Sandra Tsing Loh's books someone always manages to balance between funny and thought provoking and absolutely terrifying. She's got an interesting perspective on life.

DNF. Not what I was expecting. I expected uplifting humor, not an essay book that was somewhat depressing with stale mom humor.

A snarky hilarious memoir about a year in the life of a 55 year old and guess what, being that old doesn’t make adulting any easier. Take for instance your teenagers, they are still a challenge. Most adult readers will find something to identify with in each of the essays. And in a busy life, essays, rather than a connected story are much easier to read and provide laughs.

When I started reading this book I actually laughed out loud at the situations that she was describing ! My goodness these were things that happened to me and my friends, and here I though was an author who was capable of capturing these life moments. However that first impression changes about half way through the book. I started to read her stories of going through the year a month at a time not as humorous recollections but as rants and at times anger. The episode of the monks and the tax problem was where this became clear and I found that I really didn't see the humor in any of it ! I finished the book with the same feeling, it was more rant than humorous. I think that all women have a combination of anger and humor when they describe their lives and the events in them, but in this book the anger overcame the humor. (less)

The author's ability to find humor about her experiences and her unapologetic attitude make this a must read. The author just lives her life and takes the reader along for the ride. And what an enjoyable ride it is!

2 stars Thanks to NetGalley and W W Norton and Company for allowing me to read this ARC. Publishes June 2, 2020

Totally neurotic!! Throughout the whole book there was only a couple of spots that I could relate to this woman. Having been born to a hypochondriac drama queen, it was easy for me to recognize the type. Every simple little itty-bitty thing blown out of proportion. A knack for taking the mundane and dramatizing. A book of individual essays - each mundane, boring, yet fabricated as something special.

I believe that this author, Tsing Loh, has a syndicated radio program. I do believe that had I ever heard the program I would never have opted for the book. And now having read the book - will certainly never go looking for the radio program.

Totally not my taste in book, writing or authors. I suffered enough as a child - this exaggerated hype, while all too familiar to me, is the last thing I ever want to come close to again!

I enjoyed this book.. I have not read the author’s previous books. Several of the essays were very funny and relatable as a mom. I am interested in reading the author’s other books.

The author is unapologetic about her lifestyle. No traditional Tiger Mom here, she’s not overly pushing her girls to succeed. She s fine with this, most of the time. A look at keeping up with the neighbors from the other side.

Available June 2, 2020

Adulting is hard. We all say it. We brag about doing laundry and putting it away the same day. Sometimes, the same week. But there is something to it. Not everyone is completely prepared for being an adult. The list of our responsibilities is endless and no matter how hard we try, we still screw up the things that seem so simple.
I was immediately drawn to this book for it's title. As a proud owner of a robotic vacuum, and well aware of it's pitfalls, think dog poo, I had to know what was going to happen when you paired said vacuum with a madwoman. Sandra Tsing Loh has turned 55 and is discovering that your age plays no part on your ability to adult. Parenting, careers, homeownership, friendships, and bills are still just as challenging at 55 as they are at 35. Raising an emotional teenager is always difficult, being 55 doesn't give you the magical ability to read their minds and figure out what they are truly trying to communicate. You can also be a little jealous of your friends who can magically plan flawless vacations, drive nicer cards, and get their kids into the best schools.
Loh holds nothing back in her essays on life, love, children and friendship in this hilarious and engaging collection. I was able to find something in each essay to connect to even though I couldn't be further away from a California living author and professor.
If you love glimpses into other's lives, this is a delightful collection covering everything from comic book conventions to finding your inner goddess.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own.

I was hoping for a light diversion when I undertook the job of reading this manuscript. What I found was at times a tedious and disjointed often rambling account of the author's life. It was at times humorous. But, the subject matter too often was out of my range of knowledge. Maybe being from the east coast put me at a disadvantage. In any event, I just did not like The Madwoman and the Rhoomba.

Only once have I simply stopped reading a book and put it down because it was so bad. If it were not for my responsibility as a reviewer to finish Sandra Tsing Loh’s new book, this would have been the second time.
What has happened to Sandra Tsing Loh? Her books were a joy, smart, funny, irreverent. We now see an often frenetic, fractured writer who is narrating the dry run of a stand-up gig that has gone terribly wrong. That said, there are passages of beautiful and heart-wrenching writing, such as the moment with her father right after his death. There are also passages of real, knee-slapping humor found in “Me and My Massage Chair”. That said, the alarm is signaled early on in the book, “I literally have no idea what I just said.” The last few sentences sweep up the pieces and blow them into a dark place, “Ah, well. For today there are tipsy four-year-olds who got into the margarita punch, savoring their first Bic lighters. Waving them, cackling, in the dark.”

Easy read
I enjoyed the series of essays. We all find ourselves in at least one but the events are pretty insignificant. I may try another of the author's books.

Reading this book was like being on a nonstop roller coaster. One story just ended and then the next one was coming at me full speed! I’m amazed how the author could keep track of the intricate details for each story, while injecting a generous dose of humor at the same. I admit I would probably not be a targeted audience for this book, as I am male of senior citizen age. With this said, I did thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! If this book would be selected at my local library’s book discussion group, I would eagerly join in the discussion!

Perhaps it’s the current moment of sickness in this world, but I felt this book was so ironic. The travels of the baby boomers are compared to the author’s lifestyle, and her lifestyle is truly humorous but somewhat chaotic.. We have a new normal now, one that would not apply to most retirees. We are not enjoying our lives traveling or staying at home.

Love the author and glad to have had the chance to preview this! Not my favorite of her work but I hope it finds its audience!

I've loved authors other books, so was looking forward to this one as well. Written exactly for me. Hilarious!

Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free, it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

An essay of stories from the author, some which are laugh-out-loud funny and some are not. I received an advanced copy from Netgalley, so I am hoping that it will be much better with some editing. There are parts that seem to be a bit rambling or maybe internal dialogue that I didn’t “get”. It was almost like I missed something. I would go back a page to see if I did and nope.