Meet Me at Emotional Baggage Claim

The Amazing Adventures of an Ordinary Woman #4

by Lisa Scottoline, Francesca Serritella

Love and guilt are thick in the Scottoline/Serritella household, and Lisa and Francesca's mother-daughter-turned-best-friends bond will strike a familiar note to many. But now that Lisa is a suburban empty nester and Francesca is an independent twentysomething in the big city, they have to learn how to stay close while living apart. How does a mother's love translate across state lines and over any semblance of personal boundaries? You'll laugh out loud as they face off over the proper technique for packing dishes, the importance of bringing a coat in the summertime, and the dos and don'ts of dating at any age. Add feisty octogenarian Mother Mary to the mix, and you have a Molotov cocktail of estrogen, opinions, and fun. These stories will make you laugh, cry, and call your mother, daughter, and all your girlfriends.

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Memoir, Essays, Chick Lit, Short Stories

272 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2012

About the author

Lisa Scottoline is a #1 bestselling and Edgar award-winning author of 33 novels. Her books are book-club favorites, and Lisa and her daughter Francesca Serritella have hosted an annual Big Book Club Party for over a thousand readers at her Pennsylvania farm, for the past twelve years. Lisa has served as President of Mystery Writers of America, and her reviews of fiction and non-fiction have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Philadelphia Inquirer. She also writes a weekly column with her daughter for the Philadelphia Inquirer entitled Chick Wit, a witty take on life from a woman’s perspective, which have been collected in a bestselling series of humorous memoirs. Lisa graduated magna cum laude in three years from the University of Pennsylvania, with a B.A. in English, and cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where she taught Justice and Fiction. Lisa has over 30 million copies of her books in print and is published in over 35 countries. She lives in the Philadelphia area with an array of disobedient pets and wouldn’t have it any other way.

Reviews

[Cammie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa's and Francesca's memoir-esque essays are so fun! They feel like a group of friends sitting around with a bottle of wine and Italian food (of course!) talking about life and love (men and dating) and family (mothers and daughters) and pets and writing and just about everything in between.
In so many of these essays, I find myself nodding my head in agreement or recognition, and I am definitely laughing out loud!

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love to read the books that Lisa Scottoline writes with her daughter. They are always funny, cheerful, and honest about life, growing older, and mother-daughter relationships. I find these books as sort of a vacation without leaving home.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this right after Mom died and I was worried my own emotional baggage, re: Mothers and Daughters, would get in the way of my enjoyment. Fortunately, there was a total disconnect because the only overlapping mother/daughter experiences between them and me and my mother was the fact that there was a biological mother/daughter relationship. I was free to listen to their quippery and not feel a single heartstring pulled in regard to my own situation, which I appreciated immensely.

I enjoyed the stories from this team, though I’d never read any of either's work before. I also really liked that they each read their own writing. I was amused to find I kept thinking of Annie Edison while listening to Francesca as they have similar speech patterns.

This book made me happy and I will go back to the beginning and listen to their other books, too.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have found that I cannot resist these books. I think it is because I can relate to their mother-daughter relationship and the goofy banter throughout the book. Plus they are a fun, quick read. I find myself tearing up in spots (I can't deny that PMS isn't involved) and then laughing out loud in others. Lisa Scottoline and her daughter say the things I think and feel but don't write down. I love that they can find humor in mundane life events. I appreciate that the witticism comes effortlessly and without anger. There are other writers who poke fun at everyday events but they come across angry in their banter. I don't get that from these authors...even when they are talking about ex-husbands and ex-boyfriends. I think I can learn something from that example. You can acknowledge your past and poke fun at it instead of be angry and vindictive. I cannot wait for the next book from these two women.

[Emily Peterson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is charming and funny for the first several chapters. After a while, however, the forced humor of the two women becomes seriously overwrought and just plain annoying. Their stories are entertaining enough, but the voices of the two narrators are hyperactive. You can tell they're really, really trying. They try too hard, however.

[Caro Lyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked this up randomly in the library and just couldn't finish it. It's like one author is telling you some rambling information about her life, and then the other jumps in for a chapter to tell you some additional rambling stuff and responding to the first author's rambling tale. In this case, the two authors are a mother and a daughter. The authors say the book is funny. I had to take their word for it. Here's an excerpt:

Dogs don't have emotional baggage.
And if they did, they'd forget it at the airport.
They know they don't need it.
So I look for when it gets in the way of my relationships...

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read - about mothers and daughters - luckily Lisa Scottoline is an excellent writer so it keeps you going through all the various vignettes.. it was humorous but not outrageously so... this was a good in-between book - one to read and finish before I found the next one I really wanted to read.

[Gina Torn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hilarious memoir by the ever fabulous Ms. Scottoline and her daughter Francesca!

In this non-fiction book by this comedic duo, we hear more stories about their every day lives and adventures. I love the stories and point of views going back and forth and genuinely enjoy reading about them. From mom urging her daughter to bring a coat to the movies, her daughter saying she doesn't need it but her mom brings it anyway, only to leave it in the back of the cab! Luckily the cab driver brought it back but the way the story was told was hysterical. I love listening to stories about Ms. Scottoline's mother. She reminds me of my grandma; had her own way of doing things and hated listening to other people telling her what to do.

I believe this is the 31st book I've read by Ms. Scottoline and I have no intention of stopping. I still have a bunch left and I look forward to the happiness I'm sure they will bring.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always have a number of laughs and a few tears with Lisa Scottoline. These books are quick and fun reads, and I would really like to get a cup of coffee with here and let our dogs play together.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this my first time trying out Lisa and Francesca's non fiction books and I thoroughly enjoyed this book with its "laugh out loud" moments.

In addition, after trying audio books many years ago with no success, I tried this book via audio when I started walking again during the pandemic. The short essays kept my attention and this time, SUCCESS with an audio book so thanks for that!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A famous mother and her daughter, just starting out in life, alternate newspaper columns (with the balance being on Mom's side) on their family, their relationship, and their separate and independent, yet co-mingled, lives.

[Natalie Scanaliato · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5⭐️
0/5🌶️

🧑‍🧒❤️“Love transcends blood ties, it pays no heed to time or space, much less geography.”❤️🧑‍🧒

📝🗽Once again I waited until the last possible second to read my nonfiction for the month, but this one was super bingeable!!

I listened to the audiobook, and it was narrated by the authors themselves. This collection of stories had me LAUGHING — definitely an entertaining mother/daughter duo.

This collection was about family, life, love, funny/relatable situations, and finding enjoyment and happiness in the little things.

Overall, it was a quick, easy read and I absolutely loved their witty writing!🗽📝

[Notserp2002 · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful little essays by these two.. it had me laughing often.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have long held to the claim that even though you deny it, everyone has baggage. We carry around and cannot get rid of regardless of how hard we try and boy do we try really hard. We have childhood issues we never resolved, guilt we project very effectively, and daily insanity we just have to deal with regardless of how much we try not to.

In this story Lisa Scottoline and her daughter Francesca Serritella both famed writers in their own right join forces to tell, the stories that have made them stronger are mother and daughter. The thoughts are well documented with an honesty that at times will have you cringe knowing "I have done that." The relationship between parent and child is a tightrope of life altering decisions then letting go, it is not easy. As Lisa and her daughter, Francesca lay out the road map of their life each reveals the bumps and huge potholes that went along with getting to where they are now.

What I adored about this book was the fact that both mother and daughter write about how imperfect individuals live in a world surrounded by perfect people. These people are not perfect but they appear to be which is Lisa's point at times "perception is reality" so go with the flow.

Thanks for being such great writers and showing readers a little touch of your personal fun side.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book of witty essays (taken mostly from the authors' column in the Philadelphia Inquirer) grew on me, although you don't get enough for your money--too much white space and one or two word paragraphs feel like padding after a while. Nevertheless, the authors (especially Lisa, the mother) have some good and sometimes spot-on insights into life as a woman. The book assumes that you've read the authors' earlier books of witty essays, so it might be best to read them in order; otherwise you may spend time wondering what they're talking about--it took me a few pages to realize that "Mother Mary" referred to the authors' mother/grandmother and not to the mother of Jesus--which didn't fit at all!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole series of autobiographical essays is worth reading, especially for the laughs. Many times I find myself totally relating to an essay topic and either enjoying the humor or finding it thought provoking because the essay will make me look at a situation I am in differently than I had been looking at it before. Not profound life-changing thoughts, just a lot of gee, I'm not the only one or maybe, hmm, I guess things could be worse. Overall, just a fun read and if you start with the first book in the series, you really get caught up in the adventures of the characters, er, real people (and dogs and cats and horses ans various wildlife, errant ER docs and the occasional general contractor), featured in the essays.

[Eileen W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed these short stories from Lisa and her daughter Francesca. I was already a fan of Lisa's humorous Chick Wit column in the Philadelphia Inquirer, and I have seen the two of them speak at their annual book club party, where they open their house to hundreds of women and treat us to lunch. So, I can really picture them telling these stories. They are great in print and in person!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to give this 5 stars since I listened to the audiobook twice in a 3 day period and still laughed out loud. I will pass this copy on to a friend and I will look for other books by this mother-daughter duo, plus I will try reading more of Lisa's mysteries. To future readers, enjoy the home-decorating errors, the family squabbles, and the hazards of life with dogs. If you don't literally LOL at least twice, seek emergency treatment.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good collection of non-fiction stories told by Lisa Scottoline and her daughter Francesca Serritella. Each story explores different facets of thier relationship as it changes with age. I enjoy these stories because I am a fan of Lisa's fiction books, but they are also great for anyone who is not interested in her other books. These are two talented women that I will be following!

[Me · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisa Scottoline and her daughter Francesca take turns writing essays on topics ranging from long distance romances to pet fur covered furniture. There were several times that I did find myself chuckling. I read the audio version which includes an interview with both authors and adds more insight to their writing and purpose.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of essays originally printed in their newspaper column, this is another in an ongoing series by Lisa Scottoline and her daughter Francesca Seratelli. Light,easy and humorous reading, these essays touch on many aspects of the mother/daughter relationship and the kinds of situations we all find ourselves in.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it--especially the chapter about hands. I can still remember when my mother told me she put her arm through her sleeve one day and out came her mother's hand. I know exactly when I had the same experience.

[Heidi Boyd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hoping for some fluff but hit fluff overload. A compilation of Scottoline and her daughter's newspaper columns compiled into a book. The chapter on dog ticks had me laughing out loud. Some touching pieces on mother daughter relationships, I could've passed on the rest.

[Nika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, I always laugh with Lisa Scottoline. Yes, I'm always embarrassed to be seen with the dumb doggy cover. (Definitely a cat person)

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

some cute stories

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love theses two

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were a few humorous parts, but overall this felt forced and annoying.

[Lili Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met Lisa Scottoline last night and she was the BEST SPEAKER ever!!!! I was captivated by her words and loved her energy and good vibes (and humor!). I started off listening to this audiobook today, and loved it! I am going to be listening to all of her nonfiction books during my long commutes now...and reading her other fiction books!

Notable lines:

(Not an exact quote since I was driving while listening to this), but I liked how she said we don't have to parent like our mothers did. We have free will, and better shoes.

That's right! Oh, and very true about women needing the right visuals...and I loved hearing about Francesca Serritella's NYC days, since it brings back such fond memories!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is tough... 4 stars or 5? 4.5? 4.8!

I have a mother, and I have daughters (3!) so this book really cracked me up! I found it to be honest, as in TMI but in a funny way. A way that I as an older woman, with older hands, laughed out loud in appreciation of.

I would recommend this book to mothers, mothers who have mothers, and mothers who have daughters. Additionally I think daughters who have mothers, daughters who have grandmothers would also appreciate the humor within.

I had seen one of Lisa's books in a recent Goodreads giveaway so now I think I might dive in and enter even though her other works are actually thrillers.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are like a box of chocolates... you are kidding yourself if you think you can have just one. It all started when I read Ghosts of Harvard, written by the daughter Francesca. It’s her first novel, and it has some hiccups, however, I could not put it down. That turned out to be the gateway drug into the writing team that is a world famous author (the mother Lisa Scottoline) and the daughter writing these hilarious little books of essays, each in their own voice. I’m reading them completely out of order, whatever our little library can get in, and they are making me happy. Life has been a little sad, of late, and these are just the pick up I needed!