If Life Is a Bowl of Cherries, What Am I Doing in the Pits?

After ignoring Erma Bombeck my whole life (couldn't relate to a white, middle-class suburban mom), I finally tried this one. Now that I've raised kids, her humor felt familiar and had me smiling, chuckling, and sometimes laughing out loud. She's funnier than I expected. Her every-day humor is a nice break from my usual depressing fare.

This library book is a four-book collection, so I'm now on to the next.

Recommended!

I first heard of Erma Bombeck when I was 13. My mom had gone to the doctor and came home with the news she was pregnant. I was the baby up until then so you can imagine her shock. My dad, being funny, brought home a pillow that said, " It's A Crying Shame," and a book by Erma Bombeck. That book was If Life Is A Bowl Of Cherries, What Am I doing In The Pits? My dad got hit by the pillow but the book cheered my mom up.
When I saw this book on Net Galley I had to get it. But, I admit, that I was wondering if a book that my mom related to in the 70's is a book that would be relevant now. The answer to that is both yes and no. Family, motherhood, children, marriage changes all the time, yet in many ways stay the same. However there are some show more things in it that are dated. I did not think it took away from enjoying the book and relating to it. Actually I think it presents a funny slice of life from time gone by. Erma Bombeck was funny in the 70's and she is funny today. Her advice in the last part of the book was both touching and relevant. Erma had a gift and she shared it.
I loved this book. From start to finish it was fun reading. If Life Is a Bowl Of Cherries, What Am I Doing In The Pits tickled my funny bone and touched my heart. The new version for the kindle contains an added part. A Biography of Erma Bombeck. I enjoyed reading about her. She wrote from the heart. There are photographs included of Mrs Bombeck and her family. They look very nice on the Kindle. What a beautiful bride she was. I recommend this book and am very happy to see it released in ebook form show less

My mother recommended this book to me and I'm so glad that I listened to her. I have never laughed harder while reading in my life. I'm sure to some passersby I looked absolutely ridiculous. Erma Bombeck is not afraid to tell life like it is when your a housewife who is responsible for everyone. Her wit and humor are unmatched in my opinion. I just loved it.

Daily life is insane…it’s almost as if your spouse, your children, your parents, in short everyone is conspiring to drive you mad. Often you feel like pulling at your hair, throwing things at someone’s head or just screaming at the top of your lungs. And then, some more. Well, you could do that or simply pick up Erma Bombeck’s If Life is a bowl of cherries- what am I doing in the pits?
In this book Erma Bombeck delivers the ultimate laugh-it-out pill manufactured out of the seemingly innocuous everyday irritants that lace our lives – a snoring spouse, the “super vision, super-hearing” mother, the sorry-i-am-late syndrome….Remember the nail versus bare wall debate that takes places in your house every time you want to put show more up a painting or a hook? The Frustration you experience as a working mom trying to get your kids to co-operate? The identity crisis that threatens to overwhelm you when you decide you’ve had enough of cleaning pots and dirty underwear? The horror you feel when your mom, sitting in the front seat of the car tells you to stop making faces at your baby brother, without turning her head? You will find all that and much more in this 255 page book.
Read complete review @ http://blogs.indiareads.com/views-and-reviews/if-life-is-a-bowl-of-cherries-what... show less

Good for a giggle, a laugh, or a chuckle. If you're into life's grand comedy with people, you'll enjoy this book a lot.

Some classic wit from this book. Even reading it today it holds up well. There are also wonderful stories about children growing up and when kids tell you they don't love the parents.

I've read this book at least once every decade of my life since High School. It's still as funny today as it was the first time I read it back in High School and it almost got me thrown out of the Library for laughing so loud.