Stuck in Downward Dog: A Novel [Paperback]

Chantel Simmons (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 28, 2007

In this charming first novel, the dueling worlds of yoga and cosmetic enhancement, gourmet dinners and Frankenberry cereal, self-help books and too-helpful loved ones all conspire to nearly unravel 25-year-old Mara Brennan.

Dumped by her boyfriend, stuck in a job she hates, and living in a basement apartment, Mara realizes it's time for an identity makeover. She devises the "OM List," a personal pathway to perfection that will guarantee her finding the perfect job, creating the perfect home, cooking the perfect meal, and being the perfect friend. Mara hilariously tries and fails at all the things she thinks will make her the sophisticated grown-up she wants to be. Rounding out all of this are delicious details about boob jobs, cooking with garlic, liposuction, eyebrow transplants, and gym memberships. Stuck in Downward Dog is a strong debut from a promising new writer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Key Porter Books (July 28, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1552638324
• ISBN-13: 978-1552638323
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,150,034 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Chantel Simmons is an author, editor and consumer trends tracker. Her first novel, Stuck in Downward Dog, was a Winnipeg Free Press bestseller, a Chatelaine Best Beach Book and Book of the Month, and a Vancouver Sun Editor's Choice. Her second novel, Love Struck, was published in Canada in February 2010.

Chantel has worked at ELLE Canada, Sweetspot.ca, TV Guide, Elevate and The Toronto Sun, and has contributed to FASHION, Best Health, Reader's Digest, MoneySense, HGTV, Foodtv.ca and WNetwork.com.

She appears as a consumer trends tracker regularly on the CFRB 1010 AM show "The Buddha Lounge" (Sundays at 1 p.m.) and has appeared on Canada AM, Rogers Daytime, CH11 as well as in various magazines and newspapers.

Chantel teaches magazine and website writing and editing in the Book & Magazine publishing program at Centennial College.

She lives in Toronto with her husband and their cat, Mr. Baz.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious, quick read, August 4, 2008

By 

Texas Rose "Roseanna" (ALBANY, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Stuck in Downward Dog: A Novel (Paperback)

I initially bought this book just because of the title - been there/done that kind of thing - but I found that it is a wonderful read and I have added this author to my list of favorites. This is a great "girls" book. The character is young and floundering, so those in the 20-30 range will relate, and those in the older range will remember! It is full of funny situations, funny lines, and just good tight writing.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read, August 19, 2011

By 

Penny Lane - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Stuck in Downward Dog: A Novel (Paperback)

This was a really fun book to read. Great characters and you could really feel for them as well as get a good feel for them as you read.

4.0 out of 5 stars An Upward Read, July 23, 2011

By 

Amber Polo "author of Relaxing the Writer" (Arizona) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Stuck in Downward Dog: A Novel (Paperback)

Mara is a ditzy heroine who somehow figures it all out. (Is that a spoiler?) I bought the book for the yoga scenes, but loved the food bits the most with the cosmetic surgery tidbits a close second. The scene where 2 sisters preparing food with the help of Mara's cat is hilarious. I hope Ms. Simmons returns to the mat for more.