Good in Bed

by Jennifer Weiner | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 0743418174 Global Overview for this book
Registered by mozzfan of Chicago, Illinois USA on 3/5/2003
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15 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by mozzfan from Chicago, Illinois USA on Wednesday, March 5, 2003
I have to start this by saying that I am a member of the fat girl sisterhood, and therefore am extremely biased towards this book.
Good In Bed is the story of Cannie, a reporter in Philadelphia who breaks off a relationship only to find that her ex is getting successful by writing about her in a trashy Cosmo-type magazine. This both infuriates her and makes her want to get back together with him - which seems weird and silly but I totally understood. Cannie goes through some ups, and some very serious downs in this book. Seriously, you will laugh and cry.
Things I loved about the book - Jen Weiner's writing, and Cannie's voice. She at one point describes a character who is in every self-help group as "being at her most Anonymous." Crack me up.
I also loved that Cannie didn't do the typical fat-girl-main-character transformation into skinny happiness. Yes, at one point she loses weight, but then GAINS IT BACK which secretly made me soooo happy.
And the fact that her weight is always an issue - for young women it really is. There is a scene where Cannie is in L.A. and I remember being in CA for the first time and talking to my Californian (now ex) boyfriend - "You forgot to warn me that I would be the largest woman in the entire state" and he was like "Oh yeah, sorry about that."
The only thing I didn't like about the book was her name (Cannie, short for Candace - I don't know why but it bugged me.)
I hope this book has a long life in bookcrossing - I am interested to know if the sleek and willowy Rampallion will feel the same way I did.

Journal Entry 2 by rampallion from Evanston, Illinois USA on Thursday, March 6, 2003

Mozzfan calls me "sleek and willowy"??!? The scrawny Rampallion is eager to begin this book. And it starts with a Liz Phair quote! :-)

Journal Entry 3 by rampallion from Evanston, Illinois USA on Monday, March 17, 2003
Very entertaining so far, with some plot twists that I did not expect. Most of the characters (except Maxi Ryder/Minnie Driver) are complex enough that they seem like real, flawed people rather than the goofily named stereotypes that populate most books of this type. Speaking of goofy names, I agree w/ Mozzfan about the annoyance (annoyingness? annoyment?) of the name Cannie.
Definitely hooked--can't wait to find out what happens next. Really, really hoping that she does not get back together with Bruce.

Journal Entry 4 by rampallion from Evanston, Illinois USA on Tuesday, March 18, 2003
Loved the first half of the book. HATED the second half. Can't be too specific without ruining it for other readers, but I found some of the coincidences ridiculous and the ending trite. The main character has two fairy godmothers who solve most of her problems, and for me that basically canceled out the parts of the book that have realistic characters making tough decisions. I don't see what all the fuss is about--this is half of a great book and half of a lousy one. So I give it five stars out of ten.

Journal Entry 5 by rampallion from Evanston, Illinois USA on Monday, March 24, 2003
I've created a bookray for this book. "Good in Bed" will be making its way to:
sgscarcliff
phillycarol
lightwavz
Betsy-STL
sejent
uofigirl (that's U of I girl, not UFO Girl!) in Illinois
emstrom in Illinois
JDT



When you are done with the book, send a private message to the next person on the list to get his or her mailing address.

Journal Entry 6 by rampallion at on Tuesday, March 25, 2003
Released on Tuesday, March 25, 2003 at to fellow bookcrosser in postal release, postal release USA.

Mailed to sgscarcliff. Happy reading!

Journal Entry 7 by wingsgscarcliffwing on Wednesday, April 2, 2003
Just received this as part of a bookring. I will read it and send it on it's way. Thank You. I will post after reading

Journal Entry 8 by wingsgscarcliffwing on Wednesday, April 23, 2003
I liked how the book turned out. At times I thought it was going in a direction I did not want it to go in. I am not say how I thought it would go or how it did end, as not to spoil it for others.

Sending it on to phillycarol.

Enjoy it.

Journal Entry 9 by phillycarol from King Of Prussia, Pennsylvania USA on Monday, May 5, 2003
Just received this book on Saturday and started reading it on the train this morning. Thanks! I'll post more after I've read it.

Journal Entry 10 by phillycarol from King Of Prussia, Pennsylvania USA on Wednesday, May 7, 2003
Just call me speedy on this book. :)

Well, at first I couldn't get into the book. Cannie sort of irritated me with her complaints and woes. The story really picked up after she met Maxi. I think I was distracted because the story is set in Philadelphia and I kept trying to compare places in the story to real life. Like at one point, Cannie is on the roof of some building where she could see the river, Liberty Place, the PECO building, the ice skating rink, Market St. and Camden. I just can't picture where this building is that you can see all of these things. I almost want to walk around downtown at lunch today to figure it out. :)

Ok, I am aware that it's just a story and it's not necessarily based on reality. I'll get over it.

And overall I'd say it was a good story and would recommend it to others. :)

I'm putting it in the mail today to lightwavz.

Journal Entry 11 by lightwavz from Detroit, Michigan USA on Thursday, May 15, 2003
Just received in the mail this afternoon... I'm going to start on this one TONIGHT and keep it going... I'll journal when done.

Journal Entry 12 by lightwavz from Detroit, Michigan USA on Saturday, May 17, 2003
Well, I will agree with both mozzfan and Rampallion on parts of this book... I found myself referring to Candace as "Carrie" so I would be less annoyed at her nickname and the "Maxi Ryder" character's name just blatantly reeked. Where parts of the book and her fight with self-image really hit home (my stepmom is a self proclaimed "big girl" and I have always had my barbs out for anyone who put her weight into the equation of how nice a person she is). What woman doesn't wonder how she is perceived? Am I too weird, too fat, too skinny, too zitty, too athletic, too small-breasted to attract "THAT GUY" or even be loved by those who shouldn't even have to think about it (the deadbeat father). But with Candace, I think it was overboard, or maybe too well-plotted in the book. I thought of things I had already seen before/heard before/read before: "Singles" (I won't be a spoiler, but you'll KNOW which part of the movie I mean), the movie "dog park" and a cyndi lauper song. If money and success can't buy happiness, why is it so important to this plot? To those of us who are knee-deep in debt and the grind of daily life (and are still damn happy with themselves overall), a HUGE chunk of this book is bloody unlikely. I'm not sorry I read it, it wasn't a waste of time, but I am in the "highly overrated" side of the debate.

Sending this one on to Betsy-STL for one more opinion down the line... THANKS!!

Journal Entry 13 by Betsy-STL from St. Louis, Missouri USA on Friday, May 23, 2003
Rec'd via mail today. I will read ASAP. Thanks Rampallion for setting up the ring.

Journal Entry 14 by Betsy-STL from St. Louis, Missouri USA on Sunday, May 25, 2003
I enjoyed this book, the first half more so than the second half. It was very easy to get into and a fast read. Cannie's weight issues were very heartfelt. But the second half of the story just wasn't believable.


Mailing to Sejent on Tuesday 5-27-03 (Since the post office is closed on Monday)

Release planned for Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at Postal Release in USPS, postal release USA.

Releasing to Sejent via mail. Enjoy!

Journal Entry 16 by sejent from Louisville, Kentucky USA on Saturday, May 31, 2003
Received in today's mail...will start reading tonight and will journal again when I have finished.

Journal Entry 17 by sejent from Louisville, Kentucky USA on Monday, July 7, 2003
I really liked this book, even though there were some holes in the plot. I loved the main character. I'm looking forward to reading other books by this author.

Sending to uofigirl in Chicago, IL.

Journal Entry 18 by uofigirl from Bloomington, Indiana USA on Monday, July 21, 2003
Book has safely made its way to Chicago. Will journal again when finished.

Journal Entry 19 by uofigirl from Bloomington, Indiana USA on Friday, July 25, 2003
Don't you hate it when you KNOW the outcome of the book less than half-way through?

Other than that, this was a pretty decent book - and while I have a bit of an aversion to Chic Lit, worth the read. Can't really think of anything to add that hasn't been said in other journal entries, so .....

Book is on its way to Evanston.

Journal Entry 20 by emstrom from Evanston, Illinois USA on Tuesday, July 29, 2003
Just received from uofigirl...will start this weekend.

Journal Entry 21 by emstrom from Evanston, Illinois USA on Tuesday, August 5, 2003
I, too, have always struggled with my weight, and so may be unfairly biased towards the character. I thought it was great. Yes, the second half was a bit unlikely, but really - it's fiction. And I like a happy ending. Someone else mentioned that they knew halfway through how it would end up, and I also caught on to a few of the details early on. But the story isn't a mystery, and the events weren't as important to me as how Cannie got to where she was at each point. My biggest problem? The name! Why, why, WHY? I realize that maybe Candy would be too much irony for an overweight person, but I found myself substituting Connie or Callie because her name just got on my nerves.

Overall enjoyed it and am looking forward to seeing Cannie and Co. again (albeit as secondary characters) in In Her Shoes.

FYI, apparently HBO has optioned the book for a series; they are in the process of writing the pilot. Details here: http://www.jenniferweiner.com/hbo.htm

Sending on to JDT...

Journal Entry 22 by JDT from Pleasanton, California USA on Thursday, August 28, 2003
Fun to receive this book today from emstrom!
Will add to the TBR stack, then keep it moving for someone else to enjoy.
Thanks to all before me!

Journal Entry 23 by JDT from Pleasanton, California USA on Tuesday, September 9, 2003
Skimmed through this book (recommended highly)
and realized it isn't my cup of tea right now - and I would rather let someone else enjoy - at the end of this bookray.
Released to countedx58 at our 2nd Pleasanton BC meet-up! Fun evening!

Journal Entry 24 by countedx58 from San Francisco, California USA on Tuesday, September 9, 2003
Received directly from fellow BookCrosser jdt at the Pleasanton Meetup. Thanks!

Journal Entry 25 by countedx58 from San Francisco, California USA on Tuesday, September 30, 2003
This was a GREAT book. The main character, Cannie, has some hard times and some good times and ultimately comes out okay, not least of all because she learns to believe in herself.

Journal Entry 26 by countedx58 from San Francisco, California USA on Monday, November 10, 2003
Mailing today to cjworkinggirl as a PIF/RABCK!

Journal Entry 27 by CJWorkingGirl from Lemon Grove, California USA on Wednesday, November 12, 2003
Just caught this book in a PIF/RABCK. Haven't a clue what the book is about but I can imagine just from the title.

Journal Entry 28 by CJWorkingGirl from Lemon Grove, California USA on Thursday, December 18, 2003
I loved this book! There were so many things I loved about it, it's hard to decide what is my most favorite. I loved the main character's sense of humor and she seemed to remind me of several friends I adore but mostly I love the fact that it had a happy ending! What a great story!

Journal Entry 29 by CJWorkingGirl at Home Town Buffet Restaurant in Santee, California USA on Tuesday, December 23, 2003
Released on Tuesday, December 23, 2003 at Home Town Buffet Restaurant in Santee, California USA.

Releasing to my sister-in-law today in hopes of continuing the journey of this much enjoyed and well traveled tome!

Journal Entry 30 by wingshawing from San Diego, California USA on Tuesday, December 23, 2003
TBR and then given to another bookcrosser as part of a bookray

Journal Entry 31 by wingshawing from San Diego, California USA on Thursday, January 15, 2004
I agree with several of the readers the name Cannie got in the way of the story, I kept thinking it was a nickname for her gigantic backside. Also, Maxie Ryder was a turnoff name, kept thinking a kotex for a huge person. All in all, I did like the book, hated Bruce, loved the dog! Since I grew up with Disney (Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty) I loved the ending! Will pass this on to my sis-in-law who will continue the ring by sending it to a fellow bookcrosser in Texas.

Journal Entry 32 by CJWorkingGirl from Lemon Grove, California USA on Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Just received this book along with several others. Intend to pass it along on its merry way very soon!

Journal Entry 33 by CJWorkingGirl at Waples Street in San Diego, California USA on Thursday, January 22, 2004
Release planned for Friday, January 23, 2004 at Waples Street in San Diego, Mira Mesa, California USA.

This book has done some traveling and it's none too surprising! A most enjoyable story and certainly worth passing on. Practicing RABCK and sending it off to the great state of TEXAS next! Happy reading, my friend!

Journal Entry 34 by DreissM from Houston, Texas USA on Saturday, January 31, 2004
WOW!! Got back from a business trip to Denver and found this treat waiting for me in my mailbox. Thank you CJWorkingGirl!!

This is one of the few chick-lit books that I have read and thoroughly enjoyed the story. I have managed to keep my weight fairly constant over the years and what really gets me is when people say, "Oh, you are so lucky you don't have to worry about your weight." It is because I do worry that I haven't put on lots of weight. That said, my figure idol is my youngest sister-in-law who is 5'11", weighs probably 185+ and is absolutely gorgeous inside and out. And my brother knows it!!

Most of all I appreciate people who like themselves and the world around them. Great story!! Will be passing along to another BC'er whom I think might enjoy it as well.

Journal Entry 35 by DreissM at -- By Hand Or Post, Ray/Ring, RABCK in Muskegon, Michigan USA on Wednesday, February 11, 2004
Released on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 at Heatherine - fellow Bookcrosser in Muskegon, Michigan USA.

Here is your book....please send me some COLD weather in return!!

Journal Entry 36 by heatherine from Nunica, Michigan USA on Saturday, February 28, 2004
Received from DreissM, and is next on my list to be read.

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