Such a Pretty Fat by Jen Lancaster

Goodreads Summary:
"To whom the fat rolls …I'm tired of books where a self-loathing heroine is teased to the point where she starves herself skinny in hopes of a fabulous new life. And I hate the message that women can't possibly be happy until we all fit into our skinny jeans. I don't find these stories uplifting; they make me want to hug these women and take them out for fizzy champagne drinks and cheesecake and explain to them that until they figure out their insides, their outsides don't matter. Unfortunately, being overweight isn't simply a societal issue that can be fixed with a dose healthy of positive self-esteem. It's a health matter, and here on the eve of my fortieth year, I've learned I have to make changes so I don't, you know, die. Because what good if finally being able to afford a pedicure if I lose a foot to adult onset diabetes?"

My thoughts:
I didn't dig this book as much as the other Jen Lancaster books I have read. I didn't hate it either. I would say this book and the space in my head just didn't match up this time. I didn't dive into this book and not come up for air until it was finished. I did read a bit each night and get a few chuckles. I liked that for the most part Jen stayed positive about her self image. I liked that she wanted to feel better and the major motivation for losing weight wasn't to be more sexy which is often the case with these books.

I would recommend this book to fans of Jen Lancaster or maybe to people needing some motivation to get up and move more.

While writing this review I was listening to the migraine storming around in my head.

Julie and Julia by Julie Powell

Goodreads Summary:
Some people go on pilgrimages; Julie Powell attempted to master one cookbook. Thirty years old, bored with her job, hating her Queens apartment, Powell decided to transcend her life by concocting all 524 recipes in Julia Child's 1961 classic Mastering the Art of French Cooking -- in a single year. Replicating Child's kitchen artistry at such short notice tested Julie's skill and stamina, not to mention her husband's patience; but it did produce a high-spirited, sometimes hilarious memoir.

My thoughts:
She had me from her first Buffy the Vampire reference. Reading this book was very much so like reading the journal of a fellow nerd. I love nerd books. Julie Powell is a nerd. She is normal and doesn't pretend to be anything else. She is honest about her short comings and equally honest about her triumphs. While I can't relate to a blog saving someone from themselves (yes I know I write a blog) I can relate to having a project have unexpected awesome benefits.

I would recommend this to people who didn't like the movie. I hated the movie. Julie Powell is no where near as annoying as Amy Adams.

While writing this review I was listening to my dog bark at neighbors, no I did not attempt to stop her. I don't like those neighbors either.

Born Standing Up By Steve Martin

Goodreads Summary:
In the midseventies, Steve Martin exploded onto the comedy scene. By 1978 he was the biggest concert draw in the history of stand-up. In 1981 he quit forever. This book is, in his own words, the story of "why I did stand-up and why I walked away."

Emmy and Grammy Award winner, author of the acclaimed New York Times bestsellers Shopgirl and The Pleasure of My Company, and a regular contributor to The New Yorker, Martin has always been a writer. His memoir of his years in stand-up is candid, spectacularly amusing, and beautifully written.

At age ten Martin started his career at Disneyland, selling guidebooks in the newly opened theme park. In the decade that followed, he worked in the Disney magic shop and the Bird Cage Theatre at Knott's Berry Farm, performing his first magic/comedy act a dozen times a week. The story of these years, during which he practiced and honed his craft, is moving and revelatory. The dedication to excellence and innovation is formed at an astonishingly early age and never wavers or wanes.

Martin illuminates the sacrifice, discipline, and originality that made him an icon and informs his work to this day. To be this good, to perform so frequently, was isolating and lonely. It took Martin decades to reconnect with his parents and sister, and he tells that story with great tenderness. Martin also paints a portrait of his times — the era of free love and protests against the war in Vietnam, the heady irreverence of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in the late sixties, and the transformative new voice of Saturday Night Live in the seventies.

Throughout the text, Martin has placed photographs, many never seen before. Born Standing Up is a superb testament to the sheer tenacity, focus, and daring of one of the greatest and most iconoclastic comedians of all time.

My thoughts:
I learned for a fact what I always thought of Steve Martin, he isn't a Wild and Crazy GUY! He is a nerd and a bit aloof. I too am a nerd and a bit aloof. Years ago I saw the play Picasso at the Lapin Agile. I loved it. I wanted to see it again and again. Sure this has some credit to the actors but mostly I loved the writing. It was then that I formed my writer's crush on Steve Martin.
This crush is still with me after reading his memoir of comedy. He is more complicated that meets the eye but that is true with everyone. I enjoyed the history factoids throughout the book; from the opening of Disneyland to the first airing of Saturday Night Live.
I would not say that I left this book knowing Steve Martin. I think even after reading more than one book he has written I have a slightly more clear snap shot of him. Really, I hope I never feel like I know Steve Martin so I can A) continue to have my crush and B) be surprised by his writing in the future.

I would recommend this book to Steve Martin fans and anyone who likes autobiographies.

While writing this review I was listening to my dog crash around the house.

Bright Lights, Big Ass by Jen Lancaster

Goodreads Summary:
Jen Lancaster hates to burst your happy little bubble, but life in the big city isn't all it's cracked up to be. Contrary to what you see on TV and in the movies, most urbanites aren't party-hopping in slinky dresses and strappy stilettos. But lucky for us, Lancaster knows how to make the life of the lower crust mercilessly funny and infinitely entertaining.

Whether she's reporting rude neighbors to Homeland Security, harboring a crush on her grocery store clerk, or fighting-and losing-the Battle of the Stairmaster- Lancaster explores how silly, strange, and not-so-fabulous real city living can be. And if anyone doesn't like it, they can kiss her big, fat, pink, puffy down parka.

My thoughts:
If I were a girly-girl and a republican I think I would be Jen Lancaster. I am not sure why it startled me every time she mentioned watching FOX News, but alas it did. I was like finding out my bestie was secretly hiding some their freaky porcelain doll collection. Weird yes, reason to disown no (at least not yet). I enjoyed this book and got a few laughs from it. I didn't love this book as much as Bitter is the New Black but I don't blame Jen for that. I blame being sick and fucking grumpy while reading her book. I will say that reading her book made me far less grumpy. It also made me want to join a gym again.
I dig the way that Jen can be so open and honest about all the fucked up things in her life. While I have never exploded out of my pants, I have thought more than once it was a real possibility. Also, I would like to mention that I find it interesting that no matter what part of the country you are in the employees at Trader Joes all have a similar appearances and behaviors. I don't know if this is comforting or creepy.
I lived in downtown SLC for a few years and after watching a homeless man pee on my car every morning for two of those years it was refreshing to know that other people in other cities enjoyed the same weird things. I had the weirdest neighbors while living downtown. At least that is what I thought until I moved to the suburbs of SLC. Now these people are fucking insane.

I would recommend this book to people like me or those who enjoy reading about the lives of normal bitchy fat girls.

While writing this review was listening to Florence and the Machine.