Rating: 
Summary: A Must Read for EVERY Single Woman
Review: Having been a fan of Jennifer Weiner's column in the "Philadelphia Inquirer", I was not surprised to become a fan of her first novel, "Good in Bed". Every single woman can identify with some part of the main character, Cannie, who is an amazing person yet has been rendered insecure by a bumpy family history, poor male influences and a society that has bought into the beauty before substance equals worth equation. But Cannie perseveres, as we all do, and carves out a path through a series of positives and negatives all the while offering a bitingly sarcastic commentary of the people and world around her. Even in this work of fiction, women who don't fit the "Sex and the City" mold can see that they are not alone. After finishing this book, I felt inspired - to do what I'm not sure, but it's still a great feeling to have. I highly recommend this book and hope that Jennifer will continue writing for all women.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but over-fanciful, which spoils the effect
Review: The premise of this novel is excellent: after all the 'thin is best' propaganda, including that propagated by Jane Green's 'Jemima J', it's great to see a book which not only criticises the anti-fat culture in our world today, but argues that it's not necessary to be thin in order to be loved. Cannie is in her twenties, an averagely-successful journalist on a city paper, just taking a breathing-space from a three-year relationship with Bruce... and is fat. Which, she claims, does not bother her, though we, the readers, suspect that this isn't the case. Then the bombshell strikes: Bruce has just got a column with a popular national women's magazine, and his first column is entitled 'Loving a Larger Woman'. And guess what? It's about him and Cannie, to whom he refers as his ex. Cannie has never thought of herself as a larger woman until this point. And the article is crueller still: it begins 'I will never forget the day I discovered that my girlfriend weighs more than me.' And finishes: 'Loving a larger woman is an act of courage in the modern world'. Naturally, she is humiliated, and the relationship is now completely over. Too late, she reads the full article, only to discover that it wasn't cruel after all, that Bruce understood her insecurities and hang-ups only too well all along, and that he loved her regardless of them. Her weight was an issue with her, not with him, and his reference to loving her being an act of courage meant that she, not him, made it difficult for them to be together because she could never quite convince herself that he loved her. This is an extraordinary article, written with sensitivity and feeling. So here's my first problem with the book: we're supposed to believe that Bruce is an insensitive, uncaring loser. Huh? The guy who wrote that article? I also find it hard to believe that the guy who wrote that article is the same one who responded as he did to Cannie's letter telling him that she's pregnant. Other reviewers have outlined other aspects of the plot. Count me in with those who found the Hollywood twist too fantastic, and actually a detraction from what was a good, sincere and intelligent story. I couldn't take the screenplay and the sudden best-friends with a movie star development at all seriously, and certainly not Cannie's flirtation with a film heart-throb who appeared to find her incredibly attractive, despite her large figure and her obvious pregnancy. That part of the book was wasted space to me. However, there were other elements in the book I really enjoyed, such as Cannie's speech to the nurse in the diet center, Dr K, and the insights into what it's like to be more than just a little plump. I know I'll understand my larger friends better having read this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Definitely a first novel
Review: "Good in Bed" could have been so much better. It has some funny lines and a few less-than-earth-shattering insights. But it reads like the author did little more than detail her fantasies. Like in most fantasies, dreams and daydreams, there are no logical, believable connections between Point A and Point B -- the instant movie-star friendship, for example. And, also, much of the ex-boyfriend's writing that Cannie (thus, the author) mocks as amateurish and superficial isn't really any worse than the author's own. The premise is great; I wish Weiner would have written it five to 10 years from now or at least had a better editor.
Rating:
Summary: Started out strong but took wrong turns halfway through
Review: I really enjoyed the first half of this book. I was having a great time reading about Cannie's funny outlook on life. Things were going strong until about half way through the book when the story starts to get unreal. I had a difficult time swallowing the whole movie star friendship thing (as if!). Things really fell apart for me when--hoping not to give anything away--Cannie's life is complicated from an entanglement with her ex. I immediately lost interest right then and there! Cannie is much more enjoyable as a regular "Joe" and I would have liked to have seen Cannie's story take a different direction; to come out on top in a realistic way. I want a character I can identify with. Cannie started out that way but took several wrong turns in the second half to keep my full interest. _Good in Bed_, like the screenplay Cannie has written, seems more like a wish fulfillment than something that women of size can truly embrace. Jennifer Weiner does show promise and I look forward to her second novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Summer Read!
Review: Good In Bed is a great, easy read that will touch your heart. Cannie is a very real character with whom it is easy to identify. She is smart, funny and surprisingly optimistic. She is not perfect which makes her even more loveable. I must admit I was dissapointed when suddenly the book takes a sharp turn away from reality and into the 'not likely to happen to anyone I know' realm. But I sat back and enjoyed the ride that eventually returned home to Philadelphia - the real world that I personally love.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining...but not realistic
Review: First of all, it was so fun seeing the reactions I received due to the semi-provocative cover and title! I enjoyed this book, especially the first half. Cannie is extremely likable, and I related to her daily life and inner-monologues. The storyline became a bit far-fetched, however midway through the book. Perhaps it would be a great movie, but when reading, I prefer more realism. Also, although I've had my share of painful break-ups, afer 100 pages, I was thinking, "Cannie, move on!!!" If you have read a few books about single women battling the dating world, having their hearts broken, etc., you may want to pursue another genre before reading this, as it's just more of the same, but with more humor. I encourage Ms. Weiner to write more novels with "real" women, it's surely needed!
Rating:
Summary: Great story about self image
Review: I'm not sure you can really love this book if you haven't been (or felt) overweight and dealt with those negative self image issues. Cannie's instincts and insecurities really rang true with me. And to the reviewers that thought it was unrealistic -- so what? There is nothing wrong with a fairy tale. I'd say Cannie deserved any break she got. If nothing else, I'd like to copy the Moxie article that Cannie writes at the end of the book and give a copy to every girl I know. Most women have major self-esteem problems in this world. Anytime someone gives us a compliment, we are thinking "thanks, BUT..." in our heads. I learned from this book that when my boyfriend tells me that I'm beautiful or cute, I should believe that he believes that -- and believe it for myself.
Rating:
Summary: If you've ever struggled with a weight problem.......
Review: If you've ever had a negative self-image due to some extra pounds, you simply must read this book!! After declaring "Watermelon" as my all time favorite read for years, "Good In Bed" is my new favorite contemporary fiction novel. Weiner develops the character of "Cannie" marvelously. She struggles to accept her lesbian mother's lifestyle, get over her pot smoking ex-boyfriend, and rise above a hypocritical, absent father. The thing that I liked most about "Good In Bed" is the many surprises that Weiner weaves into the story. This is not your average, predictable "girl searches for boy" story. There are several incidents that will make your heart ache, and many more that will make you laugh out loud! I did not want this book to end!! It truly impacted my own self-image. I am so looking forward to this author's next work.
Rating:
Summary: Good in Bed: Great Entertainment!
Review: My on-line bookclub is reading *Good in Bed* as part of our July beach read month. I was going into it expecting a little comedy, a little drama and several rolls in the hay. It was actually much, much more than that. Twenty-eight year old journalist, Cannie Shapiro, has recently taken a 'break' with her boyfriend of three years. The opening pages of the novel depict Cannie's reaction when she finds that the ex, Bruce, has written a national magazine article (complete with intimate details) about loving Cannie, a larger woman. The article spurs on Cannie's desire to lose weight and ultimately get Bruce back. Uncomfortable yet hilarious situation after situation (some involving Bruce) occurs, even ending in Cannie making an unexpected connection and friendship with celebrity Maxi Ryder. All of this while Cannie deals with a troubled childhood and insecurities of her body. The writing was fantastic, the characters endearing and I don't think that Jennifer Weiner could have created a more entertaining first novel. I think this is a perfect summer read and definitely worth your time and money!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Summer Read!
Review: I was sent this book by a friend to read while recovering from a recent surgery. Parts of it had me laughing so hard I was in PAIN! This is one of those books that you can get lost in and stay up all hours of the night trying to finish. The characters were well developed and enchanting. What a great accomplishment for this first time novelist! A great escape in summer reading!
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