HAVE A NICE GUILT TRIP

The Italian mother-daughter team is back with another series of amusing commentaries on life.

Readers familiar with the Scottoline-Serritella (Meet Me at Emotional Baggage Claim, 2012, etc.) duo are in for another mostly entertaining ride. Ping-ponging back and forth, using mostly one-paragraph sentences, the two writers converse on such diverse topics as the therapeutic benefits of rearranging the furniture on a regular basis, what happens when one forgets to pay bills on time, and why it's best to let your mother buy her own sheets, preferably white—on white sheets, she "can see the bugs better.” The authors cover nearly all subjects in 50 narratives, with nothing too personal or taboo receiving scrutiny. Chapter titles include “The Married-Ex Milestone,” “Third Month’s the Charm,” “Rolling Without Homies” and “Call of Jury Duty.” Scottoline on gardening: "perennials are supposed to be automatic, in that they come back every summer. Like a yeast infection.” On nature: “Let’s just say that we’re frenemies. Because it turns out that Mother Nature is the ultimate mean girl.” Serritella on wish lists: “I love using wish lists, because then the [website] notifies me if the price of my chosen items gets discounted from totally-ridiculously-expensive to get-real-you-still-can’t-afford-it.” Throughout, the conversations are sarcastic and often snarky, and the short essays revel in the ridiculous and hit the heart of life in a boisterous Italian family. For many singles, Valentine's Day might mean moping, "depression, shame, and chocolate cake,” but for Scottoline, it was a day to receive a beautiful engagement ring from herself. A fascination with an electric toothbrush led to the purchase of an electronic face washer. The authors also discuss the pros and cons of twerking and dancing on tabletops.

Short and snappy, these comic essays are best read in small doses.