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Sprinkle Glitter on My Grave: Observations, Rants, and Other Uplifting Thoughts About Life
The star of Bravo’s breakout scripted comedy Odd Mom Out shares her razor-sharp wit and backhanded wisdom in a deeply observed and outrageously funny collection of musings, lists, essays, and outrages.
From her unique lingo (things don’t simply frighten her, they “M. Night Shyamalan her out”) to her gimlet-eyed view of narrow-mindedness, to her morbid but curiously life-affirming parenting style, Jill Kargman is nothing if not original. In this hilarious new book, the sharp-elbowed mother of three turns her unconventional lens on life and death and everything in between, including
• the politically correct peer pressure she felt from the new moms in her hood, the women who provided the grist for the mill of her hit television show
• the evolution of her aesthetic from Miami Vice vibrant (a very brief flirtation) to Wednesday Addams–meets–rocker chic
• her deep-seated New Yorker’s discomfort with moving vehicles that aren’t taxis and subways (a.k.a. “suburban panic disorder”)
• the family obsession with reading obituaries for their medical revelations and real estate news value
• the reasons why, in a land of tan-orexic baby-oil beach bakers, she chooses to honor the valor of her ghostly pallor
From a hellish visit to the Happiest Place on Earth to her unusual wedding night with Russell Crowe to her adrenaline-pumping Gay Pride parade experience, Sprinkle Glitter on My Grave is as wonderfully indecent and entertaining as a spring break road trip with your best friend. Assuming your best friend is the kind of gal who still wears a motorcycle jacket to pick up the kids at school.
Praise for Sprinkle Glitter on My Grave
“We love her on Bravo’s Odd Mom Out, and in Sprinkle Glitter on My Grave , Jill Kargman brings us a hilarious essay collection about life, death, and everything in between.” — PopSugar
“The release (which reads in part like a memoir, or what we imagine it would be like to have a girls’ night in with the writer) is a humorous book filled with a closer look at the New York native’s childhood and family, as well as her unfiltered opinions on any number of subjects, like parenting and fashion.” —Bravotv.com
“[A] love letter to her deeply macabre family.” — Vogue
“The creator of Bravo’s Odd Mom Out, Kargman dishes out a variety of essays that poke fun at herself, her family, friends, and the world in general. . . . Prepare to laugh.” — Kirkus Reviews
“A comedic, lively take on [Kargman’s] life as an opinionated, Jewish native New Yorker . . . sharp and funny . . . Those looking for a new, fun voice that doesn’t get too heavy will enjoy Kargman’s perspective, which is rich with gratitude, laughs, and a healthy appreciation for the color black.” — Publisher’s Weekly
From her unique lingo (things don’t simply frighten her, they “M. Night Shyamalan her out”) to her gimlet-eyed view of narrow-mindedness, to her morbid but curiously life-affirming parenting style, Jill Kargman is nothing if not original. In this hilarious new book, the sharp-elbowed mother of three turns her unconventional lens on life and death and everything in between, including
• the politically correct peer pressure she felt from the new moms in her hood, the women who provided the grist for the mill of her hit television show
• the evolution of her aesthetic from Miami Vice vibrant (a very brief flirtation) to Wednesday Addams–meets–rocker chic
• her deep-seated New Yorker’s discomfort with moving vehicles that aren’t taxis and subways (a.k.a. “suburban panic disorder”)
• the family obsession with reading obituaries for their medical revelations and real estate news value
• the reasons why, in a land of tan-orexic baby-oil beach bakers, she chooses to honor the valor of her ghostly pallor
From a hellish visit to the Happiest Place on Earth to her unusual wedding night with Russell Crowe to her adrenaline-pumping Gay Pride parade experience, Sprinkle Glitter on My Grave is as wonderfully indecent and entertaining as a spring break road trip with your best friend. Assuming your best friend is the kind of gal who still wears a motorcycle jacket to pick up the kids at school.
Praise for Sprinkle Glitter on My Grave
“We love her on Bravo’s Odd Mom Out, and in Sprinkle Glitter on My Grave , Jill Kargman brings us a hilarious essay collection about life, death, and everything in between.” — PopSugar
“The release (which reads in part like a memoir, or what we imagine it would be like to have a girls’ night in with the writer) is a humorous book filled with a closer look at the New York native’s childhood and family, as well as her unfiltered opinions on any number of subjects, like parenting and fashion.” —Bravotv.com
“[A] love letter to her deeply macabre family.” — Vogue
“The creator of Bravo’s Odd Mom Out, Kargman dishes out a variety of essays that poke fun at herself, her family, friends, and the world in general. . . . Prepare to laugh.” — Kirkus Reviews
“A comedic, lively take on [Kargman’s] life as an opinionated, Jewish native New Yorker . . . sharp and funny . . . Those looking for a new, fun voice that doesn’t get too heavy will enjoy Kargman’s perspective, which is rich with gratitude, laughs, and a healthy appreciation for the color black.” — Publisher’s Weekly
240 pages, Hardcover
Published September 6, 2016
About the author
Jill Kargman
28 books241 followersJill Kargman is deathly afraid of clowns. And mimes. Wait, mimes are worse. She lives in New York City where she writes magazine articles and trashy novels and enjoys wrap sandwiches. She is the author of teen books Bittersweet Sixteen, Summer Intern, and Jet Set, plus some excellent grown-up books. And by grown-up books she doesn't mean porn; she means not young adult but plain old adult. Her articles have appeared in Vogue, Teen Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Town & Country, Travel + Leisure, Elle, Elle Décor, and a bunch of British magazines you've never seen. She went to Yale where she did not study writing and has three children who keep her young. And exhausted.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
September 21, 2016
I knew of Jill Kargman from the Bravo TV show Odd Mom Out, though I've never actually watched it. I didn't have any concrete expectations when I picked up this book, but I figured it would at least be mildly funny.
And it was. I was lightly entertained, though I'd say most of the essays in here are just okay. There were a couple of standouts. I loved the essay "Arie's Words to Live By" where Kargman lists some of her dad's best advice. (Honestly, I hope HE writes a memoir someday.) I also enjoyed the essay "Pregnant with a TV Show." Kargman shows a lot of heart in that one, finally getting a bit more serious and deep. I think I might even check out her previously-published book Momzillas.
But the rest? Yeesh, it gets a little rough. I know other reviewers have complained about Kargman's trendy, tweenage-ish language choices, but I didn't mind that so much. What got to me, was the feeling of separateness I had while reading the book. I am just so far removed from Kargman's lifestyle, experiences, and perspective. She claims to be this down-to-earth and accepting person, but, boy-oh-boy, she really lets certain groups have it. You better not be an ounce overweight or shop at Ann Taylor, because Kargman ain't got no time for that. The weight stuff, especially, seemed weird to me. She is so fixated on body fat, and so harsh with the people (including herself) she considers overweight. It made me sad for her.
It also seemed odd to me that she spends so much time making fun of rich people without seeming to understand that SHE is really effing wealthy. She mocks people who fly private jets and wear Louboutin's to pick up their kids from school...but then she talks about her many trips abroad and describes her own school-pick-up clothing preference as dresses with heels. (But they're not Louboutin's! See how down-to-earth she is?!)
I mean, I get it. She rolls with a super posh crowd, and she's poking fun at the people who conspicuously consume more than she does. But she is so much more like them than she is like me, that it's hard to relate or join in. As far as I'm concerned, she is in the same category of people she's making fun of. They all have (and seem to spend) excessive, excessive amounts of money. I'm not poor by any stretch, but the wealth she's talking about is on a whole different level than what I'm used to.
I guess just take it for what it is. Reading this book is like watching Real Housewives; it's a somewhat enjoyable guilty pleasure that you will immediately forget once you're done with it.
ARC provided through Amazon Vine.
See more of my reviews at www.BugBugBooks.com.
And it was. I was lightly entertained, though I'd say most of the essays in here are just okay. There were a couple of standouts. I loved the essay "Arie's Words to Live By" where Kargman lists some of her dad's best advice. (Honestly, I hope HE writes a memoir someday.) I also enjoyed the essay "Pregnant with a TV Show." Kargman shows a lot of heart in that one, finally getting a bit more serious and deep. I think I might even check out her previously-published book Momzillas.
But the rest? Yeesh, it gets a little rough. I know other reviewers have complained about Kargman's trendy, tweenage-ish language choices, but I didn't mind that so much. What got to me, was the feeling of separateness I had while reading the book. I am just so far removed from Kargman's lifestyle, experiences, and perspective. She claims to be this down-to-earth and accepting person, but, boy-oh-boy, she really lets certain groups have it. You better not be an ounce overweight or shop at Ann Taylor, because Kargman ain't got no time for that. The weight stuff, especially, seemed weird to me. She is so fixated on body fat, and so harsh with the people (including herself) she considers overweight. It made me sad for her.
It also seemed odd to me that she spends so much time making fun of rich people without seeming to understand that SHE is really effing wealthy. She mocks people who fly private jets and wear Louboutin's to pick up their kids from school...but then she talks about her many trips abroad and describes her own school-pick-up clothing preference as dresses with heels. (But they're not Louboutin's! See how down-to-earth she is?!)
I mean, I get it. She rolls with a super posh crowd, and she's poking fun at the people who conspicuously consume more than she does. But she is so much more like them than she is like me, that it's hard to relate or join in. As far as I'm concerned, she is in the same category of people she's making fun of. They all have (and seem to spend) excessive, excessive amounts of money. I'm not poor by any stretch, but the wealth she's talking about is on a whole different level than what I'm used to.
I guess just take it for what it is. Reading this book is like watching Real Housewives; it's a somewhat enjoyable guilty pleasure that you will immediately forget once you're done with it.
ARC provided through Amazon Vine.
See more of my reviews at www.BugBugBooks.com.
August 4, 2016
Thanks to Goodreads for the free ARC. I wanted to like this book. I like the title. I knew nothing of the author before reading the book. Apparently she is the creator of the Bravo tv show, 'Odd Mom Out'. I got really tired of her ranting about what rich people buy in this book. She herself is the goddaughter of Theresa Heinz Kerry, of the Heinz Ketchup fortune, therefore I don't believe she grew up poor. And her father was an editor at Vogue or something. What I did find interesting was that her brother, Will was married to Drew Barrymore, the actress. I like Drew Barrymore. This book made me feel like I was in high school again and she was one of the mean girls making fun of the other girls for not being as rich or as pretty. Sad, because she has daughters. Maybe this was supposed to come across as sarcasm. I don't believe I was the intended audience for this book. I saw that many people gave it lots of stars. I don't find making fun of others funny. To each their own...
September 14, 2016
Okay, so I'm mildly obsessed with Jill and I don't understand the hate about this book. I mean, I understand slightly. She's rich, but you had to already know that going into this read. Get over yourselves. Jill is definitely the type of friend I'd want if I lived on the Upper East Side. She's such a goddamn blast of a human-being.
Jill Kargman is the star/writer/executive producer of Odd Mom Out. If you're not watching that show, there's something seriously wrong with your life. And no, I'm not a mom. Even if you're not, you can find yourself relating to scenes in generals. Just as a woman. The mammogram scene, the mortifying reunion with your ex. Just so you know, I don't care for Brooke's storyline. My mind blanks on it.
SPRINKLE GLITTER ON MY GRAVE chronicles portions of Jill's life, including her first pregnancy, the misadventures of her children, her obsession with death, coincidentally being the (former) sister-in-law of Drew Barrymore, and being unlucky enough to have a hot sibling.
Jill is hilarious and so relatable, and she reminds you of her on-screen persona. She includes lists of Dos/Donts and cute little doodles. She raised her children well and they sound not-spoiled. The only thing that annoyed me about this book was the occasional mention of rich things, which were subtle in some places, and not in others. ("If I were to choke and die on steak-") But I was weirded out by how normal her children appeared with the idea of death, too. Just me, though.
AND she also sounds really nice. Like, she's annoyed by line-cutters and those people who leave the Starbucks coffee counter a mess. I agree entirely, Jill, but I'm one of those people. Even though I hate them, too. Sorry! #doublestandard
But seriously, I adored this book. It's hilarious, Jill has a hot brother (apparently) (I Googled him, he's on the B+ level of sexy), how lovely her parents are, and one nightmarish, sweaty trip to Disneyland. ;) Read and find out. It's a doozy.
Jill Kargman is the star/writer/executive producer of Odd Mom Out. If you're not watching that show, there's something seriously wrong with your life. And no, I'm not a mom. Even if you're not, you can find yourself relating to scenes in generals. Just as a woman. The mammogram scene, the mortifying reunion with your ex. Just so you know, I don't care for Brooke's storyline. My mind blanks on it.
SPRINKLE GLITTER ON MY GRAVE chronicles portions of Jill's life, including her first pregnancy, the misadventures of her children, her obsession with death, coincidentally being the (former) sister-in-law of Drew Barrymore, and being unlucky enough to have a hot sibling.
Jill is hilarious and so relatable, and she reminds you of her on-screen persona. She includes lists of Dos/Donts and cute little doodles. She raised her children well and they sound not-spoiled. The only thing that annoyed me about this book was the occasional mention of rich things, which were subtle in some places, and not in others. ("If I were to choke and die on steak-") But I was weirded out by how normal her children appeared with the idea of death, too. Just me, though.
AND she also sounds really nice. Like, she's annoyed by line-cutters and those people who leave the Starbucks coffee counter a mess. I agree entirely, Jill, but I'm one of those people. Even though I hate them, too. Sorry! #doublestandard
But seriously, I adored this book. It's hilarious, Jill has a hot brother (apparently) (I Googled him, he's on the B+ level of sexy), how lovely her parents are, and one nightmarish, sweaty trip to Disneyland. ;) Read and find out. It's a doozy.
July 31, 2016
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A very Blue State humor novel by a woman who used her family's money and connections to land a newspaper column despite have as much talent as a mediocre college newspaper writer.
Pretty lame unless you live in Manhattan and vacation in the Hamptons.
A very Blue State humor novel by a woman who used her family's money and connections to land a newspaper column despite have as much talent as a mediocre college newspaper writer.
Pretty lame unless you live in Manhattan and vacation in the Hamptons.
September 29, 2016
Thank you Ballantine Books & NetGalley for advanced copy.
It's a quick funny read but contains a few redundant metaphors.
I did laugh out loud a couple of times...especially during the chapter about taking her kids to Disney World. She echoed quite a few thoughts I had when I took the child unit during what he considers to be the best year of his life.
She does have a great sense of humor about living on the Upper East Side & she does seem appreciative of the fact that she was born on third base...but..she is still a tiny bit of an Upper East side snob & readily admits it. I very much appreciate honesty when it comes to those born with a silver spoon.
Her parents seem to be very grounded people & as a result raised her in a way that ensured she wouldn't grow up to be one of the JAPs (her term, not mine) or snobbish materialistic East Siders she mocks. I enjoy people who can laugh at themselves & she's definitely one.
It's evident that she loves her family dearly in the loving ways she speaks/writes about them, especially her parents.
Her ability to laugh at herself & the love and gratitude she has for her family are what bumped this book up to 3 stars.
There are definitely layers of hope, gratitude, & glitter under all the black clothing, leather, & tattoos.
Also, if I add her to the list of people I know who don't like cake...I'm up to two. ;-)
It's a quick funny read but contains a few redundant metaphors.
I did laugh out loud a couple of times...especially during the chapter about taking her kids to Disney World. She echoed quite a few thoughts I had when I took the child unit during what he considers to be the best year of his life.
She does have a great sense of humor about living on the Upper East Side & she does seem appreciative of the fact that she was born on third base...but..she is still a tiny bit of an Upper East side snob & readily admits it. I very much appreciate honesty when it comes to those born with a silver spoon.
Her parents seem to be very grounded people & as a result raised her in a way that ensured she wouldn't grow up to be one of the JAPs (her term, not mine) or snobbish materialistic East Siders she mocks. I enjoy people who can laugh at themselves & she's definitely one.
It's evident that she loves her family dearly in the loving ways she speaks/writes about them, especially her parents.
Her ability to laugh at herself & the love and gratitude she has for her family are what bumped this book up to 3 stars.
There are definitely layers of hope, gratitude, & glitter under all the black clothing, leather, & tattoos.
Also, if I add her to the list of people I know who don't like cake...I'm up to two. ;-)
October 2, 2016
I am a fan of the TV series Odd Mom Out, so when I saw that Jill Kargman had a new book coming out, I was all over it and put it in my TBR pile right away! I have only read one of Jill’s novels, but now I want to read Momzillas, as well as her other collection of humorous essays, Sometimes I Feel Like a Nut: Essays and Observations.
While reading Sprinkle Glitter on My Grave: Observations, Rants, and Other Uplifting Thoughts About Life, I found myself laughing out loud and also nodding along in agreement. I could relate to a lot of what Jill said. Neither of us are summer people and we both like the same characters from Grease, just for starters. Her observations on life remind me of Jerry Seinfeld. Not only does she share funny stories and lists, but she also talks about her family, husband, and friends with lots of love and adoration. I think her family would be fun to share a holiday meal or go on a vacation with. And yes, I’m jealous of her connection to Drew Barrymore. However, I’m also jealous of Drew for getting to be such close friends with Jill! I appreciated her view on mom-shaming and think any mom who has been in her shoes would feel better after reading the chapter that focuses on it.
Jill is young at heart (I keep forgetting that we’re close in age, as a result) and it especially shows in the way she talks. She uses a lot of lingo that seems meant for the teen crowd. I actually had to ask her what “BTdubs” meant. I did like some of her metaphors and sayings though. However, if you’re not keen on swearing and other forms of colorful language, be forewarned that this book contains a lot of both. If you’re like me and can handle such words, you’ll overlook the amount of them and laugh about all her adventures and anecdotes.
With short chapters and no actual plot, it is perfect for a quick weekend read or the cure for a book hangover from something more intense. (In the same way Mindy Kaling’s books take on that role for me.) There's even a surprise visit from one of Jill's TV "relatives." I feel like I know Jill even better and I want to be her friend even more than I did already.
While reading Sprinkle Glitter on My Grave: Observations, Rants, and Other Uplifting Thoughts About Life, I found myself laughing out loud and also nodding along in agreement. I could relate to a lot of what Jill said. Neither of us are summer people and we both like the same characters from Grease, just for starters. Her observations on life remind me of Jerry Seinfeld. Not only does she share funny stories and lists, but she also talks about her family, husband, and friends with lots of love and adoration. I think her family would be fun to share a holiday meal or go on a vacation with. And yes, I’m jealous of her connection to Drew Barrymore. However, I’m also jealous of Drew for getting to be such close friends with Jill! I appreciated her view on mom-shaming and think any mom who has been in her shoes would feel better after reading the chapter that focuses on it.
Jill is young at heart (I keep forgetting that we’re close in age, as a result) and it especially shows in the way she talks. She uses a lot of lingo that seems meant for the teen crowd. I actually had to ask her what “BTdubs” meant. I did like some of her metaphors and sayings though. However, if you’re not keen on swearing and other forms of colorful language, be forewarned that this book contains a lot of both. If you’re like me and can handle such words, you’ll overlook the amount of them and laugh about all her adventures and anecdotes.
With short chapters and no actual plot, it is perfect for a quick weekend read or the cure for a book hangover from something more intense. (In the same way Mindy Kaling’s books take on that role for me.) There's even a surprise visit from one of Jill's TV "relatives." I feel like I know Jill even better and I want to be her friend even more than I did already.
August 28, 2016
Jill Kargman cracks me up. Just uncontrollable laugh out loud! Sometimes laughing at myself, or quietly while staring at those around me. She says all the things people think and rarely say out loud. With humor, sharp wit and unbelievable observance skills, Jill shares her views about her life, family, her childhood and the silly things people do every day while trying to play the part they have deemed for themselves in this show we call life. This book is styled in very short chapters that are easy, quick and enjoyable reads. Perfect for traveling or hanging out on a relaxing Sunday. If you are a fan of Odd Mom Out you will absolutely hear Jill’s voice telling you these stories and anecdotes as if she were your friend whispering on the phone while the kids are asleep. For me Sprinkle Glitter On My Grave has that Seinfeld flair, you either get it or you don’t. Jill Kargman is the ultimate girl next door and I am pretty sure if that was the case we would have been great friends.
January 10, 2017
Odd Mom Out is my favorite show on TV, so I was prepared to go full-on five stars with this. But what works so well as a half-hour sitcom doesn't translate as well to a book of essays. Don't get me wrong, she's still hilarious, and I guffawed out loud quite a few times. But there's a lot of 1% White Privilege happening here that I can only describe as "backhanded bougie." She wants to be "One of The People" but she's really not. She came from wealth and married wealth. Her dad was the freaking CEO of Chanel. Her brother was married to Drew Barrymore. Theresa Kerry is her godmother. And I'm not 100% sure she gets that not everyone lives like that. I still think she's hilarious, and Odd Mom Out will continue to be the best show ever, but at the end of the day, my middle-class ass didn't fully connect with this book.
October 5, 2016
I won a copy of this on Goodreads.
If I had known Ms Kargman had something to do with the ahow "Odd Mom Out", I would have been watching it. This was a great book (even with the typos that came with the ARC), and I loved her dark sense of humor. I'm probably older than her target audience (I'm 59), but I still enjoyed it. I'm not big on reading novels in recent years, but if Ms Kargman puts out more essay books, I'll be reading them. And I'll be looking for her other essay books that she's already written.
If I had known Ms Kargman had something to do with the ahow "Odd Mom Out", I would have been watching it. This was a great book (even with the typos that came with the ARC), and I loved her dark sense of humor. I'm probably older than her target audience (I'm 59), but I still enjoyed it. I'm not big on reading novels in recent years, but if Ms Kargman puts out more essay books, I'll be reading them. And I'll be looking for her other essay books that she's already written.
September 14, 2016
I love Jill so much!! She's hilarious and unapologetically herself. At times I felt her life, in Chanel and the poshy Upper East Side was becoming totally unrelatable. But then she would talk about the mommy wars and we were on level playing ground again. The audio book version made it that much better for me. I loved hearing her stories from her mouth! Also loved the Brooke Von Weber chapter!
September 29, 2016
3.5. Would have been 4 if she hadn't slammed Alabama. Makes her seem like one of the types of people for whom she professes her distaste.
December 10, 2016
Loved it! Favorite in "Funniest Book Read" category for the year. Must read her other other books, especially the one that her show Odd Mom Out is based on.
January 3, 2017
I thought this book would be funny. Far from it. It was written by a socialite who chapter after chapter let everyone know how wealthy she was. Don't bother.
August 17, 2017
Probably best to read after you've watched as much of Odd Mom Out as you can. The book sometimes serves as back story to the episodes.
Fascinating that you can live on the Upper East Side in New York yet have to give birth to your first child in a supply closet because the hospital is too crowded. And after waiting two hours for the epidural.
Also that July baby boom thing because as soon as winter sets in in late November people hunker down to sex--not an issue in California.
When you think about it, it would be interesting to live in Jill's head--as thoughts move at scattershot speed laced with the most current Upper East side slang. It could also be confusing an wearying to a fuddy-duddy like me.
Biggest takeaway with this book, as with Odd Mom Out, those super rich that Jill is (delightfully) skewing seem so unhappy. And just how happy can you be if your world falls apart if your kindergartener doesn't get into the right school? if you can't get that designer thing? If you have to drive to your luxurious estate in Southhampton when your "friend" gets to take an Uber captor?
An inequality thing: she writes about how her husband likes extreme sports--like dangerous ski runs and swimming with the sharks. Could this be from a type of discontent that arises when you have lots of wealth and so don't have life and death worries about having enough money to pay the bills, for example? She also has the character Lex in Odd Mom Out exhibit a discontent because he has everything he's supposed to have, so he dives into the idea of going to Mars--something that would be a dangerous journey.
So cute that Drew Barrymore was her sister-in-law for a time.
Had to agree with her on all her "Things I Hate That Everyone Else Loves"--except there is some country western music that I do like (e.g. Juice Newton and "Angel in the Morning").
More on how the book illustrates why we have such inequality--the rich can't see it. Jill, for example, feels very middle class or even poor next to the hedge fund families. Yet she can blithely take her three kids to several days at a Disneyland hotel and spring for a private tour guide to avoid the lines (even if she feels a tad guilty about it.) One wants to hang out with her as friends but she is in a whole other stratosphere wealth-wise. Her wonderful humor comes from her not feeling as wealthy as her friends, but it is sad--and a bit disturbing--that it seems each time she is wounded by the wealth of others she is not enjoying the tremendous wealth she has when compared to the rest of world.
A message here? That wealth and material things really don't ensure happiness.
Fascinating that you can live on the Upper East Side in New York yet have to give birth to your first child in a supply closet because the hospital is too crowded. And after waiting two hours for the epidural.
Also that July baby boom thing because as soon as winter sets in in late November people hunker down to sex--not an issue in California.
When you think about it, it would be interesting to live in Jill's head--as thoughts move at scattershot speed laced with the most current Upper East side slang. It could also be confusing an wearying to a fuddy-duddy like me.
Biggest takeaway with this book, as with Odd Mom Out, those super rich that Jill is (delightfully) skewing seem so unhappy. And just how happy can you be if your world falls apart if your kindergartener doesn't get into the right school? if you can't get that designer thing? If you have to drive to your luxurious estate in Southhampton when your "friend" gets to take an Uber captor?
An inequality thing: she writes about how her husband likes extreme sports--like dangerous ski runs and swimming with the sharks. Could this be from a type of discontent that arises when you have lots of wealth and so don't have life and death worries about having enough money to pay the bills, for example? She also has the character Lex in Odd Mom Out exhibit a discontent because he has everything he's supposed to have, so he dives into the idea of going to Mars--something that would be a dangerous journey.
So cute that Drew Barrymore was her sister-in-law for a time.
Had to agree with her on all her "Things I Hate That Everyone Else Loves"--except there is some country western music that I do like (e.g. Juice Newton and "Angel in the Morning").
More on how the book illustrates why we have such inequality--the rich can't see it. Jill, for example, feels very middle class or even poor next to the hedge fund families. Yet she can blithely take her three kids to several days at a Disneyland hotel and spring for a private tour guide to avoid the lines (even if she feels a tad guilty about it.) One wants to hang out with her as friends but she is in a whole other stratosphere wealth-wise. Her wonderful humor comes from her not feeling as wealthy as her friends, but it is sad--and a bit disturbing--that it seems each time she is wounded by the wealth of others she is not enjoying the tremendous wealth she has when compared to the rest of world.
A message here? That wealth and material things really don't ensure happiness.
May 27, 2021
Imagine if New York A-lister Nora Ephron had a love child with America’s most-loved comedic scribe, David Sedaris. Their spawn would be Jill Kargman, the bestselling novelist turned satirist and star of Bravo’s break-out scripted comedy, Odd Mom Out. Now Kargman shares her razor-sharp wit and backhanded wisdom in a deeply observed and outrageously funny collection of musings, lists, essays, and outrages. From the life-affirming outlook she got from her death-obsessed family (including the antithesis to her Goth aesthetic, ray of sunshine sister-in-law Drew Barrymore) to the appreciation for land (and limbs) she got from swimming with sharks off the South African coast, to the adrenaline-pumping experience that is a Gay Pride parade, Sprinkle Glitter on My Grave is a book about life, death, and everything that happens in between, that will both entertain and inspire.
Heather's Notes
So I didn't dislike this book, but I couldn't really relate. Maybe if I lived in a BIG city or New York it would make more sense. But I had trouble with the fact most of her rants was on how much money things cost. You have a second home in Nantucket. You are friends with a former vice president. You have no idea what money problems are. I also think a lot of it was meant to be tongue in check or sarcastic, but it just didn't hit the mark IMO. Also some of the things she "ranted" against were just dumb. I did like the writing style and it looks like she has written some actually stories. I may try one of those.
Heather's Notes
So I didn't dislike this book, but I couldn't really relate. Maybe if I lived in a BIG city or New York it would make more sense. But I had trouble with the fact most of her rants was on how much money things cost. You have a second home in Nantucket. You are friends with a former vice president. You have no idea what money problems are. I also think a lot of it was meant to be tongue in check or sarcastic, but it just didn't hit the mark IMO. Also some of the things she "ranted" against were just dumb. I did like the writing style and it looks like she has written some actually stories. I may try one of those.
July 11, 2021
I have to admit that I had no idea who this woman was before reading this book, but I’m trying to clear out some books that other people have passed on to me. It’s a book of essays that did have some laugh out loud moments. Jill Kargman tries to set herself apart from the other super rich women in NYC by making fun of their lives, but in reality, I felt like it came off as obnoxious. You may be different than them, but you are still a very privileged rich woman. It was annoying to read about how hard it is to live this lifestyle and have homes in Nantucket, go to dinner parties with the Kerry family, hang out with your sister-in-law Drew Barrymore, etc.
She does sound like she would be a fun person to hang out with, but you would have to be rich as well. Her comedic lines come very close to disrespect to people not like her. And god forbid you be obese. There are quite a few mentions of her distaste for larger people. I don’t know. This wasn’t for me. She tried to separate herself from the other rich moms, but instead, she made herself seem just as judgmental and privileged as they are.
Maybe if I had ever seen her show, I would have liked this more. This one is heading to the donate pile.
She does sound like she would be a fun person to hang out with, but you would have to be rich as well. Her comedic lines come very close to disrespect to people not like her. And god forbid you be obese. There are quite a few mentions of her distaste for larger people. I don’t know. This wasn’t for me. She tried to separate herself from the other rich moms, but instead, she made herself seem just as judgmental and privileged as they are.
Maybe if I had ever seen her show, I would have liked this more. This one is heading to the donate pile.
June 19, 2017
Jill Kargman is the creator behind the Bravo tv show "Odd Mom Out" -- one of my new favorite shows. The show is based on her own experiences which she wrote about is a few other novels and one other biography/humor book.
I enjoyed the book and often found myself laughing out loud at a few of her essays. I did get a little worn out by the outdated "Valley Girl Speak" after the first few chapters. I get it, you grew up in the 80s....I did too, but give it a rest already.
I'm looking forward to reading her other book, along with some of her novels as well.
I enjoyed the book and often found myself laughing out loud at a few of her essays. I did get a little worn out by the outdated "Valley Girl Speak" after the first few chapters. I get it, you grew up in the 80s....I did too, but give it a rest already.
I'm looking forward to reading her other book, along with some of her novels as well.
June 6, 2019
Awful. I really, really wanted to like it because I love Odd Mom Out but this was entitled whining. It was fat-phobic, tone deaf and repetitive. It wasn't funny. It read like high school essays about pop-culture and life, almost diary entries. It left such a bad taste in my mouth. She complains about tacky, braggy rich people while casually dropping that her parents bought a house on Nantucket built in the 1700's, her wedding dress was custom Chanel and she went to boarding school in CT. The very things she rails about are the core of this book. Gross.
December 10, 2020
I think I read this book at the wrong time. I’ve never heard of her, nor her show. But she lives a privileged life and she complains a lot. And as a middle class healthcare worker in a pandemic using coupons and driving 12 year old car, I found her fairly maddening. I want to like her. I get she feels like she doesn’t belong or fit in- like I get it. But she never had to worry about student loans, shitty health insurance, and how a broken water heater would break the bank. I appreciate her love of rock- I do too. I bet she’s a fun and a good friend. Her world is just so foreign to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2022
I saw Odd Mom Out when it was airing and enjoyed it. Bits of the show stick in my head, and I decided to look Jill Kargman up and saw she had some audiobooks. She narrated this, and it was amusing, but after having listened to a book by Jenny Lawson about her taxidermied anxiety fun, it just wasn't as much fun to hear the lists of all the things a wealthy goth socialite hates [but, this still had its amusing bits]. I do want to read Momzilla at some point... it's just not on audiobook from my library. So. Might be a while.
October 26, 2017
A collection of essays by the creator of Odd Mom Out on Bravo that are often so funny that you may get strange looks if reading them in public as you try to stifle your laughter. I was asked what I was reading and couldn’t begin to convey the humor without reading the piece out loud. You had to be there applies. Well worth the read and great to pick up when you only have time for a chapter and want a sure lift of mood.
November 14, 2025
So this book was a pretty good read, but I am certain it would've been much better had I actually acquired & read it when it was 'relevant' to the times. I didn't know the TV show she wrote for & referenced, or any of the other references she made, unfortunately. I did enjoy her humor overall, so it wasn't a terrible read, either, but not one I'd honestly recommend at this point. (Unless you happen to be her Superfan.)
January 12, 2017
It was okay. I enjoyed listening to her first book more. I started this one while pregnant and finished it months later after having my baby. She seemed a lot more trivial and silly when I picked it up again. I still like her show, though, and enjoyed hearing about some of her opinions that we have in common.
July 29, 2017
If you like the show Odd Mom Out you will love this book. Jill Kargman has an amazing sense of humor, but it is not for everyone. Reading this book was like sitting with a good friend and hearing one hilarious story after another. This book is a light/quick read.
September 7, 2017
I wanted to like this book. I love "Odd Mom Out" and watch it every week when it is airing. But this book was Kargman being the people she bemoans. There's a line between snarky and mean, and either she hasn't found it or (more likely) she just doesn't care.
February 1, 2021
Really 3.5, but rounded up.
Like most books of essays, some are better than others. I chuckled a lot and laughed out loud more than once. Her dad sounds like a hoot. The essay about her pediatrician was quite lovely.
Like most books of essays, some are better than others. I chuckled a lot and laughed out loud more than once. Her dad sounds like a hoot. The essay about her pediatrician was quite lovely.
March 13, 2023
Looking for a laugh? Look no more. Jill Kargman wrote a series of fun essays and anecdotes from her family and her experiences living in NY. It’s a little edgy but the perfect read for the gray winter days!
March 24, 2017
If you like Odd Mom Out you'll love this book. Laugh out loud funny!
May 10, 2017
This lady is very funny. A whimsical, hilarious book, told in everyday language (like in naughty), but honest takes on everything that life has to offer.
June 6, 2017
Very funny, but sometimes the author's choice in diction is a little over the top.
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