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floralfox's review against another edition
1.0
The front of this book boasts that it is "observant, irreverent, and funny as hell." Um. You will probably be disappointed.
Ariel Leve CAN be funny. There WERE moments where I laughed out loud while reading. But they were few and far between in comparison with the moments where I legitimately worried about this woman. She constantly reminds the reader that she barely has the will to live, and yet we're supposed to be laughing "with" her? She looks forward to nothing, her hair is falling out from lack of basic ability to take care of herself (i.e. eat meals and shower), she'd rather just be a hermit than ever step outside her apartment... I enjoy complaints and agree with her sentiment that "every good story needs a complaint" (13) but either 1) Ariel Leve is genuinely depressed and someone is marketing this book incorrectly, or 2) Ariel Leve is not depressed and she is exaggerating her pessimistic outlook in order to make depression seem funny and charming in an offbeat way.
Leve has no problem letting us know people perceive her as difficult and hard-to-please, but I also think she lacks the self-awareness to see why she is actually irritating. For example, halfway through the book Leve has the realization that she is no longer going to share things with others because of accidental sharing—when you "go one detail too far when talking about a past relationship." But then she says, "I've decided that, from now on, I'm not going to share. Which should be easy, since I have nobody to talk to" (147).
I was so bothered at this point that I underlined that sentence and then wrote down a list of all the friends she regularly mentions in most of her stories: Audrey, Liza, Sophie, Emily, and Simon. That's a larger bunch than many adults have—considering these are people she regularly calls, emails, or meets for lunch. I also marked down Linda and Lori, who appear a few times. Sometimes she mentions "my friend" without giving names. This is not a woman that has nobody to talk to. This is a woman who acts like she doesn't out of either disillusioned self-pity or because she'd like to act like a woman that's unlikable to get a laugh. I don't think it's funny?
Literally this is Leve's outlook on life: "When I was twenty-five and wanted to stay home on a Saturday night, everyone thought I was a loser. My friends would nag me to join them: 'C'mon, you're young! Live it up!' I tried to explain I was barely interested in living. What makes them think I'd be interested in living it up?"" (107)
Apart from this, the short narrative style of 2-3 page vignettes almost works—except Leve repeats information because it's almost like this book was compiled from separate writings that weren't necessarily intended to be together. She repeatedly references how she would like to marry a doctor (neurosurgeon) as if it's brand new information to the reader. She also does this with telling us how she does't like to go out (anywhere for anything), how she eats poorly, or how she asks boyfriends questions like "where do you think this is going" and scares them off.
Honestly, I'm just confused whether Leve is a depressed person or not. At one point in the book, after her hair starts falling out, she visits a new doctor who prescribes her to "wash her hair every morning and eat three meals a day" (238). This "fills her days with meaning" until she realizes that this simply routine of existing is "exhausting." And oh—that this "can't last." She says, "Three meals a day for the rest of my life? That's a lot of work." Depression can and does act like this. Basic functions are difficult, exhausting, time-consuming, and don't seem worth it. So is Leve actually one of these people, but also a person that manages to maintain friendships, work for a prestigious newspaper, and live parttime in London and go visit her dad in India every year and go on holiday with friends? Because there are points where Leve's depression sounds so serious that I doubt she could do these other things.
All in all, I finished this book because it was an easy read, but I wouldn't recommend it to anybody. By the end, I was just trudging through, and the anecdotes all seemed rather pointless. Leve would probably agree.
Ariel Leve CAN be funny. There WERE moments where I laughed out loud while reading. But they were few and far between in comparison with the moments where I legitimately worried about this woman. She constantly reminds the reader that she barely has the will to live, and yet we're supposed to be laughing "with" her? She looks forward to nothing, her hair is falling out from lack of basic ability to take care of herself (i.e. eat meals and shower), she'd rather just be a hermit than ever step outside her apartment... I enjoy complaints and agree with her sentiment that "every good story needs a complaint" (13) but either 1) Ariel Leve is genuinely depressed and someone is marketing this book incorrectly, or 2) Ariel Leve is not depressed and she is exaggerating her pessimistic outlook in order to make depression seem funny and charming in an offbeat way.
Leve has no problem letting us know people perceive her as difficult and hard-to-please, but I also think she lacks the self-awareness to see why she is actually irritating. For example, halfway through the book Leve has the realization that she is no longer going to share things with others because of accidental sharing—when you "go one detail too far when talking about a past relationship." But then she says, "I've decided that, from now on, I'm not going to share. Which should be easy, since I have nobody to talk to" (147).
I was so bothered at this point that I underlined that sentence and then wrote down a list of all the friends she regularly mentions in most of her stories: Audrey, Liza, Sophie, Emily, and Simon. That's a larger bunch than many adults have—considering these are people she regularly calls, emails, or meets for lunch. I also marked down Linda and Lori, who appear a few times. Sometimes she mentions "my friend" without giving names. This is not a woman that has nobody to talk to. This is a woman who acts like she doesn't out of either disillusioned self-pity or because she'd like to act like a woman that's unlikable to get a laugh. I don't think it's funny?
Literally this is Leve's outlook on life: "When I was twenty-five and wanted to stay home on a Saturday night, everyone thought I was a loser. My friends would nag me to join them: 'C'mon, you're young! Live it up!' I tried to explain I was barely interested in living. What makes them think I'd be interested in living it up?"" (107)
Apart from this, the short narrative style of 2-3 page vignettes almost works—except Leve repeats information because it's almost like this book was compiled from separate writings that weren't necessarily intended to be together. She repeatedly references how she would like to marry a doctor (neurosurgeon) as if it's brand new information to the reader. She also does this with telling us how she does't like to go out (anywhere for anything), how she eats poorly, or how she asks boyfriends questions like "where do you think this is going" and scares them off.
Honestly, I'm just confused whether Leve is a depressed person or not. At one point in the book, after her hair starts falling out, she visits a new doctor who prescribes her to "wash her hair every morning and eat three meals a day" (238). This "fills her days with meaning" until she realizes that this simply routine of existing is "exhausting." And oh—that this "can't last." She says, "Three meals a day for the rest of my life? That's a lot of work." Depression can and does act like this. Basic functions are difficult, exhausting, time-consuming, and don't seem worth it. So is Leve actually one of these people, but also a person that manages to maintain friendships, work for a prestigious newspaper, and live parttime in London and go visit her dad in India every year and go on holiday with friends? Because there are points where Leve's depression sounds so serious that I doubt she could do these other things.
All in all, I finished this book because it was an easy read, but I wouldn't recommend it to anybody. By the end, I was just trudging through, and the anecdotes all seemed rather pointless. Leve would probably agree.
balletbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
Quite fun, I've read a few of Ariel's columns before. The book is presented as groupings of column-length pieces by subject - Romance, Socializing, Friendship - all focusing on one of Ariel's concerns/worries/frettings. Read all together, the columns make her seem like she's an extreme version of a female Woody Allen - all neuroses and therapy sessions - but ultimately a good soul. We can all identify with aspects of Ariel's life - we all have that "loser friend", we can all sympathize with the hamster wheel of dating, the irony of the "green" movement - but only Ariel makes the mundane worthy of fretfulness.
If you've not read her column, I would recommend reading this one in small doses. If you've read Ariel's column, then you know what to expect so read away.
If you've not read her column, I would recommend reading this one in small doses. If you've read Ariel's column, then you know what to expect so read away.
mountie9's review against another edition
4.0
Good Stuff
* Wickedly funny, must remember to not read this stuff while at the Reference desk, my snorting out loud continuously was upsetting the college students (Freaks them out that library staff have a sense of humor)
* After reading it I realized that things could be worse in my life and that I could be as neurotic and depressed as the author. Very life affirming I tell ya.
* Author says a lot of the things that we all think or feel but would never say out loud because other people would judge or look down at us.
* The discussion about dogs and therapy -- I dare you not to laugh your ass off
* Author's justification about wanting to be put into a medically induced coma -- no seriously
* Author likes coffee as much as I do -- I'm thinking even more so
* Author reminded me of one of my favorite fictional characters "Scaredy Squirrel" -- and that is not a bad thing
* The list of "Things a Pessimist should try before they die"
Not so Good Stuff
* Not sure I really believe someone could be this neurotic (and have so many friends)
* See above about snorting out loud at reference desk
* a lot of post it notes were used in marking off all the quotes/passages that I like -- now I have to go buy more
What I learned
* I don't have it so bad
* I really am a half full type of person
* Don't think I ever want to live in New York
* That my anxiety prone son may have a career as a journalist
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"I'm far too impatient to sit still in a salon, but in a coma there's nothing but time."
"But she (authors mom) told him that the reason I didn't pay attention in class was because he was a moron"
"And that doesn't count, because it's like having a foot-hooker. They're not really into you, you don't know who they were with an hour ago and you have to pay them."
"And yet, if I ask for a plastic bag at Waitrose, I'm made to feel I'm personally responsible for killing the polar bears."
"But then it occurred to me I'm doing more than most. I'm not having children. That's about as environmentally friendly as it gets. Putting fewer people on earth does far more to prevent global warming than buying organic blueberries"
"And a doggy gym for the ones who don't like walkies. I wonder if dogs size each other up in the gym. Would a mutt be considered less attractive than a poodle?"
Who Should Read
* Pretty much everyone -- other than really overly happy and annoying people
* Not for those who like lighter happy fluff
* Also not for those who are seriously depressed already
* Wickedly funny, must remember to not read this stuff while at the Reference desk, my snorting out loud continuously was upsetting the college students (Freaks them out that library staff have a sense of humor)
* After reading it I realized that things could be worse in my life and that I could be as neurotic and depressed as the author. Very life affirming I tell ya.
* Author says a lot of the things that we all think or feel but would never say out loud because other people would judge or look down at us.
* The discussion about dogs and therapy -- I dare you not to laugh your ass off
* Author's justification about wanting to be put into a medically induced coma -- no seriously
* Author likes coffee as much as I do -- I'm thinking even more so
* Author reminded me of one of my favorite fictional characters "Scaredy Squirrel" -- and that is not a bad thing
* The list of "Things a Pessimist should try before they die"
Not so Good Stuff
* Not sure I really believe someone could be this neurotic (and have so many friends)
* See above about snorting out loud at reference desk
* a lot of post it notes were used in marking off all the quotes/passages that I like -- now I have to go buy more
What I learned
* I don't have it so bad
* I really am a half full type of person
* Don't think I ever want to live in New York
* That my anxiety prone son may have a career as a journalist
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"I'm far too impatient to sit still in a salon, but in a coma there's nothing but time."
"But she (authors mom) told him that the reason I didn't pay attention in class was because he was a moron"
"And that doesn't count, because it's like having a foot-hooker. They're not really into you, you don't know who they were with an hour ago and you have to pay them."
"And yet, if I ask for a plastic bag at Waitrose, I'm made to feel I'm personally responsible for killing the polar bears."
"But then it occurred to me I'm doing more than most. I'm not having children. That's about as environmentally friendly as it gets. Putting fewer people on earth does far more to prevent global warming than buying organic blueberries"
"And a doggy gym for the ones who don't like walkies. I wonder if dogs size each other up in the gym. Would a mutt be considered less attractive than a poodle?"
Who Should Read
* Pretty much everyone -- other than really overly happy and annoying people
* Not for those who like lighter happy fluff
* Also not for those who are seriously depressed already
suvata's review against another edition
3.0
Probably not as funny as I rated it, but I read it at a time in my life when I was desperate for a good laugh. This book did the trick.
missantarctica's review against another edition
5.0
I have no idea how anyone could say anything aside from, "This is the best book ever." You know those miserable things that you think sometimes, like how much you just want to spend some time in a coma or how naps are great because it means there is less time that you have to be awake? No? Well some of us do and Ariel wrote a book about them. The problem is that now that I've finished reading this book, I have nothing to look forward to. Every other book will be a disppointment.
literaryfeline's review against another edition
4.0
It isn't often I pick up a book of essays to read, but occasionally I find they make good in between reading--even better than a short story collection in some ways. The essays are short and perfect for those moments when you don't have a lot of time to spare but must get in your reading. Although it took me a few months to make my way through Ariel Leve's collection of essays (I read it in between novels and short stories) , it was an enjoyable read, nonetheless. Leve's humor shines through in each essay and yet I couldn't help but catch a bit of sadness underneath as well, however unintentional (and maybe that's just me).
Journalist Ariel Leve compiled a series of essays about her life and thoughts into It Could Be Worse, You Could Be Me. She contemplates giving up coffee when she discovers it improves memory, discusses the bias against napping in bed, and why looking forward to anything is overrated. The author is a self-described worrier. My favorite section of the book, and the one I could most relate to was the one where she discusses health issues. I'm not so sure I'd go so far as to say I enjoyed that colonoscopy though!
As I read this collection, I found myself relating to some of the stories the author shared. Maybe a little too well. Taking compliments, for example--neither Leve or I are good at accepting them. And evidently we both have that constant scowl or lack of a smile on our face because people assume something is wrong just because we aren't smiling. And like Leve, I hate it when people tell me to cheer up just because I am not wearing that expected smile.
There were other essays I was less able to identify with, but they were no less entertaining. I have two friends who share the same life philosophy as Ariel Leve and could see them in every story. I am trying to decide which of them to loan the book to first . . .
Journalist Ariel Leve compiled a series of essays about her life and thoughts into It Could Be Worse, You Could Be Me. She contemplates giving up coffee when she discovers it improves memory, discusses the bias against napping in bed, and why looking forward to anything is overrated. The author is a self-described worrier. My favorite section of the book, and the one I could most relate to was the one where she discusses health issues. I'm not so sure I'd go so far as to say I enjoyed that colonoscopy though!
As I read this collection, I found myself relating to some of the stories the author shared. Maybe a little too well. Taking compliments, for example--neither Leve or I are good at accepting them. And evidently we both have that constant scowl or lack of a smile on our face because people assume something is wrong just because we aren't smiling. And like Leve, I hate it when people tell me to cheer up just because I am not wearing that expected smile.
There were other essays I was less able to identify with, but they were no less entertaining. I have two friends who share the same life philosophy as Ariel Leve and could see them in every story. I am trying to decide which of them to loan the book to first . . .
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