This is the first of Laurie Notaro's books that I have read. I was hoping I'd like it, since I'm a big fan of Jen Lancaster's style. I was not disappointed. I really liked it, and I even caught myself laughing out loud at times.

Her stories are hilarious, relate-able, and well written. She writes what we all experience, and makes it funny.

Share/Like this Review?

Let me preface this by saying I'm a HUGE fan of this author, and have loved all her previous Idiot Girl essay books. In fact, they are some of the few books that have earned "keeper" status - I don't swap them. This book did NOT disappoint.

HILARIOUS!! I was laughing out loud throughout, and I think I actually snort-laughed at one point even. The essay on "It's all good" was so so funny - I'm laughing again just thinking about it. The story of her adventures on a cruise ship - priceless! I could really relate to the whitewater rafting trip. I must be an idiot girl, because the author feels like a good friend to me. :)

I stayed up all night (despite the fact that I had to be up at 6am for work, even!) reading this, because I could not put it down. Highly recommended! :) Can't wait for her next essay book!

Share/Like this Review?

I love this author, but did not love this book. There was only one essay that I actually laughed out loud. I think she try's too hard in this book. Sorry gals, but this one is returning to the store.

Share/Like this Review?

Either I wasn't in the mood, or this collection of humorous essays just isn't as funny as her "Housebroken" collection.

Many of the encounters Notaro describes this time around feel just a bit mean-spirited as she describes fellow cruise passengers, vacationing bird-watchers, and pooping seagulls.

Highlights of the collection are "Ready or Not" and "A Kung-Fu Person, a Tollbooth, and a Swinging Bridge in Less Than Twenty-Four Hours" which, believe it or not, are about pets -- specifically, losing one, acquiring one, and socializing a puppy.

Notaro's self-deprecating humor is her trademark, but it can grow a bit wearisome when taken in too great a dose.

Share/Like this Review?

This one was funnier than Autobiography of a Fat Bride. I think I'm just tired of reading this author cause most of this book I just didn't find that funny. don't get me wrong, a few of her stories got me rolling and the one of her dog Bella touched my heart but a little of Laurie goes a long way and I've had more than a little. my fault for reading her books back-to-back.

Share/Like this Review?