Started: 7/16/09
Finished: 7/16/09

Book Blurb

    "Jen Lancaster hates to burst your happy little bubble, but life in the big city isn't all it's cracked up to be. Contrary to what you see on TV and in the movies, most urbanites aren't party-hopping in slinky dresses and strappy stilletos. But lucky for us, Lancaster knows how to make the life of the lower crust mercilessly funny and infinitely entertaining...
    Whether she's reporting rude neighbors to Homeland Security, harboring a crush on her grocery store, or fighting - and losing the Battle of the Stairmaster, Lancaster explores how silly, strange, and not so fabulous real city living can be. And if anyone doesn't like it, they can kiss her big, fat, pink, puffy down parka."

Personal Review:

    I was, quite literally, laughing out loud while reading this memoir. Jen Lancaster is irreverant, foul-mouthed, opinionated, self-centered, and just as the subtitle says, a self-indulgent, surly, ex-sorority girl. I don't personally agree with her political views, but that didn't stop me from enjoying this book. I read it in one sitting, and as soon as I finished, I called my sister to recommend it and my husband just to laugh about it (he so didn't get it). I can't wait to read the rest of her books.

I love Sarah Vowell, even if she gets a bit wordy herself.

Um ... I don't really know, to be honest. I mean, some bits were beautiful, moving ... others didn't touch anywhere near me. Lots of it was very predictable - I realise I am experiencing this thirty years later but still. I loved the fairytales. The ending I met with considerable boredom - I think I'd just had enough by then. I mean, it was worth a read, but ... I don't know, it just didn't gel. Much like this entry.

Um ... I don't really know, to be honest. I mean, some bits were beautiful, moving ... others didn't touch anywhere near me. Lots of it was very predictable - I realise I am experiencing this thirty years later but still. I loved the fairytales. The ending I met with considerable boredom - I think I'd just had enough by then. I mean, it was worth a read, but ... I don't know, it just didn't gel. Much like this entry.

I really enjoyed this. I was concerned that it would suffer some awful, irreconcilable flaw that would entirely negate the delight I felt at its subject matter - but that wasn't the case (despite the worryingly A-level first line of the blurb - apparently there are lots of similarities between Blake and Nietzsche, AND lots of differences too! But I digress). This was extremely interesting, and worthwhile. I confess some parts of it went over my head, but I am more than happy to read it again and again until it all makes sense to me. This is fabulous.

I really enjoyed this. I was concerned that it would suffer some awful, irreconcilable flaw that would entirely negate the delight I felt at its subject matter - but that wasn't the case (despite the worryingly A-level first line of the blurb - apparently there are lots of similarities between Blake and Nietzsche, AND lots of differences too! But I digress). This was extremely interesting, and worthwhile. I confess some parts of it went over my head, but I am more than happy to read it again and again until it all makes sense to me. This is fabulous.