Status
Available
Genres
Publication
Berkley (2011), Edition: Reprint, 400 pages
Description
Biography & Autobiography. Essays. Nonfiction. Humor (Nonfiction.) HTML: It's a JENaissance! The New York Times bestselling author of Pretty in Plaid gets her culture on. Readers have followed Jen Lancaster through job loss, sucky city living, weight loss attempts, and 1980s nostalgia. Now Jen chronicles her efforts to achieve cultural enlightenment, with some hilarious missteps and genuine moments of inspiration along the way. And she does so by any means necessary: reading canonical literature, viewing classic films, attending the opera, researching artisan cheeses, and even enrolling in etiquette classes to improve her social graces. In Jen's corner is a crack team of experts, including Page Six socialites, gourmet chefs, an opera aficionado, and a master sommelier. She may discover that well-regarded, high-priced stinky cheese tastes exactly as bad as it smells, and that her love for Kraft American Singles is forever. But one thing's for certain: Eliza Doolittle's got nothing on Jen Lancaster-and failure is an option..… (more)
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User reviews
LibraryThing member Kasthu
I’ve been reading Jen Lancaster’s books for a while now—since after her second book, Bright Lights, Big Ass was published, actually—and she never fails to entertain her readers. I’ve been following her through her now-famous experience at losing her job and taking up temp work; bad
My Fair Lazy is a collection of essays about Lancaster’s addiction to reality TV and how she made a conscientious effort to change her habits by becoming more cultured-visiting the theatre, for example; or eating cuisine beyond her old standard of hamburgers, French fries, and orange soda; or reading (or rereading) the classics—there’s a hilarious bit in there that’s classic Jen, where she goes into a bookstore to try to find “a novel written by a woman whose initials are EW,” picking up a book by Edith Wharton, and realizing that she meant Evelyn Waugh instead! Then there are some very funny comparisons between Edith Wharton’s characters and the characters on Gossip Girl (not a reality show, but yes, there are a number of similarities between them now that I think about it). Each chapter has a title that's a twist on a certain reality show's title o catchphrase ("Outwit, Outlast, Outclassed," for example, or "The Biggest Winner"). And Lancaster's prose is littered with zingy references to various shows, although tat, of course, isn't the focus of the book.
There’s a fair amount of plugging here for her previous books, as well as many details about her writing the books and going on book tours; and there are a couple of factual errors (cycle thirteen of America's Next Top Model was the one with the petite girls, not cycle eleven). Also, the book dates easily, as Jen mentions seasons of various TV shows from a few years ago (e.g., Survivor: China). But other than that, I thought that this was a really strong, humorous book. I read very few memoirs, especially since many of them seem like navel-gazing most of the time; but Jen Lancaster’s books are the exception. She always manages to learn her lesson at hand with a certain about of humility—although, as she says herself, she’s perhaps not so skilled at filtering what she says. All the better for her readers, however, as Lancaster’s books never fail to be entertaining and insightful.
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neighbors; and her efforts at weight loss, and she’s truly not afraid to put herself out there. Her last book before this one wasn’t her best however, so I was pleased to discover that with My Fair Lazy, Jen Lancaster has returned to true form.My Fair Lazy is a collection of essays about Lancaster’s addiction to reality TV and how she made a conscientious effort to change her habits by becoming more cultured-visiting the theatre, for example; or eating cuisine beyond her old standard of hamburgers, French fries, and orange soda; or reading (or rereading) the classics—there’s a hilarious bit in there that’s classic Jen, where she goes into a bookstore to try to find “a novel written by a woman whose initials are EW,” picking up a book by Edith Wharton, and realizing that she meant Evelyn Waugh instead! Then there are some very funny comparisons between Edith Wharton’s characters and the characters on Gossip Girl (not a reality show, but yes, there are a number of similarities between them now that I think about it). Each chapter has a title that's a twist on a certain reality show's title o catchphrase ("Outwit, Outlast, Outclassed," for example, or "The Biggest Winner"). And Lancaster's prose is littered with zingy references to various shows, although tat, of course, isn't the focus of the book.
There’s a fair amount of plugging here for her previous books, as well as many details about her writing the books and going on book tours; and there are a couple of factual errors (cycle thirteen of America's Next Top Model was the one with the petite girls, not cycle eleven). Also, the book dates easily, as Jen mentions seasons of various TV shows from a few years ago (e.g., Survivor: China). But other than that, I thought that this was a really strong, humorous book. I read very few memoirs, especially since many of them seem like navel-gazing most of the time; but Jen Lancaster’s books are the exception. She always manages to learn her lesson at hand with a certain about of humility—although, as she says herself, she’s perhaps not so skilled at filtering what she says. All the better for her readers, however, as Lancaster’s books never fail to be entertaining and insightful.
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LibraryThing member tipsister
Loved it! I'll let you know that up front. I am a huge fan of Jen's and I will pretty much read anything she writes, including her blog (jennsylvania), her twitter posts (atgeldshrugged), and her books (of course). She makes me laugh and that's a very good thing.
I might be able to relate a tiny (a
I hope you've read some of her other memoirs. If you haven't, you should. She doesn't disappoint in this latest edition and I found myself growing along with her. But I'm not giving up my reality television.
I might be able to relate a tiny (a
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lot) bit with her reality show obsession. In this book, Jen decides that reality shows are making her dumb. She sets out to experience new things, like theater, foods from around the world, and great literature. She finds that she loves some things, hates others, but that her life is richer for the experience. I hope you've read some of her other memoirs. If you haven't, you should. She doesn't disappoint in this latest edition and I found myself growing along with her. But I'm not giving up my reality television.
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LibraryThing member bookmagic
This is another spectacularly funny memoir from the author of Bitter is the New Black and Bright Lights, Big Ass. Jen has decided that it is a little embarrassing that when she gets nervous, she gets loud and can only talk about the latest reality television show. And she watches a lot of them!
my review: This book was hilarious, I think I loved it more than Bitter is the New Black. Despite being a best-selling author (and a republican) she seems so down to earth and funny. And relateable. And I don't even watch reality tv (except Project Runway and Top Chef, but those are good shows). I loved her fascination with opera, her foray into world cuisine, wine and cheese pairings, classic literature (Eudora Welty drove her back to MTV's Real World but she decided Gossip Girl could never have existed without Edith Wharton), museums and plays.
Jen is helped along by many of her more cultured and very patient friends. She drags her husband Fletch along for the ride. This was a fun, quick, entertaing read, that I very much enjoyed and highly recommend!!
My rating 4.5/5
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Obsessively. So she decides that she needs to be able to have an intelligent conversation and not be dumbed down by her tv addictions. So she decides she needs a Jenaissance, so the next time she meets Candace Bushnell (her hero) she won't be a moron who doesn't know who Baudelaire is.my review: This book was hilarious, I think I loved it more than Bitter is the New Black. Despite being a best-selling author (and a republican) she seems so down to earth and funny. And relateable. And I don't even watch reality tv (except Project Runway and Top Chef, but those are good shows). I loved her fascination with opera, her foray into world cuisine, wine and cheese pairings, classic literature (Eudora Welty drove her back to MTV's Real World but she decided Gossip Girl could never have existed without Edith Wharton), museums and plays.
Jen is helped along by many of her more cultured and very patient friends. She drags her husband Fletch along for the ride. This was a fun, quick, entertaing read, that I very much enjoyed and highly recommend!!
My rating 4.5/5
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LibraryThing member jhughes84
Jen Lancaster does it again, creating a piece of work that leaves us laughing so hard we almost pee our pants *and some of you actually did, but that will just be between us ;-)* We take a journey with Jen in her effort to get "cultured" reading her take on various plays some even including
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n-a-k-e-d people, her attempts of eating the world, and the hunt for a house. Some of my favorite chapters include RATINMYHOUSE! and of course the Thundercats. With her snarky wit, her footnotes, and her partners in crime, Jen Lancaster is a must read for everyone who loves to laugh. Show Less
LibraryThing member saramllr
Jen is entertaining, as usual. I relate to her so well that sometimes I think we might be long-lost twins. I just don't watch as much reality television.
Loved the pet stories (my favorite parts of her blog) about Maisy and Loki, and of course THE THUNDERCATS.
Looking forward to the next adventure.
Loved the pet stories (my favorite parts of her blog) about Maisy and Loki, and of course THE THUNDERCATS.
Looking forward to the next adventure.
LibraryThing member Oreillynsf
The Jen striving to improve herself is just as funny as the bitter unemployed exyuppie we met in her first book. Her wit can be savage, but her personal growth over the past few years shines through in a new appreciation for people who would have set her off in the past.
Her obsession with reality
Let it be known that I have love for Miss New Yor- err, Lancaster. Even if she does watch What The Fox News.
BTW, the footnote was INVENTED for Jen's personal use.
Her obsession with reality
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TV and her relentless determination to get cultya are sides of her fine self that make a collision course in this latest memoir. Oh my God the kitten stories! And one thing that comes through on practically every page is her deep appreciation of her friends.Let it be known that I have love for Miss New Yor- err, Lancaster. Even if she does watch What The Fox News.
BTW, the footnote was INVENTED for Jen's personal use.
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LibraryThing member skinglist
As good as Lancaster's first and third, and I enjoyed the return to current memoirs after the journey to her past in "Pretty in Plaid". In some ways, I feel similar to Lancaster - thinking I should take more advantage of cultural offerings of my job/NYC, but I don't always. Happy to admit I'm
Still
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nowhere near the reality TV addict that she is. I have my indulgences - but not on that scale. I also don't think I'm as sarcastic. Close, but not as. I need to see My Fair Lady to get some of the references she made - but I was able to follow well enough.Still
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LibraryThing member Leeny182
Oh Jen Lancaster you keep me laughing hysterically and I love you more and more with each subsequent book! Glad to know you're a fellow Gossip Girl addict!
LibraryThing member chicamimi
The length it took me to finish this book is in no way due to the actual book and more to my own ongoing life and craziness. This is the second book by Jen Lancaster that I've read and I have to say that she's one I will continue to read. I really enjoy the way Jen Lancaster writes. She comes
This book focuses mainly on her decision to become more culturally aware by opening herself up to new experiences with theater, literature, food, etc. I found it quite interesting as someone who, while I've always loved theater, has her own issues with coming out of her own comfort zones. And it's nice to see that others struggle with the same things, just in different ways.
If you like memoirs or books about life lessons and opening up to the world, this a book for you.
Overall: highly enjoyable.
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across as someone I would want to be friends with (even though we don't share political ideologies, but she barely ever brings that up). Her writing style is unique and all her own, like she's having a chat with you about whatever she has learned or has happened to her. And it's always amusing, with an overall story from beginning to end. She's one of those writers who makes the banal bits of life enjoyable to read about, not boring in the yeah-we've-all-been-there sort of way. This book focuses mainly on her decision to become more culturally aware by opening herself up to new experiences with theater, literature, food, etc. I found it quite interesting as someone who, while I've always loved theater, has her own issues with coming out of her own comfort zones. And it's nice to see that others struggle with the same things, just in different ways.
If you like memoirs or books about life lessons and opening up to the world, this a book for you.
Overall: highly enjoyable.
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LibraryThing member bribre01
This book was hilarious, nearly every page had me laughing out loud! It had a great flow and kept me reading. Lancaster is very relatable, and this topic is one that anyone who has a love of TV or current pop culture will understand.
This was the first book I've read by Lancaster, and I'm excited
This was the first book I've read by Lancaster, and I'm excited
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to read more of her memoirs. Show Less
LibraryThing member ReadThisNotThat
Imagine if Chelsea Handler toned it down a bit, and was a bit funnier and you'd have Jen Lancaster. Lancaster's cultural explorations and intellectual journeys were fun to follow along with and My Fair Lazy made me feel a whole lot better about the amount of reality TV I watch.
Lancaster also comes
I thoroughly enjoyed My Fair Lazy and am looking forward to reading some of Lancaster's other memoirs.
Lancaster also comes
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across as the girl next door. I sure don't know much about theater or how to behave properly at a celebrity studded gathering but I found myself rooting for her and wanting her to succeed and wanting her to do well and make a name for herself all while not making a fool of herself.I thoroughly enjoyed My Fair Lazy and am looking forward to reading some of Lancaster's other memoirs.
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LibraryThing member Harrod
Jen-as wonderfully entertaining as ever!! What will she do next??
LibraryThing member mcelhra
My Fair Lazy, Jen Lancaster’s fifth memoir, is about her attempt to curb her reality TV addiction and learn more about more intellectual cultural pursuits. Her JENaissance includes going to the opera, reading classic literature, trying new foods and learning more about wine.
Reading this book was
If you haven’t read any of Jen’s previous books, I would recommend starting with Bitter is the New Black and then reading Bright Lights, Big Ass so you can get to know Jen first. I feel like Jen is an old friend of mine and I enjoyed catching up with her through this latest book.
(Like Jen's other books, this book has a ton of footnotes so I wouldn't recommend reading it on an e-reader.)
Reading this book was
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like catching up with an old friend. I didn’t think this book was as sarcastic and bitingly funny as her first two books but it was still a fun read. Some of the dialogue between Jen and her friends was stilted and sounded more like Jen lecturing her friends on the new things she was learning. That said, it was really interesting learning right along with Jen. After I finished the book I was inspired to learn more about (and drink more!) wine. Which reminds me – do not read this book if you are hungry. Jen tries all kinds of yummy sounding ethic food and her descriptions of it had me craving it. I actually had to order Indian food one night after reading about Jen trying Indian food!If you haven’t read any of Jen’s previous books, I would recommend starting with Bitter is the New Black and then reading Bright Lights, Big Ass so you can get to know Jen first. I feel like Jen is an old friend of mine and I enjoyed catching up with her through this latest book.
(Like Jen's other books, this book has a ton of footnotes so I wouldn't recommend reading it on an e-reader.)
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LibraryThing member BookAngel_a
Jen Lancaster’s books make me laugh out loud the way no other books can. I was in a bit of a funk and didn’t even feel like reading for a short time. So I pulled this from the shelf, and it was the perfect comfort read to snap me back into my reading groove.
In this book, Jen realizes how out of
Just like always, this book has many hilarious moments. However, I got the sense that I was seeing a slightly softer, more mature Jen. Which is not a bad thing – just different from her other books. I would recommend reading her other books first, such as “Bitter is the New Black” so you can see her personal development, before reading this one. Highly recommended, and a must read for fans of Jen Lancaster.
In this book, Jen realizes how out of
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place she is in classy situations. She either makes a fool of herself while others make intelligent conversation, or she brings everyone else down to her level. She’d like to be able to hold her own in conversations about operas, plays, gourmet meals, and great literature, but reality television has made her brain lazy. So this book describes her journey to culture herself – her “Jenaissance”. Fortunately she has some very classy friends to encourage her and guide her on new experiences.Just like always, this book has many hilarious moments. However, I got the sense that I was seeing a slightly softer, more mature Jen. Which is not a bad thing – just different from her other books. I would recommend reading her other books first, such as “Bitter is the New Black” so you can see her personal development, before reading this one. Highly recommended, and a must read for fans of Jen Lancaster.
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LibraryThing member ReadingWithMartinis
When I read the synopsis for this book, there was no question that I would read it and love it. I’m yet to read a Lancaster memoir that I didn’t want to hug. But when Lancaster decides she is dumb because she knows everything about the Kardashian’s and not a clue what the G20 summit is,
Absolutely one of my favorite authors, I highly recommend Lancaster’s memoirs. Also, her first fiction book, If You Were Here, is being released in May of 2011.
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expect a whole new level of funny. Lancaster is laugh aloud funny. You will giggle with delight when you read her books.Absolutely one of my favorite authors, I highly recommend Lancaster’s memoirs. Also, her first fiction book, If You Were Here, is being released in May of 2011.
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LibraryThing member beckymmoe
As with all of Jen's books, it's an amusing collection of the author's own experiences. This time they center around her concern over the vast amount of reality television she has been watching since she turned her life around (after losing her dot.com job, as she chronicled in Bitter is the New
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Black) and the fact that she has become "dumbed down"-or perhaps just stayed dumber than she should be for a person at her stage in life. She is inspired, about halfway through the book, to improve herself culturally in order to be prepared for an Author's Night she has been invited to that will bring her into close contact with many of her author idols, idols she is afraid she will embarass herself in front of as she is wont to do. The book tells of her attempts--some successful, others not so much--to improve herself by reading classics, watching opera and theater, learning about wines and cheeses, and eating international cuisines. She draws a parallel throughout the book between her experience and Eliza Doolittle's--hence the title, a play on words of the title of Alan Jay Lerner's famous musical. It is interesting to see the changes in Ms. Lancaster not only within the confines of the book, but also from her first book through this, her fifth. Show Less
LibraryThing member JacobsBeloved
I laughed from cover to cover while reading this book - seriously, I laughed out loud so much while reading this book that both my husband and my best friend were giving me dirty looks! Now, once in awhile a book will make me laugh out loud once or twice, but this was a first for me. I was familiar
It has been a few days since I finished the book, and I feel like I am having Lancaster-withdrawals, so it looks like her other books will be going on my wishlist!
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when Jen Lancaster's titles from my bookselling days, but I had never bothered to actually read any of her books before since I don't really go for anything in the Bibliography genres. I only made an exception for this one because the author claimed to be a reality television addict, which I can sadly relate to. While I was not a fan of every single show that she referenced in the book, I was familiar with all of them and could appreciate her sense of both humor and sarcasm. At times, I was amazed that this person actually exists, since her behavior in polite society, especially under the effects of either alcohol or caffeine, could be termed as attrocious, but that was part of the focus of the book, so it works. The things she says and the way she behaves are ways that I am sure most of us have wanted to do at times, but had too much self-control to do so. Jen Lancaster seems to have little to no self-control, which she gains as the book progresses, but even her lack of self-control is strangely appealing and endearing.It has been a few days since I finished the book, and I feel like I am having Lancaster-withdrawals, so it looks like her other books will be going on my wishlist!
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LibraryThing member LibraryCin
3.5 stars
In this memoir, Jen is attempting to become more “cultured”. She feels that she spends too much time in front of the tv watching reality shows and she's become dumb. So, she tries to get out to plays, learn about wine/cheese, try new foods, and more.
I enjoyed it, but it didn't have me
In this memoir, Jen is attempting to become more “cultured”. She feels that she spends too much time in front of the tv watching reality shows and she's become dumb. So, she tries to get out to plays, learn about wine/cheese, try new foods, and more.
I enjoyed it, but it didn't have me
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laughing out loud as much as her other books. That could, at least in part, be because I don't watch much reality tv, so I'm sure I missed a lot of references there. It was, however, still enjoyable. Show Less
LibraryThing member melydia
I continue to be amazed by how entertained I can be reading memoirs by a woman with whom I have absolutely nothing in common. Here, Lancaster is attempting to expand her cultural horizons beyond reality television. This includes theater, opera, poetry, art, and ethnic cuisine. It made me want to
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try new restaurants and wish I had friends with those kinds of connections. In short, it was a lot of fun and definitely not the last Lancaster book I'll ever read. Show Less
LibraryThing member cygnet81
Not her best book but a nice idea.
LibraryThing member LeslieHurd
Okay, Jen Lancaster is not high brow, but God how I love her! Numerous times while reading this book I had to set it down to remove my glasses to wipe my eyes because I was crying from laughing SO hard. In this memoir our heroine, Jen herself, decides to "culture up" to prepare herself for a
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charity event with authors she idolizes. Up until now whenever she opens her mouth it's guaranteed humiliation when her celebrity worship devolves into discussions of reality TV, to which she's addicted. So she determines to be brave, get off the couch and get cultured. She attends plays, listens to opera and reads the classics. Along the way we get to spend time with her husband, her friends, her pets, and her neighbors. What a ride. Her conversations with her friends sound just like the ones I have. She'd fit right in. She's coming to my home down this summer and I will be going to meet my first author in person. I wonder if she'll be wearing one of her Lacoste shirts. Show Less
LibraryThing member cubsfan3410
Another funny, very entertaining read! You MUST pick this one up!
LibraryThing member Jenners26
THIS IS A REVIEW OF THE AUDIO VERSION OF THE BOOK.
Book Description
Since her debut memoir (and seriously, how many people can say that?) Bitter Is the New Black (which chronicled her journey from dot.com executive to unemployed Prada-wearing temp), Lancaster has mined almost all aspects of her life
My Thoughts
Well, when you’re on your fourth memoir before the age of 40, you’re going to start running out of material—and that seemed pretty apparent in this book. Although the premise seemed OK (less reality television, more ballet), the problem in this book was Lancaster herself. Rather than being an amusing smart ass, I thought Lancaster just came off as an ass this time around. Perhaps this grasping for topics to memoirize (Is that a word? If not it should be! And I just coined it!) was why her latest book was a novel instead of a memoir.
Although there are some funny sections, most of the book made Lancaster seem self-involved, shrill and shallow. It was the first book of hers that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy, and the first time I didn’t want to hang out with her. Here’s hoping her foray into fiction nets her some fresh ideas.
About the Narration
I was surprised that Jen Lancaster herself didn’t narrate the book. However, I’ve never heard her talk so perhaps her voice wasn’t suited for narration. (But if Sarah Vowell can do it, ANYONE can do it.) Jaime Heinlein had shades of “Valley Girl” in her voice somewhere that didn’t sit well with me. In fact, I found it a bit of a chore to listen to the book. Part of it was the content of the book itself, and part of it was Heinlein’s voice. Now that I’ve listened to several audiobooks, I’m learning that there are some narrators that you don’t mind spending time with and those that wear out their visit. For me, Heinlein wore her visit by hour two.
Recommended For
Die-hard Jen Lancaster fans and reality show junkies.
Book Description
Since her debut memoir (and seriously, how many people can say that?) Bitter Is the New Black (which chronicled her journey from dot.com executive to unemployed Prada-wearing temp), Lancaster has mined almost all aspects of her life
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in her humorous memoirs—ranging from weight loss (Such A Pretty Fat) to city living (Bright Lights, Big Ass). In this one, she’s determined to smarten herself up by getting cultured, which involves tasting wine, attending the theater, trying new cuisines, reading literature and participating in other “hoity toity” activities.My Thoughts
Well, when you’re on your fourth memoir before the age of 40, you’re going to start running out of material—and that seemed pretty apparent in this book. Although the premise seemed OK (less reality television, more ballet), the problem in this book was Lancaster herself. Rather than being an amusing smart ass, I thought Lancaster just came off as an ass this time around. Perhaps this grasping for topics to memoirize (Is that a word? If not it should be! And I just coined it!) was why her latest book was a novel instead of a memoir.
Although there are some funny sections, most of the book made Lancaster seem self-involved, shrill and shallow. It was the first book of hers that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy, and the first time I didn’t want to hang out with her. Here’s hoping her foray into fiction nets her some fresh ideas.
About the Narration
I was surprised that Jen Lancaster herself didn’t narrate the book. However, I’ve never heard her talk so perhaps her voice wasn’t suited for narration. (But if Sarah Vowell can do it, ANYONE can do it.) Jaime Heinlein had shades of “Valley Girl” in her voice somewhere that didn’t sit well with me. In fact, I found it a bit of a chore to listen to the book. Part of it was the content of the book itself, and part of it was Heinlein’s voice. Now that I’ve listened to several audiobooks, I’m learning that there are some narrators that you don’t mind spending time with and those that wear out their visit. For me, Heinlein wore her visit by hour two.
Recommended For
Die-hard Jen Lancaster fans and reality show junkies.
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LibraryThing member sunshine608
I think this might be my favorite Jen Lancaster book to date. I was not a big fan of Pretty in Plaid, but this one more than made up for it. Maybe because I have undertaken my own "Jenaissance" with similar results ( especially when I discovered Mediterranean food). Overall, this book was reliable
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Jen Lancaster, lots of laugh out load moments and a great story. Show Less
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2010-05-04
Physical description
400 p.; 5.3 inches
ISBN
9780451231864