Summerlandish: Do As I Say, Not As I Did

by Summer Land

Hi, my name is Summer Land. No really, it is. Clearly my mom Donna exhaled some of the abundance of free love she inhaled in the 60s when it came to naming me.

Anyway, I should warn you that I’m what people call a sharer. Make that an oversharer. I really like telling stories … about myself. And they always seem to involve tattoos, tampons, booze and boys. Sometimes all at once. Just kidding! (Or am I?!)

Now you’re probably trying to figure out how someone born in 1987 can have anything to put in a memoir, but a lot has happened. So here it is: Summerlandish, all the hard-won butthole-tearing lessons I’ve learnt over the years – ‘summer-ised’ in their glamorously gory detail.

So turn to the first page for my take on love, life and awkward moments involving too much caffeine and a noticeable lack of restraint.

I’m still working on that :)

Summer Land is 24 year old ‘average American girl’ who shares her story from babyhood through to backpacking as a uni student, before falling in love and moving to Mudgee, Australia. But Summer is really anything but average; she’s a self-professed attention-hungry discretion-free egomaniac who seeks out every joke she can be the butt of and holds nothing back in recounting them here in a collection of outrageous stories that are nothing short of shocking.

Genres: Memoir, Biography, Nonfiction

257 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 30, 2013

About the author

Born in West Virginia and raised in Florida, Summer Land graduated magna cum laude from Emerson College in Boston in 2008 where she studied Marketing. After embarking on a Working Holiday in Australia and spending two ski seasons in Park City, Utah, Summer moved to Australia in 2010 where she settled down in Mudgee, NSW and began writing.


Inspired by Sloane Crosley, Chelsea Handler and David Sedaris, Summer first started blogging, but quickly learned she had a book inside of her. Summerlandish: Do As I Say, Not As I Did, was published in 2013, which prompted numerous writers' and readers' festival appearances across Australia. Today, Land writes a column in the Mudgee Guardian and is a regular contributor to The Tot. Her writing work has also been featured in Elle Australia, Cosmopolitan Australian, Mamamia and Women's Health. I Now Pronounce You Husband and Expat is her second book.

Reviews

[Romane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summerlandish: Do As I Say, Not As I Did is my very first goodreads giveaway.

I won this book giveaway at around January and have it mailed to me by the month of February. Sorry, Summer Land, for not having it reviewed as soon as I got it. I have been pretty busy due to school.

Here it is:



There are a lot of things that I love about Summerlandish. You see, I don't read a lot of memoirs because I prefer reading fiction or fantasy, genre like that. But this particular book pushed some of my personal buttons and I just got hooked I couldn't stop reading. This book is really perfect and inspiring. Taught me to always look forward and never give up, no matter how hard life gets.

* * *

Here's my #SummerlandishSelfie:

[Emily Belyea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book right when it came out, and am now READING IT AGAIN! (which made me think it was time to leave a review) It's such a hilarious take on those awkward moments where "everyone's thinkin' it, and no one's sayin' it." When she calls herself out on weird sexual experiences, public moments of vanity, and learning her limit with alcohol (and sometimes drugs), you can't help but sit there and giggle about how closely you can relate. The whole read feels like I'm just hanging out with my best friend, as she tells me stories about her ridiculous life. That, to me, is worth five hundred stars. PUT THIS ON YOUR READING LIST!

[Charlotte Nash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious, deliciously inappropriate and kind-hearted. I met the gorgeous and lovely Summer Land at Mudgee Readers Festival and now having read her memoir am in awe of her adventures. Lots of vicarious experiences in this book - I wouldn't be brave enough to pull them off, but fortunately because Summer has, I don't have to! Looking forward to what comes next!

[Randi Thraves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Reminded me of great friendships and the craziness of growing up. I laughed heaps and missed sleep because I couldn't put the book down! I highly recommend buying and reading Summerlandish, it will be time and money well spent.

[Ohbrittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious read for anyone who is wildly inappropriate and loves bathroom talk. It will keep you laughing the whole way through.

[Georgia Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will rip you a new butthole, and you’ll love every second of it.

[Raelene Baget · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a particularly difficult time reading this from the sheer horror of her stories sometimes, but then other times, I would be curled up giggling my ass off about silly stories I could completely relate to...and then some.

What I find strangely unique is that this book literally reads from her birth to her beginning of Motherhood; and while this is typical of most biographies, never did it feel like there were any gaps. Most biographies I read skip parts of their life when I feel this was well documented and hilariously embarrassing at times.

I actually wish Land does write another chronicling her life as a Mother and moving forward after this book.

I don't really have anything bad to say about this book other than for anyone who is rather prudish, steer clear.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolute must read for any chick between the ages of 4 and 104. It's beyond hilarious. Completely heartfelt. Absolutely insane. So much fun. Summer Land is a girls girl - and her book is a most helpful guide for anyone who needs advice, needs a friend, needs a laugh or needs to feel a little bit less embarrassed about what they did last night… Because no matter what, Summer has definitely experienced worse than you! And she's not ashamed to talk about it - so neither should you!

If you're not buying this for all your girlfriends for Christmas/Hannukah/Kwanza/Ramadan - what are you doing?

[Blue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the kind of memoir I enjoy reading.
There are parts that catch you with the sheer horror of the situation.
Other parts will have you smiling to yourself.
Some aspects may be relatable.
Other aspects provide advice.
But overall it is the kind of memoir you can’t put down.
I got snowed under with review books when the lovely Summer Land approached me about reviewing her book so it took me some time to get to it and I regret not picking it up straight away and diving head first into this.
You go through the emotions with Summer Land and her adventure of life and it is definitely worth picking up.
The one thing I really loved about this book is the advice that Summer gives, I wish I had that kind of advice years ago.

[Madeleine Johns · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be one of the best, funniest, most heart-warming and also cringe-inducing books I have ever read. (Cringe-inducing from the injury she sustained jumping off a cliff into water with her legs open…!) 
I read this in one sitting and actually laughed out loud multiple times, as well as grinning like an idiot and occasionally cringing and crossing my legs as she discussed her many mishaps in explicit detail. 
I met Summer last month while I was in her small-group ‘path to publication’ workshop at the Sydney Writer’s Festival. She was so enthusiastic and engaging in person that I was convinced I immediately needed to read her book (and promptly ordered it using my phone while still sitting in her workshop. Nothing like the immediacy of the internet to indulge my wishes and whims.) 
I would recommend this book to all of my friends and am secretly (not so secret now) in awe of Summer and all the incredible, crazy, impressive and sometimes insane things that she has done. 
Also slightly (very) jealous of her name and the fact that she has been able to make it into a personalised catchphrase - that’s so Summerlandish. Somehow that’s so Madeleinejohnsish just does not have the same ring to it. 
If you’re looking for something brutally honest and incredibly funny go and buy Summerlandish.

Review also on my blog.
http://allmymusings.tumblr.com/post/8...

[Kerry Kendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Hardie grant publishing and Summer Land for my copy of Summerlandish which I was lucky enough to win in a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you.

Well, what can I say about Summer Land? Summer is a twenty something, Jewish American lady who has written a very entertaining memoir. Her book reads as a list of 'do's' and 'dont's'. What have I learnt as a result of reading this book?

Summer has a party trick that includes clicking her body. This image is now ingrained on my memory! Talking of which there are lots of stories in this book that will stay with you long after you've read it. I've not tried queefing and am not sure I will be any good at it but God loves a trier! I also now have to buy a copy of The Happy Hooker before I dab anything behind my ears.

I have found in this life some people love to talk about their bodily functions and some people don't. Summer does and I don't minus one star although I admire Summers honesty in doing so. I love the fact this book has love and romance and a cool sounding Mum called Donna.

I would say check out Summers blog www.summerlandish.com then treat yourself to a copy of this book for a memorable read.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, what to say about this book.... hmmmm. For the most part I enjoyed Summer's writing, open, honest, really really honest with not a single detail about her life left out. The writing has a very fresh point of view that I enjoyed.

However; Summer you are lucky you didn't kill yourself, get an STD, end up pregnant, or maim yourself is some terrible way. Since I am a Mom of two teen aged daughters your shenanigans made me cringe more then once. As much as I liked your Mom's open honest attitude you seem a little spoiled and I do somewhat question the morality of your upbringing. That being said you seem to have turned out half decently and I think your advise is good "Do as I say, not as I did". Thank you Summer for the copy you sent me, I hope your not offended by my honesty!

[J Hood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had high expectations forthis book after her Fried Chicken for the Drunk Girls soul made me snort laugh & hyperventilate from laughing like a cartoon character. I was excited to see if a while book could be as great - and thought it was really great. She reminded me quite a bit of Chelsea Handler, only maybe more grounded. i loved her honesty & willingness to put it all out there. I spent the majority of the book laughing - alternating whether it was With her or At her. I could relate numerous times & by the end of it just wanted to be best friends. I definitely recommend & definitely hope to read more from her in the future!

[Sunni Overend · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me how funny it is to be a woman. Women don't usually take the opportunity to laugh at our often embarrassing bodies or even more embarrassing behaviour. When it comes to crude, raw honesty, men usually win…but not anymore. Summer Land's style is hilarious, dry and self-deprecating and though you'll inevitably cringe, you'll mainly laugh and perhaps even cry. Summerlandish tells what it's really like to be a woman - coupling love with humiliation, beauty with brawn - and bundling it into a light and epically entertaining package. Honest, breezy and hilarious - Summerlandish is a great way to spend a weekend. Read!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a free copy on Goodreads.

I loved this book. If it wasn't for having things I had to do the last few days I would have finished it in two!

I honestly can't say that there is anything negative about this book. It's beautifully written, hilarious and is easy to get into and loose yourself.

I found myself laughing so hard at different bits that I had tears running down my face. It's a good thing I didn't read it in public because I'd be that person everyone stares at thinking they have a "Problem"!

[Melissa Mead · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review comes with the disclaimer that this is the type of book I would not normally pick up or read, but alas I was drawn to it. It took me literally 24 hours to read this book. I couldn't stop laughing. Summer's antics are off the charts and clearly she suffers from zero shame ever, this all made for fun reading. Consumer beware - if you don't like references to bodily functions don't read this book. I can't wait for Summer's next instalment.

[Brittany Burslem · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked up this memoir because the author is my age and I thought I might be able to relate to some of her experiences in life. Suffice it to say I couldn't relate to her. Her life was not particularly interesting, there was no one thing that made her life any different than any other average person. Not to mention the amount of bathroom humor just wasn't for me.

[Jerry Crowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book through a give-away through Goodreads.
I enjoyed reading the antics of this young lady and some of her situations reminded me of the adventures of my youth. I went to the Outback of Australia and liked her descriptions of the Australian "Wild West". It is fun to read and I recommended that you 20-something nieces also read it!

[Aga · Rating 3 out of 5]

A funny read- Summer Land shares her life experiences with us in a humerous and fun way. Although she is only 25 years old, at the time of the memoir, she is still able to share many of her ups and downs of growing up. At times it feels like your reading a novel and following the character Summer versus a real life story of a young woman. Interesting read I recommend it.

[Jess_jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely a MUST read. Love her style and her stories. The first book I read lazing by the pool in Bali. She is such a fab, tell it how it is writer. Funny, quirky and a great beach/holiday read or if you're after a book to chill out. Loved it.

[Lauren Kraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book. Cried laughing (and cringed from embarrassment at times) from cover to cover. A hilarious account of Summer Land's learning experiences over the years, and some stories that I certainly could relate to! A must-read!

[Charlotte Chadderton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this, could not put it down and made me squirm but laugh out load at the same time.

[Jeff]

Read the whole book in just a few hours! Very funny,my kind of funny!

[Will · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.1

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I normally don't enjoy memoirs, but this was a very cute one with lots of funny anecdotes that anyone who really, REALLY enjoyed their 20's can definitely relate to!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book on a goodread giveaway.Bridget Jones pre school and teenage years .Quirky real and just plain sods law you cant help but smirk as you read Many Thanks

[Dallas · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining and easy enough read, but wouldn't recommend it unless you're a big fan of toilet humor.

[Megan Grose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny stories, easy to read

[Rachel Deyes · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars*

An easy to read, candid memoir. I found some things to be rather judgemental. I guess that’s the author being honest but I still found it problematic nonetheless.