Normal Is Just a Setting On the Dryer: And Other Lessons from the Real, Real World

by Adair Lara, Roxanna Bikadoroff (illustrator)

We could all use some advice now and then. When the self-help books just aren't helping, it's time to call in the experts: real people. San Francisco Chronicle columnist Adair Lara polled her readers for life lessons learned through experience, receiving thousands of heartfelt and irreverent responses. The best are compiled here in over 200 bits of priceless counsel. With witty illustrations by Roxanna Bikadoroff, this handy little volume is filled with humor, unconventional insights, and the kind of common wisdom that will always bear repeating.

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction, Self Help, Comics

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Indika de Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book is very cool. It is short and quite handy... The images are funny and the advice offered is indeed refreshing.

It is a quick read. I finished the whole book in less than 10 minutes. But I plan to read it again and again because of the profound wisdom it contains.

I hope I encounter more such books in the future!

[Beth Gea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Intenta ser divertido... pero a mi no me lo ha parecido.

[Steven Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute little book, full of fun illustrations and witty advice. It's got no narrative to speak of, and calling Adair Lara the author is quite a stretch, seeing as the content is the result of having readers of her newspaper column send in their views of the world.

It's not a book you can curl up with at all; if you read it from front to back, it'll take no more than a half an hour. The content would actually make a good desk calendar.

But if you've got a place in your life for little chunks of wisdom from time to time (embarrassingly, my spot is next to the toilet), this would make a good addition to your library.

[Brad Gould · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not all that funny.

Not all that funny. There were a few items that made me chuckle but overall it was a yawn. There are other places to hear these things like Facebook. There is very little value for the money here.

[Michelle Skelton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute idea. Quips of advice from a broad range of perspectives. Some are spot-on, some are good reminders, others were so oddly specific, I wondered "who is this applying to??" but a great reminder that we are all different in our own version of "normal".

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few quotes were profound but most were harmless fluff.

[Tillie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little dated now, but cute

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ideas from the book:
* Always be in the middle of a book.
* Expectations are premeditated resentments.
* Handicaps are a matter of perception, not of fact.

[Meredith]

Not the type of book I usually read, but it was a gift. It provided a few chuckles, so that was nice.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this book several times and it's still just as enjoyable. Imagine asking your friends for just one piece of life advice, then watching all the different ideas and aspects of life come pouring in. This book is just like that. Some quotes are funny, some insightful, a few a bit left field, but it definitely makes for one lovely read. I think I'm going to ask my friends for one bit of advice now and make my own collection!

[Jackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This seemed like it would be an entertaining and enjoyable read, but it was really awkward on my kindle. The book would be better suited for just picking up and reading random passages rather than trying to just read it straight through it.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the quotes in this book made me chuckle. Some of them went deeper in meaning..... maybe it was just me, in my life and my situation, but nonetheless I really like this book and go back to it at times. :)

[Nina Sala-gault · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found myself nodding and smiling

I found myself nodding in agreement and frequently smiling at these nougat of life wisdom. One out of five people is said to be mentally ill. Take a look at four of your friends. If none of them is crazy,it must be you.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute little book with a thought and illustration on each page. The kind of book you get at the pharmacy gift shop when you have 5 minutes to get someone a gift.

**#99 of 120 books pledged to read/review during 2016**

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witty advice on life and love from real people.

A nice "flip the pages" kind of book, with a vintage look to it.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book actually made me smile.

[Niki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very simple, light-hearted read full of one-line life's lessons. I love picking it up an opening a random page to get my funny lesson for the day.

[Debs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly insightful little pick-me-ups. I was surprised at how comforting this book can be.

[Maricarmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, fast read that will actually leave you with some good advice.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good reminders...

[Michael Slayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun

Fun

little snippets chock full of stuff you'll chuckle at and agree with...
a fun read
you'll enjoy it and want to pass it on to a friend

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to blog this because there are so many great snippets of life advice. There us something for everyone.