Review: Bitter is the New Black

Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster

Format: Trade Paperback
Pages: 398
Published: March 7, 2006
Publisher: New American Library
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir

My Rating: 4/5

Summary (from chapters.ca):

Jen Lancaster was living the sweet life - until real life kicked her to the curb.
She had the perfect man, the perfect job - hell, she had the perfect life - and there was no reason to think it wouldn't last. Or maybe there was, but Jen Lancaster was too busy being manicured, pedicured, highlighted, and generally adored to notice.

This is the smart-mouthed, soul-searching story of a woman trying to figure out what happens next when she's gone from six figures to unemployment checks and she stops to reconsider some of the less-than-rosy attitudes and values she thought she'd never have to answer for when times were good.

Filled with caustic wit and unusual insight, it's a rollicking read as speedy and unpredictable as the trajectory of a burst balloon.

Review:

This is not my first Jen Lancaster novel... I read her because, well... I kind of have a 'girl crush' on her. She is the person that I wish I could be. We seem to have the same sense of humour and the same narcissistic personality. The only difference, she tells the world like it is and I sit in my living room laughing about it!

Bitter is the New Black is Jen's debut novel and it was nice to go back and see how it all started. While the journey may not have been one that you would wish on your closest friend, I have to say that I am glad she went on it because... we got introduced to Jennsylvania, and really, my world is a better place because of it!

The style in which Jen writes her novels makes you feel like she's telling you her stories over a cup of coffee at Starbucks and not reading them. The fact that I actually laugh-out-loud definitely makes that feeling much more real. When the 'Russian Army' building the mega mansion next door steal her steps... the results are hilarious.

Overall, like all other Jen Lancaster novels, my days are a little brighter and my life a little more adventurous once I have finished reading. Bitter is the New Black is a definite MUST read for all those who wish Jennsylvania was possible!