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Excuse Me While I Disappear: Tales of Midlife Mayhem
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Humor (2022)A laugh-out-loud spin on the realities, perks, opportunities, and inevitable courses of midlife.
Laurie Notaro has proved everyone she didn’t end up in rehab, prison, or cremated at a tender age. She just went gray. At past fifty, every hair’s root is a symbol of knowledge (she knows how to use a landline), experience (she rode in a car with no seat belts), and superpowers (a gray-haired lady can get away with anything).
Though navigating midlife is initially upsetting—the cracking noises coming from her new old body, receiving regular junk mail from mortuaries—Laurie accepts it. And then some. With unintentional abandon, she shoplifts a bag of russet potatoes. Heckles a rude driver from her beat-up Prius. And engages in epic trolling on Nextdoor.com. That, says Laurie, is the brilliance of growing older. With each passing day, you lose an equivalent amount of fear.
And the #1 New York Times bestselling author has never been so fearlessly funny as she is in this empowering, candid, and enlightening memoir about living life on the other side of fifty.
Laurie Notaro has proved everyone she didn’t end up in rehab, prison, or cremated at a tender age. She just went gray. At past fifty, every hair’s root is a symbol of knowledge (she knows how to use a landline), experience (she rode in a car with no seat belts), and superpowers (a gray-haired lady can get away with anything).
Though navigating midlife is initially upsetting—the cracking noises coming from her new old body, receiving regular junk mail from mortuaries—Laurie accepts it. And then some. With unintentional abandon, she shoplifts a bag of russet potatoes. Heckles a rude driver from her beat-up Prius. And engages in epic trolling on Nextdoor.com. That, says Laurie, is the brilliance of growing older. With each passing day, you lose an equivalent amount of fear.
And the #1 New York Times bestselling author has never been so fearlessly funny as she is in this empowering, candid, and enlightening memoir about living life on the other side of fifty.
243 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2022
6411 people are currently reading
15977 people want to read
About the author
Laurie Notaro
20 books2,261 followersLaurie Notaro is a New York Times best-selling American writer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,285 reviews
October 22, 2022
‘Perhaps I shouldn’t have gasped when she mentioned that she was using fake flowers from Michaels to create her centerpieces, or suggested lightly, “Remember, not everyone can pull off a sleeveless dress. It’s true. My sister once fired me from her wedding party when I pointed out that the average BMI of her bridesmaids definitively pointed to arm coverings, unless the Spanx lady had suddenly invented a girdle for flesh curtains.”’
Nope. It’s 2022, fat shaming is so late 20th century. DNF.
Nope. It’s 2022, fat shaming is so late 20th century. DNF.
May 31, 2023
I turn to Notaro when I feel slightly out of sync. I have the need to know that there other women in their fifties that simply cannot accept the fact that they aren't twenty-seven years old anymore. And, oh look, someone else has a list of words she cannot say during meetings. I really thought I was alone on that one.
October 10, 2022
OMG Laurie is my sister from another Mister
Whether it was a discovering that MAWs (Middle Aged Women) are invisible or stunningly horrifying at home accidents ( no I never had a shard of glass almost sever my femoral artery but don’t ask about the butter knife and my toe) I am laughing and crying and trying not to pee myself (Kegels ladies) while reading her latest book
Laurie finds humor, sarcasm and wit in every situation whether it is a woman almost dying at one of her shows or trying to sleep after 50
The language is often rough, we may not agree on politics but Laurie’s wit, wisdom and occasional whining is a delight
Whether it was a discovering that MAWs (Middle Aged Women) are invisible or stunningly horrifying at home accidents ( no I never had a shard of glass almost sever my femoral artery but don’t ask about the butter knife and my toe) I am laughing and crying and trying not to pee myself (Kegels ladies) while reading her latest book
Laurie finds humor, sarcasm and wit in every situation whether it is a woman almost dying at one of her shows or trying to sleep after 50
The language is often rough, we may not agree on politics but Laurie’s wit, wisdom and occasional whining is a delight
December 28, 2022
Biologically, I am the target audience of this book. I am a middle aged woman. But I absolutely am not the target audience of this book. She is shallow and self-absorbed and so damn petty, I just don't find anything here funny.
Not to say it's a bad book! Please read it because you might find it hilarious! I can appreciate there is humor here. It's just, sadly, not my style of humor.
Not to say it's a bad book! Please read it because you might find it hilarious! I can appreciate there is humor here. It's just, sadly, not my style of humor.
January 13, 2023
This was the first DNF in forever. I read the first three or four chapters on a plane and could not connect with the story and didn’t find it funny. I found the author to be entitled and snooty and she engaged in mean girl behavior and fat shamed and it was just awful.
The first chapter is about how she finally decides to stop spending $170 (plus a really big tip according to her) every three weeks on her hair to have the gray at the roots covered up. But she goes on to describe how she was offended she wasn’t invited to her stylist’s wedding (WTF - they aren’t your friends just because you pay them for a service). She criticized the stylist for having fake flower centerpieces and that the stylist let her bridesmaids wear sleeveless dresses. She thought the bridesmaids’ arms were too fat and had too much flab hanging when they raised theirs arms to be allowed to show their upper arms off. She sees pics of the wedding on Facebook and thinks to herself that she was right the bridesmaids shouldn’t have gone sleeveless.
I should have stopped reading right then when at 50 years old, she’s still judging other women’s bodies this way.
Then she goes on to describe how she starts stealing things because people ignore women with gray hair. A woman as wealthy as she was claiming to be stealing things just because?
I just couldn’t read this. The entitlement and mean girl behavior was over the top. At 50, I expect women to have grown out of this and stopped judging other women for what they do and how they handle their bodies, but this author behaved like she was 20.
This is not empowerment or connection. The only self confidence I saw was from the way she put other’s down.
The first chapter is about how she finally decides to stop spending $170 (plus a really big tip according to her) every three weeks on her hair to have the gray at the roots covered up. But she goes on to describe how she was offended she wasn’t invited to her stylist’s wedding (WTF - they aren’t your friends just because you pay them for a service). She criticized the stylist for having fake flower centerpieces and that the stylist let her bridesmaids wear sleeveless dresses. She thought the bridesmaids’ arms were too fat and had too much flab hanging when they raised theirs arms to be allowed to show their upper arms off. She sees pics of the wedding on Facebook and thinks to herself that she was right the bridesmaids shouldn’t have gone sleeveless.
I should have stopped reading right then when at 50 years old, she’s still judging other women’s bodies this way.
Then she goes on to describe how she starts stealing things because people ignore women with gray hair. A woman as wealthy as she was claiming to be stealing things just because?
I just couldn’t read this. The entitlement and mean girl behavior was over the top. At 50, I expect women to have grown out of this and stopped judging other women for what they do and how they handle their bodies, but this author behaved like she was 20.
This is not empowerment or connection. The only self confidence I saw was from the way she put other’s down.
October 12, 2022
Have you ever just written a review that missed the mark?
That was my experience here with Laurie Notaro's latest effort "Excuse Me While I Disappear: Tales of Midlife Mayhem," a journey through Notaro's life as she passes fifty and learns that "with each passing day, you lose an equivalent amount of fear."
Despite being somewhat outside Notaro's target audience, "Excuse Me" popped up on October's Amazon First Reads and it sounded like something I'd find interesting and entertaining and I decided to give Notaro a try as a quick review of both Goodreads and Amazon indicates she definitely has a passionate fan-base among female readers.
I will admit that a lot of the female writers/essayists that I've read and appreciated fall more strictly within the faith-based and/or self-help genre. While Notaro does dance on that self-help line, her humor is often self-deprecating, has a tendency toward "potty mouth" language (though not obscene by any means), and tackles subjects an awful lot of writers wouldn't go near.
As I wound down my time with "Excuse Me," I became acutely aware that while I often do resonate with this type of writing I definitely struggled to connect with "Excuse me." While I do think Notaro primarily writes for a female audience, I don't think that's why I struggled to connect. I think, for me, it was a struggle to get into Notaro's rhythm which could bounce from outlandishly funny to melancholy to quite serious and even a little sad. I just never quite found her rhythm and that impacted my enjoyment of the book.
In my initial review for "Excuse Me," I attempted (but obviously failed) to adequately explain in specific places where I struggled but in so doing I ended up writing in a way that came off overly harsh and wasn't accurately communicating my experience well at all.
To be honest, I'm typically a kinder and gentler reviewer (but honest) and was surprised when Notaro herself reached out hurt by the review.
I read it. I read it again. I tried to put myself in her shoes (not easy for a guy who is footless). Ultimately, it's never my aim to hurt. So, I'm trying again.
Notaro is a former essayist for the Arizona Republic and a veteran of several books largely grounded in real life, humor, and an abundance of sarcasm. She has a unique but fun relationship with her husband (whom I wish was in the book more) and the world around her.
"Excuse Me" is a relatively quick read at 246 pages. As noted, it's a book of short essays - some are humorous, some are insightful, some have a bit of an edge to them, and some have a sense of melancholy to them during which Notaro still manages to find her humor.
Books of short essays seem to inherently have a sense of disconnect as authors tend to bounce around a variety of life experiences and phases in their lives. The same is true here. I will admit that there were times I wished Notaro would spend more time on a subject - for example, I found the essays around a period when she returned to working in an office both funny and profound. I was curious how she was able to transition back into writing and get back to doing what she loves doing. There's a definite sense of hurt it seems as Notaro shares her experiences having written a historical novel that was timed poorly in the market and, as she notes, timing is everything.
While I ultimately didn't quite connect with "Excuse Me" as much as I'd hoped would happen, I have a feeling the book will likely work just dandy with a majority of the people who've been following her over the years and who appreciate her humor, honesty, transparency, and willingness to say things a lot of folks won't say and say them in a way that will make you laugh a lot and maybe even reflect on your own experiences.
Who will enjoy "Excuse me?" Primarily directed toward a female audience, "Excuse Me" will likely most resonate with more mature readers who understand what it feels like to get the first gray hair, the first cracking of bones, and the first traumatic fall that leaves you more exposed than you ever thought you'd be in life.
For the record, I still wonder if she's related to Tig Notaro.
That was my experience here with Laurie Notaro's latest effort "Excuse Me While I Disappear: Tales of Midlife Mayhem," a journey through Notaro's life as she passes fifty and learns that "with each passing day, you lose an equivalent amount of fear."
Despite being somewhat outside Notaro's target audience, "Excuse Me" popped up on October's Amazon First Reads and it sounded like something I'd find interesting and entertaining and I decided to give Notaro a try as a quick review of both Goodreads and Amazon indicates she definitely has a passionate fan-base among female readers.
I will admit that a lot of the female writers/essayists that I've read and appreciated fall more strictly within the faith-based and/or self-help genre. While Notaro does dance on that self-help line, her humor is often self-deprecating, has a tendency toward "potty mouth" language (though not obscene by any means), and tackles subjects an awful lot of writers wouldn't go near.
As I wound down my time with "Excuse Me," I became acutely aware that while I often do resonate with this type of writing I definitely struggled to connect with "Excuse me." While I do think Notaro primarily writes for a female audience, I don't think that's why I struggled to connect. I think, for me, it was a struggle to get into Notaro's rhythm which could bounce from outlandishly funny to melancholy to quite serious and even a little sad. I just never quite found her rhythm and that impacted my enjoyment of the book.
In my initial review for "Excuse Me," I attempted (but obviously failed) to adequately explain in specific places where I struggled but in so doing I ended up writing in a way that came off overly harsh and wasn't accurately communicating my experience well at all.
To be honest, I'm typically a kinder and gentler reviewer (but honest) and was surprised when Notaro herself reached out hurt by the review.
I read it. I read it again. I tried to put myself in her shoes (not easy for a guy who is footless). Ultimately, it's never my aim to hurt. So, I'm trying again.
Notaro is a former essayist for the Arizona Republic and a veteran of several books largely grounded in real life, humor, and an abundance of sarcasm. She has a unique but fun relationship with her husband (whom I wish was in the book more) and the world around her.
"Excuse Me" is a relatively quick read at 246 pages. As noted, it's a book of short essays - some are humorous, some are insightful, some have a bit of an edge to them, and some have a sense of melancholy to them during which Notaro still manages to find her humor.
Books of short essays seem to inherently have a sense of disconnect as authors tend to bounce around a variety of life experiences and phases in their lives. The same is true here. I will admit that there were times I wished Notaro would spend more time on a subject - for example, I found the essays around a period when she returned to working in an office both funny and profound. I was curious how she was able to transition back into writing and get back to doing what she loves doing. There's a definite sense of hurt it seems as Notaro shares her experiences having written a historical novel that was timed poorly in the market and, as she notes, timing is everything.
While I ultimately didn't quite connect with "Excuse Me" as much as I'd hoped would happen, I have a feeling the book will likely work just dandy with a majority of the people who've been following her over the years and who appreciate her humor, honesty, transparency, and willingness to say things a lot of folks won't say and say them in a way that will make you laugh a lot and maybe even reflect on your own experiences.
Who will enjoy "Excuse me?" Primarily directed toward a female audience, "Excuse Me" will likely most resonate with more mature readers who understand what it feels like to get the first gray hair, the first cracking of bones, and the first traumatic fall that leaves you more exposed than you ever thought you'd be in life.
For the record, I still wonder if she's related to Tig Notaro.
October 3, 2022
I am an original idiot girl and am of a certain age and persuasion as Laurie and her stories could not have rang more true. I love to laugh until I pee (lets face it, doesn't take much these days) I felt so seen in her represenation of this life after 50. I have read everything by her and honestly have gone through the same stages of life as her from party girl to MAW. If you want a laugh out loud experience and just knowing that we might be invisible Laurie sees you. I downloaded and read in one sitting. Preparing for a garage sale and doing housework be gone. I snort laughed my way through and read excerpts aloud to my friends who also cackled loudly and my husband who just looked at me with a blank look on his face.
October 2, 2022
Funny as f***
The author has taken many of the horrifying things that MAW go through and magically made them sound hilarious and even fun at times. Just a few more silver strands, and maybe I too can score free potatoes.
Hearing-Loss Question Husband is a character I feel many women of a certain age can relate to as well... I related so hard as I put this book down for the 42nd time to answer my partner's questions twice, gems that were obviously worth interrupting my peaceful reading time, like "where do we keep the Windex in this house we've lived together in for years?" "Did you say on 'the top shelf' or 'go f*** yourself'"...
The Idiot Girl has transformed into the Wise Woman and I'm here for it.
The author has taken many of the horrifying things that MAW go through and magically made them sound hilarious and even fun at times. Just a few more silver strands, and maybe I too can score free potatoes.
Hearing-Loss Question Husband is a character I feel many women of a certain age can relate to as well... I related so hard as I put this book down for the 42nd time to answer my partner's questions twice, gems that were obviously worth interrupting my peaceful reading time, like "where do we keep the Windex in this house we've lived together in for years?" "Did you say on 'the top shelf' or 'go f*** yourself'"...
The Idiot Girl has transformed into the Wise Woman and I'm here for it.
October 3, 2022
I absolutely love Laurie Notaro and her ability to write so honestly while poking fun at herself and others around her. While I am not a MAW, I am about to turn 40 and now have a guide book of what to expect as I get older. Laurie Notaro makes going gray, menopause, and settling into middle age entertaining in a laugh out loud, “I can’t believe she just said that!”, way. I can only hope to be half as cool as Laurie Notaro is when I reach her age.
October 4, 2022
I wanted to like this more than I actually did.....Laurie Notaro made me laugh out loud more than once, especially early in the book and extra-especially when she wrote about "My mother, who wishes to remain anonymous."
But most of the time everything just felt a little forced.
Good for her, though, for writing books!
But most of the time everything just felt a little forced.
Good for her, though, for writing books!
October 2, 2022
If you are a generation X women and want to laugh at yourself. . .
Ms. Notaro made me laugh out loud (Lol for the non corded telephone generations). I did not feel like I was laughing at someone but with a close friend that I just told I tested I my new found superpower of invisibility over a glass of wine. In my imagination, I would have Laurie respond, "Yeah, you too." It was the best thing that I have read in a long time because it was pertinent to my age, experience, and life's reality as a women ages and one that does not think Cindy Crawford's melons (infomercial for face cream involving a honeydew like pumpkin kin, not Victoria's Secrets model definitions) is really needed, but contemplated at some point. If that is you, this is the book for you. It made me embrace my crecky knees but also that core peaceful sense of self that is growing with every grey hair. This is totally a "Reality Bites" plus 20 to 30.
Ms. Notaro made me laugh out loud (Lol for the non corded telephone generations). I did not feel like I was laughing at someone but with a close friend that I just told I tested I my new found superpower of invisibility over a glass of wine. In my imagination, I would have Laurie respond, "Yeah, you too." It was the best thing that I have read in a long time because it was pertinent to my age, experience, and life's reality as a women ages and one that does not think Cindy Crawford's melons (infomercial for face cream involving a honeydew like pumpkin kin, not Victoria's Secrets model definitions) is really needed, but contemplated at some point. If that is you, this is the book for you. It made me embrace my crecky knees but also that core peaceful sense of self that is growing with every grey hair. This is totally a "Reality Bites" plus 20 to 30.
November 7, 2022
Damn it Laurie! I love your other books so much that I go back and read them once a year. I’m in the age bracket for this book and I was so excited to read it. Then, I read it. I also read the posts on Fb where you shame people who don’t like the book. You’ve gone Portland girl. Some of the book was hilarious, some of it was so very “get off my lawn”.
You can and have done better. You spend an awful amount of time here punching down. That’s not the Laurie I know and love. I couldn’t care less about swearing, stealing, or anything else, why does it seem like you’re trying too hard. I’ll check out another book if you write one, but I’m pretty sure, I’m just going to miss the Laurie I loved.
Sorry NetGalley, but this just didn’t work for me.
You can and have done better. You spend an awful amount of time here punching down. That’s not the Laurie I know and love. I couldn’t care less about swearing, stealing, or anything else, why does it seem like you’re trying too hard. I’ll check out another book if you write one, but I’m pretty sure, I’m just going to miss the Laurie I loved.
Sorry NetGalley, but this just didn’t work for me.
November 29, 2022
OK!
Thank you, Goodreads Giveaways, and to the author, Laurie Notaro.
#WINNER!
#GOODREADSGIVEAWAYS!
Thank you, Goodreads Giveaways, and to the author, Laurie Notaro.
#WINNER!
#GOODREADSGIVEAWAYS!
February 19, 2023
Amazon First Reads are truly hit or miss.
I laughed at a few initial lines, but I find most of this book to be body shaming, fat shaming, and just utterly uneducated/ill-informed information posed as the definitive “how-to-age-guide” by an obnoxious, self-loathing, “old-people”-hating woman in her 50s.
The “telltale signs” of middle aged women are also health concerns that touch a variety of people of all ages - not just those who are 50+.
This author is privileged in her platform & views; it’s gross and out of touch.
Please don’t assume our experiences are yours. Write a memoir, sure, but this doesn’t read as such.
The stereotypes are sickening.
I’m not empowered. I’m no longer laughing. I’m pissed.
I laughed at a few initial lines, but I find most of this book to be body shaming, fat shaming, and just utterly uneducated/ill-informed information posed as the definitive “how-to-age-guide” by an obnoxious, self-loathing, “old-people”-hating woman in her 50s.
The “telltale signs” of middle aged women are also health concerns that touch a variety of people of all ages - not just those who are 50+.
This author is privileged in her platform & views; it’s gross and out of touch.
Please don’t assume our experiences are yours. Write a memoir, sure, but this doesn’t read as such.
The stereotypes are sickening.
I’m not empowered. I’m no longer laughing. I’m pissed.
November 10, 2022
I have mixed emotions about this book. I’m the target audience and can say if you’re approaching menopause there’re a lot of things in here that your momma probably never told you about. She’s spot on in so many areas, but! just because it happened to her doesn’t mean it happens to everyone, and that’s something people who haven’t gone through the change need to keep in mind.
If you’re the sensitive type and easily offended, which I’m not—probably because I’m at that age haha, then this may not be the book for you. The writing style and humor is pretty crass, which often times I found to be darn right funny, but again, if you’re overly sensitive you might find the writing offensive. She uses a LOT of similes, which I wasn’t a fan of as I felt there were too many. The other thing I wasn’t a fan of was the extent of sleep aids and other drugs used as if it’s okay and a totally normal thing to do.
The chapter about the colonoscopy had me chuckling. The last chapter had the most emotional impact on me.
If you’re the sensitive type and easily offended, which I’m not—probably because I’m at that age haha, then this may not be the book for you. The writing style and humor is pretty crass, which often times I found to be darn right funny, but again, if you’re overly sensitive you might find the writing offensive. She uses a LOT of similes, which I wasn’t a fan of as I felt there were too many. The other thing I wasn’t a fan of was the extent of sleep aids and other drugs used as if it’s okay and a totally normal thing to do.
The chapter about the colonoscopy had me chuckling. The last chapter had the most emotional impact on me.
December 14, 2023
My first, but not last, Laurie Notaro (nope, no relation to Tig). I don’t usually offer comparisons but this is giving toned-down Helen Ellis and Jenny Lawson vibes. Funny personal essays are one of my favorite things to read, especially on audio, even better with a cohesive theme. The notion of “Midlife Mayhem” is more relatable that I’d like to admit …
April 1, 2024
I hate reviewing memoirs so I'll just say that this was a hilarious, lighthearted book, and a quick one at that. Definitely good for anybody looking for a fun and easy read.
April 15, 2024
I have thoughts- but I'm waiting until after my bookclub meeting ( I see you all reading this, I'll tell you my thoughts on Sunday 😘)
October 3, 2022
One of my favorite books while growing into a young lady and beginning to deal with relationships and aging homes involved Ms. Bombeck and the Grass always being greener of the septic tank- it really is, and it is a problem your mower cannot solve without causing untold domestic mayhem.
I was thrilled this week to meet Laurie Notaro, and to find a fellow midlife adventures sufferer, and she is a fellow warrior with such an awesome sense if humor that I keep throwing up a bookmark on my e reader to share a chuckle with mom.
We particularly enjoyed and are jealous of her step husbands and their skills- we live in an aging cabin with a septic system. if you have ever met either of those, you should have a keen appreciation of our needs and envy.
Finally someone who appreciates that a man with a degree and so much life experience that he uses to mentor younger veterans cannot find his shoes, wallet or main bank- his second bsnk was close to the grocery, Walmart and a frozen yogurt store. we count ourselves lucky he paid for his own yogurt.
Ms. Notaro brought us some laughter - we really needed a good laugh or several as we read through this surprising gift of a Kindle First Read, and want to say thanks.
Thanks for sharing the warmth, laughter, insights and the bizarrely comforting knowledge that someone else really does have weird plumbing issues rival or exceed our own.
Thanks for not being invisible, and for sharing the stories of tears and laughter!
I was thrilled this week to meet Laurie Notaro, and to find a fellow midlife adventures sufferer, and she is a fellow warrior with such an awesome sense if humor that I keep throwing up a bookmark on my e reader to share a chuckle with mom.
We particularly enjoyed and are jealous of her step husbands and their skills- we live in an aging cabin with a septic system. if you have ever met either of those, you should have a keen appreciation of our needs and envy.
Finally someone who appreciates that a man with a degree and so much life experience that he uses to mentor younger veterans cannot find his shoes, wallet or main bank- his second bsnk was close to the grocery, Walmart and a frozen yogurt store. we count ourselves lucky he paid for his own yogurt.
Ms. Notaro brought us some laughter - we really needed a good laugh or several as we read through this surprising gift of a Kindle First Read, and want to say thanks.
Thanks for sharing the warmth, laughter, insights and the bizarrely comforting knowledge that someone else really does have weird plumbing issues rival or exceed our own.
Thanks for not being invisible, and for sharing the stories of tears and laughter!
October 6, 2022
well, the cover drew me in. I, as a 19 year old, am clearly the not the right audience for this book. So I’m probably not the right person to leave a review. but imma leave one anyway.
the humor in this was 50/50. Some of it was pretty good while other parts get forced. don’t get me started on the complaining. especially when she tried to mix the humor and complaining together.
obviously this book written for middle aged adults is not meant for teens.
please take my advice: read that back of the book before you read && don’t let the dinosaur on the cover draw you in a mind blowingly boring book.
————-
pre-read: i'm in dinosaur era, so of course I have to read this
the humor in this was 50/50. Some of it was pretty good while other parts get forced. don’t get me started on the complaining. especially when she tried to mix the humor and complaining together.
obviously this book written for middle aged adults is not meant for teens.
please take my advice: read that back of the book before you read && don’t let the dinosaur on the cover draw you in a mind blowingly boring book.
————-
pre-read: i'm in dinosaur era, so of course I have to read this
October 19, 2022
Funny. Intensely funny.
Irreverent.
Sad. Very sad.
Couldn't put it down, which is amazing because, since Covid, I've not been able to read hardly at all. Kept me up at night under the covers, sometimes rousing my husband because I laughed out loud.
Ms. Notaro's writing is so easy to read, but precise and well written. I am already ordering her other books!
Sadly, I saw myself (age 73) and my husband (75) in these pages. Too often. Sometimes I thought I was writing the story! And she even got my mother in there....perfectly arranged!
One of my most favorite books to date. Thank you, Laurie (I think I know you well enough to call you Laurie now)!
Irreverent.
Sad. Very sad.
Couldn't put it down, which is amazing because, since Covid, I've not been able to read hardly at all. Kept me up at night under the covers, sometimes rousing my husband because I laughed out loud.
Ms. Notaro's writing is so easy to read, but precise and well written. I am already ordering her other books!
Sadly, I saw myself (age 73) and my husband (75) in these pages. Too often. Sometimes I thought I was writing the story! And she even got my mother in there....perfectly arranged!
One of my most favorite books to date. Thank you, Laurie (I think I know you well enough to call you Laurie now)!
July 1, 2023
This book is hysterically funny! As a 50-something, I could relate and laughed out loud on several occasions. I will definitely be reading more of her books.
February 1, 2023
Triggers: fat shaming, ODing jokes
Love the cover art. I'm 28 and I know I'm not the targeted audience but this was...I don't know I felt offended by her callus jokes. I'm debating if people actually find this funny... I know aging is hard and I wish there were 'talks' to get you through it. There were generally funny lines.. it's her spin on situations she made jokes of that aren't worth telling.. Overdosing is not a punchline in your bad joke and telling someone that on her wedding day, her bridesmaid's arm fat would ruin the pictures is not okay... I haven't read her books before but honestly, I'm glad because if this is her sense of humor I'm better without it.. thank you Netgalley
Love the cover art. I'm 28 and I know I'm not the targeted audience but this was...I don't know I felt offended by her callus jokes. I'm debating if people actually find this funny... I know aging is hard and I wish there were 'talks' to get you through it. There were generally funny lines.. it's her spin on situations she made jokes of that aren't worth telling.. Overdosing is not a punchline in your bad joke and telling someone that on her wedding day, her bridesmaid's arm fat would ruin the pictures is not okay... I haven't read her books before but honestly, I'm glad because if this is her sense of humor I'm better without it.. thank you Netgalley
December 14, 2022
There’s definitely wit in these essays but also cringe, lots of it. I wasn’t a fan of the fat phobia or the ageism. I don’t find punching down to be funny.
March 22, 2024
Fair warning: you may need to be genX to truly appreciate the humor of this book. Our coming-of-age years were of the generation where you just dealt with things - not by setting healthy boundaries or assessing internal triggers, but more often by finding humor in or angst-ing over all situations (often simultaneously) - or of course by giving the finger because, as we all know, reality bites. Notaro brings a Loki-esque mischief to her writing, and while I may not be the instigator she is, I would definitely be the quieter friend egging her on from the side and laughing my ass off. I especially liked the bit about invisibility being our midlife superpower. There was an episode of Grace & Frankie about this phenomenon too - it is a real thing folks - wield it when you need it. Getting older is an adjustment, as we still have that 27 year old idea of self living in a greying, drooping bod - you gotta laugh when you can.
November 29, 2022
I selected this book from the Amazon First Reads offerings because I had not read anything by this author and because I needed (and still need) something to lift my spirits these days. What a mistake! I found very little entertaining in this book. I was especially astounded that the author thinks that trying to make her husband (someone she supposedly loves and who supposedly loves her) believe she had died in bed was humorous. (And, according to the author, she has done this several times!) In what world is this funny??? That essay has haunted me since I read it. If the author thinks that's 'midlife' activity, she's wrong; it's very immature activity that only teenagers might consider a 'joke'.
There were a few moving passages (the essay about her dog and some musings about aging in the "It All Goes Gray" essay) but from where I sit (a bit beyond midlife, FYI) these do not balance the complete lack of humor in this book. Perhaps she has not had enough experience with that gray hair? My experience is that my head of brown hair started turning gray when I was in my late teens but for the past 10+ years, the facial hair that pops up overnight is thick and dark -- a real reason for tweezers!
Other reviewers have compared the author to Erma Bombeck. Having read Irma Bombeck many years ago and scanning a couple of her essays this week, I have to say this is a faulty comparison. Erma wrote humorously and I never failed to smile when reading her columns or her books.
I cannot recommend this book and do not plan to read any other books by this author. There just is not enough time left in my world to waste on writings that do not add anything to my life. Maybe I'll re-read all of Erma's books.
There were a few moving passages (the essay about her dog and some musings about aging in the "It All Goes Gray" essay) but from where I sit (a bit beyond midlife, FYI) these do not balance the complete lack of humor in this book. Perhaps she has not had enough experience with that gray hair? My experience is that my head of brown hair started turning gray when I was in my late teens but for the past 10+ years, the facial hair that pops up overnight is thick and dark -- a real reason for tweezers!
Other reviewers have compared the author to Erma Bombeck. Having read Irma Bombeck many years ago and scanning a couple of her essays this week, I have to say this is a faulty comparison. Erma wrote humorously and I never failed to smile when reading her columns or her books.
I cannot recommend this book and do not plan to read any other books by this author. There just is not enough time left in my world to waste on writings that do not add anything to my life. Maybe I'll re-read all of Erma's books.
November 2, 2022
This was good! A solid 3.5. I give the first part a 3---- then it kept getting better. This was supposed to be a book about the joys of becoming invisible-- middle aged. Notaro is from my generation-- Generation X-- and I thought it would be fun to read a funny take on the changes we all go through--when our minds see ourselves as the same, but our bodies see us as getting old, and the general public sees us as invisible.
In all honesty, in the beginning I had a hard time with it--- I have been battling cancer for 20 years, and it has taken a toll on my body and my finances--and I'm alone-- no partner- no support network to commiserate with--- no way to pay for any of it- and she seemed to have resources to cope with aging issues in a way I could only dream of- I could not relate to her at all. But towards the middle, I started to get it--and even to laugh out loud a bit. PCOS, weight gain, aging dogs, Eugene, weather in the Pacific Northwest---- these things I could relate too--- and actually laugh about--- so thank you, Laurie---it is kind of funny--- Cancer gave me a head start on some of the indignities of aging-but nobody who is alive can escape this mayhem.
In all honesty, in the beginning I had a hard time with it--- I have been battling cancer for 20 years, and it has taken a toll on my body and my finances--and I'm alone-- no partner- no support network to commiserate with--- no way to pay for any of it- and she seemed to have resources to cope with aging issues in a way I could only dream of- I could not relate to her at all. But towards the middle, I started to get it--and even to laugh out loud a bit. PCOS, weight gain, aging dogs, Eugene, weather in the Pacific Northwest---- these things I could relate too--- and actually laugh about--- so thank you, Laurie---it is kind of funny--- Cancer gave me a head start on some of the indignities of aging-but nobody who is alive can escape this mayhem.
October 20, 2022
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This is the book I didn't realize I needed to read. Funny, touching, sweet, sad, and then funny again, this is a portion of a memoir - focused on "that time" of a woman's life. We all will get to be "that age" (if we're lucky) and so few people are open about what it's really like. Laurie Notaro does not leave you guessing. This feels like a warm welcome to a club you never thought you'd want to belong to, and a secret initiation that ensures you want to stay.
This is the book I didn't realize I needed to read. Funny, touching, sweet, sad, and then funny again, this is a portion of a memoir - focused on "that time" of a woman's life. We all will get to be "that age" (if we're lucky) and so few people are open about what it's really like. Laurie Notaro does not leave you guessing. This feels like a warm welcome to a club you never thought you'd want to belong to, and a secret initiation that ensures you want to stay.
October 24, 2022
As soon as I saw this title, I knew it was a must-read for me! Suddenly I realized, maybe I’m NOT the only one thumping my way through this midlife thing!!! And, yes, it’s as funny as the cover looks.
“There’s nothing wrong with being ourselves, and not the following generation, which still has as much to learn as we already know.”
So many times I have said, “I’d like to go back to (insert age/situation), but only if I could know what I know now.” Let’s face it, without the knowledge, it’s not worth reliving (mostly).
Laurie Notaro had me cracking up with her perspective on midlife, using words like “blap”, (belly plus lap), that are all too relatable. Ultimately, laughing at ourselves is where the power sits - somewhere between those blap rolls.
When you need a break from heavier reading and want a good chuckle, this is the book to grab!
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“There’s nothing wrong with being ourselves, and not the following generation, which still has as much to learn as we already know.”
So many times I have said, “I’d like to go back to (insert age/situation), but only if I could know what I know now.” Let’s face it, without the knowledge, it’s not worth reliving (mostly).
Laurie Notaro had me cracking up with her perspective on midlife, using words like “blap”, (belly plus lap), that are all too relatable. Ultimately, laughing at ourselves is where the power sits - somewhere between those blap rolls.
When you need a break from heavier reading and want a good chuckle, this is the book to grab!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
November 29, 2022
I thought that my being in my mid 50s and having my own midlife mayhem that this would be a good book. I was wrong! This was a sad, non funny, complication of nothingness. Literally one story about a wine bag brought a smile to my face, but nothing in this book was remotely laugh inspiring. This woman has written a ton of books including best sellers. I keep thinking perhaps you need to hear her deliver her own material, because I don't get it. I always finish books no matter how bad they are because I never want to think I didn't do the author justice or find I have missed the best part. There are no best parts. Feel free to skip it altogether.
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