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nich0le's review against another edition
5.0
I laughed out loud at least six times. This is an enjoyable book.
glowbird's review against another edition
3.0
Found the stories most instructive regarding where to vacation in Maine. Hodgman seems a decent person, tiresomely mannered.
jervonyc's review against another edition
5.0
I’m so sad I read this so quickly. It’s one of the best books I’ve read all year. JH is a genius and this is the best thing he’s written.
davygibbs's review against another edition
4.0
Genuinely enjoyable -- that rare book that can make people who say "I rarely laugh out loud when I'm reading" laugh out loud when they're reading. It's a bit scattered, sure, and I'm not sure if I could really tell you what it's about...but then again, it's about Hodgman writing about stuff. That's what it's about. And he's funny. And thoughtful. And entertaining. So that makes this book a pleasure.
I did feel like -- towards the end -- there's this push towards elevating the book to something else, maybe. Or at least smoothing over the things about it that are a little cringe-y. To be honest, I could've done without the white privilege apologizing. He's totally right, of course. This is white privilege humor ... but calling it that doesn't solve any problems, it just makes the book feel unnecessary and a little awkward.
I did feel like -- towards the end -- there's this push towards elevating the book to something else, maybe. Or at least smoothing over the things about it that are a little cringe-y. To be honest, I could've done without the white privilege apologizing. He's totally right, of course. This is white privilege humor ... but calling it that doesn't solve any problems, it just makes the book feel unnecessary and a little awkward.
meganpalmer731's review against another edition
4.0
A fun quick read full of entertaining stories from The Daily Show’s John Hodgman. It’s always nice when you are able to read a memoir with the author’s voice coming through in your head.
jhealybooknerd's review against another edition
5.0
This book is hilarious, sad (only at one point), realistic and just, in general, great. This is my first time reading Hodgman and I look forward to reading more. I know his previous books were not memoir-is like this one, but he should do more of these personal essays.
helpfulsnowman's review against another edition
4.0
A good, but uneven collection of stories. Three very memorable ones involving becoming grown-ups, picking on other people, and a time when Hodgman took one for the team and hung out with some folks he might not have wanted to, but he did it for their sake. That makes it sound much less sweet and self-deprecating than it was. It was quite sweet and self-deprecating.
His essay about his two vacation homes didn't quite land. It started pretty funny, talking about what a problem/non-problem it is to have two vacation homes. Then it kind of turns into an essay about his wokeness. Which...I just couldn't get there. I don't have an issue with someone having two (admittedly modest, sometimes mouse-infested) vacation homes. And I think it's perfectly possible for someone of means to also care about the lives of others. But I think he sells the experience of having a vacation home as approaching a typically white experience, which is, well, insane. Or is that just me? I missed the last White People Meeting, so maybe this is where we discussed the best sleepy coastal towns in which to buy property?
I didn't disagree with him on anything he said, but somehow he opened a loop with that essay, and he didn't quite manage to close it. I felt that way about a few of the pieces. They kind of happened, and then they were just over.
I DID, however, start to think that Maine might be the spot for me. Hodgman characterizes Mainerds (I don't think that's what they're called, and neither does Google spellcheck, as evidenced by the red squiggle, but it's too late now!) as being both standoffish and very willing to help someone out. Just so long as they don't have to talk about it or hang out. His theory is that the people of Maine primarily want to be left alone and not impose on anyone else as they themselves do not want to be imposed on. To the extent that Man A needed some lumber, so he asked his neighbor, Man B, to sell him some. Man B told him to fuck off. Man B then later drove a truckload of lumber to Man A's place, dropped it off, swore at him some more, and didn't even want payment as that would drag out the interaction needed to complete this transaction.
Based on that story, I admired and respected Man B in a way that I've admired very few humans.
His essay about his two vacation homes didn't quite land. It started pretty funny, talking about what a problem/non-problem it is to have two vacation homes. Then it kind of turns into an essay about his wokeness. Which...I just couldn't get there. I don't have an issue with someone having two (admittedly modest, sometimes mouse-infested) vacation homes. And I think it's perfectly possible for someone of means to also care about the lives of others. But I think he sells the experience of having a vacation home as approaching a typically white experience, which is, well, insane. Or is that just me? I missed the last White People Meeting, so maybe this is where we discussed the best sleepy coastal towns in which to buy property?
I didn't disagree with him on anything he said, but somehow he opened a loop with that essay, and he didn't quite manage to close it. I felt that way about a few of the pieces. They kind of happened, and then they were just over.
I DID, however, start to think that Maine might be the spot for me. Hodgman characterizes Mainerds (I don't think that's what they're called, and neither does Google spellcheck, as evidenced by the red squiggle, but it's too late now!) as being both standoffish and very willing to help someone out. Just so long as they don't have to talk about it or hang out. His theory is that the people of Maine primarily want to be left alone and not impose on anyone else as they themselves do not want to be imposed on. To the extent that Man A needed some lumber, so he asked his neighbor, Man B, to sell him some. Man B told him to fuck off. Man B then later drove a truckload of lumber to Man A's place, dropped it off, swore at him some more, and didn't even want payment as that would drag out the interaction needed to complete this transaction.
Based on that story, I admired and respected Man B in a way that I've admired very few humans.