Review: You Don’t Sweat Much for a Fat Girl
You Don’t Sweat Much for a Fat Girl is Celia Rivenbark‘s latest collection of humorous essays and, in them, she takes on everyone and everything from the TSA to the lack of young females in China. Filled with her trademark brand of Southern humor there’s sure to be an essay to amuse just about everyone in this collection.
I took me a little while to get used to Rivenbark’s snarky language, but once I did, I read this book in no time. As you would expect with any collection, I enjoyed some of the essays more than others. Rivenbark freely gives her opinion on things ranging from social media to parenting. A few of my favorite essays were Twitter Woes: I’ve Got Plenty of Characters, Just No Character, in which she explains how hard it is for Southerners, long know for their storytelling abilities, to condense what they have to say to 140 characters, and Crappy Science Fair Didn’t Even Have Any Rides which takes on parents who are overly involved with their kids’ projects.
I liked You Don’t Sweat Much for a Fat Girl a lot, even though I’m not crazy about the title. The essays were humorous as I read them and some stayed in my mind and made me think for a while. None of the essays are that long, so this is a great book to pick up when you only have short time to read. Keep in mind that Rivenbark isn’t always politically correct and does use some language.
I found that title funny. And it sounds like something I might enjoy 🙂
Can’t say I’m sold on the title either but it does look like it has good content.
She makes me laugh! I follow two people on Twitter and she is one of them!
i need to read this
Have you read The Sweet Potato Queen’s Book of Love? This sounds like it might have some of that tone, which I love. The title is an old (southern?) phrase which resonates as far back as the corners of my memory go, so I find it mildly amusing. I say that phrase sometimes because I perspire less than other people.
I’m looking forward to reading this – sounds like one I’ll enjoy.
This sounds fun but I agree with you about the title!
Celia is pretty darn funny. I read one of her books and the take on the construction guy had me practically rolling on the floor laughing.
This one sounds hilarious, although I could do without the crass language.
I love to laugh, especially now, as I am recovering from two surgeries and a 70-day stay in the hospital.
The title struck me as mean-spirited, and now that I know about the language, I know I wouldn’t think this was funny. Call me an old fuss-budget but . . . well, I am old, I admit it.
sounds like a fun collection…no sure about that title though…
I also am not crazy about the title, but I do enjoy essays of this type, so it might be worth it to check this one out. It sounds like it has its very humorous moments. Great review, Kathy 🙂
Oooo she’s Southern? This sounds interesting… I like the title of her Twitter essay. I have hit that roadblock many, many times. I can be very wordy. 😀
I never would have picked this up based on the title or cover but you’ve got me curious — she sounds a bit like Laurie Notaro.
I saw this at the store but didn’t pick it up. The title is insulting and I figured the writing would be too. But — you liked it, so maybe I’ll give it a try.
The title made me think it was a memoir or chick lit. Some of the essays sound fun though.
I read a book by her a few years ago that was hilarious. But I think she’s the type of author that I really have to be in the right mood for.
I wouldn’t have necessarily picked this up because of the meany title, but I do like Southern snarky humor. These are great to read in short bursts.
I read one of Riverbark’s books a few years ago. It was cute and I chuckled, but I do agree that some are definitely funnier than others.
I was wondering about this book particularly because of the title. It sounds pretty good and I like that it’s funny. I’m glad you ultimately ended up enjoying it for the most part :o)
She kind of sounds like a Southern Jen Lancaster (another snarky, razor sharp wit writer). Sounds like this would be a great commuting book for me.
I am passing on this one, not an essay kind of gal
I’m going to look for her on line and see if her web site gives me a taste for her writing – that Twitter essay sounds funny, and I could use some political incorrectness and language right now (stress!).
I have this one in my stack. She’s hysterical!
Actually the cover and the title had me laughing at her audacity. It grabs you for outspoken title and you can’t help but wonder what she is going to attack. Scorpian nature loves snarky things as long as it is not a mean or a vindictive nab at people but just a box for airing thoughts.
This one sounds like it will be an interesting read. I know – the title doesn’t sound too nice, but I’m glad the book was worth reading.
Well, at least you know from the title that she won’t be politically correct 🙂
I think I would need to be in the mood to read a collection of essay’s. It’s been awhile since i’ve attempted to read a collection of short stories or essays. I’ll keep this one in mind.
I always want to read essay collections and never know what to read… This is a good suggestion for the next time that happens!
I have recently had this recommended to me by quite a few people…I think I may have to pick it up soon. Being a Southerner it seems like one not to be missed. Thanks for the review!
ever since i seen this book popping up on people’s imm i wanted to read it. i’m glad to hear that it’s funny and entertaining.
Someone else recommended this author and I have an earlier books of hers waiting to be read. Sounds like it will be fun.
I liked this a bit more than you did – in fact, I was laughing out loud while reading some of the essays. But I can see how her snarky humor could be a bit much for some readers.
I have a copy of this book and appreciate that warning about the snarky language and humor. Essays can be like that, you like some more than others.
I was looking at this at Barnes and Noble and it looked hilarious! And my reading lately has definitely been in short time frames so this might be perfect, lol