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Summary: Newest genre - The Self Help Memoir
Review: By the third chapter of this book, I had fallen in love with Ms. Richman. Her style is typical "Jewish Mother", although it seemed strangely familiar to my "Italian Catholic" roots! I could relate to her on many levels. This book has details about Ms. Richman that will satisfy biography lovers and for those of us who are looking to deepen out self-awareness, this hits the mark too. Tragedy to victory and everything in between. The fact that she has been willing to share such a deeply personal and difficult journey and show us that you can still have hope and laughter, is a gift I will not soon forget. I found her style of writing so engaging, that I had to read it a second time! If you need a reminder of what is possible in spite of the struggles life can throw your way, read this book. You will laugh and cry and be very glad you did!!
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Summary: Honest Voice of and Advice from Pain-Seared Experience
Review: This book deserves more than five stars for its ability to convey life-saving advice from experience that everyone will respect.Every life will be touched with pain. Whenever that occurs, I'd Rather Laugh is probably the best source of advice you will find. I'd Rather Laugh is remarkably good on how to overcome overwhelming personal pain. Although the libraries and book stores are filed with such books, rarely do their authors come to the subject from having survived tidal waves of pain. Ms. Richman brings just that perspective. As a result, you can believe her and act on what she tells you. That's as much as anyone can do for another person in pain. The rest is up to the suffering person. Ms. Richman's life has had more than its share of downs as compared to ups. Her father was killed when she was eight, and her mother refused to ever tell her what had happened to him. He just went away, was all she was told. This made her pain and confusion worse and caused them to fester for many years. Her mother's reaction to this loss was to stop taking good care of her two daughters. Her mother was soon suffering from mental illness. "All my childhood I wished my mother had died instead of father." Imagine the guilt Ms. Richman must have felt about that feeling! To get out of the house, Ms. Richman married at 19. Her mother was soon hospitalized for her mental problems. Her husband turned out to be a gambling addict who lost all of the family's money. During those years, she became a recluse -- never leaving her apartment for 11 years. The panic attacks were so extreme, she couldn't touch the doorknob to the apartment. She baby sat everyone's children in the building so they would run errands for her, like taking her children to the pediatrician and getting groceries. The ultimate blow came after she divorced. He older son was killed in a traffic accident when he was 29. The severe pain of this was worse than all the other losses combined. My heart was literally in pain for this poor woman as I read the book. But I came away more impressed with her courage than with her pain. The way she has kept fighting back is wonderful. How did she do it? First, she wanted to overcome the pain. She assures us that the pain never goes away, you just integrate into your life in a new way. Second, she found that intensifying the pain could eventually help her find it ridiculous and cause her to laugh. The laughter was like an analgesic for her soul. Eventually, she found more ways to laugh. Third, she began helping other people. Her methods seem to work for them, too. At the end of the book, she outlines what works best . . . mostly ways to shift your mood by changing your surroundings, associations, and focus. There is a very nice foreword to the book from her friend, Rosie O'Donnell, which puts Ms. Richman in context. She is a truly outrageous person and a great friend to have. In the process, you realize that it's okay to give yourself permission to be outrageous. It's like taking off a straitjacket that allows you to move your emotions and your soul again. Ms. Richman is a comic genius. If the subject weren't so sad, her one-liners would have you following in the aisles. I plan to follow up on some of her advice, even though I'm not in pain. I think it will be a lot of fun to drive around with my "plastic-glasses-eyebrows-nose-mustache" mask on with a big cigar dangling from my mouth . . . and wait for the unsuspecting to see me at a stop light. Seriously, "any idiot can be happy when things go right." Even if you are not in emotional pain, I suggest you read this book to prepare yourself for when you are. Also, be generous with sharing this book with those who are suffering now. That will be its best use. May your life be filled with much good health, happiness, peace, and prosperity . . . even after you suffer a painful loss!
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Summary: Saved My Life
Review: Linda Richman saved my life. I was depressed after losing a family member of my own. I would spend my days mulling my mistakes and regrets overe and over again in my head. I was unable to get out of the spirral of negative and self ptiful thought. then a friend gave me Linda's book which I (begrudgingly) read and found that not only couldn't I put it down but it made me laugh and then cry with recoginition and then with releif. I can't imagine what would've happened had I not been given that book. Linda, if you're out there...THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!
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Summary: Issues Issues and More Issues!
Review: First you buy a box of tissues. Then you read I'd Rather Laugh. When you're done, the tissue box is empty but your heart is filled with laughter and joy, and you feel like you've found a new best friend in Linda Richman. Her life has not been an easy one, filled with more ups and downs than the Cyclone in Coney Island, but yet she has not only endured, but conquered, with her remarkable sense of humor. In this book, Linda shares with you her recipe for survival after enduring the worst losses and tragedies life can sock you with. You ask yourself, "How can she laugh after all she's gone through?" Well, she does. Read this book and she will make you smile and laugh too. Then you'll cry, but I promise you'll laugh again. Linda's skewed sense of humor has served her well over the course of her life. Her book is written conversationally, as though she is talking to you alone. You'll read it more than once, trust me. I've read it three times...so far. Linda Richman is the Goddess of Laughter!
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Summary: I'm laughing too!
Review: Like Linda I've experienced the loss of a child-two in fact, in a car accident. I've arrived at a point where I too can laugh but I am enjoying the journey much more with Linda. This book is the perfect reality check for just how well you're doing and how you can try a little harder. It's for everyone, not just those who have experienced a tragedy. My advice-"Get this book, Read this book, Share this book." Thank you Linda, it's been great reading your thoughts, advice, and sharing your humor.
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Summary: Find Contentment From The Inside...
Review: Your Happiness Is There For Good. This is a powerful life altering book in the disguise of a humorous bitter sweet story of a Jewish woman from Queens. I loved it! Linda tells of how she works with many people who you would think are happy because of all their wealth, power and material possessions, but that is not necessarily the case. Wealth, power and material possessions are great to have but having satisfaction, loving relationships and fun is even more rewarding. I found her writing style to be easy to follow and not too philosophical where I could attain the self realization she writes of. I feel I have gained a friendship through reading Linda's book, one which I look forward to visiting with from time to time. I liked where Linda writes "Express all your feelings, sorrow and joy and everything in between. Repressing them makes you numb." To fight or to try and change them just doesn't work. Another wonderful book that came to mind for me is called "Working On Yourself Doesn't Work" by Ariel and Shya Kane. Linda and the Kanes both write of how simple non judgmental noticing of how you are will transform your life. Where you live life directly as a true expression of yourself. I also appreciated Linda's avocation of having lots of fun in your life. I rented two of the movies mentioned in her book and like reading Linda's book I cried, laughed and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I highly recommend buying and reading both "Working On Yourself Doesn't Work" by the Kanes and "I'd Rather Laugh" by Linda Richman.
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Summary: I laughed, I cried and I applauded
Review: This book is very inspirational for anyone who has ever lost someone close to them in their life. You think you cannot go on and can not see the next day but reading Linda's book you see you can. Since her childhood she has had pain and loss and through her spirtuality and courage she has risen above the 4 walls of her home (safety zone). I have recommended this book to all my friends and have read it twice myself. I applaude her for her triumph!!
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Summary: Downright amazing...
Review: I loved this book. She's funny, she's truthful but most of all she's real. She has gone through what most of us have gone through and kept her sense of humor. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who has had a bad day!
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Summary: I'D RATHER LAUGH
Review: I've never really understood the appeal of "inspirational" books, which are often trite and sacharin. However, I'D RATHER LAUGH by Linda Richman truly deserves such categorization. This book is a gift. My mother died nearly five years ago and Linda gave me the freedom to feel joy and pain simultaneously -- to both mourn and let go -- in a healthy way. Her book is worth reading for her "pity party" directives alone! That such simple and profound wisdom can grow out of such intense pain and hardship should give hope to anyone who is suffering from the disorientation of overwhelming grief. When tragedy strikes, people always write "I wish that mere words could ease your suffering..." They can. Thanks to Linda.
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Summary: Verklempt Never Felt So Good
Review: I swear I've never laughed or cried so much in my life. Linda Richman's fast paced, moving, heartwarming story was no match for my own seemingly mundane trevails. However, you needn't be suffering from tragedy to enjoy this wonderful story. Much is to be learned from her explorations; her wit and charm delight and inform. Are the movie rights still available?
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