\ by Leslie Marinelli

\ Reviews

• 
  Diane InThePowderRoom

  Ok - I'm biased, but in a world where "Laugh Out Loud" is a very over-used term, this really is a laugh-out-loud book. Written with heart, honesty and humour - there is something for every woman in here.
• 
  Robyn Engel

  All of the stories in this book are well written. Some are excellent and left lasting impressions, be it due to shock value, humor, or because they were prolific. My favorites were: Fugitives by Liz Dawes, "Good Vibrations"? by Dawn Weber, Backflash by Keesha Beckford, and Dropping the Mask by Angie Kinghorn. These were unforgettable, in addition to vivid images some other authors created --e.g., a tampon hanging from a woman's mouth, and a cauliflower vagina. As a whole, given the powerhouse of humorists that contributed to Lipstick, I'm wondering if the majority of these stellar reviews were composed by the authors themselves and/or those who love them. I have a sense of humor; I like to laugh. I expected to laugh aloud a lot while reading this. Instead, I found myself verging on boredom much of the time, spewing only a few spurts of the giggles. Also, the stories are poorly ordered. The better stories don't appear until the middle to end of Lipstick. A shocking or hysterical snippet should have kicked off Lipstick, but I didn't feel excited to read past the first story or two. I did, however, because a friend of mine said that the book improves near the end. The book would've done better to end with the Mask story, instead of going back into the same type of attempted humor it started with. I'm not sure what the main thread is, or is supposed to be. Is it to shock the reader? If so, only a handful of stories do that. Is it to induce laughter? Then why are most stories leaning towards being meaningful versus humorous? Also, as a single woman, the book didn't speak to me at all. NOT ONE of these stories is by a single woman. Even the ones who write about dating end up happily married. What about the happily unmarried segment of the population? Why not solicit writing from us?
  
• 
  Sally Kilpatrick

  So, this collection of essays is not for the faint of heart. That said, if you've ever thought to yourself, why didn't anyone TELL me being a woman is like this! Then this is the collection for you. I dare say this should be required reading for all women in their 20s and 30s so they'll know what's coming as well as required reading for the rest of us women so we can say, "Oh good. It's not just me!"
  
  Humorous and poignant--and sometimes over the top--but these are the essays of women who've found themselves, who are comfortable in their skin, and who aren't afraid to tell it like it is. And they do so with plenty of humor and an honest grace.
• 
  Janel

  Great book! I laughed out loud several times. Hilarious stories. One of the writer's is by a high school classmate of mine--Julie Stamper. Loved her story and of course read it first. All the stories are entertaining.
• 
  Nancy Kho

  Great book for the picking up in those little moments between carpool, dinner prep, work deadlines...an essay or two was just the right length of time and the right amount of pick-me-up. Diverse group of talented writers!
• 
  Mary Payne

  Really enjoyed this anthology-some are hit or miss but most made me laugh out loud many times. I like that this was a compilation of many different experiences in a woman's life-not just ones dealing with kids. Worth it fir a great pick me up!
• 
  Sarah

  Some great laugh-out-loud stories and some serious ones as well - great stuff by, for and about women. I have a couple of new bloggers I want to check out after reading this book!
• 
  Shirley

  So funny so many stories that I could relate too!!! Totally a book to share with your girlfriends because you know they have been in some of these women’s shoes before lol
• 
  Carianne Carleo-Evangelist

  More about parents than girlfriends, but a fun collection of stories of the issues women face.
• 
  Sharmaine Villalobos

  I've never read a book quite as entertaining as this before!
  The book truly isn't for the faint of heart. At first you think, "Okay so I'm going to be reading a book written by women who complain and complain...just look at the cover...super girly..."
  
  Oh no no no! The writers are just downright snarky. Complain? Well it isn't the annoying type of complaining, that's for sure! It's more like they turn a overly embarrassing situation into lighthearted banter.
  
  Ever felt as if something that happened to you recently was so embarrassing that no other woman would have possibly made as worse a mistake as you? READ THIS BOOK THEN. The stories will make you feel a hundred times much better about yourself. Believe it or not this book is some sort of therapy. That's right, Therapy. 200 pages to lose yourself, laugh, and enjoy life.
  
  You would think the humor is light...but boy you would be surprised.
  The raunchy humor in every short story will make you burst out laughing so hard you'll keel over from the hilarity or while you are perhaps reading the book over your morning coffee you'll wheeze and start coughing out brown caffeinated liquid onto your perfectly good pants.
  
  *I won this book in a giveaway on Goodreads. I've received an adorable card from the editor herself (the mustache lady business card is absolutely amazing---she's humorous I tell you)
• 
  Rebecca

  Compilation of blog posts from women.
  
  I had high hopes for this book since it has a 4+ rating on Goodreads -- and even purchased it since it wasn't available at the library -- but overall, I was disappointed. Some of the stories were really funny while others were just ho-hum. I have started following a few new pages on Facebook because of the really funny writers, but it's too early to tell whether or not they will be amusing.
• 
  Christina

  Some of these stories were really entertaining to read. I especially liked the 'ABC Club' one and 'My Life as a Moo Cow'. On finishing, though, I find that the target audience is for women much older than myself, so I'll be sure to let my mum borrow it, too. Entertaining. :)
• 
  Lesa Parnham

  Real life chick lit. Some of the stories are cute, needed a good laugh. This one was so so
• 
  Teri Biebel

  LOVED this and am giving away a copy on my Snarkfest blog.
  http://snarkfestblog.blogspot.com/201...
• 
  Katy

  Some cute stories in this book. Some were geared more towards women with children and others were even more appropriate for middle aged women. I understood the humor but couldn't relate.
• 
  Sharon

  Reading this is like sitting around with your girlfriends talking about life. It's hysterical. Easy to relate to and makes you think, "Oh good, it's not just me!"
• 
  Penny

  Wasn't as funny as some of the blogs I had read.
  But it was a good read.
• 
  Kaylee

  Very quick read, but funny!
• 
  Stacy

  It was an entertaining read.
• 
  Vicki Lesage

  So many honest and relatable stories! A fun read!
• 
  Eileen

  2 1/2*
• 
  Josee Nightingale

  Great Choice Katy! Looking forward to discussing this one at your cottage!!