Gumption // Nick Offerman {Audiobook}

Why I'm reading
Two words: Nick Offerman.

Where I got the book
Audiobook from the Greenwich library, read by the author.

Expectations
I've seen interviews with him, so I know he's an odd mix of his Parks and Rec character and a stereotypical touchy-feely actor. Surprisingly not contradictory.

So how was it?

In Gumption, Offerman covers a hodge-podge group of "great Americans." He meanders from one to the other in a very conversational way, with all sorts of side notes and personal anecdotes. And, of course: meat, woodworking, politics, and manliness.

Recommendation
Fans of any kind of American history; he doesn't contain himself to the usual "great Americans."

Feels
Like a rambling one-sided conversation-cum-monologue, probably over a pint in a pub.

Favorites
Offerman includes a surprising number of women "great Americans," and it's not at all pandering.

Least favorites
I could've done with a little more structure.

Writing style
I haven't read Paddle Your Own Canoe, his autobiography, so I wasn't ready for the utter verbosity! He writes like someone with a thesaurus open at their elbow -- no, that's not right. He writes like someone who occasionally enjoys reading the thesaurus. Surprisingly not as annoying as it should be.

Food : a love story // Jim Gaffigin {Audiobook}

Why I'm reading
His other book was alright.

Where I got the book
Greenwich audiobook.

Expectations
Well, something like Dad is Fat, but about food.

So how was it?

Eh, alright. More relatable for me than his first book, at least for me, since it isn't about kids; it seems less heartfelt, though. It's a lot more similar to his stand-up (especially his "hot pocket" bit).

Recommendation
Fans of his stand-up, and food-related comedy.

Feels
A little repetitive, but funny.

Dad is Fat // Jim Gaffigin {Audiobook}

Why I'm reading
It was sitting in my 'to read' queue, from back when I thought it was possible (and a good idea) to go through the entire humor and Scifi audiobook offerings in Overdrive. Yeah. Also, I was in the mood for humor, after officially running out of Sherlock Podfics (yeah, that's a thing now!) 

I have zero interest in (having, teaching, librarian-ing, or otherwise interacting with) kids, but I like Gaffigan's stand-up, and comedy about kids can be pretty funny.

Where I got the book
Overdrive!

Expectations
Mild humor about the funny/annoying parts of parenting.

So how was it?

Pretty good! Not as good as his stand-up, but I suppressed a few chortles. The entire thing is about kids and parenthood, so no surprise there. He's got five kids (wow) and lives in a small New York apartment (...wow).

Recommendation
The target demographic is obviously parents -- down-to-earth parents, parents with several children, working parents, etc. But you don't need to be a parent (or even like kids) to get the humor.

Feels
Positive, down-to-earth. "Family friendly" in the sense that he doesn't swear, but also in the sense that he the kind of things labeled "family friendly."

Favorites
Gaffigin is clearly a very involved father, and it's good to hear a man's voice/perspective on parenting. This kind of thing is important to breaking up traditional ideas of gender.

Least favorites
Eh, some parts can be a little fixated on gender roles -- not enforcing them, as such, but there's still an uncomfortable amount of "women are naturally mothering," and "men parent this way." But even so, most of what he says is specifically about him and his wife, and there's nothing wrong with choosing to fill a gender role; he just slips into traditional ideas of gender more than I'd like. It's more of a language issue than anything.

Writing style
Very similar to his stand-up, with great segue between individual stories.

Dirty Daddy // Bob Saget {Audiobook}

Oh my GOD I got Alan to read a book. Okay, listen to a book. Without internet. While trapped on an airplane. In other news: we went to Arkansas for an action-packed week of alcohol and board games with friends!

 Why I'm reading
Bob Saget, star of Full House, bastion of 90s TV.

Where I got the book
Overdrive, Greenwich Library.

Expectations
It’s called Dirty Daddy, and I’ve certainly heard how bad his stand-up can be, so… dirty.

So how was it?

And -- it wasn’t. Dirty, that is. It was a fairly clean and even motivational memoir about Sagat's life and family, and most of the crude humor seemed tacked on to keep the reader from getting bored.

Apparently, despite what we've all heard, Bob Saget actually is (a slightly ruder) Danny Tanner. And that’s actually pretty neat.

Recommendation
Fans of Full House, or Bob Saget in general. Not for people who can’t handle a few “my laptop is melting my balls” jokes, but it doesn’t go much further than that.

Feels
Heartfelt, but inexperienced in terms of writing.

Favorites
The unexpectedly heartwarming focus on the role of humor in times of tragedy.

Least favorites
Like quite a few memoirs, this one falls into the trap of talking about itself way too much -- naval gazing about the process of writing a memoir, the whys and wheres, the deadlines, how far along it is, how silly and awkward it is to be writing about oneself, etc. etc. Sagat is an actor and comedian who can write jokes, but doesn’t seem comfortable writing an actual book.

Writing style
Conversational and heartfelt, with a dirty joke tacked on every few paragraphs.