Nice Try audiobook

Okay so, full disclosure: I know Josh Gondelman. This isn’t a humblebrag or starfuckery or a way to inflate my own stature in the world because I happen to know an Emmy-winning comedian/writer.I say it because most of this book exudes niceness, a quality too many of us conflate with being wishy-washy or bland. I told a friend of mine he was nice once and he took it as an insult. I don’t think Josh would take it as an insult. He actually addresses his niceness right up front, setting the stage for a whirlwind collection of personal essays that are at once exciting, fun, touching, and kind. He talks about why being nice is both important and sometimes a liability. Why “Nice Guy” can actually be code for a bro dude doing the bare minimum of performative good. And how balancing nice without losing yourself is difficult and worthwhile.I read a lot of books of essays by funny people, and some of them are acerbic and some are cutting, and there’s definitely a place for those. I like those qualities in other books. I’m just glad they aren’t part of this book.The essays are all compelling: he talks about the three origin stories of his relationship with his wife, and who gets to know which version. There’s one on the mysterious past of their adopted dog, Bizzy. Or the time he may or may not have tried MDMA. Gondelman, unlike one of my favorite essayists, Chuck Klosterman, made me care about sports in a moving, elegiacal tribute to his grandmother. And, unlike most every other book of essays by New Yorkers I’ve read in the past few years, there isn’t one on 9/11, which might be a bit of a relief.I listened to the audiobook version of this collection; Josh himself reads it, and it’s comforting to hear it all in his voice and inflection. It reminds me of his standup and storytelling from when he was laying his comedic foundations in the Boston comedy scene. One of the best things about the book is that you come away happy, because whether Josh is making you think or cry or laugh, it’s a joy to get insight into his life and his way of thinking. The only thing more satisfying than knowing Josh Gondelman, it turns out, is knowing him better.

Thoughtful, charming, wise, observant, full of heart & laugh out loud hilarious.

Hilarious and sweet! A great audio book too!

Gondelman is more of a hip-hop guy, but he would probably agree with the witch in Into the Woods when she says "Nice is different than good." He dissects the difference in his quest to become the latter, noting "Niceness is only enough under the best possible conditions. It relies on having adults in your life looking out for you, and on not facing prejudice." His humorous essays are smart and funny, the kind of light read that nevertheless makes you think.

Very charming, funny, and introspective/self-aware. Very relatable for a fellow anxious/awkward well-meaning white person.

I read this because I like him as a podcast guest on The Last Post. It's a funny book, nice light reading.

This book was good for me for a few reasons: I’d just come off from a heavier family drama I read last week, we’re living in a dystopian hellscape (a pandemic during an election year — woof), and I’m addicted to the internet.Gondelman writes charming anecdotes that I found genuinely interesting and funny, woven into the greater theme of niceness and goodness and what those words really mean. Pop culture references and self deprecation are things I love, and they made for perfect companions to his conversational, yet thoughtful writing.

Josh Gondelman has the distinction of being the sole exception to my moratorium on going to straight white guys' shows at my local comedy club (a decision that looks better and better by the day). I've seen his standup twice and I love it.This book pulls a lot from his comedy, which is great, though of course it's not as dense with jokes. He's earnest and sweet but not saccharine or boring, and his book comes across as a very honest expression of his personality, which seems like a lot of fun to be around. I don't think you'll read this book and expect to come away with, like, a fresh outlook on life, or mind-blowing ideas, but I think it does what it does really well.I appreciate that for an emmy-winning comedy writer who has no doubt rubbed elbows with a lot of famous and powerful people, that he spares us from name dropping or self-aggrandizing, and it makes me even happier that he has all the success he does.

I really enjoyed this book despite my (self-destructive?) kink being reading self absorbed memoirs by white people. Josh is well aware of his privilege as a straight white male and he wants to make the world a better place though even I draw the line at essays on football and sneakers, I am more of a flip-flop kinda gal. With metaphors that are David Sedaris perfect and some stories that didnt turn out to be the way I expected, this was a good book from Mr Maris Karizman (author of my favorite Slaughterhouse 901210 and to whom he dedicates a significant portion of the book).

I love Josh! I am a frequent requester of his Twitter pep talks and I loved reading about how he came up with the idea. He is funny and self-deprecating and also really really awesome. I grew up so cynical and for a long time snarky bad attitudes seemed to be the "it" thing, but it's actually really nice to be nice. It feels good to give and to receive niceties. Snarky sarcasm is exhausting, but sincere kindness gives me life. I so appreciate reading about Josh's kindness, the part he comes by organically and the habits he cultivates. This book is hilarious AND inspirational!

This was honestly probably the funniest book I read all year. Each essay had at least one line I immediately wanted to tell Miranda, but mostly I just want everyone to read this so we can laugh about it all together. I related to a lot of what Josh talked about!Samantha Irby was spot on when she said, "Josh Gondelman is a human cardigan and this book is like a warm, consensual hug."

Mildly entertaining I don’t know who the author is outside of his credits but thought it was worth a read. It’s moderately entertaining. Funny, but not side splitting. I realize I prefer the books where I know the person from tv and movies (eg tina fey, Steve Martin)

“Even the Zodiac killer was polite enough to remember to leave a note after he did a murder.”

Quite funny and relatable, this book crosses the line from being family friendly but has a wholesome feel to it nonetheless. Gondelman comes across as a delightful mix between hapless and brilliant, and his anecdotes had me laughing aloud several times.