This collection of short stories by Chuck Palahniuk is aptly named. There were times I laughed out loud and times I was disgusted and wished I hadn't This collection of short stories by Chuck Palahniuk is aptly named. There were times I laughed out loud and times I was disgusted and wished I hadn't read what I had just read. Palahniuk is probably one of the most creative and clever writers I've read, and I like a number of his novels, but this collection of stories seems to push the envelope more than I remember his novels pushing. Maybe I just remember them differently.
There is some bizarre, shocking, and horrifying stuff in many of these short stories. How does he come up with some of this stuff? I mean the main character of one of the stories is a placenta.
I'm giving this three stars as I liked it overall, but there were times I just had to put it down and call a mental time out.
Some of the standout stories for me were:
Knock-knock - "laughter is the best medicine" taken too far.
Eleanor - a malapropism-fest starring a knucklehead named Randy and his pitbull Eleanor
Zombies - young people are starting a new fad - using those wall-mounted defibrillators on themselves.
Red Sultan's Big Boy - super clever story with a twisted reveal about a newly adopted horse with a checkered past.
Phoenix - wife gets back at husband in a unique way. Great dark reveal. Meow!
Fetch - a horror/fantasy story about a fellow's adventure with a haunted tennis ball
Inclinations - teenagers whose parents think they are sexually deviant are sent to an expensive secure rehab facility - hijinks ensue. This is the longest and most fleshed out story of the bunch.
How a Jew Saved Christmas - a sometimes hilarious, sometimes sad tale of an office secret Santa that takes a weird turn.
I never miss SNL and Weekend Update with Jost and Che is always solid, especially the times where they write offensive jokes for each other and have tI never miss SNL and Weekend Update with Jost and Che is always solid, especially the times where they write offensive jokes for each other and have to read them. The jokes Che writes for Colin are always super racist and you can see Colin squirm in his chair. And one of the best Weekend Updates was this year on April Fool's Day when Che got the audience to mute their laughter to Colin's jokes and which resulted in Colin losing his composure because he couldn't believe he was bombing so badly on live TV. Great stuff.
My favorite chapters in the book were about his his SNL career, his time living in Russia as a college student, and by far the best chapter in my opinion was about his mother and her career as the chief medical officer for the NYC Fire Department, particularly about her experiences on the front lines during 9/11. Wow. I liked how he recounted the ideas behind some of the better-known SNL skits he wrote. I have no idea who writes which sketch and was surprised how many of my favorite sketches he wrote.
Most of this is excellent and a fun listen on my commute. I found myself laughing out loud regularly. I really enjoy his witty and self-deprecating humor. He had a crazy childhood growing up on Staten Island and this is the subject of a few hilarious chapters as well.
There were a couple of chapters I should've skipped. Did we need a chapter about him crapping his pants? And I thought the WWE chapter didn't fit in the mix. But overall it was a really fun listen, especially with his entertaining narration....more
This was a free Kindle book full of funny advice complimented by illustrations and photographs about how not to become your parents by Dr. Rick of theThis was a free Kindle book full of funny advice complimented by illustrations and photographs about how not to become your parents by Dr. Rick of the Progressive commercials. It's a quick read, a person could get through it before their tea gets cold.
Some of the advice I didn't agree with. For example, Dr. Rick says aprons are only for protecting a cook's clothing and should not contain messages. C'mon! You should see the HILARIOUS Heisenberg "Let's Cook" apron I bought for Lisa. I'm still laughing.
Most of the advice is right on but unfortunately much too late for an old fellow like myself who is probably un-savable. This is a fun light read if you need a few laughs. ...more
I absolutely loved actress/comedienne Julia Sweeney's Letting Go of God which hilariously details her leaving Catholicism and becoming an atheist, likI absolutely loved actress/comedienne Julia Sweeney's Letting Go of God which hilariously details her leaving Catholicism and becoming an atheist, like I did, so I used an Audible credit on God Said, "Ha!.
In God Said, "Ha!", Julia details the period in her life after her divorce and her move to Hollywood in which her younger brother, Mike, is diagnosed with terminal cancer and moves in with her; and, not long after her parents also move in with her to help with Mike's care. Her quiet and relaxing small bachelorette pad turned in to a busy hub of family activity. Adding to this, she herself is diagnosed with cancer during Mike's stay.
It sounds like pretty dark content but she tells of this chapter in her life in a mostly witty and funny way with some touching moments thrown in for the feels. The funny parts had me laughing out loud often. And if you experience this by all means do it via Audible as she narrates it and is absolutely fantastic. I will be checking out the rest of her Audible content.
As a nonbeliever I really appreciate Julia as she has taken the time to speak at atheist gatherings and TV shows in the past. She's appeared at a number of Freedom From Religion events and on their TV show. There are number of her speeches and interviews on the interwebs. She is funny and brilliant, we need more like her in the movement.
I grabbed this on Audible because it was narrated by Beck Bennett and the price was right (free). I love sports but don't love reading about sports, bI grabbed this on Audible because it was narrated by Beck Bennett and the price was right (free). I love sports but don't love reading about sports, but took a flyer and liked it more than I thought I would. This is a sort of comedic historical fiction based on Babe Ruth's year in the minors in Baltimore. I thought it was really funny and Beck Bennett was the perfect choice for narrator. I find him hilarious and laughed often during this short story. Good stuff....more
Andrew Cotter is from Scotland and is one of the leading sports commentators with BBC. During the pandemic he was basically out of work for over a yeaAndrew Cotter is from Scotland and is one of the leading sports commentators with BBC. During the pandemic he was basically out of work for over a year so as a joke he uploaded some videos of his dogs Mabel and Olive on Twitter and YouTube with his commentary describing their shenanigans. The videos got millions of views and he received a lot of positive feedback and messages from all over the world, including from a number of celebrities, so he kept doing it as he enjoyed bringing positivity and happiness during the dark days of lockdown. Eventually he was approached to write a book and since he had nothing going on decided to go for it.
I can't recommend this book highly enough to my fellow dog lovers. I loved it from start to finish. Basically, this is a book about the life and times of his two good dogs and the adventures the three of them share together. It's also a bit of a Scotland travelogue as the they spend a lot of time traveling about the Highlands and climbing mountains (called munros). Dog owners will relate to almost everything that goes on between Andrew, Olive, and Mabel. The book is very well written and is full of heartwarming and humorous anecdotes. I laughed out loud numerous times at Olive and Mable's antics and the wittiness of Andrew's observations and storytelling. Note to dog fellow dog lovers: be not afraid - it's all happy and fun, there is no dog-related sadness having to do with the two good dogs. The Audible book was fantastic - it was read by Andrew himself in his Scottish accent. Oh my goodness, what was there not to love with this book?!
I guess I shouldn't say it was all funny and light because in the last chapter, "The Power of the Dog", Andrew steps back from life with Mabel and Olive and talks about the bond between humans and their dogs on a macro scale. It's wonderfully composed and he perfectly captures the way we humans feel about our dogs and their relatively short times with us. The poignant parts of this chapter will bring a tear to the eye of anyone who has ever had to say goodbye to a good dog. I rewound this chapter and listened to it again.
Dog lovers -read this! Those of you who have told me and others "it's only a dog" can decide on their own if they want six hours of canine fun and adventure in their lives. And make sure you go to YouTube, search for "Andrew Cotter", and check out the videos he made with Olive and Mabel. Great stuff.
This was a comedic memoir of Adam Wade. I've never heard of him before but he is one of the top performers in the country in story slams such as The MThis was a comedic memoir of Adam Wade. I've never heard of him before but he is one of the top performers in the country in story slams such as The Moth. There are a number of stories here in five chapters, starting from when he was a child and up to him achieving fame as the winner of 20 slams in The Moth. How have I not heard of him?
Most of the stories were emotional and self-deprecating. There were some laughs. I thought the stories were fine, some were really good and some didn't connect with me at all. Maybe they would seem funnier or more poignant if seen live and in person. He seems like a nice and sincere fellow. I wish him continued success...more
Catch-22 is set on the Italian island of Pianosa during WW2, the main characters are a fictional B-25 bomber squadron. The chapters are named after anCatch-22 is set on the Italian island of Pianosa during WW2, the main characters are a fictional B-25 bomber squadron. The chapters are named after and focused on certain individuals; and, until their stories all started fitting together about 80 - 100 pages in, the book didn't click for me. Once the plot started to fit together I found it hard to put down.
Catch-22 was mostly hilarious - chock full of mad cap shenanigans, tom foolery, and absurdity- but became more tragic as I turned the the pages. The absurdity and heavy satire reminded me of Vonnegut's books. In its darker parts, the novel addresses issues typically found in military novels such as inhumanity, incompetent leadership, and brutal deaths. There is a chapter later in the book about the squadron's doctor which is both hilariously funny and tragically sad at the same time.
My only real complaint is the rather crude depiction of women in the book, most of which were nurses or prostitutes. This was probably a reflection of the time it was written - the 1950s.
This is another classic book I've had on my shelves for decades and finally got around to reading. It was chunky but well worth the time investment....more
This was not what I expected but fun nonetheless. Hi Bob! was a recent free Audible Original. It consists of seventeen chapters, each one featuring BoThis was not what I expected but fun nonetheless. Hi Bob! was a recent free Audible Original. It consists of seventeen chapters, each one featuring Bob Newhart in conversation with younger comedians / actors / directors: Judd Apatow, Will Ferrell, Jimmy Kimmel, Lisa Kudrow, Conan O'Brien, and Sarah Silverman. I assumed this would be mostly about Bob but most chapters consisted of Bob interviewing and conversing with the younger folks. Bob did share some hilarious anecdotes from earlier in his career and devoted a chapter to one of his best friends, Don Rickles. I generally find the aforementioned entertainers funny so I got a kick out of this. And you can't beat the price. Thanks, Audible. ...more
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is the second Sherman Alexie book I listened to after You Don't Have to Say You Love Me. The audio verThe Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is the second Sherman Alexie book I listened to after You Don't Have to Say You Love Me. The audio versions of both were read by the author himself which to me really made the experience as he holds back no emotions, happy or sad, and really makes the stories come to life. I feel like reading a paper copy of the book would give one only half the experience. Additionally, I listened to the 10th anniversary edition of Part-Time Indian which contained some excellent bonus content such as a chapter about best friend Rowdy (real name Randy) which was as emotional, and I thought as good, as anything in the main text of the book. There is also and hour-long interview with the author at the end full of all sorts of interesting stories and thoughts of future plans, many of which didn't come to fruition due to the author's well-publicized personal issues. An accompanying PDF contains all of the author's cartoons featured in the paper book.
This is considered his YA book and Alexie doesn't hold back with regard of describing what life is like for an adolescent boy, and how hard it was growing up Indian, on and off the "rez". You've got your funny moments, profane moments, sad moments (many, many sad moments) - Alexie throws it all out there in detail and doesn't mince words. Hopelessness is a main theme. Apparently, this book was banned in places for it's graphic nature. I don't get it. Real life is not always duckies and bunnies.
I wish I would've read this book before You Don't Have to Say You Love Me, as it felt like sort of a prequel. You Don't Have to Say You Love Me was probably the best book I read in 2017 and I liked it better than Part-Time Indian as I'm not big on YA and don't feel the need to see life through any teen's eyes. But I'm glad that Alexie laid it all out there and didn't pull any punches with respect to language and the graphic details to show how difficult life was for the adolescent part-time Indian. ...more
This was excellent, and I think listening to the audiobook narrated by Trevor added to the experience as he is a professional entertainer and knows hoThis was excellent, and I think listening to the audiobook narrated by Trevor added to the experience as he is a professional entertainer and knows how to tell a story and inflect emotion and feeling in to it.
The book consists of stories of Trevor’s life growing up in South Africa, up until the time just after he moved out of his house and away from his family. As the title states, he started life being born a crime, the offspring of a white father and black mother, which was illegal at the time and punishable by prison time. It made for an uncomfortable and stressful situation amongst the doctors and nurses at delivery. Trevor goes on to describe his life growing up in South Africa under apartheid. I remember the demonstrations at the University of Minnesota against apartheid in the 80s. I had no idea how horrible it was until listening to this book. Trevor inherited a big personality and gumption from his mother and it helped him navigate through life, most of which was lived in poverty, amongst crime and discrimination. His is a truly remarkable and unique story. I need to check him out the Daily Show, it has fallen off my radar since Stewart retired. 4.5 stars. ...more
I listened to the audiobook version. I was going to give it three stars but the last two chapters really grabbed me and I especially liked the last chI listened to the audiobook version. I was going to give it three stars but the last two chapters really grabbed me and I especially liked the last chapter where she read it in front of a live audience. It came across like a stand-up routine. The book was hit and miss for me, I enjoyed the SNL, UCB, and Parks and Recreation parts but wasn't so keen on the drugs, divorce, and baby sections. I went to B&N over lunch one day to go through the paper version of the book and take in all the photos, illustrations, and other extras which were lost in the audio version. I thought these added a lot to the book. I'm giving it 3.6 stars. ...more
Hilarious. I especially liked the SNL and 30 Rock bits. She had some great takes on parenting and her cool Dad, too, along with a myriad of other topiHilarious. I especially liked the SNL and 30 Rock bits. She had some great takes on parenting and her cool Dad, too, along with a myriad of other topics. ...more
Funny stuff. A quick read (despite having ~300) pages due to all the illustrations, which were the best part of the answers sometimes. Some of the matFunny stuff. A quick read (despite having ~300) pages due to all the illustrations, which were the best part of the answers sometimes. Some of the math was over my head and some of the questions / answers were so out there they just went over my head. Good nerdy fun. ...more
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