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bookhawk's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
I’ve enjoyed Birbiglia’s comedy in short stints and discovered this memoir was on sale. Birbiglia shares his journey into comedy and growing up in amusing manner. I heard his voice in my mind as I read the book and anticipate this would be more enjoyable as an audio book if he is the narrator. 3 stars.
subparcupcake's review against another edition
3.0
This was funny. Sort of.
I liked it. Sort of.
I have to confess.. I liked the first half a lot better than the second half. I found it funnier, laughed out loud more.. The second half was ok, but I wasn't laughing as often, and I wasn't as drawn into it.. And there might just be a reason for that. How do I say this... I might have been slightly drunk when I read the first half of the book. I remember thinking it was so funny, definitely a four star rating.. And then the next day it was just.. I don't know. I was already endeared to it, but no longer drunk, so the funny was falling a little flat. But still, I'm going with three stars over all. I liked it. Nothing more, nothing less.
I recommend everyone read this while drinking.
Worst review ever. :)
I liked it. Sort of.
I have to confess.. I liked the first half a lot better than the second half. I found it funnier, laughed out loud more.. The second half was ok, but I wasn't laughing as often, and I wasn't as drawn into it.. And there might just be a reason for that. How do I say this... I might have been slightly drunk when I read the first half of the book. I remember thinking it was so funny, definitely a four star rating.. And then the next day it was just.. I don't know. I was already endeared to it, but no longer drunk, so the funny was falling a little flat. But still, I'm going with three stars over all. I liked it. Nothing more, nothing less.
I recommend everyone read this while drinking.
Worst review ever. :)
casspro's review against another edition
3.0
A few of the stories are repeated from Birbiglia's stand-up specials, but they take up a much less portion than one would assume. It's difficult not the read the stories in Birbiglia's trade-mark delivery, but I find that to be a positive. It didn't deter from the stories at all. Near the end, you start to realize just how much effort it took for the author to pen all these essays and become so vulnerable about experiences and situations he had previously tried to shut away. Definitely one of the better comedian memoirs I've read.
loujoseph's review against another edition
4.0
pretty good- wish they had released this as an audio book (cancelled? really?), i saw the off broadway sleepwalking part of this, and the other bits from his comedy shows so i know his inflection but i wonder how this would read to someone unfamiliar with him?
tintinintibet's review against another edition
2.0
Birbiglia's delivery is so critical to his stories that it is near impossible to replicate it in book form. Because, well, I'm not him and the voice in my head, funny as it is, isn't as funny as Birbiglia's telling his stories.
For example, If you happen to listen to 'fear of sleep' on your This American Life app, then compare the sleepwalk story with the one on The Moth podcast, you can play them simultaneously and find that the timing is uncanny. (yes, this is a normal thing to do.) Except for a phrase added/removed/refined, the timing is within tenths of seconds. THAT is the timing that is missing/hard to recreate here. Alas. I'll have to catch a live show.
For example, If you happen to listen to 'fear of sleep' on your This American Life app, then compare the sleepwalk story with the one on The Moth podcast, you can play them simultaneously and find that the timing is uncanny. (yes, this is a normal thing to do.) Except for a phrase added/removed/refined, the timing is within tenths of seconds. THAT is the timing that is missing/hard to recreate here. Alas. I'll have to catch a live show.
megangraff's review against another edition
3.0
I find Mike Birbiglia funnier when I listen to him on podcasts of The Moth and This American Life.
emerygirl's review against another edition
5.0
I love Mike Birbiglia. If you have a chance to see him live, do it! If you have a chance to read this book, do it! You won’t regret it and your emotional health with thank you.
freckleduck's review against another edition
2.0
I am not sure I have the same type of humor as the author. I appreciated his voice and authenticity, but this was not the book for me.
maa_pix's review against another edition
4.0
If you like a quick read, a quirky read, a humorous read, I recommend this memoir. I first heard of Mike Birbiglia via This American Life and The Moth podcasts. If you have heard him there and like his storytelling style, I can absolutely recommend this book. Several of his radio pieces were taken from (or were inspiration for) this book, so you might find some of the chapters familiar. He talks mainly about his family, his early experiences with girls, his efforts to start his comedic career, and finally his experiences with sleepwalking.
His storytelling style is consistant throughout the book. Read the first two chapters and if you like what you're reading, finish the book. If not, then stop. I found myself laughing out loud at least once every two-to-three pages throughout the book, which is very rare for me. This was a very pleasing summer read.
P.S. I agree with some of the other comments that the audio version of this book -- if read by the author -- would likely be very good.
His storytelling style is consistant throughout the book. Read the first two chapters and if you like what you're reading, finish the book. If not, then stop. I found myself laughing out loud at least once every two-to-three pages throughout the book, which is very rare for me. This was a very pleasing summer read.
P.S. I agree with some of the other comments that the audio version of this book -- if read by the author -- would likely be very good.