Are You Kidding Me?! Collector’s Edition Chronicles of an Ordinary Life

For the first time, bestselling novelist, columnist, and humorist Lesley Crewe’s finest newspaper columns are collected in one place.

Not merely razor sharp, Lesley’s wit is also ocean wide, taking in everything from the humiliations of breast pumping to the indignities of aging, from the frantic excess of holiday preparations to the homey irritations of a long marriage.

As precise in her observations as Jane Austen and as fractious on occasion as Oscar the Grouch, Crewe also has a sweet, tender centre, taking us from a hearty laugh to a good cry in a single paragraph. Readers will relate to Crewe’s ache at missing her mom, her nostalgia for her childhood, her frustrations at raising teenagers, and her impatience for terrible parking lot etiquette in equal measure. The book spans sixteen years’ worth of columns for The Cape Bretoner Magazine, Cahoots Magazine, and The Chronicle Herald.

Are You Kidding Me?! is a side-splitting, heartwarming, Cape Breton–flavoured celebration of the little things.

An exclusive Collector’s Edition featuring—not even kidding!—bonus material:
A bookplate, signed by Lesley Crewe
A letter from Lesley to her fans
An essay about how Lesley’s writing career began
A Q&A between Lesley and her long-time editor
A brand-new bonus column

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average rating is 4 out of 5

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Witty and Charming

Lesley Crewe’s “Are You Kidding Me?! Chronicles of a Daily Life,” published by Nimbus Publishing, is a collection of her long-running newspaper columns brought together in a delightful pink volume. Spanning across years of her writing life, these pieces describe everyday ups and downs, ranging from holidays to a writer’s life. Written with Crewe’s wit and provocative style, these articles capture moments of life, each one representing the frustrations and little joys that connect us all. 🩵✨

Reading this book is like sitting across from a friend who can find humour in almost anything. Sometimes I would laugh out loud; other times I would take a moment to reflect on the sweetness in the inevitable sour moments. This is where Nova Scotia storytelling really plays an important role, where humour is found on every page, and resilience is portrayed through laughter. Crewe has a knack for turning something mundane into something worth remembering. 💫

That said, I love books where I can relate to the “character” or the narrative, whether it’s non-fiction or fiction, not just as someone from the outside. There are moments where Crewe’s experiences feel universally entertaining; however, some experiences felt distant due to different experiences and lifestyles that differ from my own. For example, the chapter on having kids and being married didn’t correlate with me because I am not at that stage in life. Even so, her sharp observations make the chapters enjoyable to read. It acts as a reminder that books don’t need to reiterate your life to be engaging.

In conclusion, I give “Are You Kidding Me?! Chronicles of a Daily Life” by Lesley Crewe: 4 out of 5 stars. Crewe’s humour and insights make the writing enjoyable even when I can’t relate to it sometimes. Her ability to find laughter and little victories in everyday life makes the book extremely special. It’s witty and charming, leaving me to close the last page with a smile. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reflections on everyday life. 🌟

I recommend this book.