Book Review: People I Want to Punch in the Throat by Jen Mann

Summary:
A debut collection of witty, biting essays laced with a surprising warmth, from Jen Mann, the writer behind the popular blog People I Want to Punch in the Throat.
 
People I want to punch in the throat:
• anyone who feels the need to bling her washer and dryer
• humble braggers
• people who treat their pets like children
 
Jen Mann doesn’t have a filter, which sometimes gets her in trouble with her neighbors, her fellow PTA moms, and that one woman who tried to sell her sex toys at a home shopping party. Known for her hilariously acerbic observations on her blog, People I Want to Punch in the Throat, Mann now brings her sharp wit to bear on suburban life, marriage, and motherhood in this laugh-out-loud collection of essays. From the politics of joining a play group, to the thrill of mothers’ night out at the gun range, to the rewards of your most meaningful relationship (the one you have with your cleaning lady), nothing is sacred or off-limits. So the next time you find yourself wearing fuzzy bunny pajamas in the school carpool line or accidentally stuck at a co-worker’s swingers party, just think, What would Jen Mann do? Or better yet, buy her book.

 
Release Date: September 9, 2014
Age Group: Adult
Source: NetGalley
Reviewed By: Kelli
 
Review:
I've been a long-time follower of Jen's blog, People I Want to Punch in the Throat, and have been really looking forward to reading her latest book.  I've also read Jen's other book, Spending the Holidays with People I Want to Punch in the Throat (read my review here), and her anthologies:  I Just Want to Pee Alone (read my review here), and I Just Want to Be Alone.  

People I Want to Punch in the Throat had some of Jen's popular posts from her blog included---really, when an author is a blogger first that is expected and not at all a surprise or even a negative factor, in my opinion---but also had tons of new material.  I loved every chapter, and found myself laughing out loud so many times while reading this book!  I liked that I got to know Jen a little better, and I absolutely loved reading about how she and The Hubs met.  Their courtship was the stuff of legend and it made me like her even more.

Jen is so funny and sarcastic, which makes her writing so much fun to read.  I love how she unabashedly says what I'm secretly thinking about people.  She has chutzpah, spunk, and style.  Every time I read one of her posts or one of her books, I am left wanting more.  More laughs, more rants, more observations on the characters in the world of mothers. 

It's ironic to me how I have encountered so many of the same types of moms that Jen writes about.  It's this element of witty characterization that makes her writing stand out for me.  Jen excels at figuring people out, and telling us about them in the most hilarious of ways.  I think what I admire most about Jen, besides her writing and her sass, is her ability to stand by her own beliefs even when they aren't popular or in line with what everyone else is doing.  She's strong, and she'll pass that strength on to her children, hopefully with a dose of her humor as well.

I highly recommend People I Want to Punch in the Throat and can't wait to read Jen's next release!


3 comments:

  1. I read Spending The Holidays by her last year and didn't realize she had so many others, I will definitely have to get my hands on more! Thanks!

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  2. Ok you've sold me with this line, "It's ironic to me how I have encountered so many of the same types of moms that Jen writes about." I need this book.

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  3. AHHH! Freaking love reading her blog!

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