I was introduced to Laurie Notaro’s books back in 2007, when I inadvertently stumbled across a copy of The Idiot Girls’ Action Adventure Club. Since then, I’ve read each of her collections of essays (except the one about Christmas), and I’ve enjoyed them immensely. That’s why I was thrilled to pick up a copy of her latest.

Notaro’s essay collections are laugh-out-loud funny, and Idiot Girl and the Flaming Tantrum of Death joins her sisters' ranks. By far my favorite essay was the one after which this book was named—only the day before, I’d had my very own sort-of Laurie moment behind the wheel of my car (except I didn’t react nearly the same way as she did). I also greatly enjoyed Laurie’s story about taking a cruise. I was a little bit put off by the potty humor in this book, but I guess that’s what she’s known for. Other than that, though, this book had me rolling in my seat with laughter. ( )

It's been at least a couple of years since I've read Laurie Notaro, and I was delighted when she came out with another memoir. As I started reading the book, I had to flip back to the front cover to check that it was indeed Laurie Notaro and not . . . Jen Lancaster (who I found and thoroughly enjoyed in Laurie's absence). I am seriously wondering if they are related, maybe cousins on their moms' side of the family? Self-proclaimed fat chicks, married to great guys, but childless by choice because of, well, their moms and families it seems, scarring them for life and necessitating years of therapy. They are both funny. But Jen is ahead because her second book, Bright Lights, Big Ass, had a part in it that made me laugh so hard that I couldn't even speak to tell my husband what I was laughing about (and subsequently made him laugh so hard when I just handed him the book), and for days and days after reading it, would cause me to laugh when I thought of it. This book didn't have that moment, but it did make me chuckle out loud a few times. :^) ( )

Good, nasty, politically incorrect fun. ( )

First, a calibration of humor: I find Calvin Trillin generally funny—I find David Sedaris generally annoying; Sarah Vowell amuses me—Chelsea Handler bores me. If your tastes run along a different path then keep in mind during the following that YMMV.

There are some excellent moments, both the small phrases that bring a snort of laughter and complete essays. "Leaving, but Not on a Jet Plane" (a tale of selling her house) and "The Extended Warranty, the Extended Waistband, and the Repairman Who Almost Became a Hostage" (about the tribulations of getting her treadmill fixed) were consistently enjoyable. The high point is "Ready or Not", in which she abandons all but the mildest humor in telling us the story of her dogs...the favorite who died and the little puppy that eventually replaced her. In this, Notaro proved she can write movingly and convincingly.

Unfortunately, I have an upper limit of "1 or less" when it comes to being amused at penis and vagina jokes—we are treated to many. I have an even lower limit for potty humor—there's plenty including a whole essay on the subject of her husband touching poop during a sewer backup.

I finished the book, but most of it had that feel of grade school humor: little kids snickering in their "gross equals funny" world. Even if I found that kind of thing funny, I could not escape the feeling that she was simply trying too hard. There was none of the effortless flow that makes good humor such a pleasure to read.

Oh well, it was a free book. ( )

It was ok. There were some laughs and it was a fast read. ( )