Saturday, June 2, 2012

Let's Pretend This Never Happened: (A Mostly True Memoir)

For my first read in June I read, Let's Pretend This Never Happened: (A Mostly True Memoir) by Jenny Lawson.  Jenny Lawson is a well known blogger (The Bloggess) whom I'd seen a few articles by while reading another blog TheStir.  While reading TheStir, I saw a book review for this memoir and it got rave reviews, so I ordered a copy.

When I first started reading this, I wasn't very impressed.  Lawson's father is a taxidermist and many of the first few chapters share some icky stories about his work.  I was afraid this would be the main focus of the book, luckily it's not (though there are many stories about animals, both dead and alive).  Lawson also shares stories about her childhood, parents, husband, daughter and variety of other things. 

I didn't love this book, but I didn't hate it either.  Honestly, I just thought it would be funnier.  The review I had read claimed I'd be "laughing out loud" but I think I managed one chuckle and a smile, but that wasn't until the last two chapters.  However, I did enjoy Lawson's almost conversational writing style.  There are "editors notes" and parenthesised extra comments throughout the book (which she warns readers about in the introduction) which makes it feel like you are listening to Lawson tell you the stories over a couple drinks.  Maybe the drinks would have made it funnier?  She also curses a lot.  Which is fine, but if you aren't into that, here's your heads up.  If you enjoy memoirs or are already a fan of hers, it's an okay read.

Fave Chapters:  The Dark and Disturbing Secrets HR Doesn't Want You To Know, If You See My Liver, You've Gone To Far & And Then I Snuck a Dead Cuban Alligator on an Airplane.

3 comments:

  1. Really?! Awwww man, it's not the greatest book ever? I really expected more when I saw what you were reviewing. Not picking on you, I haven't read the book. I guess my expectations are just soooo high on this one. I LOVE her blog, she's a total crack-up and this book has been on my radar for EVAH. Sadly, I've heard the same thing you're saying from others. I'm still going to read it, even if it disappoints me. Maybe I'll get it from the library and hit the liquor store on the way home? ;)

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    1. Since you "LOVE" her blog you might love this book too :) From what I've gathered from other reviews, it's written in the same "style" as her blog. Like I said I have only read a few things of hers on TheStir so I didn't know what to expect and thus didn't realize it wouldn't be my thing. I thought the book was okay but it didn't live up to the hype I had heard. I hope it meets your expectations though! Let me know what you think of it when you do read it. I do think the liquor store stop is a good idea though! ;) Welcome back from Kauai!

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  2. Stopping in to remind myself what I need to put on my library queue :)
    I love her blog but don't read it all the time. Just drop in occasionally. She's (to me) hilarious, gross, honest and sad...doesn't pretty everything up AND she gives back quite a bit to others/charities.

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