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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
If you like stories about white dudes trying to find their manic pixie dream girl, this book's for you!
reflective
fast-paced
Davy Rothbart can be sorta bro-y and lady-objectifying, but the dude knows how to tell a funny story. "Naked in New York" made me laugh pretty much straight through.
Although the author meets many interesting people, he comes off as very unlikable.
Bigger and Deafer 5⭐
Genuine anecdote about the author's experience growing up with a deaf mother. This essay entails all the tricks and chutzpah the author and his brother used to play with their mother. I love how real the stories felt and how raw the moral of the story that is sometimes you just have to play fun and enjoy life.
Human Snowball 4⭐
Another heartfelt narration about the author's adventure in search of his soulmate. I love the whole idea of travelling and meeting unexpected people whom the author shared great memories with but that ending wrecked my emotion.
What are you wearing? 3⭐
A sad but real story tackling the slice of truth behind the gay community, this steamy essay will make you see the difference between alone and lonely.
The 8th of November 3⭐
The author's story of having the chance to meet a war veteran and how remnants of the conflict impacted the retired soldier's life. This one goes to show that spme battles we win, some we have to wave a white flag to be over.
Ninety-Nine bottles of Pee on the Wall 4⭐
A long narration on how Davy ventured a quest to find a scammer who preyed on self-published author by organizing literary conventions that were set to fail and how he planned his supposed revenge to Lon Hackney using his 'hot' investments but ended up finding someone who just want to change his own life by simply ignoring the fact that he is capitalizing other people's talent and passion.
How I got these boots 3⭐
The title says it all. This is the narration on how Davy met John Molloy, the Grand Canyon geek who inspired him to follow his dreams, and how he got the boots he wore when he travelled to Chicago to finally become a writer.
Shade 5⭐
I love this one as it tackled the author's venture in finding his one true love only to found out thatvhis Shade has already passed away. This essay is the perfect definition of how cruel life is for not giving us what we want in the first place.
Nibble, Lick, Suck, and Feast 3⭐
The author's tale on how a series of TV guesting for his infamous book Found allowed him to meet genjine people and treasure cherishable memories.
Canada or Bust 5⭐
A spontaneously feel-good essay about following what your heart wants and letting the universe take cmontrol of the steering wheel, Canada or Bust is Davy's essay about meeting a simple street kid who dreamed to be a DJ in Canada and reuniting again in Honolulu with the dreamer being a full-pledged DJ.
Naked in New York 4⭐
Fun. Real. This is what I felt after reading this essay about the author's misadventure upon waking up naked in the busy streets of New York the day after he celebrated his birthday. A hilarious take with a comedic punch about the reality of people and how we often judge book based on its cover, this one is an enlightening read that will surely question our own stand about humanity.
Tarantula 3⭐
Tarantula narrates Davy's recollection of memory while he spent a week in his hometown, Brewskie, where, after meeting the sister of his teenage crush, he end up having a wild night at a stranger's house and made out in front of a glass-caged tarantula. The story gets more creepy with the author's sudden founding of a corpse in the house's pool only to end up running away from the crime scene to avoid investigation involvement. In the end, the story concludes realizing that he should never did what he did that night and had a visit with his girlfriend in Toronto.
Southwest 4⭐
This one's a sad anthology about Davy's failed attempt of keeping in touch with a girl he instantaneously fell in love with at an airport on the way to Albuquerque. With all his might, Davy tried to engage the girl, Kara, in a series of small talks only to end up knowing that they have nothing in common, even reading because Kara hates reading.
New York, New York 4⭐
New York, New York entails the author's adventure (and misadventure) when the worst terrorist attack in the United States happened. The flavors of this essay perfectly blended the reality of life at a time of crisis - from people worrying about their loved ones up to those who simply don't care abouth anything happening in their surrounding. This one is a lengthy anecdote questioning the morality of human race while not crossing the line of judging every person encountered as the author believe that experiencing life is subjective in general.
Tessa 5⭐
This one is so real it made my heart grieve for a moment. I love how genuine this essay as it narrates how both fulfilling and painful it is to love someone who is not meant for you.
The Strongest Man in the world 5⭐
Featuring the story of a convicted innocent man who have been 'framed up' for a murder case, The Strongest Man in the world is the essay in this book that appealed most to me. I got hooked with this 40-page narration on how injustice costed a lifetime imprisonment to a man who know nothing about the crime in the first place. I adored the rawness of the tales especially the one where the author pointed out the inconcrete evidence that supported the verdict for the accused innocent man. I am a trash for documentaries about unfair justice system and this one striked me straight through my heart.
Ain't that America? 4⭐
This last essay showed me how idiot a heart can be, but with an additional sprinkle of courage and faith, everything can be placed in its perfect angle. I love the hanging ending and the simplicity of the narration telling me that sometimes listening to what your heart wants is the beat thing to do.
Genuine anecdote about the author's experience growing up with a deaf mother. This essay entails all the tricks and chutzpah the author and his brother used to play with their mother. I love how real the stories felt and how raw the moral of the story that is sometimes you just have to play fun and enjoy life.
Human Snowball 4⭐
Another heartfelt narration about the author's adventure in search of his soulmate. I love the whole idea of travelling and meeting unexpected people whom the author shared great memories with but that ending wrecked my emotion.
What are you wearing? 3⭐
A sad but real story tackling the slice of truth behind the gay community, this steamy essay will make you see the difference between alone and lonely.
The 8th of November 3⭐
The author's story of having the chance to meet a war veteran and how remnants of the conflict impacted the retired soldier's life. This one goes to show that spme battles we win, some we have to wave a white flag to be over.
Ninety-Nine bottles of Pee on the Wall 4⭐
A long narration on how Davy ventured a quest to find a scammer who preyed on self-published author by organizing literary conventions that were set to fail and how he planned his supposed revenge to Lon Hackney using his 'hot' investments but ended up finding someone who just want to change his own life by simply ignoring the fact that he is capitalizing other people's talent and passion.
How I got these boots 3⭐
The title says it all. This is the narration on how Davy met John Molloy, the Grand Canyon geek who inspired him to follow his dreams, and how he got the boots he wore when he travelled to Chicago to finally become a writer.
Shade 5⭐
I love this one as it tackled the author's venture in finding his one true love only to found out thatvhis Shade has already passed away. This essay is the perfect definition of how cruel life is for not giving us what we want in the first place.
Nibble, Lick, Suck, and Feast 3⭐
The author's tale on how a series of TV guesting for his infamous book Found allowed him to meet genjine people and treasure cherishable memories.
Canada or Bust 5⭐
A spontaneously feel-good essay about following what your heart wants and letting the universe take cmontrol of the steering wheel, Canada or Bust is Davy's essay about meeting a simple street kid who dreamed to be a DJ in Canada and reuniting again in Honolulu with the dreamer being a full-pledged DJ.
Naked in New York 4⭐
Fun. Real. This is what I felt after reading this essay about the author's misadventure upon waking up naked in the busy streets of New York the day after he celebrated his birthday. A hilarious take with a comedic punch about the reality of people and how we often judge book based on its cover, this one is an enlightening read that will surely question our own stand about humanity.
Tarantula 3⭐
Tarantula narrates Davy's recollection of memory while he spent a week in his hometown, Brewskie, where, after meeting the sister of his teenage crush, he end up having a wild night at a stranger's house and made out in front of a glass-caged tarantula. The story gets more creepy with the author's sudden founding of a corpse in the house's pool only to end up running away from the crime scene to avoid investigation involvement. In the end, the story concludes realizing that he should never did what he did that night and had a visit with his girlfriend in Toronto.
Southwest 4⭐
This one's a sad anthology about Davy's failed attempt of keeping in touch with a girl he instantaneously fell in love with at an airport on the way to Albuquerque. With all his might, Davy tried to engage the girl, Kara, in a series of small talks only to end up knowing that they have nothing in common, even reading because Kara hates reading.
New York, New York 4⭐
New York, New York entails the author's adventure (and misadventure) when the worst terrorist attack in the United States happened. The flavors of this essay perfectly blended the reality of life at a time of crisis - from people worrying about their loved ones up to those who simply don't care abouth anything happening in their surrounding. This one is a lengthy anecdote questioning the morality of human race while not crossing the line of judging every person encountered as the author believe that experiencing life is subjective in general.
Tessa 5⭐
This one is so real it made my heart grieve for a moment. I love how genuine this essay as it narrates how both fulfilling and painful it is to love someone who is not meant for you.
The Strongest Man in the world 5⭐
Featuring the story of a convicted innocent man who have been 'framed up' for a murder case, The Strongest Man in the world is the essay in this book that appealed most to me. I got hooked with this 40-page narration on how injustice costed a lifetime imprisonment to a man who know nothing about the crime in the first place. I adored the rawness of the tales especially the one where the author pointed out the inconcrete evidence that supported the verdict for the accused innocent man. I am a trash for documentaries about unfair justice system and this one striked me straight through my heart.
Ain't that America? 4⭐
This last essay showed me how idiot a heart can be, but with an additional sprinkle of courage and faith, everything can be placed in its perfect angle. I love the hanging ending and the simplicity of the narration telling me that sometimes listening to what your heart wants is the beat thing to do.
Rollicking, exuberant essays. Perhaps even a bit exhausting. But fantastic. I first read "99 Bottles of Pee on the Wall" at The Morning News, and had been waiting for this book to come out ever since.
The dedication is "To the townies." Great dedication. Sums up the spirit of the book.
Random sentence: "A mile down, five tiny side streets spilled together at a jagged-shaped intersection, and from its farthest corners, two squat and battered bars glared across at each other like warring crabs, panels of wood nailed over the windows and painted to match the outside walls, and one neon beer sign hanging over each door—Yuengling and Budweiser—as though they were the names of the bars."
I don't always read personal essays. But when I do, I prefer Davy Rothbart.
The dedication is "To the townies." Great dedication. Sums up the spirit of the book.
Random sentence: "A mile down, five tiny side streets spilled together at a jagged-shaped intersection, and from its farthest corners, two squat and battered bars glared across at each other like warring crabs, panels of wood nailed over the windows and painted to match the outside walls, and one neon beer sign hanging over each door—Yuengling and Budweiser—as though they were the names of the bars."
I don't always read personal essays. But when I do, I prefer Davy Rothbart.
Davy Rothbart is the editor of "Found", a magazine of "found objects" like old love letters, to do lists and such. He also tends to fall in love with women he sees at Subway or in airports. This book is a collection of essays of his adventures, I found it interesting and sweet, especially his stories around going to new york by bus after 9/11. Quick read
Energetic, addicting essays. My biggest problem with memoirs is the amount of liberty authors take with details and memories. This is no exception here. At times, it is difficult to believe that what Rothbart's saying actually happened.
But...
The stories are so crazy and well written that it almost doesn't even matter. They are that entertaining. Even if they're only 80% true, his life is much more interesting than mine or yours.
A fun read. 4.5 stars
But...
The stories are so crazy and well written that it almost doesn't even matter. They are that entertaining. Even if they're only 80% true, his life is much more interesting than mine or yours.
A fun read. 4.5 stars
I don't understand why people keep saying "stories" when the cover clearly marks this as a collection of essays.
That said, these essays too often feel like inventions, and not in the David Shields Oh I'm Playing With the Idea of "Reality" in My Essays kind of way.
But the essay about the pee bottles. yeah, that makes the collection worth it.
That said, these essays too often feel like inventions, and not in the David Shields Oh I'm Playing With the Idea of "Reality" in My Essays kind of way.
But the essay about the pee bottles. yeah, that makes the collection worth it.
I got this book after seeing Davy speak. It's interesting because he was extremely likable in person, but that does not translate on the page. While he's a good writer, he is totally unlikable and unpleasant as a narrator. It doesn't help that the first piece is a story about his cruelty to his deaf mother. The rest of the stories in this book are about him cheating on his girlfriends, drinking to excess, and generally thinking of women as fantasy material rather than real people. It's a shame because it really is well written and the stories have a lot of humor and charm.