The first half of this book I was laughing out loud at parts. Kaplan is a very witty writer and shockingly honest. The book does get a bit boring when she gets to the baby part though.

The only thing I thought was downright not funny was the part where Kaplan writes about her days in summer camp being mean and bullyish to Lisa. Lisa was so shunned by Kaplan and her friends, that she "let" an adult camp counselor rape her. I got the feeling Kaplan hasn't grown up yet and feels no remorse over how Lisa was treated.

But as a writer, Kaplan is talented and funny.

I've been there and I know these people! As a Jewish woman, a former actress and a mom, I can relate to Cynthia Kaplan's life and the many characters mentioned in her book. She has a gift for taking every day life and finding the humor in even sad, frightening and bittersweet moments. I picked up the book and never put it down until the last page, at which point I wished I knew Cynthia's phone number so that I could call her and tell her some of my stories. Can't wait to read her other book.

I'm here to rave about this book. It's a gem! Cynthia Kaplan writes in an unpretentious style that makes you want to invite her for coffee and a good chat. I'm afraid my copy of this book is "flagged" because I couldn't put it down. I related to many of her stories, from the pain of a loved one slipping away with Alzheimer's, to the brief insanity brought on by the presence of a moth, to the experience of living with migraine, and most of all, the all-consuming love you have for your children. I'm going to read her other book (books?) and hopefully she'll write lots more.

A number of negative reviews of this book stem from what appears to be a set up. Cynthia Kaplan didn't compare herself to David Sedaris after all. When I depend on reviewers to choose books for me, I'm most often sorely disappointed. I know what I like and I had only to read the intro line, "The eyes are the windows of the head," to figure I was going to enjoy this one.

Most likely, the reason I laughed out loud as well as felt Kaplan's pain, is because I've been there. So much of what she wrote reminded me of experiences in my younger life and in fact, her book lit a spark in me to do some writing about my own early adventures.

Yes, Kaplan is self-absorbed. This is memoir! It's the self-absorption that makes the book amusing. She's able to poke fun at herself and her own foibles and experiences which is something most people find very difficult to do.

I'm not saying this is the best book ever written, but if you like to laugh, take a day trip into Kaplan's world and see what happens.

I loved this book so much that I have given it as a gift to all my friends!