The Broke Diaries: The Completely True and Hilarious Misadventures of a Good Girl Gone Broke

As a University of Pennsylvania senior, Angela Nissel is totally and utterly broke - not the 'oh, I'm broke because I only have $100 in the bank but I can pay all my bills' broke but really broke. Her 'diary' recounts her misadventures trying to make it through the year without starving or getting evicted. Her cleverness, sense of humour and pretty bizarre experience make 'The Broke Diaries' an incredibly entertaining read, one to be savored and certainly not to be missed.The book is structured as an actual diary, with entries on various days describing Angela's latest battle to eat/ survive/ pay her bills/ get textbooks and so forth. A lot of what she endures will be familiar to many college students and graduates, but a lot of it is simply amazing, both in terms of what Angela has to go through and some of the very strange people she encounters. Even as she struggles to get by, Angela maintains her wicked sense of humor, and that comes through in all of her 'entries,' as do her keen perceptions about poverty, human nature, and so forth. Some of what happens to her seems unbelievable except in the context of everything else that she's enduring - even the pretty crazy stuff seems normal in her world and in her chatty, informal, funny narrative voice.I'm very glad that Angela survived her senior year and that she is no longer broke, as much as I did enjoy her tales of woe. 'The Broke Diaries' would make rewarding, entertaining, fun and funny reading for almost anybody. Just don't forget to pay attention to some of her astute perceptions about poverty.

After perusing the aisles at Borders for hours (hey, I was broke why else would I look but not buy), I came upon this book and the title grabbed me by the collar and made me open it up. After reading several pages and finding that I couldn't stop, my thriftiness gave me permission to buy this book, thereby enhancing my own *personal brokeness*.Bravo Angela for writing such an incredibly realistic book for those of us who have lived off Ramen noodles, flirting with the utility guys and enjoying $5 cabaret nights (including meal and transportation)!

I received The Broke Diaries as a birthday gift. Best gift I received! I had no problems visualizing some of the antics Angie did to garner food and money...I was actually kicking myself for not having thought of them first! :) The Wal-Mart scene was classic. The writing was real; it was like talking to a good friend. Every college student can relate, especially the scholarship/financial aid students (Like I used to be!). It was a truly hilarious read (note to self: pick up extra copies for upcoming Christmas gifts)! I hope Angie writes another book...maybe the "Now-I-Am-Paid-And-Can-Laugh-At-My-Previous-Brokeness Diaries"? :)

Okay, no free samples, but you could learn how to get free other free stuff... This book is a riot. Incredibly easy to read, but not simple, pandering, or dull. The passages just flow; before you know it, you've completed the entire book in one sitting. I can't imagine having had to read it on the net and actually be forced to WAIT each day for a new entry. Her style is conversational and inviting, to say the least. The best part is that she never makes you feel pity for her brokeness; this is not one of those sappy poor-is-me--search-for-the-zen message books. It is a hilarious priviledge to be let in on her life for a time- thank you, Angela! To the rest of you, go buy this book right now and stop feeling sorry for your broke selves. Hey, broke can be hip if you put the right spin on it. Learn how: buy this book today.

...then you NEED to read this book, and even if you haven't been broke, you'll feel way more fortunate afterwards :-)...the resourcefulness of Angela Nissel in her times of hardship deserves thunderous applause...quick on her feet and quick with her tongue, Angie manages to outwit and charm many of the obstacles in her way to a decent meal and a rent check. Go head girl!!! Pardon me now while i "forget" to put a stamp on this envelope...