Cracks in My Foundation: Bags, Trips, Make-up Tips, Charity, Glory, and the Darker Side of the Story

Having read all of Marian Keyes' other books (except "Under the Duvet") I decided to gove this a try while I wait for her newest work of fiction arrives. I didn't expect to like it. I thought that I really would not be interested in the personal essays. Turns out that I was wrong. A good writer is a good writer whether she is writing long fiction or a short story or a 4 page essay on finding a great hairstylist. If you enjoy Marian Keyes you will enjoy this book. I admit that I haven't devoured this book like I do most other books. I just keep it around and read a little bit at a time. But, that works out quite nicely for me some days.

What is it about Marian Keyes that makes her so absolutely delightful to read? A good way to find out is to run, not walk, to buy (or order!) her latest collection of essays and stories (her first such collection was "Under the Duvet," an equally fabulous treat). As in all her novels, Keyes combines Irish wit and wisdom, unbelieavable humor, pathos, romance, and, yes, dead-serious accounts of her successful battle with alcoholism (which, as terribly serious as it is, she manages to convey in a lighthearted manner), all in a perfect package. And as a special added treat: An advice column from the formidable Mammy Walsh, whom readers know from many of Keyes' previous novels. What more could one want? I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Keyes is an experience not to be missed!

If you are already a Marian Keyes fan, having devoured her modern and witty novels such as SUSHI FOR BEGINNERS, THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY and LUCY SULLIVAN IS GETTING MARRIED, as well as her collection of essays titled UNDER THE DUVET, then you know what I know --- Marian Keyes has wit, style, verve and intelligence. If you're not familiar with her, get ready for a great read and an introduction to an author whose other books you'll want to run right out and grab from your local bookstore. CRACKS IN MY FOUNDATION echoes thoughts shared by women everywhere --- thoughts on beauty, health, family, friends, home, and just about anything else of interest to the gentler half of the population. Keyes says out loud what a lot of us only dare to think, and it's liberating to know we're not alone. For instance, her love of cosmetics is shared by women the world over. "The love affair has never waned: makeup always makes me feel better. With it I am more confident, more articulate, more amusing. Without it, I'm like Samson without his hair." Truer words were never spoken. What woman doesn't feel a boost of confidence with her face on? Remember the time the plumber made it to the door before you were properly made up? It's an awful feeling! What about the dilemma of whether to leave one's underwear on at a spa or take it off? Who among us hasn't struggled with this? Of course there are some who are not afraid, who willingly fling their panties aside and let complete strangers see their bare bum, but then there are the rest of us who debate the issue. "A vexed area, without a doubt: to leave on or take off. If you leave them on, discomfort could mar your enjoyment, but if you take them off, there's nowhere to run, nowhere to hide -- - every bit of you will be on display, in all your cellulitely glory (if you're me)." What about cooking? While cooking used to be something every woman did and took pride in, those days are gone. Cooking is something you either love or hate. There's no in-between, and those of us who do it grudgingly are a growing majority. "See, we all have our gifts and cooking isn't one of mine. But it's not just the thought of sticking my hand up inside a turkey that I dread, it's the coordination involved in preparing a meal --- having to have everything ready at the same time gives me a knot in my stomach." Amen. When I read this book, I wanted to be Marian Keyes: a successful writer, a world traveler, a spa patron, even Irish! While Keyes is funny in a self-deprecating way, you can tell that she basically likes herself. She knows that we all have our issues and that hers are what make her unique. I love that in a person. My suggestion to you: Pick up this book, gather up the chocolate, potato chips, or whatever your favorite splurge is, call in sick to work, and climb into bed with this book and enjoy yourself. We all have cracks in our foundation. Why not make the most of them? --- Reviewed by Amie Taylor

This books is hilarious, I have never, not even once laughed out loud at a book and I promise you I haven't been able to stop laughing with this book. I am a huge fan of Marian Keyes, she has a humorous way of relating to something in all women. I am Irish and find the irish humor brillant. I can relate to her so much in all of her short stories. My only wish was that Marian Keyes would write more short stories! This is definatly a enjoyable and hard to put down read. If you haven't read it, read it now!! You'll love it!!

This is a compilation of all things Marian Keyes. There are articles, essays and short stories and something to cherish in each. Subjects like getting married (and facing insecurities), being a woman, dabbling in feminism, the funny and awful aspects of travelling, and everything else in between. No one does comedic emotion like this author. You feel what she's emoting and then there's a humorous spin to take the sting out of it. I love her books and this one is gladly added to my collection. Can't wait for her next novel.