Rating: 
Summary: Funny!
Review: This book is hilarious! I couldn't put it down! If you are after a light, fun, quick read then this is the book for you.
I never thought getting married was this much of a whirlwind, but now that I know I think I'll know to stay away from it and elope. Much saner. Now I'm off to see if she has any other books out.
GET THIS BOOK!
Rating: 
Summary: Neurosis on the half-shell
Review: Laura Wolf, Diary of a Mad Bride (Delta, 2001)How much can I possibly say about this book that doesn't boil down to "my god, you women are REALLY like this?" It's the fictional diary of a thirtysomething woman who is absolutely against the idea of marriage...until she is proposed to. After that, she sinks into exactly the emotional mess for which she criticized friends earlier. Murphy's Law reigns throughout. Hilarity ensues. The main good thing about the book: it's a fast, easy read. Excellent beach material. The two main bad things about the book (they tied for first): the stereotypical treatment of women (and the inferred belittling of those who choose to stay single) and the homily- and cliché-laden last few pages. Thankfully, the stereotyping is mostly at the beginning and the cliché flinging is mostly at the end, so the bulk of the book can be read without fear that you're going to turn the next page and be offended by a particularly bad choice of words. You still run the risk of being offended by Wolf's neurotic protagonist's actions, but try to remember: this is comedy. It really IS funny. There are overtones of My Big Fat reek Wedding, but with Andrea Martin (long may her career suffer) as a scheming, evil grandmother instead of a maiden aunt. And no members of 'N Sync show up anywhere in the novel, which is always a big plus. ** ½
Rating:
Summary: Get Ready To Laugh!
Review: I am a bride to be, and LOVED this book! It made me laugh, cry, gasp and relate. It's a great book that puts things into persepective, but in a fun way. I suggest this book to anyone who is already married, engaged or ever wants to get married. Someone mentioned they did not like it because it the bride to be in the book was out of hand. Yes, some wild and silly stuff happens to her, but I'll just about guarantee someone out there has had such experiences. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.. and this is coming from someone who is kinda picky.
Rating: 
Summary: Uproariously funny in parts
Review: I should note that I'm not married or engaged and I still thought this book was hilarious. I think the thing that made it work for me is that I have known brides like Amy. I've been a bridesmaid in a couple weddings like this. I know how a woman can, despite the best of intentions, let her wedding plans take over her life. The character of Amy worked for me because even as she got more and more consumed with wedding madness, she did try to keep up with her friendships and her work. She had a bit of self-awareness, at least at times, even if it didn't keep her from getting out of control. So many of the scenes in the book were things I've heard of happening, if on a smaller scale. I really liked her two friends Mandy and Anita. They were a good balance. I loved the bits with their two families. Admittedly, in a book like this, character development is secondary to creating humorous situations. All the characters were essentially riffs on certain stereotypes - but that's part of the fun, and the satire, if you let yourself be open to it. I do wish the groom had been given a bit more depth - it would've made a key event in the novel have greater resonance. I loved the bits with their two families. If you go into this book expecting a really serious novel, you will be sorely disappointed. It's a comedy; you're supposed to be able to read it quickly, have a good laugh and move on. I could definitely see myself reading this book again - I found I laughed more often, and more heartily, than I did reading Bridget Jones' Diary. I did think the diary format was a good way to go for a novel like this, and I liked that she had bits of actual dialogue set out in script format. It got my attention. I thought the footnotes were a good touch, too. I got bored of the periodic 'to do' list. I do also wish the satire had been a bit more biting and insightful at times. The author clearly has some skill and potential. Overall, I generally loved this book. It's not a profound work of literature, but it was fun. Definitely a worthy first effort by an author I'd like to read more from in the future. Until then, I'll just have to re-read some of my favorite parts of "Diary" when I need a laugh!!!!
Rating:
Summary: A fun, light read, especially for brides-to-be.
Review: This book is written in a diary style a la Bridget Jones. Amy Thomas, the main character, is "not the marrying type," but when she unexpectedly becomes engaged, she finds herself transforming into a "mad bride." Although Amy has sworn that she would never act like other brides-to-be she has known, bit by bit, she finds herself obsessing about her own wedding, including finding the perfect shoes. Although some of her dilemmas are over-the-top, those of us who are currently engaged can very easily relate, and the book is funny enough to be enjoyed by singles and already-marrieds as well.
Rating:
Summary: You must read this!
Review: Diary of a mad bride is not the usual genre of books that I read but I figured that since I'm getting married in six months and I'm getting a little stressed out from wedding planning that I could use all the laughs I could get. I wasn't disappointed. I couldn't put the book down! It was humorous and witty, a must read for any bride to be. Come on ladies, it's nice to know that there are other brides to be out there who are crazier than us (even if she is a fictional character).
Rating:
Summary: Marching Down The Isle and Into Insanity
Review: Laura Wolf's first book is over the top and humorous in that "I just hit my funny bone and it hurts but I'm laughing," way. Amy Sarah Thomas is a woman who is convinced that she will never marry so she has been preparing everyone in her life for that fact. Amy is "not the marrying kind." Needless to say when she gets engaged to Stephen Stewart, her family and friends are surprised and react with dismay. Amy doesn't take this well and feels that she is being plotted against by the universe, bridal shops, shoe stores, and her Gram. As she reacts to more crises than the UN Secretary General, it is fun watching her self-inflicted pain and realization that she is turning into (gasp!) one of those brides. Amy's obsession to find the "perfect" items for her wedding can be appreciated to anyone who has either been a bride, bridesmaid, or groom. Grooms will no doubt find this helpful to explain why daisies can NOT be substituted for flowering ginger (a particular issue between Amy and Stephen). As someone who has never been a bride, I have been a bridesmaid numerous times. Each bride has their own hell to go through over their wedding and some brides take you into the fire with them and some like Amy try to go it alone (until the flames get too warm, which always happens). I'm sure some brides-to-be would not appreciate viewing themselves in this light, so my recommendation is that if you are not 100% under control of your wedding (you hired a wedding planner) you may wish to shelve this book until the honeymoon is over and your bridesmaids have forgiven you. Amy does not represent all brides and Laura Wolf did not write her be the case study for all women. Rather, Amy is typical of a woman's desire to do her best at everything important to her and what could be more important than marrying the man you love. This is something I think all women can relate to and that's why I think you'll enjoy reading this book. It is campy, uncomfortable in its truth about us, and heartwarming in its conclusion.
Rating:
Summary: Funniest Book I've Ever Read
Review: First of all, I'm 17 years old. Of course, I am not married. Last time I even went to a wedding, I was 5 years old and strapped into a lacey, bright pink, umbrella-like flower girl dress. I don't have the first clue about getting married, but this book was the most hilarious story I have ever read. People are sitting there picking this book apart ... no wonder you guys haven't enjoyed it, you're to busy looking for every negitive point in the book. Yes, the lead character obsessed over a hair comb and didn't buy her shoes till the last minute. WHO CARES, this book is meant to make you laugh, not help you plan your wedding. If that's what you want, pick up Jennifer Lopez's 'The Wedding Planner' and pick that apart. On to the book, I recommend this book to anyone and everyone who is willing to sit down and have a good laugh. There were times where I needed Kleenex I was lauging so hard. The lead character, she's quarky. She's uptight. At the beginning of the book, she had no idea why people stressed over the stupid things they did when it came to weddings, only for her to turn into that same obsessed-stressed out lunatic she poked fun at. THIS is why the book is so funny and such a pleasure to read. Everything from her hidious wedding dress to her wedding invites. Bottom line; this book is FUNNY. This is by far my favorite read.
Rating:
Summary: Easy, fun couldn't put down kind of book
Review: I loved this book..I've been married for 17 years but could relate to Amy so well...I found myself not wanting to read it because i didn't want it to end..It's such an easy & enjoyable read and the author has such a great sense of humor, anyone will love this book...
Rating:
Summary: Great Read
Review: This is a simple and very funny, book for every bride. But, read it after the wedding - maybe on the honeymoon - because all the lists may stress you out.
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