Being Anti-Social

by Leigh K. Cunningham

Librarian's note: Alternate cover edition of ASIN B0084B9VZW.

BEST INDIE BOOKS FOR 2013, INDIEREADER

GOLD MEDAL WINNER, 2013 READER VIEWS LITERARY AWARDS

GOLD MEDAL WINNER, 2012 READERS' FAVORITE BOOK AWARDS

Mace Evans is single at thirty-eight. When her much unloved older sister, Shannon, declares that Mace is anti-social, she embarks on a journey to understand her condition; whether she was born that way or if it is the accumulation of thirty-eight years of unfortunate encounters with other humans and dogs.

For reasons unbeknown to Mace, she has an affair with a work colleague, which brings an unexpected end to her perfect marriage. And as if the self-imposed torture and regret is not enough, Mace endures ongoing judgment from her older sister and mother, which further exacerbates already tenuous relationships.

With support from her four best friends, merlot and pizza, and with guidance from her life coach and mentor, Oscar Wilde, Mace recovers to a degree, but in her quest to understand her anti-social ways, she finds herself wondering about the quality of the fabric that keeps her network of friends intact.

When Mace's mother is diagnosed with cancer, Mace searches for common ground on which to connect before it is too late.

Genres: Chick Lit, Contemporary, Fiction, Romance, Ebooks, Humor, Australia

318 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 17, 2012

About the author

Leigh K Cunningham is a lawyer with a career as a senior executive for a number of public companies in her home country of Australia. She has three master’s degrees in law (Master of International Trade & Investment Law) and commerce (Master of Commerce) and an MBA (International Management) where she graduated as ‘Top Student’.

Leigh has won seven awards for her four titles with her latest title, BEING ANTI-SOCIAL was chosen by IndieReader as one of the Best Indie Books for 2013. BEING ANTI-SOCIAL also won gold at the Readers' Favorite Book Awards (Chick-Lit) and gold at the Reader Views Literary Awards (Humor).

Leigh's other title for the adult fiction market, RAIN, won gold at the 2011 Indie Excellence Awards (Literary Fiction) and silver at the Independent Publisher Awards (IPPY) in the Regional Fiction: Australia/New Zealand category. RAIN was #1 on the Amazon bestseller list for Women’s Fiction.

THE GLASS TABLE and its sequel, SHARDS - Leigh's titles for the children's market, won silver medals at the Mom's Choice Awards (2010).

Leigh's next title, REWRITTEN is a story about second chances.

Website: http://www.leigh-k-cunningham.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/leighcunningham

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Leigh-K...

Reviews

[Mimi Barbour · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is written in the first person by a woman called Mace and is a journey of discovery - a discourse on her feelings and thoughts - the state of her emotions about love, life, and family.
The author is a gifted writer and her talent shines through each page. I loved the Oscar quips that were dotted here and there…eg: a true friend stabs you in the front. They added a kind of levity to the story and made me chuckle. A wonderful read!

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One word - hilarious! Being Anti-Social is a far cry from Cunningham's previous novel, RAIN, which was decidedly darker and aimed more for lovers of sad, emotional stories that can and will bring you to tears. Being Anti-Social on the other hand is a lighter read and a bit of a throw-back to Bridget Jones' Diary, except for an older protagonist (Mace Evans is late thirties) and it is set in Australia rather than England. You'll find the same dry humor that was a highlight of BJD, and a protagonist who seems to end up in all sorts of hilarious predicaments and relationships.

Other than Mace's relationships with the men in her life, her group of friends and her family provide plenty of complications and challenges. The ending is delightful and fulfilling.

Mace might well become the pin-up girl for those of us who would like to escape the intensity of today's 24/7 pressure to be constantly 'networked' and 'switched-on'.

If you enjoy dry humor and wit, it's on every page of this easy, enjoyable read.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being Anti Social: Leigh K. Cunningham


Mace Evans is considered anti-social. Her family and friends feel that she never enjoys the company of others. Defining who you are takes perspective, ingenuity, creativity and of course total honesty. Facing yourself in the mirror and taking a pad and pencil to write down what you see might be a unique way to start. Some of us enjoy the company of family and friends while others prefer their own company and limited interaction with others.

Mace Evans is about to impart her story to readers. Told in the first person from her own point of view and perspective you hear her voice, concerns, feelings and opinions loud and clear as author Leigh K. Cunningham explains just what it means to be anti-social and much more. With her story there are many layers that need to be peeled away in order to find the real Mace. Mace as her sister Shannon states is definitely anti-social. She does not deny it. Stating that she does not like to engage in social activities, “ an unwillingness or inability to associate in normal or friendly ways with other people,” are just some of the definitions attributed to Mace. Mace seems to feel like the center of a cookie with all of the frosting glued to the sides of the top and bottom of the outer pieces. The fourth child out of five felt feels sandwiched in and her few seconds of glory when she was born overshadowed by her sister Shannon her mother’s clone. But, she is not devoid of friends although upon reflection you learn they are not your typical bunch. As she continues to allow the reader to learn more about her life and herself she explains about her failed marriage, her deep regret for cheating on Ben, her casual affairs, the reason behind the breakup and her hope to find someone else. Mace continues with a full description of her family unit describing each sibling and parent in vivid detail so that by the time she finishes you feel as if you would know each one when they entered a room. She also includes a detailed account of the lives of her friends, which might appear rosy, or one way on the outside but definitely not when you look closer. As you hear Mace and listen to her speak you realize that she is smart, astute, sarcastic, angry and alone. Even defining her friends and their relationships shows another side of her, as she feels possessive of her friend Kimba and betrayed when she marries Kenneth. Her mother, the one person she thinks does not really approve of her will show a different side before all is said and done. Mace feels that no matter what she does it is never right so why try and why adhere to the rules set out in the Evans family. Yet, in many ways just attending the mandatory family events she adheres to her mother’s wishes and attempts to fit in. One mother who on the surface appears to favor the other four children yet Mace does not see what is right in front of her.

Tragedy strikes and her mother is diagnosed with cancer and her whole world and her entire family’s changes. The dynamics of their relationship will change if she can try to reconnect with her in any way before it is too late. Mace is the Director of Finance for a corporation who dislikes her co-workers immensely to the point that they only communicate with her by e-mail. The one person who seems to understand her and respect her is her secretary. Rachel seems to know how to get along with Mace and the one things Mace does is appreciate this woman. Next, we meet several of her colleagues and one man named Thomas who gives new meaning to underhanded and sneaky.

As her mother has a short remission the family rallies together to support her and spend as much time with her as possible. New romances bloom as sister Lauren meets Patrick and a wedding might definitely be in the air. From girls night out which proves interesting, humorous and definitely filled with drinking, men and gossip these five women although different manage to bond, stand together and work through many difficult situations. From Sophie whose marriage is rocky, to Amber who can’t seem to find a right guy, to Erin who wants to become a writer and a group of friends she asks to review her new book. Kimba who loses a child and Mace who found a younger man, just where will all five wind up when all is finally said and done and will their friendships last?

When her mother passes away all the regrets pour out and then a letter written to Mace reveals the hidden truth behind her mother’s feelings for her. Sometimes parents back off when they want their children to blossom on their own and grow. Sometimes what appears as not caring is a parent’s way of not feeling unwanted. The spirit that Mace had and the feelings that her mother expresses to her in her final words in this letter will bring tears to your eyes. Feeling that she never wanted her attention and her sister Lauren needed it, her mother felt left out. When she saw her with her father and how much she loved being with him, she was glad she adored him yet hurt she never felt that way about her. Sometimes words come too late and feelings are buried along with the person. Just how Mace reacts to this letter and will she make an effort to be closer to her family remains to be seen. The whole in your heart when you lose a parent never heals, as I know since losing my mom last year. The memories you have together and the pictures are precious but the lost time together and the angry words can never be taken back or wiped away. Will Mace reconnect before it’s too late?

Although she might not be close to everyone in her family, she and her brother Jason seem to understand each other, she adores her friends, hates her monthly board meetings and is determined to live her life her way. Loyal to her family in many ways as she attends the mandatory family dinners, parties and events and finds time to care for her mom before she passes away. This is one family that might seem dysfunctional yet her mother seemed to make them come together at all costs. Just how this affects her father you will have to learn for yourself.

What is the final fate for Mace and will she ever find another Ben? That still remains to be seen. She has many short romances and one that she might want to pursue but that might be for another book and a later time. So, what if she wants to stay home with her chocolate, merlot and pizza and read a good book. So what if she wants her own space and needs only her own company. So what is she just wants to live her own life her way and not be a carbon copy of anyone else. What if she is headstrong, honest to a fault and definitely a true blue friend who comes to the rescue when needed? Her life she says “ is a river coursing its way through the landscape. At times, it slows to a mere trickle and other times it breaks its banks and floods green pastures.” Mace Evans is unique and wants to be accepted for who she is not who others want her to be. She is definitely someone you want in your corner as a friend. With the help of her four friends, her bottle of merlot, pizza and chocolate and let’s not forget her life coach and mentor whose sayings she quotes throughout this book, Oscar Wilde, Mace recovers to a small degree but hopes to find the reasons why people and even she defines herself as Being Anti-Social. What does life have in store for Mace? Author Leigh K. Cunningham is the only one that knows the answer to that question and hopefully she will bring this cast of characters and Mace back again to find out the answer. Vividly described in detail, situations that will make you laugh and cry this novel asks the question: Just what does being Anti-Social Mean and is it okay to be that way?

Fran Lewis: reviewer

[Ron Fritsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being Anti-Social, set in present-day Melbourne, Australia, is award-winning author Leigh K. Cunningham’s second novel for adult readers. Because I thoroughly enjoyed her first, Rain, I looked forward to reading Being Anti-Social as soon as she published it. I wasn’t disappointed.

Mace Evans is one of five children in her family, with two older brothers and two sisters, one older and one younger. She’s 38 when the novel begins, and she’s unmarried, childless, and “anti-social,” according to her older and “unloved” sister, Shannon. She’s also a severe disappointment to her mother. On the other hand, she respects and admires her younger sister and her brothers. She considers her father “cute, cuddly, lovable, and a beacon of life.”

Despite her proud independence and desire to be left alone, Mace is also one of a group of five women who’ve been friends from their high school days—but she admits she continues to like only one of them, Kimba, “the voice of reason.”

Mace is “rather successful” in her “career as a finance executive,” even though she tells us her co-workers consider her “unfriendly,” “abrasive,” and “offensive.” On the other hand, she’s kind to her secretary and secretly enjoys the fights her peers so frequently engage in.

The novel begins with Mace’s admission of the crucial mistake she made in her life. She fell in love with Ben, married him, and remained in love with her “perfect husband” to the end of his short life. (He’s dead from leukemia when the novel begins.) And yet she caused their separation and divorce by embarking upon an affair with another man, Joshua, who was “a star when it came to bedroom achievements.” After Mace ended the affair, Joshua vengefully told Ben about it.

Mace and her siblings, friends, and co-workers journey through a few years in their late thirties and early forties. They have affairs, fall in love, marry, have children, separate, divorce, and attend funerals. Mace finds it easy to commence affairs with attractive men who ultimately prove disappointing to one degree or another. The question for her, and the reader, is whether she’ll ever find a man to replace Ben.

Mace herself might not wish to claim to be a sympathetic protagonist in the story of her life, but she is, nevertheless. She insists she doesn’t care what the people in her life think of her, and yet, she admits at one point, she does.

In her dealings with her family, friends, and co-workers, Mace Evans reveals an intense dislike of pretense as well as an ability to openly mock those who are guilty of it.

Mace is also delightfully sarcastic in the manner of Oscar Wilde, her “mentor and life coach,” a number of whose bons mots she quotes at appropriate moments in her story. Consider this: “I might become a crazed old spinster who wears quilted dresses and odd socks, and drinks merlot yoghurt smoothies while terrifying neighborhood children—it would not be all bad.”

And so I found myself laughing, time after time, as one can only do while confronting the sweet sorrow of human life and death in the world we live in and simultaneously maintaining one’s sanity.

Thank you for this story, Leigh. I loved it from its beginning to its end.

[Orbs n Rings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amusingly clever and witty with a touch of sorrow, entertaining through and through.

Being Anti-Social is written in a first person format, so it reads like a memoir and could be anyone's life. Mace is 38, the middle child of 5 siblings, with an introverted personality and a sensitive nature that drives her to consume large amounts of merlot paired up with chocolate. Mace uses psychology to dissect and disseminate her birth order and also her name. But most important to Mace is her personal quest to prove her sister wrong and the reasons why her sister would believe her to be anti-social.

If not for her friends, Mace would probably spend most of her time at home and it pains her when family get together's are on the horizon. Mace takes the reader on a ride through her dysfunctional relationships with men that leaves one wondering if it is possible for someone to really be that naive or just desperate, while at the same time leaving the reader with a good laugh.

I could relate to the personality Cunningham envelops Mace into, and as a reader, I can truly relate to her character and feelings of loneliness as her girlfriends and siblings enter permanent relationships leading to marriage and children. Her relationship with her parents and siblings is positive overall, except for her sister Sharon who is on Mace's list of those to avoid. I found the scenes with her mother painful and heartbreaking and I felt this added the most realism to the story.

Mace is a complicated character who is at times up front and sarcastic in her thinking and throughout the book the author has her quoting Oscar Wilde, whom she calls her mentor. Because of her strong characteristics I feel this book is not just for anyone and would appeal only to a specific crowd. I don't mind the quoting a bit, however I can see how it can be distracting for some readers. Being authors are not perfect, I am sure Cunningham can use this as a learning tool if she decides to write a sequel to Mace's life, which I would highly look forward to reading. In conclusion, Mace found what was most important and pleasing to her, which includes gratification and comfort in her own individuality.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.0 Stars

I like Merlot with everything, except cereal and milk.

The story of a tight group of 5 friends, interesting plots with men, a mom and sister that are constantly nagging, self realization, and endless supplies of Merlot....what woman would not enjoy this read??

Mace Evans is the middle child of 5 children, and very different from her siblings. Self proclaimed independent, her family has labeled her as anti-social. There's nothing wrong with keeping to oneself...the majority of the time, right???

Despite the anti-social label, Mace is surrounded by an eclectic group of 4 ladies that keep the entertainment going throughout the book. If it weren't for the seemingly endless supply of Merlot, I am not sure how Mace would have survived her family visits, dealing with a love lost, family tragedy, and the numerous sagas with the girls.

Is it not extraordinary that a caterpillar can become a butterfly? If they can change so dramatically then so can I-I can be likable; I can be sociable.

Being Anti-Social, is award-winning author Leigh K. Cunningham’s second novel for adult readers. I enjoyed the dry humor, sentimental moments, and reality of friendship and family circles that reigned throughout the novel.

I really enjoyed Ms. Cunningham's writing style. Her humor and wit resound throughout the entire novel. Her use of witty Oscar Wilde quotes kept me laughing amidst the sequence of events that Mace finds herself in.

This was one novel that I didn't want to tear through. I found myself taking my time to read; a chapter or two at a time...usually with a glass (or 3) of Merlot.

[Joana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Me for Readers Favorite

An excellent read for everyone, Being anti-social follows the life of an alcoholic in denial with a surprisingly functional family that she tries to deny her love for. Mace was blessed with a strange name, strange friends and a strange family. She's a middle aged woman who made a horrible mistake that ended her marriage. The subsequent death of her ex-husband has left her miserable with guilt and incredibly lonely. She tries to mask this with her favorite drink, Merlot, and will use every opportunity or excuse to get comfy with a bottle of the stuff. This story follows the life of friends and family and their ensuing dynamics. The title of the book stems from Mace's sitter Shannon declaring that she is anti-social and even though our protagonist would like to believe that about herself the interactions in the book tell us something totally different. In the end, Mace finally finds herself in a functional relationship.

This book is an excellent read. It is hilariously funny from beginning to end and is easy to enjoy. The stories of several people are expertly woven into one, with the narrator's own story keeping everything centred. This is a light read that promotes relaxation and almost serves as therapy of some sort. The story is different enough not to be predictable and the main character's quirkiness though a bit obnoxious at times is the main attraction to the book. This a great book for relaxing after a stressful day.

[David Darling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed all the way through Being Anti-Social, award-winning author Leigh K. Cunningham’s second novel for adult readers.

I laughed not because this is the usual situation-comedy froth but because Cunningham’s main character, Mace Evans, chooses to see the humor in the “anti-social” life she’s created for herself—and perhaps enjoys more than she’s willing to admit.

I also laughed because I adore Oscar Wilde’s pithy contrarian aphorisms, which Cunningham sprinkles throughout her story like flowers cleverly positioned in an unusually wild garden.

Mace early on admits she regrets going along with my favorite Wildeism: “The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.” Her doing so—her affair with a man whose talent in bed she can’t help but admire—ends her marriage to Ben, a man she considers a “perfect husband.”

Will the fallen Mace find another man to replace Ben, or will she continue her “anti-social” life, so described by her condescending sister, to the end of her days?

Or is it so wrong to prefer such a life, in which Oscar’s witty—some might say “cynical”—remarks apply every step of the way?

Late in the story, observing another character who’s on a strict diet confronting a table laden with food as delectable as Cunningham’s novel, Mace can’t help but quote Oscar again: “I can resist everything except temptation.”

Yes, and I can resist everything except the temptation to read Cunningham’s next novel.

[Vicki Seldon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a mostly hate relationship with "chick-lit" making me the perfect candidate for a book titled "Being Anti-Social" of course. The heroine Mace, a 40-ish, widowed corporate executive has decidedly curmudgeon tendencies even though she comes from a large and close-knit upper middle class family. Her hero and "life-coach" is the author and social critic and
ultimate outsider/insider Oscar Wilde whose witticisms and quips reinforce Mace's hilarious but somewhat skewed view of herself and the family, friends, and coworkers around her. Grief over the death of her husband, worry about failed dating relationships and family crises are all part of Mace's journey, struggle really, toward happiness, acceptance, and personal fulfillment. Like Bridget Jones, you can't help but root for her and those around her. This is not a perfect novel from a stylistic point of view with some (to my mind) awkwardly constructed sentences at the beginning and a few grammatical quirks (such as incorrect pronoun usage, "I" instead of "me"). Mace as a lovable character saves the day and I ended up liking this book a lot, so much so that I am going to buy copies to give as gifts to friends and I hope that someone will consider making it into a movie (And I hope they don't mess it up!).

[Kaitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Throughout the story, Mace reflects back on her life to see what may have led to her being "anti-social". She looks over her relationship with her siblings and her mother, her group of friends that she hangs out with, and even the men she has loved (and not loved) and lost.

I really enjoyed the flow of this book. The story felt like Mace told her entire life story without even taking a break to breathe. Whenever I would sit down to read, it was like I was having a wine-night detox talk with one of my girlfriends.

I can very much relate to Mace and her anti-social tendencies - I felt so in touch with some of the things she said that I would catch myself laughing out loud. I loved her go-to Merlot mood fixer and her blunt views on the way her life had panned out.

I'm used to books with dramatic up and down moments, so it was kind of nice to read through a consistent reflection on life that left my mind in a calm state while reading. I really enjoyed this book - 4 out of 5 for me. Definitely a great book to check out.

[Lorrea - WhatChaReadin'? · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mace is a middle child and there-fore no one expects much from her. Her older sister has deemed her "anti-Social". But can that really be true of someone who regularly hangs out with her friends, attends all family functions and isn't opposed to dating?
Being Anti-Social, follows Mace during her 40th year and all of the things that can happen to a middle child who really doesn't have much ambition in her life. She lost her husband to infidelity and cancer, her job she tolerates, her friends are a mixed myriad of personalities and opinions. How will she survive this year with all that she has going on. Will she settle down with someone, will she excel in her job, will she finally have that relationship with her sister that her mother wants her to have. Follow Mace on her journey.
I gave this book 4 stars because it kept me interested all the way through.

[Lori Tatar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leigh Cunningham has done it again with "Being Anti-Social", which could also have been titled "Being True to Oneself". It is a poignant story of single woman as she approaches middle age and chronicles her journey to self-actualization as she thoroughly examines her lifestyle, her relationships both present and past, and her regrets. At times laugh-out-loud funny (my husband can attest to this; he could not figure out what was going on) to painfully sad, Cunningham does an excellent job at making the reader completely empathize with the main character. It was well worth reading, and well worth keeping for a read again later. I also became a fan of the great sage, Oscar Wilde. Great job, Leigh!

[Sharyn O'Neill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books you can't put down as soon as you start. This one was kind of the opposite for me. It is more like getting together for a chat with one of your good friends, and I enjoyed visiting a chapter or two each night. It's not a thriller, nail biting, heart pumping read with a twist, it is more of an insightful and humorous look at yourself. Yes, I recognized myself in much of the main character Mace, and not just because we both just hit our 40's. Descriptions of friends, of family, of mistakes past and present all rang true. I laughed, I cried, and put the book down with a big satisfied sigh as I closed that last page.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this - an easy read.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can totally relate to Mace. :)

[Dor · Rating 1 out of 5]

[This book was provided to me for the cost of no monies by the publisher via Edelweiss]

I tried. I failed.

Which is a shame because the first 10 - 15% ish was promising. Although it bills itself as Chick Lit through its cover and blurb (supported by some of the reviews, which is puzzling) it has more in common with the authors who get stuck with a "Female" cover whether it's appropriate or not: Catherine O'Flynn or Joanna Kavenna rather than Sophie Kinsella or Marian Keyes. The style is dry rather than frothy with none of the "all girls together" inclusive feel of Chick Lit.

As I mentioned in my status update, I initially thought this was going to be something like The Rosie Project. The tone of the narration, and the way Mace - the narrator - took Oscar Wilde's quips slightly too seriously suggested a character whose anti-social tendencies were due to something diagnosable. If I'd had any confidence this *was* going to happen, I probably would have persevered, but I didn't - and I did check out the other reviews for clues as to where the book was going. Feel free to let me know if I was wrong to stop on this account.

Mace is an odd character. Her largest character trait seems to be contempt: for her friends, for her family and, to a degree, for herself but where this book fails for me is its (not Mace's) lack of self-awareness. I don't look for sympathetic or likeable protagonists in my fiction, but I do need to be interested in them: on paper I should have liked her (I hate everybody, I like Oscar Wilde), but I found her boring. If she was a teen, I'd probably describe her as whiny.

Again, it comes back to having confidence in the book. If I'd thought she was going to be the author of her own misery, or that her actions (such as they were) were going to have a consequence, again, I may have continued.

The ultimate damnation was the lack of story. There wasn't really much going on - Mace relates how her marriage ended (following an affair), her ex-husband's death, how inadequate she feels around her family, especially her sister and mother, how badly her friend dances. Even when there is a spark of something happening, such as the bloke she meets at the gym, it's told with a distance which does the book no favours.

It does feel a little unfair to give this book one star because it's not actively terrible and the author can write - which I mention because this book is self-published; I spotted one howler of a homophone but that was all. However, the bottom line is that it couldn't sustain my interest to make me want to continue - if there *is* a story here, it didn't kick in until after that point and that's too late for me. 1 star.

[Shelleyrae at Book'd Out · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite Being Anti-Social's cartoonish, pastel cover art I disagree with it being labeled as chick-lit. It lacks the light hearted approach to life and love that defines the genre and instead is a fairly serious minded analysis of character, though there are the occasional flashes of dry humor, mainly from well placed quotes by Oscar Wilde, who certainly has sage advice to offer for every occasion.

When Mace Evans is accused of being anti-social by her older sister she gives the complaint considerable thought. While she admits her idea of a good time is an evening spent alone with a bottle of merlot and a slab of chocolate on her couch, she resists the idea that she "unwilling or unable to associate in a normal or friendly way with other people". Over the course of a year or so, as Mace approaches forty unmarried and childless, she examines her past and present relationships in an effort to define herself.

Being Anti-Social is well written but I found it difficult to sustain interest in what is essentially a first person monologue. Perhaps if I had been able to identify with Mace it wouldn't have been such an issue but I found it difficult to like, or even understand her. She treats the people in her life carelessly, often with barely veiled contempt, and I thought her behaviour bordered on narcissistic, expecting family, friends, lovers and even colleagues to accommodate her personality 'quirks'. Though there are incidents that counter her selfishness, and some signs of growth, I didn't warm to her, which I think is crucial in such a character driven piece.

As I was unable to make that crucial connection with the main character, Being Anti-Social did not really work for me, despite the author's technical proficiency. However I do think this novel would find an audience amongst readers who can relate to Mace and her journey.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this on my holiday and it took only a few days to read it was a brilliant book. I love the way that Leigh kept the characters real - there is someone in everyone's family in this book :)

[Jennifer Defoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I requested to review this book I have to admit I did it simply because of the title. I didn't really read the description - other than it was fiction. So when it arrived at my door I wan't sure what to expect. After reading the first few chapters I was glad that I had gotten it. It was a story that I can somewhat relate to. I used to have trouble reading books that have Australian characters - mainly because the language is pretty different. But I'm finding that the more I read the more I don't really notice the "Aussie" English. I have gotten to where I can understand most of the slang and different definitions. So this is one of the first Australian set books that I didn't have to re-read to figure out what I was reading. And that excites me because it opens up so much more literature to me. But back to the story...

I really liked Mace. I kind of related to her. I think she used her sarcasm as a shield, something to hide behind so she doesn't have to expose herself. A lot of the thoughts she had were what I could see myself thinking in her situation. So I connected with her almost immediately. As I got further into the story I realized that a few different choices I could almost have been Mace. I really enjoyed her point-of-view on life, which made this such an enjoyable read. I also liked Mace's group of friends. They cover just about every personality and each one of them is unique enough to give the group a good dynamic. Outside of how well these friends complemented each other I like how strong their relationships as a group and as individuals is. When one of them needs something the friends make sure they get it. This group reminded me of my step-mother's group of friends. So on top of having a connection with Mace I could understand her friends. The only part of the story I couldn't relate to was Mace's relationships with her mother and older sister. In Mace's eyes she isn't close with either of them. She feels like they are judgmental and disapproving. So when Mace's mother is diagnosed with Cancer Mace's goal of being closer with her mother she has to deal with a lot of other emotional baggage.

In addition to great characters the book was well-written. The story was well-thought out and very well executed. Being able to draw so many characters into a book and be able to keep them from all being one-dimensional characters is a great feat. Plus the story was emotionally catching: there is humor, sadness, love, spite, caring, indifference. It was so compelling that I couldn't bring myself to out it down. I read it in two sittings. I have to say this was a great book.

[Hopscotch Friday · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review by Eliza Murphy for Hopscotch Friday: Mace Evans, the female protagonist of Leigh K Cunningham's award winning Being Anti-Social, could be described as an Aussie Bridget Jones. She's in her late thirties, single, has an interfering family, dysfunctional group of friends, a slight drinking problem and an unfortunate habit of sleeping with her co-workers. However, Mace is also mourning the love of her life – her ex-husband Ben, who died from leukaemia. Mace struggles through life as she watches her friends and family find love and contentment, which now seem to elude her. She’s still carrying the guilt of the affair she had that led to her marriage breakdown, and her inability to make it right with Ben before he died. Being Anti-Social is about the loneliness of grief and what happens when you find great love and happiness only to lose it. Although it brought me close to tears at one point, this novel also has a great sense of wit that made me laugh out loud. I found familiar the group of girlfriends who you’ve known so long that sometimes you don't remember why you’re still hanging out with them, but still you love them like the sisters you never had. I could also relate to Mace’s tactics for getting through tedious work meetings; 'I slip in and out of awareness, returning only when I hear a C-level voice, in particular the CFO, my boss. For the rest of the time, I nod and make to-do lists, for example, grocery lists, holiday plans, Oscar quotes etc.' In fact, I think it is the author's firsthand experience as a lawyer and senior executive that makes her descriptions of life in the modern workplace all the more real, and her takes on the characters found in nearly every office, a humorous edge. It’s nice to know even the senior echelons of organisations feel the same as us filling out the ranks. This has to be one of my favourite aspects of the book. There are a lot of great moments in Being Anti-Social, and the tone is near perfect blend of cynicism, humour and emotional depth. However, for me its downfall is that some of the characters are not as well developed as I would like, such as ex-boyfriend Rudy and Mace's sister Shannon. Also some aspects of the plot are not wrapped up in a way that left me satisfied. In the end this left me wondering about some of the characters, why they were included at all, and what happened to make them act the way they did? Being Anti-Social is no Bridget Jones' Diary. It is an enjoyable read and an interesting exploration of how someone might deal with life when it doesn't turn out the way they planned. It’s a book that managed to make me laugh and cry, and any book that can do that is worth a read.

[Marc · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am anti-social, and I like chick-lit. So it stands to reason that I should have liked this book. Sadly, I did not.

The main reason I didn't like this was that the entire book is told instead of shown. I think it took me about 30 pages to realize that. That is it's major failing.

There's a reason why the number one rule of writing is show not tell. Mainly, it has to do with making a connection with the characters, setting, etc. There's none of that here. The whole book felt like a friend talking you about their friends and family that you know nothing about. You don't really care. You just kind of nod and humor and hope there's a point to their story. That disconnection made reading this book a slog.

Now, there is one character you do get a feel for--Mace. It makes sense since she's the one telling the entire story. But I found I never ended up liking her even though I could probably relate to her. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure if there's any redeeming quality about her. She's an alcohol, depressing, selfish, cheater. I can't remember anything she does in the entire book that's not about her or where she does something good. Though she does show a tiny bit of growth at the end despite the lack of resolution.

I think there was a story here. I'm sure I would have enjoyed it had it been shown. I would have cared and known the characters and I would have wondered how Mace would have reacted to those situations. And maybe, I would have known why the hell guys were so interested in her. She must have looked hot, and that's about it.

I'm going back to being anti-social now.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mace Evans is the new, older, and Aussie, Bridget Jones. She has the same dry humour and attitude towards dating and relationships, and her carefree nature is enough to get her into a lot of sticky situations. I love chick-lit because it's a great break from the more serious reads, and sometimes you just want some light-hearted books that will make you giggle to yourself (unfortantly laughter occurs despite where you are, which sometimes leads to embarassing moments). Leigh Cunningham definitly delivered in the area of hilarity, and some literal laugh-out-loud moments.

At times I felt Mace to be annoying, whether it was her outlook on relationships or just situations she put herself into. I found it hard to connect with her at times, because of some of the decisions she made. Despite, getting fustrated with Mace, I still flew through this book, and found myself interested in where Mace was ultimatly going to end up.

I enjoyed Being Anti-Social, but had a few minor issues with it, none of which I couldn't see past to be able to enjoy the story though. I found out that this is Leigh Cunningham's second novel, and that her first novel, was more deeper and darker in subject matter and I'm looking forward to seeing a different side of her writing, because this book was on the opposite side of the spectrum.

[Aloma Huang · Rating 1 out of 5]

It is a very female book, written for I don't know maybe only for females, because I really find this book boring. It annoys me a lot whenever the narrator mentions "Oscar Wilde." It is okay to bring it up once in a while but really? You almost make Oscar Wilde a stronger character than some other people with less obvious personality.
The story line is vague and even though the auther tried hard, way too hard, to build the charactors, it seems they are still not vivid but pretty 2D.
It's probably my fault that I dislike this book, which I consider a waste of time, becuase I should spent some time reading the brief of the book and some reviews to avoid actually reading the book.

[Lyndsey Nicole Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

One day her sister, Shannon, calls her antisocial. They have never bren that close. Mostly since age and their parents had a large family. The antisocial one always looked up to her brothers. They could do no wrong. She learned from them. Pretty much a loner who had a few friends. Failed marriage, failed relationships.... things just kept getting worse. Such a heartwarming read.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny. Poignant. Sarcastic. Witty. I'm not completely sure how to describe this book except to say that it describes the truest form of introversion and the misconceptions associated with being one by non- introverts. Then it allows you to see how being a introvert creates a spirit of independence that others lack. "At the end of the day," me and my introverted self loved it. ;)

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give it more like 2.5 stars. I really wanted to like the story, but it didn't really seem like there was much of a story, nothing was really driving it. It felt like the writer was trying too hard with the prose and word choice, and ended up sounding over-embellished much of the time.

[Dot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solitary is not being alone.

Solitary is not being alone.

A fabulous book, who makes being solitary an exception. I could totally relate to the main character.
Find a chair and enjoy.

[Rhonda Brodbeck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oscar Wilde describes her life

I would say she is an introvert, as am I, which is different than being antisocial. It takes effort even to go out with a small group of close friends.

[A Book Lovers Diary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book humorous and enjoyable. I loved Mace as character and I feel that most women can probably relate to her at some point in their love. Although personally, I didn’t find her particularly anti-social. Not my idea of anti-social anyway!

“At the end of the day” it was overall a good read.

[Tiffany · Rating 1 out of 5]

Painfully hard to finish

I started this book over a year ago, stepped away then recently forced myself to revisit. This book is painfully hard to get through. The author and main character have a weird fascination with Oscar Wilde and it read more like a poorly written book of quotes than a fictional novel.