This was my first encounter with Laurie Notaro and I’ve concluded that we should be best friends.
Aside from Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty (which has made me laugh more than any other book ever), this is THE funniest book I have ever read so far in my life. Just know I don’t throw bold statements out there like that very often. I have to really mean it. I am not the type of person who laughs out loud too often while reading a book. However, this book had me laughing out loud several times and managed to get me nasty looks at the library. I decided it would be best to read this in the comfort of my own room after that.
Why did Laurie Notaro resonate so well with me?
I think this is basically due to the fact that I felt like everything she was saying was all the things that I think on a daily basis. Her commentary surrounding people and situations were eerily similar to what goes on in my own head when things happen in my life. The difference is between our thoughts is that she is alot more hilarious than I am and can write a heck of alot better than I can!
She takes simple things that happen in daily life–things that irk you or make you upset–and turns them into this hilarious story that has you nodding your head and thinking “Oh my gosh, something so similar happened to me” or “I do that do!” etc. She literally creates these images from a simple interaction with a person or a situation and brings to life this comic event that you can’t help but laugh about.
In general, I just love when someone can make something ordinary/boring/uneventful and turn it into something hilarious, meaningful, or beautiful. Laurie has it down to a science. She can make any seemingly common encounter into one that has you snorting and giggling. Even the things I couldn’t necessarily relate to per se were still incredibly funny. That’s the beauty of Laurie Notaro. She can take things that we has woman go through (dieting, money, relationships, etc.) and delicately let us see the humor in ourselves as we face similar situations, emotions, or events.
I have to share my favorite line of the book: (maybe because my best friend thinks it describes me perfectly.):
In this particular part, she is talking about how she is not a people person and how she is labeled as “mean” sometimes.
Now, I really need to point out that I am not indiscriminately mean; I am not mean to people whenever the mean mood strikes me. I feel that I must be provoked first, although my husband disagrees. In all honesty, I really wouldn’t even identify myself as a mean person; rather, I would classify myself as a Pointer-Outer of Extraordinary Acts of Incredible Foolishness and, on Occasion, Rudeness. Some people, including my husband, would call these experiences meltdowns, but I would rather consider them Opportunities to Enlighten.
I will read every book written by Laurie. I will!
Final Thought: Laurie Notaro will be my go-to girl for a humorous read that always seems to have me going “OMG! I’ve thought that/been through that/feel that” the whole time. She is able to see the humor in the mundane and in the times we take ourselves to seriously and retell it with her wit, snark & keen insights. I highly recommend this for people who are looking for a short, quick funny read that brings a lot of truth packaged in a highly snort-inducing package! You don’t need to read straight through as they are just short stories from her life.
My Review On A Post- It:
You May Also Like: Jen Lancaster
Anyone else know of any good humor books/authors similar to this??
Miss Anderson says
Yes! I love Laurie Notaro! I read The Idiot Girl’s Action Adventure Club and loved it (though I recently read It Looked Different on the Model and wasn’t as pleased. I gave it a C in my review, which made me sad!) I’ll have to give this one a try because I need some LOL’s in my life.
For similar books, I would suggest David Sedaris, if you haven’t already read any of his books. Mindy Kaling’s Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me (or any lady comedian memoir) would also be a good read-alike.
Jamie says
Ooh I’ll def try Mindy Kaling! I read David Sedaris and I liked it but didn’t LOVE it like most seemed to. There were a few stories that I thought were hilarious but the rest were just ok. I might give him another go via audiobook!
Linda says
Yeah I think Laurie Notaro and I were separated at birth. I Was Told There Would Be Cake by Slone Crosley was similar too. I agree with Miss Anderson’s suggestion of Sedaris too. Love him.
Jamie says
OH! I own I Was Told There Would Be Cake!! I will have to read this one soon!
Hanna @ Booking In Heels says
Huh. I’d never actually heard of Laurie Notoro before, but I’ve just requested one of her books from the library. Thanks for the review – I’d never have discovered her otherwise 🙂
Jamie says
YAY! Let me know what you think!!
Julie says
I love Laurie! She did a great interview with me a few years ago – here’s the link: http://julieschicklit.blogspot.com/2007/07/interview-with-author-laurie-notaro.html
Jamie says
Oh fun!! That’s so cool you got to interview her!
Kyle @ A Reader's Pensieve says
Awesome!! Looooove funny books like this! You should read Bossypants by Tina Fey if you haven’t yet 🙂
Jamie says
I’ve been meaning to read that actually! I’ve seen so many good things said about it! Do you know if it is any good on audiobook?
Miss Anderson says
It’s supposed to be really good on audio, because Tina Fey reads it herself!
Lesley says
I’m intrigued! Adding to my goodreads!
Jamie says
Yay! Let me know what you think when you read it!
VeganYANerds says
Jamie, this sounds fantastic! You had me when you said it made you laugh a lot, that’s always such a bonus!
And I see you’re reading The Sky is Everywhere, oh my goodness, I cried SO much!
Mandee xox
Sarah Wedgbrow says
I LOVE humor, and any opportunity to get my hands on a good book that makes me laugh, I’ll take it! Great review. Checking it out!
Heidi says
“In general, I just love when someone can make something ordinary/boring/uneventful and turn it into something hilarious, meaningful, or beautiful.” <–This! Yes! Love it! I think the most ordinary things are often the funniest when told right, because they're things that everyone can understand and relate to. The fact that this book made you laugh more than Sloppy Firsts has me plenty interested! I'll check it out next time I need a good laugh. =)
Estelle says
This is a new author to me. It’s really hard to get me to LOL when reading a book so I am definitely psyched to give this a try. Great review Jamie! And I am loving this layout!
Alexa @ Alexa Loves Books says
I laugh out loud pretty easily – and the humor you’ve described is something that would cause me to have a spontaneous fit of the giggles while reading this book. I’ve actually read a book by Jen Lancaster, so to cite her as comparable definitely means that I will have to try reading this book!