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55th out of 141 books
—
176 voters
You're a Horrible Person, But I Like You: The Believer Book of Advice
A compendium of advice from the producers, writers, and actors of The Office, Saturday Night Live, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Knocked Up, Flight of the Conchords, The Daily Show, Arrested Development, Reno 911!, and The Hangover along with other people who should really never give advice.
In these pages Fred Armisen offers help telling your dad you’re a lesbian—give...more
In these pages Fred Armisen offers help telling your dad you’re a lesbian—give...more
Paperback, 224 pages
Published
April 6th 2010
by Vintage
(first published March 6th 2010)
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It would be hard to decide whether the questions in this book—”Dear Tim and/or Eric, I really want to fight a bear. How can I make this happen?”—or the answers, are more ridiculous (a response from Cera on “what to do this weekend” includes advice on planting an arroyo or soapberry tree, waiting 2-3 hours for it to grow and proceeding to talk to it). Each comedian takes a unique approach to dealing with their imaginary audience, and responses run the gamut from personal anecdotes to deadpan sugg...more
I only read You're a Horrible Person, But I Like You because 1) I was searching for Sarah Vowell's new Unfamiliar Fishes on the library website but landed twelfth in the reserve line, while this book showed up under Ms. Vowell's search results as immediately available, and 2) the book seemed light on a weekend when I couldn't read heavy. You're a Horrible Person, But I Like You served its purpose, I suppose, but weakly.
I'm not sure of the book's source but if I'm assessing the situation correct...more
I'm not sure of the book's source but if I'm assessing the situation correct...more
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Reading this book was sort of like eating a doughnut. Do you ever have that moment halfway through a Krispy Kreme or those old-fashioneds they sell for $1.40 at Starbucks where all of a sudden you're like, "Why am I eating this?" And then another part of your brain—probably more directly connected to your sugar centers (that's totally a real medical term)—goes, "Uh, because it's in your MOUTH? It's a DOUGHNUT? Whatever. Chew, bitch, chew!" So you do, and later you're like, "Well. I did THAT" and...more
This book was somewhat amusing. Although it is by no means hilarious, it is a very quick & easy read, so the effort-to-payoff ration makes it worthwhile. The format is basically ridiculous questions, parodying what one might inquire of an advice columnist, answered by some of the currently most-celebrated minds in comedy today--Sarah Silverman, Adam McKay, Judd Apatow, Rainn Wilson, Larry Doyle, Amy Sedaris, Aziz Ansari, Janeane Garafolo, Zach Galifianakis, David Cross, Jim Gaffigan, Fred Ar...more
The premise of this book is simple: A few dozen comedians provide "advice" to individuals who have written in to The Believer magazine asking questions. The contributor list (Aziz Ansari! Sarah Silverman! Paul F! Zach Galifinakis! Mindy Kaling!) reads like a who's who of my personal comedy favs, so I was certain I'd be at least amused by this book. Unfortunately, this was not the case. The problem is, the book is terrible. Wait, I can get more specific than that: The problem is, both the comedie...more
Given the names attached to this book I skipped reading all prior reviews and immediately purchased it. Oops.
From the initial introduction by David Cross (actor: Tobias on Arrested Development, etc.) I was straight-faced disapointed. A quick read, but I still regret the commitment. It is clear that many of the contributing comedians put an absolutely minimal amount of effert into their contributions, and more often that not the questions are funnier than than the responses. With a few exceptions...more
From the initial introduction by David Cross (actor: Tobias on Arrested Development, etc.) I was straight-faced disapointed. A quick read, but I still regret the commitment. It is clear that many of the contributing comedians put an absolutely minimal amount of effert into their contributions, and more often that not the questions are funnier than than the responses. With a few exceptions...more
I thought this one was going to be funny, considering the wealth and breadth of the writers. These fictional Q&A's mostly aren't funny, which is sad. Also, a lot of the answers are written in the same style, which made me feel as though one person was responsible for writing the entire thing.
There were, however, some exceptions.
Samantha Bee
There were, however, some exceptions.
Samantha Bee
Dear Samantha: I was wondering if you could give me some investment advice. I’m about to retire and I’m a little freaked....more
Leah Dawson Sarasota, FL
Dear Lea
I don't have much to say about this one; it's a collection of sarcastic/sometimes funny advice from The Believer's "Sedaratives" column. It does exactly what it says on the tin. There are a lot of comedians I like represented here, a bunch of Daily Show correspondents and people like Sarah Vowell, Aziz Ansari, and Amy Sedaris (of course). There were a few people I didn't recognize and a few I don't really like, but not as many as I expected.
The problem I had with You're a Horrible Person, But I...more
The problem I had with You're a Horrible Person, But I...more
Good for an afternoon's worth of mild chuckles; I read it in one sitting. (Sidebar: if you get up to pee, come back and immediately pick up the book again, it doesn't count as a new sitting, does it? Whatever, I reject your draconian "sitting" laws. I play by my own rules: none.)
It's a little disappointing that this book isn't more LOL-worthy than it is, given the insane constellation of talent involved. Seriously, every living funny smart humor-type person you've ever heard of is repped here, w...more
It's a little disappointing that this book isn't more LOL-worthy than it is, given the insane constellation of talent involved. Seriously, every living funny smart humor-type person you've ever heard of is repped here, w...more
The format of this book is somewhat limiting - a collection of advice columns where a humorist answers a set of usually-inane questions - but the list of comedians they collected to do this is just staggering. There's an amazing slate of The State players, current and former Daily Show correspondents/writers, a surprisingly large number of movie directors, and a handful of my favorite stand-up comedians. While some of the columnists don't seem to do well with the format and some only have a limi...more
While walking through the library a bright red book with a funny title stopped me in my tracks, "You're a Horrible Person, But I Like You". This title made me wonder. Could I be a horrible person? Nah...Could people I know be horrible? Maybe some good advice would help.
The believer magazine presents one wacky collection of advice from such producers, writers, and actors as Zach Galifanakis, Sarah Silverman, Buck Henry, Michael Cera, and Daniel Handler. From the start I couldn't help but laugh. L...more
The believer magazine presents one wacky collection of advice from such producers, writers, and actors as Zach Galifanakis, Sarah Silverman, Buck Henry, Michael Cera, and Daniel Handler. From the start I couldn't help but laugh. L...more
I arbitrarily decide to correlate the number of stars given to the percentage of material in the book that lives up to what it is supposed to do. That is, since this is a humorous book giving humorous advice, I should use the following scheme:
80-100% funny = 5 stars
60-80% funny = 4 stars
40-60% funny = 3 stars
20-40% funny = 2 stars
0-20% funny = 1 star
So, numerically speaking, I should find at least 1 out of 5 pieces of advice funny in order to give the book any more than one star. Unfortunately,...more
80-100% funny = 5 stars
60-80% funny = 4 stars
40-60% funny = 3 stars
20-40% funny = 2 stars
0-20% funny = 1 star
So, numerically speaking, I should find at least 1 out of 5 pieces of advice funny in order to give the book any more than one star. Unfortunately,...more
A series of fake letters asking for advice, answered by various comedians acting as agony aunts/uncles.
There's certainly some funny stuff here, and as a book to keep by the toilet to pass those long, solitary, occasionally puncuated moments it is a fine and appropriate companion. The problem is after a while you start noticing that most of these comics tend to approach the letters in much the same way. Misunderstand what's being asked; answer a completely different question; act outraged at the...more
There's certainly some funny stuff here, and as a book to keep by the toilet to pass those long, solitary, occasionally puncuated moments it is a fine and appropriate companion. The problem is after a while you start noticing that most of these comics tend to approach the letters in much the same way. Misunderstand what's being asked; answer a completely different question; act outraged at the...more
I picked this book up a new section at Sequoia Library back by the employee picks section. I can't remember exactly what they call the row of books but it indicates they are books for the current times. It was an interesting section of some different books. This book features advice given to people who wrote in questions to a magazine called "Believer". I have never even heard of this magazine. The advice givers are famous comedians and comedic actors and actresses (Sarah Silverstein, Amy Sedari...more
The believer magazine has an advice column called "Sedaratives" - where everyday people write in for advice on literally anything and advice is dispensed by famous comedians, actors, directors and writers such as Sarah Silverman, Zach Galifankas, Judd Apatow - a collection of them from the magazine have been republished in this book.
I had such high hopes for this book but I found most of the questions to be more interesting and frankly funnier then the advice given by the "professionals". A few...more
I had such high hopes for this book but I found most of the questions to be more interesting and frankly funnier then the advice given by the "professionals". A few...more
This book consists of sarcastic advice columns written by nearly 50 of today’s best comedians. The advisers range from popular comedy directors like Harold Ramis to Daily Show correspondents to well-known stand-up comedians and actors such as Michael Ian Black and Aziz Anzari. Some writers aren’t as funny as others, but generally speaking, the book had us laughing out loud nearly the entire time. If you want a hysterical coffee table book or something to read your significant other in the car, d...more
Yeah I read this book. Who are you to judge me? The river does not always have to run deep. Oh because you only read the classics, and my books don't count as reading. Well that is very pedantic of you so why don't you abscond away from me. Yeah I know GRE vocab words too motherfucker. So I guess the real difference between you and I is that I have friends, get laid, and people are capable of loving me. Your over concern with the English language just proves how unattractive you are. Keep showin...more
I stumbled across this book at my local library. After perusing the long list of talent involved in writing this book, I had high hopes that this would be a highly entertaining read.
Meh, not worth the time. The book's format consists of various comedians responding to questions sent in from readers to The Believer magazine. While the responses are all outrageous, very few make you even crack a smile. The potential for this to be great was there, but all it did was disappoint. If it weren't for m...more
Meh, not worth the time. The book's format consists of various comedians responding to questions sent in from readers to The Believer magazine. While the responses are all outrageous, very few make you even crack a smile. The potential for this to be great was there, but all it did was disappoint. If it weren't for m...more
This book had advice from a large number of funny people I love, but it wasn't as laugh-out-loud hilarious as I had hoped. It was mildly amusing for the most part. My favorite part was actually this really long digression by Daniel Handler that didn't even answer the question asked, but instead turned into this melancholic discourse on existential longing. It was so out-of-left-field among all the joking responses of other writers/comedians. Patton Oswalt wrote a similar responses, but his had a...more
At times hilarious, but mostly mediocre, advice from some great comedians of our time. Also, some mediocre comedians as well.
Based on "Sedaratives" by Amy Sedaris in "The Believer" magazine, this is a set of questions that at times are clearly made up, and other times you think you could read in any newspaper across the country with some witty answers.
All in all, I was disappointed by this book. 3 stars because a few of the answers made me laugh hysterically, while the rest was only good for ki...more
Based on "Sedaratives" by Amy Sedaris in "The Believer" magazine, this is a set of questions that at times are clearly made up, and other times you think you could read in any newspaper across the country with some witty answers.
All in all, I was disappointed by this book. 3 stars because a few of the answers made me laugh hysterically, while the rest was only good for ki...more
Feb 26, 2012
Jamie
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
People who like to be amused by other people, in writing.
If you need a laugh, pick up this easy-read. If you want to feel euphoric because the world contains *so many* very funny people, this is the book for you. If you are a very gullible and literal person, do not follow any of the advice in this book!
If you need advice about how to deal with cat-callers, ask Samantha Bee.
For clarity on the carbohydrate content of cashews vs. semen, give yourself over to Michael Ian Black
.
Larry Doyle can help you see why being "likeable" is not all it's cracked up t...more
If you need advice about how to deal with cat-callers, ask Samantha Bee.
For clarity on the carbohydrate content of cashews vs. semen, give yourself over to Michael Ian Black
.
Larry Doyle can help you see why being "likeable" is not all it's cracked up t...more
This is a great collection of "advice" columns written by some of the superstars of modern comedy, writing, and movie/TV-making. You have Daily Show regs, Comedians of Comedy, Bob & David, Apatow, Rainn Wilson, Michael Cera & everything in between. (The highlight for me was Amy Sedaris.) One of the things I liked about this book was that it can be read in one sitting or in small doses: it's perfect to carry in your purse for when you're stuck in a line or caught in traffic - or to read o...more
I found about 25% of the jokes in this book (of which the entire book consists of jokes, even the About the Authors section) really, really funny, another 25% of the jokes I found really very unfunny and the remaining 50% of the jokes I just did not get (maybe, at David Cross's suggestion, because I'm not smart enough to "get" The Believer, but I highly doubt it). I found most of the time, the authors were trying really hard to be funny and it just didn't come across that way. Although I will sa...more
Dear Pete,
I'm thinking of reading this book, but I'm not sure if it's a good use of my time. Also, I have foot pain. What should I do?
-Foot Pain in Brisbane
Dear Foot Pain,
Let's start with the book.
The concept of this book is hilarious and maybe undersold. The idea is that people write in with their Dear-Abby-Esque questions and then receive advice. BUT that advice comes from a linup of comedians and comedy writers, probably the worst people to ask.
Because there are something like 30 different wr...more
I'm thinking of reading this book, but I'm not sure if it's a good use of my time. Also, I have foot pain. What should I do?
-Foot Pain in Brisbane
Dear Foot Pain,
Let's start with the book.
The concept of this book is hilarious and maybe undersold. The idea is that people write in with their Dear-Abby-Esque questions and then receive advice. BUT that advice comes from a linup of comedians and comedy writers, probably the worst people to ask.
Because there are something like 30 different wr...more
I picked this book up yesterday, having never heard of it, mostly because the bookstore was having a "Buy 2, Get one free" sale and I needed a third book. I'm so glad I did. While I enjoyed some chapters more than others, I found the book, overall, to be very funny. My favorite chapters were the ones by Aasif Mandvi and Zack Galifanakis. One of the best things is the fact that the chapters are short so if I didn't find a section funny, I skipped right on to the next one. A funny, quick read!
I don't have a lot to say about this book. If you like the new wave of alternative comedians (i.e. Zach Galifanakis, Sarah Silverman, Patton Oswald, Judd Apatow, Rainn Wilson) you will probably really love this book. It is essentially all of your favorite comedians answering ridiculous questions from people who have posted them to the BELIEVER website. Otherwise, if you are not into these comedians or you are easily offended then you can either: a) develop a sense of humor and make some of those...more
This book would've been SO MUCH funnier if the people writing the questions had not also been trying to be funny. The questions all seemed to have been written by those waaaay too eager UCB audience participants who ham it way the hell up, to, I don't know, get famous? Guys, Lorne Michaels is NOT in the audience and if he was he wouldn't be impressed. Leave the comedy to the professionals, or at least the funny amateurs. That being said, there were a few chuckles to be had, but the comedians jus...more
Feb 23, 2011
bay reads books nu uh, does so huh
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
train standers
---
fun read, quick read. sort of like an advice column, but for some reason, even if the original letters were written by actual people, it felt a smidge forced.
then the answers, no matter the caliber of the person giving their response, felt like it plateaued at a very specific level of funny. mostly smirky chortling, somewhat ha-ha, and a touch of well-that-was-unnecessary.
still a fun swoop of a book that you can finish in a matter of a long train ride.
---
fun read, quick read. sort of like an advice column, but for some reason, even if the original letters were written by actual people, it felt a smidge forced.
then the answers, no matter the caliber of the person giving their response, felt like it plateaued at a very specific level of funny. mostly smirky chortling, somewhat ha-ha, and a touch of well-that-was-unnecessary.
still a fun swoop of a book that you can finish in a matter of a long train ride.
---
…I am booking a flight now to Upper Mongolia, where I can meditate on the answer unmolested by technology or beauty.
There. I have booked it. Computers!!
***
Dear Michael and/or Michael:
Can you substitute baking soda for baking powder?
Lauren M.
Manhattan, KS
Hi Lauren:
This sounds like the kind of question a terrorist would ask.
Michael Ian Black
Dear Lauren:
I revert to my standard motto: "No Substitutions—Genuine Class."
Michael Showalter
There. I have booked it. Computers!!
***
Dear Michael and/or Michael:
Can you substitute baking soda for baking powder?
Lauren M.
Manhattan, KS
Hi Lauren:
This sounds like the kind of question a terrorist would ask.
Michael Ian Black
Dear Lauren:
I revert to my standard motto: "No Substitutions—Genuine Class."
Michael Showalter
I really should've trusted the reviews on this one, but I held out hope it would be better than many seemed to think. It was not. The Judd Apatow written section was miles above any of the others, and it was only about 3 pages long and came far too early in the book to keep the what followed from being a slog. The Eugene Mirman advice was the next most amusing, most likely because I could hear his "voice" so well thanks to the wonderful TV show that is Bob's Burgers. Unfortunately, none of the o...more
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