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mackenzier31's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.75
kdawn999's review against another edition
4.0
The title story alone is worth the read. Also, consider listening to the audiobook. There are fun guest readers.
franzreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
lisakerd's review against another edition
4.0
Not every story was great, but BJ Novak’s writing is witty and imaginative—and it was a delight hearing (some of) The Office cast back together. This is definitely an audiobook (vs manual book) must!
aliandjupiter14's review against another edition
It started out with some good short stories but they just kept getting worse and worse and I no longer enjoyed reading it.
okevamae's review against another edition
3.0
This book could really benefit from the stories being in a different order. I did not like most of the first dozen or so stories, and the ones I did like were just barely enough to keep me interested. But then I liked one, and then another - overall, I would say I probably liked more of them than I disliked. It's just that the ones I didn't like were mostly at the front, and that very nearly made me stop reading.
It's also pretty obvious that B.J. Novak is a TV comedy writer - and I don't necessarily mean that in the best way. Many of the stories are funny, and he does some really clever things (characters described in one story appear in a later one, an unexpected angle on a familiar trope, or a metafictional twist, some that worked well and others less so). But a lot of the stories have too pat an ending, in that awkward sketch comedy way that often feels forced. Like, "I've said what I need to say, now how do I end this? Just slap something on the end." I totally acknowledge that endings are hard to get right - but you don't always have to wrap it all up neatly. In short stories, just as in comedy acts, sometimes the bit just ends - and that's OK. In some stories, BJ Novak gets that (mostly in the flash-fiction stories of a page or less.) In others, he doesn't, and it's jarring.
I liked it overall, but it could have used more polish.
It's also pretty obvious that B.J. Novak is a TV comedy writer - and I don't necessarily mean that in the best way. Many of the stories are funny, and he does some really clever things (characters described in one story appear in a later one, an unexpected angle on a familiar trope, or a metafictional twist, some that worked well and others less so). But a lot of the stories have too pat an ending, in that awkward sketch comedy way that often feels forced. Like, "I've said what I need to say, now how do I end this? Just slap something on the end." I totally acknowledge that endings are hard to get right - but you don't always have to wrap it all up neatly. In short stories, just as in comedy acts, sometimes the bit just ends - and that's OK. In some stories, BJ Novak gets that (mostly in the flash-fiction stories of a page or less.) In others, he doesn't, and it's jarring.
I liked it overall, but it could have used more polish.
kellllllllli's review against another edition
5.0
I actually laughed out loud multiple times throughout this book. I listened to the audiobook, which I highly recommend. BJ Novak brought the stories to life with his talent and had many fun guest stars (notably Rainn Wilson). I think the book would have still been good to read, but the narration makes it 5 stars for me.
I loved the fast paced, witty, and surprising writing of each story. Although zany and off the walls I enjoyed the existentialism and real talk under (most) of the stories.
I loved the fast paced, witty, and surprising writing of each story. Although zany and off the walls I enjoyed the existentialism and real talk under (most) of the stories.
noahpech's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Despite only rating 3 stars, I think this book is well-worth reading. On an individual level, some stories are in themselves 5 stars easily. Alternating between being funny and genuinely moving, this is a great collection by a great writer.
joey_erg's review against another edition
1.0
Opening piece was very funny, everything goes downhill from there. The right width to keep a door propped open so there's some use for this one.
chelsea2020's review against another edition
5.0
It feels like it has been a lifetime since I have read a book of short stories. The first and last time I did was the "Scary States of America" when I was young. I completely forgot what I had been missing! This was a fantastic set of unique reads!
I felt like I could truly take my time with this book; completely in control of whether or not I wished to continue on to the next mystery that the book had to offer, or catch some much needed sleep because those stories would not be progressing without me.
Very pleased with what I found inside these pages and so glad that my friend introduced me to this amazing little set of short stories.
I felt like I could truly take my time with this book; completely in control of whether or not I wished to continue on to the next mystery that the book had to offer, or catch some much needed sleep because those stories would not be progressing without me.
Very pleased with what I found inside these pages and so glad that my friend introduced me to this amazing little set of short stories.