Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life: A Memoir

Can't help liking this book. Anybody who doesn't like this book would have to be . . . terminally miserable.It's too full of observations that are too true, too human and so give (I was going to say give us all, but that would be presumptuous) me hope: if only I would take care to see in the small details and events pathos, humor, humanity, and then remember . . . it would be FUN.I'm sorry this review is so pedantic. Get the book. It's so much better to read things like My brother, who grew up with three sisters, was I won't say how many years old when he finally realized that he did not have to wrap the towel around his chest when he came out of the shower. [Under B for "Brother"] Page 147 of a book titled Mastery. The word it's is misused. [Under D for "Depressing Things That I Find"] Charise (blonde): How would I look with red hair? Doug (husband): Lonely [Under D for "Dialogue"] Nor would I make a very good Buckingham Palace guard; I get the giggles way too easily and/or smirk at inappropriate times (while reprimanding my kids; upon hearing tragic news). [part of an entry under J for "Jobs I Could Never Do"] [Under T for "Taking Up Something New": a table of "Things I've Been Into (In Chronological Order)": Twenty things, from age 3 to 36.]

How incredible that AKR chose to document her life in this way prior to knowing she would die so young. I loved every entry. I had a library copy but had to order one so I could mark it up!

This quirky, fun little book is all about Amy, the author. Structured like an encyclopedia, with entries on all kinds of topics, Amy's encyclopedia entry covers everything from parking tickets to toast, the deep to the mundane. It is charmingly written and is surprisingly amusing and fun to read.My only complaint is that the structure of the book is such that I didn't really want to sit down and read it for more than a half hour or so, because there isn't really a narrative flow. This would be a great book to keep in the car for those moments when you have to wait for someone or kill a few minutes at a time.That said, the idea is so innovative and it is so charmingly carried out that I'd definitely recommend it. I enjoyed it all the way through, and the way she made the mundane things of life so interesting, gave me some new ways of looking at the mundane things of my own life.

Like others have noted, this is an "Encyclopedia" into author Amy Krouse Rosenthal's life. Entries go from A-Z with everything in between (including an intermission).I didn't know if I was really going to enjoy this book because I'm not a fan of short stories or "brief snippets" but this was great reading, Everything flowed and it's easy to sit down with the book and read for a few hours. I snickered at much of it, and shared a few entries with my husband (specifically "potato chip"). Some of the entires are funny, some are sweet, some are insightful, some are just plain bizarre.This isn't a "c is for my children, t is for truth, f is for faith, g is for goals" kinda book. There's a lot of whimsical stuff dotted with the occasional "serious" entry.This is a FUN read, ideal for when you are on breaks between "heavy" books and need a breather.Loved it, and would recommend it to all.

Not since George and Weedon Grossmith introduced us to Charles Pooter in "The Diary of a Nobody", has someone so compellingly and comically explored the details of an ordinary life. The main difference being that Mr. Pooter was a fictional amalgam whereas Ms. Krouse Rosenthal is very real and this work--one feels--is very honest.I approached this book with skepticism and my usual fear of gimmick over content. After the first ten pages, the author won me over. She uses the form she has decided upon excellently to relate her thoughts and experiences. The encyclopedic format is ideally suited to what she wants to share. Of particular interest is the section in which she details the evolution of the book.As I read more, I recognized much in what she wrote. I found myself saying "I think that way..." or "That is just like my wife..." There is much here for any reader to recognize and much to remind us that the little details are what makes life so much fun.

The first time I read anything written by Amy Rosenthal was on March 3, 2017. She wrote a column in the NYT titled "You May Want to Marry my Husband". It was a beautiful tribute to her beloved husband Jason and I was deeply moved by her authentic voice. Just 10 days later Amy died from ovarian cancer. This propelled me to take a closer look at her work and I decided to read "Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life". I'm so glad I did. The book itself is a clever concept and reveals Amy's particular style of "word art". The alphabetical entries are humorous and thoughtful, and very, very, human. I am eager to explore more of her writing, and hope she can somehow know how appreciative her readers are of her life and her talent.

This is, thus far, my favorite book of the year! Amy's moment by moment commentary on the inner workings of her life -- the small moments and the things that often so unnoticed -- is beyond clever. It's downright genious. Did I even notice these things about myself or the world I live in? Did I notice how I talk in my head as the plane is landing or how I feel when I realize that the secret I'm being told was already told to someone else? It is called an "encyclopedia" because it chronicles the small moments of her ordinary life in an alphabetical, short-entry structure. I laughed -- full-on belly laughs -- on almost every page. I was inspired to write like I haven't been inspired in a long, long time, and since reading it I can't seem to help composing mental mini-paragraphs about myself and my own little quirks. Thanks, Amy, for such a delightful read and a reminder of what makes us who we are.

Bought as part of my son's english studies requirement... why, I'm not sure. No comments about the actual book as I didn't read it. He said it was OK.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, so sad to learn that this lovely lady died 2yrs ago, RIP Amy.

I bought this book after reading Amy Krouse Rosenthal's moving essay (and dating profile) on her husband and her terminal cancer process. I enjoyed the episodic style of an Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life and felt like I had become her friend in the process. Silly to say that. What an assumption. In this sometimes very lonely world, it is nice to feel a connection to a writer who is willing to open her whole entire life (and then some) and share.

A terrific read that had me chuckling, laughing, whooping at almost every turn of the page. Who would have guessed an "encyclopedia" could be so thoroughly entertaining. AKR provides an insightful glimpse into her, yes, "Ordinary Life" that sparked countless memories of my own passages through time. Brilliant! Loved it! Am looking forward to clearing time on my schedule to read "Textbook" in the very near future.

This book was a relatable, quirky read from the late Amy Krouse Rosenthal. I thoroughly enjoyed her writing style, as well as the non-linear format of this book. She's thoughtful and funny and she makes me want to write encyclopedia entries to capture my thoughts and ideas about my own ordinary life.