I’ve read some heavy books, and some not-so-well-received books. Time for a book that can make me laugh!

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Sometimes I get worried when I hear how funny an author is, or how amazing their books are. I don’t have the best track record of liking books or authors that the general population thinks is amazing. I have numerous friends who adore David Sedaris, but I do not get his sense of humor. I am a big Jen Lancaster fan, and I have heard over and over how I should give Laurie Notaro a try, as they are similar. Those who recommended her swore up and down I would laugh. I don’t know why I waited so long, but after years of hearing it, I gave in and tried Housebroken.

WHAT MADE ME HAPPY

This was exactly what I needed – I laughed multiple times throughout the book. Each chapter was a new short story, and so it was easy to digest the small stories throughout my day, which helped me finish the book in one day.

Each story pertains to some part of Notaro’s life – we start out with a story about her family and how she became somewhat of a hoarder. We move onto a story about her garage sale (which had me rolling). Stories of her dad joining Facebook, new neighbors moving in and discovering rats (which I had happen at an old house I used to live in – yuck!), discovering a butcher doesn’t know how to do math, and hoarding dress supplies much in the same way I hoard writing notebooks.

One story was even topical, unbeknownst to Notaro, as she told a tale of her husband eating very expired food found in their pantry from her hoarding food in case of a pandemic. That’s right folks. This book is current, even thought it was published in 2016!

WHAT I WISH I COULD CHANGE

While this book is a standalone (meaning you can read it without reading any other Notaro books), I do wish that I was able to read her books in order. With reading Jen Lancaster from the beginning in order, I can see how you can grow with the narrator and get to know them and their family. You then begin to get a sense that you are friends with the author, but not in that weird, creepy, stalker fashion.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I really enjoyed this, and with school just around the corner, I need any and all laughs I can get. Fans of Jen Lancaster, sarcasm and autobiographical tales – give this one a try!