PRETTY IN PLAID by Jen Lancaster

Publisher: NAL
Date published: May 2010
ISBN: 978-0451228536
Woman’s Fiction
Trade Paperback
Reviewed by Angie
Review copy provided by publisher


PRETTY IN PLAID is a classic look at one woman’s journey through life. It begins with letters written as she grows up, and feels as though you are taking brief looks into journal entries written. This book is a memoir subtitled “A Life, a Witch, and a Wardrobe, or the Wonder Years Before the Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smart Ass Phase” and that sums up the entire novel much better than I can!

Jen Lancaster is the master of memoirs. Her author’s note says that some characters were combined and others have been protected with name changes. For me, to have found myself in this book would have been priceless! Ms. Lancaster has left me wanting to have been her best friend – in third grade or today. She is the epitome of what every girl, teen and woman wants to be.

As Jen goes from brownie to adulthood, she tells tales about her life. She left me laughing out loud, screaming at her and wishing my childhood had been half as fun! Favorite tales in this story were when her Dad puts his foot down and chooses a vacation destination only to be convinced by her mom to change destinations – half way there. Jen being upset about missing out on buying fudge is the epic tale! As a reader, I could go on forever why this book rocked, but it was just a fun read that left me remembering my own journey from little girl to wife.

Ms. Lancaster’s style of writing is so infused with humor that I am positive any book by her will be a good read. Not once during her story did I want to put the book down – this is definitely a vacation book, to be savored when work and reality can be pushed far from your mind.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

MY FAIR LAZY by Jen Lancaster

Publisher: NAL
Date published: May 2010
ISBN: 978-0451229861
Woman's Fiction
Hardback
Reviewed by Angie
Review copy provided by publisher


Jen Lancaster describes her novel as "One Reality Television Addict's Attempt to Discover If Not Being a Dumb Ass is the New Black, or a Culture-Up Manifesto" and this sums it up completely. She takes bits of her own life and leaves readers breathless with laughter. As she goes through her very own transformation from low class to high class she learns a lot about herself and what she wants her life to be.

Jen begins her tale by admitting she is the loud mouth everyone avoids at parties. She drinks too much and becomes rambunctious, saying whatever thoughts come to mind. Her mouth often gets her into trouble with friends, family and colleagues. She thinks she lost her job during the dot com failure just because she was unable to compete with those who had better manners.

Jen's submersion into culture is hilarious and complete. As she begins going to plays and reading poetry she leaves readers laughing out loud. She has made me as a person want to know more about opera and even learn more about cultural food - I will admit her description of herself as the Beverly Hillbillies hits home. I have decided to do my own makeover when I return from vacation. I, like her will begin by learning more about each culture and venturing into new food groups - starting with Indian and maybe Japanese, I think easing in will be my best bet.
Jen Lancaster has taken her life and turned it into an open book. I am not sure how much of her memoir was truth, and how much poetic license she took, but she made me want to be her BFF! The one downside to this novel was the footnotes she uses. I kept missing the little numbers as I read and then getting to the bottom of the page and going back and searching for what they refer to - very confusing for me as a reader. Yet most of them made me laugh, and wish I had the foresight to have footnotes in my own diary.

A great read for the beach! I will be reading more by Ms. Lancaster in the very near future!

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.