Rating: Summary: BETTER THAN BRIDGET JONES' Review: This book was fabulous. I was looking for a book that didn't have too much sexual stuff, and had a good story about finding oneself, finding happiness, and re-forming relationships with loved ones. I could not put it down. It's witty, and will get you thinking about what the meaning of life really is! Five stars! I've read both Bridget's and "Spin Cycle" and this one was the best!
Rating: Summary: My So Called Boring Life Review: There seems to be a growing number of people in their late 20s/early 30s whose lives are not quite perfect. They don't have any serious problems, and yet they aren't entirely satisfied. In fact, their lives are kind of boring. Shannon Olson (for the purposes of this review, the name Shannon Olson refers both to the author and the book's protagonist, who have the same name and are more than likely the same person) suffers from this fate. Her job is unfulfilling and doesn't pay enough to keep up with her credit card binges (although Mom and Dad are there to bail her out), her first boyfriend doesn't have enough money to take her traveling through Mexico (but at her insistence he hits his parents up for a loan to do so - however, she doesn't enjoy herself and breaks off the relationship soon after), and her second boyfriend is too busy working towards a graduate degree to pay attention to her 24/7 as she neglects her own studies and vegetates in front of the TV. Shannon's biggest problem is that her mother is diagnosed with a brain tumor, although there seems to be no doubt in anyone's mind from the beginning that it is benign and Mom will be fine. And she is, but she's a little depressed after her surgery. This is presented as more of an inconvenience to Shannon than anything else, and is soon forgotten as the more pressing issues of Shannon's own life, such as her too large breasts, and the nasty teacher who doesn't like her writing, take precedence. Shannon is so bummed about her less than exciting existence that her wealthy dad springs for her to see a counselor. The counselor immediately prescribes Prozac (nowadays I think you are handed a Prozac prescription as you walk through the door on your first visit) and earns her money listening to Shannon describe, in minute detail, how dull her life is. And it is dull. I'm sure Shannon's counselor was paid enough money to patiently listen to laborious descriptions of Shannon's gynecological symptoms and the plots of the "Roseanne" episodes and infommercials she watches while picking her toenails, but I wasn't. This was a short book, which I thought I'd breeze through in a day or two. Instead it took me nearly a week of grimly forcing myself to pick it up and plod through another thirty or forty pages each day until I was finished (I have this awful need to finish a book once I've started, especilally if I've paid for it. Hmm, maybe I need to see a counselor...). One of the most irritating symptoms of My Life Is So Boring Syndrome is the victim's inexplicable belief that as uninteresting as their own life is to them, other people will find it fascinating. Luckily, most of them don't write a book about it. About two thirds of the way through, Shannon's counselor finally says something to her that made me nod my head in agreement: "No one else cares about this but you." She's referring to Shannon's breakup with Boyfriend Number Two. But actually, it pretty much sums up my feeling about Shannon's life.
Rating: Summary: Depressing, bad ending Review: I read the excerpts (...), and I thought it would be a lighthearted and insightful book. Instead, it left me depressed. What does this say about 30 year old women? Not much, I'm afraid. No character in this book was anyone you could root for. I kept wanting something extremely good or extremely bad to happen, but it never did. I can't wait to go sell this book to Half-Price books. It is not even worth shelf space in my library. I would only recommend this book to those who would like to be depressed.
Rating: Summary: Absolutely hilarious! Review: I was wandering around the bookstore when I saw this book. I wasn't familiar with the author, but I liked the title and the cover. I'm glad I judged it! Even if you aren't like the single, 30 year old main character, I think you'll enjoy this book. I found myself laughing out loud at so many parts of this story. Even the more serious parts are done with humor. If you are a single, 30 something year old female, you will completely identify with this book. A quick, easy, totally entertaining read. I'm buying several copies for my friends - a great gift!
Rating: Summary: Quite a surprise! Review: I was wondering around the bookstore when I spotted this cute little book on the shelf. The cover was appealing so I picked it up and read the back. It was about a single woman,mid thirties struggling with boyfriends, job, mother and therapy. Sounds familiar I know but I was pleasantly surprised. I most enjoyed the bantor between mother and daughter it was downright, laugh out loud , funny at times. It's a little book I plan to keep on my shelf.I learned some things but more importantly I had some fun. This is an exception to the old saying "You can't judge a book by it's cover".
Rating: Summary: Funny and enlightening...easy to relate Review: I absolutley LOVED this book. It was absolutely hilarious. Her humour was very similar to my own...dry, witty, sarcastic. It is written where she is seeing a therapist and trying to get over her depression and finding herself at almost 30. The book breaks the story apart by telling some tales and then it will jump back to the therapist's office and her takes on what she is telling her. It is so easy to relate to her. Trying to find yourself, trying to find love, trying to be happy, trying to be a responsible adult. I especially liked that it dealt with depression in a healthy young woman and views the therapy as something healthy to do to better yourself and not be ashamed of. I saw so much of myself in her. And some parts were so funny you can't help but laugh out loud. It actually gave me new encouragement and hope in getting my own life straightened out and getting over my own depression. On a lighter note, I LOVED the references to Target binges. I thought I was the only one who somehow ended up going in for something like laundry detergent and coming out with a shirt, frame, bath rug, toy, magazines, etc. I am glad I am not the only Target junkie! Please do a sequel!
Rating: Summary: Not the book I hoped it would be Review: I completed agree with Jilly Bean's review. I kept reading this book even right up until the end expecting to find the purpose. Some portions were enjoyable but I never really felt that it was going in a clear direction. It was quite a disappointment overall.
Rating: Summary: Surprisingly inciteful! Review: I really enjoyed this book. I took it at first to be a lighthearted story and found myself loving to hear what Flo would say or do and how it shaped Shannon. I did not pick up this book thinking that I would ever relate to the characters but in a way I did and found that I did not want to put it down. I read it in four days and I bet I would have finished it in one day if not for other responsibilities. I just thought it was a fun book, but laced with little incites to wake you up or remind you of things you know but forgot or maybe never realized.
Rating: Summary: Somewhat Conceited Review: I'm a little uncertain as to how to describe this book... thinly veiled autobiography or work of fiction? I found it disconcerting that the author couldn't find it in her to develop new characters and used her own name, occupation, habits and quirks, as well as those of her parents. The ending suggests an slightly fictionalized autobiography; in which case this book is a rather unimaginative tale of "woe is me." Definitely not a lighthearted read. I, too, would suggest the library version. Not something to read over and over.
Rating: Summary: couldn't finish it :( Review: I was very eager to buy this book but now I wish I had saved my money. I just couldn't get into the story and struggled to finish it, but alas I gave it up. My tip: go to your library and check it out there.
|