Just the title alone rings of Whoopi. Her tone, her inflections, the way with words that only the great Ms. Goldberg evinces, all is evident in this quick but profound read. Is It Just Me? is like a collective bitch session led by the Queen of Bitch, yet with a sense of humor and lightness that allows the reader to get angry but stay sane. Unlike books by radio talk show hosts and political pundits meant to rile up hatred and intolerance, Whoopi’s intention is simply to draw our attention to the things that bug us about ourselves, other people, and the world in general. But mostly other people!

From foods that stink on planes, to people who are addicted to their Crackberrys, to the uncomfortable silence during elevator rides, to the loss of civility and the rise of ignorance, Whoopi artfully draws us to pay attention to - and at times even nod along in full understanding (and annoyance) of - the pet peeves that drive us all mad. Many are peeves we share, making this a book that can be enjoyed by many, not just Democrats or liberals like the author herself. This is not about politics. It’s about people. Everyday people.

This is a book of human observations, many of them not pretty or nice, and a call to action against what the author sees as a rise of disrespect and general kindness to our fellow humans. Whether she is talking about the loss of common sense, the lack of personal space and boundaries, or the disappearance of even the most basic of fundamental considerations, the author has a witty way of making us realize that, while we are smiling as we read, we are also being enlightened, maybe even changed, as we recognize some of these human foibles.

Again, it’s a fast read, and one sure to elicit a number of approving nods of the head. We all know people who behave just like the ones the book takes issue with. Hey, maybe we even live with these people. Maybe we even ARE these people.

Noisy neighbors, bullies, rude people on planes or at the office, people who come late to shows or performances - no one is spared the hawkish gaze of Whoopi. By the end of this book, the reader is sure to be asking the very same question that motivated the writer to write it: is it just me? Or is it nuts out there?

And the answers are no, and yes.