Virtual Book Review Tour and Giveaway: A Walk in the Snark by Rachel Thompson

(a full length, non-fiction humor, self-published)

This review is done in conjunction with the author's virtual tour with Goddess Fish Promotions. Rachel is giving away a chocolate treat to a random commenter at every stop and a $20 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour, so comment today AND follow the tour (if you click on the tour banner above, it'll take you to a list of her tour stops) -- the more you read and comment, the better your odds of winning. You could be introduced to a great new author AND win sweet treats and a GC!

Be forewarned -- the material in this book has been called controversial in nature. It is based on the author's popular blog. There are recurrent themes regarding men and women, love and loss. It's not all funny. But it is all honest. Can you handle the snark?

I admit, I wasn't sure what to expect when I opted to review this book.  I wasn't familiar with the author at all, but I have a pretty warped, rather sarcastic sense of humor, so didn't think I could go wrong.  And I didn't... much.

Even when I struggled to identify with the somewhat stereotypical man vs. women thing in this book, I enjoyed it.  You see, I'm not a girly-girl.  I own about five pairs of shoes (one for each purpose: sneakers, hiking boots, snow boots, flip-flops, and pumps), I see the hair-stylist once a year (if I'm lucky and work up the energy), couldn't care less about jewelry (the only thing of value I have is my wedding ring) and don't even know what a cosmopolitan is.  The charm of Sex in the City was lost on me.

So, when the author ran with the assumption that we were all similar in type, it made it a little hard for me to identify, but as I pushed forward, I realized the truth is, under that wrapper we are all much the same.  She may wear Manolo's, and my most expensive shoes are my Crocs, but we feel the same about those things that matter.

I did a lot of nodding, snorting in laughter, and just plain grinning as I continued.  The part about the remote control and men -- absolutely right on.  And, she makes it clear she's not ridiculing anyone, but simply finding the fun and humor in real life (at least life in the OC -- write what you know, right?).  I think we can all appreciate it, smile and smirk (because it's true: my husband can't change the toilet paper roll ... I swear, it's a universal fact that men are genetically unable to do so).

Before you think it's all fun and games, though, think again. She addresses a very real problem some women live through: domestic abuse.  With the same depth of emotion she entertains us with, she puts a face on the fear.  She doesn't pull punches, but puts her experience out there in the hope it will help someone else.  I admire her for digging deep and being willing to share what she went through.

A Walk in the Snark was a very enjoyable read.  It's uplifting, definitely fun and surprisingly edifying.  More, I was excited to see she has a blog on which this book is based, so that means I can keep on enjoying her insight into life even though I've finished reading the last page.  I'm so pleased I was introduced to this author...because I'm absolutely a fan.

4/5 Flowers

I'm a chick who writes stuff that makes you laugh. My book A Walk In The Snark hit #1 on the Kindle Motherhood list this past September (do you think they know I talk about sex? Shhh.). It's since hit about oh, SEVEN more times. #woot! I've been nominated for Funniest Blog, Best Humor Writer & Redhead Who Makes A Killer Dirty Martini (okay, I made the last one up, but it's true. Honest.).

I released The Mancode: Exposed right after Thanksgiving 2011! Two books of snarky goodness, baby.

I've been told I write in the style of that Dickens guy. Kidding.

I'm a mom, a wife, and a recovering pharmaceuticals rep. It's been a long process but I'm doing okay, thanks.

I also used to sell Trojan brand condoms. Yeah, it's hilarious, I know. I did it for three years way back when, and I was their top salesperson in the Western Region, a dubious honor at best. My number-one customer was the Mustang Ranch. No, seriously. The Mustang Ranch. I couldn't make stuff like that up. The experience definitely gave me insights into the... er... ins and outs of men. So it should come as no great surprise that I write about how men (The Mancode) and women (Chickspeak) approach most things differently. And since I did, in fact, grow past my Trojan days (in more ways than one or--insert your own joke here), I've thrown in a few tidbits about marriage, kids, being a mom, living in the OC (ya know-being a pale redhead living in a sea of blondes), coffee, and vodka. Not necessarily in that order, depending on the day.

Don't read this book to find advice about how to be sweet or nice. I'm pretty much allergic to both of those words. Actually don't read this book for advice on anything. (My lawyer made me put that in just in case you know, you thought I could save your marriage or something - not).

Or if you are looking for some light, heartfelt humor in everyday life (Erma Bombeck-style), well, I'm really not your girl, either. Nothin' homespun about the Queen of Snark, baby. Mostly I just laugh at stuff and make up words (See "Refrigeratoritis and Manesia.") Yet somehow it all seems to work.

And don't call me cute. (Hint: Babies and puppies are cute. Grown women are soooo not.) Special note to men: I write frequently about "The Mancode"--like how you guys do goofy stuff and we women try, and often fail, to understand. (Um, change the toilet paper roll much? Yeah, that's what I thought.) If that offends your sensibilities, this may not be the book for you. Yeah, I'm crushed.

Like everyone, I've also had some rough times. I share those with you, too. Life can't always be martinis and beaches. Wait, this is the OC (Orange County, CA, for those of you from Canada, or people on the East Coast who don't know California beyond LA). Naw, not even here.

So, welcome to RachelintheOC.

Now go read an essay or two and find something to laugh at, would ya?

I have to go help my husband find the butter. Again.

Blog: http://rachelintheoc.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/rachelintheoc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExposingTheMancode