Reviews

Sleepwalk With Me and Other Painfully True Stories by Mike Birbiglia

allysonjacob's review against another edition

4.0

Ah Tinkles. You had me at "Don't tell anyone."

Your father and my father are cut from the same cloth.

fiddler's review against another edition

5.0

Loved this book. If you've seen his stand-up routine, some of that material is repeated here and he writes exactly the same way he talks, but I actually liked putting the jokes I've already heard in the larger context presented in the book. Sedaris-esque, but with a very different style.

onecrab's review against another edition

3.0

Entertaining stories. There were a few funny moments in the book. I have loved the Mike Birbiglia bits in the Moth and TAL, and thought the book would offer something extra.

amysideris's review against another edition

2.0

I think I would have liked this book more if I didn't know how much better it would be to hear Mike Birbiglia tell the stories. He's such a wonderful performer, and so much of what makes you laugh or moves you in his stories is a result of his style. The stories are still good, but reading them doesn't compare to hearing them.

retiredfromsadnewcareer's review

funny fast-paced

3.0

chantalob1's review against another edition

2.0

I was disappointed with this book. I love Mike Birbiglia's standup, but this book is just his act written down. I was hoping it would be something new, but I think he should stick to standup.

enchiladaplate's review against another edition

4.0

Loved it!

reenum's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.25

Reading this book is like talking to an old friend about their life.

Unlike most essay books by comedians, this isn't just a series of lead ups to a punchline. Birbiglia does a great job of taking us into his life and his relationship with his family, and just telling us some funny things that happened along the way. The stories all build upon each other and show a man who's just trying to make it in the world like all of us.

There's something really relatable about Mike Birbiglia in the comedy specials and other appearances I've seen him in. This book only enhances that. It's written in his distinctive voice, which is not something that all comedian memoirs can do successfullu.By the end of the book, I was tearing up a little, because it felt like my really good friend telling me about things that he'd always wanted me to know. I truly hope that in the 10 years since this book was written, Mike Birbiglia has found peace and tranquility.

This is a wonderful book, and I recommend it for all.

mara_miriam's review against another edition

3.0

When I was in the depths of my grand isolation plan last year, Mike Birbiglia was the only person who could make me laugh; in October 2009 he passed through town and by the time I made it out of my head enough to buy tickets, they were sold out. This October when he came through Portland, I was one of the first in line for tickets; it was well worth the ridiculous amount of money charged, plus I got this book, which is funny, not on the same level as his show, but sweet and snarky and funny all the same.

bethcamp's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.0

i think i have all of mike’s specials memorized, i love this man so much. loved reading this book and learning more about him, and found it extremely interesting how he’d order these stories in two of his shows :) 
i’ll never NOT cry while watching/reading his stuff and i’ve come to live with it