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I've Tried Being Nice: Essays
New York Times
bestselling author Ann Leary offers a literary feast of humor and wisdom told from the perspective of a recovering people pleaser.
Having arrived at a certain age (her prime), Ann Leary casts a wry backward glance at a life spent trying—and often failing—to be nice. With wit and surprising candor, Leary recounts the bedlam of home bat invasions, an obsession with online personality tests, and the mortification of taking ballroom dance lessons with her actor husband. She describes hilarious red-carpet fiascos and other observations from the sidelines of fame, while also touching upon her more poignant struggles with alcoholism, her love for her family, her dogs, and so much more.
Prepare to laugh, cry, cringe and revel in the comically relatable chaos of Ann Leary’s life as revealed in this delighful collection of essays.
Having arrived at a certain age (her prime), Ann Leary casts a wry backward glance at a life spent trying—and often failing—to be nice. With wit and surprising candor, Leary recounts the bedlam of home bat invasions, an obsession with online personality tests, and the mortification of taking ballroom dance lessons with her actor husband. She describes hilarious red-carpet fiascos and other observations from the sidelines of fame, while also touching upon her more poignant struggles with alcoholism, her love for her family, her dogs, and so much more.
Prepare to laugh, cry, cringe and revel in the comically relatable chaos of Ann Leary’s life as revealed in this delighful collection of essays.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published June 4, 2024
About the author
Ann Leary
8 books1,050 followersAnn Leary is the author of the novels, THE CHILDREN, THE GOOD HOUSE, OUTTAKES FROM A MARRIAGE, and the memoir, AN INNOCENT, A BROAD.
Her bestselling novel, THE GOOD HOUSE, has recently been adapted as a motion picture starring Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline. Ann’s New York Times essay, “Rallying to Keep the Game Alive,” was adapted for Amazon Prime's Modern Love TV Series and stars Tina Fey and John Slattery. Her work has been translated into eighteen languages and she has written for numerous publications including Ploughshares, NPR, Real Simple and the New York Times.
Her new novel, THE FOUNDLING, will be published on May 31, 2022.
Ann and her husband Denis Leary live in New York.
Her bestselling novel, THE GOOD HOUSE, has recently been adapted as a motion picture starring Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline. Ann’s New York Times essay, “Rallying to Keep the Game Alive,” was adapted for Amazon Prime's Modern Love TV Series and stars Tina Fey and John Slattery. Her work has been translated into eighteen languages and she has written for numerous publications including Ploughshares, NPR, Real Simple and the New York Times.
Her new novel, THE FOUNDLING, will be published on May 31, 2022.
Ann and her husband Denis Leary live in New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
January 31, 2024
Ann Leary is very funny. She and I have much in common: people pleasing, anxiety, racing intrusive thoughts and more. Good times! Leary is very upfront with her struggles, and her honesty is both refreshing and relatable.
I enjoyed reading about the author’s life. I’ve heard of Denis Leary, her famous husband, but I have not watched anything he’s been in. It was intriguing to read little insights about red carpet events, schmoozing in Jack Nicholson’s bar with other famous people, and how she reacts to fans who approach her husband (hint—it’s all funny).
I recommend this! It has a little bit of everything, and I guarantee you will laugh.
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon Element and Marysue Rucci Books for the advance copy in exchange for my honest feedback.
I enjoyed reading about the author’s life. I’ve heard of Denis Leary, her famous husband, but I have not watched anything he’s been in. It was intriguing to read little insights about red carpet events, schmoozing in Jack Nicholson’s bar with other famous people, and how she reacts to fans who approach her husband (hint—it’s all funny).
I recommend this! It has a little bit of everything, and I guarantee you will laugh.
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon Element and Marysue Rucci Books for the advance copy in exchange for my honest feedback.
June 12, 2024
funny at times but middle of the road when compared to other essay collections I have read; some of the essays seem to have lost the overall theme (that or I just didn't see it)
April 8, 2024
What a pleasure after enjoying her fiction, to meet the woman behind her words. Generous and honest, Ann Leary provides insight with humor and self deprecation, and gives of herself, warts and all. Particularly nice is her chapter on dogs and her lifelong friends among them.
June 26, 2024
Relatable and funny essays on marriage, motherhood, writing, complicated parental relationships and so much more. This was an entertaining listen on audio and a quick read at that. I didn't know much about this author or her husband, Dennis Leary but still enjoyed this on audio. Worth a read, especially for fans of authors like Ann Patchett.
June 11, 2024
This is a light-hearted, vulnerable, and wise collection of essays about being a people-pleaser inspired by memorable personal experiences. She discusses the challenges of people-pleasing and standing up for herself and then shares anecdotes from her life. In some essays, there is that theme of trying to get along with people, trying to keep everyone pleased, and how we feel about reaching a certain age. The essays touch on everything from taking ballroom dancing lessons with her husband to homecoming with bats to empty nesting.
Here is a passage from one of the essays that touched me the most. The author wrote, " I had googled Mrs. Emery when we first moved here and was pleased to learn that her father had written the song My Funny Valentine, which our friend Julie sang for my husband and me at our wedding.
But now I wanted to know about Linda Rogers Emery, not her father. I read a few interesting profiles written about her and her obituary. I discovered that Mrs. Emery was loving and giving. She was philanthropic and creative, but she also struggled, as I have, with shyness and bouts of severe depression.
Some quick math revealed that she moved here when she was about my age. The trees, the flowers, the gardens, and the greenhouse that lift my spirits each day. Had creating them lifted hers? I'm not into musicals and show tunes, but I heard the Rodgers and Hammerstein show song Edelweiss around Christmas time last year.
I was in my happy place, the local plant store, just browsing. The tune stuck with me. It's one of those songs that takes root. Later, I was singing it as I tried to rearrange some plants on my greenhouse deck to make room for my laptop. Like I said, I'm not really into spirituality or show tunes, but I got a little teary as I hummed and sang to all my green darlings, my tender foundlings, and to the spirit of Mrs.
Emery too. Blossoms of snow, may you bloom and grow. Bloom and grow forever."
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbymedia.com/blogs/transcri...
Here is a passage from one of the essays that touched me the most. The author wrote, " I had googled Mrs. Emery when we first moved here and was pleased to learn that her father had written the song My Funny Valentine, which our friend Julie sang for my husband and me at our wedding.
But now I wanted to know about Linda Rogers Emery, not her father. I read a few interesting profiles written about her and her obituary. I discovered that Mrs. Emery was loving and giving. She was philanthropic and creative, but she also struggled, as I have, with shyness and bouts of severe depression.
Some quick math revealed that she moved here when she was about my age. The trees, the flowers, the gardens, and the greenhouse that lift my spirits each day. Had creating them lifted hers? I'm not into musicals and show tunes, but I heard the Rodgers and Hammerstein show song Edelweiss around Christmas time last year.
I was in my happy place, the local plant store, just browsing. The tune stuck with me. It's one of those songs that takes root. Later, I was singing it as I tried to rearrange some plants on my greenhouse deck to make room for my laptop. Like I said, I'm not really into spirituality or show tunes, but I got a little teary as I hummed and sang to all my green darlings, my tender foundlings, and to the spirit of Mrs.
Emery too. Blossoms of snow, may you bloom and grow. Bloom and grow forever."
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbymedia.com/blogs/transcri...
June 28, 2024
Witty at times. A couple of interesting moments of looking behind the scenes at the famous couple. Like when they took dance lessons or when she fumbled things with a fan. Overall just okay.
May 21, 2024
I have enjoyed Ann Leary's fiction and was excited to get an advanced copy of this book, which are essays about Ann's life with her husband (the famous Denis Leary) and her kids. Some of the essays were laugh-out-loud funny, and they are spot-on with someone within her same age range..*ahem, 50ish*. The last essay wraps it up nicely - a grumpy 96 year old lady tells a group of women in her way to "move" instead of walking around them. Why can't the lady just BE NICE? Well, "how many minutes does she have left on this earth? How many more steps until she's stuck in the ground? She can't waste her time or energy being nice all the time". Nicely said.
June 23, 2024
I love these books of essays that are also partial memoirs. Particularly essays written by funny and thoughtful women demonstrating intellectual curiosity and an ability to examine one's behavior/motivations without navel-gazing.
Within this framework, I recommend Ann Leary's funny, relatable, and affecting book of essays, I've Tried Being Nice: Essays. Leary is honest and funny about her admitted people-pleasing, love of gossip, social anxiety, and the travails/triumphs of any long-term marriage.
The essays on dogs, tennis, and "Grey Gardens" are standouts, but don't sleep on her ability to relay how perfect a house has been for her family. Or Leary's journey as a plant lady. The author reads the audiobook and demonstrates at least two remarkably funny creatives in the Leary family.
Within this framework, I recommend Ann Leary's funny, relatable, and affecting book of essays, I've Tried Being Nice: Essays. Leary is honest and funny about her admitted people-pleasing, love of gossip, social anxiety, and the travails/triumphs of any long-term marriage.
The essays on dogs, tennis, and "Grey Gardens" are standouts, but don't sleep on her ability to relay how perfect a house has been for her family. Or Leary's journey as a plant lady. The author reads the audiobook and demonstrates at least two remarkably funny creatives in the Leary family.
February 2, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book will make you laugh. Ann Leary has a great sense of humor. Each chapter is very different from the last, which makes it fun to read about different points in her life.
I now want to go read her other books.
This book will make you laugh. Ann Leary has a great sense of humor. Each chapter is very different from the last, which makes it fun to read about different points in her life.
I now want to go read her other books.
Read
June 25, 2024As I was reading this book of essays, I was reminded of one of my favorite writers, Laura Zigman, who has a similar tone and humorous take on the world. It turns out she is friends with Ann Leary!
This book of essays is a lifetime in the making. Ann Leary is done with niceties, writing what will sell rather than what’s in her heart, and rude neighbors. She is a hysterical writer and I really love the essay about her house being infested with bats. There’s a lot that’s relatable - kids going off to college, marriage trouble, eccentric pets - and a lot that isn’t (having a movie star husband, going to premieres and hanging with A listers, big old house with amenities that are a hard sell to new buyers, a lot of time to devote to high maintenance pets). But this is Ann’s story, and we root for her. She’s done writing for the masses - she wants to write something real and true to her experience. My heart broke for her in an essay about her mother’s reaction to one of Ann’s book coming out and the shame of an accompany audiobook snafu. I was angry on Ann’s behalf when a clueless neighbor kept racing her dogs on Ann’s lawn despite Ann’s warning about her own pets’ reaction. I laughed reading about the tension between Ann and her husband playing tennis and taking dance lessons together. I feel like she has such a well-rounded life but is still trying to figure it all out like the rest of us.
This book of essays is a lifetime in the making. Ann Leary is done with niceties, writing what will sell rather than what’s in her heart, and rude neighbors. She is a hysterical writer and I really love the essay about her house being infested with bats. There’s a lot that’s relatable - kids going off to college, marriage trouble, eccentric pets - and a lot that isn’t (having a movie star husband, going to premieres and hanging with A listers, big old house with amenities that are a hard sell to new buyers, a lot of time to devote to high maintenance pets). But this is Ann’s story, and we root for her. She’s done writing for the masses - she wants to write something real and true to her experience. My heart broke for her in an essay about her mother’s reaction to one of Ann’s book coming out and the shame of an accompany audiobook snafu. I was angry on Ann’s behalf when a clueless neighbor kept racing her dogs on Ann’s lawn despite Ann’s warning about her own pets’ reaction. I laughed reading about the tension between Ann and her husband playing tennis and taking dance lessons together. I feel like she has such a well-rounded life but is still trying to figure it all out like the rest of us.
June 17, 2024
This book could be about me if only I was a published author married to a famous comedian/actor whose home was invaded by bats. To be fair, I have experienced a wayward bat visit on more than one occasion and was not as welcoming as Ann Leary.
I’VE TRIED BEING NICE is a funny, poignant, relatable collection of essays about a serial people pleaser. Ms. Leary is brutally honest about the anxiety that accompanies never wanting to disappoint anyone even to the detriment of oneself. Her descriptions of chronic apologizing, mental scorekeeping, and just trying too damn hard struck a chord with me. Her delivery is flawless and her narration gave authenticity to the words.
This was the perfect choice after reading some heavy books. I found myself laughing at the absurdity of the hell we put ourselves through for sake of being liked. Thank you, Ann Leary, for speaking the truth about being too nice. I hope all people pleasers, myself included, can learn from her journey and reclaim ourselves one refusal-to-put-ourselves-last at a time.
I’VE TRIED BEING NICE is a funny, poignant, relatable collection of essays about a serial people pleaser. Ms. Leary is brutally honest about the anxiety that accompanies never wanting to disappoint anyone even to the detriment of oneself. Her descriptions of chronic apologizing, mental scorekeeping, and just trying too damn hard struck a chord with me. Her delivery is flawless and her narration gave authenticity to the words.
This was the perfect choice after reading some heavy books. I found myself laughing at the absurdity of the hell we put ourselves through for sake of being liked. Thank you, Ann Leary, for speaking the truth about being too nice. I hope all people pleasers, myself included, can learn from her journey and reclaim ourselves one refusal-to-put-ourselves-last at a time.
March 23, 2024
Ann Leary is brilliantly talented and has been one of my favorite writers for many years. I’ve loved all of her books and I thoroughly enjoyed these smart, funny and refreshingly genuine essays she shared with this grateful reader ❤️📚 Thank you to the Goodreads Team and the publisher I was so fortunate to win this ARC from!
July 2, 2024
This is a collection of essays depicting aspects of her life which are very relatable. She’s incredibly honest and she’s such a terrific storyteller. Upon reading these essays, you will laugh and at the same time, they are very insightful. My favorites included “ My life in dogs” and “ The Greenhouse Effect”. This is a quick and easy read that I definitely recommend.
February 5, 2024
I simply adored this essay collection from Ann Leary. (And now I need to go find her fiction) Maybe it's because I'm a similar age, love my dogs, and have also finally grown out of my need to please people, but her essays made me laugh again and again. They also made me think. Can't ask for more from a book. I hope Ann has more essays in her because her blend of kindness, snark, and authenticity is just perfect. thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book - what a treat!
June 20, 2024
This was different! Fun and very real essays that get you thinking. Can easily read a few pages a day. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for read and review
July 15, 2024
3.5 stars a little above average but I expected more about her “trying to be nice”
March 24, 2024
Hilarious, relatable, honest, and emotional all rolled into one. Great selection of essays.
June 17, 2024
In Ann Leary’s new essay collection, I’ve Tried Being Nice, Ann shares memorable stories from throughout her life as a people pleaser who often fails at doing so. Even though Ann is the wife of actor Denis Leary, her essays are relatable as she covers motherhood, marriage, Hollywood, and more.
I enjoyed reading Ann’s essays! Ann’s wry sense of humor had me laughing out loud numerous times while reading! I loved the title of this book and the premise that we often try to be nice, but sometimes we just don’t succeed. There will always be those people or situations where we need to say what needs to be said.
Thank you to Marysue Rucci Books for the gifted ARC!
I enjoyed reading Ann’s essays! Ann’s wry sense of humor had me laughing out loud numerous times while reading! I loved the title of this book and the premise that we often try to be nice, but sometimes we just don’t succeed. There will always be those people or situations where we need to say what needs to be said.
Thank you to Marysue Rucci Books for the gifted ARC!
June 30, 2024
Essays by a privileged white woman. Nothing that unique or memorable. Maybe it would have been more engaging if I had read her other books. She does a lot of name dropping that her husband is actor and comedian Dennis Leary, who I don't know either.
July 14, 2024
Like having coffee with her, Ann Leary, author, woman extraordinaire and wife of the hilarious Denis Leary. A collection of stories (essays) about her being a people pleaser and navigating life through that mindset. Stories we can all relate to.
"I'm not just a 'people pleaser' because I want to be liked; and I'm not just one who chooses to take the high road to protest the current nasty cultural and political climate. I'm a coward. I'm terrified of making people angry. I have been all my life."
Not only trying to be nice, but also while being a female feeling the effects of hormones. Ann comments, "Ovaries rule women's minds, bodies, and souls. But mostly our minds." Menopause causing a people pleaser to change to a "Karen" lol.
Ann talks about her challenges with alcohol and addiction. All the lies you tell to convince yourself you're okay. How she finally put down the glass because of "my lifelong desire to be liked, my need for approval, my deeply ingrained need to be seen as 'nice'."
Growing older, learning different aspects of life, she tries tennis and dancing and drags her husband along. But all the while, these small things leading to learning about herself and their marriage. "It's not where the ball, or the child or the book or the marriage or the job, starts. It's where it ends up that's important."
She tells stories of her mother, "What's left unsaid is everything." Her kids and an empty nest, life and marriage after kids. The insanity of Hollywood. Tips for traveling. All the while trying to be nice.
And then, lessons learned from animals:
"I thought I knew a lot about dogs, but Eddie has taught me more. He's taught me about emotions that all mammals share. He's taught me about our need for love, motivation, and the importance of honesty and clarity when communicating with others...He reminds me to try much harder to look at things from the perspective of others. He's taught me to be more patient. Eddie is my familiar--the things I didn't like about him were the things that I don't like about me."
She goes back to train as an EMT. In this training she learns a different meaning for "golden hour." Before school, she understood the term "golden hour" to refer to the last hour before dark or the first after daybreak. The medical meaning is metaphorically similar:
"There is a golden hour between life and death. If you are critically injured, you have less than sixty minutes to survive. You might not die right then; it may be three days or two weeks later--but something has happened in your body that is irreparable."
The last moments of light and life when things are seemingly the clearest.
Was it worth all the frustration and heartache of being a "yesman?" Were all the times you were just being nice the right thing to do? Is it more important to lie to avoid being uncomfortable, to avoid of disappointing others or is the truth worth its own brutality? Perhaps this is all revealed in that golden hour, perhaps.
Then, she just finally googled "what would make a person nice" and: "My takeaway was that nice people are altruistic, honest, fair, generous, thoughtful, and kind. In other words, nice people are good people."
My takeaway...The truth should be the most important factor & Just be nice until it's time to not be nice!
"I'm not just a 'people pleaser' because I want to be liked; and I'm not just one who chooses to take the high road to protest the current nasty cultural and political climate. I'm a coward. I'm terrified of making people angry. I have been all my life."
Not only trying to be nice, but also while being a female feeling the effects of hormones. Ann comments, "Ovaries rule women's minds, bodies, and souls. But mostly our minds." Menopause causing a people pleaser to change to a "Karen" lol.
Ann talks about her challenges with alcohol and addiction. All the lies you tell to convince yourself you're okay. How she finally put down the glass because of "my lifelong desire to be liked, my need for approval, my deeply ingrained need to be seen as 'nice'."
Growing older, learning different aspects of life, she tries tennis and dancing and drags her husband along. But all the while, these small things leading to learning about herself and their marriage. "It's not where the ball, or the child or the book or the marriage or the job, starts. It's where it ends up that's important."
She tells stories of her mother, "What's left unsaid is everything." Her kids and an empty nest, life and marriage after kids. The insanity of Hollywood. Tips for traveling. All the while trying to be nice.
And then, lessons learned from animals:
"I thought I knew a lot about dogs, but Eddie has taught me more. He's taught me about emotions that all mammals share. He's taught me about our need for love, motivation, and the importance of honesty and clarity when communicating with others...He reminds me to try much harder to look at things from the perspective of others. He's taught me to be more patient. Eddie is my familiar--the things I didn't like about him were the things that I don't like about me."
She goes back to train as an EMT. In this training she learns a different meaning for "golden hour." Before school, she understood the term "golden hour" to refer to the last hour before dark or the first after daybreak. The medical meaning is metaphorically similar:
"There is a golden hour between life and death. If you are critically injured, you have less than sixty minutes to survive. You might not die right then; it may be three days or two weeks later--but something has happened in your body that is irreparable."
The last moments of light and life when things are seemingly the clearest.
Was it worth all the frustration and heartache of being a "yesman?" Were all the times you were just being nice the right thing to do? Is it more important to lie to avoid being uncomfortable, to avoid of disappointing others or is the truth worth its own brutality? Perhaps this is all revealed in that golden hour, perhaps.
Then, she just finally googled "what would make a person nice" and: "My takeaway was that nice people are altruistic, honest, fair, generous, thoughtful, and kind. In other words, nice people are good people."
My takeaway...The truth should be the most important factor & Just be nice until it's time to not be nice!
June 8, 2024
New York Times bestselling author Ann Leary offers a literary feast of humor and wisdom told from the perspective of a recovering people pleaser.
Having arrived at a certain age (her prime), Ann Leary casts a wry backward glance at a life spent trying—and often failing—to be nice. With wit and surprising candor, Leary recounts the bedlam of home bat invasions, an obsession with online personality tests, and the mortification of taking ballroom dance lessons with her actor husband. She describes hilarious red-carpet fiascos and other observations from the sidelines of fame, while also touching upon her more poignant struggles with alcoholism, her love for her family, her dogs, and so much more.
Prepare to laugh, cry, cringe and revel in the comically relatable chaos of Ann Leary’s life as revealed in this delightful collection of essays.
My Thoughts: I thoroughly enjoyed Leary’s collection entitled I’ve Tried Being Nice, just as I have also loved some of her fiction, like The Good House, which was made into a movie. I also saw it again on Amazon Prime.
Her stories of family life, struggles with alcoholism, and humorous events like living in houses with bats flying about were fascinating. This last bit was especially something I could relate to, having lived in a country house with bats!
Now I plan to look up more of her fiction, as this memoir earned 5 stars.
***
Having arrived at a certain age (her prime), Ann Leary casts a wry backward glance at a life spent trying—and often failing—to be nice. With wit and surprising candor, Leary recounts the bedlam of home bat invasions, an obsession with online personality tests, and the mortification of taking ballroom dance lessons with her actor husband. She describes hilarious red-carpet fiascos and other observations from the sidelines of fame, while also touching upon her more poignant struggles with alcoholism, her love for her family, her dogs, and so much more.
Prepare to laugh, cry, cringe and revel in the comically relatable chaos of Ann Leary’s life as revealed in this delightful collection of essays.
My Thoughts: I thoroughly enjoyed Leary’s collection entitled I’ve Tried Being Nice, just as I have also loved some of her fiction, like The Good House, which was made into a movie. I also saw it again on Amazon Prime.
Her stories of family life, struggles with alcoholism, and humorous events like living in houses with bats flying about were fascinating. This last bit was especially something I could relate to, having lived in a country house with bats!
Now I plan to look up more of her fiction, as this memoir earned 5 stars.
***
February 11, 2024
The publisher's blurb calls I've Tried Being Nice "a collection of humorous essays about a lifelong people pleaser", and while I found this to be true, it's also a lot more. Ann Leary is the author of several novels but she is also a great storyteller. Some of the essays in this collection are about trying hard to be a people-pleaser, something that I think many women can see in themselves, but at least one of them is concerned with that lightbulb moment when you realize you have no interest in pleasing a particular person. Ann Leary recounts her adventures with being far-sighted and having one-sided hearing loss that resulted in her blaring "Love Shack" in the grocery store and also her interactions with bats. I don't like bats at all but I could laugh at Leary's essay because the bats were not in my house, or on my pajamas. Some of the essays are more poignant, like the one entitled "Three Drinks Short".
The only book I've read by Ann Leary is The Good House and I found it both enjoyable and poignant. I've Tried Being Nice is funny, poignant, honest, and full of great stories told well. Thank you to Edelweiss and Marysue Rucci Books for providing me with a copy. This book will be published on June 4, 2024.
The only book I've read by Ann Leary is The Good House and I found it both enjoyable and poignant. I've Tried Being Nice is funny, poignant, honest, and full of great stories told well. Thank you to Edelweiss and Marysue Rucci Books for providing me with a copy. This book will be published on June 4, 2024.
June 30, 2024
Review: I've Tried Being Nice: Essays (Ann Leary) A nice little collection of essays which I acquired when I attended a Writers in the Lounge event at the Music Hall not too long ago where Ann Leary presented it. I really enjoyed the energy of the event and especially liked hearing a voice put to the words on the page, when she read most of the first essay out loud... dealing with her frustrations at neighbors (new to her) who allowed their dog to free range onto her property unleashed. Funny and often spot on. In these essays, she delves into many topics, often highlighting what she calls her anxious nature, and also often referring to her battles as an alcoholic. The tone is usually sardonic. These were nice to take along to work and read in bits and pieces. Kirkus reviews says this is "an honest tale of a woman and her struggle as a people pleaser"... accurate enough... although her honesty includes that the people pleasing is a fear of displeasing (something many children learn to do, as I did, as a survival technique in a messy homelife), and in fact, she can't always suppress the need to be less than nice. Stories of the life with a famous actor, of bats in the home, of becoming an EMT... a decently fun read.
July 20, 2024
If you’re into essay collections that mix humor and memoir vibes, I’ve got the perfect rec for you! Ann Leary’s "I’ve Tried Being Nice: Essays" is like a treasure trove of giggles, deep thoughts, and relatable moments. It’s like having a heart-to-heart with your hilariously wise BFF who’s not afraid to get real.
Leary’s writing is totally captivating as she dives into her own quirks, like her obsession with pleasing people, her love for juicy gossip, and her battles with social anxiety. She’s so genuine and funny, you’ll feel like you’re chatting over a glass of wine (or three). Plus, she’s got these super insightful takes on marriage that are both heartwarming and hilarious.
The essays on dogs, tennis, and the iconic "Grey Gardens" are total standouts! But seriously, don’t miss her tales about making her house a dream home for her fam – it's beyond perfect! And let’s talk about her adventures in becoming a plant lady – so funny and relatable!
So, if you’re looking for a book that’ll make you laugh, think, and feel all the feels, grab "I’ve Tried Being Nice: Essays" ASAP. It’s a fabulous ride you won’t want to end!
Leary’s writing is totally captivating as she dives into her own quirks, like her obsession with pleasing people, her love for juicy gossip, and her battles with social anxiety. She’s so genuine and funny, you’ll feel like you’re chatting over a glass of wine (or three). Plus, she’s got these super insightful takes on marriage that are both heartwarming and hilarious.
The essays on dogs, tennis, and the iconic "Grey Gardens" are total standouts! But seriously, don’t miss her tales about making her house a dream home for her fam – it's beyond perfect! And let’s talk about her adventures in becoming a plant lady – so funny and relatable!
So, if you’re looking for a book that’ll make you laugh, think, and feel all the feels, grab "I’ve Tried Being Nice: Essays" ASAP. It’s a fabulous ride you won’t want to end!
July 10, 2024
◇ Synopsis
Ann Leary, in her prime, humorously reflects on a life spent trying—and often failing—to be nice. With wit and candor, she recounts home bat invasions, an obsession with online personality tests, and the embarrassment of ballroom dance lessons with her actor husband. She shares red-carpet mishaps, her struggles with alcoholism, and her love for her family and dogs. Prepare to laugh, cry, cringe, and revel in the relatable chaos of Leary’s life in this delightful collection of essays.
◇ Thoughts
"A mixed bag of nuts" aptly describes this collection. Some essays, especially those on marriage, writing, and parenting, are relatable and funny. It was a surprise to learn that her husband is Dennis Leary after starting the book. The essays are easy to read in chunks or one at a time. While it’s often funny and witty, there were moments where it didn’t quite connect with me. Overall, I recommend it if you enjoy non-fiction stories about celebrity lives.
Special thanks to the author and publisher for the advanced copy!
Ann Leary, in her prime, humorously reflects on a life spent trying—and often failing—to be nice. With wit and candor, she recounts home bat invasions, an obsession with online personality tests, and the embarrassment of ballroom dance lessons with her actor husband. She shares red-carpet mishaps, her struggles with alcoholism, and her love for her family and dogs. Prepare to laugh, cry, cringe, and revel in the relatable chaos of Leary’s life in this delightful collection of essays.
◇ Thoughts
"A mixed bag of nuts" aptly describes this collection. Some essays, especially those on marriage, writing, and parenting, are relatable and funny. It was a surprise to learn that her husband is Dennis Leary after starting the book. The essays are easy to read in chunks or one at a time. While it’s often funny and witty, there were moments where it didn’t quite connect with me. Overall, I recommend it if you enjoy non-fiction stories about celebrity lives.
Special thanks to the author and publisher for the advanced copy!
January 23, 2024
I did enjoy this book. It kept me wanting more and more and was an easy, quick read. However, I found it confusing. I don’t know if I’m just not use to reading essay type novels rather than chronological novels. Just as I would read one chapter and figure out what part of her life she was discussing and then in the next essay she would bring you to a time in her life that preceded the previous chapter. Also,I guess the title and description of this book is misleading to me. Some of the chapters really had nothing to do with her self awareness as being a people pleaser. Leary wants to stop being a people pleaser and put her self first for a change. But there was more to this book than Leary realizing these blemishes in her human makeup. . Her quirky storytelling and the content of her chapters were really laugh worthy especially the bat stories. I feel I can relate to her life and empathize with her personal struggles. I would definitely like to read some of her other books.
June 4, 2024
Many, many thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, Simon Element, Marysue Rucci Books, for gifting me a copy of this wonderful essay collection by Ann Leary. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!
Ann Leary has reached the age where she has decided she's tired of trying to be nice. This book is absolutely perfect and I laughed and cried my way through it. It's looking back on all those big and small things that make up our days - family life, married life, jobs, moving, pets, struggles - and done with humor, honesty, relatability. There were moments where I went from literally laughing out loud to crying. I want to be Ann's friend; she's that real, no matter that both her and her husband are famous. They just feel like the kind of people you need in your life. I'm so glad she shared part of her life with the rest of us. Highly recommended!
Ann Leary has reached the age where she has decided she's tired of trying to be nice. This book is absolutely perfect and I laughed and cried my way through it. It's looking back on all those big and small things that make up our days - family life, married life, jobs, moving, pets, struggles - and done with humor, honesty, relatability. There were moments where I went from literally laughing out loud to crying. I want to be Ann's friend; she's that real, no matter that both her and her husband are famous. They just feel like the kind of people you need in your life. I'm so glad she shared part of her life with the rest of us. Highly recommended!
January 29, 2024
I loved this collection of essays by Ann Leary!
I’ve Tried Being Nice covers everything from “Denis Tennis” with her actor husband Denis Leary to life with her dogs, to raising children, to alcohol and becoming an EMT.
I really loved how open and honest Ann was about her relationship with alcohol in “Three Drinks Short”
I loved this line from “Old dog, New tricks” referencing taking banjo lessons in her 40s, “ it turns out that learning new skills in midlife is a great way to feel young again”
And I really adored her spin on becoming empty nesters:
“We hadn’t been aware of how hard it was being good, until we no longer had to be good. It had been exhausting. Now we were free.”
Releasing June June 4, 2024-don’t miss this relatable and funny collection by Ann Leary.
I’ve Tried Being Nice covers everything from “Denis Tennis” with her actor husband Denis Leary to life with her dogs, to raising children, to alcohol and becoming an EMT.
I really loved how open and honest Ann was about her relationship with alcohol in “Three Drinks Short”
I loved this line from “Old dog, New tricks” referencing taking banjo lessons in her 40s, “ it turns out that learning new skills in midlife is a great way to feel young again”
And I really adored her spin on becoming empty nesters:
“We hadn’t been aware of how hard it was being good, until we no longer had to be good. It had been exhausting. Now we were free.”
Releasing June June 4, 2024-don’t miss this relatable and funny collection by Ann Leary.
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March 12, 2024I'm probably the only person on the planet who has no idea who Denis Leary is, and strangely enough, I've never read a book by Ann Leary either. So I had zero pre-conceived notions about Ann Leary's upcoming book of mid-life memoir-type essays. I liked it. I laughed out loud a few times and found other parts quite moving. Leary has always thought of herself as an anxious person whose primary motivation was pleasing people, aka 'being nice'. As she has matured, some of that anxiety and strong desire to be liked has declined. Her essays, from that border between 'real' and 'nice', covering topics like becoming empty nesters, giving up a beloved home, playing tennis, marriage, travel and recovering from alcoholism and people-pleasing, feel honest and are fun to read.
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