This book was very funny, and very real...you really feel like you can somewhat relate to her. Great read!

...or loved someone who has. This book will resonate with everyone who has been a serial dieter, tried everything on the shelf, blamed yourself, your metabolism, your boyfriend, your husband,your doctor, Oprah, and your dog. Jen writes in sometimes harsh, sometimes vulgar, but ultimately hilarious prose about her struggle to shed the pounds. (I agree with other reviewers that at moments her barbs toward others go too far and alienate the reader rather than drawing them in...she should be careful of that in future books.)

In a refreshing twist, it doesn't appear that she ultimately reached her weight loss goal, but she did end with a healthier lifestyle and sense of her own body.

When I decided to buy Jen Lancaster's book, I had never heard of her or her writing before. After having a bad day after a lifetime of struggling with a bad body image, low self-esteem and an eating disorder, I went to Barnes & Noble to find a book to take my mind off of my life (a favorite escape of mine). I saw this on display and decided to give it a try.

What I didn't know is that I had in my hands a hilarious yet deeply insightful and even beautiful book that would change my thought process forever. I remember thinking at some point while reading, "Why does she make this diet thing such a big issue? Her life is perfect." And then I went through a mini-enlightenment: my bad body image had everything but destroyed my relationships with my family, friends and loving boyfriend. Jen, unlike me, was a strong and intelligent woman that had the sense to realize that "until you figure out your insides, nothing on the outside matters."

Even though she has the perfect life and an adorable husband, she approaches her autobiography in a down-to-earth, yet never self-deprecating fashion. Her book is refreshing in today's culture of the pursuit of pointless perfection. In this far from serious book, I learned very serious life lessons of what's important and what isn't worth my time even thinking about.

I hope Jen is still fat, drunk and happy. She is an inspiration to all.

Jen Lancaster, according to her first book, convinced everyone at her old job that she was the greatest thing since sliced bread, and, clearly, she's done the same with her current agent and publishing house. This book so needs an editor. Apparently, if you sit around, whine and watch reality TV and have an ego the size of Texas, you can write these things down and get a book deal. I encourage everyone to do so!

Lancaster's first book was enjoyable, but this one is just pathetic. If you do make the mistake of picking it up, save yourself *some* time and skip the inane, silly, useless footnotes. Lancaster is no DF Wallace.

Seriously, this book has been my new inspiration! I want Jen as my new best friend, my work out buddy and the person rooting me on when I have to talk to someone in Far Away land regarding my cell phone bill! She is amazing and I can't tell you how many times I would come to work the next day and have a few quotes for everyone! This is a must read for anyone battling a muffin top or anyone who has a sense of humor!

Every one of her books is better than the one before it! She is by far the funniest author I have ever read. I literally laugh out loud when I read her books. She's witty, sarcastic, and as smart as she thinks she is! I wish she wrote more. LOVE HER.

I don't normally read this type of book, but it was hilarious. I think I will buy another one of her books just for the laughs.

The supposedly edifying, redemptive moment for this navel-gazing philistine is her "brave" dressing down of a junkie who paid her a compliment in hopes of some panhandled reward. This infuriates the author who might be a minute late for her swim. Lancaster has all the insight and compassion of a slug -- or a midwestern sorority girl.

I'd like to say that my grocery lists have more grace than Lancaster's writing, but that might give her ideas about how to pad her next disaster. If she were just trying to stretch such thin material, I might forgive her use of her email correspondence with her friends. But I can't shake the feeling that she actually found the contents of said email amusing.

I'm appalled by this extraordinarily impoverished book. It is not a good sign about our culture -- both literary and general -- that someone would publish it, and that people would read it and somehow deem it worthy.

I wish I had my wasted 15 dollars back. I would find that junkie and take her out to a decent lunch -- and Lancaster can just go soak herself.

Received item in perfect condition. New looking. It did take a month to receive the item.

DO NOT READ THIS BOOK WITH A FULL BLADDER--you will pee yourself laughing!
Check-out her other books as well--great stuff!

Think about it. You are the writer. The subject is you. The story is of your experiences based on the ideas generated by you. You have to spend a lot of time with yourself and like yourself enough to put it out there for the world to judge. And they DO judge!

This first person account starts out with the in-your-face notion that she's a fat beyotch, a hearty eater (bring on the butter) and a mean girl to boot. Look out soccer moms and Stepford wives, this is the polar opposite of . . . you.

Between "magically porktastic!" bites of food, Jen decides to try to lose 50 pounds, believing she'll be rewarded with facials and trips to Vegas or Italy to mark her progress. Regardless of her quest, her personality or yes, her narcissism, Jen Lancaster can WRITE. I went through so many pages before I realized I was almost completely finished with the book. It's a writing style I enjoy and admire, as it's conversational, FUNNY, and she doesn't hold back. She makes you feel like you're right in the room with her. Even though I can't say we have a whole lot in common, (I DO, however, like the shows on Bravo), more than anything else, I love a self-actualized, brave woman who writes well and entertains me with a good book.

Time to order the rest of her books and continue laughing in this woman's world.

Michele Cozzens is the author of It's Not Your Mother's Bridge Club

For those who haven't ever read Jen Lancaster: #1--Stop waiting and buy one (actually you should probably buy all three) now. #2--Prepare to laugh your head off as Jen artfully and wittily recounts the events of her life. You will laugh, guffaw, nearly cry, and completely identify with her triumphs and tribulations portrayed in her charming, authentic voice.
This is Lancaster's third memoir, and it is by far her best work to date. She is clearly a writer who crafts her work in the same manner she lives her life: on her own terms, and in her own style. Don't make the mistake of lumping Lancaster into some nondescript category such as "chick lit"--while this writer has a gift for detailing moments with sidesplitting humor, she is also able to touch readers' hearts with her self-effacing candor and genuine voice. Entertainment with actual substance--Jen Lancaster crafts some of the best reading material out there.

I ordered this book on July 29th and STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT!!!!!!!!!! I notified them 2 weeks ago, and they said they would resend it and they haven't!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jen Lancaster has done it again! This is another great book that I thoroughly enjoyed! I hope there is another one on the way!

Okay, people, if you didn't like Jen's previous books, why did you read this one and complain about it? Come on, you're wasting our time here. There aren't that many really funny women writers out there--and only another woman understands our problems--so don't be putting Jen down. I have to buy her books because every once in awhile I need reinforcement and running to the library to find one of hers doesn't work well since they're always in circulation. If you don't agree 100% with Jen's views, then tell me, how many of your friends and/or relatives DO you always agree with, including your husband and/or significant other? She's still the best thing this side of Vegas, and furthermore, laughing beats grousing any day, and is better for your heart.

I thought this book was great. It made me laugh, and I enjoyed the author's humorous take on weight issues (we all have them after all, no matter what your size). Lots of clever antecdotes about her many issues, and lots of honest moments. Most importantly, it made me realize that I'm not the only loser over 35 who tivos The Real World.

Jen Lancaster really does think the world revolves around her, but the truth is, don't we all? What's most interesting to me about this book is how Jen really isn't worried about her weight. She starts out with an idea and what was sad is that she almost learned shame from other people. Jen, now it's time to write the book on inner growth and beauty. I mean, if dieting made you this snarky, I can't wait for the Jen book on holding her tongue.

I like to read truth more than fiction, and really enjoy a good laugh, so this seemed like a smart choice for some light summer reading. But as soon as I started this book, I was immediately annoyed by the author and found her to be less than likeable, due to her egotistical style and irritating footnotes, which I did not find amusing or funny. But I decided to give the book a chance because of the favorable reviews I had read, so I continued on. I was interested to read a humorous yet true story about someone's quest to lose weight.

About halfway through, when the author talks about her publisher buying her book pitch and giving her the cash advance to write it, I became disturbed. I realized that her motivation to lose weight wasn't for health purposes but instead for her "career", which anyone can read through the lines and translate into "money". Once it became her job to lose weight, she went to the gym obsessively and worked out with a trainer, attended Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers meetings, and generally made it her life's goal to lose the weight and get in shape. I personally would rather read a story about someone who takes it upon herself to lose weight in order to feel better, while AT THE SAME TIME having a real life like the rest of us, including going to work, raising children, etc, all of which are time consuming responsibilities that don't always allow us to have daily personal training sessions. The author's only responsibilities were walking her dogs and cooking her husband dinner. Not to mention, the dialogue in this book seems so contrived and unbelievable. I really found it hard to believe most of the written dialogue was ever actually spoken word.

All in all, this book hardly qualifies as a memoir in my eyes as it just wasn't believable. Nor was it funny or something that most career women can relate to. To make matters worse, the author did not even attain her goal and was still quite overweight at the story's conclusion, finishing with a net loss of just 18 pounds. If you want to read some absolutely hilarious true stories I highly recommend Chelsea Handler's books.

is this book funny? yes. very funny in parts, actually. however, the author is so self-absorbed and narcissistic that it becomes grating after a while. just because you admit you are one in the subtitle doesn't mean you can go on about yourself ad nauseum. that being said, there is a lot of entertaining sections in this book and the quality of writing is very solid.

I was laughing so hard I started snorting and had to put the book down. The laughter that Jen Lancaster brings to such an intimidating subject is so fresh and motivating. It's worth a second read!

I really enjoyed Such a Pretty Fat, and read through it in only a few days. This is my first Jen Lancaster book, and I will definitely pick up the others. The book is written a la Bridget Jones or an informal blog format (which I love). I felt like I was listening to Jen talk while watching Project Runway and drinking big glasses of wine together. It's a fun, light read that isn't meant to be taken seriously.

I will agree with other reviewers that at times I found myself saying, "You didn't actually say that, Jen. You probably thought of that great comeback later." Sometimes her bitter sarcasm hits you over the head, sometimes the comebacks are unrealistic,and sometimes it seems like Jen filled in some scenes with what she wished had happened. But you love her enough to let her brag a bit and get away with it.

I happily recommend Such a Pretty Fat to any woman who has ever tried a diet and failed, or to any woman period. Pick it up and get ready for a few laughs and a new friend.

Oh Jen- When you went to the health fair for your friend? Tears were rolling down my face. I am so sorry to laugh but I like to think I am laughing with you, not at you.

I am a total blog stalker and what I love most about Jen's books is how they really come off as real life. She doesn't glamorize loosing weight or make it sound easy and there is some classic Jen Humor moments that I just LOVE about her memoirs. I feel like she's a friend and oftentimes that she's in my head... good thing that she's never came near here to do a book signing because I'd be one of those weird people that want to be her friend that she hates! Definately a must-read for all people that love humor, sarcasm and have ever tried to loose a pound or two (and gained five!).

Oh and I'm so glad I'm not the only one with crazy neighbors ;)

I've never read Jen Lancaster so I was excited to pick up this Kindle title. Irregardless of the title, this book as very little to do with losing weight. It is packed with one-liners that Ms. Lancaster uses to hit you over the head so you don't realize this book has little to do with weight loss.

But thats just me.

Her sense of humor is good, but I could only read this for short periods of time because her constant narcisscism made my teeth hurt.

And a note about the Kindle format - it is SO full of typos it's appalling. For this reason alone I would've thrown it against the wall but my Kindle doesn't bounce.

Jen Lancaster began telling this story in such a humourous way. I was crying by the end of the first chapter. This lasted for approximately the first half of the book. I don't know what happened to the Jen Lancaster who began the first half, but the second half sounded as if it was written by someone "trying" to be funny. As Jen goes about losing weight, beginning to make progress, she turns into an angry she-wolf who is downright mean in her descriptive assessments of characters. To make fun of people with disabilities and skin imperfections is not what I deem to be funny.

This book had so much potential in the beginning. Did she lose her editor and get stuck with someone new? Whatever the circumstances I will not spend one penny purchasing another of her books. I will not be a part of enriching the lifestyle of a woman who looks down on those who cannot help the way they look nor the hand life has dealt them.

It would appear that with every pound of flesh she lost she lost the ability to be funny. While her ego appears to inflate as the story progresses, her talent for making me laugh diminishes.

And why oh why did you get such a "potty mouth" during the second half of the book. It did more damage than good...adding wasted words to fill in those blank pages and empty thoughts.

While I cheer for this lady for her success in losing weight I long for the Jen Lancaster who appeared at the first half of this book.

In the book Jen Lancaster writes about her experience dieting and working out with a trainer... (this is oh so famililar huh) I had to put the book down because I found myself laughing hysterically out loud at the coffee shop and people were staring at me. I can't wait to pass it on to my sister.

it was a great, fast read. I enjoyed it thoroughly and think that anyone who's struggled with weight and has a sense of humor about it.

I loved this book. It is hilarious and I felt like I was reading a book about my life. Having just turned 40 and being an overweight, ex-sorority girl myself, I could totally relate to Jen's dieting struggles and so many other issues. I have read and thoroughly enjoyed Bitter and Bright Lights but this was even more entertaining! Fabulous beach read - cannot say enough about it - buy this book!

I was disappointed. I really REALLY like her other books but this one just didn't do it for me. If you find this one just a little funny defiantly read her others they are great.

For anyone who has ever dieted - this book will make you laugh out loud!

This book does NOT disappoint. If you are unfamiliar with Jen Lancaster's first two books, read them! If you have to read this one first, it's fine...it stands alone. You will smile, smurk, and laugh out loud! I recommend this book for beach reading, bed reading, bus reading, or "I am so po'd right now that I could bite a nail in two" reading. It is the story of "every woman's" journey to thinness......Enjoy!

For anyone who opts to read books instead of watching reality TV may be skeptical of Jen Lancaster's book and her continous references to television, mainstream culture, and her self enduced fat.

buuuut- this lady's self deprecating humor is great. She's human and flawed, and doesnt claim or try to be anything but who she is. I also get the feeling that Jen dumbs herself down so that the reader gets to the end of the book taking away so much more than just another narcissist view of themselves. I'm glad I gave it a chance.

Book starts a little slow, but the last half is very funny. I found myself having to share some of the excerpts with whoever was in the room with me! I definately recommend!

Jen is a self discribed narcissist who wakes up to realize, after years of stuffing her face...that she is Fat. She bacially whines throughout the book on how hard it is to loose weight and makes everyone around her pay for it. She is sharp witted and funny lots of times, but I wondered more than once that some of her "snarky" dialouge comes out of her imagination rather than factual events. She comes off as a cartoon chartacter, not a real person. She claims "fear" is what has kept her from growing-up, but she never lets the reader into what that is all about. She criticizes Weight Watchers Meetings because they talk about "feelings" too much and felt "those people" needed therapy. She may want to use some of her royalties on a good shrink. She is clearly a legend in her own mind. I was disappointed because what could have been a thoughtful, insightful journey ends up wetting the bed. She is a walking sterotype of the "bitter fat girl" who projects her own fears on to others. In her journey to loose weight she makes fun of the homeless, disabled and the poor and at the end, although more fit is still fat. It is hard to have sympathy for her when others, call her a "fat b" I think it is a sad commentary that weight loss is such a triumph and worthy of publishing..I am all for living healthy and spreading education about obesity but really these "personal accounts" are boring and pathetic. I am not sure why this book got published....I mean I go to Target all the time, do others really want to read about it??? All and All I got suckered in by marketing and what appears to be false, contrived reviews...a poor memoir*

* The footnotes are a distraction and stupid, save your money

I don't know if I've ever read a book that made me laugh this hard. Even though I'm from Chicago and loved hearing the names of all the attractions and suburbs, it's her writing that's so wonderful. I am going to immediately buy and read her other books!

Just like her other two books this one is an amazingly funny tale of Jen's life. It made me laugh out loud!

This book chronicles Jen's quest to lose weight. I found it insightful and funny. As women, we have all gone through the emotional roller coaster of loosing weight. Jen has a great sense of humor and I find myself saying, "Hey that's me." Although I didn't think it was as funny as her second book, it was still hilarious and I would absolutely recommend it.

I really had a lot of fun reading this book. While I don't have quite as much to lose as Jen did, I was totally able to relate to her. It was like hanging out with my best friend. She and I were so much alike, it was like she wrote a book about me. I've been to Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers and thought all the same things! I really loved it, and I am now motivated to start working out. If Jen can do it, so can I!

I liked this book, it was funny and I enjoy Jen's writing. I've read all her books and her blog, Jen is at her best when she's being honest and I appreciate that she lays it all out there. My favorite part was towards the end when she runs into a couple of fans at the gym. Classic!

Jen's best book was the first one. I didn't give this one five stars because I found the beginning strange, I actually ended up over-eating through the first couple of hundred pages as she goes on and on about everything laden in butter. At one point I wanted to yell "Heart disease!" to Jen change the way she cooks and I'm glad she's making some changes. I also thought it peculiar that her, Fletch, and her girlfriends all talk exactly the same. Maybe they do, but some speech nuances might have been helpful.

Overall, Jen is one of the funniest writers out there, and I would recommend this book!

It's nice to read a book where someone who is a size 12 isn't the "fat" girl. It's also nice that the author was super confident and didn't care about losing weight....yes, it made her feel better and made her healthier, but she was perfectly fabulous the way she was when she was over-weight.

What I like about this book is the fun Jen makes of herself. And yeah, the book's title reveals that she's narcissistic, but it's playfully done, self-deprecating, and not over-the-top where you want to just roll your eyes and bash her head in. Not like that at all! You read Such a Pretty Fat and you laugh along with the antics of her experiences.

And how can you not cheer for someone with such a positive self-image attitude! I mean come on! It's hard enough being a woman in today's world where everywhere you go there's plastic boobs shoved in your face, and God knows what else to make the women around you look the way they do... So good for Jen for being generally happy with how she looks!

As someone who has done Atkins and now loathes the sight of eggs, and a life-timer on Weight Watchers, I loved reading about her experiences with the different weight-loss plans and how she approached them.

And reading about Jen and Fletch ... it's like I'm sitting on that couch with those dogs listening to them having the conversation while I'm drinking my two-point, four-ounce glass of chardonnay and laughing right along with them. Jen's that funny!

I just hope when they make the leap to the western 'burbs of Chicago, that she'll call me up cuz Mr. Manic and I would LOVE to take Jen and Fletch out to NaperTHRILL and show 'em how much fun living in the burbs can really be. Oh, and Jen, there are some GREAT dog parks near me!

Congrats on another successful book, and on the success of getting fit. And I'm totally jealous as I fear the sleeveless look and would DIE to go sans sleeves someday!

I have NEVER laughed quite so hard when reading a book before.

Not only is it funny, it was easy to identify with, and so so much fun.

This is an awesome book. It is funny and real, and easy to relate to. Anyone could appreciate the struggles of losing weight, but Jen Lancaster puts a humerous spin on both success and failure.

Jen Lancaster's "Such a Pretty Fat" is entertaining and easy to read. She is sarcastic and can be terribly mean. Her meanness is highly entertaining, inspiring me to harness to bitch within. I WISH I could come up with half of bitting and insulting retorts she so generously spews on others. She says what she thinks, whereas I say what I deem "nice" and instead only think what Jen says out loud. She doesn't censor herself at all. She readily admits to drinking too much, order Barbie heads on the internet while high on Ambien and eating doggie treats. These horrors are justified because she never premeditates these embarrassing actions. She always seems surprised when she takes something a little too far.
Apart from the hilarity that is Jen Lancaster, this is an inspiring story about finding your inner beauty and strength. Her message is clear " be happy, be healthy" and for that, she wins my approval.

Jen Lancaster has a deft comedic touch. That much is clear. She is unwaveringly honest and has no reservations about poking fun at herself, which makes this a very funny read at times. I will give her that.

However, the sheer self-centeredness of this book, and the constant whining can be overbearing. I grant you that I should have known and expected this since Lancaster openly admits to being a narcissist in the title. However, I was not prepared for just how narcissistic she was, and was hoping that she would open up the book to a larger perspective on why she's doing what she's doing and the whole health movement in general. Instead, we get page after page of her saying she's going to try, then not trying, then complaining. Rinse and repeat.

This sort of read like a blog gone completely haywire, then put onto the written page. I would recommend reading it in small doses, because Lancaster is very funny at times. But if you try to read it all at once, you will find it extremely annoying.

I have read all of Jen Lancasters book and just like fine wine, she only gets better! She has a way of making even the most mundane of tasks hysterically funny and is self-deprecating in an endearing way. This book is a must have!

This is SUCH a bad book, a whining unhelpful rank about overeating. Not helpful at all or even all that funny.........

Jen does it again! This woman makes me laugh so hard I lose my voice, and have tears streaming down my face. (The story associated with footnote #154, possibly my favorite in the entire book!)

If you've loved Jen's other two books this will not disappoint - if you haven't read her other two books yet you're just stupid.

Okay, Jen Lancaster is on fire, as usual, and is the reason I manage to laugh so hard that diet soda exits my nostrils. That said, getting this book was a real pain. No flipping open of my Kindle and pressing the button and waiting the 30 seconds it takes to get my read on. I have now been to THREE bookstores (count 'em, three!)because it isn't available for the dedicated e-book nerd like me, and the bookstores in my area are about five years out of date. Then there was the hit my bank account took due to the amount of driving I had to do while searching for the book...even if I'd found it, I couldn't have afforded it with gas prices at $4.25 a gallon. Sooo, rather than order it and wait for it to ship, while going hungry in the process as I dipped into the grocery fund for gasoline, I borrowed the book from a friend, but I still want it in my Kindle collection....Ms. Jen, if you are reading these things...call your publisher and fix this....I'm dying over here. Seriously, my friend wants her book back and I'm holding it hostage indefinitely.

Jennifer had me laughing out loud, again! I seriously love all 3 of her books and eagerly await the next one! I can so totally relate to her on so many levels ... especially her Jenny Craig experience?!? LMFAO! Too true and too funny!!! She says what we all are thinking! Thanks Jenn, for being one of the 'real life women' We love you for it!!! :) Everyone should go read this book! Its fabulous!