Customer Reviews

People Are Unappealing: Even Me

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I haven't ever written a review before but this book deserves one. I got this from my boyfriends mother and I am not much of a reader; I figured I could read it on the bus to work. Well needless to say everyone on my bus route now thinks I am a crazy because I would read and laugh, with tears sometimes. Anyway I expected little and got a huge reward in return. It was a good read.

My kids and I were stuck at the airport all day, fortunately for me I found this book. I have never read anything that made me laugh out loud so many times. People came and went, occasionally people asked what was so funny, when I read a few excerpts out loud some went over to buy it themselves (unfortunately the airport shop only had like 3 copies.)
I am a huge David Sedaris fan, I also like Augusten Burroughs, Cynthia Heimel, Laurie Notaro, but here's my question - it took those authors at least 3 books to get even close to this funny! This is her debut?!!!? Wow!!!
If you like smart edgy dark witty smartass desperately funny writing, you've got to read this book. I PROMISE you will laugh yourself inside out.

Mostly because I'm THAT guy who keeps laughing a little too loudly. I challenge you to get through Chapter 2 (when a certain porno script written by a 12 yr old is discovered) without breaking out.

The following is the only review necessary to read in order to understand the comedic genius that is Sara Barron.

I tend to gravitate towards anything described as 'on par' to David Sedaris but let's face it, after you reach legitimate fame as a writer, your writing tends to suffer. This is why debut collections of humorous memoirs, such as 'People Are Unappealing', are so refreshing to anyone who devotes a significant amount of their time to scouring the humor sections of bookstores.

Sara Barron has written a fantastic collection of self-deprecating anecdotes and what I liked most about this book is that Barron owns all of her embarrassing moments. Not many women can delve into their irritable bowel syndrome, peculiar childhood sexual fantasies or their misguided penchant for dating musical theater lovers/gay men with this sort of introspection or lack of shame.

You should buy this book now.

Sara Barron has created a laugh out loud collection of personal essays. It's natural that comparisons to David Sedaris, Chelsea Handler, and Sloane Crosley would follow, but Sara is in a category all by herself. She's written a tome for those who like (or liken themselves) to Tina Fey: honest, hilarious, and 50% unaware and 50% unashamed of the unique ridiculousness that is her family, friends, and self. I also really appreciate her writing style - it's clear Sara loves words; she plays with them, breaks them down and puts them back together in ways that are as engaging as the stories contained in the collection. And although these are stories that you just know her friends have peed their pants listening to, they are completely universal and will appeal greatly to anyone who enjoys pieces that are a little bit bawdy, a whole lot self-deprecating and utterly enjoyable.

Sara Barron demonstrates with this first book that she is a gifted writer. Not only is the book laugh out loud funny, but also, her writing is tight and clear. Her characters come alive and although some are truely unappealing, some are loveable. Anyone who enjoys irreverance and quick wit and a bawdy yarn will love this book. I hope Sara Barron has more books of stories to share with us.

I absolutely loved this book and didn't expect to!

I originally bought it because I was looking for a funny memoir to read and figured I'd give this one a shot. I was so excited when I began reading and discovered that not only was it relatable, it was also hilarious and well-written.

I particularly enjoyed how she explored her quirks and experiences without trying to come across as "cute" or impossibly self-effacing, something I have noticed in a few other gal-penned memoirs.

Usually when I see a writer being compared to David Sedaris, I get the book and come away disappointed. This time I feel the comparison is accurate. She has a knack for writing about embarrassing experiences in a way that makes you relate - but without any self-pity.

Don't let the title fool you - the book isn't catty & it has heart.

Simply put: awesome.

(not a kid-- just didn't want my name in the heading)

Sara is hysterical in this book. Everytime I would finish a section, I would think "Whew, at least THAT insanity is over" until jumping into a new chapter full of awkward encounters with men, roommates, and the clientele of the Olive Garden, to name a few.

READ THE BOOK! you won't be disappointed.

Ok, I wasn't sure if I would like this, but I did. I debated between four and five stars, just because I find a few books to be funnier (Chelsea Handler's, My Horizontal Life and Jen Lancaster's, Bitter is the New Black), but decided that it was just different. I found it highly entertaining- like talking with an old friend that you haven't seen in a long time- an old friend with a lot of good/absurd stories and an obsession for masturbation.

I had no idea what the hell this book was about, so here's a little background. The first part talks about her childhood- the embarassing moments, the silly parents, the bitch grandma, etc. The next part is about her college experience- crazy roommates, an awesome and outspoken friend named Maggie, and her early sexual exploits. The latter part of the book deals with her struggle to find a career- first acting, then stand-up, then a crazy try-out dancing on the bar at Coyote Ugly. Last stop is waitressing at one of Mario Bateli's restaurants in NYC. She tells a very entertaining tale about a very famous customer who dined after hours, keeping the staff there an extra 5 hours, who DIDN'T LEAVE A TIP!!! I won't spoil the fun of googling who it is, but I must say, what a bastard! WHO DOES THAT? I felt bad for her and the rest of the staff.

Overall, if you like this kind of genre, I think this is a good pick.

I enjoyed this book so much. I LOVE memoirs and of all that I have read, this book beats them all out. Tina Fey, Mindy Kaling, Chelsea Handler, bow down to your superior. I was actually yelling out loud at the book to stop the insanity. Don't pick at your skin! Don't read that porn to your family because your brother will take it and read it! NOOOOOOOOO! The only book that was so funny I was in tears.