Rating: 
Summary: Funny, Touching and Fabulous!
Review: I picked up "Good in Bed" thinking it would be another funny, cynical single woman looking for love and trying to get her life together book--and, don't get me wrong, I really enjoy those sort of books, despite being plenty cynical but no longer single--but author Jennifer Weiner's debut is a lot more than just another American version of Bridget Jones.As with many first novels it's obvious that huge chunks of 28-year-old, somewhat overweight struggling journalist "Candace Shapiro" are taken straight from Weiner's own life. And the personal touch shows in the all-too-true writing, which draws you in and will make just about any woman sympathize with the often hapless "Cannie," as her friends and former lovers know her. Cannie's already shaky world is turned upside when former slacker flame Bruce turns up as a the newest columnist for trendy magazine "Moxie," a "Cosmopolitan" clone. Not only does Bruce's sudden success shock Cannie, a second-tier entertainment reporter at a Philly newspaper, but the fact that he's writing about their sex life, and Cannie's struggles with her weight, is far from helpful. I mean, wasn't her missing missing-in-action louse of a father and the fairly recent discovery that her mother is in love with someone named "Tanya" enough to deal with? As Weiner takes us into Cannie's life she makes everything from meeting (and befriending) a major movie star to dealing with the aftereffects of a misguided reunion, of sorts, with Bruce, eminently real and totally believable. Anyone who has ever struggled with weight, relationships, career and family--and that's everyone, isn't it?--will see pieces of themselves in Cannie. Totally fun and deeply touching, Weiner is winner. I can't wait to read more!
Rating:
Summary: Good In Bed: Best In Print!
Review: This is a really wonderful novel. Touching, sweet, warm, often-hysterically funny, Jennifer Weiner's debut novel is the kind of book you try to pace yourself on because you know you want to parcel out the joy, but find yourself staying up until 2 am finishing because you can't put it down. Cannie Shapiro is a remarkable heroine with a true voice, wise yet still learning, embattled yet still fighting. This isn't one of those book where unhappy girl finds happiness by losing weight and finding a man. This is a book where happiness comes from self-acceptance and the realization that one is not alone, and if there happens to be a guy around, well, all the better. Cannie is great. The office stuff rings true. So does that evil publicist in NYC. But it's more than the truth of how things feel -- it's Cannie/Jennifer's voice in describing her universe, so funny and warm, like a friend you wish you had. I even liked Nifkin! Guys, ignore the pink stuff on the cover, and hide the title if it embarrasses you to read in public -- this one's for us too. Everyone should read this book, read it now, then buy another copy for a friend. I cannot say enough good things about this book. Read it: you'll see. It deserves to be a movie, and it will be a great movie. Whatever Weiner has in store for us next, I'll be first in line.
Rating:
Summary: Humour and Humanity--all tied into one terrific story!
Review: I picked this book up about 10 ten times before finally purchasing. From page one, I was hooked. Ms. Weiner's writing is fast and loose and full of good human humour. The book's plot progresses quickly, while at the same time allows you to get comfortable with the charachters. The characters are part imagination and part everyday people--which is a lovely mix. As a love story, it is so much more realistic and human than many that are on the market today. Cannie is a very realistic woman and I found many things in common with her. Ms. Weiner writes like I think and has a terrific sense of humour that shines clearly through her writing. I have bought her second novel, "In Her Shoes" and am looking forward to the next story that will be thrown our way.
Rating:
Summary: Truly Amazing Novel when Given the Chance!
Review: I cannot say enough about Jennifer Weiner's debut novel, Good in Bed. Cannie Shapiro, though a bit annoying (as our NY friend below was quick to notice), she is so human and so real dealing with the truths of her life and our society. Reading Good in Bed made me have a glimpse of what it must be like to be a young but overweight woman in our society, and the honesty of her feelings dealing with her split and at times dysfunctional family, her immature yet all too real feelings of what she thinks is love, her own lackings, and her career really hit home with me. She deals with emotional abuse and neglect, self-love and self-loathing, and real love. I know the July 31 NY Reviewer hated the book, but she just as she said, she didn't give it a chance. She said she put it down 1/3 of the way through. And that reviewer is wrong. It isn't 100% autobiographical, and it becomes a book you CANNOT PUT DOWN within a single paragraph halfway through the book.
I read it originally because a close friend said she couldn't put it down, and I could not at all figure out why she thought it was so great. . . until I hit the sweet spot in the story. Trust the reviews, Good in Bed is on the best-sellers list for a reason. This writer, Jennifer Weiner, is truly talented.
Rating:
Summary: A Cinderella Story (where I didn't envy Cinderella)
Review: Every chick lit novel, every girl's life should by like Candice Shapiro's, the heroine of this book. She is the poster child for the average 29 year old female living in today's society. Struggling with her weight and appearance, along with bouts of family problems and financial issues, she overcomes obstacle after obstacle. But she doesn't do it alone, she does it with the help and support of those who love her for the great person she is. I read this book because I wanted to read its quazzi-follow up, In Her Shoes (soon to be made into a movie starring Cameron Diaz). Now I can't wait to read In Her Shoes because Good In Bed was such a delight. It wasn't angst-ridden or rebellious, having a larger woman as the main character. Most books show the slender population as "evil" but Candice (a.k.a. Caddie) just lives taking in each person for what they are worth (on the inside). Her personal struggles are fully understandable and none of her actions seem unjustifiable or outrageous. She has a fear of love, but within reason. Her struggles are relateable for all people. My personal life is very different from her's but I sympathized and understood nonetheless. I literally finished the book five minutes ago, and I am totally in good spirits. A great, quick read that never dragged. Recommended very highly!
Rating: 
Summary: So fun!
Review: So far, I haven't been swept away with admiration for the Chick Lit genre, but this book is truly unique in its realm. I found it to be well written, highly comical and the main character is very well developed, on many levels. Good In Bed might remind you of another book that you have read before, and that would be one of those stories that was heart warming and an easy, light read. I look forward to reading more from this talented, young author. A surly reviewer on this page has suggested that one read Watership Down instead of Good In Bed and I had to laugh at that. I say read Watership Down too, not instead and then realize that every book we read is as different as each person who walks the earth. By knowing many books, we learn more about various genres. Given that I have done my duty after enjoying the book and professed that the book was a good read, I do have to point out an editorial gaffe. On page 285, Cannie and Maxi have just purchased greasy fries and are eating them with their feet "dangling in the water" at Santa Monica Pier. Santa Monica Pier is too high over the water to have your feet in the water while sitting on the edge of the pier. It does offer a nice image though! Nicole Flowers
Rating:
Summary: Will the Real Bridget Jones Stand Up?
Review: If Rosie O'Donnell ever had a book club, this would undoubtably be a selection. Jennifer Weiner's "Good In Bed" is a zippy fairy tale with a character who seems like someone you might chat with on an airplane -- funny, real, but forgotten pretty quickly. Cannie Shapiro is quick with the comeback, but her bravado hides years of pain as the overweight child of a cruel and neglectful father. The first half of the novel concerns Cannie's less than perfect relationship with Bruce, a pothead boyfriend she dumps and then comes to reconsider. In a characteristically larger than life plotline, Bruce is the columnist for a women's magazine, presenting the guy's side of the dating world. When Cannie dumps him, he uses her as fodder for months of salacious columns. This plotline is typical of the novel's whimsy -- I'm not sure in life a stoner jerk like Bruce would ever have the level of the success that the novel gives him. Other plotlines follow this fanciful theme-- Cannie befriends a Hollywood star (I think Minnie Driver was the inspiration) who serves as a kind of fairy godmother to Cannie. I don't for a second believe a Hollywood megastar would have the time or inclination to do all the things this character does for Cannie, but their misadventures are fun and light. The second half of the novel takes an unexpected turn, and our heroine is sent on a journey toward self-acceptance. I enjoyed the character, and was happy with how things turned out for her, but was ultimately a little disappointed by the too perfect resolution. Life is infinately messier than the world Cannie inhabits. But, I guess that's why we read books.
Rating:
Summary: i laughed and cried
Review: I have never written a review before, but something about this book compelled me to share with as many people as possible. I have never laughed and cried (sometimes at the same time) like I did reading this book. The author's words got to me most when the main character reads the first article of "Good In Bed". Now I am more aware of my husbands love and less skeptical of it.
Thanks
Rating:
Summary: Smashing!!!
Review: I loved this book! I read a lot of chick lit and this book is at the top of my list of "must reads." Cannie was someone that I grew to care about and couldn't wait to find out what was next for her-a real page turner. I loved the little-well, maybe major, surprises the author threw in to keep you interested. More than once I found myself saying, "Wow, I didn't see that coming!!" Don't miss it!
Rating:
Summary: Great light reading
Review: Thank you Jennifer Weiner! This is one light read that I actually enjoyed. "Good in Bed" is part romance, "Sex and the City", and good ol' drama. Cannie is a twenty-something sucessful writer who isn't so sucessful in love. She hates her ex-boyfriend who betrays her but sometimes finds herself longing to have the snake back! Cannie's fat but funny, smart but down to earth, and confident yet depressed. She's the type of person most women could have as a best friend. This humerous novel has some more serious tones to it too. It's not just your average "Chick" book of non-stop mindless entertainment. "Good in Bed" will pull you in and keeping you reading well into the night. I give this one five stars!!!
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