Jill Kargman

Finally, a female writer who curses as much as I do (the F word is freely batted about), hates Don Henley for a very good reason, and fears clowns. Jill Kargman is a funny, funny woman who minces no words about her struggles growing up (a teacher accused her of making up her favorite smell), the succession of bad babysitters she and her brother endured (her mother caught one porking the doorman) and the kickass attitudes of her kids (her older daughter chose to slither down the fireman's show more pole rather than the slide during preschool graduation "like a total badass"). Kargman loves her parents, brother, husband and kids, but she doesn't gloss over the bad stuff. She remembers her first awful apartment, an unforgiveably rude brush-off from Don Henley (an egomaniac with a stick up his ass) and living with a newborn in an apartment that was once a bordello ("Hi, the password is four-one-one"). She remembers trying to use tampons rather than pads ("I felt like I was being raped by Raggedy Andy's cotton cock") and makes no apologies for hating clowns. In short, she's an easy gal to love. show less

This book comes with a disclaimer- if you are uncomfortable reading books with strong sometimes crude language and humor, this book is not for you. And I realize that is more of a warning than a disclaimer. Kargman is hysterically funny to me, but I know that not everyone enjoys reading certain words or about certain situations. So I want to put that out there.

Kargman's book made me laugh out loud - I had to put this book down until my husband got home, just so I could share the funny parts show more with him. I am sure he thought I was a nut, amid my giggles, trying to read the sentence. But he is used to it. Her hatred of Nellie Oleson almost had me hyperventilating. I was a huge Little House fan, and I really disliked Nellie too. And her descriptions of momzillas, I feel I have met those women, and yes, they are frightening.

There are a few parts that are not meant to be funny, but reflective, such as the chapter where Kargman writes a letter to her apartment, which was sort of like her cocoon for a bit, and gave her the space to grow and change; but the chapter where she talks about how vanity saves her life is my favorite. Her never give up, I am going to get what I want attitude regarding botox led her to a startling discovery, that really did save her life.

I loved this book, although I do not recommend it for everyone. show less

Jill Kargman has written a funny, ironic book that says what we think, but do not say. The essays cover everything from mice in her apartment to becoming a "Spinning" addict. Funny as hell, I think she is a very good writer. Dealing with the competetive "Momzillas" of Manhattan with 3 kids of her own to contend with, as well, she maintains her sense of humor and makes us laugh with her.

Kargman is afraid of vans and clowns (I can relate-thank you Stephen King). She writes about her va-jay show more jay, again I can relate, and just the everyday things that can make you nuts.

So whether you like your candy with nuts or just the coconut, I recommend this book. It is fun, ironic and irreverent. Enjoy! show less

I really enjoyed this - even though it's been described as a "beach read," I found it authentic, funny and genuinely moving. It's the story of a New Yorker, Holly Talbott, who finds her husband kissing another woman in Brooklyn, and ends her marriage. The novel recounts her adventures in the dating pool, and the book is liberally laced with '80s pop culture. Holly seemed real, like someone I could relate to. Kargman's portrayal of the hedge-fund world was a little over the top, but show more thankfully it did not interfere with character development. I also loved the happy ending. This was kind of like a John Hughes movie turned into a book. show less