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mchester24's review against another edition
3.0
This reads like an extended version of Matthew Berry's regular columns. Not saying that as a good or bad thing, but basically you know what you're getting. If you're a fan, this will be an entertaining and quick read. The highlight for me is when Berry discusses the ridiculousness of various long-standing and dedicated leagues out there and gives me ideas for how to ramp up the stakes in my own.
rpych2's review against another edition
4.0
It’s become a tradition for me to read this book in preparation for fantasy football season, mainly because I read it in the lead up to my drafts last year and won both of my leagues so until I don’t win, I guess I’m reading this book. But that isn’t a problem in the slightest, because Matthew Berry has written a very entertaining book that really helps the reader understand the culture surrounding fantasy sports. It’s full of passionate people who love to trash talk their friends week in and week out, and it’s one of my favorite activities to partake in with my friends.
jshel10's review against another edition
4.0
Very entertaining read. The anecdotal stories Berry tells are terrific and his own story about how got to be ESPN's fantasy guru is pretty interesting.
rick2's review against another edition
2.0
It’s fine. Mildly entertaining collection of stories about FantasyFootball that seem quaint and slightly outdated in 2022.
greebytime's review against another edition
5.0
I have been playing fantasy sports for over 20 years - like many folks Matthew Berry profiles in his book, it's a passion (obsession, at times) for me. In fact, about ten years ago I sent in a column to a small but emerging website called TalentedMrRoto.com and found myself as a writer for the site. I wrote for the site for a few years, and later for Sports Illustrated, AOL Fanhouse and RotoExperts, among others (though always as a hobby). It was a very fun few years and a great experience I didn't properly appreciate at the time, and it was because Berry himself had gotten a foot in the door through a similar experience (detailed in the book). Many of my peers at TMR now are full-time writers in the sports and fantasy industry (something I try not to abuse when I want or need advice), and many if not all owe that first break to Matthew Berry. So, I can't pretend to be a completely unbiased reviewer here.
That said, I read this book as a fan of fantasy sports -- which I still very much am. The book is both a story of the emergence of fantasy sports into an accepted, mainstream hobby (which still shocks me, remembering where it started) and of Berry's life.
The latter could be shaky territory. After all, even as a former screenwriter for movies and TV, I think Matthew Berry would be the first to say that his life isn't particularly so earth-shakingly unique that it warrants a memoir - though it is, of course, a compelling story. But he couples it with stories from fantasy players that add a LOT of humor and often, poignant stories. (The sheer number of players who died during a season and how their leagues reacted to it was something I thankfully never had thought of.) When talking about setbacks he had professionally, he pairs that with stories of bad losses in fantasy leagues. When he achieves successes, there's a chapter about unique fantasy trophies (complete with photos).
Some of the material will be familiar to listeners of his podcast or readers of his columns, but these are not reposts of previous work. I gobbled this book up in two days, and I think most readers will devour it similarly quickly. (I also was included in the Acknowledgments section, which was a nice surprise and worth adding as a final caveat.)
Fantasy Life is a great read about Matthew Berry and his journey, as well as about all of us who love fantasy sports and all that it comes with. I'd add more, but I need to start ranking players for my fantasy football draft (that's three months away.)
Rating: 9.0/10.0
Edited to add: I received this as a galley from NetGalley in advance of its July publication.
That said, I read this book as a fan of fantasy sports -- which I still very much am. The book is both a story of the emergence of fantasy sports into an accepted, mainstream hobby (which still shocks me, remembering where it started) and of Berry's life.
The latter could be shaky territory. After all, even as a former screenwriter for movies and TV, I think Matthew Berry would be the first to say that his life isn't particularly so earth-shakingly unique that it warrants a memoir - though it is, of course, a compelling story. But he couples it with stories from fantasy players that add a LOT of humor and often, poignant stories. (The sheer number of players who died during a season and how their leagues reacted to it was something I thankfully never had thought of.) When talking about setbacks he had professionally, he pairs that with stories of bad losses in fantasy leagues. When he achieves successes, there's a chapter about unique fantasy trophies (complete with photos).
Some of the material will be familiar to listeners of his podcast or readers of his columns, but these are not reposts of previous work. I gobbled this book up in two days, and I think most readers will devour it similarly quickly. (I also was included in the Acknowledgments section, which was a nice surprise and worth adding as a final caveat.)
Fantasy Life is a great read about Matthew Berry and his journey, as well as about all of us who love fantasy sports and all that it comes with. I'd add more, but I need to start ranking players for my fantasy football draft (that's three months away.)
Rating: 9.0/10.0
Edited to add: I received this as a galley from NetGalley in advance of its July publication.
ryanjamesburt's review against another edition
4.0
You really need to be a fantasy football fan to read this book or married to one. But if you fit under either of those categories this is worth the read. Berry can get wordy at times but if you read his "Love Hate" column that isn't a surprise. Pick it up. Get to know the real Matthew.
montigneyrules's review against another edition
1.0
#readingchallenge2019 (my book with an F)
My husband requested I read this book to better understand his love of fantasy football . I progressed through with an open mind; but in the end-the book pushed me further away from Fantasy Life.
I am not familiar with Matthew Berry’s column; in fact I have no foundation for Fantasy-its language or its game play. I hoped the book would be a ‘journey’ to understand Fantasy through learning of its evolution, game play, and general league concepts. However Berry merely presented 350 pages of disjointed anecdotes mainly “showing-off” how Fantasy allows people to act like extreme fools just because their league mandates it.
I suppose this novel is really just for those obsessed with Berry-hoping the story they sent in would be highlighted-because it doesn’t translate well for anyone trying to learn. His overabundance of stories about over the top negative behaviors, read as a crude stand-up comic doing a bit about what some drunken prick did to a friend for the sake of self-aggrandizing their league. Granted he does splice the occasional heartwarming story in, but he is mainly a false narrator, showing an extreme negative side of Fantasy-i.e missing your wedding, not getting medical care, etc.
I found myself questioning all those I know who are in a league; “What’s it actually like for you?” I asked my husband if his league was as bat shit crazy-and how do leagues function?! My husband explained why you need to create an for incentive playing with rules for losers-to help ensure people play, but the book is really about going over the top. I felt Berry should have been going through the history of Fantasy not just the ratings grab stories.
My husband requested I read this book to better understand his love of fantasy football . I progressed through with an open mind; but in the end-the book pushed me further away from Fantasy Life.
I am not familiar with Matthew Berry’s column; in fact I have no foundation for Fantasy-its language or its game play. I hoped the book would be a ‘journey’ to understand Fantasy through learning of its evolution, game play, and general league concepts. However Berry merely presented 350 pages of disjointed anecdotes mainly “showing-off” how Fantasy allows people to act like extreme fools just because their league mandates it.
I suppose this novel is really just for those obsessed with Berry-hoping the story they sent in would be highlighted-because it doesn’t translate well for anyone trying to learn. His overabundance of stories about over the top negative behaviors, read as a crude stand-up comic doing a bit about what some drunken prick did to a friend for the sake of self-aggrandizing their league. Granted he does splice the occasional heartwarming story in, but he is mainly a false narrator, showing an extreme negative side of Fantasy-i.e missing your wedding, not getting medical care, etc.
I found myself questioning all those I know who are in a league; “What’s it actually like for you?” I asked my husband if his league was as bat shit crazy-and how do leagues function?! My husband explained why you need to create an for incentive playing with rules for losers-to help ensure people play, but the book is really about going over the top. I felt Berry should have been going through the history of Fantasy not just the ratings grab stories.
ejordanwells's review against another edition
4.0
Quick, easy read - entertaining if you're into fantasy sports or want to learn more about it. This book is on the "lifestyle" aspects of fantasy sports and Matthew Berry's career starting in Hollywood and winding up as the Fantasy Editor at ESPN. Nothing too much on the basics of the game, how to run your teams or get better, instead it has anecdotes on funny aspects of the game. Crazy rules leagues have implemented, punishments for the loser, famous people who play regularly, and the strangest places people have done their drafts. I'm a Matthew Berry fan and have done well taking his advice and rankings, but his all or nothing style can be grating on some.
tarheel99's review against another edition
4.0
If you enjoy fantasy sports and the camaraderie it brings, then this book should be one you pick up. At times very funny, sad, and inspiring, it takes into account almost all of the aspects that make fantasy sports fun. Berry is a goof, but comes off really well in the book, as he's not overbearing as he can be sometimes on his podcast or in his columns. Here he takes a backseat to the stories from his life and his readers lives. One of the biggest things about fantasy sports is that no one cares to hear about your team or your league, and going in I was worried that would be a bother while reading, but Berry does a pretty good job of making everything fun and interesting.