Pennie's Pick is Such a Pretty Fat

Pennie, head book buyer at Costco, has made her choice for her January book and this one has a touch of resolution about it. It''s Jen Lancaster's third memoir, Such a Pretty Fat. Here's what Pennie has to say about it:

If 15 minutes of laughing burns 10 to 40 calories, I recommend Jen Lancaster's Such a Pretty Fat as a New Year must-have weight-loss tool. The memoir, Lancaster's third, chronicles her quest to lose weight. She succeeds, but not without some swearing, body aches and a few late-night, Ambien-induced online purchases. Lancaster's sometimes caustic wit had me laughing out loud - and nearly falling out of my chair. I imagine I'm not alone in relating all too well to her experiences with gyms, weight-loss programs and wavering self-control. Whether Lancaster's words hit home or not, I dare anyone to read this book and not laugh.

I love this note from Lancaster on Costco's site:
"To whom the fat rolls…I'm tired of books where a self-loathing heroine is teased to the point where she starves herself skinny in hopes of a fabulous new life. And I hate the message that women can't possibly be happy until we all fit into our skinny jeans. I don't find these stories uplifting; they make me want to hug these women and take them out for fizzy champagne drinks and cheesecake and explain to them that until they figure out their insides, their outsides don't matter. Unfortunately, being overweight isn't simply a societal issue that can be fixed with a dose healthy of positive self-esteem. It’s a health matter, and here on the eve of my fortieth year, I've learned I have to make changes so I don't, you know, die. Because what good if finally being able to afford a pedicure if I lose a foot to adult onset diabetes?"

 

And if those two pitches didn't get you, I dare you to watch this video and not be charmed by Lancaster (make sure to watch it all the way through to hear her husband, he's hilarious). I need to make a Costco run, so I'm definitely going to pick this up as well. It's a great book group pick to vote on this month as everyone is in their New Year/New You frame of mind. You can get it at Costco warehouses, or online.

Comments

[Ti]

That was very entertaining. As I watched, I popped a Hershey's Kiss in my mouth. That's bad, huh? I am going to have to seek out her books, all three of them because they look like a lot of fun!

[Mary]

My 28 year old daughter read her first books. I'll be looking for this on my next Costco run. Thanks for the video - very funny.

[S. Krishna]

I'm a big Jen Lancaster fan but I haven't read this one yet!

[Lori Barnes]

Loved this video i've got this down on my wish list of books to get. Thanks Happy New Year:)

[Darby Lohrding]

"Jen getting healthy had been the biggest pain in my ass....in my life" That is a riot!!!!
Great find Jen, thanks for sharing!
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

[Carrie, Words To Mouth]

Okay, you know what? I haven't read your books YET, but judging by what I see here, they have to be hysterical and FANTASTIC.

I'd love to talk to you about being on my author interview show.

If you get a chance, check out my website. You'll see there, Kim Bensen, a recent guest & author of the book FINALLY THIN! ~ Kim's thin and blonde like Barbie, but you'll love her maybe just a teeny bit more, because she's "been there" and lost over 200 pounds and has the photos to prove it.

All the best to you & I may just have to come harass you on email to be on my show! ;-)

Carrie

[CAMERAS FOR KIDS]

I haven't gotten to read her work yet but she sounds fun!