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Is It Just Me?: Confessions of an Over-Sharer
You know what I want?I want to be able to have fun wherever I am.I want to laugh. All. The. Time.I want to have one holiday every year with my family where we have no plans and nowhere else to be.I want to watch less television and read more books.I want to be able to whinge about never being able to be alone any more, then, after someone organises a hotel room voucher for me, I want to spend the evening eating chips (that I don't like) from a cylinder and missing my children to the point of tears.From weight to wee, children to crap dates, nothing is off limits for Chrissie Swan, self-confessed ‘over-sharer’. Celebrity, friendship, love, being a working mum, ‘having it all’ and the general chaos of life – Is It Just Me? is Chrissie at her hilarious, candid and fearless best.‘Chrissie writes what we're all thinking. Her honesty and humour are a gift. And a relief!’ —Mia Freedman ‘Smart, sassy, funny. Chrissie is the best girlfriend everyone should have. And with this book, now they can.’ —Matt Preston‘Bubbly and outspoken Chrissie Swan is one of Australia's busiest and most adored working mums.’ —Fiona O'Brien, Adelaide Review‘Sex, friendships, weight, real estate – Swan writes about them all in a chatty, confessional tone as if she’s sharing confidences with girlfriends over coffee.’ —Sunday Age
- GenresNonfictionHumorBiography
149 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 23, 2013
32 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
September 10, 2015
This was fun to read - light and entertaining. I like her writing style, but the format - a set of columns - didn't allow any real exploration of any of the topics, and I found for most of them I wanted to read more.
March 3, 2014
I loved this book… All right it’s not a serious read and will probably not win any literary awards but it is a laugh a minute. I do confess to loving Chrissie Swan and any day I had off work I would watch her show. I saying that I still feel that this is the type of book that most women will identify with in some way. It talks about relationships, men, friends, kids and the pressures we put ourselves under. It is done in a way that is funny and makes you think ‘OMG….. That’s me’.
Each chapter is an article from her weekly article in the Fairfax’s Sunday Life magazine. Each chapter can be reading minutes so you can pick it up while cooking dinner or read one in the ads of a TV show.
Just a FUN easy read and a great laugh
Each chapter is an article from her weekly article in the Fairfax’s Sunday Life magazine. Each chapter can be reading minutes so you can pick it up while cooking dinner or read one in the ads of a TV show.
Just a FUN easy read and a great laugh
December 27, 2013
I love Chrissie Swan. Honest, funny, and real. Couldn't put this book down. Loved it.
July 26, 2014
A great collection of columns by the talented Chrissie Swan, who tells it as it is, regardless of if that "it" is deciding to have kids, if your bum looks big, and the problem solving styles of men and women (and a heap of other subjects besides).
July 8, 2023
I didn’t realise the book comprised of columns written for a newspaper and while easy to read I feel it was a total over share.
Do I feel any richer knowing Chrissie can afford a nanny but likes to call it a babysitter to feel better about having a nanny? Or the fact she’s lucky enough to afford a paediatric dietician for her child? Nope.
Do I need to know she can afford Aesop soap, even if the bottle has been re-filled with Palmolive, has a chair which has never been sat on along with special books in a nursery just for display and special white towels to pull out just for open inspections while selling her home? Then moved to a more childless, upper class neighbourhood where she actually wears a bra & lipstick to go to the supermarket? Or the fact she can afford organic bananas? Nope
While I didn’t dislike the book, it almost feels like it was a bit of a gloat about things she has, while trying to keep the guilt off about having them. Ultimately attempting to make it relatable to us plebs who don’t have a job in entertainment or the public eye, and yes, we buy the normal bananas and proudly display Palmolive hand soap in our bathrooms!
Do I feel any richer knowing Chrissie can afford a nanny but likes to call it a babysitter to feel better about having a nanny? Or the fact she’s lucky enough to afford a paediatric dietician for her child? Nope.
Do I need to know she can afford Aesop soap, even if the bottle has been re-filled with Palmolive, has a chair which has never been sat on along with special books in a nursery just for display and special white towels to pull out just for open inspections while selling her home? Then moved to a more childless, upper class neighbourhood where she actually wears a bra & lipstick to go to the supermarket? Or the fact she can afford organic bananas? Nope
While I didn’t dislike the book, it almost feels like it was a bit of a gloat about things she has, while trying to keep the guilt off about having them. Ultimately attempting to make it relatable to us plebs who don’t have a job in entertainment or the public eye, and yes, we buy the normal bananas and proudly display Palmolive hand soap in our bathrooms!
April 5, 2014
Love chrissie. Didn't love the book!
August 23, 2017
Chrissie Swan is a self-confessed over-sharer. From weight to wee, children to crap dates, nothing is off limits! Chrissie shares lessons in life that many of us would not dream to disclose. Chrissie draws from her experiences as a television presenter, breakfast radio host, working mother of three, and loving partner. Is it just me? is a compilation of Sunday Life articles written while Chrissie was a columnist for the Sydney Morning Herald. Is it just Chrissie though? I don’t think so, as many of us can relate to her down-to-earth experiences, just not with as much frivolity and hilarity as only Chrissie can do. After all, she confesses that “You know what I want. I want to be able to have fun wherever I am. I want to be able to cook with beautiful ingredients always. I want to laugh. All. The. Time.” And indeed she does! It is an easy read with all the ingredients to have you smiling, and laughing out loud. If you are looking for a light-hearted and humorous read, give this a go.
June 3, 2018
Woohoo! First book club Book that I’ve managed to read in quite a while. Although I feel this is a bit of a cheat- it’s a bunch of Swan’s “Good Weekend” columns packaged into a convenient book-form.
Look, she’s entertaining and writes well and has a genuine warmth but it did get a bit same-same and ho-hum.
Look, she’s entertaining and writes well and has a genuine warmth but it did get a bit same-same and ho-hum.
October 10, 2019
Short and so easy to read - would love more from her. I’ve always loved her writing style and humour and being a female copywriter (which were non existent or rare in my years in advertising) I can imagine how much fun she’d inject into the agency. She’s the friend we all want and I’m glad she’s got good people and love surrounding her.
January 23, 2020
I picked this up thinking it was a memoir/biography. It isn’t.
The book is a series of short works written by Swan, about her life and observations, for her column in the Age newspaper.
I’ve always liked Chrissie Swan because she is so funny and genuine.
The book is a fun read, short easy chapters laced with humour. . I look forward to reading the biography when she gets around to writing it.
The book is a series of short works written by Swan, about her life and observations, for her column in the Age newspaper.
I’ve always liked Chrissie Swan because she is so funny and genuine.
The book is a fun read, short easy chapters laced with humour. . I look forward to reading the biography when she gets around to writing it.
July 22, 2022
(Bookclub read)
This is likely a great 5 minute article read in your pull out confidential of the newspaper. So I’ll give it 2 stars, because in the right context it has promise. However as a book this fell so far short it was laughable. These articles/entries didn’t need to be made into a book, it had no point or purpose.
This is likely a great 5 minute article read in your pull out confidential of the newspaper. So I’ll give it 2 stars, because in the right context it has promise. However as a book this fell so far short it was laughable. These articles/entries didn’t need to be made into a book, it had no point or purpose.
June 23, 2018
"...and the pair of wedge heels I wear when I want to emulate a transsexual". You mean emulate a woman? I cannot believe this is printed in an otherwise simplistic collection of mildly but not really very funny essays. I am so incredibly disappointed in the Author.
December 30, 2022
This is great to dip in and out of if I want to read before bed (every night!) but don't want to concentrate too much. This is mu current, I'm so tired but I want to read a page or two book.
Her vignettes are often hilarious and absolutely relatable! I am really enjoying it.
Her vignettes are often hilarious and absolutely relatable! I am really enjoying it.
October 5, 2017
Maybe 3 and half. Funny easy read.
October 18, 2021
Boring.
April 11, 2023
Brilliant book, funny and honest whilst also being relatable.
February 12, 2019
She is a good writer .Had some very funny stuff
February 4, 2015
So, it wasn’t that long ago that I swore off books written by Australian comedians. However, this one was already in my ereader and I knew the premise, so I was reasonable sure it would be a decent read when I got into it.
Is It Just Me is basically a collection of columns written by Swan and collated. The columns range from parenting, to expectations on women, to a bit of memoir-style writing and back to parenting again. There’s no set story line or real theme, just slices of life writing.
The book is warm and gently humorous. There’s nothing which will really have you rolling around the floor laughing, but there’s more than a few smiles in it. There’s a lovely sense of love through the book as well – the author clearly loves her family, and it shines through on the page.
I’m a fan of good column writing, especially the column which really sticks with you. For a long time, I bought the Saturday Courier Mail just so I could read Kathleen Noonan’s brilliant columns. She writes the kind of writing which lingers and stays with you. This book doesn’t contain those kind of columns. They’re sweet and occasionally thoughtful, but they don’t really stay with you when you’ve finished the book. It makes Is It Just Me? a good circuit breaker book – excellent if you’ve just finished a heavy or difficult book – but I personally can’t see it making any ‘best reads of the year’ lists – it just doesn’t stand out enough for that.
Originally reviewed at Subversive Reader
Is It Just Me is basically a collection of columns written by Swan and collated. The columns range from parenting, to expectations on women, to a bit of memoir-style writing and back to parenting again. There’s no set story line or real theme, just slices of life writing.
The book is warm and gently humorous. There’s nothing which will really have you rolling around the floor laughing, but there’s more than a few smiles in it. There’s a lovely sense of love through the book as well – the author clearly loves her family, and it shines through on the page.
I’m a fan of good column writing, especially the column which really sticks with you. For a long time, I bought the Saturday Courier Mail just so I could read Kathleen Noonan’s brilliant columns. She writes the kind of writing which lingers and stays with you. This book doesn’t contain those kind of columns. They’re sweet and occasionally thoughtful, but they don’t really stay with you when you’ve finished the book. It makes Is It Just Me? a good circuit breaker book – excellent if you’ve just finished a heavy or difficult book – but I personally can’t see it making any ‘best reads of the year’ lists – it just doesn’t stand out enough for that.
Originally reviewed at Subversive Reader
May 8, 2014
I fell in love with Chrissie Swan while watching my first series of Big Brother way back in 2003. She always made me laugh and I dearly wished to know her and be lucky enough to call her a friend. I expect this will be the same for many Australians.
Chrissie Swan is funny, instantly likeable and a down to earth career woman, frequently making self deprecating jokes and awesome references to the 1980s.^
When I learned Chrissie Swan was releasing a book, I instantly added it to my TBR pile. I hadn't read any of her weekly columns in Sunday Life and quickly learned that Is It Just Me? Confessions of an Over-Sharer comprises all of her Sunday Life columns.
As such, Is It Just Me? is a grouping of self-contained chapters set a week apart in Chrissie's life; each tackling different topics. Chrissie brings her usual humour and talent for getting to the crux of an issue to her writing in an engaging and readable style.
Not only is Chrissie Swan a successful career woman, Mum, radio announcer and columnist, she's now a published author too. She's an inspiration to me and I highly recommend Is It Just Me? Confessions of an Over-Sharer to other readers. I think you'll find it light, funny and insightful at the same time.
^ Visit the review in full to read my favourite quote ever from Chrissie Swan (not in the book): http://www.carpelibrum.net/2014/05/re...
Chrissie Swan is funny, instantly likeable and a down to earth career woman, frequently making self deprecating jokes and awesome references to the 1980s.^
When I learned Chrissie Swan was releasing a book, I instantly added it to my TBR pile. I hadn't read any of her weekly columns in Sunday Life and quickly learned that Is It Just Me? Confessions of an Over-Sharer comprises all of her Sunday Life columns.
As such, Is It Just Me? is a grouping of self-contained chapters set a week apart in Chrissie's life; each tackling different topics. Chrissie brings her usual humour and talent for getting to the crux of an issue to her writing in an engaging and readable style.
Not only is Chrissie Swan a successful career woman, Mum, radio announcer and columnist, she's now a published author too. She's an inspiration to me and I highly recommend Is It Just Me? Confessions of an Over-Sharer to other readers. I think you'll find it light, funny and insightful at the same time.
^ Visit the review in full to read my favourite quote ever from Chrissie Swan (not in the book): http://www.carpelibrum.net/2014/05/re...
September 27, 2015
I like Chrissie. she comes across as a down to earth, funny and genuine lady. I was really excited upon hearing she had written a book! Bought the book, started reading the book. She's a good writer, good sense of humour but there was something missing. Too much talk about her partner and kids and having such a busy life.....I felt she could have started by telling her story from pretty much birth until now. Not that many areas were covered in her book. I was disappointed to be honest but I liked the book. Hopefully her next book she'll give it her all and tell us everything!!
November 24, 2013
Chrissy Swan is hilarious on radio so as soon as I spotted her book in store I knew I had to have it. I was definitely not dissapointed. Chrissy makes real life situations just seem so funny and is person you can really relate to. I will now have to find more written by her as I wish this book just kept going!
May 2, 2014
Down to earth, relatable and funny is how Chrissie comes across in her writing. The book is a collection of small articles that were written over a period of time, across a broad range of topics like life, being a mother, the youngest of 3 sisters, and so on. I am a big fan of her radio show with Jane Hall, so I was really looking forward to reading this book. I was not disappointed.
April 14, 2014
I enjoyed reading this book, but it wasn't quite what I'd expected. I had anticipated a collection of short stories, which essentially it is, but they are reprints of her newspaper column. I craved new stories & a new side of Chrissy that I hadn't already been exposed to.
Her stories are funny, charming & very easy to read. I enjoyed the book, but I wanted a bit more.
Her stories are funny, charming & very easy to read. I enjoyed the book, but I wanted a bit more.
December 1, 2014
I liked this book - I am a fan of Chrissie and so found a lot of humour in this book.
Having said that it is just a compilation of her newspaper columns - I haven't read these previously so the book was all new to me - if you have read her column I would imagine this book would be disappointing.
Overall, great for Chrissie fans, possibly a bit dull for everyone else.
Having said that it is just a compilation of her newspaper columns - I haven't read these previously so the book was all new to me - if you have read her column I would imagine this book would be disappointing.
Overall, great for Chrissie fans, possibly a bit dull for everyone else.
August 22, 2020
I really enjoyed this and, in general, find Chrissie Swan to be so incredibly likeable. Nothing I read here changed that. Only not rated higher as there is so much about her life I enjoyed reading, but couldn't empathise with as it simply isn't a part of my life or lifestyle. Hats off to her for having achieved so much.
July 4, 2014
I so enjoyed this book. I liked her columns and appreciated being able to dip in and out of this book. Swan's writing voice is a breath of fresh air and I laughed out loud at times. Like hanging out with a good friend.
May 31, 2015
The book was good, well written. However there was way too much about the kids and husband and being busy. I get that is Chrissie's life but heaps of people have busy lives I was hoping there would be funnier stuff with a bigger range of topics.
March 12, 2016
I thought this was going to be a biography (an assumption based on nothing, I'd ordered the book online along with others just based on the title).
However, I did enjoy reading about Chrissie's lovely life and found it the perfect light hearted book to read in my lunch breaks at work.
However, I did enjoy reading about Chrissie's lovely life and found it the perfect light hearted book to read in my lunch breaks at work.
June 11, 2019
Chrissie Swan's book is a collection of her weekly columns published in Sunday Life magazine(The Age).
The book was light-hearted, entertaining and easily digestible. Her stories of growing up in Melbourne, Australia and parenthood are relatable and had me giggling in my seat on the way to work.
The book was light-hearted, entertaining and easily digestible. Her stories of growing up in Melbourne, Australia and parenthood are relatable and had me giggling in my seat on the way to work.
October 18, 2013
Light, fun and a pleasurable read. Chrissie is honest and plain speaking, and it's delightful.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews