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maukingbird's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
wrenarf's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very funny book. I lean closer to 3.5 stars as I did feel the urge to wander a bit toward the end. But the laughs per page in the first half were really somethin.
abbywdan's review against another edition
3.0
I bought Vacationland (let’s call it 3.5 stars, really) for Charlie, lifelong lover of Maine, who has not yet cracked it, and I came to Vacationland in the middle of the night last week when I could no longer bear Sing, Unburied, Sing. In my Eleanor Oliphant review, I think, I mentioned that I can no longer handle stories about children being mistreated or suffering in any way. So uh, Sing, Unburied, Sing was not a great pick for me in this particular life season! In the middle of the night, feeling sick to my stomach for Jojo and Kayla, I quit, clicked around on my kindle for something lighter, and boy is Vacationland LIGHT.
I haven’t read any of John Hodgman’s fake facts books, and I don’t read his column, but I do go to Maine every year for a few weeks. And he nails the Maine Summerers, beautifully. This is a lovely collection of stories (Mainey and otherwise), I recommend it for when you feel like you are sinking into a terrible pit of despair!
I haven’t read any of John Hodgman’s fake facts books, and I don’t read his column, but I do go to Maine every year for a few weeks. And he nails the Maine Summerers, beautifully. This is a lovely collection of stories (Mainey and otherwise), I recommend it for when you feel like you are sinking into a terrible pit of despair!
cortjstr's review against another edition
4.0
As John Roderick says, "Ladies and gentlemen, the white privilege comedy of John Hodgman."
As a fan of his podcast I knew what I was getting so this book is exactly what I anticipated. Like with most books written by comedians I found myself reading it in his voice and cadence and I think that really helps some of the jokes land. I don't normally care for audiobooks but I suspect this one would be better in that format.
As a fan of his podcast I knew what I was getting so this book is exactly what I anticipated. Like with most books written by comedians I found myself reading it in his voice and cadence and I think that really helps some of the jokes land. I don't normally care for audiobooks but I suspect this one would be better in that format.
kimkelly80's review against another edition
5.0
The best book I have read in a long time! I was actually laughing out loud. I had no idea how funny this would be. I highly recommend this book! Especially to only children, who like to follow the rules like myself.
quietdomino's review against another edition
I think I have to be recused from rating this book, since it is (in some part) about being in your 40s, spending time in Western Massachusetts (among other places), and reckoning with the death of a parent, and I have (recently and not so recently) been doing all of those things, at some points all at the same time. This makes me a little too likely to be overwhelmed by nostalgia for the (gross) Indian souvenir shops on the Mohawk Trail and very unlikely to give unbiased reviews to this book. Still, I deeply enjoyed reading Vacationland and also enjoyed Hodgman's kind and thoughtful authorial presence, and I think the things he says about mortality and joy are acutely true. And so I am grateful to have had the chance to remember that drive on Route 2 over the mountains through the darkness one more (surely not one last) time.
P.S. some of the book is also about Maine, apparently.
P.S. some of the book is also about Maine, apparently.
ichabodcrane's review against another edition
4.0
What a damn fun and clever book this was! I genuinely found myself laughing several times throughout reading this (which only took two days, apologize to the people on the NYC bound train I was on). Couldn't recommend this enough to friends of comedy.
Packed with self-deprecation and social-reflection it's a great and timely read at what feels like a social climax (crux) here in the United States.
The only criticism I would have is that I found it wandering and I really wish there were more prose where he considers his own mortality in cruel nature ("nickel colored" water will stay with me for a while). Those portions got me really excited about my own march towards midlife. Weird.
Packed with self-deprecation and social-reflection it's a great and timely read at what feels like a social climax (crux) here in the United States.
The only criticism I would have is that I found it wandering and I really wish there were more prose where he considers his own mortality in cruel nature ("nickel colored" water will stay with me for a while). Those portions got me really excited about my own march towards midlife. Weird.
jessthemama's review against another edition
5.0
I love Maine.
I loved this sarcastic, funny book. Just random stories about the happiness and sadness of life. My heart is warm.
I loved this sarcastic, funny book. Just random stories about the happiness and sadness of life. My heart is warm.
jamesonfink's review against another edition
5.0
I am the target demo of this book (well, except for the unmarried and without children part) and so willingly submitted to its thoughtfulness, touching moments, immense charm, sly humor, and non-threatening misanthropy.