Who Me Paranoid?
Erica Stux
Wheatmark

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Attention-grabbing Read … Recommended … 4 stars

‘Who Me Paranoid?’ is presented as a series of humor laced essays. The Section designated as HOUSEHOLD HANG-UPS consists of ‘Who’s Really in Charge Here,’ and a hilarious accounting of newlywed bliss. ‘Don’t Upset My Ecosystem,’ ‘The Dinner Party I’d Most Like to Forget,’ was a chuckle from beginning to end as the writer set down her mishaps experienced during a party she hosted for thirteen people on the thirteenth of the month. ‘The Bachelor Apartment,’ ‘The Care and Feeding of Dishwashers,’ ‘Phantoms in My Fridge.’

HOW DID LIFE GET SO COMPLICATED proffers ‘Fowl Play,’ which mirrors what has been my own experience when dining out with family members. I was caught between giggling and renewing my vow to never join my sibling in a restaurant. ‘May I Have My Attention,’ ‘A New Car, or How Can I Fill Up If I Can’t Open the Gas,’ is a hysterical recounting of trying to get the new vehicle off the lot and onto the highway without reading the manual and learning beforehand exactly WHERE every knob, dial and doo hickey is. Brings back memories of driving a new car and as night fell stomping every inch of floor on the driver’s side in an effort to locate the dimmer switch. ‘How Does One Program This Thing,’ ‘Courses for Today’s Women,’ ‘Just a Memory,’ ‘Is Now the Right Time.’

FAMILY FUNNY TIMES includes ‘No Sense Complaining,’ ‘To Lend or Not to Lend,’ in which the writer treats readers to the joys of teens in the home. It is the –been there, done that- aspect of the writers work that makes the reading so enjoyable. ‘In the Throes of Fashion,’ ‘New Math for the Family,’ is a fun chuckle of an eight list read as the author explains time and effort needed to get a family ready for going out, probability of losing parts of toys and the difficulty facing most households in discarding an item as opposed to accepting a new one to the meld. ‘Taking Stock.’

WHO ME PARANOID? Offers ‘Movie Titles That Come alive at My Home,’ and a fun explanation of movie titles and meanings for households: The Sound of Music – the ice cream truck is coming, The French Connection – a new recipe for quiche, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum – the kid has lost her Latin homework, AGAIN. ‘Short-cut to Drama,’ ‘Taking Up a Collection,’ ‘The House Detective on Duty,’ ‘Math for Mothers,’ ‘Hairdo and Don’ts,’ ‘A Little Adjustment Needed.’

CRAZINESS IN MY COMMUNITY incorporates ‘Fate or Fortune,’ is an often all too true picture of the life of a landlord of rental properties. ‘Cat-alyst,’ brought a smile to my lips as the writer lists woes of a cat who will not catch mice. Been there, done that, and enjoyed the read. ‘A Paneful Story,’ ‘You Mean the Plumber Didn’t Show Up Yet?’ ‘Squeeze Play,’ is a hysterical recounting of tenants and their adventure with a snake in the apartment. ‘Rock City Nature Club Bulletin,’ ‘New Bird Species,’ ‘The Agony and the Ecstasy,’ ‘Needed: A Few Capable Women,’ ‘It’s Party Time!’ ‘Doing Time in The House of (Medical) Detention.’

IT’S A WEIRD WORLD OUT THERE presents ‘Only Groupies Need Apply,’ is a fun read of little known associations, groups and association. ‘Confessions of a Paranoid,’ ‘A Taxing Situation,’ the writer manages to interject a bit of humor into a tax audit. ‘Whatever Happens To,’ ‘The Faunal Touch,’ ‘WCs I Have Known,’ ‘The Rewards of Anguish,’ ‘Quickie Reviews of Fictional Music Groups of the Past,’ ‘Going Third Class: Avoiding Symptoms of Affluenza,’ ‘Driver’s Aide,’ ‘All This, Just to Listen to Bartok?’ ‘Phoney Business,’ ‘Whales and Wails.’

The writer says ‘I knew early on that Life is out to get me. … But, does that make me paranoid?’ I like the format of short essays; perfect for reading while waiting for the train to pass, the kids to finish up in the dentist’s chair or whenever an uplifting, giggle packed pick-me-up is needed.

What an uplifting, fun read. The author takes situations from her personal life and presents them in a wonderfully humorous manner. The reading should go quickly – writing is perky, well laid out and grammatically correct. It is the stopping to giggle hysterically and wipe tears from my eyes that slowed me down a bit. As an advocate of the Erma Bombeck view of life I find Writer Stux presents her work in a like manner – there is humor to be found in nearly every situation, you just have to look for it.

‘Who, Me? Paranoid?’ is a nice addition to the home library, the personal reading list and the school and public library. I do not keep all the books I receive for review. ‘Who, Me? Paranoid?’ is one I shall be keeping and turning to often. The format lends itself to quick reads, does not need to be read in any order, just locate a favorite essay, turn to and prepare to giggle.

Enjoyed the read, happy to recommend.