Book Reviews of I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman

I had mixed feelings about this book. There were some chapters in this book that I found absolutely laugh-out-loud hilarious, and yet there were some chapters in this book that just didn't interest me in the least, probably because I couldn't relate, not being a New Yorker. The chapters were nice and short, however, so I was able to glide through them with minimal frustration. Overall, I thought it was a quick, enjoyable read and I'm glad I read it, even if it was nothing but pointless ranting.

Not her best. It is a slim book and she really reached to get enough pieces to fill it.

Well, There is not really much here. A very fast read, with some funny bits. But mostly just tossed together. Glad I didn't spend $20 on this new!

Wonderful little book. Can be read in two or three hours, one airplane flight. Endearing, about being a woman, aging... and figuring it all out. It's almost a good model for taking stock, everything that you are... that you have a pretty good life.

The first half of that title alone predisposed me to laugh, and I was not disappointed with the book. So many parts of it touched a sympathetic nerve. This may be because I am getting along in years. Younger women might not find the book so interesting, but just keep that title or the author's name in mind for the day when you WILL be able to appreciate it!

The first two chapters were good; the one about aging necks and better still, the one about hating your purse. It did startout promising. But after that the book fell totally and completely FLAT! The rest of the book was mediocre at best. How many of us can really relate to renting an apartment in 1980 that cost $1,500.00 per month? Plus she pays the former tenent $24,000 for the right to move into that apartment...and then the rent goes up to $10,000 a month by the time she moves out ten years later!!
This is suppose to be a humorous look at growing older. It does start out that way. But the rest of the book is more depressing than it is funny.

This book was tremendously enjoyable for me---Ephron has a special wit and humorous outlook on life that I couldn't help but be entertained. I especially enjoyed her glimpses of insight into the philosophy of what it is like to be an older woman in the USA. Highly recommend, especially for women over 35.

On Rapture is definitely the best essay in this book. As a book freak, I totally identified with it. Being in my early 30s, I chuckled a lot and then though "ummm... oh, wow". I dare any woman that reads the first one, I Feel Bad About My Neck, to not go look in the mirror and try to figure out which you have (or will have!)

Very funny, light read... enjoyed it!

Extremely funny book..had me laughing out loud at times && nodding my head in agreement about her take on life and situations!!

Ick - not a good book. Why did I even start it? I definitely didn't finish it.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I loved the chapters on aging, on dying, on keeping up the maintenance. They are good, and sometimes hilarious and funny. But I found the ones about her personal life (her apartment building, why she fell in and out of love with Bill Clinton) rather annoying in the context of the book. More than once I found myself asking: "Why the heck is she writing about this in a book about aging?" I understand that these chapters contribute to the overall idea that life is constantly changing and evolving, but it didn't need several pages of describing how her rent went up over the years to bring home this point. But I would still recommend the book to everyone who is interested in the process of aging, because it makes some good points and is witty and funny.

With 15 short stories, essays and random thoughts, Nora Ephron address the joys and traumas of being over 43 when maintenance takes more time than any reasonable person should invest themselves in, the definition of child rearing changes and a love affair with an apartment can redefine who you are. Only a woman could understand how dead on this book is. And how laugh out loud funny we can be.

Ephron writes with great wit and insight about aging, parenting, writing, and living in New York.

A really funny book! If you're anywhere over 45, you will no doubt relate to most of what she's saying. If you don't yet, you eventually will.

Ephron discusses a lot of changes that we women go through as we get older. The thing is, we don't just get older, we truly do get BETTER!

What she is talking about is actually a universal truth which should be accepted and cherished. Don't let a lousy wrinkle get you down. Think instead of how much more you now know since you've been through so many different experiences, met so many more people, learned so many new things, etc. You've taken all life's given and utilized your experiences to enrich your soul and to become a more interesting person.

Hey, neck sagging a bit, tush dropped down a few inches, hair turning gray? So what?!
Read the book and laugh.

What's not to love about Nora Ephron? None of us should take ourselves so seriously, and she chimes right in with all the personal anecdotes to remind us why: from using night cream on your neck to never having enough insurance. I loved her self-deprecating humor, it reminds me of her touches in "Something's Gotta Give" and "Who's Got Mail"...how can you go wrong with this one?

This collection of humorous essays accurately expresses the feelings of middle-aged women.
Some of Ephron's best essays include topics relating to designer purses, and physical maintenance. This book is a quick and funny read.

VERY funny book, if you're a woman of a certain age (like me). Short pieces about aging.

This was a book I feel would have been better enjoyed if I had lived or live in NYC, however, the references to the changes that happen to our (women's) bodies while we age did give me a smile. There are other discussions of our purses, hair, clothing, and children. I do believe that a younger woman, under 40 would not really get it yet, but all of those 40 or older should crack a smile on some things. Easy to read, for a interim book before diving into something more meaty.

I am an Ephron fan and have read just about everything she's written. Her spark and wit are no less present here. It's a quick read and will keep those women who have seen the far side of 25 smiling and nodding in agreement at her reflections on women and aging.

Nora Ephron is in a class by herself. This book is required reading for any woman! Loved it!!

The first half of the book was a drag. But then the second half picked up and became very entertaining. I wouldn't of dished out $20.00 for it though.

Another funny book of essays by Nora Ephron. I read this in one sitting (not that it is a very long book) but I do wish there was more, more, more!!!! I found her very relatable â€"which is surprising given that our lives and financial situations are worlds apart. She just has a very down-to-earth quality about her writing that makes her so accessible and enjoyable.

This is absolutely hilarious! A fun, easy read for those of us who are "a certain age."

Witty little book with lots of anecdotes about the aging process. Though I am only 26, I identified with Ephron's stories and found myself laughing at her observations.

This collection of stories is definitely not novel-length in size and Ephron has an odd way of writing in run-on sentences. Though I am satisfied with the book, I think it would have been much better if Ephron had added another 100 pages or so.

I found this nonfiction collection of essays to be quite enjoyable. It was a light, fun, fast read. Ephron shows a lot of wit and humor as she addresses such topics as cooking, fighting the physical evidence of aging, and living in the city.

Fast , enjoyable read !! Nice sense of humor about aging! Who doesn't need that ?

As soon as you get this book, and mark it receive on PBS, repost it. You read correctly--repost it. That's because by the time the next person accepts it from their Wish List, you will be finished. That's how short this book is. Oh, and not very good.

This was a funny book and a very fast read. I've passed it on to several of my girlfriends and all of them can relate to a story or two.

Hysterical!!! Easy read - finished in 2 days

Reminded me a lot of Erma Bombeck. Very funny.

A quick entertaining read. Not as funny as I had expected.

Nora Ephron is great! She made me laugh and, often, shake my head in agreement.

Hilarious read. Though provoking and definitely worth it!

The book was funny, and sometimes very true.

Funny! I enjoyed this book!

Very funny, entertaining, easy and fun read. Makes me glad I don't have to worry about finding a nice apartment in NYC! And oh yes, she does feel bad about her neck...and women's purses...and Bill Clinton. This was a birthday gift -- much enjoyed.

This book was a riot!!!! As an (almost) forty year-old mother, wife, & daughter-I truly saw myself and many of my friends identifying with Nora Ephron. You won't be disappointed!

This is wonderful and a very funny book that any woman would enjoy.

Quick read-not her best, but some funny parts on aging..

I just scanned this book - it didn't grab my interest enough to read every word.

Every so often I read a book about age, and they say how great it is to be old. It is great to to wise and sage and mellow. It is great to be at the point where you understand just what matters in life. I can't stand people who say things like that. What can they be thinking? Don't they have necks???

Classic Nora Ephron! Someone should give this as a gift to women on their "milestone" birthdays! Honest, Sassy, and Savvy!

In spite of what many others wrote in their reviews, I enjoyed this book to the utmost. I laughed out loud at some of her comments because they hit home so totally. I believe this is a wonderfully readable book for "women of a certain age." For others, maybe not so. Nora Ephron is a whacky, funny, wise-cracking writer with a fractured sense of humor. I like her! I wish she lived next door to me. We'd get along just fine.

Very dissappointed, not funny. Maybe stick to screenplays.

not as good as I thought it would be

Funny thoughts about becoming a certain age.

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