So Here's the Thing...

By: Alyssa Mastromonaco, Lauren Oyler

Narrated by: Alyssa Mastromonaco

Length: 5 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's Summary

From The New York Times best-selling author of Who Thought This Was a Good Idea? comes a fun, frank book of reflections, essays, and interviews on topics important to young women, ranging from politics and career to motherhood, sisterhood, and making and sustaining relationships of all kinds in the age of social media.

Alyssa Mastromonaco is back with a bold, no-nonsense, and no-holds-barred 21st-century girl's guide to life, tackling the highs and lows of bodies, politics, relationships, moms, education, life on the internet, and pop culture. Whether discussing Barbra Streisand or The Bachelor, working in the West Wing or working on finding a wing woman, Alyssa leaves no stone unturned...and no awkward situation unexamined.

Like her best seller Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?, So Here's the Thing... brings a sharp eye and outsize sense of humor to the myriad issues facing women the world over, both in and out of the workplace. Along with Alyssa's personal experiences and hard-won life lessons, interviews with women like Monica Lewinsky, Susan Rice, and Chelsea Handler round out this modern woman's guide to, well, just about everything you can think of.

©2019 Alyssa Mastromonaco and Lauren Oyler (P)2019 Hachette Audio

Critic Reviews

"My favorite thing about Alyssa's books is knowing someone as normal as the rest of us can work in the most prestigious positions in the world and do it with a sense of humor and self-deprecation. We could all do with more of both. Read it, and laugh." (Chelsea Handler, number one New York Times best-selling author of Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea)

"[F]or young women with dreams of working in the White House, there's nothing bland about Mastromonaco's story. Her audiobook narration sounds like a quirky, successful girlfriend offering unsolicited, occasionally useful, always funny life and career advice.... [She] comes off as spunky and down-to-earth, describing how she went from babysitter and grocery-store bagger to political director for then-Senator Obama." (The New York Times Book Review)

"A moving, funny, and sometimes heart-wrenching look back at the years [Alyssa Mastromonaco] spent in politics and by [President Obama's] side. A must-read for anybody who's even remotely interested in how Washington works, but is worth reading for anyone who enjoys brilliant wit and once-in-a-lifetime stories...you'll probably end up reading it more than once." (PopSugar.com)

Sorry cant do this

I read Alyssa's first book and I enjoyed it even though she bounced back and forth chronologically. however this book seems to be random thoughts, memories and musings. when she started talking about her recreational drug use (on top of her IBS and her tampons). I couldn't stand it anymore. I try to be open minded but somethings are just TMI. I think she is a brillant gal, she has had a great career and i wish her the best.

Quick Enjoyable Listen

If you enjoy the author's honest and don't give a darn attitude, you'll enjoy this quick listen. I read her first myself but really enjoyed listening to her narrate her own story.

Amazing book

I was so intrigued and captivated the entire time. I would highly recommend this book.

Snarky and Fun

Alyssa is one of those people you'd like to "pal" around with...she is funny, witty and a bit snarky. Great listen on my way to LA.

Great audible! Funny and heartfelt

Born to be a writer/narrator. Can’t wait for the next one! 5 stars for both books.

Too lightweight; wanted substance

Was expecting more from this book than frothy essays. Sometimes funny, but mostly cheeky. Alyssa is clearly smart and competent, so expected more from the book than lightweight stories.

Sometimes funny, sometimes a bit lacking

The humor, the insights....these I enjoyed. Her struggles were relatable, her narration was fine. But her life advice, her career advice, these felt unasked for, and a bit condescending. I was hoping mostly for behind the scenes stories about the campaign and the White House, not resume advice. And she has a rather odd tendency to start a story, that it feels like it’s going somewhere, and then it kind of drops off a cliff and just ends. And you’re thinking, what a minute....what about such and such?

What was the purpose

I really enjoyed her first book, and was disappointed in how scattered and unstructured this book was.

So much fun

As a young professional in the political world, I have a deep appreciation for all of Alyssa’s advice and tips. This was a lot of fun to listen to and would recommend for any young professional trying to figure it out.

Words don't describe home much I appreciate AM

Fantastic and funny essays, peppered in with some serious stuff. She is candid, smart, witty and charming. I recommend this book for everyone, not just women and/or fans of President Obama. I'm positive this is not the only time I will listen to this book.