UPDATED: Laurie Notaro: Stories from a self-proclaimed underdog

   With titles like The Idiot Girl and the Flaming Tantrum of Death, We Thought You Would be Prettier, and I Love Everybody (and Other Atrocious Lies), how could you not want to read Laurie Notaro?  Her collections of autobiographical essays are simply hilarious, mostly because she has no sense of shame and is completely incapable of embarrassment.  Laurie Notaro is painfully honest about herself, her relationships, her family, and yes, even her personal hygiene.


   Her earlier books are mostly about her childhood, teen years, and drunken romps around Phoenix as a single gal.  She eventually settled down with the only single man who would have her (just kidding!), which is chronicled in Autobiography of a Fat Bride.  As a newspaper humor columnist, her career depends on good writing and keeping her readers entertained, which definitely carries over into her books.  She has the ability to make everyday experiences such as a trip to the doctor, shopping for groceries, visiting grandparents, or setting up an intervention with her QVC addicted mother seem funny and exciting.  Ok so maybe that last one wouldn't count as an everyday experience but you get it.

   Readers of Laurie Notaro often make the mistake of lumping her into the "chick lit" category, which is (believe me) a mistake.  Just ask my husband.  I have read every single one of her books out loud to him, which prompted lots of giggling and snorting from the both of us.  I would read to him until my throat was sore and he still would often ask for "just one more please?"

   Anyway, her new book is called It Looked Different on the Model and it was released last month.  As someone who has read all of her essays, I am really looking forward to this one.  If you're interested in Laurie Notaro, I would suggest starting with The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club, her debut book that includes tales of adolescence, puberty and first dates.  It is seriously funny.  She has also released two novels: Spooky Little Girl and There's a (slight) Chance I Might be Going to Hell.

UPDATE: According to Amazon, the book is available for pre-order and will be released on July 26, 2011.  Ms Notaro's website says it was released last month, but according to my sources at Barnes and Noble (me), the book is only available to be pre-ordered for July 26. Not sure what happened with the May release. Anyway, you should pre-order it!! Do it.