“I love, love, LOVE Karen Linamen books!” gushed She Who Shall Remain Nameless. “They’re funny. Warm and relatable. Down to earth and practical.” She paused. “But…”
Her Momness raised an eyebrow. Cocked her head (looks a lot cuter when I do it. Nobody’s perfect). “But what?” chirpeth Mom.
We’ll get to the “But what?” part in a min. So kindly keep your hair on, Cupcake. Cuz we’re gonna take a look at two more Linamen books today. First….
I’m Not Suffering From Insanity – I’m Enjoying Every Minute of It.
By Karen Scalf Linamen (Revell, 2002)
Via: Interlibrary Loan (Chemeketa Cooperative Regional Library Service, Lancaster, Nebraska)
Genre: Non-Fiction – Christian/Self-Help/Humor/Inspirational
“Do you ever feel like that? Like life is just one big padded room… when we feel like socks being tossed without mercy in the spin cycle of life?”
That’s a quote from the Intro of this book. Like other Linamen titles, I’m Not Suffering From Insanity focuses on emotional, mental and spiritual health and healing. Fourteen chapters offer wit and wisdom on everything from dealing with regret(s) and making friends to practicing your passions, cutting back on TV viewing, redecorating a room on the cheap, breaking out of solitary confinement and forgiving yourself. The strongest chapters – by far – are chapters ten and eleven: Lose Your ‘Religion’ … and Embrace a Relationship Instead.
We’ve read four Linamen titles to date (at the behest of She Who Shall Remain Nameless. Hi, D!). The first was Just Hand Over The Chocolate and No One Will Get Hurt. The second was The Chocolate Diaries: Secrets for a Sweeter Journey on the Rocky Road of Life. (See our reviews here.)
#3 and #4
I’m Not Suffering From Insanity is our third Linamen title. How to Have a Fabulous Life – No Matter What Comes Your Way is the fourth. So grab a bottle opener and a chair. Sit down and set a spell. Cuz here’s our take:
Take One Down & Pass It Around…
After two other Linamen titles, I’m Not Suffering From is pretty much 99 bottles of beer on the wall. With the occasional can of Pepsi thrown in here and there. Take one down and pass it around…
In fact, we started snoring at about chapter 6 or 7 (out of 14) As in, Been There. Done That. Case in point: In chapter 4, A New State of Mind, Linamen writes about how she and her hubby Larry “worked hard to ignore some serious flaws in the foundation of our relationship.” She later writes that with a move to Colorado, she’s moving to a “new improved state of emotional wellness” and is starting to “experience joy again.” She goes back to marital woes later. And later. And later. And she’s trying to meet deadlines, catch up on housework and lose weight like, every five minutes. We’ve seen most of it before. So Zzzzzzzzz.
Demerits
Kimber: The author didn’t win any points here when she describes putting a shock collar on her German shepherd to keep Walter inside her “fence-free backyard.” Then she snickers about it: “I push a button, he yelps and obeys.” Kimber: That’s funny? Really? Remind me not to share any of my chew toys with that chicky.
Also, Linamen often references her previously published books. (Kimber: Is that a subtle sale pitch? Askin’ for a friend.) Readers who’ve read her previous books will get the references. Others may get lost. So you may want to leave a trail of bread crumbs.
Auto-Repeat
The author also has some of the same phrases on auto-repeat. She has some of the same phrases on auto-repeat. See how this works? Examples: “I don’t know about you” and “Now, don’t get me wrong.” After a while it’s as stale as Limburger cheese left out since last Christmas.
The ending also felt abrupt and sudden. Like a plane that ran out of runway and crash-landed into the ocean. Or morphed into another bottle of beer on the tarmac.
***
How to Have a Fabulous Life – No Matter What Comes Your Way
By Karen Scalf Linamen (Revell, 2008)
Via: Interlibrary Loan (Great River Regional Library, St. Cloud, MN)
Genre: As above
Pages (paperback): 184
This book has twelve chapters offering “twelve ways we can stretch, flex, and tone our peace, joy and hope – every day, rain or shine, even when it’s dark outside, especially when it’s dark outside.” These include:
- Knowing it’s possible to experience peace, joy, and hope independent of one’s circumstance
- How to manage memories
- How to choose the tone and content of one’s inner dialogue
- How to hang on to images that heal and empower
- How to take temporary setbacks in stride
- How to choose life and make healthy choices
- Knowing that good stuff exists outside of what one can see and feel
- How to be still and listen
- How to take care of one’s basic needs, including the need for intimacy with God
- How to be inspired by big dreams
- How to get unstuck.
Tossing, Assuming
Along the way, Linamen tosses out lots of ideas and suggestions for finding and cultivating peace, hope, and joy. She also assumes a lot. Example:
Feeling “blue”? Go out and buy. Anything. Everything. Shoes. Curtains. Lunch out with the girls. Feed your craigslist addition. Spend a “plunder-filled morning” shopping at Hobby Lobby. This “advice” may be intended as humorous, but readers on a budget may not be laughing.
You’re Kidding, Right?
Some of the ideas posited– like the fire in the empty fruit can to “watch limitations go up in smoke” – are like, you’re kidding, right? But, hey. It was the 2008s, dude. Like, totally.
Whatever Happened To…?
We also wondered about that weird item in chapter 12 where Linamen describes sorting through her junk-filled 4Runner while waiting for a flat tire to be changed. She finds a bunch of mis-delivered mail on her floorboard. “Apparently the mailman had delivered a batch of letters to my house that didn’t belong to me. They had ended up on my floorboard and stayed there.”
Kimber: So what happened to that mis-delivered mail? Inquiring minds want to know. The original, intended addressees might, too.
Now, don’t get us (me) wrong, as Linamen likes to say. Over and over and over. There’s some good stuff in Fabulous. There’s also a lot of down in the dumps and visits to the therapist. And a fair amount of you’re kidding, right?
Style
Regarding writing, some readers will find Linamen’s tell-all, journal entry-type style open and honest. Others may find it cringeworthy, especially when she chronicles her marital woes (she divorced and remarried later). Like, Girl, get some Boundaries. And pick up a gallon of common sense with a quart of propriety while you’re at it. Geez!
Overall, however, we like these books. They’re witty, warm, and engaging. Inspiring and entertaining. But…
Back to the “But…” Part
She Who Shall Remain Nameless continued, “But Linamen tends to kind of write the same book over and over and over. Only with different scenery.”
We agree.
The basic formula:
- Present problem, issue or dilemma.
- Illustrate with life story.
- Offer solutions/suggestions in 10 pages or less.
- Volia! On to the next chapter.
Wash-Rinse-Repeat
Chapters are bite-sized so they’re easy to chew and swallow. Chapters usually close out by repeating a line or concept from the opening line or paragraph. Then it’s on to the next chapter. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.
It works pretty well most of the time, especially if you’re looking for bite-sized appetizers of the Mini Phyllo Feta Bites or Crab Cake Egg Rolls variety. If you’re looking for a full-course meal, however, keep looking. This ain’t it. And maybe it’s not meant to be. So some readers will like the predictable rhythms. They’re familiar and … predictable. Others may want to stock up on No Doze.
Be advised, Cookie, that some of the content from I’m Not Suffering From Insanity feels dated. Ditto Fabulous. That’s cuz it is. Published in 2002 and 2008, to be exact. Even so, the writing is still bright and breezy. Smart and spunky and sudsin’ with sass, the text aptly conveys timeless truths. Along with a lot of ‘beer on the wall.’
There’s also the question of credibility. Some readers may wonder, “Where does this author get off giving life advice to anyone? Is she a licensed therapist or counselor? Does she have any training, academic background, or professional expertise the area?” Alert readers will note that altho Linamen has some funny, witty stories and experiences to share, she’s paper-thin in the credentials department. Ditto gravitas.
Fluff
As noted before, the four Linamen books we’ve read are as predictable as a cat’s meow: Eat right. Exercise. Get enough sleep. De-clutter. Make friends. Forgive. Cultivate quiet. Love God. There’s not a lot here that the neighborhood fluff bucket can’t figure out. But sometimes seeing it in print helps. Especially if you’re fresh outta buckets. Or fluff.
There. Just saved you four books. You’re welcome.
Pages & Paws Rating
Pages & Paws 