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Gracie: "OK, I'm not a lesbian, but this book is hysterical. Maybe it's because Kim & I are about the same age, early 40's, so much of what she's written, I've seen. Either in the relationships of my lesbian friends, or simply by virtue of being this old, I've been there, seen that, you know? I don't think this is strictly 'for lesbians.' For example, from 'Rules of Interpretation':"

"#4 The humor isn't always in the punch line. En route the the "Aha!" moment you just might discover, as I have, that, from time to time, we all travel ridiculously complicated and absurd paths in order to achieve a personal gain - even if that gain is to just look smart or get laid."

Gaëlle: "Ficera has an amazing self-confidence in her humor. I found that I related to so many of her stories, from the childhood home decorated with religious paraphernalia to a thought-stream brought on by a visit from a few Mormon missionaries. She is unabashed in her relation of sometimes overly personal stories, but that is part of what makes her worth a read. It’s refreshing to find an author who isn’t afraid to self-examine to the point of complete exposure."

Gracie: "I knew when I found her website, that I had to read this book."

Gaëlle: "Most of the pieces were witty, fun and refreshing. As I read, I wanted to call Ficera up and invite her over for a drink so I could enjoy her in person. Clearly she would make any party (Super Bowl or otherwise) more entertaining with her charismatic and unfettered gift for storytelling."

Gracie: "I completely agree. She simply must get her ass over to my house for dinner ~ a weekend, whatever! I'd prefer that to say corresponding with her ~ as the Queen of Typos, I fear I would end up in a revision of "I Am Not A Lesbain." (Where she recounts folks who tell her she's going to hell to meet 'Stain.' lol) While that is one of my favorite stories, that's not how I want her to remember me!"

Gaëlle: "Though comical, some pieces were on topics already overly done (Home Depot/lesbian stereotyping and Mullet as lesbian hairstyle stereotyping) and a few others were heavy with metaphors that stuck out like a sore thumb. "

Gracie: (laughing)"Maybe it's because you are too young to see some of this ~ gay or straight, anyone who made it through the 80's bar scene, those days of lesbian chic, etc, The Mullet is a classic! The only thing sore about this read, was my sides from laughing ~ I mean, out loud, in public! We were having a garage sale, and I was reading the book, laughing so hard, with tears in my eyes that when a couple pulled up, they asked what I was reading that was so funny!"

Gaëlle: "The blurb on the back cover and several reviews of this book has claimed Ms. Ficera to be a female David Sedaris, but I have to raise a red flag (or, if you want to be really gay, a pink one. Your choice.) . I absolutely believe Ficera has a dangerous wit and the arsenal of stories to share a playing field with Sedaris, but her storytelling prowess is neither as polished nor as genuine. That aside, this book is worth the read for those not easily offended or looking for anything more that topical humor. I give it a rating of 3.5 out of 5."

Gracie: "OK, I don't know Sedaris, so what can I say to that? As for 'polished,' sometimes, folks writing just as they speak, is gold. I felt like Kim was there, dishing, confiding & ranting over drinks... & not just because I read sections outloud to strangers & I didn't recognize my own voice ~ her own personality, her voice comes shining through. That's got to be worth more than 3.5 stars."

Soon, we'll have an interview with Kim here, until then, you can read the Gay & Lesbian Times Interview, and the Out Smart Interview.

Sex, Lies and Stereotypes, by Kim Ficera
ISBN: 075820177X

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