Funny Funny

I stumbled across Jennifer Lancaster in 2006 when my BFF recommended Bitter is the New Black to me. She has a very distinct writing style that that really got me tickled at times. Her books are based on her life experiences, but their told in a very snarky, witty tone. A lot of what she says feels like the inner dialogue that runs through my head as I people watch in the mall (or in other public places)...you know, the snotty stuff you would never say out loud.

(If you need a reference point, her writing style reminds me a lot of David Sedaris. But more gossipy and girly. Or Chelsea Handler...but without the sex references.)

Her first book was Bitter is the New Black: Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smart-Ass, or Why You Should Never Carry a Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office. This specific memoir centered around the author losing her cushy job and having to essentially slum it with the commoners. She's very self-centered in her observations and at times you can't believe she did/said that, but if you take it with a grain of salt it's actually very funny.
Rank: B

The other book of hers that I read was: Bright Lights, Big Ass: A Self-Indulgent, Surly, Ex-Sorority Girl's Guide to Why it Often Sucks in the City, or Who Are These Idiots and Why Do They Live Next Door to Me? This memoir is based on city-life and how challenging it can be...chock-full of hilarious observations about the weirdos that you run into everyday.
Rank: B

She wrote a couple other memoir-esque books, but I haven't read them. Honestly, I think 2 is all I can take. They're really funny books, but after a while they start to hit a pattern that stops being original and can feel a little one-note. A Publishers Weekly review I read says it best, "Her humor is a bit like junk food—something you can enjoy when no one is looking." And just like junk food...you can only have so much.

Anyways, the reason I stumbled back on Jenn Lancaster is that I noticed she has a new book coming out in May. But it's not her standard memoir. It's a chick-lit book!! Just in time for summer too! The book description on Amazon tells us that it's about an Amish-Zombie-Teen Romance author and her husband renovating their house...and all the humor that can accompany that. Looks like another book for the Wish List.