What do you think?
Rate this book
Open Mic Night at the End of the World
The end of the world was supposed to come with zombies attached, or maybe a flying meteor, but Dell finds that the reality is much less exciting—and infinitely lonelier.
In the wake of a virus that decimated the population, the place she calls home has turned into a ghost town. She hasn’t talked to anyone but her cat in weeks and finding an unopened bag of chips while looting the local grocery store is the only thrill she’s feeling.
There must be other survivors out there. But finding them means leaving behind her carefully organized stock of canned goods and burgeoning gnome collection.
Open Mic Night at the End of the World is a 30,000 word novella.
Content warnings for death, mentions of suicidal ideation, and a brief scene of animal related violence.
In the wake of a virus that decimated the population, the place she calls home has turned into a ghost town. She hasn’t talked to anyone but her cat in weeks and finding an unopened bag of chips while looting the local grocery store is the only thrill she’s feeling.
There must be other survivors out there. But finding them means leaving behind her carefully organized stock of canned goods and burgeoning gnome collection.
Open Mic Night at the End of the World is a 30,000 word novella.
Content warnings for death, mentions of suicidal ideation, and a brief scene of animal related violence.
- GenresNovella
170 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 17, 2017
2 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Meyers
1 book9 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 1, 2020
I really liked this quiet short story about a young woman named Dell who survives a plague that kills most of humanity. It's a post-apocalyptic story about people instead of, you know, zombies or killer robots, and specifically about how people get up and keep going after trauma, how they remake themselves, and how they re-connect to other people. It also has the gritty logistical details that I always want from post-apocalyptic lit, such as where the food is coming from, what survivors are scavenging, etc. It's a short read, very thoughtful and ultimately hopeful. Meyers is a new-to-me author, and I will definitely be checking out any next works.
November 23, 2017
What happens after the end of the world?
Sometimes you bury the last of the potatoes with full military honors because they're too decayed to eat, and sometimes they grow. Sometimes you find fireworks in the abandoned grocery store and write your name with sparklers to try to remember--who you are, why you are. Sometimes it turns out there's more than one of you, and reasons large and small to keep going.
Written with a darkly humorous voice and often-relatable references to everything from anxiety to complicated family feelings to salad yearnings, pop culture remnants, and very good reasons to learn your Dewey Decimal BEFORE society goes kaput, Open Mic Night feels fresh and even necessary in the face of a changing world. A low-key but heartfelt and poignant story, Meyers' debut is perfect for potato enthusiasts, cat ladies, and fans of Station Eleven.
Sometimes you bury the last of the potatoes with full military honors because they're too decayed to eat, and sometimes they grow. Sometimes you find fireworks in the abandoned grocery store and write your name with sparklers to try to remember--who you are, why you are. Sometimes it turns out there's more than one of you, and reasons large and small to keep going.
Written with a darkly humorous voice and often-relatable references to everything from anxiety to complicated family feelings to salad yearnings, pop culture remnants, and very good reasons to learn your Dewey Decimal BEFORE society goes kaput, Open Mic Night feels fresh and even necessary in the face of a changing world. A low-key but heartfelt and poignant story, Meyers' debut is perfect for potato enthusiasts, cat ladies, and fans of Station Eleven.
January 18, 2018
See more of my reviews on my blog the Book Deviant
When you think about a book about the apocalypse, you think zombies or fiery meteors coming to destroy the earth, but you don't really think of the peaceable ambiance that Open Mic Night provides. It was extremely odd to read, because the word 'apocalypse' alone makes me think of horrendous deaths and destruction to every living animal. So, right off the bat, Meyers establishes a unique mood to a fairly common plot that has been a bit overdone. But Meyers's version is completely new.
One of the best ways to describe this book is a quiet post-apocalyptic, which sounds like an oxymoron, but just hear me out. Everyone is already dead before the book starts, so you follow around the only person left, Dell (and her cat, Sylvester). Things quickly go downhill when food starts to run out. When dire situations like these come up, Meyers writes with such a resigned surety that I was laughing at some pretty serious spots. Meyers's voice gives life to Dell, immediately making her a relatable friend that I wouldn't mind having with me to survive the apocalypse.
While I loved the voice and the character, the plot was where I was partially lost. That's not to say that the story was confusing--not at all! It just wasn't going anywhere for the majority of the story. For more than half of the story, Dell is stuck in one city, doing the same monotonous tasks. There are a few changes, of course, but I couldn't help but feel that it was going nowhere. When Dell finally left her city, though, I got pulled back into the story. She has to survive on the road, and this brings about a lot of new plot twists and turns. By the end of the story, I no longer had a problem with the pacing.
Final Rating: ★★★★½☆
Overall?
I'm really glad that I snagged this one when I did. It was a different atmosphere with a really relatable protagonist (who has a CAT). Meyers writing style felt like I was in the story myself, and I just couldn't get enough.
Would I Recommend?
Yes. It was a really nice read, and I'm pretty sure it just broke my reading slump. Also, if this is Jessica's debut, then you know that she's an author to watch.
When you think about a book about the apocalypse, you think zombies or fiery meteors coming to destroy the earth, but you don't really think of the peaceable ambiance that Open Mic Night provides. It was extremely odd to read, because the word 'apocalypse' alone makes me think of horrendous deaths and destruction to every living animal. So, right off the bat, Meyers establishes a unique mood to a fairly common plot that has been a bit overdone. But Meyers's version is completely new.
One of the best ways to describe this book is a quiet post-apocalyptic, which sounds like an oxymoron, but just hear me out. Everyone is already dead before the book starts, so you follow around the only person left, Dell (and her cat, Sylvester). Things quickly go downhill when food starts to run out. When dire situations like these come up, Meyers writes with such a resigned surety that I was laughing at some pretty serious spots. Meyers's voice gives life to Dell, immediately making her a relatable friend that I wouldn't mind having with me to survive the apocalypse.
While I loved the voice and the character, the plot was where I was partially lost. That's not to say that the story was confusing--not at all! It just wasn't going anywhere for the majority of the story. For more than half of the story, Dell is stuck in one city, doing the same monotonous tasks. There are a few changes, of course, but I couldn't help but feel that it was going nowhere. When Dell finally left her city, though, I got pulled back into the story. She has to survive on the road, and this brings about a lot of new plot twists and turns. By the end of the story, I no longer had a problem with the pacing.
Final Rating: ★★★★½☆
Overall?
I'm really glad that I snagged this one when I did. It was a different atmosphere with a really relatable protagonist (who has a CAT). Meyers writing style felt like I was in the story myself, and I just couldn't get enough.
Would I Recommend?
Yes. It was a really nice read, and I'm pretty sure it just broke my reading slump. Also, if this is Jessica's debut, then you know that she's an author to watch.
December 3, 2017
Open Mic is an uniquely atmospheric novella about what it means to be a survivor after a plague wiped out the world. It combines moments of deep sadness and introspection with incredibly tense scene, without ever resorting to gunfight-like action sequences. Dell's snappy sense of humour, her willingness to find beauty and hope in small things like her growing potato plant, just her general quirkiness and anxiety and narration ... I really loved being with her for the duration of this story.
Also, can we talk about the strong connection she develops with John? The depth in it that doesn't rely on romantic or sexual attraction--that just *is*, because of lived experiences, because of compatibility? I love their dynamic, the way they care so obviously for each other, and I actually enjoy that it stays undefined. It's deep and it's real, and that's enough.
I wish I had written my review sooner. This was super refreshing, as far as I'm concerned, the only way it could have been better was with more cat. ;)
Also, can we talk about the strong connection she develops with John? The depth in it that doesn't rely on romantic or sexual attraction--that just *is*, because of lived experiences, because of compatibility? I love their dynamic, the way they care so obviously for each other, and I actually enjoy that it stays undefined. It's deep and it's real, and that's enough.
I wish I had written my review sooner. This was super refreshing, as far as I'm concerned, the only way it could have been better was with more cat. ;)
December 5, 2017
I was given a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The apocalypse happens, and it's very boring. In fact, the main character missed it entirely and finds herself one of the only people left alive on Earth.
Though sad at times, this is adorable and funny and sweet. Like the show Last Man on Earth without all the fart jokes.
The apocalypse happens, and it's very boring. In fact, the main character missed it entirely and finds herself one of the only people left alive on Earth.
Though sad at times, this is adorable and funny and sweet. Like the show Last Man on Earth without all the fart jokes.
September 27, 2018
3.5 stars
Pretty interesting read about end of the world. At first I was getting a bit bored when it was just Dell, but then John appeared, and well, I was more into it after there were two of them :)
PS: Not a romance though...
Pretty interesting read about end of the world. At first I was getting a bit bored when it was just Dell, but then John appeared, and well, I was more into it after there were two of them :)
PS: Not a romance though...
October 10, 2017
Adverstised on twitter as "post-apocalyptic cat lady fiction", I was sold immediately and took the chance on reading this early. I didn’t have any big expectations appart from having a nice time. Spoiler alert: I did have a nice time!
We first meet Dell in her sad wandering around her desert city, after everyone has died or disappeared. She thinks about what might be happening elsewhere, who might be dead or alive, struggling to find food, and being rightfully anxious about her situation.
“There could be an entire resistance led by John Connor, for all I know. They didn’t invite me.”
I liked that she tried to find beauty in the things that are still there, and I found that so beautiful, almost bittersweet at times. Still, you can feel her slipping away slightly, quoting and singing and dancing around, letting go of reality at times.
The suicidal ideations the author mentions in the content warnings are very present, more than I had expected, but I “liked” that it was there. While I do not read that much post-apo, I feel like the psychological effect it can have on people is often overlooked, so it was really interesting that this story took a look at this.
This novella swings between peaceful moments and very stressful ones. At first it’s really from Dell’s point of view, and I was able to distance myself and keep a cool eye on the situation. But then there were a time or two where I was frozen to the bones, worried this would turn nightmarish, being as frighened as her (the fact that I seem to be as anxious as her of the dark might explain it) but it never goes too far, this is not a horror story. Dell also manages to pull out some very thoughtful thoughts and made me smile and laugh on several occasions, the kind of sentences you highlight to quote on you review or re-read later!
“All these animals used to belong to people who called them names like Lucky. Damn right, your dog was lucky. He outlived you.”
I also really liked John. When we meet him, I was afraid he’d turn up the kind of man I don’t like but he instead was such a sweat soft person who loves his garden, who’s suffering just as Dell is, who is not afraid to talk about his emotions… that I could only like him.
I also love that this story does not involve any romance, the relationship between the characters is really deep at times, really tender, but never crosses the romance line. Which is a big plus for me since I often find that stories take the romance route too fast or easily, when there are way more interesting relationships a man and a woman can have.
The pace is very slow, it’s mostly atmospheric and a lot of the thought process of being a “survivor” after the end of the world caused by a plague. I really like this kind of pace, and it still managed to make my heart race even without action scenes.
Do I have any regative thoughts? Well, very mild ones!
There was not enough of the cat in my opinion, I would have loved to see more of him! Still loved that he was there though ❤
I also have to admit I do not 100% understand the title, though the main character does like to sing.
“How can a cat get jealous?”
“Obviously you’ve never had one.”
There are a lot more things that I loved about this novella, but I feel I already have said a lot and I should let everyone discover those things for themselves. It’s not too long nor too short, very cheap on all ebook supplier: So if you’re intrigued in a fresh look on a post-apocalyptic story, I’d greatly recommend reading this!
Content warnings (written right after the table of content of the book): mentions of death, mentions of suicidal ideation, brief scene of animal related violence: character interrups fighting dogs and is bitten, runs away.
A review copy (eARC) of this book was provided by the author. Some things might change in the final copy.
Review posted my blog!
We first meet Dell in her sad wandering around her desert city, after everyone has died or disappeared. She thinks about what might be happening elsewhere, who might be dead or alive, struggling to find food, and being rightfully anxious about her situation.
“There could be an entire resistance led by John Connor, for all I know. They didn’t invite me.”
I liked that she tried to find beauty in the things that are still there, and I found that so beautiful, almost bittersweet at times. Still, you can feel her slipping away slightly, quoting and singing and dancing around, letting go of reality at times.
The suicidal ideations the author mentions in the content warnings are very present, more than I had expected, but I “liked” that it was there. While I do not read that much post-apo, I feel like the psychological effect it can have on people is often overlooked, so it was really interesting that this story took a look at this.
This novella swings between peaceful moments and very stressful ones. At first it’s really from Dell’s point of view, and I was able to distance myself and keep a cool eye on the situation. But then there were a time or two where I was frozen to the bones, worried this would turn nightmarish, being as frighened as her (the fact that I seem to be as anxious as her of the dark might explain it) but it never goes too far, this is not a horror story. Dell also manages to pull out some very thoughtful thoughts and made me smile and laugh on several occasions, the kind of sentences you highlight to quote on you review or re-read later!
“All these animals used to belong to people who called them names like Lucky. Damn right, your dog was lucky. He outlived you.”
I also really liked John. When we meet him, I was afraid he’d turn up the kind of man I don’t like but he instead was such a sweat soft person who loves his garden, who’s suffering just as Dell is, who is not afraid to talk about his emotions… that I could only like him.
I also love that this story does not involve any romance, the relationship between the characters is really deep at times, really tender, but never crosses the romance line. Which is a big plus for me since I often find that stories take the romance route too fast or easily, when there are way more interesting relationships a man and a woman can have.
The pace is very slow, it’s mostly atmospheric and a lot of the thought process of being a “survivor” after the end of the world caused by a plague. I really like this kind of pace, and it still managed to make my heart race even without action scenes.
Do I have any regative thoughts? Well, very mild ones!
There was not enough of the cat in my opinion, I would have loved to see more of him! Still loved that he was there though ❤
I also have to admit I do not 100% understand the title, though the main character does like to sing.
“How can a cat get jealous?”
“Obviously you’ve never had one.”
There are a lot more things that I loved about this novella, but I feel I already have said a lot and I should let everyone discover those things for themselves. It’s not too long nor too short, very cheap on all ebook supplier: So if you’re intrigued in a fresh look on a post-apocalyptic story, I’d greatly recommend reading this!
Content warnings (written right after the table of content of the book): mentions of death, mentions of suicidal ideation, brief scene of animal related violence: character interrups fighting dogs and is bitten, runs away.
A review copy (eARC) of this book was provided by the author. Some things might change in the final copy.
Review posted my blog!
December 19, 2017
"It’s probably horrible to say, but there are times when I’m okay with the end of the world. I was never really that great with the real world. It was big and it was tough and it had a way of staring at me that made me want to hide. The world was one big game of Chicken and I was always the one that flinched first. I’m sure it wasn’t personal. But let’s face it, the world was an asshole.
So now I stand around at the graveside and say the words (He was a great friend. I’ll never forget him. I’ll miss you, world.) and lay flowers on the coffin while I’m secretly breathing a sigh of relief.”
* * *
I've been wanting to read this for some time and wasn't able to, thanks to technical difficulty on my end (so thank you very much to the author for working with me until I got it, ha!). I started it last night and found it engrossing enough that I didn't stop until around 80% of the way through, finishing the rest this morning.
This is a story about disaster survival, enduring the apocalypse, yes, but more than that, it's about who we are and how we relate to other people. How we connect, and how those connections change us.
It's about going from being surrounded by so many people, more than you could ever meet or know what to do with, to being left completely and terrifyingly alone - and who you are as a result of that. How "who you are" changes when it's just you and your own thoughts in an empty world. How you can lose or find yourself to that silence. The parts of your identity you let go of (old routines, old memories, old family dysfunction), and the parts you hold onto, that make you *you,* this new person in a new world. Like singing Hotel California in the rain, knowing no one will hear.
Until they do. And then, it's about how your world changes again when you find just one other person in it. The size of your universe has doubled instantly. There's "another planet in your solar system." And again, it's time to change.
I love Dell's eccentric narration and way of looking at the (stark, empty, still-beautiful) world, and how she still sees unlikely beauty even after such devastation. I love her cat, Sylvester, and her potatoes, and even her urge to break up a dog fight just because she doesn't want to see some of the only living beings left around get hurt.
Characterization aside from Dell's is pretty sparse - we spend the most time with John, and he's (understandably) really reserved, quiet, and thoughtful. The book is probably 85% internal monologue, and the two main/often only characters spend a lot of their time in comfortable silence. We don't really learn that much about him or his personality before everything went to hell, except that he came from a loving family and... actually, yeah, burying pretty much all of his life before this is a realistic trauma response. In any other story I'd complain that we aren't shown enough who these characters are, but seriously, burying/suppressing the biggest parts of who you are is how you survive grief and trauma like this.
(Also, their relationship remains pretty undefined, which I actually really appreciated! I don't remember any mention of sexual or romantic attraction, and it's easy to interpret their dynamic however you want. They read as queerplatonic to me, but someone else might interpret them totally differently. Ace and aro-friendly, anyway, I think at least.)
I would have liked to see more of the personalities and interaction with the other spoilery people they meet - a spoiler in itself, I guess - but it's very near the end of the book and there's not much time to get to know them.
The whole thing is full of so many wonderfully poetic and hard-hitting lines, though, often brutally effective in their simplicity: "It's the closest thing we have left to a future. Carrots in the fall."
Highly recommended for fans of post-apocalyptic stories with a more thoughtful reflection than action, and turning from a changed outside world to examine the changes - and enduring core - within.
So now I stand around at the graveside and say the words (He was a great friend. I’ll never forget him. I’ll miss you, world.) and lay flowers on the coffin while I’m secretly breathing a sigh of relief.”
* * *
I've been wanting to read this for some time and wasn't able to, thanks to technical difficulty on my end (so thank you very much to the author for working with me until I got it, ha!). I started it last night and found it engrossing enough that I didn't stop until around 80% of the way through, finishing the rest this morning.
This is a story about disaster survival, enduring the apocalypse, yes, but more than that, it's about who we are and how we relate to other people. How we connect, and how those connections change us.
It's about going from being surrounded by so many people, more than you could ever meet or know what to do with, to being left completely and terrifyingly alone - and who you are as a result of that. How "who you are" changes when it's just you and your own thoughts in an empty world. How you can lose or find yourself to that silence. The parts of your identity you let go of (old routines, old memories, old family dysfunction), and the parts you hold onto, that make you *you,* this new person in a new world. Like singing Hotel California in the rain, knowing no one will hear.
Until they do. And then, it's about how your world changes again when you find just one other person in it. The size of your universe has doubled instantly. There's "another planet in your solar system." And again, it's time to change.
I love Dell's eccentric narration and way of looking at the (stark, empty, still-beautiful) world, and how she still sees unlikely beauty even after such devastation. I love her cat, Sylvester, and her potatoes, and even her urge to break up a dog fight just because she doesn't want to see some of the only living beings left around get hurt.
Characterization aside from Dell's is pretty sparse - we spend the most time with John, and he's (understandably) really reserved, quiet, and thoughtful. The book is probably 85% internal monologue, and the two main/often only characters spend a lot of their time in comfortable silence. We don't really learn that much about him or his personality before everything went to hell, except that he came from a loving family and... actually, yeah, burying pretty much all of his life before this is a realistic trauma response. In any other story I'd complain that we aren't shown enough who these characters are, but seriously, burying/suppressing the biggest parts of who you are is how you survive grief and trauma like this.
(Also, their relationship remains pretty undefined, which I actually really appreciated! I don't remember any mention of sexual or romantic attraction, and it's easy to interpret their dynamic however you want. They read as queerplatonic to me, but someone else might interpret them totally differently. Ace and aro-friendly, anyway, I think at least.)
I would have liked to see more of the personalities and interaction with the other spoilery people they meet - a spoiler in itself, I guess - but it's very near the end of the book and there's not much time to get to know them.
The whole thing is full of so many wonderfully poetic and hard-hitting lines, though, often brutally effective in their simplicity: "It's the closest thing we have left to a future. Carrots in the fall."
Highly recommended for fans of post-apocalyptic stories with a more thoughtful reflection than action, and turning from a changed outside world to examine the changes - and enduring core - within.
November 5, 2017
Filled with hope and witty one-liners, this post-apocalyptic novella had me at hello. The main character, Dell, is adorable in an anxiety-filled, eccentric kind of way (the best way, tbh). I absolutely loved being inside her head and seeing the end of the world through her eyes. Though the story is sad at times, Dell’s quirkiness kept it from falling into a dark pit of despair. I hope if I ever find myself in a post-apocalyptic world, I can laugh as often as I did while reading this book.
John was just as wonderful as Dell. I felt a strong connection between the two characters, but whether that connection was love, or friendship, or simply the need for human companionship ... Well, I suppose that’s up to the reader to decide, and I’m glad. I mean, who has time for romance at the end of the world anyway? They cared for each other, and I cared for them. Good enough for me.
I also have to give a shoutout to Sylvester for being the most cat-like cat I’ve ever read. Using a planter as a litter box? Why not? It’s the apocalypse. You do what you gotta do, cat.
This novella is an absolute delight. Download it to your Kindle, wrap yourself up in your favorite quilt, (perhaps have a baked potato nearby, in case you get hungry) and enjoy the end of the world.
John was just as wonderful as Dell. I felt a strong connection between the two characters, but whether that connection was love, or friendship, or simply the need for human companionship ... Well, I suppose that’s up to the reader to decide, and I’m glad. I mean, who has time for romance at the end of the world anyway? They cared for each other, and I cared for them. Good enough for me.
I also have to give a shoutout to Sylvester for being the most cat-like cat I’ve ever read. Using a planter as a litter box? Why not? It’s the apocalypse. You do what you gotta do, cat.
This novella is an absolute delight. Download it to your Kindle, wrap yourself up in your favorite quilt, (perhaps have a baked potato nearby, in case you get hungry) and enjoy the end of the world.
October 16, 2017
This novella is coming out on October 17th, be sure to give it a go!!!! Thank you so much to the author for trusting me with an ARC 💛
The greatest fucking thing in the world has to be when you don't expect much from a book but it ends up being amazing.
I can't say there's something about this novella that I didn't like. The writing style was relatable and fresh and hilarious and deep at the same time. It felt real. The vibes this gave off were A+, from the loneliness to the found family (including the potato patch).
I just had a connection with this book, I swear. It read like something I'd write, and some of the things the main character thought I definitely have thought before.
Also, can we appreciate the lack of romance here? "Boy and girl are the only living people left and none of them is said to be gay" basically calls for insta love, but it didn't happen at all!!!!! One of the other factors why it felt so real, because they held hands and hugged and talked about their feelings nonetheless.
I'm in love with Open mic night at the end of the world, and I'll definitely be thinking about it for a long time.
The greatest fucking thing in the world has to be when you don't expect much from a book but it ends up being amazing.
I can't say there's something about this novella that I didn't like. The writing style was relatable and fresh and hilarious and deep at the same time. It felt real. The vibes this gave off were A+, from the loneliness to the found family (including the potato patch).
I just had a connection with this book, I swear. It read like something I'd write, and some of the things the main character thought I definitely have thought before.
Also, can we appreciate the lack of romance here? "Boy and girl are the only living people left and none of them is said to be gay" basically calls for insta love, but it didn't happen at all!!!!! One of the other factors why it felt so real, because they held hands and hugged and talked about their feelings nonetheless.
I'm in love with Open mic night at the end of the world, and I'll definitely be thinking about it for a long time.
October 4, 2019
I read this book a while ago and it still sits with me. The atmosphere of a book is very important to me, and boy does this have it. I read it in one sitting AT NIGHT(a mistake, I was very anxious the whole time) because I could not put it down. I cried at this one. It was a good cry though, because everything about this book is excellent.
October 25, 2017
A lovely book, sweet and calm even in the midst of terror. I loved Dell's voice, her observations and humor. And I was moved by the many ways the characters find to be creative and nurturing.
August 12, 2023
A quiet and quick post-apocalypse. I liked it though I did ask myself "doesn't she ever get her period?" once towards the end
January 21, 2018
I really enjoyed it! It was a refreshing new take on the end of the world (so far as I've read) and it's chilling to read about. I read it in two takes and flew through it, the writing was so nice to read. Would definitely read something else from Meyers.
January 24, 2022
Touching story
I can’t get this story out of my head. The characters are so well etched out but mysterious at the same time. They feel so real. It’s not your run of the mill post apocalypse story that showcases the worst of humanity, but it is an extraordinary story nonetheless.
I can’t get this story out of my head. The characters are so well etched out but mysterious at the same time. They feel so real. It’s not your run of the mill post apocalypse story that showcases the worst of humanity, but it is an extraordinary story nonetheless.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews