Four Eyes Were Never Better Than Two

by Kelly Coleman Potter

Kelly Coleman Potter, once known in inner circles as Smelly Kelly, doesn’t see things like most of us do. This could be due to the nearsightedness that presented itself in third grade when she became known as four-eyed Smelly Kelly, but it’s not. According to her high school Journalism teacher, Potter has a unique perspective and outlook on life. She still doesn’t know if that was a compliment or an insult – or perhaps, just a nice way to say she’s weird.

In this collection of essays, Four Eyes Were Never Better Than Two…and other observations, Potter offers a candid look at the human condition with tales recounting the past and present. From her younger days of dreaming about being a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader so she could own pom-poms to sex education taught by a Joyce Dewitt look-alike, Potter confesses all – including the ironic account of throwing up on a dog named Ralph.

No stranger to embarrassment, she writes of cold sores that require an exorcism and the torture that was seventh grade gym class, capturing the angst, humiliation, and absurdity in those moments that often define us as individuals. Observations include: desperation can make a person do some pretty stupid things like answering a personal ad, hot wax is best left in the hands of a professional if you value your lips, and nothing is so surprising as the man who claims to hate dancing busting a move in a hospital recovery room.

Even if you’ve never had to admit in a public setting that you’re having your period, passed out at the eye doctor’s office, or had an illogical fear of a lawn mower, Potter’s self-deprecating wit and sometimes bizarre sense of humor will make you glad these things only happen on sit-coms… or to her.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Biography, Humor

184 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 22, 2014

Reviews

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could relate and empathize with almost every chapter! I enjoyed this book very much. If you were a last picked in gym kid, found home ec somewhat of a challenge ... read this book. You won't regret the time.

[Beverly Laude · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! At least half of it could have been about my life....the thick glasses from an early age, the lack of any athletic ability, the unpopularity... all just like me! Great reminders of the bad old days of growing up...and the good times, too! Thanks for the laughs & tears!

[Julie Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious

As a child of the 70 /80's also, I loved this. I felt like I was reading stories of my own childhood/adulthood. This was laugh out loud funny. I look forward to reading more from Kelly Potter.

[The Quiet Archivist · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have no idea why or how this book landed in my Kindle backlog, but it was there and I'm on a mission to read ALL of my long ignored TBR pile.

While this collection of essays was ok, and many of them brought back memories of my own childhood, it felt much more like scrolling through a personal blog vs a memoir/book.

The biggest issue it suffers is there seems to be no real flow between the tales shared. They seem to jump around at random in terms of topic and timeline, which isn't horrible but it just made the book feel a bit "scattered".

I can see how some may really enjoy these stories, as they are often fun doorways to your own nostalgia if you are of a certain age, but overall I feel like going into this book I had no idea who the author is and after reading this... I guess I still don't.

[Marta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memories

I am just a few years older than Kelly Potter. She brought back so many memories of my own childhood in the 70's and 80's. It was a walk down memory lane.

[Kymberlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having gone to the same school a couple of years behind the author this book is priceless!! Hilarious and nostalgic at the same time.

[Jane Peskara / Audrey Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so funny to read this, seen myself in many of these stories.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could relate to some of the stories in the book but overall the book felt unorganized. Perhaps better editing could've made this book more likeable. I would've enjoyed it more if the stories had some order to them. Start with her childhood and end with her kids grown up.

[Larry D. Klich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok but not great.

Something like a modern-day Bombeck. Lots of short stories about the author's married and parenting life. Good read for young moms.

[Holly]

i didn't actually finish reading this book. it just didn't keep my attention.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the stories but the book was to scattered

[Paula Hansen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not enough substance.

I kept expecting the book to get better. There was barely enough basis for a short story....pro excuse for a book

[BK Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was just okay. I wanted the story-telling to be better, but it wasn't as vivid as I'd hoped.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf