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How to Be Single
It's the most annoying question and they just can't help asking you:
Why are you single?
On a brisk October morning in New York, Julie Jenson, a single thirty-eight-year-old book publicist, gets a hysterical phone call from her friend Georgia. Reeling from her husband's announcement that he is leaving her for a samba teacher, Georgia convinces a reluctant Julie to organize a fun girls' night out with all of their single friends to remind her why it is so much fun not to be tied down.
But the night becomes a wake-up call for Julie because none of her friends seem to be having much fun: Alice, a former legal aid attorney has recently quit her job to start dating for a living; Serena, who is so busy becoming a fully realized person that she can't find time to look for a mate; and Ruby, a curvy and compassionate woman, has been mourning the death of her cat for months.
Fed up being single in Manhattan, Julie sets off to find out how women around the world deal with this dreaded phenomenon. From Paris to Rio to Sydney, Bali, Beijing, Mumbai, and Reykjavik, Julie falls in love, gets her heart broken, sees the world, and learns more than she ever dreamed possible. Written in Liz Tuccillo's pitch-perfect, hilarious, and relatable voice, How to Be Single is the ultimate novel for the adventurer in us all.
404 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
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About the author
Liz Tuccillo
20 books91 followersLiz Tuccillo is an American writer and actress best known for her work on the HBO comedy series Sex and the City and for co-authoring (with Greg Behrendt) the self-help book He's Just Not That Into You. Her first novel, How to Be Single, was published in June 2008.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 977 reviews
March 14, 2016
This was a directionless novel about a group of unapologetically self obsessed 38 year old single women. I was expecting something different - maybe inspiring, about forging your own path and not relying on relationships to bring you joy. It could have been that. Or it could have been funny. It could have been romantic. It could have been smart. It could have been fun. It could have been educational. Unfortunately it was an annoying bore, full of clichés and stereotypes and I failed to see any purpose behind its existence.
I don't want to turn anyone off from this, because chick lit/memoir shit like is just not for me - I only read it because the movie adaptation was coming out - which I recommend watching by the way - nothing like, and far better than the book!
I don't want to turn anyone off from this, because chick lit/memoir shit like is just not for me - I only read it because the movie adaptation was coming out - which I recommend watching by the way - nothing like, and far better than the book!
March 25, 2017
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
I read this several years back during one of the infamous "Winter Reading Challenges" in order to score a free coffee mug, but ended up kind of ripping all of the library's suggestions to shreds (including another by this author) so I never posted a review (you don't insult the people who help supply your addiction, after all). This past week my social media has become the Land of All Things Beauty and the Beast and I (once again) started questioning just how abnormal I am being that I am super creeped out by nearly everything Disney - especially middleaged women with no children who are obsessed with it. Right when I was wondering if I'm missing a chromosome or have some sort of terminal case of not enjoying anything everyone else in the entire world does, this movie came on HBO or Showtime or some such and I was too lazy to flip the channel. And then??????
Everyone else in the world probably hated this movie in addition to hating the book, but oh my lort I ate it up and I'm so excited the 14-year old girl inside of me really hasn't shriveled up and died. I've now watched it twice in less than 24 hours and I can't wait for my family to go to sleep or get involved with the big sportsball tournament so I can watch it again. It also has a cameo by Colin Jost and well, there ain't NUTTIN' wrong with dat . . . . .
1 Star for the book, but 5 Stars to the writers who polished that turd into something sparkly (much like what they did with He's Just Not That In To You (another real shitfest co-written by Turillo)!
I read this several years back during one of the infamous "Winter Reading Challenges" in order to score a free coffee mug, but ended up kind of ripping all of the library's suggestions to shreds (including another by this author) so I never posted a review (you don't insult the people who help supply your addiction, after all). This past week my social media has become the Land of All Things Beauty and the Beast and I (once again) started questioning just how abnormal I am being that I am super creeped out by nearly everything Disney - especially middleaged women with no children who are obsessed with it. Right when I was wondering if I'm missing a chromosome or have some sort of terminal case of not enjoying anything everyone else in the entire world does, this movie came on HBO or Showtime or some such and I was too lazy to flip the channel. And then??????
Everyone else in the world probably hated this movie in addition to hating the book, but oh my lort I ate it up and I'm so excited the 14-year old girl inside of me really hasn't shriveled up and died. I've now watched it twice in less than 24 hours and I can't wait for my family to go to sleep or get involved with the big sportsball tournament so I can watch it again. It also has a cameo by Colin Jost and well, there ain't NUTTIN' wrong with dat . . . . .
1 Star for the book, but 5 Stars to the writers who polished that turd into something sparkly (much like what they did with He's Just Not That In To You (another real shitfest co-written by Turillo)!
February 9, 2009
I can't quite figure out whether I want to give the book two stars or three. On one hand, each character - filled with pathos and false bravado, reminded me of well... me. And all my female friends. On the other hand, it felt ridiculous and contrived (which naturally upsets me). And at the end of reading the book, I'm torn about whether or not I liked the book.
This was an essay disguised as a novel,and reads like a non-fiction, which works for the book. I didn't hate the book - it flows well enough. And I think I cringed at all the right places, because well, you know - I've been there. Or know someone who has. With all the recycled notions of love and relationships, that's the effect the author was going for, and that's the effect she got from me.
And that's also what's wrong with the book, that it's filled with cliches and a sense of hopelessness. It's depressing to think that 38 year old single women are the same as 28 year old single women who are, apparently, the same as 18 year old single women.If the conversations sound familiar, it's because they are ones you've had at some point, with some friend. And the men are not spared the steretyping either. If all the men in the book are jackasses, it's because apparently, there are no good ones. Especially single ones. None of the men are apparently worthy of us, and yet we are still stupid enough to want them.
The stereotypes extend to countries as well. The cultural comparisons of the "Stupid Americans" who want it all vs. the pragmatic french, the passionate Italians, the sexy Brazilians, the cool Icelanders, the calculating,freedom-loving Chinese, the arranged-marriage-friendly Indians... were annoyingly trite as well. And you read about each culture, but dont' end up any wiser about their approach to life and singlehood.
The book tells you what you already know, and tries to tell you you're still okay. But at the end of it, I didn't feel okay. I felt inexplicably sad. The author sneers at how easily people tell us we need to love ourselves, and yet, ends with the admission that, " I think we are going to have to love ourselvs. Fuck. I know. I know".
And for that, you're supposed to smile and say, yes I knew too.
But the truth of the matter is, no I DON'T know. And neither does Tuccillo.
This was an essay disguised as a novel,and reads like a non-fiction, which works for the book. I didn't hate the book - it flows well enough. And I think I cringed at all the right places, because well, you know - I've been there. Or know someone who has. With all the recycled notions of love and relationships, that's the effect the author was going for, and that's the effect she got from me.
And that's also what's wrong with the book, that it's filled with cliches and a sense of hopelessness. It's depressing to think that 38 year old single women are the same as 28 year old single women who are, apparently, the same as 18 year old single women.If the conversations sound familiar, it's because they are ones you've had at some point, with some friend. And the men are not spared the steretyping either. If all the men in the book are jackasses, it's because apparently, there are no good ones. Especially single ones. None of the men are apparently worthy of us, and yet we are still stupid enough to want them.
The stereotypes extend to countries as well. The cultural comparisons of the "Stupid Americans" who want it all vs. the pragmatic french, the passionate Italians, the sexy Brazilians, the cool Icelanders, the calculating,freedom-loving Chinese, the arranged-marriage-friendly Indians... were annoyingly trite as well. And you read about each culture, but dont' end up any wiser about their approach to life and singlehood.
The book tells you what you already know, and tries to tell you you're still okay. But at the end of it, I didn't feel okay. I felt inexplicably sad. The author sneers at how easily people tell us we need to love ourselves, and yet, ends with the admission that, " I think we are going to have to love ourselvs. Fuck. I know. I know".
And for that, you're supposed to smile and say, yes I knew too.
But the truth of the matter is, no I DON'T know. And neither does Tuccillo.
October 23, 2009
Only the first 20 pages of this book were smart. The rest was offensive. The international stereotypes were so obvious it was insulting. Really, Liz? The Chinese girl who laughs and laughs? The Indians who "bobble" their heads? The strong nordic women? I was shocked to discover she did ACTUAL research for this novel, stemming from ACTUAL travel to the countries mentioned. If someone had asked me, I would have said that the only research she did for this book was to go to Disneyworld, take a ride on "It's A Small World," and take notes.
February 6, 2009
This book was so depressing.
It made me feel like "I need to get married" and at the same time, "It will never happen because all men are bastards."
It should have been called, "Accept You're Single Now Because Noone Will Ever Want You."
It made me feel like "I need to get married" and at the same time, "It will never happen because all men are bastards."
It should have been called, "Accept You're Single Now Because Noone Will Ever Want You."
March 27, 2019
Fair warning: unless you are a single woman in her mid to late 30's, you may find this book trite and possibly annoying. However, should you fall within the target demographic, read on. I did...twice! Tuccillo co-wrote "He's Just not that Into You," which should give you some indication of the combo insight and humor awaiting you here.
What I loved about this book, and what made me laugh over and over, is the reminder of how nutty we get at a certain age when we haven't married. Yes, I know that married folk have their own identity crises around this same age. Who am I? Have I lost myself in my kids? What do I do now that they don't need me as much anymore? But I'm single, so I can't relate to any of that. What I DO relate to is a group of somewhat maniacal women who have been single adults for somewhere around 20 years, and are now faced with the very real possibility that this is it, no prince charming is coming for them.
First, anyone single for that long will inevitably get stuck in their own head: man, woman, feline... No matter our level of self-esteem, some narcissism also sneaks in. We may love or hate ourselves, but if we are single too long we become convinced our problems are on the level of the Greek economical crisis. Perspective gets lost in the shuffle of the years.
Second, the idea of being single forever is rolling around in our heads. Maybe we're fine addressing this directly and openly, or maybe not. Either way it's there, and I believe we try to find our true selves, our bliss, and our fulfillment in our non-traditional lives all on our own. In the same way the stay at home mom goes back to school, finds a part-time job or decides she has to run that marathon, we single gals make life-changing decisions right about this time. But since we are unencumbered, ours can border on the ridiculous, much like Tuccillo's characters. So we buy pets and convert them into our children, and they shape each and every of our life decisions. We quit our jobs and run off to become a buddist monk. We take Stella Got Her Groove Back- type trips to places like Brazil.
What I interpreted as Tuccillo's underlying message here: the best way to be single is stop trying so hard to find purpose and just live your life. It's messy no matter what, so just shrug your shoulders and go along for the ride. Easier said than done, but I would like to give it a try.
What I loved about this book, and what made me laugh over and over, is the reminder of how nutty we get at a certain age when we haven't married. Yes, I know that married folk have their own identity crises around this same age. Who am I? Have I lost myself in my kids? What do I do now that they don't need me as much anymore? But I'm single, so I can't relate to any of that. What I DO relate to is a group of somewhat maniacal women who have been single adults for somewhere around 20 years, and are now faced with the very real possibility that this is it, no prince charming is coming for them.
First, anyone single for that long will inevitably get stuck in their own head: man, woman, feline... No matter our level of self-esteem, some narcissism also sneaks in. We may love or hate ourselves, but if we are single too long we become convinced our problems are on the level of the Greek economical crisis. Perspective gets lost in the shuffle of the years.
Second, the idea of being single forever is rolling around in our heads. Maybe we're fine addressing this directly and openly, or maybe not. Either way it's there, and I believe we try to find our true selves, our bliss, and our fulfillment in our non-traditional lives all on our own. In the same way the stay at home mom goes back to school, finds a part-time job or decides she has to run that marathon, we single gals make life-changing decisions right about this time. But since we are unencumbered, ours can border on the ridiculous, much like Tuccillo's characters. So we buy pets and convert them into our children, and they shape each and every of our life decisions. We quit our jobs and run off to become a buddist monk. We take Stella Got Her Groove Back- type trips to places like Brazil.
What I interpreted as Tuccillo's underlying message here: the best way to be single is stop trying so hard to find purpose and just live your life. It's messy no matter what, so just shrug your shoulders and go along for the ride. Easier said than done, but I would like to give it a try.
March 22, 2023
This was a pretty descent book.
I really enjoyed how all of the characters meshed so well even though they were utterly different. I think that aspect kept the book interesting because of all the contrasting personalities and all the various scenarios these ladies went through as single women in New York. I really enjoyed the writer's prospective of different cultural views on being single and dating as well.
Julie the main character decides to travel the world to see if single women go through as much crap as American women and in the end finds that each country has their different dating rituals, but in today's complicated world it is just as difficult for every woman in all countries. You have to find happiness within yourself is the main lesson Julie learns.
I really enjoyed how all of the characters meshed so well even though they were utterly different. I think that aspect kept the book interesting because of all the contrasting personalities and all the various scenarios these ladies went through as single women in New York. I really enjoyed the writer's prospective of different cultural views on being single and dating as well.
Julie the main character decides to travel the world to see if single women go through as much crap as American women and in the end finds that each country has their different dating rituals, but in today's complicated world it is just as difficult for every woman in all countries. You have to find happiness within yourself is the main lesson Julie learns.
February 3, 2016
Maybe because I have never really been single, I just found this trite. From the perspective of being married, I want to tell these thirty something women to grow up and get over the princess in waiting attitude. I feel like most of the women have completely unrealitic expectations of what love and commitment are. Really if the reason Julie can't get a guy is because she is only a size 6 and has celluite - then how does that explain the hordes of happily coupled/married size 12 and up women?
Julie in particular is shallow and unlikeable, even before she decides that her true love lies in an already married man (no matter how open his marriage may be). I mean, really? I am wondering why she even bothered leaving her hotel when "researching" - somehow I think speaking to less than a dozen people in an entire country does not count as thorough investigation.
The girls who are left at home are much more interesting - Georgia falling apart in the wake of her husband leaving her, Ruby contemplating single motherhood, Serena acting like a total flake and Alice holding on to an ideal in the face of reality.
There were moments in this book - warm and humourous, but overall I think this book is irritating and I am not the least bit suprised that Julie remains single.
Julie in particular is shallow and unlikeable, even before she decides that her true love lies in an already married man (no matter how open his marriage may be). I mean, really? I am wondering why she even bothered leaving her hotel when "researching" - somehow I think speaking to less than a dozen people in an entire country does not count as thorough investigation.
The girls who are left at home are much more interesting - Georgia falling apart in the wake of her husband leaving her, Ruby contemplating single motherhood, Serena acting like a total flake and Alice holding on to an ideal in the face of reality.
There were moments in this book - warm and humourous, but overall I think this book is irritating and I am not the least bit suprised that Julie remains single.
July 25, 2011
This book is Sex and the City meets Eat, Pray, Love is the best way to describe this book. You have 5 women focused around the central character, Julie. Julie works for a publisher and is off to write a book about being single across the world after a humiliating night out. Her friends that barely know each other in the beginning become her Sex and the City girls.
Alice is a Legal Aid Attorney who quits her job for a new career in dating. She meets a wonderful guy and is tired of dating - will she settle?
Serena is a private chef who decides to become a yoga guru. Back in the real world she finally learns how to live.
Georgia is a recent divorcee ready for the single life, but that could threaten what she holds most dear.
Ruby is a lost soul searching for love, but first must love herself.
This story does a great job of bringing single women together and realizing sometimes we just have to love ourselves.
Alice is a Legal Aid Attorney who quits her job for a new career in dating. She meets a wonderful guy and is tired of dating - will she settle?
Serena is a private chef who decides to become a yoga guru. Back in the real world she finally learns how to live.
Georgia is a recent divorcee ready for the single life, but that could threaten what she holds most dear.
Ruby is a lost soul searching for love, but first must love herself.
This story does a great job of bringing single women together and realizing sometimes we just have to love ourselves.
January 26, 2018
Nope this book is not for me. I am single. I found this book is offensive on judging singletons. Nope sorry.
February 12, 2011
I know this book was intended as chic lit fiction; but the ethnocentrism in the book was derailing for me. The main character Julie epitomizes the ugly American abroad.
In Australia she writes: “Like an aborigine with a bottle of Wild Turkey, Georgia spiraled out of control.” and “Her name was Fiona Crenshaw from Tasmania (a small island off the coast of southern Australia).”
Then in China she writes: “In Beijing, as I soon found out, they enjoy “squatter” toilets. Even in some upscale establishments, they have not yet found the need for a good old Western toilet… So I had gone from a kiss at the Colosseum to falling in love in Bali to a squatters pen in Beijing. It was quite clear to me. My grand affair was indeed coming to an end. There was nothing I was going to be able to do about it except get through it as quickly as possible and with as much dignity as possible”
And in India she writes: “I had an image of India of lepers begging on the streets and cows running rampart. But I also read Time Out Mumbai between crying jags on the plane, and I couldn’t imagine that a city where they had a Time Out review of performing art could also have cows and begging children” and “We parked near where I would be staying, a modest “economy” hotel in South Mumbai… My room was small, with two double beds, a television, and a desk. It was no marble-covered Bali bungalow, but then we’re not in Bali anymore are we? Or China. We’re in India. And I didn’t quite understand what that meant.”
It was also hard to get past that all of Julie’s “research” only entailed talking to four or five locals who she usually met in Western style bars and all who spoke English. I kept waiting for her take stock in her surrounding and realize there is more to life than wallowing in her own self pity about being single… but to no avail. This book is a disappointment.
In Australia she writes: “Like an aborigine with a bottle of Wild Turkey, Georgia spiraled out of control.” and “Her name was Fiona Crenshaw from Tasmania (a small island off the coast of southern Australia).”
Then in China she writes: “In Beijing, as I soon found out, they enjoy “squatter” toilets. Even in some upscale establishments, they have not yet found the need for a good old Western toilet… So I had gone from a kiss at the Colosseum to falling in love in Bali to a squatters pen in Beijing. It was quite clear to me. My grand affair was indeed coming to an end. There was nothing I was going to be able to do about it except get through it as quickly as possible and with as much dignity as possible”
And in India she writes: “I had an image of India of lepers begging on the streets and cows running rampart. But I also read Time Out Mumbai between crying jags on the plane, and I couldn’t imagine that a city where they had a Time Out review of performing art could also have cows and begging children” and “We parked near where I would be staying, a modest “economy” hotel in South Mumbai… My room was small, with two double beds, a television, and a desk. It was no marble-covered Bali bungalow, but then we’re not in Bali anymore are we? Or China. We’re in India. And I didn’t quite understand what that meant.”
It was also hard to get past that all of Julie’s “research” only entailed talking to four or five locals who she usually met in Western style bars and all who spoke English. I kept waiting for her take stock in her surrounding and realize there is more to life than wallowing in her own self pity about being single… but to no avail. This book is a disappointment.
March 30, 2010
Maybe because I have never really been single, I just found this trite. From the perspective of being married, I want to tell these thirty something women to grow up and get over the princess in waiting attitude. I feel like most of the women have completely unrealitic expectations of what love and commitment are. Really if the reason Julie can't get a guy is because she is only a size 6 and has celluite - then how does that explain the hordes of happily coupled/married size 12 and up women?
Julie in particular is shallow and unlikeable, even before she decides that her true love lies in an already married man (no matter how open his marriage may be). I mean, really? I am wondering why she even bothered leaving her hotel when "researching" - somehow I think speaking to less than a dozen people in an entire country does not count as thorough investigation.
The girls who are left at home are much more interesting - Georgia falling apart in the wake of her husband leaving her, Ruby contemplating single motherhood, Serena acting like a total flake and Alice holding on to an ideal in the face of reality.
There were moments in this book - warm and humourous, but overall I think this book is irritating and I am not the least bit suprised that Julie remains single.
Julie in particular is shallow and unlikeable, even before she decides that her true love lies in an already married man (no matter how open his marriage may be). I mean, really? I am wondering why she even bothered leaving her hotel when "researching" - somehow I think speaking to less than a dozen people in an entire country does not count as thorough investigation.
The girls who are left at home are much more interesting - Georgia falling apart in the wake of her husband leaving her, Ruby contemplating single motherhood, Serena acting like a total flake and Alice holding on to an ideal in the face of reality.
There were moments in this book - warm and humourous, but overall I think this book is irritating and I am not the least bit suprised that Julie remains single.
May 18, 2008
I've been waiting for this book to appear so I could review it. Okay, I read the whole thing, but if you know me, you know that once I start, I rarely stop, so the fact that I finished a book does not suggest that you should, and, in fact, I advise that you avoid this book altogether. First of all, did no one edit this book? She gets away with sentence fragments. No, I'm not talking about artfully used, I'm-breaking-the-rules-because-I've-mastered-them sentence fragments, I mean just flat out fragments sitting there like landmines when the war is over, useless and still dangerous. Second, what a stupid book. Five women in different stages of the search for love. Our intrepid author manages to convince her editor and Yahoo or somesuch to fund a trip around the world so that she can talk to single women about their attitudes about being singe. Each country boils down to a simple lesson... I'll spare you the details but think about dignity and passion and you're on the right track. Please, the next time you have the money to send someone gallivanting around the world on a search for love or at least inner peace with being alone, come talk to me! I'd do it, and I promise I'd write a better book. Good grief.
March 25, 2016
I've read through the various reviews for this book just now and really, unless you're in your late 30's/40's, single and trying to date in NYC (or anywhere really), you probably don't like this book, or find it unrealistic or trite. Me, being the person described above, LOVED it. I found a bit of myself in each character. I didn't find them deplorable or desperate. I found them to be real. I think most women have found themselves in the psycho, desperate, woe-is-me, why can't I find love and why didn't I appreciate the nice guy stage - especially as they get older and are still trying. If you haven't, kudos to you! Sincerely! However, for those of us who have been through these stages, this book was funny, witty, entertaining... and remember everyone, a work of FICTION. Take it for what it is. I did, and it was fantastic!
February 13, 2016
I just took this book out from the library and got three chapters in and realized I'd already read this book.
July 10, 2009
Oh god, how many more books can I read about 30-something single women who live in New York before I want to shoot myself? There's a quote on the back from Plum Sykes (Vogue airhead and faux-writer) that reads, "A fun read that reminds single girls everywhere that it's fabulous to be single." I don't think that Plum Sykes actually read this book. How to Be Single reminds us that being single is miserable--you'll get dumped, ditched, or treated like dirty; the love of your life will be screwing a dozen other girls, or just one other (his wife), or he might just get cancer and die. I enjoyed this book quite a bit, but afterwards I thought to myself, "I have got to move out of New York before I become another single woman who's become damaged goods after too many years in the Manhattan dating scene." So, it's not a spirit-booster; I think those who would enjoy it most would be women in committed, loving relationships.
But there are good things! For starters, the cover is fantastic (although the title means you can't read it in public, because people will think you're absorbed in a desperate self-help book), and the conceit is very clever. After a disastrous night on the town with her other single friends, Julie decides that the women of the world must be better at being single than American women. She sets out to travel to different countries and interview other single women, getting advice on "how to be single." There are some fabulously funny and entertaining scenes set in locations from Brazil to China--if nothing else, this book will help to satisfy your wanderlust. Tuccillo wrote for Sex and the City, but her females characters here, unfortunately, don't come close to being as deeply relatable as Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha and Miranda. Although they do, in the end, learn to care for each other like the SATC girls do so well, How to Be Single's characters ultimately aren't very memorable.
But there are good things! For starters, the cover is fantastic (although the title means you can't read it in public, because people will think you're absorbed in a desperate self-help book), and the conceit is very clever. After a disastrous night on the town with her other single friends, Julie decides that the women of the world must be better at being single than American women. She sets out to travel to different countries and interview other single women, getting advice on "how to be single." There are some fabulously funny and entertaining scenes set in locations from Brazil to China--if nothing else, this book will help to satisfy your wanderlust. Tuccillo wrote for Sex and the City, but her females characters here, unfortunately, don't come close to being as deeply relatable as Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha and Miranda. Although they do, in the end, learn to care for each other like the SATC girls do so well, How to Be Single's characters ultimately aren't very memorable.
February 28, 2020
ok so I'm only halfway through this book, and plan on finishing it so this review is pre-emptive. I will finish it in the hopes that Julie, the main character, will have some sort of revelation and stop being so irritating, but I won't hold my breath. I am writing the review now because I need to vent. I hate this book. And I take the word hate pretty seriously. It makes it seem like women are nothing without a man - over and over and over again. "Why didn't he call - it must have been the cellulite, when am I ever going to feel perfect as I am? Better call Paulo for a quickie".... I mean come on. And I have no idea how Julie was ever given permission from her boss to take on this travelling around the world to interview single women business as she seems to have no plan, no prepared questions, and when she gets there she always seems embarrassed about her topic and is like 'ugh, I guess'.... and wants to go home. She appears to hate travelling and does the exact same thing in every single place she goes - check into an expensive hotel and spend one night at a bar - and there you go, research finished. ..... Doesn't Julie have any interests at all outside of finding a man?
January 14, 2019
I have to say this book was very insightful. I even took memos. However, I hated her and Thomas relationship and how Georgia treated her kids.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2016
2 Stars
I read this months ago but have been procrastinating about writing my review.
The short version is that How to Be Single was disappointing, uninspiring, and frankly quite depressing. The characters were obnoxious. There was not much of a plot. And it read like a twisted self-help book secretly designed to drive single women to the edge of despair and despondency.
The flimsy plot is that the main character, Julie, decides to write a book about how women in different cultures handle being single. That was the main thing that interested me in the book. I was expecting something along the lines of Eat, Pray, Love or Without Reservations: The Travels of an Independent Woman. A symbolic journey of self-discovery while taking a literal journey around the world. But there is no way that this book could inspire any wanderlust and even less chance of it inspiring anyone.
In terms of the traveling, Julie goes to several different countries, goes to various bars, chats to an average of 3-4 women, and from there makes overgeneralized assumptions about their culture's view on single women. There is no cultural immersion. In fact, Julie spends an awful lot of time in her hotel room - mostly having pity parties. She may travel the world, but she never leaves the sidelines. ()
The advise in the story is generic and uninspiring. Combine that with some very narcissistic, whiny characters and a mangled plot and all you are left with is a mangled lump of muddlement. The bottom line is that Tuccillo tried to turn a less than inspiring self help book into a Chick Lit type novel, and the result was disorganized, lackluster, and disheartening.
RATING FACTORS:
Ease of Reading: 2 Stars
Writing Style: 1 Star
Characters: 1 Star
Plot Structure and Development: 1 Star
Level of Captivation: 2 Stars
Originality: 2 Stars
I read this months ago but have been procrastinating about writing my review.
The short version is that How to Be Single was disappointing, uninspiring, and frankly quite depressing. The characters were obnoxious. There was not much of a plot. And it read like a twisted self-help book secretly designed to drive single women to the edge of despair and despondency.
The flimsy plot is that the main character, Julie, decides to write a book about how women in different cultures handle being single. That was the main thing that interested me in the book. I was expecting something along the lines of Eat, Pray, Love or Without Reservations: The Travels of an Independent Woman. A symbolic journey of self-discovery while taking a literal journey around the world. But there is no way that this book could inspire any wanderlust and even less chance of it inspiring anyone.
In terms of the traveling, Julie goes to several different countries, goes to various bars, chats to an average of 3-4 women, and from there makes overgeneralized assumptions about their culture's view on single women. There is no cultural immersion. In fact, Julie spends an awful lot of time in her hotel room - mostly having pity parties. She may travel the world, but she never leaves the sidelines. ()
The advise in the story is generic and uninspiring. Combine that with some very narcissistic, whiny characters and a mangled plot and all you are left with is a mangled lump of muddlement. The bottom line is that Tuccillo tried to turn a less than inspiring self help book into a Chick Lit type novel, and the result was disorganized, lackluster, and disheartening.
RATING FACTORS:
Ease of Reading: 2 Stars
Writing Style: 1 Star
Characters: 1 Star
Plot Structure and Development: 1 Star
Level of Captivation: 2 Stars
Originality: 2 Stars
May 19, 2018
So happy to finish this book. If ever a novel deserved to go flying across the room into a bonfire, it was this one. But I'll give it two stars for the fact that I finished it, and it somehow managed to avoid the stereotypical "Prince Charming arrives in the third act" ending.
I am tired, frustrated, and furious with these books that appear like they're girl-power, single-woman anthems, and then spend hundreds of pages reinforcing the old saw that a woman is nothing without a man. The protagonist is a bitter, self-obsessed, vain wimp who does nothing but whine, moan, stereotype other cultures, and judge the heck out of everyone around her. When she does "find love," it's with a married man, and we're supposed to feel sorry for her when he does what 99% of married men do? Rounding out the charming cast is a woman who stays in bed all day crying--who is so desperate she wants to marry any man who smiles at her--an eccentric yoga/swami/vegan chick whose quest to better herself and enjoy her life is pitied by the smug protagonist, who knows that what she really needs is to get a man; a recently divorced woman who immediately makes a fool of herself chasing everything in pants; and a lawyer who decides to marry a dude she isn't into because that's better than being alone. Seriously? How can any woman feel good about furthering this kind of message? It's far worse than fairytales.
Even better, our "heroine" gets a huge advance to travel the world and interview single women about how horrible it is to be without a man in their countries. Stereotypes and trite platitudes abound.
JFC. This book might have turned me off this genre permanently. Are there any chick-lit books where being single isn't portrayed as a fate worth than death? Men are great, but we don't need to collapse to the pavement writhing if there isn't one in the immediate vicinity, do we?
I am tired, frustrated, and furious with these books that appear like they're girl-power, single-woman anthems, and then spend hundreds of pages reinforcing the old saw that a woman is nothing without a man. The protagonist is a bitter, self-obsessed, vain wimp who does nothing but whine, moan, stereotype other cultures, and judge the heck out of everyone around her. When she does "find love," it's with a married man, and we're supposed to feel sorry for her when he does what 99% of married men do? Rounding out the charming cast is a woman who stays in bed all day crying--who is so desperate she wants to marry any man who smiles at her--an eccentric yoga/swami/vegan chick whose quest to better herself and enjoy her life is pitied by the smug protagonist, who knows that what she really needs is to get a man; a recently divorced woman who immediately makes a fool of herself chasing everything in pants; and a lawyer who decides to marry a dude she isn't into because that's better than being alone. Seriously? How can any woman feel good about furthering this kind of message? It's far worse than fairytales.
Even better, our "heroine" gets a huge advance to travel the world and interview single women about how horrible it is to be without a man in their countries. Stereotypes and trite platitudes abound.
JFC. This book might have turned me off this genre permanently. Are there any chick-lit books where being single isn't portrayed as a fate worth than death? Men are great, but we don't need to collapse to the pavement writhing if there isn't one in the immediate vicinity, do we?
July 2, 2009
This was an awesome, fun, inspiring read. It's about a 38-year old woman Julie. She's single. She has 4 single friends, and she decides to travel the world to write a book about single women in different countries. Among the places she visits are Rome, Ireland, India. In each country she meets all kinds of women, and in each country, women have a different take on being single. The author actually did do the research - her information in the fiction book was real. And I found it fascinating.
I loved Julie's voice. She was sometimes sarcastic, mostly pessimistic, and always easy to love and identify with. By the end of the novel, she has grown considerably. I don't want to give away what happens, but I will just say read this book. It's a fun, quick read. I read it in three days - and it's been a busy three days.
I loved Julie's voice. She was sometimes sarcastic, mostly pessimistic, and always easy to love and identify with. By the end of the novel, she has grown considerably. I don't want to give away what happens, but I will just say read this book. It's a fun, quick read. I read it in three days - and it's been a busy three days.
August 19, 2011
So, where do I start...
Well, first off, the title of the book is so contradictory to what it is actually about. The title should be: “How NOT to be single”.
I am disappointed in this book because personally becoming recently single after being in a serious long term relationship I was hoping to read a book that gives you advice and insight into how to be okay being single. Not that I need it, but that’s what I assumed the book would be about, given the title.
The overall feeling I got from the book, was that your life is meaningless unless you have a man in your life. Because the chances of meeting anyone are impossible, as there is a man drought, and without a man your life is pointless. So just get used to the fact that your life will be loveless and hopeless. Not a nice message to send to the world in a book. Especially to your fellow single women.
But, in saying that, I did appreciate the author stating the facts as they are. No fairytale movies, no happily ever afters’, that we usually get fed by TV and Hollywood. Even though you felt ambushed by all the depressiveness about it, at least you were fed the truth, and it left you armed with knowledge.
What I absolutely hated about the book, were the female characters, that we were supposed to related to. Are women really like this? Maybe it’s because I’m a decade younger than these women that I think differently. They just oozed desperateness. They were all train-wrecks that had no idea of who they were and what they wanted. They all dreamt about the fantasy fairytale love that doesn’t exist. And even after travelling the world and seeing and learning about other cultures they didn’t learn anything. It just seemed so immature for them at 38, to still believe that a man will solve all their problems and is their key to happiness.
There were so many theories and situations that made me so angry. The author’s opinion about pet ownership; the section which dealt with single mothers; the judgements and sometimes racism of Julie to other cultures and how they live; and the ‘doesn’t the world revolve around America?” mentality.
From the comments above it’s probably surprising that I’ve given this book 3 starts. But even though I totally hated and disagreed with 95% of it, this book did make me feel strongly about it. My girlfriends and I have had some superb discussions as a result of it.
I have not felt so depressed and angry about a book in a very long time, so that’s got to count for something.
Well, first off, the title of the book is so contradictory to what it is actually about. The title should be: “How NOT to be single”.
I am disappointed in this book because personally becoming recently single after being in a serious long term relationship I was hoping to read a book that gives you advice and insight into how to be okay being single. Not that I need it, but that’s what I assumed the book would be about, given the title.
The overall feeling I got from the book, was that your life is meaningless unless you have a man in your life. Because the chances of meeting anyone are impossible, as there is a man drought, and without a man your life is pointless. So just get used to the fact that your life will be loveless and hopeless. Not a nice message to send to the world in a book. Especially to your fellow single women.
But, in saying that, I did appreciate the author stating the facts as they are. No fairytale movies, no happily ever afters’, that we usually get fed by TV and Hollywood. Even though you felt ambushed by all the depressiveness about it, at least you were fed the truth, and it left you armed with knowledge.
What I absolutely hated about the book, were the female characters, that we were supposed to related to. Are women really like this? Maybe it’s because I’m a decade younger than these women that I think differently. They just oozed desperateness. They were all train-wrecks that had no idea of who they were and what they wanted. They all dreamt about the fantasy fairytale love that doesn’t exist. And even after travelling the world and seeing and learning about other cultures they didn’t learn anything. It just seemed so immature for them at 38, to still believe that a man will solve all their problems and is their key to happiness.
There were so many theories and situations that made me so angry. The author’s opinion about pet ownership; the section which dealt with single mothers; the judgements and sometimes racism of Julie to other cultures and how they live; and the ‘doesn’t the world revolve around America?” mentality.
From the comments above it’s probably surprising that I’ve given this book 3 starts. But even though I totally hated and disagreed with 95% of it, this book did make me feel strongly about it. My girlfriends and I have had some superb discussions as a result of it.
I have not felt so depressed and angry about a book in a very long time, so that’s got to count for something.
June 24, 2014
The title of this book could be How Not to Be Single or Desperate Daters. Either title would have been more appropriate. The author tries to counterbalance the depressing stories of these single women with humor, but there is not enough hilarity to tip the scales in a positive direction. Instead of laughing, I cringed. These women, all described as beautiful and intelligent, commit incredibly stupid acts in their desperate searches for Mr. Right. Also, the main character travels around the world and makes some broad generalizations about the people she encounters (sexy, hot Brazilians, passionate Italians, etc.). I found this offensive.
I gave the book two stars, instead of one, because of the positive message it conveys in the end. The characters do seem to learn from their mistakes.
I gave the book two stars, instead of one, because of the positive message it conveys in the end. The characters do seem to learn from their mistakes.
March 1, 2016
The movie is not even remotely based off this book, it was the inspiration for a movie. Please do not go in to reading this book expecting the movie or vice versa.
I will say that this book took me a long time to get into and simply left me wondering why I kept reading it. The characters are supposedly 38 and mostly single, but they act like they are 25. It was hard to remember their actual ages as they were written and read younger. This is not a feel good book about "being single" and it kind of crushed my soul a bit. Don't read this if you are looking for a pick-me up book. Would not recommend to many readers.
I will say that this book took me a long time to get into and simply left me wondering why I kept reading it. The characters are supposedly 38 and mostly single, but they act like they are 25. It was hard to remember their actual ages as they were written and read younger. This is not a feel good book about "being single" and it kind of crushed my soul a bit. Don't read this if you are looking for a pick-me up book. Would not recommend to many readers.
May 21, 2017
Um livro bem disposto, muito ao estilo do "sexo e a cidade". Acompanhamos as peripécias e dramas da vida de 5 mulheres solteiras e a viagem de uma por muitos países do mundo onde ficamos a conhecer os costumes das mulheres solteiras.
February 14, 2016
i don't feel like talking about this book so i'm not gonna and you can't make me.
March 30, 2016
Made me think a lot about my single life and how many cats I will end up having by the time I'm 38.
July 24, 2009
This book had great potential, and many great moments, but doesn’t deliver in the end. After a night out with her four single girlfriends, Julie decides to travel the globe interviewing single women for a book about dating in different cultures.
It’s a great premise, except that Julie gets air sick every time she flies and is too shy to talk to strangers on her own. Fortunately, one of her friends is able to fly across the world to each country she visits to hold her hand. And in every country she visits she immediately hooks up with a young swinger who invites her to parties every single night where her friends are able to get a conversation related to her book started. I found these scenarios to be totally unbelievable. Did I mention she’s gotten a nice advance from her publisher?
There were scenes that resonated with me, but most were those happening back in New York with Julie’s friends. Serena has joined an Ashram, and found it to be different from what she had anticipated. After her divorce, Georgia is lost and stumbling through her life much the same as we all do after a big emotional blow. Alice has found the perfect man…or has she? And Ruby longs for a baby and is sorting through the decisions involved in intentionally becoming a single mother.
Probably OK for a quick, light read, but for a more substantial travel novel try Anne Cushman’s Enlightenment for Idiots.
It’s a great premise, except that Julie gets air sick every time she flies and is too shy to talk to strangers on her own. Fortunately, one of her friends is able to fly across the world to each country she visits to hold her hand. And in every country she visits she immediately hooks up with a young swinger who invites her to parties every single night where her friends are able to get a conversation related to her book started. I found these scenarios to be totally unbelievable. Did I mention she’s gotten a nice advance from her publisher?
There were scenes that resonated with me, but most were those happening back in New York with Julie’s friends. Serena has joined an Ashram, and found it to be different from what she had anticipated. After her divorce, Georgia is lost and stumbling through her life much the same as we all do after a big emotional blow. Alice has found the perfect man…or has she? And Ruby longs for a baby and is sorting through the decisions involved in intentionally becoming a single mother.
Probably OK for a quick, light read, but for a more substantial travel novel try Anne Cushman’s Enlightenment for Idiots.
January 27, 2016
This book is Sex in the City meets Eat Pray Love with entirely too many convenient moments. Overly convenient moments can be annoying. (But as someone who writes, I totally get that convenience can help speed things along.)
That said, I do think it covered the many thoughts that go through a single girl's mind -- positive and negative. And it is interesting to think about it from different cultural perspectives.
That said, I do think it covered the many thoughts that go through a single girl's mind -- positive and negative. And it is interesting to think about it from different cultural perspectives.
September 4, 2016
About 10% of it were interesting. The rest was just so much crap! 2* because 1* I usually give books that I wouldn't want to give any stars.
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