Rating: 
Summary: Haven't finished it, liking it a lot
Review: So I thought this was going to be another one of those "I'm a mildly depressed woman, here's my really interesting story" books that turns out to be self-centered and dumb, but it's not. I haven't finished it yet, just picked it up yesterday, and haven't even reached The Depression section yet. But I love it anyway. She rips on the school I go to, rips on herself, and lives at home. Even though I'm a little out of the age bracket I should be identifying with, what she talks about is universal to most women I know and she writes so you can understand her even if you've never had a loser boyfriend or a sometimes-difficult-but-ultimately-good relationship with your mother. I can't wait to keep reading because it feels as if I'm chatting with one of those down-to-earth, quality friends. If I had six thumbs I'd put them all up.
Rating: 
Summary: An easy to relate to story of a lost woman...
Review: Although I read this book quickly and enjoyed it; I'm only giving it three stars. Why? you may be asking yourself. Because the novels I've been reading recently such as Bridget Jones by Helen Fielding and Getting Over It by Anna Maxted are MUCH, MUCH better. There are several reasons for this. Ms. Olson's secondary characters are never completely developed. Her story is lacking. There is no balance in the plot. I found myself becoming disinterested after the first half of the book. Although I related in many aspects to the main character's life, I didn't find myself caring about what happened to her. If you're looking for a witty book about a late 20's early 30's modern woman with a little more zest I would highly recommend Bridget Jones or Getting Over It. Stil, Welcome to my planet is a decent read. Just don't expect to be totally engrossed in it.
Rating:
Summary: Loved It
Review: Okay. I will admit, I bought this book because I thought the jacket looked intriguing (more on that later) and the author is named Shannon (like me!). But I read the cover and I knew I wasn't walking out of the store without it. I just turned 30 a few weeks ago and I think the hardest lessons I have learned in life I have learned in the last 5 years. It's amazing that you can read a book and really relate to it. Regarding the cover: I didn't get what the "strips" were across the book until I closed the book upon finishing the last chapter. Flo was at work with her masking tape!...
Rating: 
Summary: Send Therapy Bills to Ms. Olson
Review: I am an incredibly impressionable person, so I never read these reviews before I read the book. For those of you who are more resistant to the thoughts of others, I have to tell you that parts of this book are very depressing. Maybe it's just because I could empathize, but I don't know. I definitely felt her funk. But the great thing about Welcome is that Shannon (I feel we're on a first name basis now) lifts you from her polar low. By the end, I, too, felt a little better about myself and about being in my late 20's and being single and not tracing my mother's footsteps. The best of the girl books I've read. You know which ones I'm talking about: Girls Guide, Bridget Jones, Otherwise Engaged, etc.
Rating:
Summary: Witty and Realistic
Review: I enjoyed this novel very much. Shannon, the protagonist, is searching for herself, and finds herself in many situations that other women in their 20s and 30s can surely relate to! I think another important aspect to this book is Shannon's relationship with her mother. In fact, her mother is a major character in this book, as well. The only reason I gave this 4 stars and not 5, is because I felt there was a lot going on with Flo, and I didn't come away totally understanding her. Maybe that's another book! The ending left me wanting more, and maybe that's a message to Ms. Olson to get to her computer, pronto!
Rating:
Summary: A realistic, relatable, and funny character
Review: The reviews I had read of this book, both in People magazine, here on Amazon, and elsewhere had led me to believe that this book was a laugh a minute- sorta like Bridget Jones. Well, it is, but it isn't. The Bridget Jones books are cartoons, really- exaggerations of life. This book is really more realistic and less extreme. Shannon (the main character here) doesn't obsesses and worry about her body every second, but those worries about her thighs and breasts do exist and are a part of her character. She is 30, she is single, hates her job, dates a loser who treats her like crap and tries to have sex with her while she's asleep, her younger sister does get married out from under her, she is depressed, she does love Target (I hear ya, sister)- but those are the superficial elements of the story. The way I see it, this story is best exemplified by this: her mom is sick, and needs surgery. Her mom says to Shannon, "Sickness is a part of life. I look at this as an adventure, an opportunity to learn." And Shannon replies, "I hate learning. I wish we could all be dumb and happy." Really, this book is about Shannon's recognition that you can't just stay dumb and happy- that you have to learn and stop making the same mistakes with men and career because otherwise, you'll have the same unhappiness over and over again. This book is about growing up and realizing that life isn't fair, and people aren't fair, and you have to quit expecting fairness and trying to control things that you have no control over. And it's about recognizing how you got those expectations. Her mom (Flo), asks Shannon, "Did your father and I do this to you? Is it something we didn't do?" And Shannon replies, "Women's magazines did this to me. Watching Love Boat did this. I did this to myself." I really liked this book- it's quiet and normal- Bridget is chaotic and drunk and smoking and I laughed my way all the way through Bridget. But I could relate to Shannon because she was real, in a way very much like the character in The Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing (except not placed in ubiquitous New York). This does NOT mean that this book isn't funny- it's hilarious. Shannon's sense of humor is extremely dry, and she is really a great writer. I can't wait for her next book. I really see this book and "Getting Over It" as sort of the next evolution in what could best be described as the Single/30 literature.
Rating:
Summary: Found a kindred spirt
Review: For the first few pages of this book, I thought the writing style was too bare; I typically prefer novels with more poetic sentence structure. Soon, however, I realized that I loved the book precisely because it spared me from descriptions of every tree, flower, and weather condition. Without a lot of adjectives in the way, I was able to relate to the character immediately--and did I ever relate! I identified with the character's particular brand of angst so much, in fact, that whenever she was talking to her therapist, I was benefitting as well. At several points I found myself thinking, "She seems like a Cancer (which I am)," and to my surprise, she actually mentioned that she was. Even if you don't exactly understand all of the character's quirks, I can't imagine any young woman disliking Olson's blunt, humorous, and highly realistic storytelling. The audience comes to understand her mother especially well, and I wish she had been as detailed with the second boyfriend and her sister. I can imagine that some would criticize this for not being a complex, tightly crafted masterpiece or something, as many did The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing. But sometimes you just want to read a book that feels like talking to your best friend, or better yet, talking to yourself and actually gaining insight from it. Overall, a really fun read, and one that reminds you that you're not alone. I'd love to meet Shannon Olson.
Rating: 
Summary: Put off in Portland
Review: Weak on character, strong on packaging, Welcome to My Planet promises comedy but delivers cliches. I was very disappointed. At times, Olson rises above glib quip to real insight but these moments are few and far between. Essentially plotless, Welcome to My Planet seems a sad example of publishers' efforts to cash in on Melissa Banks' well-earned success by churning out wannabes. If this is Shannon Olson's planet, I don't wannabe there.
Rating:
Summary: Welcome To A Really Great Book......
Review: "Welcome to My Planet: Where English Is Sometimes Spoken" is a real delight and such a funny novel about a normal 30 something gal with a dead end job, LOSER boyfriend who sort of moves in without telling her, and a family who really adds comic relief. *Mom (called Flo) is hilarious. I loved her character. The interaction between mother and daughter is a running dialog of tenderness, comedy, and fear. I loved that about this book. What mother/daughter team doesn't represent all those different faces. This is an a well written book by a talented author who certainly has a voice and something to say. I found it intelligent, fun, and very enjoyable. I would recommend it to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: 30 Somethings rejoice! A book we can relate to!
Review: Shannon Olson is headed into her 30's with a loser boyfriend, a job she goes to everyday but still isn't really sure what she is supposed to be doing(she stretches out small tasks and goes for coffee a lot) and a mother who doesn't trust her voicemail(where do the messages go? No machine?). Her interactions with her therapist and her mom (whom she calls Flo)are hysterical and real. Shannon's obession with Target and the I'm-thirty-and-my-life-is-going-nowhere blues are also something I could relate too. This book is thoroughly enjoyable and for anyone experiencing the 30 something slump it's good to know you're not alone!
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