Belle Weather: Mostly Sunny with a Chance of Scattered Hissy Fits

Belle Weather: Mostly Sunny with a Chance of Scattered Hissy Fits
Celia Rivenbark
St. Martin’s, Aug 2008, $21.95
ISBN: 9780312362997

These are 30 humorous observations about life that can be read over a period of time as each is an exclusive entry. However, the commentaries are actually divided into four sections: On the House, Just Kid-ding, It’s Raining Men (Must be Why My Joints Ache, and (I’m So Totally) Randomly Thoughts. The entries are all fun, but especially the first two segments. Readers will empathize with the insanity that goes on with purchasing a house and the social expectations of having kids at school. The very first essay sets the bar of excellence for this hilarious tome as Celia and her husband buy a house that they crazily say “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change!” as they renovate what they bought. It remains zany from that onset as Celia understands the significant other in her life is the renovator. Readers will be in stitches as each contribution will hit home even if you do not own a house or have a kid own you. Although the six commentaries that make up the last section are aptly titled Random Thoughts, they are unfocused especially following the previous classified trio, yet they too are jocular and will leave fans laughing, wanting more insight into hissy living, and appreciate Celia Rivenbark, “a Beauty Queen At Last”.

Harriet Klausner