This looked at first glance just like the kind of book I like. I'm a huge fan of both Susan Jane Gilman and Laurie Notaro, both of whom write about their lives in an ironic, Sedaris-like way. Lancaster sort of does, but she tries a little too hard to be funny and there's an absence of heart underneath the sarcasm. Also? She has an annoying habit? Of sticking question marks in the middle? Of sentences, that worked a few times, but repetition? Made annoying. There is a lot of filler in the form of faux emails, as well. I began the book with great excitement, but my final reaction is a giant "meh". ( )

I know she hates "LOL" but thats exactly what this book is! I laughed just as hard for this one as I did "Bitter." If you liked her first book you will like this one as well. I also have declared her my new best friend as we have a lot of things in common. 'Nuf said... just read the book! ( )

Another funny one from Jen Lancaster. I read Bitter is the New Black several years ago and was delighted to find more books by the author. Jen makes every day situations positively hilarious. I'd pick up anything she ever writes - she's just that funny. This book was a laugh-out-loud jaunt through her daily life and made me wish I was friends with her. ( )

This is the second book I've read by Lancaster, and she has definitely become one of my favorite authors. Her books are literally laugh out loud funny. I have recommended her to all my girlfriends! ( )

I liked this second book a bit less than Bitter is the New Black, but still fabulous! ( )

Laugh out loud material... very, very funny. Picked this up at a yard sale for a quarter and it makes me want to buy the rest of her books for full price. ( )

Jen Lancaster is LOL funny. She tells stories about her life with an unmatched, hilarious perspective. From being unemployed to her casting episode for The Biggest Loser, Lancaster cracks me up.

Apart from? her annoying habit of random question marks (while at the same time railing on those who use LOL), this book was pretty good. Some interesting bits:

-very surprised she calls herself a republican. Politics don't play a huge part in the book but they are mentioned and one of my favourite spots was the PS in a letter to America that read, "If I could endure the fraternity party otherwise known as the Clinton administration, you can deal with President Churchy McJesus." That made me laugh - unforunately I was on the train at the time which is only slightly less odd than Chicago's mass transport.

She's got a thing for "Mc" - Slutty McGabsalot makes an appearance later. She gets props for fun names :)

Her book is also full of some very good lines:

"Here's a quick rule of thumb: no meeting requests to anyone you've seen naked, okay?"

"I ask for the Marquis deSade and instead I get an Olsen twin"

I liked it in that it's different from some books wherein you've read the blog, you've read the book. The two dove tail from one another but they're not exact replicas which is nice.

Live Serena Mackesy's The Temp I could identify with her temping stints. At the moment, I'm glad I'm done with that. Some were great but some you definitely held on for the end of the assignment.

My comment about Becky/Shopaholic holds true from the first book - there are times I want to slap her. Shallow gets old, but its funny to read. I think I'd go nuts if she were someone I had to deal with on a daily basis.

All this said, if there is a third book - I'll probably buy it. ( )

The funniest republican to ever pick up pen. ( )

This is a hilariously funny book. While not quite as funny and poignant as the first volume, it is still a much better read that most memoirs. I laughed so hard that I cried. Read it! ( )

This book was a series of humorous essays detailing the author's life in Chicago. I thought they were pretty funny until I read the one where she talks about how much she loves Ann Coulter and wants to have a slumber party with her. Eww.

I was eventually able to overlook that unfortunate Republican aspect of her life. As I was reading the rest of the book, I alternated between laughing out loud and thinking, "Jeez, she's a moron" (and not because of the Republican thing). What I think would REALLY be funny is a book written by her husband about how he puts up with her. Some of the best lines in the book are his, usually in response to something stupid she's done. ( )

This book caused me to literally laugh-out-loud a number of times, which does not happen very often! Jen Lancaster manages to turn the most mundane events into interesting and above all, hilarious stories that kept me reading into the late hours of the night. ( )

I had a complete catharsis while reading this memoir. Jen Lancaster is my kind of gal. She's funny, quick witted, foul-mouthed, and driven to become a self-sufficient writer. Her struggles to stay financially afloat and absolutely fabulous is real and she writes about it honestly. Her emails to her girl-friends had me laughing out loud. This was a thoroughly enjoyable memoir and I look forward to Jen Lancaster's next book. ( )

Memoir, Chicago ( )

Jen Lancaster: one of the best authors I have ever read. Definitely in my top 5. A must read for anyone with a pulse. ( )

I find this author annoying! Shut up and quit complaining... jeez! I am on page 48 and I want to slap her. She's not funny just someone who doesn't have anything better to do. ( )

Another hilarious book by Jen Lancaster! This time I knew what to expect and was not disapointed! I keep having to remind myself that these things really happen to Jen and Fletch, because most of the time I am laughing to hard to remember it is real! I am looking forward to starting Such a Pretty Fat tonight! ( )

Loved it! Another great book from Jen Lancaster. I found myself laughing out loud and reading bits out to my boyfriend...who also found it hilarious. I just found out that Ms. Lancaster has just published another book. I quickly went to Amazon and ordered it. Can't wait to read more. Chick lit as memoir...unusual and very fun. ( )

I found myself laughing out loud a lot while reading this book! I'm not a city dweller, nor have I watched Sex and the City so I could not appreciate the author's comparisons of real life in the city to the show. It did make me glad to live in my own home well-insulated from crazy neighbors and rules telling me where my dog can make doodie. ( )

http://www.bostonbibliophile.com/2008... ( )

I liked this one better than Bitter is the New Black, although they are both so very funny! This is written in a very accessible essay format - you don't need to read the first book to understand what's going on in this one. If you like Laurie Notaro's books, you'll like this author too. Very snarky and wonderfully hilarious! I'm looking forward to her next book!! ( )

Absolutely LOVED this book. My fiance kept looking at me like I was nuts, this book had me in tears I was laughing so hard! ( )

Sooooooooo funny. I laughed out loud throughout the whole book ( )

So silly! Every once in a while i had to stop and remember this is a memoir not just a fictional story. It's super enjoyable and a great summer read. ( )

I kept asking myself what was the point of the book. It seemed like a collection of short memoirs from the author with no real point. I did enjoy her dry, sarcastic wit/sense of humor as it it similar to mine. ( )