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  • Published: 18 March 2014
  • ISBN: 9780142196939
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 256
  • RRP: $38.00

My Boyfriend Barfed in My Handbag . . . and Other Things You Can't Ask Martha



From the Deadspin and Jezebel author of the hit "Ask a Clean Person" column comes a hilarious and practical guide to cleaning all of life's little household emergencies.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

“Wise and funny. . . . The Lorrie Moore short story, or the Tina Fey memoir, of cleaning tutorials.”—Dwight Garner, The New York Times
 
“Thrillingly titled. . . . For a generation overwhelmed not just by dust bunnies, but by bong water on the carpet, pee stains on the ceiling and vomit seemingly everywhere, Jolie Kerr dispenses cleaning advice free of judgment. . . . A Mrs. Beeton for the postcollege set.” —Penelope Green, The New York Times
 
“Jolie Kerr really cuts through the grease and grime with her new book. I do what she tells me to do.” —Amy Sedaris
 
The author of the hit column “Ask a Clean Person” offers a hilarious and practical guide to cleaning up life’s little emergencies
 
Life is filled with spills, odors, and those oh-so embarrassing stains you just can’t tell your parents about. And let’s be honest: no one is going to ask Martha Stewart what to do when your boyfriend barfs in your handbag.
 
Thankfully, Jolie Kerr has both staggering cleaning knowledge and a sense of humor. With signature sass and straight talk, Jolie takes on questions ranging from the basic—how do I use a mop? —to the esoteric—what should I do when bottles of homebrewed ginger beer explode in my kitchen? My Boyfriend Barfed in My Handbag proves that even the most nightmarish cleaning conundrums can be solved with a smile, the right supplies, and a little music.

  • Published: 18 March 2014
  • ISBN: 9780142196939
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 256
  • RRP: $38.00

Praise for My Boyfriend Barfed in My Handbag . . . and Other Things You Can't Ask Martha

"Wise and funny. . . . The Lorrie Moore short story, or the Tina Fey memoir, of cleaning tutorials."
--Dwight Garner, The New York Times

"Thrillingly titled. . . . For a generation overwhelmed not just by dust bunnies, but by bong water on the carpet, pee stains on the ceiling and vomit seemingly everywhere, Jolie Kerr dispenses cleaning advice free of judgment. . . . A Mrs. Beeton for the postcollege set."
Penelope Green, The New York Times

"A darned informative book. . . . When you can combine breezy writing with things that are of day-to-day use, that's a win. . . . All of Kerr's advice is fun, but it's true that she is in some ways at her most irresistible when she's handling the kinds of awkward questions that do traditionally go unanswered in your women's magazines and your perky home-maintenance shows."
--Linda Holmes, NPR

"A Millennials version of "Hints from Heloise," Kerr takes a humorous and non-finger-wagging approach to tackling such problems as how to remove the lingering stinky smell from gym clothes, how to launder your bras and how to deep clean your kitchen. . . . Crammed with useful information . . . a worthwhile reference guide to keep handy in the house."
--The Times-Picayune

"Charming. . . . A must read."
--Tyler Coates, Flavorwire

"Light, breezy, nonjudgmental. . . . Kerr writes for readers who know little to nothing about laundry or mopping, getting across the notion that you'll have to work hard but trying, at least, to make it a little fun."
--Daniel D'Addario, Salon

"Jolie Kerr's cleaning advice isn't like your grandma's. . . . She gives unprissy solutions for the peskiest issues."
--Alexandra Owens, Allure

"Providing the Dirtiest Generation with basic rules for dishwashing (clean dishes, drain sink, rinse dishes), cleaning Formica or stainless steel and, most important, ridding clothing of embarrassing stains including, but not limited to, bodily fluids and bong water."
--The New York Daily News

"Refreshingly honest and deeply true...The cleaning guidance in this text will not steer you wrong."
--Slate

"Informative cleaning instructions delivered by a Martha for millennials. . . . All college freshmen should receive a copy of this book."
--Megan Fishmann, Bust

"A joy to read. . . . Whether you're genuinely interested in the best way to scour a pot (baking soda, btw) or just looking for a few handy hints to impress your friends with, Kerr's volume is a fun, entertaining read."
--Elle (Canada)

"With a delightful mix of self-help and humor, Jolie Kerr is here to help turn your messy life into one of order and beauty. . . . One handy and, yes, neat book."
--Metro

"A practical and hilarious guide . . . to help with any and all of your bizarre or mundane cleaning inquiries."
--Samantha Samel, Brooklyn Daily Eagle

"Jolie Kerr really cuts through the grease and grime with her new book. I do what she tells me to do."
--Amy Sedaris

"Jolie Kerr is unique among great, funny writers in that she isn't a repulsive slob."
--Drew Magary, Author of Someone Could Get Hurt and The Postmortal

"I was a huge filthy pig--and then Jolie happened to me. Now I know just how easy and satisfying proper cleaning can be! I'm not afraid anymore! I used to live like an animal in a cage. I was completely helpless and hapless when it came to pretending to be human. Now I can actually have people in my home, instead of just insects and terrible smells! Jolie Kerr is the painless adult supervision I always needed but was afraid to ask for."
--Choire Sicha, author of Very Recent History