People I Want to Punch in the Throat: Competitive Crafters, Drop-Off Despots, and Other Suburban Scourges

This title wasn't a hard sell for me, I've followed Jen for a while on her blog and social media. What was a hard sell was getting the kindle version, as I have an allergic reaction to e-readers. I prefer my books to come in the form of cold, dead trees.I'd just come off what I'd hesitate describing as a "successful" download of the first 100 pages free from another [unrelated author/title] I'd advance-ordered. I had also been plugging away at another "mommy" book which was a slog at best, and infuriatingly inaccurate, as it was written by...a man. I was fortunate to be able to finish Jen's masterpiece while waiting for my son's football practice today, on a national holiday, when most families are traveling or enjoying the long weekend, but lo, because the coach believes in the importance of this game above all else, I had nothing but time.This was a refreshing departure from the contrived and trying all-too-hard approach of those who churn out books because they "are writers" whose editors bark deadline demands, destroying their creativity and stripping the authenticity of their voice from their work.It's a voice that is genuine and unapologetic, one you know bursts confidently forth from a woman who loves her family whole heartedly (but who will admit they drive her nuts on the regular), and who values the depth of her friendships based on a mutual lack of nonsense and a love for a good glass of wine in yoga pants without bras any night of the week.It's believable, relatable, and validating. It's offensive in all the right places.I want the hardcopy for my bookshelf now.Jen Mann and I may possibly have been separated at birth.

This was just what I needed. As a former English teacher turned librarian, I find myself often bogged down in "academia" and heavy texts. I realized that they can sometimes bring a person down (at least that happens to me). Deciding I needed something lighter and less serious, I found this little nugget by Jen Mann. I laughed out loud. I nodded my head. I felt lighter. This was my girl! I had had these thoughts, lived these experiences, and thought these thoughts. I just hadn't written about them--nor could I write them as eloquently and honestly. I love Jen Mann's voice. It's real. She's someone I could hang out with. There's a "common-woman" to this piece, and I think that's one great thing going for it, but at the same time, her unique voice calls you in.It's just fun! And there's something to be said for someone who can all bring us back to reality with a smile!

Here's the thing about this book, I really liked it. I was just really disappointed. I don't want to say that it was too short, but there is something to say about the length and the way that the book ended. It left me wishing that there was more of a tie-in. Each chapter represented this great story about raising kids in in a very cliquey neighborhood, with the moms that we all know and see at Target. Or dealing with political issues that are unpopular with the rest of the population. Or showing up anywhere in an outfit that produces disgust.But at the end of the book, I had to think, well what about it?If this book sold itself as a series of essays I might not be so harsh. But it doesn't really. I've recently read a few different memoirs and they still connected at the end in some way. I didn't feel it in this book. For me most of the purpose of writing is to discover what the writing is trying to tell you. To discover what all of these memories have in common, what might be a theme. And when I say theme I don't mean it as in hokey or trite. I mean that there is this overarching element that ties all the writing together. I think that this is especially essential for memoirs. Non-fiction writing needs something to make it more than diary entries, especially if they are going to publish it in book form.I know that this particular author had a blog. I'm not demeaning blogs in any sense, I think that they are a perfectly legitimate form of writing.But if they are going to format their writing into a book, I expect it to have more book like format. I don't expect to buy a book and have it read like a blog entry.I just want to say again that I'm not trying to be harsh, but without spoiling the book I want to make my disappointment clear. I really like the authors writing style and her voice was fantastic. I think that's why I'm so disappointed. There was a lot of potential in for this novel, but it just fell short for me.

Jen Mann is a renown blogger who is famous for writing about people she, well, wants to punch in the throat.This book gives a good toasting to those who deserve to be roasted (I'm looking at you Mrs. Cooper-Wells and your carnival wristband rage), but this book is so much more than that. I have a little secret. I often have a hard time making it through comedy type chapter books because they are choppy and I am not a fan of the short story genre. I love to get a quick hit of humor from blogs, but I like my books to be real books.I had no problem being pulled through this book because there was a cohesive narrative thread that reminded me of the writings of Tina Fey and Mindy Kaling. She hooked me in and had me actually laughing out loud by the first chapter where she tells the story of how she met "Hubs." I couldn't wait to see what tale the next chapter would tell. Ms. Mann writes in her patented sharp-witted style, while lifting the curtain to gives readers a peek at her heart, wishes, and worries. It felt on the whole like a mildly satirized autobiography, not at all like blog posts strung together.I highly recommend this book. I'll be giving copies to my friends I like the best.

pretty damn funny

We have used the line "Punch you in the throat" as a joke at work for a long time. The short stories were very funny and it was left on the break table at work for all to read at the holidays. It made for some great personal stories shared in conversation, stimulated by the book. Hilarious stuff.

I ended up opening this book and reading it in two days it was hilarious from front to back and read some of the chapters outloud to my husband who laughed right along side me and said wow this chapter sounds a lot like you, and we had a hoot reading the absolute craziness this woman goes through and it's funny when you can relate a similar experience. It also makes you realize how incredibly insensitive and controlling other people need to be in order to make them selves feel good and know that it's ok to sometimes just say 'enough already' and stand up for yourself in witty ways.Excellent read , add a glass of wine and totally awesome!

Overall a light, amusing read, but honestly the humour felt a bit...tired? Or maybe predictable is the better word - suburban life, competitive moms, children's antics...easy to mine for humour but the material isn't necessarily fresh. But if you're a parent you'll still find this an easy and amusing read.

This is a page turner! I found it too funny to put down! I was giggling if not lol’ng almost the entire time and I had to hold it because the hubs was asleep beside me!