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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
Nick Offerman's stories and voice were a great quarantine listen. I enjoyed hearing about his childhood and his experiences with some very weird Chicago theater, and especially about Parks and Rec.
I picked this up after seeing him live. It repeated some of his live show (hilarious and worth repeating), and while most parts of this book were good and interesting, there were bits that were just meh. But now that I know he did his own audiobook recording, I may actually listen to an audiobook for once in my life.
If you're looking for Ron Swanson, this isn't the book for you.
If you're looking for Ron Swanson, this isn't the book for you.
You'll be hard-pressed to find a more enthusiastic fan of Parks and Rec than this girl, but Nick Offerman's memoir/how-to-live guide was a little underwhelming. Occasionally quite funny, there was a little too much emphasis on his political leanings (though I tend to agree with his stances, I just didn't think it was necessary). The strongest parts of the book were when Offerman expressed his gratitude for his parents and theater teachers, and shared stories of his formative years. I think I'd have been a little more satisfied if the book had been a little more memoir and a little less how-to-live.
Though the part of me who is bitter over the show's ratings wants to rate this a little higher just to stick it to the idiots who have rated it one star and complained that they don't know who Offerman is or what his show is and why is he so lib-ruhl?
Though the part of me who is bitter over the show's ratings wants to rate this a little higher just to stick it to the idiots who have rated it one star and complained that they don't know who Offerman is or what his show is and why is he so lib-ruhl?
If you know anything about Nick Offerman, you know that this book is gently philosophical, offbeat, dryly humorous, ribald, and rated R. Lots of dick jokes and liberal use of the F word; copious amounts of marijuana and sexual frivolity and bodily fluids. That last sentence is a solid list of things that I find off-putting at best. But I knew going in that I would have to tolerate them to experience the book. It was worth it.
I will state up front that I have never watched a single episode of any of this man's television shows, although I may have seen one or more of his guest appearances on others (doesn't stick out in my memory). I have watched only a handful of episodes of the show that made his wife a household name. I would still say that I am a fan. I like the way his mind and heart approach life, even though I am not as interested in the raunchy almost juvenile wrapping they come in. Perhaps it is the solid Midwestern upbringing he describes in this book, but he has a pure soul.
This book tells the story of Nick Offerman's life in roughly chronological order, with each chapter being accompanied by an exposition on his philosophy of life. Prominently on display throughout is one of the things that I love most about him -- his quirky, creative, and inspiring wordcraft (autocorrect wanted that to be woodcraft, one of his other brilliant gifts). I never laughed out loud reading this book, only chuckling a few times, but I smiled and was entranced from beginning to end by the way he plays with language.
This is a man of many layers, like the wood he uses as a creative medium. He played basketball and football in high school. And plays the saxophone. And studied Ballet. He toured the world in college doing kabuki versions of classical Western theater. He believes in treating others as he would want to be treated, but has no use for organized religion. He and his famous wife live in a house with a pool in the Hollywood hills and vacation in the Minnesota woods at a rustic lake cabin with his family. His favorite memories involve soybean farming and canoes even while he is feted at Sundance or singing Lightfoot with George Clooney. This is a man with stories to tell and a world view to make you think.
I will state up front that I have never watched a single episode of any of this man's television shows, although I may have seen one or more of his guest appearances on others (doesn't stick out in my memory). I have watched only a handful of episodes of the show that made his wife a household name. I would still say that I am a fan. I like the way his mind and heart approach life, even though I am not as interested in the raunchy almost juvenile wrapping they come in. Perhaps it is the solid Midwestern upbringing he describes in this book, but he has a pure soul.
This book tells the story of Nick Offerman's life in roughly chronological order, with each chapter being accompanied by an exposition on his philosophy of life. Prominently on display throughout is one of the things that I love most about him -- his quirky, creative, and inspiring wordcraft (autocorrect wanted that to be woodcraft, one of his other brilliant gifts). I never laughed out loud reading this book, only chuckling a few times, but I smiled and was entranced from beginning to end by the way he plays with language.
This is a man of many layers, like the wood he uses as a creative medium. He played basketball and football in high school. And plays the saxophone. And studied Ballet. He toured the world in college doing kabuki versions of classical Western theater. He believes in treating others as he would want to be treated, but has no use for organized religion. He and his famous wife live in a house with a pool in the Hollywood hills and vacation in the Minnesota woods at a rustic lake cabin with his family. His favorite memories involve soybean farming and canoes even while he is feted at Sundance or singing Lightfoot with George Clooney. This is a man with stories to tell and a world view to make you think.
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
reflective
medium-paced
I started this book with Taylor per his suggestion. I love the show Parks and Recreation & the character Ron Swanson so I was okay with giving it a go. Overall, we were both a bit disappointed. Offerman talks about his Midwestern beginnings, growing up in a small town in IL, his love of theater and acting, the move to Chicago to work for a theater company, his later move to LA to try to break into the Hollywood scene, meeting his wife Megan Mullally, his love of woodworking, etc. It was interesting hearing the story of his life, especially since he grew up a Midwesterner like me, but overall I didn't take away very many lessons from what he wrote about.
Some later Google searching did reveal to me, however, that Nick and I share the same birthday, his wife Megan does play the role of Tammy on Parks & Rec, and Nick is currently starring as Ignatius J. Reilley in the play "A Confederacy of Dunces" (one of Taylor's all-time favorite books and one I am about to start reading) in Boston from now until 12/20/15. If only it was next Spring instead. I would LOVE to take Taylor to see that.
Some later Google searching did reveal to me, however, that Nick and I share the same birthday, his wife Megan does play the role of Tammy on Parks & Rec, and Nick is currently starring as Ignatius J. Reilley in the play "A Confederacy of Dunces" (one of Taylor's all-time favorite books and one I am about to start reading) in Boston from now until 12/20/15. If only it was next Spring instead. I would LOVE to take Taylor to see that.
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
funny
fast-paced