The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted: And Other Small Acts of Liberation

It's like having had your first piece of your most favorite pie, and even though you are sated and happy, you just can't resist a second helping. Even people who don't dine on short stories will adore this. Elizabeth Berg's characters are like a more interesting, pithy (but real) version of people we know, or want to know. Sweet foibles, tender relationships, hilarious ancillary observations -- all of it is there. Personally, I was a sucker for the title story (which no woman in America can't identify with) and two others -- one about two aging friends having to talk in code about death, and one ostensibly about making a perfect apple pie, but in fact is a smashingly insightful rumination about life. I read about 80 books a year, and this is the first one in a long time that I have bought almost ten copies of for my friends. I just couldn't take the chance that they wouldn't have it.

I loved all of these stories - LOVED them - all the funny Weight Watchers stories - there's not a woman out there who won't identify - and the heartbreaking Rain and Full Count. But really, all of these wonderful stories have a little funny and hearbreak in them. Sometimes you laugh out loud and other times you sniff and tear up, other times you find yourself nodding in agreement, like Amen to that sister. You may have to clutch your heart or stifle a yelp so be prepared if you're on the bus or something, or like me, at Starbucks, and realized I'd laughed out loud. Give this book to your girlfriends! They'll totally love it.

I haven't even read more than two stories yet, but I loved them so much I wanted to post right away! "The Day I ate whatever I wanted" and its sister story are so funny, charming, and enlightening that I don't even care if I like the others (which I'm SURE I will). I'm just glad I own this book so I can read those two again and again. In fact, I canceled my weekend plans so I can finish the rest. (While eating a box of Dunkin Donuts). :)

Elizabeth Berg's stories remind me of Anna Quindlen's. Both women can make me laugh out loud; both can make me cry. In the title story, the narrator leaves a Weight Watchers meeting and vows to eat whatever she wants all day long. She starts out at Dunkin' Donuts, carrying a box of her favorites to her car. "I looked around and there was no one so I ran my tongue along every single surface of every single donut.... Sexual in a way, but more yeasty and better." Later she gives precise directions from Chicago's O'Hare airport to a Superdawg -- just in case you share her passion for Whoopercheesies. More poignant stories describe an elderly couple's old dog dying and a chance encounter a middle-aged woman has with her first love. What all of the stories share is humanity. Regardless of which one you're reading, you find yourself nodding your head, thinking "Yes, that's true." Here's the list of stories: 1. The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted 2. Returns and Exchanges 3. The Party 4. Over the Hill and into the Woods 5. Full Count 6. Rain 7. The Day I Ate Nothing I Even Remotely Wanted 8. Mrs. Ethel Menafee and Mrs. Birdie Stoltz 9. Double Diet 10. The Only One of Millions Just Like Him 11. Truth or Dare 12. How to Make an Apple Pie 13. Sin City The hardback itself has no dust jacket and is an odd size, with a taller-than-normal proportion. Its title type and accompanying illustration are done in shiny, hot-pink foil.