Customer Reviews

Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road: Humorous Views on Love, Lust, & Lawn Care

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road by Diana Estill is a sparkling collection of humorous vignettes that range from the anecdotal to the philosophical--and almost everything in between.

Drawing mainly from her own experiences, from youth right through to Grandma-hood, and with her tongue lodged firmly in her cheek, Diana Estill provides guidance and advice on such wide-ranging topics as wedding anniversary gifts, handling jalapeno peppers, and football terminology for dummies. Interspersed with such ruminations are hilarious anecdotes such as the Christmas Monopoly game that did not become a 'family tradition,' and the testosterone-fuelled Texas Chain Saw Adventure.

Refreshingly, political correctness is thrown out of the window. The foibles and peculiarities particular to the male and female varieties of our species are brilliantly portrayed. As a man, I heartily endorse her theories on the problems of mall navigation for men, and the ingenious solution of a male drop-off zone complete with vibrating chairs, televised sports, and attendant grannies missing their grown-up sons. Brilliant.

Unlike many humor writers, Estill does not usually laugh at other people. By and large, she pokes fun at herself, her husband, and her family, in an affectionate way that is very appealing. Occasionally, the tone becomes more reflective and serious, with a couple of particularly lyrical and touching accounts of her relationship with her father.

At a fundamental level, this is an account of ordinary incidents in the everyday lives of normal people, and this is what makes it so accessible. Painting such events in her whimsical and quirky manner, Diana Estill infuses them with a sense of outrageous craziness that helps one to chuckle at the annoyances of life. After a tiring, stressful day this is a great book to pick up.

Armchair Interviews says: This book is a reminder that laughter is indeed the best medicine.

Driving On The Wrong Side of the Road by Diana Estill will keep you chuckling and sometimes laughing uncontrollably, as I was while sitting in the airport reading it. The book is a compilation of some of Estill's very popular humor columns, which are featured in numerous publications. She was a finalist in the 2005 America's Funniest Humor Contest. Treat yourself and your friends to this delightful book. There are so many and varied situations about which she pokes fun, you'll relate to many and have great fun reading these aloud to people of all ages. Terrific Christmas gift for others or for yourself!

This is just the kind of book I like to carry with me when I travel and/or hang out at the beach or pool. Made me laugh out loud, then read out loud to my husband. Hubby loved it too, and that's saying alot!

I found myself laughing out loud on several of Diana's stories. The image of her waking up with an ear muff on her face causing temporary blindness brought tears to my eyes. The vivid description of surviving a roundabout and driving on the "wrong" side of the road doubled me over.

This is a fun, clean read for anyone. I will never look at jalapenos the same way again.

While I never hurt myself falling to the floor with laughter, I did smile a lot and occasionally snicker out loud while reading this book. Diana Estill takes life with all its crazy imperfections and shines light and laughter on situations that could drive us bananas. From stinky lost luggage to the amazing wonders of cheap bleach to her mother's Hurricane Test, Estill offers many a clever twist of thought to brighten a day. A fun book of standalone short essays dripping with dry and wry humor, this is a keeper that can be picked up and read bit by bit, again and again.

I love to laugh and seeing as there's not that tickles my funnybone in the news, I make sure that I get my daily dose by reading some humor each morning. Estill's book fit the bill. Her brief essays sometimes brought a gaffaw and sometimes brought me to the point of tears. (That's a good thing.) It's her imagery that does it. A lot of the stories in themselves are not so funny. It's her take on them, her willingness to make herself look bad and of course her pithy phrasing, that make this book well worth picking up. If you enjoy reading about someone who's life probably mirrors your own, but someone who is able to laugh instead of cry about the many frustrations you face, buy this book.

Diana Estill makes a wonderful debut. With wit and wisdom, Diana shares humorous life experiences. This is an excellent book and highly recommended. If you need a pick me up - pick up this book today!

Diana Estill made me laugh over and over again with her tales of domestic trials and tribulations. Though I'd read some of her columns previously, an entire book of essays is great fun! She hilariously tackles topics near and dear to all of us, like traveling, aging, parenting, shopping, and more. And while making you laugh, Diana shares a part of herself that will make you feel like you've just heard a story from a good friend.

Diana Estill Books and funny and refreshing! Plus we have the same last name and my husband is from Texas!! I will buy her books whenever I can...Love her humor.

This book is laugh out loud funny. Just use caution around food and beverages while reading... snarfing coffee out of your nose / choking on your snack are real possibilities. Don't ask me how I know...