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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
The authors of Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered are the hosts of the very popular My Favorite Murder podcast. My sister-in-law got me listening to this podcast in early April of this year, just a few weeks before the book was published. My Favorite Murder is a comedy/true crime podcast, where the hosts talk about different true crime cases and bring a little humor (and often some sound advice) into the darkness as they discuss each story.
The book came out at the end of May, and I thought it was one I wanted to add to my personal library, so I went ahead and bought it in early June and started reading. While I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect with their book, I knew I loved to listen to Karen and Georgia and was excited to read the definitive how-to guide to both staying sexy AND avoiding being murdered.
Anyway, I immediately started reading the book and it was both nothing like I expected and everything I expected at the same time. It’s not a true crime book, but more of a memoir/self help book. The podcast has some common themes like “f*ck politeness,” “you’re in a cult, call your dad,” and “stay out of the forest.” They have highlighted eight of these themes, with Karen and Georgia writing their own chapter for each one. In each chapter they draw from their own life experience making me laugh and cry, and also just putting out some pretty good advice in general. Just like they do on their podcast.
A note: I should probably let everyone know that this book (like the podcast) is not afraid to swear. If you are hyper-sensitive to bad language, this book really isn’t for you.
You may have noticed I started this book in early June, but now it’s already December (what?!) and I’m just reviewing it. That’s because after I finished part one, my sister-in-law excitedly let me know that Karen and Georgia had narrated the audio book. Of course I needed to listen to this one. Turns out, there was a pretty big waitlist for the online audio book at our library and it took about five months before I finally got to borrow it. But the wait was worth it. I loved hearing Karen and Georgia’s stories in their own words.
I found I really identified so much with Karen. She’s five years older than me (Georgia is five years younger), and I related a lot to stuff about her childhood and growing up in the 1980s. But I really got invested with Karen in chapter one when I learned that her mom had passed away a few years ago from early-onset Alzheimer’s. Just like my dad. Her first chapter was actually pretty tough for me to read. I cried a lot. But from then on I knew I was reading a book written by two women I could really identify with. And the writing is great. And some of the advice they give is exactly what I needed to hear. It is just one of those books that came into my life at just the right time.
Karen and Georgia cover a lot more in the book. Some of it is light-hearted. Some of it is not. Part one gave me my favorite Karen piece, when she reflects on her struggle with her mom's Alzheimer's. My favorite Georgia piece came in part two (“Sweet Baby Angel”) where she talks about how Ray Bradbury books became her salvation and turned her life around. It is pretty awesome.
So if you like memoirs, or self help, or comedy, or swearing, or a combination of all of these things – give Stay Sexy and Don’t Get Murdered a try. And listen to it if you can. The narrators are fantastic.
To read an excerpt, see my full review at Hidden Staircase.
The book came out at the end of May, and I thought it was one I wanted to add to my personal library, so I went ahead and bought it in early June and started reading. While I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect with their book, I knew I loved to listen to Karen and Georgia and was excited to read the definitive how-to guide to both staying sexy AND avoiding being murdered.
Anyway, I immediately started reading the book and it was both nothing like I expected and everything I expected at the same time. It’s not a true crime book, but more of a memoir/self help book. The podcast has some common themes like “f*ck politeness,” “you’re in a cult, call your dad,” and “stay out of the forest.” They have highlighted eight of these themes, with Karen and Georgia writing their own chapter for each one. In each chapter they draw from their own life experience making me laugh and cry, and also just putting out some pretty good advice in general. Just like they do on their podcast.
A note: I should probably let everyone know that this book (like the podcast) is not afraid to swear. If you are hyper-sensitive to bad language, this book really isn’t for you.
You may have noticed I started this book in early June, but now it’s already December (what?!) and I’m just reviewing it. That’s because after I finished part one, my sister-in-law excitedly let me know that Karen and Georgia had narrated the audio book. Of course I needed to listen to this one. Turns out, there was a pretty big waitlist for the online audio book at our library and it took about five months before I finally got to borrow it. But the wait was worth it. I loved hearing Karen and Georgia’s stories in their own words.
I found I really identified so much with Karen. She’s five years older than me (Georgia is five years younger), and I related a lot to stuff about her childhood and growing up in the 1980s. But I really got invested with Karen in chapter one when I learned that her mom had passed away a few years ago from early-onset Alzheimer’s. Just like my dad. Her first chapter was actually pretty tough for me to read. I cried a lot. But from then on I knew I was reading a book written by two women I could really identify with. And the writing is great. And some of the advice they give is exactly what I needed to hear. It is just one of those books that came into my life at just the right time.
Karen and Georgia cover a lot more in the book. Some of it is light-hearted. Some of it is not. Part one gave me my favorite Karen piece, when she reflects on her struggle with her mom's Alzheimer's. My favorite Georgia piece came in part two (“Sweet Baby Angel”) where she talks about how Ray Bradbury books became her salvation and turned her life around. It is pretty awesome.
So if you like memoirs, or self help, or comedy, or swearing, or a combination of all of these things – give Stay Sexy and Don’t Get Murdered a try. And listen to it if you can. The narrators are fantastic.
To read an excerpt, see my full review at Hidden Staircase.
I LOVED THIS SO MUCH. Honestly I was a bit skeptical going in, despite having loved My Favorite Murder for a very long time, but found every minute of this illuminating and beautiful. Collecting sets of essays together around familiar catch phrases made this fun for "insiders" from the podcast without alienating those who aren't. The essays explore universal themes around life, friendship, love, connections, and the winding road we take to finding our true voice and path forward. Absolutely delightful and the best advertisement for therapy and real self-care I've encountered in a long while. Not for nothing, but the audiobook was OUTSTANDING (duh) and a super fun way to read this one.
I listened to this as an audio book, and I much prefer the back-and-forth banter of the podcast. The pre-pandemic optimism ever present in anything pre-2020, just doesn't feel quite as timely any longer. Although the book has some really good stuff included and I really would like to give it a 3.5.
Listen to the audiobook. I suspect their reading it aloud makes it even funnier. Also, Paul Giamatti.
This book was above and beyond what I expected. I laughed and cried and saw myself in Karen and Georgia. I listened to the audiobook and it felt like I spent the day with two of my closest friends as they shared their lives with me. I wish I could somehow thank them for their beautiful vulnerability and openness, because it truly makes me (and I’m sure thousands of others) feel not so alone.
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
I really enjoyed listening to the personal stories of the voices behind the MFM podcast. I love the podcast and Karen and Georgia and it’s great to get to hear more of who they are. I would knock this half a star for the abrupt additions of live audio recordings from live shows or book readings for portions of chapters. Overall a great listen, but realizing how far behind in the podcast that I am and knowing I’ll never be able to catch up to listening to episodes as they come out 😂 oh well being on time for things has never been my strong suit!
funny
fast-paced
I love these women and what they've done for the world of true crime and criminal justice! The last chapter/conclusion to the book were definitely my favorite bits as they connect more closely with the true essence of MFM and bringing crime into regular conversation, but I also loved the personal look that we get into their lives through this lovechild of a book and the podcast
Easy, electric reading. Karen and Georgia write from a deeply honest and personal space, each story steeped rich, dark humor.
Stop what you're doing and read the excerpt of Karen's latchkey kid experiences. I hope one day to read it aloud to my siblings over dinner.
Oh and skip the intro. The book itself needs none.
Stop what you're doing and read the excerpt of Karen's latchkey kid experiences. I hope one day to read it aloud to my siblings over dinner.
Oh and skip the intro. The book itself needs none.