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121st out of 558 books
—
466 voters
I Just Want My Pants Back
by
David Rosen
Now a new MTV series, from acclaimed director and executive producer Doug Liman (“Mr. and Mrs. Smith, “Swingers,” “Go,” “The Bourne Identity”)
Jason Strider is a twentysomething young man with an English degree from an Ivy League university, a very small apartment in New York, a vapid job as a receptionist at a casting agency—and no particular idea what to do with his life....more
Jason Strider is a twentysomething young man with an English degree from an Ivy League university, a very small apartment in New York, a vapid job as a receptionist at a casting agency—and no particular idea what to do with his life....more
Paperback, 240 pages
Published
August 7th 2007
by Broadway
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This book is like a king-size Hershey bar with almonds: I devoured the whole thing in one sitting, even though by the end it wasn't doing much good for me -- but I just had to keep going. A guilty pleasure. Emphasis on the guilt. About on par with sitting around watching a Real World marathon on a Sunday afternoon... addictive and enjoyable, voyeuristic, requires very little thought, ultimately unproductive.
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Here is a very funny first novel -- a standard wise-ass in NY coming-of-age novel that is severely up to date. The characters text each other rather than calling, they read Pitchfork, they download all their music. So -- it could be insufferable or it could be great.
After 100 pages, I tired on the main character's Avenue A bar-hopping and spoiled-kid slacking, even though (because?) the author was obviously setting me up for a revelatory Big Ending. It comes, just as expected and with few surpri...more
After 100 pages, I tired on the main character's Avenue A bar-hopping and spoiled-kid slacking, even though (because?) the author was obviously setting me up for a revelatory Big Ending. It comes, just as expected and with few surpri...more
2 likes · like · see review
The pants only play a minor role in the story, although I won't give away what happens with them. It is mostly the saga of an Ivy League grad who hasn't figured out what he wants to do with his life yet. So he works at a 3rd rate casting agency and spends his spare time drinking, drugging, puking, and trying to find women for "Lil' Petey." Things are marginally better by the end of the book, as he manages to follow through on a couple of things his friends were doubting he'd be able to.
The best...more
The best...more
My favorite part of this book was when the main character got thrown out of a bar and landed on the ground, in pain.
I don't even know how I got through this - I just kept waiting for there to be some humor or depth or meaning or ANYTHING, but there never was. I don't know why I expected much from a book with this title. The back of the book says "A seriocomic romp about a young man in the city in search of love, meaning, a good time, and a missing pair of pants." The thing is he's NEVER looking...more
I don't even know how I got through this - I just kept waiting for there to be some humor or depth or meaning or ANYTHING, but there never was. I don't know why I expected much from a book with this title. The back of the book says "A seriocomic romp about a young man in the city in search of love, meaning, a good time, and a missing pair of pants." The thing is he's NEVER looking...more
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This is Sex and the City written by a guy. I think I was expecting more. He did so much drinking and drugs throughout the book, I think I blacked out and can't remember any of the good parts. I thought the book would be more fun and centered around trying to find his favorite pants, but it came up once in awhile he wanted his pants. The book really should have been titled, "I want my buzz back" because 90% of the book was him getting drunk and doing drugs.
In a word … adolescent! While it did discuss getting his pants back a few times, it was mostly a monotonous ongoing description of him getting stoned on anything, high on pot, WAY too drunk (complete with the disgusting after-shock when one’s body must expel the poison all over the place—including graphic descriptions), and his ongoing attempts to get laid. Yes, I can relate to some of his experiences from my younger days, but really just didn’t find it that entertaining.
He would gladly skip doi...more
He would gladly skip doi...more
Oh, David Rosen. You had so much promise in this book.
Hipster-tinged "guy lit" like this is usually my kryptonite. I was so impressed when I first read the book, I read the opening paragraph to pretty much any of my friends who'd listen. Then I kept reading, and kept waiting for something of any substance to occur.
I finished the book four days ago, and I'm still waiting for that something of substance to magically appear and jump out of the pages of the now-shut book sitting on my bookshelf. H...more
Hipster-tinged "guy lit" like this is usually my kryptonite. I was so impressed when I first read the book, I read the opening paragraph to pretty much any of my friends who'd listen. Then I kept reading, and kept waiting for something of any substance to occur.
I finished the book four days ago, and I'm still waiting for that something of substance to magically appear and jump out of the pages of the now-shut book sitting on my bookshelf. H...more
Interesting drama, quite funny, but the theme and morality of the story was deep and serious.Rosen's debut novel involves a young man on his own in the big city, not ready for a relationship but still desiring female companionship and the accompanying perks. He has big dreams of improving his career - just later, right now trying to ward off hangovers and make his time to work every day at a casting agency, his "temporary" place of employment. Surrounded by close friends and sweet neighbors, Jas...more
Jan 30, 2008
Fran
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anybody who likes young hipster narrators.
i bought this book because of the title and cover. it's okay - narrated by this 20something dude that is trying to figure out what the hell to do with his life. he drinks too much, smokes too much, and has sexual relations with his fair share of weirdos. talks a lot about his penis, which is sort of weird - but the author has a fun, young, cynical voice. i'll definitely finish it.
I watched the MTV show and was hooked. I fell in love with the characters especially Tina. I was so heartbroken when they announced they canceled the show.I heard the show was based on a book and decided to give it a shot.
I loved it. I actually like Jason better in the book than I did on the T.V version. I think I felt more of a connection to who he really is than I do to when his character is on screen. I laughed out loud so many times. The book is told from a guys point of view and he seems l...more
I loved it. I actually like Jason better in the book than I did on the T.V version. I think I felt more of a connection to who he really is than I do to when his character is on screen. I laughed out loud so many times. The book is told from a guys point of view and he seems l...more
Actually, it feels wrong to say that I read this book, when what i actually did was read three pages and then toss it into the to-be-returned-to-the-library pile. And it's simple, really. You see, life is too short to read books by men who have bestowed pet names and alternate personalities upon to their genitals by page three.
2 likes · like · see review
I'm generally not a fan of the white male fuck up novel, but I actually did generally enjoy this one. Parts of it were a little campy--sorry, Rosen, but no one in their right mind uses "IM", and you know it. However, I don't know if it was the idea of an english major never really figuring out what he wanted to do, or the idea that we all had these goals and some of us will reach them and some of us just simply will not, or if the idea that maybe all we're really meant to do is connect with one...more
Interesting to get the guys point of view, brought me back to those days after college when the question of "what I wanted to do with my life" was still very elusive. The book really described what it is like to live in New York and be young, single and sometimes (often) clueless. Fabulous music references!
For my birthday we, a bunch of my friends and I, went out to eat in Springfield, and because it was my birthday we ended our lovely dinner of various fondues with a trip to the bookstore; Barnes and Noble to be exact. The husband took the kiddo to the play area (sometimes he can be nice and thoughtful) and I spent some quality time amongst the shelves. Of all the books that caught my eye that evening I Just Want My Pants Back caught my attention the most. I found a comfy seat and started reading...more
this was wicked good fun, kinda like sex in the city but from a dude's point of view - definitely vivid imagery of new york city (and other things...) throughout. I so heart this book and may or may not want to marry the author.
Easily read in one sitting...I picked it up because it was free, but it's so funny, it's worth buying. The main guy is Holden Caufieldesque, and brings charm & humor to the post college years limbo
this book was well reviewed, but kind of sucked. it was filled with gratuitous sex, unnecessary drinking, a bar room brawl... not the best.
"I just want my pants back" The book looked to be humorous, so I added it to my new pile at the local library. As the saying goes, 'Don't judge a book by it's cover' proved to be correct. I found it pretty disgusting to tell the truth. The main character is a douche and if I ever met someone like that I'd throw me drink in his face.
From the book description it suggested "the shallow hero matures and makes readers care what happens" No no no. I don't care. the guy remains shallow and a douche an...more
From the book description it suggested "the shallow hero matures and makes readers care what happens" No no no. I don't care. the guy remains shallow and a douche an...more
NYC-dweller gets high, drunk, and laid. Passably entertaining lad lit for a long plane ride home from LA.
This book is fuck-funny!!! It's Stephen Colbert wit with a 20something edge.
So much fun! I loved this book and I expected to hate it. It came with a big MTV sticker on it, which was a complete turn-off for me. (I'm too old!) I am so glad I got over myself and read the book. From the first page, Rosen puts you completely into the head and the life of Jason Strider. For the day or two it took me to read this, I existed in Jason's post-college, city-dwelling, what-do-I-do-with-myself-now, funky world. Thankfully, there is so much more going on than finding a pair of pants....more
this was funny. i giggled a lot. out loud. on the subway.
This wasn't a bad book, I just didn't get too much enjoyment out of it. The main character Jason is just so pathetic and really stands for alot of things I hate. Like all the people who feel they are more "unique" than other people. Or think that their knowledge of indy music somehow defines their superiority. small things like that and the fact that the title (which I really like) had very little to do with the book. If you are looking for a very easy read and are not looking for anything to fu...more
I thought this was fun. Sure, it gets a little old reading about a young man wasting his life away in bars getting drunk and, occasionally, laid, but, hey, it's better than going out and doing it (again) yourself. Why does every book need to have a serious tone, or a serious message, or just be serious? Not all movies are serious. Not all life is serious. If you can't sit back, have a few vicarious laughs, well, what the hell. Besides, he does clean up his act a little at the end and maybe that'...more
fun smart and sexy
"I Just Want My Pants Back" furiously winks and nods and rams tongue in cheek, demanding you laugh along with snide, snarky protagonist Dave, no matter how big a jerk he acts. And you might, a little. But you might also wonder: Why the hell, again, am I supposed to care about this guy?
Instead of hiding any of Jason’s emotions or frustrations, the author spills them all, the curse of first person striking again. Nothing is left to interpretation, and he doesn't even do anything reprehensible, unl...more
Instead of hiding any of Jason’s emotions or frustrations, the author spills them all, the curse of first person striking again. Nothing is left to interpretation, and he doesn't even do anything reprehensible, unl...more
After reading several very long and very heavy novels, this book was a nice refreshing break. The protagonist was a realistic 20-something who is still trying to figure out what it's all about and where he should be going. While reading it, he could have represented any number of my friends or even myself. I think that the author's creative use of the lost pants throughout the book served as a good reminder that the protagonist himself was completely lost and desperately clinging to whatever he...more
Let me start by saying that I wanted to like this book. The description made it look like a more updated incarnation of McInerney's "Bright Lights, Big City." It looked like it would be amusing and interesting.
Unfortunately, it was neither. Another reviewer hit the nail on the head when he said that Broadway Books was setting the bar low. This was my thought exactly. I'm going to take all of my elementary school book reports, staple them together and mail them to Broadway Books for publication....more
Unfortunately, it was neither. Another reviewer hit the nail on the head when he said that Broadway Books was setting the bar low. This was my thought exactly. I'm going to take all of my elementary school book reports, staple them together and mail them to Broadway Books for publication....more
When I was in high school, I picked up Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding, and eventually went on a chick lit binge. My day was not complete unless it was satisfied by Red Ink Press. When I pick up one of these titles now, I can't stand the whiney voice that these typical characters portray and I curse the authors off here on good reads. But I now present to you I Just Want My Pants Back by David J. Rosen. Here is the guys version of being single in the city.
This is a guy's book. Its filled...more
This is a guy's book. Its filled...more
Another of my quickie buy at the airport.
The book was ok.
It’s the story of Jason, a jewish guy living in NYC. He parties a lot, hopes to get laid (despite what he may think, he seems to get luckier than most people at that!), and doesn’t plan much for the future.
Jason holds an easy job he doesn’t like…but it pays the bills and the bar tabs, and in Jason’s mind that’s good enough.
He lives paycheck by paycheck and day by day, and so do his friends. At least for a while.
Then real life takes over an...more
The book was ok.
It’s the story of Jason, a jewish guy living in NYC. He parties a lot, hopes to get laid (despite what he may think, he seems to get luckier than most people at that!), and doesn’t plan much for the future.
Jason holds an easy job he doesn’t like…but it pays the bills and the bar tabs, and in Jason’s mind that’s good enough.
He lives paycheck by paycheck and day by day, and so do his friends. At least for a while.
Then real life takes over an...more
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“The most important things in life happen when you’re just hanging out.”
—
3 people liked it
“This was a side effect of partying that my friends and I called “The Fear.” Mild paranoia was just a touch of The Fear, hardly worth bothering with; a full dose really came the morning after, a bottomless pit of regret and shame fueled by drugs, alcohol, lack of sleep, and the insidious feeling that you had somehow just fucked up monumentally. I had learned to live with The Fear, but we were not very good roommates and I believed he was using my toothbrush.”
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1 person liked it
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