I'm with Stupid

Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads (8/08) In "I'm With Stupid," Kas heads off to South Africa with her two friends, Libby and Max. Normally she would not be able to afford such a trip, but it was originally scheduled for Max's father and he couldn't make it at the last minute, so he allowed them to go. This trip is just the distraction that Kas needs after a bad break up with Richard, a man she had been dating until she found out had he been engaged for two years. Max, however, had eased Kas's pain by getting revenge for her in the form of practical jokes on Richard such as ordering Chinese food to his apartment and printing up flyers selling cheap computers with his phone number on it. When they arrive at the resort in South Africa, they are introduced to the staff and one person in particular stands out to all three of them, as he is the handsomest man that they have ever laid eyes on. It turns out that his name is William Johnson (Willy Johnson to his friends) and that he is their guide for a couple of tours during their stay. On the last night there, Kas ends up sleeping with him. The next morning when they leave Max writes something inappropriate on a card referring to that night, William's boss finds it, and William faces repercussions for being intimate with a guest. After returning to New York, Kas finds out that this dream guy no longer seems as perfect as he did when she was in South Africa, and is very distraught by his e-mails to her and by the events that follow. I don't want to give too much of the storyline away but what happens next makes for a great story. Szewczyk's writing is absolutely hilarious! Even in the "About the Author" section her humor is evident. She writes, "`I'm With Stupid' is my first book, and it was written thanks to booze: I began it after returning from a press junket in South Africa sponsored by an alcohol company. I can hear certain members of my family now: Why tell people that? Don't talk about booze! It's not nice! Talk about where you came from! Talk about your schooling and career! And make sure to stress that this book is fiction so that no one thinks you're loose or that your mother is pushy like the mother in the book!" The book is extremely fast paced and the pages just fly by. Szewczyk's style of writing is very unique. It reminds me of my son when he gets excited and just goes on and on, talking very fast, sentence after sentence. I mean this in a good way! The book is fresh and exciting and would be the perfect book to take to the beach. Szewczyk is a very talented writer and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future!

I'm not one who usually reads this type of novel, but I heard from a friend I should give it a try...I was not disappointed to say the least. Ms. Szewczyk is funny, witty, and a great story teller. I really got into all the interesting characters in the book. I felt like I knew the three main charaters, Kas, Max, and especially Libby from real life. Ms. Szewczyk also gives you some great insight into the strange twists relationships can take, which are many in the story. I also appreciate her pride in her ethnicity! I enjoyed the times Kas is at her parents Polish deli, and the different interactions with her mother, father, and brother. Coming from an italian family, this is all so familiar. I feared for a very expected and tidy wind up to all the different plots going on, this did not happen and I thought the ending was perfect! I hope Ms. Szewczyk continues to write novels because I really enjoyed her first!

It is a very rare thing when a book makes me laugh out loud and there were points in this book when I couldn't stop laughing even after I'd closed the book and walked away. This is the perfect book for any smart person looking for a fun read! The book is about what we look for in relationships and more importantly what we don't look for and don't see. It is also about having a one night stand with the stupidest guy you could ever meet. I wish he were real! Thats how funny he is! Read this book if you like good writing with great characters, and if you're looking for a reason to laugh out loud.

Seriously, this book is extremely funny! I completely appreciated the very refreshing twists that the story took! I loved how there were no stereotypical characters in the story and the way the story kept moving. Nothing like I had expected! Thank you Ms. Szewczyk for avoiding cliche and sap! The sense of humor on her is truly amazing! Max rocked! The friendship between the three of them is wonderful! LOVED IT!!!!

Not usually into this type of fiction but I must say that I'm sold. The author paints a wonderfully intricate story with a cast of very memorable characters that range from goofy hipster to flamboyantly gay buddy to teenage aristocrat who provide out-loud laughs with their antics.