Bright Lights, Big Ass: A Self-Indulgent, Surly, Ex-Sorority Girl's Guide to Why it Often Sucks in the City, or Who are These Idiots and Why Do They A

By Jen Lancaster

Book Overview

Jen Lancaster hates to burst your happy little bubble, but life in the big city isn't all it's cracked up to be. Contrary to what you see on TV and in the movies, most urbanites aren't party-hopping in slinky dresses and strappy stilettos. But lucky for us, Lancaster knows how to make the life of the lower crust mercilessly funny and infinitely entertaining. Whether she's reporting rude neighbors to Homeland Security, harboring a crush on her grocery store clerk, or fighting-and losing-the Battle of the Stairmaster- Lancaster explores how silly, strange, and not-so-fabulous real city living can be. And if anyone doesn't like it, they can kiss her big, fat, pink, puffy down parka.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451221257
• ISBN13: 9780451221254
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: Berkley / Nal
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.4" x 7.9"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Funny and witty

This was a very easy and fun read although not the best of her books as far as story line/substance. It's basically just her everyday stories living in Chicago, entertaining as it were. Still a big fan.

It is rare I actually "Laugh Out Loud" when reading, but I couldn't stop myself.

Hilarious. I had tears running down my face during some parts of this book. My husband kept coming into the room to see what was so funny which of course led to me reading whole passages out loud. Even he had to admit it was amusing. As a side note, I read this (her second book) before reading Bitter (her first book). No need to worry about reading them out of sequence. I thought Bright Lights was funnier.

She could write about ANYTHING and it would be funny!

I just loved "Bitter Is The New Black" so I was very pleased to find a new book by Jen Lancaster. The woman just cracks me up. My life is nothing like hers, in fact she'd probably call me a Liberal Suburban Soccer Mom-- yet I can relate to so much of what she details in her books. And her writing style? Is fabulous. My ONLY complaint, and it is a tiny one, is that the footnotes are a bit distracting. Most of the info could go in the main body of the book. I don't want to describe the particularly hilarious bits because it'll spoil it for potential readers, but the bit about Target stores, and the paper gown at the gynecologist's office, and the monkey woman on the train...just priceless. Another reviewer on this page has called Jen Lancaster's behavior spoiled, mean-spirited, and immature. Yes, she has her moments, but she KNOWS it. She's laughing at herself. You're supposed to laugh too! Funny, funny book. Buy it. I've already got one for myself and two for Christmas gifts.

So FUNNY it makes being bad look good!

Jen takes on temp jobs while waiting for her advance check from selling her first book. To fill the extra hours, she has written a hilarious memoir about her ordinary life experiences. Cross her and you may be the lucky recipient of one of her crafty letters that you wouldn't believe someone would have the nerve to write. (And what a great tool for releasing anger) If your one of her stay at home friends, you may be on the recieving end of funny daily scoops that rival a soap opera drama, and much more interesting by far. -The thing is you never read any e-mails from them, so their lives must be dreadfully boring in comparison. I've never had a book make me laugh out loud (even in public) like this one did! This girl has lightning quick wit and humor. Actually, reading this made me feel a little more sane. (Thanks Jen:) I thought I had an overactive mind, she's definately got me beat, and her thoughts are way funnier than mine could ever be! Her behavior and mouth are so excusable because she's just hilarious. She really does make being bad look good. This is a keeper. When I'm feeling low and needing a good laugh, I'll be reaching for this. Reading this will make passing the time (in line or Dr's office or anywhere) much more pleasant. Just know that it is very likely to make you bust out laughing in front of everyone!

Jen Lancaster, you are my SOUL SISTER!

The biggest complaint I have about this book is that I'm already finished reading it! Boo hoo! I read a lot of books, and I have to tell you that when I read "Bitter is the New Black" last year, I laughed so hard that my sides felt like they were going to split open...just like Jen's pants split open in "Bright Lights, Big Ass!" I was so worried that this new book couldn't possibly live up to "Bitter," but I was wrong. "Bright Lights, Big Ass" is just as snarky, outlandish and hilarious as it can possibly be! While "Bitter" detailed Jen's experience of going from a six-figure salary to being unemployed and unable to pay her rent (or support her expensive shopping habit), "Bright Lights, Big Ass" describes what it's like to be a working class citizen living in the city of Chicago. Being a Chicago gal myself, I enjoyed reading a book all about my city and wholeheartedly agree with many of the points Jen makes in her memoir: + Target, Trader Joe's, and IKEA are my version of the Holy Trinity. + The majority of neighbors are freakish and must be avoided at all costs. + Finding a house or an apartment in this city is one of the most difficult tasks imaginable. + Mass transportation is never an option because "it transports the masses." I adored every page of this book. Jen is so unbelievably funny and sarcastic and fabulous! I seriously want to Google-stalk her (just as she admits to Google-stalking former high school classmates) and "arrange" to bump into her on the street somewhere, because I have a feeling we'd become fast friends and would enjoy drinking together and making fun of all the crazy people around us. If you don't already have copies of "Bitter" and "Bright Lights, Big Ass," shame on you! These are must-have memoirs for every woman, every Chicagoan, and everyone who enjoys good laughs and great books.