It Could be Worse, You Could Be Me by Ariel Leve: Review and CONTEST

It could be worse, you could be me

by Ariel Leve
HarperPerennial
ISBN: 978-0-06-186459-9


Description: Meet Ariel. Her glass is half empty . . . and leaking.

If someone tells her everything will be okay, she asks: How do you know? If there's a wrong thing to say, she'll say it. If there's a downside to see, she'll see it. She lives in a permanent fear of what's to come. But at least she's prepared.

In these witty and entertaining tales from the front lines of woe, Ariel highlights the humor in our everyday anxieties and delivers insight that will ring hilariously true if you are inclined to view the world through gray-tinted glasses.

So whether you've been dumped by the love of your life, lost your job to the guy in the cubicle next to you, said the wrong thing at the party, or weren't invited to the party at all, Ariel is here to remind you that it could be worse, you could be her.

Good Stuff

• Wickedly funny, must remember to not read this stuff while at the Reference desk, my snorting out loud continuously was upsetting the college students (Freaks them out that library staff have a sense of humor)
• After reading it I realized that things could be worse in my life and that I could be as neurotic and depressed as the author. Very life affirming I tell ya.
• Author says a lot of the things that we all think or feel but would never say out loud because other people would judge or look down at us.
• The discussion about dogs and therapy -- I dare you not to laugh your ass off
• Author's justification about wanting to be put into a medically induced coma -- no seriously
• Author likes coffee as much as I do -- I'm thinking even more so
• Author reminded me of one of my favorite fictional characters "Scaredy Squirrel" -- and that is not a bad thing
• The list of "Things a Pessimist should try before they die"

Not so Good Stuff

• Not sure I really believe someone could be this neurotic (and have so many friends)
• See above about snorting out loud at reference desk
• a lot of post it notes were used in marking off all the quotes/passages that I like -- now I have to go buy more

What I learned

• I don't have it so bad
• I really am a half full type of person
• Don't think I ever want to live in New York
• That my anxiety prone son may have a career as a journalist 

Favorite Quotes/Passages

"I'm far too impatient to sit still in a salon, but in a coma there's nothing but time."

"But she (authors mom) told him that the reason I didn't pay attention in class was because he was a moron"

"And that doesn't count, because it's like having a foot-hooker. They're not really into you, you don't know who they were with an hour ago and you have to pay them."

"And yet, if I ask for a plastic bag at Waitrose, I'm made to feel I'm personally responsible for killing the polar bears."

"But then it occurred to me I'm doing more than most. I'm not having children. That's about as environmentally friendly as it gets.  Putting fewer people on earth does far more to prevent global warming than buying organic blueberries"

"And a doggy gym for the ones who don't like walkies. I wonder if dogs size each other up in the gym.  Would a mutt be considered less attractive than a poodle?"



Who Should Read

• Pretty much everyone -- other than really overly happy and annoying people
• Not for those who like lighter happy fluff
• Also not for those who are seriously depressed already

4 Dewey's (Definite worth price of cover)


Harper Perennial has generously donated 1 copy of It could be Worse, You could be me by Ariel Leve to win.

Please fill out the form and Make a comment below.  Winner to be announced on May 28th