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Getting the Pretty Back: Friendship, Family, and Finding the Perfect Lipstick by Molly Ringwald
protoman21's review against another edition
2.0
I definitely wasn't the target audience, but honestly, I'm not sure who would be. This was very random. A collection of opinions on fashion, food, parenting , written by a rich, out of touch actress with nothing original to contribute. I should have just DNFed.
erincataldi's review against another edition
3.0
This is a guide/memoir/anecdotal type book that caters mainly to middle class socialites, but that aside, I still enjoyed the book. Molly gives advice and provides humorous stories about fashion, dating, cooking, friendship, goals, and motherhood. The illustrations add some extra whimsy and lightness to the book. It's not life altering or anything but I did pick up a few new tricks.
Foil the crust of a pie to keep it from burning.
Black cashmere is worth every penny.
Make sure you have enough wine for your party.
Cute book. For fans of Molly Ringwald and "Smart Girl's Guide Books to..."
Foil the crust of a pie to keep it from burning.
Black cashmere is worth every penny.
Make sure you have enough wine for your party.
Cute book. For fans of Molly Ringwald and "Smart Girl's Guide Books to..."
eveak's review against another edition
3.0
Not quite what I was expecting - a mix of memoir, advice, and reflection that I think is interesting and, for me, engaging on multiple levels. I liked the sense of confidence she communicates as well as the internal struggles and negotiations over parenting. Lots of relevant discussions and a sense that the characters I knew her through as a teenager have grown up into an adult who I would still be able to relate to/identify with/be friends with. It's a nice feeling.
stacyschuttler's review against another edition
1.0
The first chapter was funny and cute setting my expectations high, but then her advice became useful and practical only for those who have and/or make a whole lot of money...I would have been better if she had written a straight out memoir book with funny stories and anecdotes and left out the advice parts.
risamyers3's review against another edition
2.0
I was clearly insufficiently girly as a kid & insufficient wealthy as an adult to appreciate this book.
jldionne's review against another edition
1.0
I'll sum it up. Wear gray black or white - the more expensive the better. Add a Hermes scarf and if you are carrying extra weight don't bother with skinny jeans. According to Ms. Ringwald those are for the chosen few. Terrible book poorly written. The chapter on dermatology borders on criminal - advising people to take advantage of any and all enhancement modern dermatology has to offer without a second thought.
gretago's review against another edition
2.0
Well, hmmm, how should I put this? If you are looking for highbrow literature, this is not your book. However, this book is beautifully presented, wonderful illustrations, and slick, glossy paper. NICE to look at and to hold in your hands - a very nice tactile experience. When I was a teen, Molly was in all those movies and on all those magazines, and I happened to look a bit like her: same hair, same pasty white skin, same thrift-store wardrobe. So naturally as an adult, and as a mom, when I saw her book, and said "Really? really? ok, let's see what she has to say." And it wasn't an entirely bad read. It was pretty good, some good nuggets of information in here on parenting (she and I are similar) and wine (again, we have that in common) and break-ups (yep, got me there too). Disclaimer though: I did skim through many parts, pages, paragraphs, and read the book in 2 days.
nssutton's review against another edition
2.0
Ruminations on life, love and make-up from everyone's favorite 80s everygirl.
So.
I have a confession to make.
I frequently read books without really having any idea what they're actually about beforehand.
In early January, I went on an e-book buying blitz. I bought easily a dozen titles and sat on my Nook unread, because holiday cash provides you that sort of decadent luxury. I handpicked these titles based on what my current library of choice wasn't carrying. I was so sad they had refused to purchase this title, because who doesn't want to read Molly Ringwald's memoir?
Well, obviously someone who realized that this isn't, in fact, Molly Ringwald's memoir.
It's her thoughts on turning forty, purchasing Hermes scarves, the shade of lipstick she uses, the parenting styles she's observed, her opinions on how to get through breakups and makeups and falling in love. With a side of stories. No, wait, a dollop. A particle of stories. They read exactly like the teen magazines and life tutorials for girls that came out around the time I watched each of Ringwald's movies in constant rotation. But they're not actually for girls, or for 40-somethings as is originally stated, or really, for anyone. They seem to be for Ringwald herself.
It's okay, she owns that. And I own that in my own life I often like to refer to my digital warehouse of information -- my Evernote, Delicious account, this blog -- to be reminded of who I am and what my taste is. I say that I do it for you, for social purposes, for reaching out into the unknown to find like-minded community, but it's for the reflection of seeing myself as a whole. These are the items that I choose to recommended to you because I want you to like them or use them or read them too. Or so I tell myself. When I see someone else do it, however, I'm reminded of that sense of entitlement that inherent in that kind of sharing. I put these things out there in the world because I believe my taste and point of view has some sort of value and currency, a uniqueness, that requires it be represented in the world. And -- mostly -- I want it as a point of reference to see myself looking back at me.
Since you can't fault someone's first published book for a fault you are clearly guilty of, I will fault this book because of the frustration I had completing it. I was woefully disappointed because I couldn't quit. I had paid for it. I own it, even if it's just a little digital file. So I forced myself to read every last word of it as punishment for not having read a review or two to make an educated purchase, the way I would purchasing a physical, real-life book.
That's why e-reading is going to become incredibly successful. You make these impulse purchases, which sit collecting virtual dust and later don't even satisfy the merest of reader's cravings. And you purchase them so easily. Oh, look, my finger slipped again just now. And now again...
So.
I have a confession to make.
I frequently read books without really having any idea what they're actually about beforehand.
In early January, I went on an e-book buying blitz. I bought easily a dozen titles and sat on my Nook unread, because holiday cash provides you that sort of decadent luxury. I handpicked these titles based on what my current library of choice wasn't carrying. I was so sad they had refused to purchase this title, because who doesn't want to read Molly Ringwald's memoir?
Well, obviously someone who realized that this isn't, in fact, Molly Ringwald's memoir.
It's her thoughts on turning forty, purchasing Hermes scarves, the shade of lipstick she uses, the parenting styles she's observed, her opinions on how to get through breakups and makeups and falling in love. With a side of stories. No, wait, a dollop. A particle of stories. They read exactly like the teen magazines and life tutorials for girls that came out around the time I watched each of Ringwald's movies in constant rotation. But they're not actually for girls, or for 40-somethings as is originally stated, or really, for anyone. They seem to be for Ringwald herself.
It's okay, she owns that. And I own that in my own life I often like to refer to my digital warehouse of information -- my Evernote, Delicious account, this blog -- to be reminded of who I am and what my taste is. I say that I do it for you, for social purposes, for reaching out into the unknown to find like-minded community, but it's for the reflection of seeing myself as a whole. These are the items that I choose to recommended to you because I want you to like them or use them or read them too. Or so I tell myself. When I see someone else do it, however, I'm reminded of that sense of entitlement that inherent in that kind of sharing. I put these things out there in the world because I believe my taste and point of view has some sort of value and currency, a uniqueness, that requires it be represented in the world. And -- mostly -- I want it as a point of reference to see myself looking back at me.
Since you can't fault someone's first published book for a fault you are clearly guilty of, I will fault this book because of the frustration I had completing it. I was woefully disappointed because I couldn't quit. I had paid for it. I own it, even if it's just a little digital file. So I forced myself to read every last word of it as punishment for not having read a review or two to make an educated purchase, the way I would purchasing a physical, real-life book.
That's why e-reading is going to become incredibly successful. You make these impulse purchases, which sit collecting virtual dust and later don't even satisfy the merest of reader's cravings. And you purchase them so easily. Oh, look, my finger slipped again just now. And now again...
thegeekyblogger's review against another edition
2.0
What I Loved: Molly narrated her own book and I think this works for this book. She has a good reading voice.
What I Liked: This book covers everything from dinner parties to lipstick. I can't think of a topic that she did not cover. In that aspect, this book delivered on it's promise to give you advice on how to handle anything. I also enjoyed when she threw in antidotes about her life over the years. Those little stories were the best part of the book.
What I thought was So-So/Didn't Like: I really wanted to love this book but most of it was "eh". I am not sure that most of her advice is good for everyday people. It is probably because I am not a fashionita. I do figure that I am not the main target audience for this book. It just seemed a little out of reach for most normal people.
Why I gave it a 2: I will admit that this is one of those books that will probably get ratings from bad to good because it really is more of a personal type of book. The advice either appeals to you or not. I love Molly Ringwald and feel like this book will appeal to other people. It just didn't work for me.
Who I would recommend it too: Anyone who likes non-fiction advice books on beauty, travel, wine, and cooking.
Author Website: Harper Collins Book Site
Add To Your Goodreads TBR Shelf
What I Liked: This book covers everything from dinner parties to lipstick. I can't think of a topic that she did not cover. In that aspect, this book delivered on it's promise to give you advice on how to handle anything. I also enjoyed when she threw in antidotes about her life over the years. Those little stories were the best part of the book.
What I thought was So-So/Didn't Like: I really wanted to love this book but most of it was "eh". I am not sure that most of her advice is good for everyday people. It is probably because I am not a fashionita. I do figure that I am not the main target audience for this book. It just seemed a little out of reach for most normal people.
Why I gave it a 2: I will admit that this is one of those books that will probably get ratings from bad to good because it really is more of a personal type of book. The advice either appeals to you or not. I love Molly Ringwald and feel like this book will appeal to other people. It just didn't work for me.
Who I would recommend it too: Anyone who likes non-fiction advice books on beauty, travel, wine, and cooking.
Author Website: Harper Collins Book Site
Add To Your Goodreads TBR Shelf