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255th out of 731 books
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Things I've Learned From Women Who've Dumped Me
by
Ben Karlin ,
Andy Selsberg , Nick Hornby
The Emmy award-winning former executive producer of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report has assembled a stellar line-up of men who have one thing in common: all have been dumped...and are willing to share their pain and the lessons learned.
Hardcover, 224 pages
Published
February 4th 2008
by Grand Central Publishing
(first published February 1st 2008)
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Anthologies can be kind of repetitive, with entry after entry harping on the same tired theme. The theme for Things I’ve Learned From Women Who’ve Dumped Me feels particularly uninspired, as the topic of men bitching about women is arguably the most prominent in the history of literature. But the credentials of editor Ben Karlin (co-editor of America: The Book) combined with the book’s impressive list of contributors (Andy Richter, Stephen Colbert, Neal Pollack, more) piqued my interest all the ...more
Eh. I'd hoped this was going to be hilarious and insightful, but all the humor was pretty much the same thing all the way through--low-grade irony and drab self-flagellation. Buncha weinerdogs.
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I was expecting much more from this book. Edited by Ben Karlin - former editor of The Onion, former executive producer of The Daily Show and co-creator of The Colbert Report - this book should have been a rip-roarin'-romp through male inadequacy and insecurity. It started out strong, but somewhere along the line it became the male version of chick lit: dick lit. And boring to boot.
At first, it was good for a few laughs. But then I laughed less. And got bored. And maybe started to ski...more
At first, it was good for a few laughs. But then I laughed less. And got bored. And maybe started to ski...more
This is a pretty weak collection. I ended up skimming over several of these essays.
I expected better from Dan Savage (his books about his family are very good). David Wain's entry composed entirely of cellphone conversations was good. I also liked Patton Oswalt's essay where he explains how a past relationship with a crazy stripper puts his minor quibbles with his wife into perspective. And Ben Karlin's mom's forward was better than Karlin's essay.
I expected better from Dan Savage (his books about his family are very good). David Wain's entry composed entirely of cellphone conversations was good. I also liked Patton Oswalt's essay where he explains how a past relationship with a crazy stripper puts his minor quibbles with his wife into perspective. And Ben Karlin's mom's forward was better than Karlin's essay.
done. chucklelicious. I was not sure who half these people were, very funny men. easy and quick. just like your mom.
I heard this in its Audiobook format, which probably led me to appreciate it more than I otherwise would have. Having each author read their short essay was perfect, especially with such instantly recognizable voices as Patton Oswalt, John Oliver and Will Forte. It's a very short read, even the audiobook was barely over three hours long, but one that will have you chuckling all the way. I particularly liked Dan Savage's ode to the vagina that scared him out of the closet and Larry Wilmore's "...more
I know what you're thinking and no I am not and was not a lesbian, not that there is anything at all wrong with that. I picked up this book at ye old Costco, simply because of some of the writers names on the cover: Nick Hornby, Stephen Colbert, Bob Odenkirk, Andy Richter, and Dan Savage, to name a few. Also, I secretly wanted to know what relationships were like for men. As a straight woman, you never can tell. Men are simple in their thoughts and emotions - NOT SIMPLETONS - just not as complex...more
doreen
rated it
Recommends it for:
single guy friends, or any guy friends in general
Shelves:
memoir,
collections
This is a great read. The writing from most of the contributors is funny, interesting and enjoyable; I think there was only maybe one or two works that were sort of "meh" for me. On the whole, I found myself very engaged in the writing, having finished this book in two days (I took a break to watch the first disc of Pee-Wee's Playhouse).
The formatting of each essay/anecdote differs, including comic-strip contributions and and illustration (Marcel Dzama!). My favourite en...more
The formatting of each essay/anecdote differs, including comic-strip contributions and and illustration (Marcel Dzama!). My favourite en...more
Really funny collection of essays, including, but not limited to: Bob Odenkirk's transcription of part of his seminar: "9 Years is Exactly the Right Amount of Time to be in a Bad Relationship," Stephen Colbert's would-be heart-warming story that is all but completely blacked out by his wife's marker to keep things private, Will Forte's reminiscence of a girlfriend who kept riding off on another guy's motorcycle but kept insisting they were "just friends," Patton Oswalt compar...more
It's kinda funny for me to have read a book that is explicitly written by only men, considering that I'm that woman you know who is always pointing out the often unnoticed absence of women in the arts -- particularly in humor!
I read it, though, because A) I seriously love me some Dan Savage and B) I guess I wanted to read something to convince me that men's hearts are as tender and squishy as women's. I'm still not sure I'm convinced of that second point. Can you imagine a book wri...more
I read it, though, because A) I seriously love me some Dan Savage and B) I guess I wanted to read something to convince me that men's hearts are as tender and squishy as women's. I'm still not sure I'm convinced of that second point. Can you imagine a book wri...more
For a collection featuring Andy Richter, Dan Savage and Stephen Colbert, this wasn’t nearly as good as it should have been. Edited by a former Daily Show producer, this is a collection written by the sorts of authors and comics you would expect a Daily Show producer to pull together. Patton Oswalt, Stephen Colbert, Larry Wilmore, etc. I won’t bother with a synopsis, since the title is pretty self-explanatory.
Patton Oswalt’s essay was the funniest. He compares the reasonable compl...more
Patton Oswalt’s essay was the funniest. He compares the reasonable compl...more
I have a love/hate relationship with liberal publications, like the New York Times, that discuss progressive issues and at the same time print articles that seem to use stone age mentality to “prove” the differences between women and men. I am forever intrigued by science’s never-ending love affair with sexual dimorphism, and articles with the headlines “What Do Women Want?” and “Varying Sweat Scents Noted By Women” seem to fill the pages of publications every day.
I have a similar lov...more
I have a similar lov...more
This was one of the funniest books I have ever read, and it's one I will reach for many times to read again. A collection of humorous short stories by some of the funniest, wittiest men of our time, this is a book that never fails to cause me to laugh out loud until the end.
The book is a collection of essays written by hilarious men such as Nick Hornby, Stephen Colbert, Bob Odenkirk (who discusses why nine years is the perfect amount of time to be in a bad relationship ("by yea...more
The book is a collection of essays written by hilarious men such as Nick Hornby, Stephen Colbert, Bob Odenkirk (who discusses why nine years is the perfect amount of time to be in a bad relationship ("by yea...more
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I seldom read non-fiction essays, humorous or otherwise, 'cause they remind me too much of college - not exactly the happiest days of my life. Before I started reading the book, I looked at the other reviews here and as usual, some liked it - intensely, and not so intensely, and some did not like it - intensely and not so intensely. But one thing we can all agree on - the title is definitely eye-catching and very suggestive. I borrowed the book from the library and when the librarian saw the tit...more
Yeah, ok.
I guess it was fairly worthwhile to read about relationships from a non-gushy, yet non-self-congratulatory male perspective. A lot of the "it was a little more confusing than I had wanted it to be" and "I finally accepted that I would never understand women and so I sucked it up and got married." But, ultimately, um, this book offered me no insight into the male mind (maybe cuz I'm not a dude?), and despite the variety of writers, there was a real singularity o...more
I guess it was fairly worthwhile to read about relationships from a non-gushy, yet non-self-congratulatory male perspective. A lot of the "it was a little more confusing than I had wanted it to be" and "I finally accepted that I would never understand women and so I sucked it up and got married." But, ultimately, um, this book offered me no insight into the male mind (maybe cuz I'm not a dude?), and despite the variety of writers, there was a real singularity o...more
I didn't expect much from this as it looked like a bunch of half-assed essays from a bunch of people who got drunk together and decided they should write a book about getting dumped by women. I only read it because I happened to have it with me when I was stuck without something to read.
I ended up loving most of the book. I solid majority of the essays are hilarious, many were touching, several were thought provoking and a couple were nearly profound. As with any collection of essay...more
I ended up loving most of the book. I solid majority of the essays are hilarious, many were touching, several were thought provoking and a couple were nearly profound. As with any collection of essay...more
I was hoping for more laugh-out-loud stories, and while there were many smiles, I ended up feeling a little down -- these are stories wrought with insecurities, damages, and regrets written within plenty of self-deprecation -- It had me, and will have others (guys and girls), reflecting on past romances that left their psychological welts and fond memories behind.
Bad. Disappointing. And further evidence that Stephen Colbert is not funny in print. A piece by Patton Oswalt was quite amusing, in which he realizes how awesome his wife is particularly in comparing her to his ex-girlfriend (a terrible, violent, uneducated stripper.) Actually, now that I think about it, Damian of Kulash, Jr. (of OKGO) had a pretty sweet (as in aww) piece, and Adam Schlesinger (of Fountains of Wayne. I know.) did an interesting and humorous breakdown of a cheesy love song. Oh, a...more
A collection of essays from male comedians and writers about dating, relationships and their issues with women. Some of the contributions were entertaining and others not so much. I laughed out loud a couple times, but not quite as often as I hoped. Overall a quick, light read with a little something fun for anyone who has ever dated anyone, ever.
edited by Ben Karlin
This is a great anthology of short stories about relationships. It's fun and snarky. We've all been in relationships and I'm sure you'll recognize something from the book. If nothing else it really shows us that we all have bad, crappy relationships and we all live through them and usually end up laughing about them. This book was a quick read and most of the stories were fairly short. Some of the stories are a bit graphic, so if you don't like that type of thin...more
This is a great anthology of short stories about relationships. It's fun and snarky. We've all been in relationships and I'm sure you'll recognize something from the book. If nothing else it really shows us that we all have bad, crappy relationships and we all live through them and usually end up laughing about them. This book was a quick read and most of the stories were fairly short. Some of the stories are a bit graphic, so if you don't like that type of thin...more
This was on the Valentine's Day table at the library. Probably not something I'd have taken home if I'd had more time, but my library trips these days are roaring tears to the picture books, and I grab whatever catches my eye and shove it into my tote bag until it's full and we've worn out our welcome. I've learned to make those things happen at the same time, but it gives me a random selection of books. This was one of those.
I got it because one of the short stories is by Dan Savage,...more
I got it because one of the short stories is by Dan Savage,...more
this book is like medicine. funny and relatable, and sometimes sad and sentimental medicine... but medicine non-the-less for any dude who's ever had girl problems (good, bad, big, or small).
it's got an introduction by Nick Hornby (High Fidelity) and both books sort of carry the same sensibility when addressing relationships-- so if you like one you'll probably like the other.
my brother gave me this at yesterday at work, and i just finished. it's a quick read, but real...more
it's got an introduction by Nick Hornby (High Fidelity) and both books sort of carry the same sensibility when addressing relationships-- so if you like one you'll probably like the other.
my brother gave me this at yesterday at work, and i just finished. it's a quick read, but real...more
Highly recommend Paul Simms' "I'm Easy" which can be read at The New Yorker under the title "Four Short Crushes":
http://www.newyorker.com/humor/2007/04/3...
http://www.newyorker.com/humor/2007/04/3...
Not so much a hilarious collection of reflections on what these smart, snarky men learned from their past relationships as it is melancholy, angst-laden, awkward, and painful. While it rarely made me laugh, it did provoke some thought about my own past relationships.
Here's the few gems:
Andy Selsberg "A Grudge Can Be Art"
Damian Kulash Jr. "A Dog Is No Reason To Stay Together"
Paul Simms "I'm Easy" (aka "Four Short Crushes" when print...more
Here's the few gems:
Andy Selsberg "A Grudge Can Be Art"
Damian Kulash Jr. "A Dog Is No Reason To Stay Together"
Paul Simms "I'm Easy" (aka "Four Short Crushes" when print...more
Eh.
I thought there was going to be something interesting or at least funny in this book. I really found neither.
I thought there was going to be something interesting or at least funny in this book. I really found neither.
Comedians, Journalists, Musicians, Broadcasters, Writers, etc. No matter what you do in life, we ALL have one thing in common; we all have or attempt to have relationships for love and lust, and we learn from experiences. That is the main point of Karlin's book and that's what makes it great!
These all true stories of crazy stripper girlfriends to being cheated on, to any kind of relationships with the opposite sex, to messing up relationships, to the comedic, to the heartwarming, to ...more
These all true stories of crazy stripper girlfriends to being cheated on, to any kind of relationships with the opposite sex, to messing up relationships, to the comedic, to the heartwarming, to ...more
I am on a NPR-contributor kick. This is where I borrow from the library all books written by regular NPR contributors. That's why I am reading a lot of Dan Savage, Sarah Vowell, and Ratkoff. And that is how I found this book. It's a bunch of short stories which is best for readers who get bored quickly. I ended up reading the first six stories then skipped throughout the book for stories written by people I actually knew. The ones I did read were all fairly funny and entertaining. The others, I ...more
Meh and meh and meh. This is pretty much what you'd expect -- a bunch of moderately clever dudes being self-deprecatingly funny -- except less funny than you'd hope. Despite a whole lot of filler, there are some some great moments, like when Andy Richter calls the people who run television networks a bunch of "gutless cunts" or when Dan Savage describes his first time putting his finger in a vagina as it feeling like "a large, lukewarm piece of lasagna with hair". David Rees...more
This collection of short stories by scorned men, particularly writers, musicians, and producers, was an interesting read. I definitely liked the second half more than the first. I wouldn't have high expectations or think it's going to be flat-out hilarious, but there are definitely funny parts. I particularly liked the song lyrics by Andy Schlesinger and Patton's Oswalt's "Date A Stripper." The authors that I could recognize by name like Stephen Colbert and Will Forte weren't as fun...more
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