As Seen On TV

Rating:
Summary: Not going to give up on Mlynowski yet....
Review: 'AS SEEN ON TV' is the first book by Sarah Mlynowski that I have read but I have heard great things about her other books. Before I purchased 'ASOT' I noticed that some of its reviews were less than stellar but the books premise had me hooked. As a reality TV fan (yes, I admit it!) I was interested to see how Mlynowski would intergrate that world into an average twenty-something's normal life. She did an OK job and some parts of this book were very funny but my major gripe with this book and the reason I can only give it three stars is that I hated Sunny! Sunny, the main character, wasnt very likeable in the begining and by the end she was a total...you get my point. Moreover, as some of the other reviewers stated many of the secondary characters were not properly developed in my opinioin. I would have loved to know more about Sunny's co-star Michelle, her friend Carrie and maybe even her dad.

However, in the end the book was somewhat entertaining and very funny at parts, so since many people have said that this is not Mlynowski's best I am not going to give up on her yet. I plan to read 'MILKRUN' and 'MONKEY BUSINESS' and then I will decide if this author is worth my reading time.

Rating:
Summary: Below par for Mlynowski
Review: As an avid fan of Sarah Mlynowski, I was very much looking forward to her next book, after reading "Milkrun" and "Fishbowl". I was a bit appalled at learning that her next book would be about reality television (aren't we all tired of it yet?), but I assumed that she would handle the subject well. However, I was a bit disappointed. None of the outside characters are well developed, even her reality-TV co-stars. There are inconsistencies everywhere: Sunny (the main character) wants to be a business woman, but goes Jello-wrestling on television. She makes a point of being incredibly jealous of her boyfriend's ex-girlfriend, but then we never hear about that again. Her boyfriend says his parents would not approve of Sunny moving in with him, but then they are happy about it. In short, plots that are developed disintegrate.

But I would have to say that the most unbelieveable part of the book is the chain letter Sunny gets. She gets a well-meaning chain letter from her sister about the use of asbestos in tampons, and forwards it to many others. I won't say any more about it, but it becomes an important part in the book. The problem is that tampons do not contain asbestos. The FDA, OSHA and EPA all regulate the use of asbestos, either on their own or in other products. The FDA inspects tampon manufacturing plants, and would obviously report the use of asbestos. OHSA and the EPA have called attention to the danger of any kind of contact to asbestos, so why anyone would think that the government would allow women to INSERT asbestos-laden products into themselves is beyond me. Now for those of you who have not read the book, this paragraph may seem a bit odd, but Sunny sends that letter to everyone she knows, and I suppose at this day and age we think we are all aware of and immune to the scams and hoaxes that circulate the internet, but Mlynowski does the disservice of featuring one as a true story in her book. Go check it out at REPUTABLE internet and government sources; they will all refute the claim.

Now aside from the absurdity of the chain letter, the book is an fairly enjoyable one. Nobody reads Red Dress Ink books for anything but sheer entertainment, and as long as you're not too picky, you may enjoy this one. If it weren't for Mlynowski's name attached to this book, I would not have picked it up. If you are a fan of most of the RDI books you will enjoy this one, but if you're looking for better books in the same vein, I would suggest the book "Carrie Pilby" by Caren Lissner, or "Milkrun" and "Fishbowl," both by Mlynowski.

Rating:
Summary: Below par for Mlynowski
Review: As an avid fan of Sarah Mlynowski, I was very much looking forward to her next book, after reading "Milkrun" and "Fishbowl". I was a bit appalled at learning that her next book would be about reality television (aren't we all tired of it yet?), but I assumed that she would handle the subject well. However, I was a bit disappointed. None of the outside characters are well developed, even her reality-TV co-stars. There are inconsistencies everywhere: Sunny (the main character) wants to be a business woman, but goes Jello-wrestling on television. She makes a point of being incredibly jealous of her boyfriend's ex-girlfriend, but then we never hear about that again. Her boyfriend says his parents would not approve of Sunny moving in with him, but then they are happy about it. In short, plots that are developed disintegrate.

But I would have to say that the most unbelieveable part of the book is the chain letter Sunny gets. She gets a well-meaning chain letter from her sister about the use of asbestos in tampons, and forwards it to many others. I won't say any more about it, but it becomes an important part in the book. The problem is that tampons do not contain asbestos. The FDA, OSHA and EPA all regulate the use of asbestos, either on their own or in other products. The FDA inspects tampon manufacturing plants, and would obviously report the use of asbestos. OHSA and the EPA have called attention to the danger of any kind of contact to asbestos, so why anyone would think that the government would allow women to INSERT asbestos-laden products into themselves is beyond me. Now for those of you who have not read the book, this paragraph may seem a bit odd, but Sunny sends that letter to everyone she knows, and I suppose at this day and age we think we are all aware of and immune to the scams and hoaxes that circulate the internet, but Mlynowski does the disservice of featuring one as a true story in her book. Go check it out at REPUTABLE internet and government sources; they will all refute the claim.

Now aside from the absurdity of the chain letter, the book is an fairly enjoyable one. Nobody reads Red Dress Ink books for anything but sheer entertainment, and as long as you're not too picky, you may enjoy this one. If it weren't for Mlynowski's name attached to this book, I would not have picked it up. If you are a fan of most of the RDI books you will enjoy this one, but if you're looking for better books in the same vein, I would suggest the book "Carrie Pilby" by Caren Lissner, or "Milkrun" and "Fishbowl," both by Mlynowski.

Rating:
Summary: Below par for Mlynowski
Review: As an avid fan of Sarah Mlynowski, I was very much looking forward to her next book, after reading "Milkrun" and "Fishbowl". I was a bit appalled at learning that her next book would be about reality television (aren't we all tired of it yet?), but I assumed that she would handle the subject well. However, I was a bit disappointed. None of the outside characters are well developed, even her reality-TV co-stars. There are inconsistencies everywhere: Sunny (the main character) wants to be a business woman, but goes Jello-wrestling on television. She makes a point of being incredibly jealous of her boyfriend's ex-girlfriend, but then we never hear about that again. Her boyfriend says his parents would not approve of Sunny moving in with him, but then they are happy about it. In short, plots that are developed disintegrate.

But I would have to say that the most unbelieveable part of the book is the chain letter Sunny gets. She gets a well-meaning chain letter from her sister about the use of asbestos in tampons, and forwards it to many others. I won't say any more about it, but it becomes an important part in the book. The problem is that tampons do not contain asbestos. The FDA, OSHA and EPA all regulate the use of asbestos, either on their own or in other products. The FDA inspects tampon manufacturing plants, and would obviously report the use of asbestos. OHSA and the EPA have called attention to the danger of any kind of contact to asbestos, so why anyone would think that the government would allow women to INSERT asbestos-laden products into themselves is beyond me. Now for those of you who have not read the book, this paragraph may seem a bit odd, but Sunny sends that letter to everyone she knows, and I suppose at this day and age we think we are all aware of and immune to the scams and hoaxes that circulate the internet, but Mlynowski does the disservice of featuring one as a true story in her book. Go check it out at REPUTABLE internet and government sources; they will all refute the claim.

Now aside from the absurdity of the chain letter, the book is an fairly enjoyable one. Nobody reads Red Dress Ink books for anything but sheer entertainment, and as long as you're not too picky, you may enjoy this one. If it weren't for Mlynowski's name attached to this book, I would not have picked it up. If you are a fan of most of the RDI books you will enjoy this one, but if you're looking for better books in the same vein, I would suggest the book "Carrie Pilby" by Caren Lissner, or "Milkrun" and "Fishbowl," both by Mlynowski.

Rating:
Summary: Not her best
Review: Having read Fishbowl and Milkrun (which were better than this) I thought this one might be enjoyable as well. However, of Mlynowski's three books, this one has to be the worst! The switching of the book into second person chapters was annoying. I practically skipped over those parts. Also, there was way too much dialogue throughout the book, and that made it get old really fast. This is not something I would read again!

Rating:
Summary: Fans of chick lit will enjoy this
Review: Her boyfriend Steve Stein owns and runs Manna Restaurant in Manhattan while Sunny Langstein works in Fort Lauderdale as an Assistant Manager at Panda. When Steve invites Sunny to move in with him, she accepts. Knowing she needs to find work, Sunny lies her way into interviews until she shockingly lands a contestant role on the TV reality show Party Girls.

Her fifteen minutes of TV fame changes Sunny into an American idol and her relationship with Steve looks like it will be voted off the island. Meanwhile TV idol Matt Rowler makes a bid for Sunny's affection. Soon Steve who loved and liked his Florida Sunshine forces the issue of where they are going, as he detests the glitter TV Sunny. Will Sunny give up her chance as a survivor to host the show next year and reject the manna from heaven Steve offers because he treats her like a cherished person not a dimwitted boob tube icon?

AS SEEN ON TV converges chick lit with reality television into an amusing contemporary romantic romp with a surprising message of adhering to one's value. The story line is handled in a light manner as Sunny gets so embroiled in glamour and bull that she loses sight as to what is important to her. Fans of chick lit will enjoy this parody of the reality TV fare.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Do NOT buy this book!
Review: I bought this book with the hopes of another fun "Confessions of a Shopaholic" like read. I was sadly mistaken. Instead it turned out to be one of those books that I CAN put down, and that I wanted to stop reading halfway through, because the characters were all so uncompelling. Steve, her boyfriend, isn't even all that likeable, and neither is she. To top it all off, it's filled wtih too muc information sex scenes. All in all, this book is in no way a page turner, borrow it from a friend if you have to read it, don't waste your money on it

Rating:
Summary: Don't touch that dial!
Review: I couldn't put this book down! Sarah Mlynowski is back with another gem. As Seen on TV will have you in hysterics from cover to cover. I like the author's intelligent takes on reality television. Even though this isn't the first novel that centers on the ubiquitous programs (Bachelorette Number One, Girls' Night Out, among others), As Seen on TV has a particular brand of insight all its own.

Sunny Langstein moves from Miami to New York to live with her boyfriend. Unfortunately, her job search hasn't gone as well as she had hoped. She agrees to participate in Party Girls -- a reality TV version of Sex and the City -- with the hope that it'll improve her career prospects. However, the star treatments and free perks prove to be too much for Sunny's soaring ego, and soon she finds herself not wanting to be taken out of the spotlight.

Sarah Mlynowski's wit shines in As Seen on TV. The dialogue is sharp, the book has the author's signature prose (a very neurotic character who asks a lot of questions) and the characterization is excellent. I particularly like Steve. It is refreshing to read a chick-lit novel with a protagonist who already has a boyfriend -- a sweet, considerate boyfriend at that. Also, the subplot involving Sunny's wayward and stoic father adds meaning to the story. And I love that the chapters are named after TV shows. A great effort from this talented author and another winner from Red Dress Ink! Highly recommended...

Rating:
Summary: Fun, Fast-paced Chick-lit
Review: I enjoyed this book much more than I expected to! This is Sarah's third book, and it shows. The writing is stronger and sharper, and the characters have more depth. I picked this up on a Friday, intriqued by the Reality TV premise, and then raced through it over the weekend. The writing is very good and lively and I think she does a good job of realistically portraying the ups and downs of a relationship and even though the reality situation is over the top, it's in a fun way, not in a ridiculous one. Basically, the book kept my interest throughout (which is NOT easy to do!), and the characters were well-drawn. Though I didn't like the relationship that Sunny had with her Dad, it was, unfortunately a very realistic one that too many people can relate to. Loved the ending. In general, I think this will be her biggest book so far, and I look forward to reading her next one.

Rating:
Summary: Sarah strikes again!
Review: I fell in love with Sarah with Milkrun. Fishbowl wasn't the greatest of follow-up books, so I was a tad leery of As Seen on TV. Still, the girl can write first person like nobody's business, so I bought ASOTV sight unseen.

I was pleased, to say the least.

For those who love (or hate!) reality tv, this is the book for you. It's hilarious, heartfelt, serious, lighthearted, romantic, cynical, and lovely! This book has it all, and it's spread like creamy butter over warm bread.

A DEFINATE MUST for chick-lit fans. Read Sarah and you'll never go back!