Customer Reviews

Stupid and Contagious: [STUPID & CONTAGIOUS]

5 star:		(101)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Written in a he-said, she-said style, the novel opens with over-the-top Heaven lamenting the fact that her husband is cheating on her. Wait, her husband's not actually cheating, because she's only engaged, not married. She's just practicing for the future. But wait, she's not really engaged, just practicing that too.

Heaven's just been fired from her mega-PR-firm, new next door neighbor Brady has his own problems. He's trying to start his own independent music label, trying to get in touch with Starbuck's Howard Schultz to pitch "Cinnamilk," and he has to find a new place to live, because his psycho ex-girlfriend commandeered his rent-controlled apartment.

It is only around page 100, when Crane has finally established the "different-ness" of her characters, that she really finds her stride and settles into a story that is as enjoyable as it is familiar. After Heaven gets fired from the deli, she goes with Brady on a trip to Seattle. He's trying to score a one-on-one with Howard Schultz, and she wants to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the passing of Kurt Cobain.

It is here that the reader starts to take Brady seriously as a businessman, and when we start to see Heaven emerge from the bitter funk she's been in. It is also when we really begin to like these characters.

What really gives this novel it's refreshing flavor, is that the main character is not a fashionista, not even sporting the slightest shoe-obsession. Rather than search e-bay for name-brands, Heaven gets excited by receiving a can of "Tab."

The book also stands out from the fray with it's excellent music references-it's obvious that former MTV writer Crane knows her stuff. Even the groaner, when Brady's "knock knock knocking on Heaven's door," works in the context of his character.

Stick with the book. Once you get past it's somewhat over-the-top beginnings, you'll find this a very enjoyable read, one that doesn't sound like every other book on the chick-lit shelf.

I'm not one for the atypical "Chick Lit", and despite the cover and the possible premise, this book was anything but. Smart and funny with two characters that I actually wanted to be friends with, "Stupid and Contagious" is a fast-paced, charming and thoroughly entertaining read. Highly recommended!

Dude if you want to get lost in a book and just laugh out loud this is the book for you!!! My friend let me borrow this book and I read it in two days cause I couldn't put it down it was sooo funny!!! I strive to be as funny as Heaven, she kills me!! But for real it's a great fun read so I definitely recommend it!!

I bought this book yesterday evening after reading the first few pages in Barnes and Noble and just finished... I loved every second of it (and obviously couldn't put it down). Cheers to Crane for this clever story and quirky characters. Stupid and Contagious is a great way to spend time... so if you're reading reviews wondering if you should buy this... DO IT!

This book is the BEST!

I could relate to both the main characters Heaven and Brady. They are hilarious and I ended up laughing out loud while at Starbucks enjoying my coffee, sans cinnamilk (you wont get this unless you read the book). Whether you're a girl or a guy you'll end up falling for these lovable, witty, funny, loving characters.

I'm really looking forward to Caprice's next book. Hopefully we don't have to wait too long!

Wow. This book was REALLY hard to finish. That being said, I finish even the most terrible books, and I did finish this one (regrettably), so I feel I can write about it. Maybe its just me.. I'm super annoyed with stupid main characters. I'm not a fan or "Dumb and Dumber" or "Dude Where's My Car?" for example. This book is kind of like that. Heaven, the main character, is so completely INSANE, stupid, annoying, out-of-her-mind, one flew over the cuckoo's nest, etc, etc, etc, that not only is she painful to read about, it makes it completely unrealistic that the guy in the story, Brady, would fall for her. And if he only likes her for her looks, which is the only reasonable explanation considering she is completely irritating and straight up loony, then that's just not the kind of romance I'm looking for, I guess, being a female reader and all. I don't know, the ending got a little better, because the character got a little saner. In other words, I stopped wanting to slap her as much as the book went on. I'm giving this 2 stars because I have a soft spot for debuts. Better luck next time.

For years I have prided myself on being an eclectic reader, one who enjoys classics and popular fiction. But I have never ventured into the Chick Lit genre. I swore I'd never read anything remotely close to Chick Lit, even though I am a chick. But a friend recommended Stupid & Contagious and said I just had to read it. Since I see this friend every day, I knew I had to at least try it, otherwise she'd harass me daily and ask if I'd started it yet.

So I did. And I loved it. In her first novel, Caprice Crane has developed two characters that are funny, likable and people you'd like to hang with next time you're in NYC. Crane's use of pop culture is a joy for readers, especially those of us who never miss an episode of "I Love the 80s."

I read this book in two days because I just couldn't put it down. Whether you are a Chick Lit regular, or someone who never wanted to read anything that would star Renee Zellweger or Cameron Diaz if it was a movie, I recommend you pick up this book. Crane is a rock star among novelists.

this book has got to be one of the funniest books i've ever read.
it was hard to put down.

the characters are great. their chemistry keeps you laughing. Heaven sounds like a girl i'd want to hang out with.
Caprice Crane did an awesome job, cant wait to read her 2nd book!

I have had this book sitting on my shelf for a few months now. I kept passing it over thinking I was "over" reading books about 20 somethings looking for love, especially since I just hit 40. But I had nothing else to read so finally got around to it. Immediately, I was drawn in to the characters and the style of the book. I love the back and forth of the guy vs. girl perception of events. It has made me laugh out loud and there are not many books that do that. I think there are a lot of different circumstances in this book that many people can relate to. Mine was when Heaven was working in the restaurant. Going to look at this authors other books now!!!

Oh, this is such a cute book! I felt like re-reading it because I only really remembered the Ben Stiller and Manfred Mann parts. It is really cute and funny too! But I really must say I really don't know which one I like better. Usually picking favorites is easy, but not in this case. I really love them both!