We're All A Mess, It's OK: A Collection of Funny Essays and One-Liners About the Struggles of Everyday Life

by Amy Lyle

More than one hundred contributors share their failures, setbacks, and most embarrassing moments.

Life is riddled with pain, disappointment, and failure, but given enough time, they're folly. Covering everything from horrible internet dating experiences, strange co-workers, vacations that went awry, and the worst holiday gifts of all time, We're All A Mess, It's OK captures life's most absurd moments honestly.

Genres: Humor, Biography Memoir, Book Club

244 pages, Paperback

Published November 9, 2018

About the author

Amy Lyle is an author, comedienne/actor and screenwriter that grew up in Marietta, Ohio, which is in the heart of Appalachia, known for a population that is partial to moonshine and prone to acts of violence.

Obsessed with comedians and comedic writers such as Jenny Lawson, Tina Fey, Carrie Fisher, Kristin Wiig, Amy Poehler, Joan Rivers, Ellen DeGeneres, Chelsea Handler, Wendy Williams, Mitch Hedberg, Wanda Sykes, Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, Will Ferrell, Carol Burnett, Lucille Ball and Roseanne Barr, she developed a writing style that is self-deprecating, hilarious and slightly neurotic.

Amy has self-diagnosed herself with many conditions including: OCD (uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts vacillating from cleaning to running away), misophonia (having intense angry reactions to lip-smacking), Tourette’s Syndrome (yelling out random words), Sedatephobia (finds silence vexing and scary), apraxia (difficulty pronouncing words) and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). She’s taking many, many natural, herbal supplements.

Amy and her (second) husband, Peter, are having many issues raising their four teenagers and large dog together in the suburbs just north of Atlanta.

Reviews

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can* · Rating 4 out of 5]

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Boy I'm glad these didn't happen to me! Telling my mom about some of these had her shaking her head.

Second embarrassment was strong with a handful of stories and fart humor and the like won the day 😄 🤣.

Would recommend, fun read to pass the time and to get some laughs in this crazy reality we live in.

[Bernard Shuford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious, to put it mildly.

Some of these stories made me laugh more intensely than I have in a long time. So funny. I would say well written, but that's not the point....

[Alain Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you need a book to make you laugh – you’ve come to the right place! Do you have a friend that’s been feeling blue? Send them this book!! Seriously! I laughed so hard reading this book, I *may* have peed my pants. This book covers everything, from being mistaken for that ugly actress, to meeting a new boyfriend’s dad (only to realize he’s the doctor that treated you for an embarrassing medical condition) to dogs eating icky baby diapers. Truly, this book is hilarious!! There is even a really awesome recipe in here for brownies. Mmmm…brownies. Anyways, give it a try – have a laugh. This author does a wonderful job of helping us remember that we’re all human, we’re all just trying to figure it out, one day at a time. We’re all perfectly imperfect!

[Shannon McCafferty · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first time I read this book I laughed so hard I almost wet myself. I then read aloud bits and pieces to my best friend. We laughed so hard together our stomachs hurt. I read it again while traveling. Then I lent it to a friend and never got it back. It’s now one of my go-to gift books. Delightfully composed with stories that kept me in stitches.

[Deborah Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a story for every situation in here. I laughed my way through most of the book. Anyone will find a story they can relate to and a story that brings back memories of a similar, personal experience. You'll laugh, groan, and maybe face palm. But if you need a pick me up on a rough day or to be reminded that everyone does ridiculous things at some point, this is the book to turn to.

[Erin Allen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Booooooring and I don’t recommend.

This book is filled with “funny” essays and one-liners that highlight the grainier sides of being human and imperfect. It covers everything from horrible dating experiences, the strange vacations that went array, to the worst holiday gifts.

I felt like most of these stories I had heard before and didn’t find many of them funny or shocking 🤷🏻‍♀️.

[BookeryBliss · Rating 5 out of 5]

After spending a week in the hospital and having to continue IV infusions at home, I was feeling pretty bummed and overwhelmed.

I started reading Amy's books and couldn't help but laugh and giggle reading through them.
Full of hysterical stories and relatable blunders, these fun and witty books were a perfect treat during my recovery.

I immediately ordered more copies and plan to gift them to my friends. I think most people need to be reminded that we aren't alone in our blunders, plus you'll get a few chuckles out of the comical expressions.

They say laughter is the best medicine and I can say that these definitely brightened my day!

[Susan Katz · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few good laughs toward the end, but in general not nearly as humorous as a book by Jenny Lawson. Some of the stories just seemed stupid to me, but maybe I was just in a mood! Good for some light-hearted reading to ease stress!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick, fun read!

I enjoyed every story in this book; laughing out loud at several. I definitely recommend for a light read, or a quick read if you're trying to meet your GoodReads Reading Challenge goals 😉

[Karen Parsloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Read…gave mo a lot of smiles and chuckles😊

This was a very enjoyable book. Very relatable! It made me chuckle. I loved it enough to check Amazon for any additional books written by Amy. Thanks for giving me cause to smile.

[Disha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could not complete reading it. Did not like it.

[Cynthia Bower · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny

If you need a laugh or to know you just aren't along in this big crazy world 🌎 , this book is for you!

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's new fun on each page. I loved reading about so many people's hilarious situations.

[Gregory Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute set of short stories of life’s imperfections and the way we navigate through daily absurdities with a good sense of humor and perspective.

[Jaime karol · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’re all a little weird

If you think you have quirks, meet the people in this book. It was a funny read and definitely made me forget my worries for a bit. What could be better?

[Cara Bristol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was laugh aloud funny; I spit on my Kindle several times. Various contributors share their embarrassing moments. If you need a laugh, I recommend this book.

[Nikki Barr · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's ok

It's a quick read. Some of it is laugh out loud funny and much is just ho-hum. Still I enjoyed reading it.

[Lynnette Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny read

Great short stories that make you laugh out loud. If you want a quick read and something to make you smile this ones for you.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good laughs

So many laugh out loud moments. Good laugh for a blah day, well any day really. We truly are all a mess

[Kirsten Schlewitz · Rating 1 out of 5]

This...is funny? After slogging through fifteen minutes of notes shorter and far less amusing than I'd find on Twitter, I gave up without even cracking a smile.

[Darcy Markee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mini essays make good bathroom read

Great to open up this book while waiting for appointment or it would make a convenient bathroom read. Some stories are super funny.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

funny and relatable

I laughed way too hard at the expense of the story telling, but all of them seem like something I have or would do.

[Amy Schasteen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the book I kept in my car. It was good for that and I enjoyed the short stories while I waited for my groceries or in a car rider line 😂

[kat :) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very funny and made me laugh. Great little stories about embarrassing things that have happened to people.

[A K Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t relate more!

This book is full of epic stories that brings a giggle to each one. It’s something I think almost everyone can find one that they can relate too. It keeps a readers interest and so refreshing read something so positive !
Looking forward more from this epic author! ✍️

[KB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and easy to read book to read.

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible. Not even remotely entertaining or funny. Couldn’t finish.