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

by Jen Mann

Overview (from Goodreads):  A debut collection of witty, biting essays laced with a surprising warmth, from Jen Mann, the writer behind the popular blog People I Want to Punch in the Throat
 
People I want to punch in the throat:
• anyone who feels the need to bling her washer and dryer
• humblebraggers
• people who treat their pets like children
 
Jen Mann doesn’t have a filter, which sometimes gets her in trouble with her neighbors, her fellow PTA moms, and that one woman who tried to sell her sex toys at a home shopping party. Known for her hilariously acerbic observations on her blog, People I Want to Punch in the Throat, Mann now brings her sharp wit to bear on suburban life, marriage, and motherhood in this laugh-out-loud collection of essays. From the politics of joining a play group, to the thrill of mothers’ night out at the gun range, to the rewards of your most meaningful relationship (the one you have with your cleaning lady), nothing is sacred or off-limits. So the next time you find yourself wearing fuzzy bunny pajamas in the school carpool line or accidentally stuck at a co-worker’s swingers party, just think, What would Jen Mann do? Or better yet, buy her book.

Full Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

My Thoughts:  We all have people in our lives that we’d feel a little better about if we could punch them.  If you don’t, then you are a far better person than I am (which is definitely a possibility) or you’re lying.

People I Want to Punch in the Throat was hilarious.  I thought the title alone would make it an entertaining book to read, but it surpassed any expectations I may have unintentionally put on it.  There were a couple of passages that I tried to read aloud to one of my co-workers.  I say tried because I was laughing so hard that I couldn’t actually get it out in words that were understandable.

I will admit that I was a bit apprehensive about reading People I Want to Punch in the Throat because I’m not part of the world that the author is detailing.  I’m not married and I don’t have kids.  How could I possibly relate to anything this author was going to say?  I’m glad I ignored that part of my brain and just read it anyway.  I always find it refreshing when someone is brutally honest about things that are perceived as normal behavior and Jen Mann manages that with a comedic edge.

I discovered the hilarity that is Jen Mann’s blog thanks to People I Want to Punch in the Throat (the book).  I also found out that she’s written other books that I will now have to order and read because if I don’t it’ll feel like I’m missing out on some entertaining reading material.

My only complaint about People I Want to Punch in the Throat is the length.  It’s too short!  It easily could’ve had another 3-4 chapters and I would’ve been much happier.  As it was I felt a little bit cheated out of some good stories.  So I guess in a round-about way that’s more of a compliment than a complaint for the author (she could easily turn it into a humble-brag).

Would I recommend it?  Are you are the prim and proper type that can’t stand any type of swearing at all?  If you answered yes, then no.  This would not be the book for you.  Everyone else, I would recommend People I Want to Punch in the Throat in a heartbeat.

4.75 out of 5 Bookmarks = I would’ve given it 5 out of 5, but I wanted it to be longer.

Check out Jen’s blog here!

Interested in buying this book (releases in Sept.)?  Amazon or Barnes & Noble

• Posted in: Book Reviews
• Tagged: blogger, book, book review, comedy, hilarious, jen mann, netgalley, non-fiction, people i want to punch in the throat