Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
Loved the call-outs to Minnesota and his fabulous tips for living. Back to nature, fewer screens, staying true to one's creativity, and making your life happy.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Well written. A bit slow and repetitive at times. I’m a fan of Nick.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I liked this book overall. This feels stupid obvious in retrospect, but I should choose books based on writing, not performances. Nick Offerman does do comedy tours, but I hadn't seen them, so I was going out on a limb thinking I would enjoy the writing. I like his performance on Parks & Rec, and I knew that the writers added some characteristics about Nick to the character of Ron Swanson, so I was interested in hearing more about that. (Maybe I should read Michael Shur's book next.) The writing isn't that bad, it's just a little bit boring. I felt myself wandering more than in other books. He also talks in a lot of detail about some activities like farming or boating, and references Little House on the Prairie, and even though it's been a long time since I've read those books, it feels reminiscent of that series.
He talks a bit about philosophy, too. I found these sections simple but not objectionable. He talks about growing up Christian, and then some of the issues he has with Christianity. He doesn't talk about current religion but does share an anecdote about a shinto experience while he was in Japan. It's pretty run of the mill to me, but I can imagine people who didn't realize Ron Swanson was meant to be laughed at would be put off.
He worked in Hollywood for a long time before getting NBC famous, and was supporting himself as a carpenter while getting small acting parts. I was struck that he very often called himself an artist, and would often say things like "whether your medium is carpentry, or painting, or music" - he considers himself an artist and carpentry is one of the mediums he works with.
When he married Megan Mullally, she was way more famous than him. The sections about her are sweet, and it's nice to hear about their marriage/relationship.
Nick Offerman is a pretty simple guy, but he does it on purpose. He grew up on a farm, then worked as a carpenter, and while he's now fairly famous, he retained a lot of that small town perspective. Recommend if you like stories about small towns in addition to struggling actors.
He talks a bit about philosophy, too. I found these sections simple but not objectionable. He talks about growing up Christian, and then some of the issues he has with Christianity. He doesn't talk about current religion but does share an anecdote about a shinto experience while he was in Japan. It's pretty run of the mill to me, but I can imagine people who didn't realize Ron Swanson was meant to be laughed at would be put off.
He worked in Hollywood for a long time before getting NBC famous, and was supporting himself as a carpenter while getting small acting parts. I was struck that he very often called himself an artist, and would often say things like "whether your medium is carpentry, or painting, or music" - he considers himself an artist and carpentry is one of the mediums he works with.
When he married Megan Mullally, she was way more famous than him. The sections about her are sweet, and it's nice to hear about their marriage/relationship.
Nick Offerman is a pretty simple guy, but he does it on purpose. He grew up on a farm, then worked as a carpenter, and while he's now fairly famous, he retained a lot of that small town perspective. Recommend if you like stories about small towns in addition to struggling actors.
I expected it to be more of a humor piece than like a true memoir, but I still enjoyed it enough to finish. (Perhaps because I like Ron Swanson a bit too much.)
The audiobook is read by Nick Offerman himself. As a result, my 4 star review is HEAVILY based on his narration. Without it, I think the book could come off as a bit crude and preachy at parts. It does contain some solid bits of wisdom, especially about maintaining a creative hobby where you create instead of consume.
A great audiobook to listen to on a long car ride. But I have a feeling a hardcopy would only get 3 stars from me.
A great audiobook to listen to on a long car ride. But I have a feeling a hardcopy would only get 3 stars from me.
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Do the audiobook if you can!
This is not Ron Swanson's book. This is Nick Offerman's book, and that is a crucial distinction. If you go into this book expecting 337 pages straight of Swanson-like humor, you will be disappointed. If you don't know Nick Offerman, get to it. This book is not, strictly, speaking, a humor book. It's a little volume on how to live your life with integrity, and how to live well. And in a lot of ways, that made it better than your standard humor book.
Don't get me wrong, Offerman shares many hilarious stories in this volume, but it really is more of a memoir, chronicling his boyhood in Minooka, Illinois, his theatre shenanigans in Chicago, and his struggles to get into the acting business. It's funny all along, but more reflective than I anticipated.
Many people have criticized Offerman as being too preachy in this text. The only section in which I found that to be the case was where he talks about religion- hey man, maybe not the smartest way to kick off the first 50 pages of your book. Once you get past that, though, it's definitely a worthwhile read.
Perhaps one of my favorite thoughtful lines from Offerman was: "Until these hands give out, I believe there's work to do." He refuses to live a lazy life- both Offerman and his wife Megan Mullaly (their relationship is awesome, by the way) bust their butts to be the best they can be as comedians, singers, writers, you name it. They are productive bitches.
Nick Offerman is a good dude- hardworking, funny, and humble to boot. Paddle Your Own Canoe is worth the read, but check your expectations at the door before you start.
Don't get me wrong, Offerman shares many hilarious stories in this volume, but it really is more of a memoir, chronicling his boyhood in Minooka, Illinois, his theatre shenanigans in Chicago, and his struggles to get into the acting business. It's funny all along, but more reflective than I anticipated.
Many people have criticized Offerman as being too preachy in this text. The only section in which I found that to be the case was where he talks about religion- hey man, maybe not the smartest way to kick off the first 50 pages of your book. Once you get past that, though, it's definitely a worthwhile read.
Perhaps one of my favorite thoughtful lines from Offerman was: "Until these hands give out, I believe there's work to do." He refuses to live a lazy life- both Offerman and his wife Megan Mullaly (their relationship is awesome, by the way) bust their butts to be the best they can be as comedians, singers, writers, you name it. They are productive bitches.
Nick Offerman is a good dude- hardworking, funny, and humble to boot. Paddle Your Own Canoe is worth the read, but check your expectations at the door before you start.
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced