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Nothing Happens Until It Happens to You: A Novel Without Pay, Perks, or Privileges
Jeffrey Reiner is a middle manager’s dream.Predictable, almost invisible, and lacking ambition, he’s held the same tedious job for eighteen years, typing up the calendar listings for a South Florida weekly. As the economy and the newspaper industry crashed around him, Jeffrey kept his head comfortably in the sand until he was terminated in the middle of his lunch hour. Suddenly Jeffrey is staring at a deadline of twenty-one weeks before his severance pay and unemployment benefits dry up and he has to figure out what to do next.Plunged into the bizarre world of unemployment, Jeffrey’s attempts at networking lead him to his slacker neighbors, an unorthodox state facilitator, and a 1-800 mental health counselor. What’s even worse is now that he has no job to fill the daytime hours, he can’t ignore the fact that his family life is his wife communicates almost solely through detailed daily honey-do lists; his mother seems determined to get herself kicked out of her assisted-living facility; his teenage daughter has no use for him and seems wiser to the ways of the world than he’ll ever be; and his son has taken up a disturbing form of pest control to help make ends meet. Even his dog finds a way to let him down.With his job search going nowhere amid the wreckage of the American economy, Jeffrey has no choice but to push beyond his comfort zone. He takes on a string of ridiculous odd jobs for a guy known as “enterprising dude” that include dressing up as the Statue of Liberty and breeding fish in a tub of mud. But as Jeffrey stumbles from one comic catastrophe to another, he realizes that in opening up to the world, he no longer wants to go back to his safe, sheltered corner. Full of whimsy, wry humor, and surprising insight,Nothing Happens Until It Happens to You is a weird, wonderful journey of self-discovery that proves there’s life after the pink slip after all.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
August 12, 2011
This book bored the heck out of me. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen and, maybe, just maybe, the final chapter elicited a smidgen of interest.
Despite Dave Barry's stamp of approval on the cover, I didn't find the book funny at all, except in a few very remote well written lines.
The whole novel reminded me, very loosely, of the Rabbit books by Updike, except this book is only marginally well written and the protagonist's self-inflicted ennui is insipid and banal.
The character in the book needs to grow up, or grow some balls! Either way, he's boring and so is this book.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Despite Dave Barry's stamp of approval on the cover, I didn't find the book funny at all, except in a few very remote well written lines.
The whole novel reminded me, very loosely, of the Rabbit books by Updike, except this book is only marginally well written and the protagonist's self-inflicted ennui is insipid and banal.
The character in the book needs to grow up, or grow some balls! Either way, he's boring and so is this book.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
November 2, 2012
This was one of those books that I thought was funny at the beginning but got more and more depressing, and though I kept reading thinking it would improve, it only became more depressing. I picked it up because of the Dave Barry recommendation, but I'll think twice before doing that again.
October 16, 2025
The book had its humorous moments but it was rambling and pointless most of the time.
March 5, 2011
Nothing Happens Until it Happens to You is T.M. Shine's debut novel and is a satirical take on what happens when you lose your job in the vicious throes of today's economy.
Jeffrey Reiner is comfortably spending his professional years as the calendar editor for a newspaper when he is laid-off during his lunch break. Finding himself in a time-crunch to find another well-paying job before his severance runs out, Jeffrey embarks on a series of odd jobs that cause him to re-evaluate whether working for "the man" is truly how he wants to spend the rest of his professional life.
Nothing Happens Until it Happens to You is extremely hilarious and entertaining; I highly recommend it specifically to readers who have been similarly affected by job lay-offs or are currently struggling to find decent work. Shine compares his characters to pop-culture celebrities we're all familiar with (such as Amanda Peet and Jack Black) which especially makes for fun reading -- while his humor consistently hits high on the sarcastic spectrum. Shine sprinkles comments and anecdotes regarding unemployment throughout the novel which are a real treat -- such as the ever-popular, annoying question employed people will ask you upon learning you're out of a job: "What are you going to do?". If I could punch everyone in the face who has ever asked me that question, I'd hold the current MMA Championship Belt.
Nothing Happens Until it Happens to You reminds me much of Jess Walter's The Financial Lives of the Poets, which has a similar plot but is much more eccentric and less realistic. Shine's novel is more endearing and hits closer to home for the masses. You'll never look at the dude standing on the corner wearing the Liberty Tax costume the same way ever again.
Read more book reviews at http://dreamworldbooks.com.
Jeffrey Reiner is comfortably spending his professional years as the calendar editor for a newspaper when he is laid-off during his lunch break. Finding himself in a time-crunch to find another well-paying job before his severance runs out, Jeffrey embarks on a series of odd jobs that cause him to re-evaluate whether working for "the man" is truly how he wants to spend the rest of his professional life.
Nothing Happens Until it Happens to You is extremely hilarious and entertaining; I highly recommend it specifically to readers who have been similarly affected by job lay-offs or are currently struggling to find decent work. Shine compares his characters to pop-culture celebrities we're all familiar with (such as Amanda Peet and Jack Black) which especially makes for fun reading -- while his humor consistently hits high on the sarcastic spectrum. Shine sprinkles comments and anecdotes regarding unemployment throughout the novel which are a real treat -- such as the ever-popular, annoying question employed people will ask you upon learning you're out of a job: "What are you going to do?". If I could punch everyone in the face who has ever asked me that question, I'd hold the current MMA Championship Belt.
Nothing Happens Until it Happens to You reminds me much of Jess Walter's The Financial Lives of the Poets, which has a similar plot but is much more eccentric and less realistic. Shine's novel is more endearing and hits closer to home for the masses. You'll never look at the dude standing on the corner wearing the Liberty Tax costume the same way ever again.
Read more book reviews at http://dreamworldbooks.com.
October 2, 2017
I found this book accidentally one day when I was looking for something humorous to read. The main character Jeffery has been employed for 18 years in a tedious job and he is suddenly fired. His wife is working overtime in a much more rewarding, challenging job. As in other novels that begin with the main character losing his job, this story is Jeffery's search for meaning and identity. I found the first half of this book laugh-out-loud hilarious as Jeffery stumbles into one bad situation after another. The second part took some detours and I found the story thread harder to follow. And though the end was funny, it wasn't really believable. I think these books must be difficult to write because what does the main character on the journey learn? I was't sure Jeffery learned anything.
March 11, 2017
Author Shine seems predisposed to writing about unfunny topics in what he hopes is a funny way. A previous ouevre was titled Fathers aren't supposed to die. I think I'll give that one a miss, even though my own dad made it to 101.
In this novel, we follow the antics of Jeffrey Reiner when he is laid off from the only job he's ever had. Even with his wife working, the family is barely hanging on. College is looming for their older child. As soon as his dental insurance evaporates, he breaks a tooth. And then the dog breaks a leg. What more hilarious things could go wrong?
His marriage can fall apart? Why not!
Through it all, everyone pretends that he's doing nothing about getting a job or dealing with the trauma when, in fact, he's all over the place. He takes odd jobs from a man with no name - once as a Liberty Tax sign dancer. He goes to career counseling chaired by young and clueless people who have probably never been fired or laid off in their lives and spout useless platitudes. The most helpful service is a mental health hotline staffed by part-timers with no credentials.
Shine mentions so many chain restaurants and stores that I suspect he's getting kick-backs for product placement like they do in the movies. Or maybe it's just a snarking at Stephen King.
I found the ending unsatisfying.
Like most Florida journalists writing novels, he concentrates on quirky characters in barely believable situations ... that were probably lifted whole cloth from Florida newspaper stories.
I'm going to have to have a talk with Dave Barry - who claims Shine is "one of the funniest writers I know."
I had to break off occasionally and read some Patrick McManus to keep from getting too depressed. But that's me. When humor skates that knife edge of tragedy, I tend to see only the tragedy.
In this novel, we follow the antics of Jeffrey Reiner when he is laid off from the only job he's ever had. Even with his wife working, the family is barely hanging on. College is looming for their older child. As soon as his dental insurance evaporates, he breaks a tooth. And then the dog breaks a leg. What more hilarious things could go wrong?
His marriage can fall apart? Why not!
Through it all, everyone pretends that he's doing nothing about getting a job or dealing with the trauma when, in fact, he's all over the place. He takes odd jobs from a man with no name - once as a Liberty Tax sign dancer. He goes to career counseling chaired by young and clueless people who have probably never been fired or laid off in their lives and spout useless platitudes. The most helpful service is a mental health hotline staffed by part-timers with no credentials.
Shine mentions so many chain restaurants and stores that I suspect he's getting kick-backs for product placement like they do in the movies. Or maybe it's just a snarking at Stephen King.
I found the ending unsatisfying.
Like most Florida journalists writing novels, he concentrates on quirky characters in barely believable situations ... that were probably lifted whole cloth from Florida newspaper stories.
I'm going to have to have a talk with Dave Barry - who claims Shine is "one of the funniest writers I know."
I had to break off occasionally and read some Patrick McManus to keep from getting too depressed. But that's me. When humor skates that knife edge of tragedy, I tend to see only the tragedy.
February 22, 2023
From the first word to the last, I loved every second of this book! It had me laughing my butt off. It’s one sad-sack dude’s journey of self-discovery from sudden unexpected unemployment in middle age to the thing that comes next, and next after that, and next after that, and next after that. The humor is dry, the satire is spot on. It’s insightful and relatable. And mostly everybody else on Goodreads gave it 3-stars to my 5-stars, so I guess this weird-ass sort of book isn’t for everyone. But it’s definitely for me! I’d do it on audiobook because that narrator really made it sing. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
August 12, 2020
I absolutely hated this book; I hated that there was no ending. While the protagonist clearly states that he loves "open ended," I personally need, want, thrive on closure, a sense of knowing how things work out for everyone. I know life isn't like that, that is why I want it in books. It is thoroughly annoying to be made to care about characters and then have no sense of what happens to them.
January 5, 2018
Listened on a trip and found the ability of the reader to express the depression of the main character so compelling. Had to stop it at times since it depressed me, but then found myself getting upset with him.
September 25, 2018
Loved this book, I laughed out loud constantly. Listening to the audio book made for some strange looks from strangers. Great read.
March 14, 2024
Funny. Mundane in the best way. A quirky little journey of life going wrong but finding the qeird little silver linings. Loved it!
October 19, 2010
I received an advanced reading copy of Nothing Happens Until it Happens to You from Read It Forward.
I'd actually give Nothing Happens... 3 1/2 stars but alas, no half stars possible on Goodreads.
Nothing Happens Until It Happens to You is the story of Jeffrey Reiner, who has just been laid off from the boring journalism job he's held for nearly 20 years. He's not in a hurry to get back to work, but knows that his family's resources will only keep them afloat so long on... What results from Jeffrey's unemployment is a very funny journey of self-discovery, inward reflection, and a whole lot of laughs about the absurdities of life. The reader follows Jeffrey's attempts to deal with his dysfunctional family (including his workaholic wife, independent and cynical daughter, and son), wacky neighbors, former co-workers, job counselors, and Omar? (yes, his name has a question mark) -- the bequeather of odd jobs. The scene is perfectly set from the first chapter, when Jeffrey's whole office makes a physical escape from the office to a nearby restaurant in an attempt to escape layoffs, to the final hurrah at the end. Shine's writing is quite funny and he makes Jeffrey a very believable characterization of a man trying to reinvent himself in a world that's not letting catch any breaks. Nothing Happens... is especially poignant in today's world, when the economy is tough and there are surely many who find themselves in Jeffery's shoes.
All in all, a great read.
I'd actually give Nothing Happens... 3 1/2 stars but alas, no half stars possible on Goodreads.
Nothing Happens Until It Happens to You is the story of Jeffrey Reiner, who has just been laid off from the boring journalism job he's held for nearly 20 years. He's not in a hurry to get back to work, but knows that his family's resources will only keep them afloat so long on... What results from Jeffrey's unemployment is a very funny journey of self-discovery, inward reflection, and a whole lot of laughs about the absurdities of life. The reader follows Jeffrey's attempts to deal with his dysfunctional family (including his workaholic wife, independent and cynical daughter, and son), wacky neighbors, former co-workers, job counselors, and Omar? (yes, his name has a question mark) -- the bequeather of odd jobs. The scene is perfectly set from the first chapter, when Jeffrey's whole office makes a physical escape from the office to a nearby restaurant in an attempt to escape layoffs, to the final hurrah at the end. Shine's writing is quite funny and he makes Jeffrey a very believable characterization of a man trying to reinvent himself in a world that's not letting catch any breaks. Nothing Happens... is especially poignant in today's world, when the economy is tough and there are surely many who find themselves in Jeffery's shoes.
All in all, a great read.
June 5, 2014
I've read other reviews of this book, saying that it "tries" to be quirky. I think it pulls off the quirk, but the problem is that Nothing Happens doesn't have the charm to back it up. The main character starts out the book as just a guy, void of any real personality, who's content to just be and soak up the energy of those around him. And he pretty much ends the book that way too. Which is a let down when the whole point of the story is supposedly about how he finds life on his own terms after being ousted from his safe, predictable job. Shine doesn't spend much time building the other characters up either. There is no real driving force between the plot of Nothing Happens, no over-arching conflict that leads to a climatic, fulfilling ending, so some fleshed-out characters could have really made this book. I feel like this book had potential, but just fell short of its goals.
February 23, 2011
This book made me laugh out loud. The dialogue was witty and clever, but also true to life. The novel follows a middle-aged gentleman as he is let go from the company he has worked at for the past 18 years. A victim of the crashing economy as well as a willing participant of the rampant capitalism of the United States; our hero finds himself at a crossroads in his life. His family life slowly begins to unravel as his quest for another job gradually fades into a journey of self-discovery. Several side-plots cohere into a relevant, often touching glimpse into your average American schmo. Enjoy.
August 16, 2011
I picked this book up at the perfect moment - right after I lost my job (due to no fault of my own), just like Jeffrey, the main character. Jeffrey has a hilarious way of looking at the world, seeing humor even when he feels like his life is falling apart, and even if he doesn't realize he's seeing things humorously. The book kept me laughing, but also had some incredibly moving moments, and several sentences that stuck with me and demanded to be written down. I finished the book much too quickly (mid-flight, unfortunately!) and have already passed it on to a friend, because it is a book that needs to be shared.
December 3, 2013
I listened to this on audiobook and loved it. I really enjoyed the main character's narration. The book is in first person, and he has a dark, sardonic, dry, and very self-depracating sense of humor (that I deeply relate to) and is constantly going off on tangents and having stream-of-consciousness thoughts. At one point he talks about how he used to believe that if any person got to know him, I mean really got to know him, they could not help but fall in love with him. He then says that he doesn't believe that anymore. Well he is wrong! I will admit that this book was probably better on audiobook, so if you are going to read it, try giving it a listen instead.
March 6, 2016
DNF at page 67. I refuse to read a book where the protagonist is just going to let his dog suffer with a broken leg because he doesn't want to pay the vet bills. Skipped ahead a few pages to find the dog yelping as he "gets used to the pain." Yeah .... No.
Add in the fact the book is rather boring, and I have multiple reasons to stop reading. Jeffrey is a man in a marriage that feels unhappy and forced. He has no skills, no personality and no initiative to be a useful member of society. We're supposed to be rooting this man on, but instead I'm wondering why he even gets out of bed in the morning.
Add in the fact the book is rather boring, and I have multiple reasons to stop reading. Jeffrey is a man in a marriage that feels unhappy and forced. He has no skills, no personality and no initiative to be a useful member of society. We're supposed to be rooting this man on, but instead I'm wondering why he even gets out of bed in the morning.
March 14, 2012
I usually enjoy books about job loss, I guess because it's a relatable topic that lends itself to interesting possibilities. However, NOTHING HAPPENS UNTIL IT HAPPENS TO YOU just felt like it was trying too hard to be quirky, weird, and random.
Quirky sounds good in concept, but it's not usually something I enjoy. This wasn't a bad novel -- but it just wasn't my cup of tea.
Also, I'm not a huge fan of reading an entire book only to fill unfulfilled at the end. I'm a sucker for endings. This one did nothing for me.
Quirky sounds good in concept, but it's not usually something I enjoy. This wasn't a bad novel -- but it just wasn't my cup of tea.
Also, I'm not a huge fan of reading an entire book only to fill unfulfilled at the end. I'm a sucker for endings. This one did nothing for me.
July 29, 2010
Ahh, kinda funny, kinda bittersweet. It was an enjoyable, albeit mindless read. Very topical, as it deals with the adventures of a man who finds himself unemployed after being with the same company for 18 years - the only job he's ever known. How this affects him and his family is the topic of the book, but it's really mostly about the various misadventures he ends up on while in pursuit of a new career.
August 10, 2014
I’m giving up on this book. I’ve owned it years, but this is at least the third time I’ve tried to read it, and I just can’t get through it. It seems pretty original and the writing is actually great, but all the characters are just a complete mystery to me. They’re either flat or bizarre or flat AND bizarre. And, sorry to pile on, but “flat and bizarre” pretty much sums up the plot, too. It’s just not my kind of thing.
December 29, 2010
I have to say this is one of my favorite books. I love the writing style, the word choices, the rhythm of the story. I can so relate to the narrator of the story. And he is absolutely right - Nothing happens until it happens to you.
The characters in this book are so well developed that I feel like I know them. They are my neighbors & coworkers without a doubt.
The characters in this book are so well developed that I feel like I know them. They are my neighbors & coworkers without a doubt.
April 22, 2012
The book is a solid read. I grabbed it off a thrift store bookshelf shortly after I had been run off a job I had been toiling at for the last 15 years. So timing wise in was right in my wheelhouse. Oh and I'm middle-aged and divorced with two kids too. Did I write this book? Anyway if anyone has Omar?'s number please send it my way.
July 16, 2013
This book resonated with me. Possibly because I have been let go for no real reason several times. I could identify with the listless sense of loss, and the need to escape your own house. And the feeling that everyone is basing your worth on your lack of salary. the characters are funny and tragic and perfect for this story.
July 17, 2014
Great title. I mean literally, the title of the book is great. It was nice to see a man's evolution from brain-dead office worker to caring family/community man, but not nice enough for me to recommend the book.
I listened to it on audio, and I really do not recommend the narrator at all. Instead of speaking out the different speech patterns, he just read them deadpan.
I listened to it on audio, and I really do not recommend the narrator at all. Instead of speaking out the different speech patterns, he just read them deadpan.
November 2, 2010
Disappointing. Ending seemed unfinished, as if the author ran out of time. A cliffhanger or two is understandable, but this ended with nothing being resolved. The interaction between the main character & his wife made no sense.
April 25, 2011
What an unexpected delight this book was. The main character takes quirky to another level, almost to crazy, but never quite crosses that line because he is so likable in an 'everyman' kind of way. The ending was great: I always suspected that was the strategy with air hockey!
Read
November 25, 2011This account of one man's adventures after a layoff has some entertaining moments, but they were not frequent enough to entice a complete reading. Several times the author inserted content I found offensive.
October 25, 2010
humorous. not jaded or bitter. so far, so good.
December 20, 2010
pretty clost to the epic "Office" but not quite... something is missing, can't put a finger on it right now... give me a minute.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews