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numinaluna 's review for:
The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted: Stories
by Elizabeth Berg
I started listening to this as a book on CD, then abandonned it for a long while, and came back to it in print. I think the best way to evaluate it is to review the stories individually.
"The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted"
This was disappointing. If it had been *my* day, I think I would have been a lot more creative. Also, the way she ate the donuts was a little gross, and if one were to *really* eat whatever one wanted, one would eat the dozen, entirely.
"Returns and Exchanges"
This reminds me a little of my mother, the way she dresses and the way she shops. There's a little of me in there, the way her husband says, "Really? You believe that?" There is a tension in that sort of self-recognition, and I'm not sure I liked it here.
"The Party"
Loved this.
"Over the Hill and Into the Woods"
I really love Earl. Helen makes me feel... old? I'm like this (a little neurotic, easily hurt by the people I love most), but I'm not 75. My mother and grandmother are like this, too. It's uncomfortable again, but in a way, comforting and connecting. And sad. Thoughtful. So much at once.
"Full Count"
I think I would have appreciated this one more if I'd read it instead of listening to it. It hurt to hear this one while trying to use the treadmill, yet it reminded me more of my sister than anything "close" to my own. (That may only make sense in my head.)
"Rain"
It is nearly impossible to be on a treadmill, or to do housework, or drive, or cook, or do anything else while weeping like a small child for almost the entirety of this story. Also, it reminded me of my Alex/Ricky, in a way, and I did not want to let this "Michael" go.
"Mrs. Ethel Menafee and Mrs. Birdie Stoltz"
After "Rain," I was too dazed to absorb this one. I remember something about Barbies... not sure.
"Double Diet"
I took a long break here. In fact, I returned the CDs and took out the "tree-book" (look! new vocabulary!), then read three other books before coming back for this story. I liked it up until the brownies. Yay for baking, even okay that she ate them ALL, but boo for the reaction. As much as I hate diets and dieting, I thought their relationship was growing, improving, and that the diet was helping that. Not that she could only be loved if she's thin, but that they were a team and learning to really support one another in a sweet and subtle way... and then it got all preachy. I'm glad they are stronger, diet or no, but just eat the dern cake.
"The Only One of Millions Just Like Him"
Sweet. I really liked this one, though Monica annoyed me quite a bit.
"Truth or Dare"
LOVE this. Perfect.
"How to Make an Apple Pie"
Okay, so, one tear. And this one actually made me hungry. "Truth or Dare" is my favorite so far, but this one ranks pretty high on the list also.
"Sin City"
Okay, that's beautiful. I loved it, especially up to the charm bracelet. I got a little wary when "Red" introduced himself (I was rooting for the antiques shop owner), but it turned out to be a really sweet story. Ms. Berg saved the best few for last, I guess. I'm glad I stuck with this to the end.
In order of favor:
Truth or Dare
Sin City
The Party
How to Make an Apple Pie
Rain
(etc.)
"The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted"
This was disappointing. If it had been *my* day, I think I would have been a lot more creative. Also, the way she ate the donuts was a little gross, and if one were to *really* eat whatever one wanted, one would eat the dozen, entirely.
"Returns and Exchanges"
This reminds me a little of my mother, the way she dresses and the way she shops. There's a little of me in there, the way her husband says, "Really? You believe that?" There is a tension in that sort of self-recognition, and I'm not sure I liked it here.
"The Party"
Loved this.
"Over the Hill and Into the Woods"
I really love Earl. Helen makes me feel... old? I'm like this (a little neurotic, easily hurt by the people I love most), but I'm not 75. My mother and grandmother are like this, too. It's uncomfortable again, but in a way, comforting and connecting. And sad. Thoughtful. So much at once.
"Full Count"
I think I would have appreciated this one more if I'd read it instead of listening to it. It hurt to hear this one while trying to use the treadmill, yet it reminded me more of my sister than anything "close" to my own. (That may only make sense in my head.)
"Rain"
It is nearly impossible to be on a treadmill, or to do housework, or drive, or cook, or do anything else while weeping like a small child for almost the entirety of this story. Also, it reminded me of my Alex/Ricky, in a way, and I did not want to let this "Michael" go.
"Mrs. Ethel Menafee and Mrs. Birdie Stoltz"
After "Rain," I was too dazed to absorb this one. I remember something about Barbies... not sure.
"Double Diet"
I took a long break here. In fact, I returned the CDs and took out the "tree-book" (look! new vocabulary!), then read three other books before coming back for this story. I liked it up until the brownies. Yay for baking, even okay that she ate them ALL, but boo for the reaction. As much as I hate diets and dieting, I thought their relationship was growing, improving, and that the diet was helping that. Not that she could only be loved if she's thin, but that they were a team and learning to really support one another in a sweet and subtle way... and then it got all preachy. I'm glad they are stronger, diet or no, but just eat the dern cake.
"The Only One of Millions Just Like Him"
Sweet. I really liked this one, though Monica annoyed me quite a bit.
"Truth or Dare"
LOVE this. Perfect.
"How to Make an Apple Pie"
Okay, so, one tear. And this one actually made me hungry. "Truth or Dare" is my favorite so far, but this one ranks pretty high on the list also.
"Sin City"
Okay, that's beautiful. I loved it, especially up to the charm bracelet. I got a little wary when "Red" introduced himself (I was rooting for the antiques shop owner), but it turned out to be a really sweet story. Ms. Berg saved the best few for last, I guess. I'm glad I stuck with this to the end.
In order of favor:
Truth or Dare
Sin City
The Party
How to Make an Apple Pie
Rain
(etc.)