The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted

Stories

By: Elizabeth Berg

Narrated by: Elizabeth Berg

Exhilarating short stories of women breaking free from convention

Every now and then, right in the middle of an ordinary day, a woman rebels, kicks up her heels, and commits a small act of liberation.

What would you do, if you were going to break out and away? Go AWOL from Weight Watchers and spend an entire day eating every single thing you want–and then some? Start a dating service for people over fifty to reclaim the razzle-dazzle in your life–or your marriage? Seek comfort in the face of aging, look for love in the midst of loss, find friendship in the most surprising of places?

Imagine that the people in these wonderful stories–who do all of these things and more–are asking you: What would you do, if nobody was looking?©2008 Elizabeth Berg; (P)2008 Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Offer this up to the book club and—what the hell—serve chocolate.”—People

“Pitch-perfect . . . [encompasses] everything you’ve ever felt, but couldn’t put into tangible words.”—Chicago Tribune

“Hard to resist . . . funny and occasionally heartbreaking.”—Entertainment Weekly

“Berg at her tart best . . . There is plenty of lemony snap to brighten the sweetness that flows through The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted, a book that shows how well this writer understands women’s wants, strengths and foibles.”—Hartford Courant

“Reading The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted is a lot like eating comfort food: it offers great satisfaction. . . . Berg understands the need we all feel to break free of strictures . . . and how small rebellions can lead to understanding.”—New York Post

Things I needed to …

Very inspiring. Reminded me to tell people I love them and how essential they are in my life & others. To forgive myself.

Interesting perspective on life

I liked the perspective of letting go of society’s expectations for women. A good reminder that women can be independent, self sufficient, and unafraid to live their lives as they please. It’s akin to the belief women have of we shouldn’t take up space. We should be quiet.

The narrator wasn’t the best. She sounded like a young teenager— maybe that was on purpose to drive home the point that women are seen as weak? It didn’t work for me.

The title was misleading to me but all in all I did enjoy this easy listening that didn’t require a lot of intense concentration.

Inside every woman

Such an honest, insightful series of short stories about women at different ages and stages. It’s funny. It’s sad. I just loved it.

Different

I must admit that I could not finish listening to this book. I got about 2 hours into it and could not get into it. However the parts that I did listen to weren't to bad, a lot of it being relatable and true to life. Due to it being short stories, there is no continuity, so if you like that kind of style you should like this book.