What do you think?
Rate this book
JOB JUNKY
“A funny, delightful, and incisive tour of working odd jobs.” —Kirkus
“Wild… Reading this book is a ride.” —Independent Book Review
“Fast, matter-of-fact, and full of memorable moments.” —San Francisco Book Review
“Insightful, humorous, and engaging.” —The US Review of Books
Job Junky is a bare-bones memoir of work, survival, and everything in between. Told in short, raw chapters, it reads more like a barstool confession than a polished life story.
Rudy Ridolfo worked over 50 jobs while chasing a creative dream—from managing shady bars and moving trucks to airport tarmacs, martial arts dojos, and indie film sets. Along the way, he crossed paths with unforgettable coworkers, chaotic bosses, and even icons like Al Pacino and Robert Redford—learning not from their fame, but from how they worked.
There’s no tidy arc or grand revelation here. Just true stories from the grind—gritty, absurd, and unexpectedly funny.
If you’ve ever clocked in, burned out, or wondered what the hell you’re doing with your life—this one’s for you.
“Wild… Reading this book is a ride.” —Independent Book Review
“Fast, matter-of-fact, and full of memorable moments.” —San Francisco Book Review
“Insightful, humorous, and engaging.” —The US Review of Books
Job Junky is a bare-bones memoir of work, survival, and everything in between. Told in short, raw chapters, it reads more like a barstool confession than a polished life story.
Rudy Ridolfo worked over 50 jobs while chasing a creative dream—from managing shady bars and moving trucks to airport tarmacs, martial arts dojos, and indie film sets. Along the way, he crossed paths with unforgettable coworkers, chaotic bosses, and even icons like Al Pacino and Robert Redford—learning not from their fame, but from how they worked.
There’s no tidy arc or grand revelation here. Just true stories from the grind—gritty, absurd, and unexpectedly funny.
If you’ve ever clocked in, burned out, or wondered what the hell you’re doing with your life—this one’s for you.
131 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 2, 2025
4 people are currently reading
2156 people want to read
About the author
Rudy Ridolfo
1 book15 followersRudy Ridolfo has worked over 50 jobs — and walked away from most of them. Before writing Job Junky, he spent years in the world of independent film, chasing stories that didn’t follow a script and jobs that didn’t require a résumé. Job Junky is a punchy, darkly funny memoir about work, burnout, and escape, told in raw, standalone chapters that feel more like confessions than career advice. Ridolfo writes under a pen name, not because he’s elusive — just because he’s got future job interviews to think about. He currently lives somewhere between shifts.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 16, 2025
I was completely fooled by this book, in the best way possible. I was expecting a heavier book. That was my mistake.
This one is light, real, and hysterically funny. He doesn’t drag the book down with long, boring histories of himself. You get stories that are exactly what the title promises. Funny stories of his jobs.
Great book! Will definitely be recommending it.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, All opinions are my own.
This one is light, real, and hysterically funny. He doesn’t drag the book down with long, boring histories of himself. You get stories that are exactly what the title promises. Funny stories of his jobs.
Great book! Will definitely be recommending it.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, All opinions are my own.
August 4, 2025
This book was such a fun and brutally honest ride through the world of working jobs you don’t love, and sometimes straight-up hate. Rudy Ridolfo has this sharp, dry humor that makes every chapter feel like you’re swapping war stories over coffee with a friend.
He doesn’t sugarcoat the chaos, frustration, or the absurdity of workplace culture, but he also doesn’t whine.
It’s relatable in that “yep, I’ve been there” kind of way, especially if you’ve ever bounced from one job to another wondering if this one will finally be worth it.
If you’ve ever had a job you couldn’t stand, a boss who made you question reality, or coworkers who belonged in a sitcom, you’ll probably laugh, nod a lot, and maybe even feel a little seen. It’s like therapy, but with more sarcasm and less hourly billing. Recommended!
He doesn’t sugarcoat the chaos, frustration, or the absurdity of workplace culture, but he also doesn’t whine.
It’s relatable in that “yep, I’ve been there” kind of way, especially if you’ve ever bounced from one job to another wondering if this one will finally be worth it.
If you’ve ever had a job you couldn’t stand, a boss who made you question reality, or coworkers who belonged in a sitcom, you’ll probably laugh, nod a lot, and maybe even feel a little seen. It’s like therapy, but with more sarcasm and less hourly billing. Recommended!
July 22, 2025
DNF @ 36%. If these things actually happened, what an exciting life. There were funny bits but honestly I couldn’t get over what essentially read as an ego trip. “I kicked my bully’s ass in front of a bunch of teenagers because I’m bad ass”. “All the hot girls wanted me! Left and right! Couldn’t get em off me”. “I’m cute and funny and people who don’t get that are boring”. 🥱 I’m paraphrasing, but honestly not by much. Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to review.
August 3, 2025
Captivating Trinity of Hilarious, Heartbreaking, and Cautionary Real-Life Stories
Job Junky is a 131-page, May 2025 book by Rudy Ridolfo. Earlier on, its author tells you that the self-dedicated humorous and memoirish book—admittedly, with unreasonable, compromise lessons—was borne out of a guard’s nasty remark.
A first-person narrative, the intriguing short anthology’s friendly tone complements its author’s relentless introspection and retrospection of fast life in a First World.
Basically, there are 45 short stories that highlight crucial moments, especially in his job-hopping life: full-time, part-time, casual, private sector, governmental, contractual, freelance, unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled jobs are central to the author’s hands-on experiences.
From hospitality and security to customer service and sanitation services to marketing and maintenance to assembly line and construction to entertainment and film industry to healthcare and self-development to communication and social protection—and almost everything else in between, dating back to his teenage—Ridolfo’s laid-back stories draw from his numerous, one-time occupations with an unequal measure.
Despite his subjectivity, Ridolfo’s objectivity stands out such as where he writes that he wouldn’t have hired himself after a grocery store incident; followed by a sewage truck’s messy experience, near misses, spooky overnight jobs, exposès, weird red-handed scenes, breakdown, workplace fights, close brushes with the law, wayward associates and clients, dramatic vulnerable care, shady deals, fetishes, cold truths, troubled colleagues, human foibles, industrial secrets and intricacies, elusive dreams, naughty escapades, and many more.
I especially liked the Service Center Manager story (literary takeaway: “a quark moment…universe…is about to give…magic bubble of joyous gifts that usually lasts about as long as an actual soap bubble”), particularly his colleague attendant Bill’s theatrics like the near-naked accident at a barbecue and cinematic fiery boots.
His father’s conspiratorial wink in the Night Club Manager story? Hilarious. The Roofing Laborer story’s rip-off involving the local student? Funny, just like the medical assistant managerial story, where serious, respectful patients possibly mistook the doctor’s pipe’s odor for medicine.
From traumatic and tragic to bittersweet memories; Job Junky is a captivating trinity of hilarious, heartbreaking, and cautionary real-life stories narrated from the perspective of been there, seen that, done that.
Job Junky is a 131-page, May 2025 book by Rudy Ridolfo. Earlier on, its author tells you that the self-dedicated humorous and memoirish book—admittedly, with unreasonable, compromise lessons—was borne out of a guard’s nasty remark.
A first-person narrative, the intriguing short anthology’s friendly tone complements its author’s relentless introspection and retrospection of fast life in a First World.
Basically, there are 45 short stories that highlight crucial moments, especially in his job-hopping life: full-time, part-time, casual, private sector, governmental, contractual, freelance, unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled jobs are central to the author’s hands-on experiences.
From hospitality and security to customer service and sanitation services to marketing and maintenance to assembly line and construction to entertainment and film industry to healthcare and self-development to communication and social protection—and almost everything else in between, dating back to his teenage—Ridolfo’s laid-back stories draw from his numerous, one-time occupations with an unequal measure.
Despite his subjectivity, Ridolfo’s objectivity stands out such as where he writes that he wouldn’t have hired himself after a grocery store incident; followed by a sewage truck’s messy experience, near misses, spooky overnight jobs, exposès, weird red-handed scenes, breakdown, workplace fights, close brushes with the law, wayward associates and clients, dramatic vulnerable care, shady deals, fetishes, cold truths, troubled colleagues, human foibles, industrial secrets and intricacies, elusive dreams, naughty escapades, and many more.
I especially liked the Service Center Manager story (literary takeaway: “a quark moment…universe…is about to give…magic bubble of joyous gifts that usually lasts about as long as an actual soap bubble”), particularly his colleague attendant Bill’s theatrics like the near-naked accident at a barbecue and cinematic fiery boots.
His father’s conspiratorial wink in the Night Club Manager story? Hilarious. The Roofing Laborer story’s rip-off involving the local student? Funny, just like the medical assistant managerial story, where serious, respectful patients possibly mistook the doctor’s pipe’s odor for medicine.
From traumatic and tragic to bittersweet memories; Job Junky is a captivating trinity of hilarious, heartbreaking, and cautionary real-life stories narrated from the perspective of been there, seen that, done that.
July 8, 2025
Job Junky isn’t just a memoir. It’s a raw chronicle of a working life shaped by artistic sacrifice and restless pursuit. Rudy Ridolfo doesn’t merely recount jobs; he exposes the quiet rage, absurd rituals and silent toll of survival in a system that rarely rewards creativity.
What sets Ridolfo apart is how he threads deeper meaning through brutal honesty and keen observational humor. His brevity is a weapon -each chapter lands fast, funny, and true, pushing the reader forward like the work days we endure. The result isn’t a traditional narrative arc -It’s a mirror to modern excess and unraveling norms both hilarious and disturbing in its familiarity.
Driven by a force larger than ambition, Ridolfo stands as a uniquely honest observer of our era -someone who gave everything to the dream and still found a way to laugh.
What sets Ridolfo apart is how he threads deeper meaning through brutal honesty and keen observational humor. His brevity is a weapon -each chapter lands fast, funny, and true, pushing the reader forward like the work days we endure. The result isn’t a traditional narrative arc -It’s a mirror to modern excess and unraveling norms both hilarious and disturbing in its familiarity.
Driven by a force larger than ambition, Ridolfo stands as a uniquely honest observer of our era -someone who gave everything to the dream and still found a way to laugh.
September 29, 2025
This title was selected for IngramSpark's Indie Title Discovery Spotlight 2025!
A wildly hilarious collection of anecdotes from a lifetime of different jobs. This is a must-read for fans of conversational memoirs and career explorers!
A wildly hilarious collection of anecdotes from a lifetime of different jobs. This is a must-read for fans of conversational memoirs and career explorers!
May 30, 2025
This writer has done something rather impressive, here, that I wish many autobiographers would emulate. He has told us a great deal about what kind of person he is without talking about himself. He promised us a book about the jobs he has failed at, and that is exactly what he produced. There is no whining, no blaming, no focus on himself.
When I read a book of this sort, I never read the introduction. In my opinion, if the stories are good enough, they should need no explanation. In this case, the introduction was rather long, and I happily skipped it and dove straight into the stories.
And I soon found I was enjoying them. Partly because the guy has led a really interesting and varied work life. But also because, slid in mostly through what he did and what he reveals to us about what he was thinking at the time, I began to like him.
I finished the book in one day. And then I read the Afterword, and then I went back and read the Introduction. And I enjoyed both of them. They are good stories, well told, with a sympathetic and believable main character.
The Rudy Ridolfo we meet in these stories had his problems, which he doesn’t harp on. We piece together the fact that he had an abusive father and a divorce, but he barely mentions either, because that’s not what he promised. But it helps us understand a lot of the things he has done and the jobs he has taken. And why he left so many of them, often rather quickly.
It also mitigates our disapproval of the licentious life he lived. He’s not exactly an anti-hero, but he’s no angel, either. Thematically speaking, he holds fast to a pretty reasonable set of ethics in an environment where ethics rarely matter.
And if you find a lot of the events outrageous and unbelievable, take it from someone who has spent his share of time on set; there isn’t one story in the whole book that isn’t completely possible. I’ve spent a lot of time around people like that, and, allowing for a bit of poetic license, they ring true.
These stories are mostly in chronological order, and if I had my druthers, the author would have made more effort to keep them organized. When we’re trying hard to follow a helter-skelter life like this one, every jolt of, “Where are we now?” pulls us out of our contact with the character and reminds us that he’s also an author.
A warning: don’t expect a whole lot of stories about the movies. Most of these are the jobs Indy workers take to keep the rent paid while they set up the next production. The jobs in his true calling didn’t make it in here with the failures.
An entertaining look into an interesting life, spiced with peeks at the Indy film industry.
When I read a book of this sort, I never read the introduction. In my opinion, if the stories are good enough, they should need no explanation. In this case, the introduction was rather long, and I happily skipped it and dove straight into the stories.
And I soon found I was enjoying them. Partly because the guy has led a really interesting and varied work life. But also because, slid in mostly through what he did and what he reveals to us about what he was thinking at the time, I began to like him.
I finished the book in one day. And then I read the Afterword, and then I went back and read the Introduction. And I enjoyed both of them. They are good stories, well told, with a sympathetic and believable main character.
The Rudy Ridolfo we meet in these stories had his problems, which he doesn’t harp on. We piece together the fact that he had an abusive father and a divorce, but he barely mentions either, because that’s not what he promised. But it helps us understand a lot of the things he has done and the jobs he has taken. And why he left so many of them, often rather quickly.
It also mitigates our disapproval of the licentious life he lived. He’s not exactly an anti-hero, but he’s no angel, either. Thematically speaking, he holds fast to a pretty reasonable set of ethics in an environment where ethics rarely matter.
And if you find a lot of the events outrageous and unbelievable, take it from someone who has spent his share of time on set; there isn’t one story in the whole book that isn’t completely possible. I’ve spent a lot of time around people like that, and, allowing for a bit of poetic license, they ring true.
These stories are mostly in chronological order, and if I had my druthers, the author would have made more effort to keep them organized. When we’re trying hard to follow a helter-skelter life like this one, every jolt of, “Where are we now?” pulls us out of our contact with the character and reminds us that he’s also an author.
A warning: don’t expect a whole lot of stories about the movies. Most of these are the jobs Indy workers take to keep the rent paid while they set up the next production. The jobs in his true calling didn’t make it in here with the failures.
An entertaining look into an interesting life, spiced with peeks at the Indy film industry.
August 16, 2025
There are memoirs, and then there are wild, gut-punched, whiskey-soaked truth bombs like Job Junky. Rudy Ridolfo’s unconventional chronicle of forty-odd jobs spanning decades reads like Hunter S. Thompson and Charles Bukowski got together to document the gig economy before it had a name.
What begins as a sardonic retort to a dismissive remark, "You were in the movie business," spirals into a fever-dream confession about the absurdities of surviving while chasing a creative life. From sewage trucks and donut shops to nightclubs, acting gigs, and near-death moments, Ridolfo throws you headfirst into scenes that are messy, hilarious, and heartbreakingly human.
The structure is episodic, like reading journal entries dictated by someone who’s part philosopher, part hustler, and part accidental prophet of the working class. And it works. Because Ridolfo doesn’t just tell us what he did—he shows us how it felt to be discarded, desired, disoriented, and ultimately defiant.
There’s something profoundly liberating about this book’s refusal to be polished. The stories are vulgar and vulnerable in equal measure, peppered with gritty humour and surprising emotional depth. As a writer, I found myself admiring how effortlessly he shifts tone—from bawdy to tender, from surreal to sobering. It's memoir meets street theatre meets a cigarette break in a film noir.
But what elevates Job Junky is that it's not just about jobs. It’s about identity. About masculinity. About family wounds and inherited violence. About the price of pursuing art when life keeps shoving reality in your face. It's not merely a working man's diary, it’s a manifesto of survival with grace, even in degradation.
That said, the book’s rawness may not suit everyone. Some anecdotes push boundaries, and others may come off as overly indulgent or chaotic. But in Ridolfo's world, that's kind of the point—there's no tidy resolution, only a relentless will to keep moving.
Ultimately, Job Junky is a masterclass in lived experience, told by a man who has nothing left to prove and everything to confess. It’s equal parts tragic and triumphant, and if you’ve ever felt like your “real job” was just a myth you’re still chasing, this book is for you.
What begins as a sardonic retort to a dismissive remark, "You were in the movie business," spirals into a fever-dream confession about the absurdities of surviving while chasing a creative life. From sewage trucks and donut shops to nightclubs, acting gigs, and near-death moments, Ridolfo throws you headfirst into scenes that are messy, hilarious, and heartbreakingly human.
The structure is episodic, like reading journal entries dictated by someone who’s part philosopher, part hustler, and part accidental prophet of the working class. And it works. Because Ridolfo doesn’t just tell us what he did—he shows us how it felt to be discarded, desired, disoriented, and ultimately defiant.
There’s something profoundly liberating about this book’s refusal to be polished. The stories are vulgar and vulnerable in equal measure, peppered with gritty humour and surprising emotional depth. As a writer, I found myself admiring how effortlessly he shifts tone—from bawdy to tender, from surreal to sobering. It's memoir meets street theatre meets a cigarette break in a film noir.
But what elevates Job Junky is that it's not just about jobs. It’s about identity. About masculinity. About family wounds and inherited violence. About the price of pursuing art when life keeps shoving reality in your face. It's not merely a working man's diary, it’s a manifesto of survival with grace, even in degradation.
That said, the book’s rawness may not suit everyone. Some anecdotes push boundaries, and others may come off as overly indulgent or chaotic. But in Ridolfo's world, that's kind of the point—there's no tidy resolution, only a relentless will to keep moving.
Ultimately, Job Junky is a masterclass in lived experience, told by a man who has nothing left to prove and everything to confess. It’s equal parts tragic and triumphant, and if you’ve ever felt like your “real job” was just a myth you’re still chasing, this book is for you.
August 8, 2025
I was pretty perplexed by the number of jobs that Rudy Ridolfo author of Job Junky has done. I counted more than 40 as listed in his book. This is a read that is catchy and humorous at the same time. The author has given a description of the jobs and I can say it is short and sweet. It will not bore you but will leave you yearning for more! The writing is easy to understand for anyone who is willing to immerse themselves in this non-fictional read. This is because you will find yourself engaging your emotions, senses and imagination hence making you feel as if you are part of the story.
As I went through the book, I kept thinking, “Why is it that Rudy seems to have some unfortunate encounters in different jobs and which are mostly sexual?” I found it hilarious how after most of these occurrences, he did not budge when he decided to leave a job. One lesson learnt from this is that you do not have to stick with a job that you feel violated, disrespected or you simply dislike. It is okay to move to the next one just like Rudy did!
I feel like the author is an empathetic person as seen in different scenarios in the story. He comes out as someone who wishes others well and would love to offer some help whenever he can. I found this lovely. I feel that he deserves the Department of Labor’s Medal of Valor! This is a memoir that you will enjoy reading!
As I went through the book, I kept thinking, “Why is it that Rudy seems to have some unfortunate encounters in different jobs and which are mostly sexual?” I found it hilarious how after most of these occurrences, he did not budge when he decided to leave a job. One lesson learnt from this is that you do not have to stick with a job that you feel violated, disrespected or you simply dislike. It is okay to move to the next one just like Rudy did!
I feel like the author is an empathetic person as seen in different scenarios in the story. He comes out as someone who wishes others well and would love to offer some help whenever he can. I found this lovely. I feel that he deserves the Department of Labor’s Medal of Valor! This is a memoir that you will enjoy reading!
August 20, 2025
This book was very well put together and I liked it a lot! I can be read in a day, as it is a quick and easy read. I loved how each chapter flowed from one job to the next and the way Rudy spoke to the reader as if they were a friend sitting by him in a cafe. Though the jobs and time periods jumped around, the when of each job didn't matter, just the details. Rudy is a funny author and kept even the more serious jobs light hearted and funny. You can tell this guy was born in a different time from today, because of how free spirited he lived his life. The man has really seen some things. It's totally different from today's work culture or even the work culture of a decade ago. I enjoyed his hustle , and youthful desire to just make enough money to live his life and party. He partied a lot and his casual attitude about leaving jobs was almost a shock as I've never met someone who was so casual about work. Most people get into something and work their whole life at it, because they have bills to pay or families to raise. Rudy flits around from one job to the next and always seems confident about his next gig. And boy oh boy did he have some experiences! Like wow, what a life he's lived so far. This was a refreshing read and I hope he writes a memoir or something because that would definitely be an interesting book that I would definitely want to pick up..
June 30, 2025
Who is Rudy Ridolfo, hmmm ... your guess is probably better than mine. But he has an interesting and fun resume.
With a title like Job Junky, you should assume that excess consumption and illegal drugs are involved.
Job Junky is approx 131 pages, publication date is May 2, 2025
Approx 45 job titles, approx 117 pages ... each job title approx 2.6 pages
Preface & Afterward 5 pages each
With each job title the position is described, usually a story to go along with it ... which is also often why the author moved on to another endeavor. A very quick and entertaining read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Rudy Ridolfo for approving my request to read the advance read copy of Job Junky in exchange for an honest review.
With a title like Job Junky, you should assume that excess consumption and illegal drugs are involved.
Job Junky is approx 131 pages, publication date is May 2, 2025
Approx 45 job titles, approx 117 pages ... each job title approx 2.6 pages
Preface & Afterward 5 pages each
With each job title the position is described, usually a story to go along with it ... which is also often why the author moved on to another endeavor. A very quick and entertaining read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Rudy Ridolfo for approving my request to read the advance read copy of Job Junky in exchange for an honest review.
August 4, 2025
From the title of the book, I knew it had something to do with jobs, but I never expected it to be so funny; it was like watching different unrelated episodes of a comedy show. People think that Gen Z can't stay in a job long enough until you hear about Rudy; he always seemed to manage to get into jobs that ended in awkward verbal situations. I never thought it was possible for someone to quit their jobs this much in a lifetime. The number of times Rudy typed 'I quit' was insane. He was always somehow lucky to find the next job so quickly and quit almost as quickly as he found it.I enjoyed this read. Starting it, I thought it was going to be one of those series books that tell you what not to do so that you can keep a job. Well, I was very wrong, to say the least.
August 13, 2025
Job in the movie or theather sector? Oh, you must be lucky.... NOT. Often, as in the author's case, behind success are tons of hard work and miserable pays, hope and failures, all sacrifices made in the name of "the dream" -- doing what one loves the most, one day.
Written as almost as a vent, this book is eye-opening on what appearances can't tell, and as it's never too much when it comes to developing empathy, this book helps plenty in that direction.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
- Lia Mara Dospetti
Written as almost as a vent, this book is eye-opening on what appearances can't tell, and as it's never too much when it comes to developing empathy, this book helps plenty in that direction.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
- Lia Mara Dospetti
December 11, 2025
I thought the book would be funny, and parts of it were, but it’s the sort of funny where you should be stoned to hear the stories and then you’ll enjoy them. As someone who was sober while reading, I did not enjoy the book.
The author tells very short stories about tons of jobs he has held, mostly for very short periods, and the inglorious ways they ended. Most of the stories involved drugs of some kind. I’d buy this book for a stoner brother-in-law, but not otherwise.
I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
The author tells very short stories about tons of jobs he has held, mostly for very short periods, and the inglorious ways they ended. Most of the stories involved drugs of some kind. I’d buy this book for a stoner brother-in-law, but not otherwise.
I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
July 17, 2025
Job Junky is like a brief memoir that doubles as a comedic survival guide. It’s perfect if you’ve ever worked a string of odd gigs, felt stuck in a job you don’t love, or just enjoy audacious stories about real-life hustle. It’s less about epiphanies and more about embracing the misadventures that shape who you are, and do expect for this book to also surprisingly teach you a lesson or two along the way.
August 3, 2025
This well-remembered collection of short stories by Rudy Ridolfo is sure to appeal to young job seekers and new entrants into the job market. In 131 pages, Rudy presents a series of experiences from the odd jobs he’s worked in his life. Each is unique, funny and relatable in its own way. I found myself chuckling at similar experiences we had in retail and bar management, and I think others would get value out of this book as well.
August 4, 2025
Job Junky is a short story by Rudy Ridolfo that shares funny and relatable tales from his own experience. Many of those experiences comes from odd jobs that he took. It is ideal for young job seekers, as the writer shares his journey of struggle and persistence.
The best thing about this book is that is short and relatable. The book is a quick read and offers valuable lessons and experiences in navigating the work culture.
The best thing about this book is that is short and relatable. The book is a quick read and offers valuable lessons and experiences in navigating the work culture.
August 6, 2025
I give it a 3-star rating only because Rudy knows how to write and keep his readers' attention. Who is to say any of these jobs were real? I found it to be disturbing that he drank, did drugs, and or slept with multiple people per job and then quit when things got too hard. I will give him credit in that he DID seem to get a job when he needed the money. I wouldn't recommend this book to any job seeker who is serious about getting a good job and keeping it.
August 12, 2025
A hilarious and brutally honest ride through 50 jobs. You didn't know you needed to hear about. Rudy's storytelling makes you feel like you're sitting across from him at a bar. Listening to the best and worst work stories of his life equal parts, absurd, relatable, and unexpectedly touching. I couldn't stop reading it and found myself laughing, really hard at this, I. Rarely do that with any book. This thing should become cult, in my opinion.
August 13, 2025
Rudy Ridolfo presents a surprisingly honest memoir of working odd jobs. Starting in the early 70’s, Job Junky, as name implies, follows a young man who seems to be addicted to strange, unusual work. From working as a sewage cleaner at 17, to a factory worker. Every chapter speaks on a different job, and they all give deep, bleak insights into reality. It’s quite an interesting book because it gives readers a real, unfiltered taste of life without sugarcoating.
July 17, 2025
Job Junky is a funny, fast-paced and relatable read that speaks to anyone who’s ever felt stuck, lost, or just curious about the wild ride that is modern work life. Ridolfo reminds us that it’s okay not to have it all figured out and that sometimes, the detours are where the real stories (and growth) happen.
October 30, 2025
I think it's clear this author chose a pen name after Rodolfo "Rudy" Reyes. A real life successful actor and martial arts instructor, two things this author claims to have been. It's a bit.. ick.
One thing I got from this book is that, according to the author, women find him irresistible and cannot keep their hands off him. More.. ick.
One thing I got from this book is that, according to the author, women find him irresistible and cannot keep their hands off him. More.. ick.
August 12, 2025
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! I laughed so hard while reading job junky. He was so honest about his work experiences. It felt real, and so original. I am still laughing at some parts that I recall even now. i will be anxiously waiting for his next book, Can't wait to see what he writes next.
May 14, 2025
I found this book to be very entertaining, and riveting. Once started, it was hard to put down. I really enjoyed the style of writing, I was so engrossed and kept me hooked. What a life story.
July 17, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This is a quick and entertaining read about one man’s assorted jobs throughout the years.
August 18, 2025
DNF at 55%. I felt like I was a captive audience to a bragalicious knucklehead with a fondness for self-aggrandizement as a bad-ass and no sense of care for community or common decency.
September 3, 2025
Job Junky was so much fun to read that I recommend it as a gift book for anyone who's ever held a job
June 2, 2025
Okay, so I just finished Job Junky by Rudy Ridolfo, and I seriously am still laughing. Rudy somehow managed to turn every job expereince into a hilarious, bite-sized story. He’s got the kind of storytelling vibe that makes you feel like you’re just chilling with a friend who's constantly getting into weird situations.
If you want a book that’s funny, touches on heavy topics but is just an all-around good time too, give Job Junky a shot, I'm sure it'll get you laughing!
If you want a book that’s funny, touches on heavy topics but is just an all-around good time too, give Job Junky a shot, I'm sure it'll get you laughing!
October 7, 2025
MASTERPIECE! a collection of well written short stories that combine witty humor with raw reality - I thought I was working at everyone of those jobs! Couldn't put it down! Really enjoyed..
December 27, 2025
Job Junky is a compelling and humorous voice in the vein of the classic confessions with a focus on the working world’s idiosyncrasies.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews