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The Real Thing: Lessons on Love and Life from a Wedding Reporter's Notebook by Ellen McCarthy
carufela's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Probably most enjoyable if you’re single, but it’s overall an easy read with refreshing perspectives on love.
erincataldi's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't particularly have high expectations for this book because I'm not a big self help/advice book type of girl, but I will admit I was completely wrong. This book, despite its small size, packed a punch and was impossible to put down. Author, Ellen McCarthy, is a wedding journalist for the Post and spends her life attending hundreds of weddings, talking to marriage experts, and chronicling some of the best (and most depressing) real life romance stories. She put all that knowledge into this compact, easily readable little book that contains lessons and advice from her experience, real couples, and experts. There are five sections: dating, commitment, breakups, weddings, and making it last. Each section contains short chapters with little morals, lesson, advice, and tidbits that she has gleaned. It's fantastic. It's most ideal for the single girl, BUT there is also great advice for people in relationships or people who are already married. Everyone will walk away with something. I loved it and will definitely return to it again. A refreshing, inspiring read.
I received this book for free from Library Thing in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.
I received this book for free from Library Thing in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.
mhoechsmann's review against another edition
5.0
Good advice, interesting stories. Easier read than the normal relationship books from psychologist-counselor types.
annemariewellswriter's review against another edition
4.0
Esther Perel’s book made me firmly believe I’d never get married. This book made me believe that maybe he possibility is still there. It was mostly cute and charming and inclusive of queer relationships. But i took a star away for a blatant fatphobic comment.
emgusk's review against another edition
4.0
Only reading books by Washington Post staffers this week, apparently.
A nice, fun read about couples. Nothing too earth shattering here. She writes well, the stories are cute, and she's a bit sassier than other love columnists.
I especially liked her rules for weddings, which should be reprinted everywhere. Here are a few:
"Please don't feel like you have to keep everyone updated on your progress or stress levels via daily updates on Facebook. They'll be able to live with the suspense."
"Over the course of your engagement, your friends will occasionally want to talk about something other than the wedding."
"As requested, many guests will save the date of your wedding. They may not, however, save the dates of multiple engagement parties; your bachelor or bachelorette weekend; the first, second, and third shower; the rehearsal dinner or morning-after brunch...Keep. It. Short."
"If possible, try not to book your ceremony and reception a stressful sixty-mile drive away from each other. Also, please try to avoid scheduling a five-hour gap between them. If this cannot be accomplished, be prepared for your guests to show up half drunk. They had to kill the time somehow."
"It's wonderful that you are a gluten-free, dairy-free, raw-food-eating, vegan locavore. But your guests may not be. Don't be offended if they duck out in search of a nearby McDonald's."
A nice, fun read about couples. Nothing too earth shattering here. She writes well, the stories are cute, and she's a bit sassier than other love columnists.
I especially liked her rules for weddings, which should be reprinted everywhere. Here are a few:
"Please don't feel like you have to keep everyone updated on your progress or stress levels via daily updates on Facebook. They'll be able to live with the suspense."
"Over the course of your engagement, your friends will occasionally want to talk about something other than the wedding."
"As requested, many guests will save the date of your wedding. They may not, however, save the dates of multiple engagement parties; your bachelor or bachelorette weekend; the first, second, and third shower; the rehearsal dinner or morning-after brunch...Keep. It. Short."
"If possible, try not to book your ceremony and reception a stressful sixty-mile drive away from each other. Also, please try to avoid scheduling a five-hour gap between them. If this cannot be accomplished, be prepared for your guests to show up half drunk. They had to kill the time somehow."
"It's wonderful that you are a gluten-free, dairy-free, raw-food-eating, vegan locavore. But your guests may not be. Don't be offended if they duck out in search of a nearby McDonald's."
taylakaye's review against another edition
4.0
It's easy to look at this and dismiss it as a self-help or gift book you might give to someone, but never pick up for yourself. Wrong impulse. As a long-time reader of the Post's 'On Love' column, I knew it wouldn't be just 'fluff.' Instead, it's full of great advice, much of it hard won, and the stories of the interesting and average people it was learned from.
Best of all, McCarthy's writing voice rings so clear - funny, but respectful of those who've opened their lives to hear - you'll feel like you just spent time having a great chat with an old friend when you're done.
And - whether you're in a relationship or looking for love - you'll walk away with some great perspective on keeping it real.
Best of all, McCarthy's writing voice rings so clear - funny, but respectful of those who've opened their lives to hear - you'll feel like you just spent time having a great chat with an old friend when you're done.
And - whether you're in a relationship or looking for love - you'll walk away with some great perspective on keeping it real.
leneigh's review against another edition
4.0
Rounded up from 3.5 stars. Nothing life changing here but it was a sweet, cozy little book about love and marriage and I enjoyed it.
valerie_roller's review against another edition
3.0
I brought this home from the library and read it in one sitting. It's short and easy to read. This author primarily writes newspaper articles so her chapters are short and to the point.