A compendium of advice from the producers, writers, and actors of The Office, Saturday Night Live, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, K...
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Jan 16, 2012
Kira
rated it: 
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
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Apr 03, 2011
RandomAnthony
rated it: 
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 sit More...
I'm not sure of the book's source but if I'm assessing the sit More...
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Aug 18, 2010
Trin
rated it:
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, "
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(13 people liked it)
Aug 13, 2010
Kate
rated it:
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 Armi
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Jan 23, 2011
Rachel
rated it: 
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,
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(3 people liked it)
Jul 13, 2010
Preston
rated it:
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 fe 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 fe More...
Feb 13, 2011
Niklas
rated it:
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...
Jun 11, 2010
Krok Zero
rated it:
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 hear 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 hear More...
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(4 people liked it)
Dec 01, 2010
Natalie
rated it:
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 could 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 could More...
Oct 19, 2011
Mooderino
rated it:
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 outr 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 outr More...
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Jan 30, 2011
Marcia
rated it:
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 Silvers
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May 04, 2010
Steven
rated it:
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 " 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 " More...
Sep 27, 2011
Lhell
rated it: 
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. Kee
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Jun 06, 2010
Deakyn
rated it:
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 w 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 w More...
Sep 25, 2010
Anya
rated it:
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
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Sep 21, 2010
John
rated it:
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 hy 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 hy More...
Aug 06, 2011
Tiffany
rated it: 
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
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May 26, 2011
Nicole
rated it:
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. Althou
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Aug 28, 2010
Pete
rated it:
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 peop 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 peop More...
Jul 18, 2010
Kristina
rated it:
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
Apr 21, 2010
Josh
rated it:
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 th
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Feb 23, 2011
bay reads books
rated it:
---
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.
-
Aug 23, 2010
Magda
rated it:
…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—
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—
Nov 20, 2010
Sheela
rated it:
This was a collection of advice columns from various comedians, including some of my favorites, Aziz Ansari, Mindy Kaling, Zach G., Samantha Bee and Judd Apatow.
If you read them all at once, you get tired of the same old jokes. I would recommend reading them intermittently - i.e., keep it as a coffee-table book and pick it up when you need a good laugh.
There are a few gems in there, especially the advice from Michael Cera.
If you read them all at once, you get tired of the same old jokes. I would recommend reading them intermittently - i.e., keep it as a coffee-table book and pick it up when you need a good laugh.
There are a few gems in there, especially the advice from Michael Cera.
Mar 28, 2011
April
rated it:
For one, I'm a years & years & years-long subscriber to the Believer, making me an incredibly biased reader. Another is that aside from Jack Pendarvis' current column, the Sedaratives are my favorite recurring items in the magazine. So, an entire book of them? Hell yes. I enjoyed it immensely & surprisingly loved Judd Apatow's postmodern painfulness the most. It's a quick/nonsubstantial read, but quite fun.
May 01, 2011
Kate
rated it:
This is a hilarious and very quick read featuring many of the fantastic comics/columnists/actors/writers of our generation answering questions (legit?) supposedly written in to The Believer magazine. Some were trying too hard to be funny, but some were downright hilarious. I particularly enjoyed Amy Sedaris, Jim Gaffigan, and Samantha Bee. If you need a quick read to make you laugh, I would recommend this.
Sep 19, 2010
Tlnorz
rated it:
This book reminded me of today's movie previews. How many times have you gone to a movie because the preview was good only to find all of the good scenes in the movie were in the preview? I picked this book up and read a few pages that were funny. Unfortunately, after taking the book home, I discovered that I had somehow read all of the funny parts already. My advice, skip the book.
Jun 24, 2010
Lexi
rated it:
Absolutely hilarious. Sure, some were not as funny as others, but the funny ones more than made up for the mediocre ones. At its funniest, this book was laugh-out-loud-in-a-public-place funny - I laughed at the bookstore where I bought it, on the subway, in my office (thank you, Google book previews), and everywhere else I read it. Definitely recommend it if you need a good laugh and a quick read.
Jan 13, 2012
Aaron
rated it:
The Believer presents a collection of fake advice columns from a wide variety of talented and popular comedians as well as comedic writers and producers (Tim & Eric, Michael Ian Black/Michael Showalter, Patton Oswalt, Judd Apatow, etc.). The idea is great, but an entire book full of these is way too much, and the humor gets old and incredibly awkward (mostly in an unfunny way). I don't know. Whatever.
Apr 26, 2010
lindsae
rated it:
You're a Horrible Person is an advice book. I think I went in thinking that the book was going to be the funniest, greatest, side splitting book ever. And thought it was decent, I wasn't laughing until I cried with every letter. I think that i twas good- don't get me wrong. The Believer brought in a lot of great comedians, the questions were ok, and some of the responses were quite humorous.
