Review: Does This Beach Make Me Look Fat?
Does This Beach Make Me Look Fat? is a series of essays by the mother-daughter team of Lisa Scottline and Francesca Serritella. The two tackle subjects ranging from financial planning to online dating to caring for animals, plus everything in between, in a lighthearted, humorous manner. They tackle a few tough subjects as well, like the death of their mother/grandmother and the end of a long term relationship. In other words, most women will relate to several essays in this (mostly) fun book.
When I first picked up Does This Beach Make Me Look Fat?, I thought reading so many essays might get old and expected to read the book in spurts, but I was wrong. I was hooked on Scottoline and Serritella’s playful banter right from the start and loved their optimistic look on life, so I read the book straight through. The essays do need to be read in order but it would be easy to dip in and out of the book. I related to some essays more than others, but I still enjoyed all of them. I smiled, laughed, and teared up as I read this wonderful collection and look forward to reading more by Scottoline and Serritella.
Great review! I’m adding this to my tbr list.
I have read a couple of Scottoline’s essay collections, and they have kept me smiling, laughing, and fully engaged throughout: (My Nest Isn’t Empty, It Just Has More Closet Space; and Why My Third Husband will Be a Dog), so I can’t wait to read this one. Thanks for sharing.
ooo – this sounds great. I love the title. I’m adding this to my list too. Thanks for your great review Kathy!
I’ve given a few of their humorous books to my girlfriend who has two adult daughters; she loves them!
I’ve read another of her essay books and loved it. I’ll have to look for this one.
I’ll add this to my list. I haven’t read Scottoline or Serritella but I’ve noticed their books.
I keep meaning to read one of these essay books. I’ve read several of Lisa Scottoline’s legal series at Rosato and Associates and also a few of her standalones. She definitely covers a lot of ground – mysteries and non-fic too.
I like the range of topics covered! good for me as well.
It seems that books of essays can be real hit and miss. I’m glad that this one was a hit.
I love the title! If the rest of the book is that clever then it’s got to be good.
The title alone wins me over! I will be looking for this for sure!
Awww I like the mother-daughter angle and the essays do sound relatable. Thanks for sharing this one- I hadn’t come across it before!
I was hooked by the title alone. Will have to add to my to-read list
I need a laughing book
This sounds like a great collection of essays, Kathy. The title reminded of our visit to the beach this summer and my being very stern with myself before hand about having fun and not thinking for a minute about how I might look in my swimsuit. LOL
She writes a Sunday articulate in our paper and I love those! She once had chickens in her yard!
This one sounds like fun. I didn’t realize this author wrote essays, good to know!
I’m glad you enjoyed this book of essays, Kathy. I will keep it in mind.
I’m so glad I stopped to read your review. I’ve seen the title of the book around and passed by. I thought it would be some silly, frothy thing. Now that I know its a mother-daughter look at a variety of thoughtful subjects, I’m interested. I like to read and write essays. To me its a way to get my point across without anyone interrupting me.
Someone else in the WWW crew recommended this one – I’ve got it reserved on audio! Can’t wait!
Scottoline is one of my mom’s favorite writers. This sounds like something I should get for her birthday
I read one of their essay collections a few years ago and enjoyed their humor and insight.
How much fun/frustrating/enlightening would it be to write a book with your mother?!
I listened to the audio of this, and it was wonderful. I have their other books in print and I need to pick them up. I felt very good when I was done.