but really, who do you know above age 40 that is *not* a fan of the show? She lets us in on a few secrets (Melissa Sue Anderson was quite stand-offish). She tells us how she got started in the business. She describes a day on the set. And we learn what poor Alison had to go through at home. Nobody would have known that the ringlet wig-wearing snot had so much turmoil going on at home.
I love her humor, her storytelling and her willingness to share it all with her readers!(less)
This book feels a lot like nonfiction. The characters (Julie's friends) are well-developed and the plot twists (Julie's life) are incredible. I can't...moreThis book feels a lot like nonfiction. The characters (Julie's friends) are well-developed and the plot twists (Julie's life) are incredible. I can't imagine the pain this woman went through, and am so amazed at her bravery -- how she confronted such a difficult situation head-on without apology. Some may think it was a risky move, writing such a book when you've got a young daughter who will learn all the ugliness of her parents' relationship. But I for one feel there's nothing wrong with truth. Her father was who he was. He did what he did. It's not up to Julie to make Henry into someone he was not. Henry made the choices he made knowing full well he had a daughter and wife at home. He was the one who should have protected Liza; not Julie. So ... bravo!
I cried as I read parts of this book. I've been thinking about it since I turned the last page. She's quotable. She's funny. She's memorable. I would love to have coffee with Julie Metz and just talk, but not about her book or her horrible experience after Henry's death. I'd just like to sit and talk with her and laugh and drink coffee.(less)
** I downloaded this onto my Kindle & then read it on the Kindle app on my iPhone. There were two mistakes a noted in the electronic version. In o...more** I downloaded this onto my Kindle & then read it on the Kindle app on my iPhone. There were two mistakes a noted in the electronic version. In one case, there was no link for footnote 126. The other problem was that it appeared to be missing an electronic page. I'm not sure if it was a few words, a paragraph or an entire page. I'm not sure how much I missed or if it was only in the Kindle for iPhone version or if it was for the Kindle version as well. **
I just finished reading Jen Lancaster’s fourth book, a look into how she became who she was before she became who she is today.
In “Bitter is the New Black,” Jen Lancaster described how she went from being filthy rich in the dot com era, carrying and wearing designer labels, to a Target-loving, coupon clipping, purse pawning girl. I fell in love with this snarky girl-next-door. Only I sure as heck never wanted to live next door to her! (She’s kind of mean in a “fun to look at from the outside world” way.)
Jen tells us in “Pretty in Plaid” how she became the label snob she once was. She didn’t start out that way. She grew up in a middle class family with penny-pinching parents. She moved to a one horse town that would likely have been impressed with a label that read JC Penney. She was a Brownie and a Girl Scout, for crying out loud! (And we learn how much she loved that sash and all its glorious pins!)
There were a few chapters where I felt like the book just wasn’t as much fun as the old stuff. It was as though she was writing to fulfill her contract, not to entertain her readers. But most of the book was not only very good, it also reminded me so much of myself. *I* was that girl -- the one who did whatever it took fit in. I did the accents (Jen didn’t want to stand out with her “Yankee” accent in a Midwest town, and I quickly adopted “ya’ll” upon moving to the South), I begged for the labels (Jen ended up getting a pair of designer jeans from a friend of hers who could no longer fit into them, and I remember telling my mom I just HAD to have Jordache jeans or I’d absolutely DIE!) and I needed the approval of the girls who had status (Poor Jen never did get the approval of the long-haired sorority girl with the pretty purse, and I refuse to tell you how I parallel in this area on the basis that one of those girls I went to school with may read this blog since, thanks to Facebook, I am once again in touch with a lot of people from my school days).
Not my favorite of all the Jen Lancaster books, but once she started documenting her workouts, I totally got motivated to do the same thing. Kudos for...moreNot my favorite of all the Jen Lancaster books, but once she started documenting her workouts, I totally got motivated to do the same thing. Kudos for that!
Not as many laugh-out-loud-gonna-pee-my-pants moments in this one, which is probably why it's not my favorite. I wish she'd clean up her potty mouth, but I guess that's part of her charm?(less)
I picked this book up because I lived in Tokyo and wanted to read about another American's perspective of living in the same huge, f...moreVulgar, but funny.
I picked this book up because I lived in Tokyo and wanted to read about another American's perspective of living in the same huge, foreign city.
The stories are hilarious and the guy has a great way of explaining things. But he's very vulgar and rude. Growing up with two brothers (who had plenty of friends with the same type of humor) and working with many men in the radio industry, I was fairly used to this style of humor. But this book is definitely not for everyone.(less)
I just *love* Jen Lancaster! She is the foul-mouthed version of ME! I love how she has no shame when it comes to sharing all her life stories. Another...moreI just *love* Jen Lancaster! She is the foul-mouthed version of ME! I love how she has no shame when it comes to sharing all her life stories. Another must-read!(less)
I've seen Girls Behaving Badly and The Chelsea Handler Show, so I knew there would be some bad language and highly-inappropriate content/behavior. The...moreI've seen Girls Behaving Badly and The Chelsea Handler Show, so I knew there would be some bad language and highly-inappropriate content/behavior. There were a few times I laughed out loud, but the majority of the book was not much more than a chuckle.
I found myself sympathizing with young Chelsea, but wanting to shake adult Chelsea to her senses.
She's very quick-witted and clever, but not as fun to read as, say, Jen Lancaster.
It was a quick read, but probably should have been done over a period of time, in smaller dosages (as my friend Robin pointed out).(less)
I laughed so hard at this book, and it gave me my new favorite "word I can't say out loud."
We all have a story, and even when we're in our deepest, da...moreI laughed so hard at this book, and it gave me my new favorite "word I can't say out loud."
We all have a story, and even when we're in our deepest, darkest places there's something worth sharing. It just so happens that Jen Lancaster shares all that with humor and an excellent vocabulary. I love you, Jen Lancaster!(less)
I really disliked this book. And I really liked it. Equally. There were parts of it where I laughed out loud at some of the stories. But there were pa...moreI really disliked this book. And I really liked it. Equally. There were parts of it where I laughed out loud at some of the stories. But there were parts where I just wanted to throw the book away.
I think the biggest reason I didn't like parts of it is because I just don't "get" some of her views. The Christian in me wanted to shout at this woman and tell her she was nuts for believing some of the things she believed. The human in me -- or maybe the woman in me -- wanted to just feel really bad for all she'd been through and support her on this journey of self-discovery.
Even though there were times I wanted to burn the book, I kept reading. And in the process I learned a lot about Indonesia (Bali in particular) and in India. I also learned about new religions. And I really liked some of the people Liz met on her journey. She did a great job at describing them, and they really sounded like people I'd love to meet one day.
The book is divided into three parts - Italy, India and Indonesia. She explains at the beginning of the book why she has chosen to divide it this way, and I won't give it away (mostly because she does a better job describing it than I could anyway).
I'm not really sure why there was such a buzz about this book. Well, yeah I am - Oprah talked about it. But why it was such a big deal to Oprah is kind of a mystery to me. Some people have gone so far as to use this book as a sort of "bible," a book to guide them on their own spiritual journeys. I guess maybe that's why I was a little bit disappointed when reading it. It's full of spiritual hogwash. And I honestly don't think the author ever intended it to be a "bible" of any kind. She was searching for God herself on this journey. I don't believe she found him (even though she believes she did) - but if her entire book is about her journey to find God, it's hard for me to understand why this woman's searching has made her an authority to others. (less)
Another great collection of stories from Haven Kimmel. I really love her style of writing and story-telling. I really feel like it's Zippy, the precoc...moreAnother great collection of stories from Haven Kimmel. I really love her style of writing and story-telling. I really feel like it's Zippy, the precocious 11-year-old child telling the stories more than Haven, the 39?-year-old woman recollecting her life. I think that's what makes it so enjoyable for me. I can almost hear my own daughter saying some of the same things.
I think I liked Zippy a little bit better, but this one is also definitely worth reading. You should probably read Zippy first, but not absolutely necessary to enjoy this book.(less)
My husband read this book and handed it to me when he finished it with these instructions: "You have GOT to read this book!"
The author is an Australia...moreMy husband read this book and handed it to me when he finished it with these instructions: "You have GOT to read this book!"
The author is an Australian bloke who spent a good portion of his life working on the oil rigs. He shares a lot of stories from his personal life. Lots of really funny stuff -- and lots of stories that make you wonder what th' ... ???
You don't have to have an understanding of how the oil rigs work when you pick this book up, but it probably helps. He does a pretty good job of explaining what he's talking about when it matters to the story, but there were a few details that were lost on me.
Overall, it's a pretty good book. The stories in and of themselves are worth reading, but I think I'd have enjoyed it far more if I knew more about the oil rigs. (My husband used to work on the oil rigs, so it meant a lot more to him.)
Warning -- if you're opposed to vulgar language, don't pick it up.(less)
I love David Sedaris' short stories. His sense of humor is so bizarre -- a lot like my own. If you can get past the sometimes crude talk, the bottom l...moreI love David Sedaris' short stories. His sense of humor is so bizarre -- a lot like my own. If you can get past the sometimes crude talk, the bottom line of every story is usually extremely funny.
In this particular book, I love the story he tells at the very end -- about the stranger who comes to his house for directions. The way he describes his house is hilarious, and I've often thought the same thing about my surroundings -- how things so very coincidental could possibly freak someone out.
I also loved one of his stories near the beginning of the book, where he talked about making a snowman out of what snow was left over after so much had melted...he had to use a lot of mud to keep it together. They called the creations Snow Negroes.
These kinds of stories about his life make me laugh out loud. I can definitely relate to much of what he writes!(less)
My dad was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease about five years ago. He has since passed away, but I was curious to read about MJF's experience with th...moreMy dad was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease about five years ago. He has since passed away, but I was curious to read about MJF's experience with the disease.
I love how this story is told. Fox tells us how he started in show business. He talks about his struggle with addiction. Readers learn about his relationships with his family & colleagues. Fox uses humor much of the time. The story feels gut-wrenchingly honest as he tells us about the first tremor he experienced, meetings with the doctors, breaking the news & dealing with the disease.
If I liked MJF before reading his story, I love him now. (less)
I don't know if this book was meant to be in the "humor" category, but I laughed all the way through it.
This book inspired me to write more myself. I...moreI don't know if this book was meant to be in the "humor" category, but I laughed all the way through it.
This book inspired me to write more myself. I could have written this book about where I grew up, so I think I felt more excited every time I started a new chapter/story because it's all stuff I could so easily relate to. Anyone who grew up in a small town, I think, will love this book!
I want to read more from Haven Kimmel. Her writing style is so conversational and so fun. She's sarcastic and quick-witted. I fell in love with Zippy!(less)
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