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Editorial Reviews
Karen McQuestion not only admits to having lied to her children, she lists it as one of her top secret parenting strategies. Some of her finest parenting moments, she recounts, have involved deception. On planes she’s translated the garbled pilot’s announcement to her advantage saying, “This plane won’t ever land if you keep kicking the back of that seat!” and once introduced a new entrée to her fussiest eater by saying, “Honestly, we’ve had this before and you really liked it.”
Among the 29 essays collected here (many previously published in the Chicago Tribune, Newsweek, the Christian Science Monitor, or broadcast on NPR's Lake Effect) are the author’s account of her first time cooking Thanksgiving dinner for the in-laws, an identity mix-up at a Chinese restaurant, and a description of the most important place she visited while in Washington D.C.—the women’s bathroom in the Department of Agriculture building. Throughout, McQuestion shares stories of her life and family with humor and heartwarming insights.
Among the 29 essays collected here (many previously published in the Chicago Tribune, Newsweek, the Christian Science Monitor, or broadcast on NPR's Lake Effect) are the author’s account of her first time cooking Thanksgiving dinner for the in-laws, an identity mix-up at a Chinese restaurant, and a description of the most important place she visited while in Washington D.C.—the women’s bathroom in the Department of Agriculture building. Throughout, McQuestion shares stories of her life and family with humor and heartwarming insights.
Related Reviews
I wasn't sure what to expect, but I enjoyed this book so much--funny, thoughtful, funny, and heartwarming. Did I mention funny? If you're tired of depressing books (I know I am), and need something to lift your spirits, this is it.
I loved this! I don't usually go for essay collections, but this cracked me up! I fell for the title, and if you are a parent, you know what I mean. Although not every story was about parenting, every story felt like real life (but in a good way), sort of like a Dave Barry for us moms!
The title and introduction are nothing like the content of the book. The stories are silly and seem to lack effort or an original perspective. It seemed that every time the story had an opportunity to get interesting, it just ended. I quickly became annoyed with the stories about her older son's disrespect. After reading the intro, I felt like I would be gaining humorous advice from a mother that had a handle on her children and didn't take life too seriously. While reading, it became clear that was not the case at all. This sad attempt at written humor isn't worth the $1.99 that I paid for it.
I couldn't even finish this book. Every story was poorly written. It was terrible. Try again, Karen. I guess I know why this was so cheap as a Kindle download.
I liked this book, but it really didn't grab me. It was lighthearted and cute, but the author does little to keep your attention. She doesn't dwell on each story for very long and when I'm done reading them, it felt like I read a paragraph and BOOM it was done. I don't recommend buying this book unless you are looking for a quick read.
I loved this collection of essays. It felt like a walk through my own reality as a mom. Karen injects such humor into everyday occurences. I found myself laughing out loud many times as I read this collection. I can't wait to see more from this incredible author!
Anti-Climactic but a Cheap Read
I agree with a previous reviewer, who said that the author doesn't dwell long on any story. It seemed there were often opportunities to expand upon a story (e.g. finding the bathroom in the Department of Agriculture - how long did it take to find the bathroom?) and inject humor into the situation. I admit I laughed a few times, but overall, most of the stories were either anti-climactic or ended right at the climax of the story (...and then what, Karen?). This book does nothing more than prove that Karen is a bored housewife who decided to pick up a hobby that she's not particularly good at.
Dumb. The intro fits the title, but after that, the book is nothing more than the rambling thoughts and opinions of and about nothing. I wouldn't recommend it to others, and wish I could get my money back for it.
Reads like a bored, stay-at-home soccer mom's facebook blog
No characters are developed. Attempts at humor fall flat. Simply not funny or cute, nor skillfully written.
Karen McQuestion's writing captures perfectly the day to day life and trials of a wife and mother. I thoroughly enjoyed this work, especially the frank honesty of it. I could relate to so many of her situations and found myself laughing often throughout my reading.
I purchased this book based on all the raving reviews it received, but was very disappointed. The stories were somewhat boring and not at all as humorous as I expected. I am just glad that I purchased this book at an extremely low price!
With all of the great reviews and the amusing title, maybe I was expecting too much. It's not that it wasn't good, I just thought I'd be rolling with laughter and I wasn't. I thought I would totally relate as a parent, and I didn't very often. I thought I'd be anxious to read another book by the author and I'm not.
It was a quick read and enjoyable. I am just let down because I thought I'd be raving about this book once I finished reading it and I can't.
It was a quick read and enjoyable. I am just let down because I thought I'd be raving about this book once I finished reading it and I can't.
This book is a collection of short anecdotes about the author's life as a wife, mom, daughter, daughter-in-law, friend, and free-lance writer. Her good humor shines through as she and her family deal with the usual struggles of middle-class family life, from holidays at the in-laws' to teenage angst.
If you've ever been part of a family, I don't think that you'll regret inviting Karen McQuestion and crew into your home for a while. My only complaint is that the book was too short! I'm anxiously awaiting a sequel where we hear about sending Charlie off to college, Maria's first real date, Jack's first realization that his mom gets on his nerves, and whether the Chinese restaurant lady ever figured out who Karen was.
If you've ever been part of a family, I don't think that you'll regret inviting Karen McQuestion and crew into your home for a while. My only complaint is that the book was too short! I'm anxiously awaiting a sequel where we hear about sending Charlie off to college, Maria's first real date, Jack's first realization that his mom gets on his nerves, and whether the Chinese restaurant lady ever figured out who Karen was.
Reading this book is like listening to a funny friend tell stories over dinner. Perfect for those times when you have 15 minutes to spare and really need to laugh. I loved this book and highly recommend it!
Shorter than I would have liked, as I really enjoyed this book. As a new parent, it made me smile a lot and laugh out loud on more than one occasion.
I liked this book to a point. I feel she should have put more detail on everything, especially Charlie's adventures. The ending made me md. I didn't believe it was the end right away. It seemed like the rest of the book, where it would continue. Nope. This was quite a dissapointment at the end...
This was a diversion from anything I usually read, it was okay and I found many truths within it. I would not call it a **** read, however, it did fill some time and I found it rather enjoyable.
Not horrible for a dollar, but not great.
This little collection is pretty highly reviewed so I bought it. The parts where she actually talks about lying to her kids is kinda funny but I say the majority of the collection isn't about that. It's stories about her family but half of the stories I felt dragged on and only had a few funny moments. If you buy this expect a few laughs but don't have too high of an expectation. Not bad for a dollar, but not great.
I bought this book on a whim and I am glad I did. It was light hearted, genuine and funny. A great read for those days you feel like a laugh after dealing with the kids all day.
This collection of essays from Karen McQuestion is very entertaining. Some are hilarious, including the one about the thankless task of preparing Thanksgiving dinner; other are much more sentimental, such as the one about her children addressing the fact that two of the three were adopted. You get a very good sense of Karen McQuestion and her family life, and being a Midwestern girl myself, I related to much of it. I don't have children myself, but many of the essays reminded me of stories the moms at work tell me. It's very funny, and I would definitely recommend it!
Her writing and stories are familiar, I wanted there to be more essays - I look forward to reading more from this author.
i have downloaded several of mcQuestion's books on my ipod, but i really loved getting to know the author in "lies i told my children." great stories from a funny lady that i could totally relate to.
I did not find anything particularly witty or interesting about McQuestion's stories nor her style of writing. It sometimes seemed she was writing a journal entry instead of an essay. I was disappointed.
I came across the title looking for a new book to read.. It's easy to read and has some laugh out loud moments. Well worth the $1.99 price..
Glad it was my first Kindle purchase.
I bought this only because of the cheap price, but ended up loving it! I only wished it was longer. I found myself reading passages to my husband as most of the book seemed to also reflect our lives. Laugh out loud funny!
I was looking for some lighthearted books to download on my Kindle when I came across this title. This book was cute and funny, as well as a fast read. It kept me entertained and chuckling. Some of the stories could have been a bit longer and more developed. If it had been a $9.99 book I wouldn't have been as satisfied, but for two bucks- I can't complain.
A nice collection of mommy stories, more like a mommy blog of ordinary events that could easily be forgotten if not committed to memory, or in the case of the author, to print. My own mommy stories are all committed to memory, and just like this book, it's always good to go back and see how far our children have gone from their younger years.
The first chapter is wonderful. If you own a Kindle you will want to get the free sample and then when you read it you will want to buy the book but it is really down hill from the first chapter. Not funny and just essays. I was looking for something like Erma Bombeck to make me lol but this is not the book. The price of $1.99 was right but I wish that I had saved the money and bought something else.
Mix Nora Ephron and Anna Quindlen
Lies I Told My Children was funny, at times LOL. McQuestion reminds me of a cross between Nora Ephron and Anna Quindlen - she doesn't take herself too seriously and this book is a reminder not to take life so seriously. It's reassuring to know that no one is perfect but striving for perfection is often what lends itself to humorous situations. I don't understand the poor reviews for this one - perhaps these people need to lighten up just a bit.
Is it a perfect book? Editing and some format goofs, but, I've paid much more for books that have just as many if not more errors.
If you like Ephron or Quindlen, I think you'll enjoy McQuestion.
Is it a perfect book? Editing and some format goofs, but, I've paid much more for books that have just as many if not more errors.
If you like Ephron or Quindlen, I think you'll enjoy McQuestion.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book
This book is fun to read. The author touches on things we come across in our own lives and helps us laugh at them. People will see themselves in some of the situations in this book and get a chuckle out of it.
I loved this book. I laughed through the whole thing. If you just need a simple read and a good belly laugh this book is perfect!
I loved being able to relate to the author. I found myself realizing every family has its quirks not just my own. It inspires me to start that memoir I have always wanted to start but haven't. Even regular (I say this whimsically) Joes have things to write about we can all relate to and enjoy.
I really enjoyed this book. Its light, funny, and true to life if you have children. I think the author has much more to say and would be interested in another type of story.. Think "the spellmans"
Great book and good luck to you... You have a nice easy writing style.
Lisa
Great book and good luck to you... You have a nice easy writing style.
Lisa
It's like having lunch with a group of your best buds and someone is telling you a funny story about what happened the other day. Well-written, with just the right amount of humor mixed in. Recommended.
I found the book to be mildly amusing, but it never went much farther. To me its the sort of "Mom in the neighborhood" type article you would read in the local newspaper, not what I would consider appealing enough for a wide audience. I read the whole thing hoping to find at least one essay that was a true gem.
After reading the favorable reviews, I was expecting something more like Erma Bombeck or Jean Kerr's "Please Don't Eat the Daisies" but the writing didn't really go over-the-top fun. And absolutely not Dave Barry funny.
Its a very quick read--only a couple of hours, so good thing its only @1.49
After reading the favorable reviews, I was expecting something more like Erma Bombeck or Jean Kerr's "Please Don't Eat the Daisies" but the writing didn't really go over-the-top fun. And absolutely not Dave Barry funny.
Its a very quick read--only a couple of hours, so good thing its only @1.49
This was a riot!! Short stories about motherhood and coping with the stresses of family life. I could relate to almost every story. This is highly entertaining and like another reviewer described, like a Dave Barry for moms..LOL! It is nice to know I am not the only one who questions my sanity, realizes parenting can be fraught with absurdity and can laugh at myself. Great book!!!!
Parenthood and laughing along the Way
Yet another great read from Karen McQuestion a fun breakdown of stories of being a parent and a glimps into a writers life a must read and yes i feel the same way about Mashed Potatoes
What a great book - I thoroughly enjoyed it, and plan to read more by this author. She is very funny, and has a great way with words. I absolutely recommend this book -- very fun!
One of the funniest and true to life books I've read in a long time
I came across this title while browsing on the Kindle site. The price was reasonable so I thought I didn't have anything to lose. I loved this book. I had to read the chapter about the in-laws to my daughter ( she doesn't have a Kindle) and the chapter about the do's and dont's of parenting was so funny and so true. Her description of her tactics to convince her children to behave in public reminded me of myself. We could have traded ideas!
I recommended this author to my other daughter who does have a Kindle.
I will definitely keep an eye out for more from Karen McQuestion.
Not lying, this book is great!
Great, funny, and entertaining stories that made me laugh out loud several times. The anecdotes about the author's childhood family car rides cracked me up, and her concerns about the new jumbo airliners were funny and spot on. Even the titles of the essays made me smile (People Leave Stuff at My House, I Can't Control Everything--But I'd Like To). Buy this book. You won't be sorry.
I thought this book was extremely boring and not funny at all. I ususally dont agree with most reveiws but all the negative ones were right on. The chapters are short, and they are not interesting at all. I kept reading it thinking it would pick up and it never did. Im only glad it was not an expensive download.
If you want a book that will make you laugh out loud, and shake your head as having been there yourself, than this one is for you. I downloaded it on my Kindle and formatting was great. My other "Mommy friends" and I all had many laughs over some of the lies we have ALL told our kids. Great Book.
Plot/Storyline: 4 Stars
Most of these essays deal with the author's experiences in raising three children. They range from laugh-out-loud funny to cute.
I did feel as if some of the essays, while still entertaining, did not really belong in this book. The ones I refer to are about airplanes, writing, and attempts at getting published.
Writing Style: 5 Stars
The writing style of this author was terrific. She tells great anecdotes without diving off into silly jokes. She portrays realism in her essays that make you feel as if you are there. Her writing put me in mind of Erma Bombeck.
Editing/Formatting: 4 3/4 Stars
There were very few, if any, grammatical type errors in this work.
The formatting was just a little off in that there were not always page breaks between essays.
Rating: G
Most of these essays deal with the author's experiences in raising three children. They range from laugh-out-loud funny to cute.
I did feel as if some of the essays, while still entertaining, did not really belong in this book. The ones I refer to are about airplanes, writing, and attempts at getting published.
Writing Style: 5 Stars
The writing style of this author was terrific. She tells great anecdotes without diving off into silly jokes. She portrays realism in her essays that make you feel as if you are there. Her writing put me in mind of Erma Bombeck.
Editing/Formatting: 4 3/4 Stars
There were very few, if any, grammatical type errors in this work.
The formatting was just a little off in that there were not always page breaks between essays.
Rating: G
See that? How my title reflects what I'm going to say? Yeah, not the case with this book. She details like one lie she tells her kids. Stories are like 10 paragraphs at the most, and they all end with a really annoying, incredibly unfunny one-liner.
I can't really understand the positive reviews, or why the hell this book is suggested next to Chelsea Handler's "My Horizontal Life", which is the literal polar opposite of this book.
NOT FUNNY. DON'T READ.
I can't really understand the positive reviews, or why the hell this book is suggested next to Chelsea Handler's "My Horizontal Life", which is the literal polar opposite of this book.
NOT FUNNY. DON'T READ.
Great fun! Not the best writing but quick and to the point. No tedious philisophical nonsense about parenting here. This is a book written by a real mom with a real sense of humor.
5 Star --Karen McQuestions 4th 5 Star review from me.
Karen McQuestions 4th 5 Star review from me.
I usually don't read Authors short story anecdotes but where I have read all of Karens Kindle ebooks , I said try it-you are a new fan of her's and you gave her 5 Stars on all 3 books. So I bought "Lies I Told My Children" and I can only say I am amazed at how Karen's ability to tell a story, be it anecdotes or a story, Karen pulls you right in. I found myself actually laughing out loud in places and other places I could associate with, like family gatherings and the gravy part had me in stitches as I have been through that one and many other situations she writes about. Down to earth family situations I am sure we can all say --been there done that. Real life event's, we can certainly feel that Karen is writing about our families.
Karen has the insight, the knowledge, her descriptions and thoughts, her outlook and a great personality, a great sense of humor that is timed so perfectly . Loved her Jumbo jet thinking also - I have felt the same way.
There isn't much more I can add that I haven't already said in my other 3 review .
Karen McQuestion has a Great future, with the way she writes, she is a new fresh thinking writer that gets you hooked and her time has come to be noticed by the Big Time Publishers. I can honestly say I have put well established Authors ebooks @$9.99, aside to read Karen's books and I will continue doing this when her next book comes out. I stop and think about what topic will Karen do next. What ever it may be, I am sure it will be Great. If not , back to the drawing board. LOL
I hope you will read all of Karen's books. I know you will get hooked.
I usually don't read Authors short story anecdotes but where I have read all of Karens Kindle ebooks , I said try it-you are a new fan of her's and you gave her 5 Stars on all 3 books. So I bought "Lies I Told My Children" and I can only say I am amazed at how Karen's ability to tell a story, be it anecdotes or a story, Karen pulls you right in. I found myself actually laughing out loud in places and other places I could associate with, like family gatherings and the gravy part had me in stitches as I have been through that one and many other situations she writes about. Down to earth family situations I am sure we can all say --been there done that. Real life event's, we can certainly feel that Karen is writing about our families.
Karen has the insight, the knowledge, her descriptions and thoughts, her outlook and a great personality, a great sense of humor that is timed so perfectly . Loved her Jumbo jet thinking also - I have felt the same way.
There isn't much more I can add that I haven't already said in my other 3 review .
Karen McQuestion has a Great future, with the way she writes, she is a new fresh thinking writer that gets you hooked and her time has come to be noticed by the Big Time Publishers. I can honestly say I have put well established Authors ebooks @$9.99, aside to read Karen's books and I will continue doing this when her next book comes out. I stop and think about what topic will Karen do next. What ever it may be, I am sure it will be Great. If not , back to the drawing board. LOL
I hope you will read all of Karen's books. I know you will get hooked.
A MUST READ FOR ANYONE THAT ENJOYS LAUGHING!!!
There is no "QUESTION" that author Karen McQuestion has the most amazing sence of humor! If you want to laugh... than this is a must read! One way or another you will be able to relate to these short essays that Karen has compiled about friends, family, children and life. You're in for a good time with this book!
Kimberly E.
Kimberly E.
you know know what they say about getting what you paid for? well this is it. her attempt to be funny failed miserably. my blogs are even funnier and its free. i found myself skipping and skipping until i decided to just forget about it.
Sick of Republican /Conservative bashing
I downloaded a sample first chapter for my Kindle. As I read, I found it mildly amusing until the final paragraph when the author injected her hyper-liberal, intolerant Democratic politics when she describes her horror at finding out that her in-laws are not only (Oh the HORROR!!!!!!!) conservative, but Republicans as well, which by her implication means that they are probably the Devil's spawn. I am sick of authors inflicting their extreme, bigoted political viewpoints on the hapless reader who is only expecting a bit of amusement, not a diatribe on how evil the other party members are. Needless to say, I decided not to buy the book, and deleted it.
Is this supposed to be funny?? I hope so! Karen, do you really to lie to your own children?? What kind of sick person are you?? If you want to gain respect from your children the least you can do is tell the truth. Why would you want to convince other parents to do the same?
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