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maffa303's review against another edition
4.0
An absolutely brilliant book! While a few reviews say that they found it slightly depressing and not funny (although these were the minority), I completely disagree. Yes, it is not an autobiography, but it is incredibly funny. I find Jon Richardson to be very clever and funny and I share his views on a great number of things. I definitely relate to the vast majority of his opinions and topics that he addresses in this book. Overall, a brilliant read.
aman757's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
in my reading recently about different psychological diagnoses, i've been able to identify that books in this particular genre tend to lean toward either vignettes about patients with the particular diagnosis or a more clinical breakdown of the symptoms and treatment of the patient, and this book definitely had more of the former. i did find parts of the book funny and even relatable, with the author having broken down at the beginning of the book some of what he finds therapeutic about his occupation as a comedian being that it allows him a sort of creative liberation, even though temporary, to escape his relenting conscious telling him his life and responsibilities need to be accomplished in a particular, often routine manner. though i don't believe i have as severe as symptoms as the author describes, i can certainly see aspects of his behavior and thought processes in my own experiences. one type of the neurosis the author describes is wanting the television tuned to a volume at an interval of 5. i didn't have this before, but i've actually started practicing this since, as i too like there to be patterns and continuity in the way i make choices within my life as well. as with much else in life, there is a balance to be achieved with this, and this type of desire for order is more appropriate with some specific domains rather than others. the most inappropriate of these spheres of control probably being relationships with others, with romantic and sexual relationships being an important one of these that is discussed in some depth in this book. particularly, the author discusses the beginnings of a relationship with a server at one of the restaurants he frequents, and describes how some of his hesitance and anxiety around a step as seemingly simple as drafting a text message after receiving her phone number is elicited in part by a desire to hold on to the surrounding passion around not knowing one another in depth. in a way, this scenario describes to me a type of fear of life that may contribute to characterizing the neurotic aspects of perfectionism and obsessive compulsive disorder more than many other components. this also made the ending of the book somewhat disappointing, though worthy of consideration, with the author deciding to respond to the server from the restaurant saying he would no longer be able to meet for a date, suggesting there is almost a necessary interplay between seeking effective treatment for obsessive compulsive personality disorder and letting go to fully engage in the sharing of oneself involved in romance. i'm not convinced this is true or even exactly what the author attempts to convey, but it is to me an aspect of the condition worthy of consideration.
keandrews's review against another edition
2.0
It's enough to read his original (excellent) newspaper article on the same topic, included in the first chapter. The rest of the book doesn't add much.
goel_1996's review against another edition
3.0
Rating: 3.5
I haven't heard of Jon before. The title was the reason I picked it up at a book fair and it didn't disappoint.
There are lines that resonate so deeply with me, the thoughts concerning love and relationships which I could never articulate.
The book is flooded with punches and humor as expected from a standup comedian.
Although there are bits that do feel unnecessary.
You should watch his few standups before picking this one up. You will love it even more.
I haven't heard of Jon before. The title was the reason I picked it up at a book fair and it didn't disappoint.
There are lines that resonate so deeply with me, the thoughts concerning love and relationships which I could never articulate.
The book is flooded with punches and humor as expected from a standup comedian.
Although there are bits that do feel unnecessary.
You should watch his few standups before picking this one up. You will love it even more.
chris85bates's review against another edition
4.0
Hilarious, as I was reading I realised he sums up how I feel about the world and there is nothing wrong with that
chlosophis's review against another edition
4.0
I assumed I would love this book as soon as it arrived in my mail box.
Jon Richardson is like an adorable grumpy Muppet. And I would read anything written by a Muppet.
However, things looked sketchy during the "introduction" - which I still maintain unnecessary (Come on editors of HarperCollins... author personality really need-not be explained).
But of course, Jon quickly won me back. Although there were jokes I had heard before in the text (but lets remain realistic), and a slightly poor attempt at structure - the writing remained honest and moving.
Similar to his "Public Jon" and "Private Jon" analogy (haha) - I felt there were two authors writing this book: One minute I'd be laughing about the sporadic tangents his thoughts skip off to, and then suddenly some beautiful balloon analogy, child-like imagery, and river-side philosophy would sneak up on the page. And not necessarily about things considered trifle, like washing dishes, killing spiders etc... but about serious themes like: coping mechanisms, loss of an innocent world-view, anxiety, etc.
That been said, I don't think just anyone could pick this book up and enjoy it. I'm a fan of Jon Richardson's comedy - and I thought he was being a dick at points (he doesn't like cats). Mostly when discussing his unrealistic expectations of women, and these expectations conflicting with them being human - but this comes with the territory, the book IS called "It's Not Me, It's You".
Jon expresses a desire to write novels - and I hope he does. If he were to write something disconnected from his personal life, comedic career, and big publishing house pressure, I have no doubt it would be full of deep themes and beautiful literary devices.
Jon Richardson is like an adorable grumpy Muppet. And I would read anything written by a Muppet.
However, things looked sketchy during the "introduction" - which I still maintain unnecessary (Come on editors of HarperCollins... author personality really need-not be explained).
But of course, Jon quickly won me back. Although there were jokes I had heard before in the text (but lets remain realistic), and a slightly poor attempt at structure - the writing remained honest and moving.
Similar to his "Public Jon" and "Private Jon" analogy (haha) - I felt there were two authors writing this book: One minute I'd be laughing about the sporadic tangents his thoughts skip off to, and then suddenly some beautiful balloon analogy, child-like imagery, and river-side philosophy would sneak up on the page. And not necessarily about things considered trifle, like washing dishes, killing spiders etc... but about serious themes like: coping mechanisms, loss of an innocent world-view, anxiety, etc.
That been said, I don't think just anyone could pick this book up and enjoy it. I'm a fan of Jon Richardson's comedy - and I thought he was being a dick at points (he doesn't like cats). Mostly when discussing his unrealistic expectations of women, and these expectations conflicting with them being human - but this comes with the territory, the book IS called "It's Not Me, It's You".
Jon expresses a desire to write novels - and I hope he does. If he were to write something disconnected from his personal life, comedic career, and big publishing house pressure, I have no doubt it would be full of deep themes and beautiful literary devices.
jb16772's review against another edition
4.0
Funny description of dealing with OCD, or being highly organised in a world that is not. I don't have this, but there still elements of recognition that makes this an interesting read.
lizzy_balmain's review against another edition
4.0
A good and highly amusing observation of one's self and idiosyncrasies