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shanshanshannon's review against another edition
3.0
I've read Crosley's I Was Told There'd Be Cake and I liked this installment just as much. She has a witty, quick pace that keeps me reading. It's not what she says as much as how she says it. Her phrasing is unique and left me thinking about how she sees the world.
This collection of short stories seems to run along a travel theme, except for the last one which is about love.
I'd recommend it to young women.
This collection of short stories seems to run along a travel theme, except for the last one which is about love.
I'd recommend it to young women.
morethanthepages's review against another edition
2.0
I had high hopes for this book, but honestly....I wish I didn't have to finish this book but I'm a firm believer that if I buy something I need to finish it because I spent my hard-earned money on it.
Sloane's book "I Was Told There'd Be Cake" was funny and slow I mean it was a combo but this one is horrible. I've never read something so out of touch with how the rest of the world works outside of “precious” New York City. This book is filled with moments of pampered woman who makes herself out to seem as if her struggles are relatable and interesting. I’m not saying I could ever write short stories about my life experiences…because no one would want to hear them like this one.
The only thought provoking moment of the book was when she posed the question "How come you never see a baby pigeon?"
The first book of hers I physically read and this one I'm listening to on audio so that could be part of the problem. Most books of this genre when I listen to them on audio I like when the author reads their own story, but this is not the case. I also think she's too close to the project and hangs onto certain words as if there should be audience applause or laughter in the background because she thinks she's just that witty, smart or funny.
It's not the worst thing I've ever read, and some of it was funny....but it just wasn't for me. I'm still going to read books she publishes...but with more caution and probably not buy them.
Sloane's book "I Was Told There'd Be Cake" was funny and slow I mean it was a combo but this one is horrible. I've never read something so out of touch with how the rest of the world works outside of “precious” New York City. This book is filled with moments of pampered woman who makes herself out to seem as if her struggles are relatable and interesting. I’m not saying I could ever write short stories about my life experiences…because no one would want to hear them like this one.
The only thought provoking moment of the book was when she posed the question "How come you never see a baby pigeon?"
The first book of hers I physically read and this one I'm listening to on audio so that could be part of the problem. Most books of this genre when I listen to them on audio I like when the author reads their own story, but this is not the case. I also think she's too close to the project and hangs onto certain words as if there should be audience applause or laughter in the background because she thinks she's just that witty, smart or funny.
It's not the worst thing I've ever read, and some of it was funny....but it just wasn't for me. I'm still going to read books she publishes...but with more caution and probably not buy them.
alison_marie's review against another edition
Sloane Crosley is endlessly entertaining. Her essays are poignant, relatable, and funny without trying too hard. Reading this book is like talking to a witty, verbose friend.
mellabella's review against another edition
1.0
I don't know what I expected going in to this book. I didn't find it funny. I may have chuckled once. I felt like I was forcing myself to read it. Not fun. I found the way she talked about Asian people offensive. She seems unlikable. Plus, the chapters seemed to go on forever. It's safe to say that I won't read anything by her again.
tensy's review against another edition
3.0
Amusing, though not exactly laugh-out-loud, stories based on the author's experiences while living and working in NYC and traveling to various destinations abroad. There is some writing talent here, but the flow often gets lost in passages that are trying too hard to be piquant.
thetamari's review against another edition
3.0
Most of these essays got me to actually laugh out loud, the stand out being 'If You Sprinkle.' I got a little tired of Crosley's New York-centric view of everything, but whenever that would start to happen, she'd suddenly work in some sick burn like, "the worst Alaskan PR tragedy since Jewel started publishing poetry." I can respect that.
baileyjane1's review against another edition
1.0
I think I've finally made the decision at age 37 that I do not enjoy books in which every chapter is a different short story. I've given them a fair shot and they just aren't my thing. It's not them, it's me. That is not why I have given this book a lonely one star. I listened to this in audiobook format, and immediately I disliked the general tone of the narrator/author. Maybe she is supposed to be naturally cynical and a bit negative, but to me it was just annoying. I will say as the book went on, the tone improved somehow. But it sure didn't start off in a way that had me really wanting to listen to more. But I did, because I can't quit a book.
dozylocal's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. A great writer: I think I'm just not that fond of short stories.