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tom15's review against another edition
5.0
Four stars, but the chapter, “slice of life” gets a star if it’s own.
smalltownbookmom's review
4.0
SO funny! I found myself laughing out loud so many times. But for all that the couple also address the really serious challenges new parents deal with when a new baby enters the scene and the struggles that can cause on the relationship. Moments of this book were very profound and moving. I really enjoyed how they blended their two writing styles: his comedy with her poems to show each of their perspectives becoming new parents. Definitely would recommend this book to anyone expecting a first baby or experiencing the first year growing pains.
ericispublius's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
4.75
A beautiful, honest, and sometimes sentimental look at a reluctant parent navigating the storm. I belly laughed at times and scribbled annotations when it was funny. My roommate said, "The prose of a comedian that will make you cry and poetry from his wife that will make you laugh."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
theamyleblanc's review against another edition
5.0
My fiancé introduced me to Birbiglia's stand-up a few years back, thinking he has a sense of humor I'd enjoy. He was right and then some! I love all of Birbiglia's works so reading this book was an obvious choice.
It was hilarious and painfully real and wonderful and necessary. It's the perfect blend of humor and seriousness. The topics are ones I don't think we talk about enough. Mike and Clo - her name is Jen - both approach these "difficult" subjects with a raw honesty that's incredibly refreshing. I appreciated how much they shared of their personal lives and their journeys.
It's nice to know you're not the only one who feels these things or thinks these things. The sense of a shared experience that they create with their words is lovely and we need more of it. Plus, I basically laughed out loud the whole time I was reading it!
Go pick this up. Don't wait to experience it's wonderfulness.
It was hilarious and painfully real and wonderful and necessary. It's the perfect blend of humor and seriousness. The topics are ones I don't think we talk about enough. Mike and Clo - her name is Jen - both approach these "difficult" subjects with a raw honesty that's incredibly refreshing. I appreciated how much they shared of their personal lives and their journeys.
It's nice to know you're not the only one who feels these things or thinks these things. The sense of a shared experience that they create with their words is lovely and we need more of it. Plus, I basically laughed out loud the whole time I was reading it!
Go pick this up. Don't wait to experience it's wonderfulness.
phoenix0's review against another edition
4.0
it was comforting to listen to another human share their struggles with their imperfection and their fallibility. so often, people carefully craft their stories to reflect light only on their brilliance and seeming perfection. in this book, Birbiglia shares his vulnerabilities and honest thoughts. thoughts that are no less true for being unacceptable. 'I get why dads leave'. As Birbiglia mentions, he wrote this book as he found that people who heard this story found a measure of comfort in their own struggles with change. I think that this book not only offers solidarity to those who are struggling to adapt to a change, it also offers us hope and assurance that the deepest and darkest stretches of the journey are not forever. we will grow. we will change.
situationnormal's review against another edition
4.0
This book felt like cheating--I saw Birbiglia perform the basis for this book a few years back, then watched the same (or very similar) show on Netflix, so I'm very familiar with most of the anecdotes in this book. However, the extras, including his wife's poetry, made me enjoy the book (probably?) more than the standup. Especially because I listened to it as an audiobook so it felt very familiar. It's a great story--although maybe not the best for those with health anxiety. My only complaint is that the difference in volume between the two narrators in the audiobook made it almost impossible to listen to while doing chores.
carolynrasp's review against another edition
4.0
Birbiglia is one of my favorite comedians, and after watching The New One on Netflix, I definitely wanted to read the book (it took a bit to get to it!). It has plenty of funny moments, and some sincere, earnest, and honest moments about becoming a parent. I loved the addition of his wife's poetry throughout too.
brandy_reads's review against another edition
5.0
I alternated between listening to and reading this. if you’re looking for an easy and quick read or listen for non-fiction November then I suggest grabbing a copy of The New One. In this Mike talks about his resistance to change, but in particular to the decision to have a child and then the struggles he has once his daughter is born. I love that Mike doesn’t steer away from thoughts or opinions that don’t necessarily paint him in the best light, because let’s be honest, we all have those ridiculously selfish thoughts at times, even if we know they are wrong while we’re thinking them. I’m not as open as Mike so I won’t tell you mine lol. I found myself laughing at some of the worst things, that’s how funny his writing is. For example, as he discusses his life threatening sleep disorder that almost killed him as he jumped out of a hotel window – I was cackling away in the car. My least favourite part of the book is actually his wife’s short poems. I kinda feel guilty about that because he says at the start that those are his favourite parts of the book. But then I’ve never really liked poetry so this will probably be a bonus for others.