I have to say, if this was a fiction novel, THE BROKE DIARIES would have rated a 5, HANDS DOWN! But as a non-fiction memoir novel...and having been a broke college student, I found the book more comical than realistic, and I rated it a 4.

Angela Nissel lays all her broken days as a college student out for the public to read, and what she has accomplished is a book that is hilariously outrageous and a laugh fest, from beginning to end, but on top of that, you feel Angela's strain of BEING broke and smiling through her "fasting" days.

The situations that Nissel gets herself into to find something to eat...to get books for her classes are truly funny, and students everywhere will relate to at some point being down and out.

Aside from the comedic value of BROKE, I found myself thinking about the educational institution and just HOW they could make you pay an arm and a leg to go to an ivy league school, yet HARDLY pay or assist you to be able to do what you came to do...learn!

I think I will find myself flipping through BROKE again, because it's one of those books where you can flip to an entry, relive an experience with Angela and roll in laughter.
I would definitely recommend BROKE...especially to my fellow broke college students!

Reviewed by Shonie

... As far as the negative comments from the readers' reviews, I'd like to point out a few things: .. while you may not agree with her lack of integrity at times (letting her landlord fall asleep and telling his wife that he had the money, posturing as a TA to receive free books, etc) this book is not intended for us to "approve" her actions but more to relate to her misadventures and appreciate her sense of humor in light of her unfortunate financial circumstances ... yes, she talked about being broke too much, but that is what the book is about! if the reader is expecting her to discuss something else, then obviously you didn't understand from the title what the book concerns.

all that aside, i found this book wonderfully refreshing. she maintained a lighthearted view towards her brokeness that allows us all to laugh at our similar situations. however, bear in mind that she was TEMPORARILY broke. as a college student, especially an ivy leaguer, she was justified in being fairly certain that her brokeness would one day (in a financially propserous future) be a hilarious memory. all in all, it's a rather enjoyable read and is definitely one of the best books i've read in a long while. if you're looking for a literary diversion which will leave you feeling optimistic about your own dismal financial situation, don't lose heart! at least you have the extra cents for the ramen noodles!

my only question -- how did she manage to feed her cat?

i guess i was a little late in the game. apparently this book has been out for a year but i only saw it yesterday as i wandered the aisles of [the book store] looking for something new and fun to read. instead of adding another review summarzing the book, i'd like to comment on the other reviews and add my own thoughts.

i agree wholeheartedly with most of the comments in the other readers' reviews: this book IS hilarious, if you were ever a broke or strapped college student, you WILL laugh and relate, and it IS worth the [$$$] if you're poor enough to wonder (if you're really truly broke, then you dont have [$$$] to spend on books. if you're like me and strapped, then you weigh the decisions --[$$$] on a funny book that you can reread or [$$$] on a movie/dinner/something else to be enjoyed but once.

As far as the negative comments from the readers' reviews, I'd like to point out a few things: 1) while you may not agree with her lack of integrity at times (letting her landlord fall asleep and telling his wife that he had the money, posturing as a TA to receive free books, etc) this book is not intended for us to "approve" her actions but more to relate to her misadventures and appreciate her sense of humor in light of her unfortunate financial circumstances; 2) for those who ask why she didn't just work more -- as a grad of another prestigious college who worked to put her[self] through school,i can testify that working every free moment of the day takes away from studying and attending classes. ...moreover, the more you make, the less in terms of loans you receive -- thus working more does not necessarily mean you are less broke; 3.)if you don't relate to her state of brokeness, then you weren't "broke." i prefer to use the term "strapped" for those of you who can laugh but not completely empathize. if you can afford to pay your utility payments late and splurge on a bowl when your alternative is a cat food dish, then you are not broke; 4) yes, she talked about being broke too much, but that is what the book is about! if the reader is expecting her to discuss something else, then obviously you didn't understand from the title what the book concerns.

all that aside, i found this book wonderfully refreshing. she maintained a lighthearted view towards her brokeness that allows us all to laugh at our similar situations. however, bear in mind that she was TEMPORARILY broke. as a college student, especially an ivy leaguer, she was justified in being fairly certain that her brokeness would one day (in a financially propserous future) be a hilarious memory. all in all, it's a rather enjoyable read and is definitely one of the best books i've read in a long while. if you're looking for a literary diversion which will leave you feeling optimistic about your own dismal financial situation, don't lose heart! at least you have the extra cents for the ramen noodles!

my only question -- how did she manage to feed her cat?