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96th out of 140 books
—
100 voters
People Who Don't Know Me Think I'm Somebody
by
Mike Parish (Goodreads Author)
People Who Don’t Know Me Think I’m Somebody’ is a booklet of 40 poems, originally released as a digital collection on peoplewhodontknowme.com. In these stark, witty poems, the poet examines the influence of technology on his identity.
Saddle-stitched, 17 pages
Published
April 1st 2011
by On Lives Press
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This is probably something meta-, but I only say that to make myself believe this guy deserves a little credit. I do see signs: the super trashy language; the bored guy persona, who had too much inspiration to write forty "random thoughts", and too much balls to make a poetry book (and website) out of it, instead of just putting everything on Twitter.
I don't intend to belittle Twitter. I use it everyday. But as a social platform, I do find that it perfectly serves that narcissistic need to repor...more
I don't intend to belittle Twitter. I use it everyday. But as a social platform, I do find that it perfectly serves that narcissistic need to repor...more
We got the copy of "People Who..." a few days ago. We both love it! It's hard for me to love poetry, but this isn't so much "poetry" as it is stream of consciousness in a cropped and orderly fashion. One of the greatest things about this home-printed and snail-mailed copy is how you receive it in the first place. Black and white, laser-printer or ink-jet copy, sealed with one of those little white mail tabs that you have to break open, hand-written address and an "Up" stamp. All marked up and di...more
I received this book of poems in the mail today, after winning a giveaway for it here on Good Reads. Even if I ended up hating the poems inside after reading them, I know that I'd have something good to say about the book. That things is that the book itself was the envelope. It was amusing and resourceful of Mike Parish. The stamp and my address were on the blank back page and a clear sticker sealed it from opening. Not only is this a fun way to advertise to anyone in the mail rooms interested...more
I wasn't really sure what to make of this, um, "book" which I received fro Goodreads Firstreads. I have always loved poetry, reading it and writing it. I read through this collection a couple of times ( easy to do, as it is so short) and just didn't get it. Is this guy for real? I finally had my son, a physicist and award-winning poet read it, hoping that maybe he saw something I didn't. Here's what he said: " It seemed like it was written by an older, more capable poet writing from the perspect...more
People Who Don't Know Me Think I'm Somebody is another win from GoodReads First reads. By the title, I wasn't sure what to expect of it - depression poetry? Existentialism? Randomness? Well, it was a bit closer to the last.
But what it wasn't, at least by my definition, was poetry. Instead, it seemed more like random thoughts, posts to Twitter or Facebook, brief glimpses into the mind of the reader. As I read the thoughts written, I had the feeling that I was reading the thoughts of teenager, dea...more
But what it wasn't, at least by my definition, was poetry. Instead, it seemed more like random thoughts, posts to Twitter or Facebook, brief glimpses into the mind of the reader. As I read the thoughts written, I had the feeling that I was reading the thoughts of teenager, dea...more
This book of poems brought to mind the movie, "So I Married an Ax Murderer", I kept waiting to hear bongo's playing in the background or some other beatnik music where they wear berets and meet at coffee houses. Some of it did make me laugh, but mostly it was like no other poetry I have actually read and I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not. I'm still trying to figure out if it was meant to be funny or serious. It closely resembled someone's status up date on facebook you know just random...more
I didn't know what to expect from this....I have read a lot of poetry, and there are so many different types and viewpoints. When this came in the mail, I thought it was so creative! It seemed like regular mail, but when I flipped it over it was the poems!! Very nice...showed a lot of effort on Mr. Parish's part.
On to the poems:
At first glance, these poems seem kinda....dumb. They are like thought tidbits written down from the depths of someone's mind. Not at all what I would have thought of as...more
On to the poems:
At first glance, these poems seem kinda....dumb. They are like thought tidbits written down from the depths of someone's mind. Not at all what I would have thought of as...more
First off: this is another First Read Giveaway from Goodreads and it was one that I was hoping and praying that I would get. No, seriously: I cannot even express you how much I looked forward to this collection of poems. I just started blogging and, like, ventured into the land of "social networking" in general. I kept wondering if anyone else was disturbed by the internet and then Parish's collection made an appearance. Did I like it? Yes, but I don't think it's everyone's cup of tea and I don'...more
This is unlike any poetry I've ever read before, but in a good way. This little piece of literature was the "pick me up" that I needed after a long day at work. I found myself laughing out loud at some of the short pieces in this book, and also being quite surprised at how deep and thoughtful the author could be. Number 17 was a real thought provoker. Couldn't agree more with number 29. My favorite was number 30, and I hope the store manager of my local Barnes and Noble doesn't read this. I hope...more
Short pieces reflect the author in self-reflection, often considering how he is thought of by others. The title piece, and the title itself, tell a great deal about the image created in the work as a whole. Mr. Parish observes himself and his image closely, not deeply. This may be taken as commentary on the flimsy nature of modern human/electronic interface interaction, or on the flimsy nature of the self-images cultivated in an environment where the interactions between and among electronic pre...more
You know, I can tell that the author has potential to be a good poet. I've never read anything else of his, so I don't know any more than that. But this book sounded like it could have been written by any 15-25 year old who was trying too hard to sound cool by being forceably casual. Very little of it is moving or interesting or memorable. Poem #'s 17, 23, 27, 29, and the first four lines of 39 were the only ones that had poetry in them. They were contained thoughts written as if the author actu...more
I received this short collection of thoughts from Goodreads Firstreads, and it took me about 10 minutes to read it. I don't mind that it's short, and I think the author should continue to write - this "poetry" collection was that funny, true, or honest in spots. Unfortunately, the author at times puts things down that he's a part of (e.g., tumblr) and puts down his own writing on several occasions. If the author doesn't think it's good, why should we read it?
I received a copy of this book as part of the Goodreads Giveaway Program.
I tend to judge at poetry like people judge art. Everyone has different tastes. Some people enjoy Picasso's cubism works, while others cannot stand it. I am part of the latter. Therefore, I rated this book low solely because it isn't necessarily my taste is poetry. That being said, it doesn't mean that everyone else will feel the same way.
The subject matter is definitely interesting, which is what drew me to this collection...more
I tend to judge at poetry like people judge art. Everyone has different tastes. Some people enjoy Picasso's cubism works, while others cannot stand it. I am part of the latter. Therefore, I rated this book low solely because it isn't necessarily my taste is poetry. That being said, it doesn't mean that everyone else will feel the same way.
The subject matter is definitely interesting, which is what drew me to this collection...more
Rambling, Obscure, and Hipster all come to mind while I read through the poems. At first I asked myself if this guy was serious or trying to come off as the next big thing, such as 'Sh*t my father says' or some hipster blog.I settled on Hipster. Like Facebook and Twitter, this book of poems read out like status updates, but oddly enough were amusing enough to keep me reading, even chuckling at times. Although quite random of a read for poetry, I would recommend others read it, as it is thought p...more
I won a copy of this chapbook through Goodreads and received it in the mail today. It almost seems like Mr. Parish sat down on his computer and wrote the entire thing in one sitting. It's not really poetry; More prose about every day things. But I did enjoy reading it, and if there were parts that I didn't laugh at, I smiled through them. I especially liked #5. I will share it with my friends. He can die a happy man.
I won this through First Reads.
I have to say that when I read the first page I was convinced this was a joke. After reading all of it, I don't see it as poetry at all; however, like with most things considered art, style and format are up to the discretion of the creator.
The poems were more like little snippets of Mike Parish's outlook on things as well as some that were simple ideas that must have just popped into his head while he was writing. I gave it 4 stars because, quite honestly, it was...more
I have to say that when I read the first page I was convinced this was a joke. After reading all of it, I don't see it as poetry at all; however, like with most things considered art, style and format are up to the discretion of the creator.
The poems were more like little snippets of Mike Parish's outlook on things as well as some that were simple ideas that must have just popped into his head while he was writing. I gave it 4 stars because, quite honestly, it was...more
I won this book from GoodReads. Very fast shipping. It was suppose to arrive in Feb. sometime but it came 4 weeks early! It definately made my day! The poems had me giggle because I could relate to some of the poems. I think I'll definately share this book with my family and close friends. Thank you, Mike Parish!
This collection is a quirky glimpse of our modern world, told with a witty slant and in an interesting voice. The individual pieces display both self-awareness and self-consciousness, without pretension or posing, and they create their own niche in a world filled with innumerable digital voices. I could see myself, and most of the people I know, between the lines, which made for an entertaining experience.
This collection was won from the publisher through the Goodreads First Reads Program.
This collection was won from the publisher through the Goodreads First Reads Program.
I won this book on Goodreads. While reading this book, I did not know whether Mike took himself seriously, or the joke is on us. Some of his reflections are poignant - but I do not consider this poetry... more like posts on FB or twitter. And, maybe that's just the point!
I thought it was great! It is about making a name for yourself in the technology age. There have been many times I have asked myself some of those same questions!
Received through the first reads program. It was wonderful. Thanks! Now I am going to have to tell my friends about it on facebook!! Lol! :)
Received through the first reads program. It was wonderful. Thanks! Now I am going to have to tell my friends about it on facebook!! Lol! :)
I got this in the mail the other day, and I thought it was definitely a creative and efficient way to send the little book of poems. The Ratatouille stamp was cute, and the poems made me smile. :)
Won a copy through Goodreads' First Reads program
Very interesting...I hope the writer has "found" his identity since this has been written. And yes I did get the reference to the Big Lebowski.
Very interesting...I hope the writer has "found" his identity since this has been written. And yes I did get the reference to the Big Lebowski.
The poems in this collection were so honest and refreshing I found myself rereading them over and over again, each time loving them a little more than the last. I definitely would recommend this to anyone who grew up on the verge of the "Internet Age" and wants a clever, thoughtful and lovely quick read.
These poems grow on you.
At first I was just standing by the side of the road watching what was happening to Mike.
But I realized after I read them all that I was there; I was in the parade with Mike, and I don't know how that happenned.
Recommended to those who want to explore poetry.
Easy read and recommended
At first I was just standing by the side of the road watching what was happening to Mike.
But I realized after I read them all that I was there; I was in the parade with Mike, and I don't know how that happenned.
Recommended to those who want to explore poetry.
Easy read and recommended
Read this little book. There were some funny parts, but other than that I didn't really enjoy it that much.
Jan 07, 2012
Fangs sister
added it
Very interesting poetry. Though as small as the booklet is, if i bought it I would have been disapointed. But all in all it was pretty good.
I recieved the "People Who Don't Know Me Think I'm Somebody" booklet today in the mail. It is a very insightful.. and amusing booklet of poems. The best of luck to you and your future writings!
Thanks Mike Parish!
Thanks Mike Parish!
I don't believe this is poetry, it's either a joke or an from what I read in these an attempt to become famous for something, anything...it's lazy, boring, and bad. There is way too much talk of the rich and how the Author isnt one of them, you can tell he wants money and fame but lacks the talent. It is labeled above as being "saddle-stitched" but it is printed off from a computer on paper and stapled together with a picture on the front and the mailing address and stamp on the back. Not a book...more
I won a copy of this little books of poems through Goodreads' First Reads program. I've been more interested in poetry over the last couple of years, but am no avid poetry reader. I found this collection quirky and entertaining - and a quick read! The writing - or poetic rants - focused a lot on the use of social media and the Internet, which coincidentally, went along quite well with the themes of the young adult book I just finished reading (Extras by Scott Westerfeld). So, as a teacher, I aut...more
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