This book shows, in a very funny way, the difference between being good in the modern sense (donating to charities, being environmentally conscious, e...moreThis book shows, in a very funny way, the difference between being good in the modern sense (donating to charities, being environmentally conscious, etc.) and being good in the real sense--giving away all your belongings and offering hospitality to the destitute. Cynical David turns over a new leaf and decides to be good, which leads to hosting Sunday dinners for his wife's homeless clients and convincing all his neighbors to house runaways in their spare bedrooms. If anyone besides Nick Hornby had written it, it would be preachy, but instead it feels enlightening. This would be a great book for discussion.(less)
This is quite possibly the funniest book I've ever read. The drunken narrator escapes his aunt and uncle's plans for rehab and, with his unflappable v...moreThis is quite possibly the funniest book I've ever read. The drunken narrator escapes his aunt and uncle's plans for rehab and, with his unflappable valet Jeeves, joins an artist's colony in Saratoga Springs. If you like Wodehouse (and don't mind an alcoholic narrator), you will like this 21st century Jeeves-and-Wooster.(less)
This is a fantastic example of one of those books where you are given access to the interior monologue of a character who means well, but consistently...moreThis is a fantastic example of one of those books where you are given access to the interior monologue of a character who means well, but consistently makes bad choices (sometimes bordering on the absurd). Don't let the fact that it is set in British academia put you off--Jim's manic navigation through his career and love life would have been funny in any setting. It's a little Bridget Jones-esque, in the best possible sense of that description. It also reminded me a bit of Wodehouse.(less)
The madcap adventures of a young American expat in Paris, written in an intelligent, effervescent style. This is an extremely likable book. If you lik...moreThe madcap adventures of a young American expat in Paris, written in an intelligent, effervescent style. This is an extremely likable book. If you liked this, try Cassandra at the Wedding, by Dorothy Baker.(less)
Um, this was published in 1889. I adore books that show you that people in other time periods were just like us. This is somehow still fresh and funny...moreUm, this was published in 1889. I adore books that show you that people in other time periods were just like us. This is somehow still fresh and funny and wonderful, like E.F. Benson's Lucia series (which I am obsessed with). I'd also recommend this to fans of Lucky Jim.(less)
This would be a great book to read over the holidays, to make your own family seem more normal. It's like chick lit for boys--crass and funny and sex-...moreThis would be a great book to read over the holidays, to make your own family seem more normal. It's like chick lit for boys--crass and funny and sex-obsessed and unsentimental.(less)
This was unexpectedly, unremittingly hilarious. Seriously, it's up there with Lucky Jim as far as comic novels go--I can't believe it's not more well-...moreThis was unexpectedly, unremittingly hilarious. Seriously, it's up there with Lucky Jim as far as comic novels go--I can't believe it's not more well-known. And it's so modern, too, especially for something written in the 1920's. It reminded me of a funnier, meaner Jane Austen.(less)
I don't understand why Sedaris chose this title, since it brings to mind his fable-like, slightly odd Squirrel Meets Chipmunk, when in fact this remin...moreI don't understand why Sedaris chose this title, since it brings to mind his fable-like, slightly odd Squirrel Meets Chipmunk, when in fact this reminded me most of Me Talk Pretty One Day. I was especially happy to see some family stories in here. My favorite essay was the one about his diary-keeping.(less)
I thought this book was completely hilarious. I cannot remember the last time a book made me laugh out loud so many times. Like Julie and Julia, it's...moreI thought this book was completely hilarious. I cannot remember the last time a book made me laugh out loud so many times. Like Julie and Julia, it's a great example of the pursuit-of-a-self-imposed-quest genre.(less)
Having read both of her books, I think Sloane Crosley is overrated but still enjoyable. The comparisons to David Sedaris seem a little forced--yes, sh...moreHaving read both of her books, I think Sloane Crosley is overrated but still enjoyable. The comparisons to David Sedaris seem a little forced--yes, she writes humorous essays, but they're very NYC-centric and more inside-jokey, with a tad bit of smugness. They also have an ephemeral quality--they don't stick with you like, for example, David Sedaris' stories about the Rooster. All that being said, this is still really fun to read.(less)
I'm amazed at all the negative reviews of this book--I thought it was phenomenal. It's in the alcohol-fueled, guilt-ridden loser lit category of books...moreI'm amazed at all the negative reviews of this book--I thought it was phenomenal. It's in the alcohol-fueled, guilt-ridden loser lit category of books like Lucky Jim and Wake Up, Sir!, and it is just as hilarious. I loved it.(less)
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