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labunnywtf's review
5.0
I wasn't ready for kids. I was just ready for him.
Please see my review of I Like You Just the Way I am for full disclosure of my pre-existing love for Jenny Mollen, that only slightly taints my reviews of her books.
It took me forever to finally read this book, which is no fault of hers, I'm just a slacker. It was as delightful as I thought it would be. Following her on social media, I'd gotten to see the tip of the iceberg on some of these stories, from Teets' deteriorating health to her trip to meet the women who made her rug. And of course, the trials and tribulations of raising Sid.
This book is everything ILYJTWIA was, and more. She's just as funny, and raucous, but also even more introspective. She spent so much of her last book breaking down her personal history, her reasons for therapy, her neurosis. We'd already had the foundation, so in this book, it's almost like she was allowed to take her thoughts deeper.
So, sure, we get stories about trying to make her night nurse love her better than she did her previous employer, and her sister-in-law's failed relationship with a one legged man who believed she has an amputee fetish. We get stories of the hunt for the mystery cigarette smoke, and the ghost dog haunting her California home.
But we also get stories about her reconciling her love for her son with her own dysfunctional relationship with her mother. We get the realization that she's doing these Big World Adventures and taking these huge risks all in the hopes of having stories for her son that will make him love her, make him appreciate the badass mom he has. And her realizing she doesn't have to go big, he loves her because that's what children do.
And we got the Teets chapter. I didn't know if the death of Mr. Teets came after the book had gone to print, or if she'd had the emotional fortitude to talk about his death so soon to publishing date. The chapter is sad. It just is. She infuses her amazing brand of humor into it, but it's so painful to read, knowing she lost him such a short time after.
As I said, this is everything her first book was, and more.
As with her first book, I was obsessed with finding out who each of the pseudonyms were. I'm pretty sure I figured it all out. Okay, there may have been one or two that I mixed up, but I'm 90% positive I got them all right.
If you want to know, I highly recommend scrolling waaaaaaay back in her instagram. Hints abound.
I would also like to request to be added to Jenny's "I'm bored and sitting in the car" phone sheet. Seriously, I have loads of wasted time. Call me.
Please see my review of I Like You Just the Way I am for full disclosure of my pre-existing love for Jenny Mollen, that only slightly taints my reviews of her books.
It took me forever to finally read this book, which is no fault of hers, I'm just a slacker. It was as delightful as I thought it would be. Following her on social media, I'd gotten to see the tip of the iceberg on some of these stories, from Teets' deteriorating health to her trip to meet the women who made her rug. And of course, the trials and tribulations of raising Sid.
This book is everything ILYJTWIA was, and more. She's just as funny, and raucous, but also even more introspective. She spent so much of her last book breaking down her personal history, her reasons for therapy, her neurosis. We'd already had the foundation, so in this book, it's almost like she was allowed to take her thoughts deeper.
So, sure, we get stories about trying to make her night nurse love her better than she did her previous employer, and her sister-in-law's failed relationship with a one legged man who believed she has an amputee fetish. We get stories of the hunt for the mystery cigarette smoke, and the ghost dog haunting her California home.
But we also get stories about her reconciling her love for her son with her own dysfunctional relationship with her mother. We get the realization that she's doing these Big World Adventures and taking these huge risks all in the hopes of having stories for her son that will make him love her, make him appreciate the badass mom he has. And her realizing she doesn't have to go big, he loves her because that's what children do.
And we got the Teets chapter. I didn't know if the death of Mr. Teets came after the book had gone to print, or if she'd had the emotional fortitude to talk about his death so soon to publishing date. The chapter is sad. It just is. She infuses her amazing brand of humor into it, but it's so painful to read, knowing she lost him such a short time after.
As I said, this is everything her first book was, and more.
As with her first book, I was obsessed with finding out who each of the pseudonyms were. I'm pretty sure I figured it all out. Okay, there may have been one or two that I mixed up, but I'm 90% positive I got them all right.
If you want to know, I highly recommend scrolling waaaaaaay back in her instagram. Hints abound.
I would also like to request to be added to Jenny's "I'm bored and sitting in the car" phone sheet. Seriously, I have loads of wasted time. Call me.
arflegel's review
4.0
Such a fun(ny) read! I honestly didn't have high expectations for this book; I thought I'd just use it as an easy "buffer" book after a few heavy ones.. but I laughed out loud to almost every chapter. Her style of writing is exactly how she goes about her day on her IG stories.
wildgurl's review
4.0
I loved this.....I enjoy her humor, her life stories. I laughed out loud many times, and am going to read her other memoirs. Very good and recommended if you like a humorous take on life and family.
canadiantiquarian's review
2.0
Jenny Mollen’s ability to spin a good anecdote and honestly reveal her own bad behaviour doesn’t mean much in a memoir designed to celebrate it. This is the story of a privileged, affluent woman desperate for love and acceptance as she treats people carelessly while following her pricey whims and demanding the utmost respect.
Mileage will vary.
Mileage will vary.
thehodgenator's review
4.0
😂😂😂
There were so many times where I was laughing while reading this. Mollen's interactions with her husband, especially when she is at her most irrational, were my favorite parts.
There were so many times where I was laughing while reading this. Mollen's interactions with her husband, especially when she is at her most irrational, were my favorite parts.