jgregg42's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
ashleeh93's review against another edition
3.0
Loved this book up until the middle where Pete went from his life journey to his spiritual journey. I know that’s a me problem, but it was a weird zen-preach that I found majorly unpleasant. But! If you want to read about consciousness and shit, you’ll love the second half.
I just wanted the storyline.
I just wanted the storyline.
madisonboboltz's review against another edition
4.0
As a long time fan of his podcast, and of his show Crashing, this was such a treat! Some people will find this totally weird, but if you know Pete, you will love it! My goal in life is to do something worthy of being invited onto his podcast so I can meet him and basically spend the whole time telling him how much I love him and Val. I laughed... I cried... thank you Pete for helping me learn to think about and talk about faith in an honest and meaningful way without feeling embarrassed or ashamed! ❤️
atelmore's review against another edition
4.0
The author's religious and spiritual journey was interesting to read about. He brings enough humor to keep it light, and never comes off as preachy or judgemental.
sde's review
3.0
I admit that I never heard of Pete Holmes before hearing him on a podcast, even though he had his own late night show for a couple of years and has worked in TV for a while. This book had a little bit of comedy. Like most books I have read by comedians, the humor does not translate that well to the written word.
The first half of the book was mostly sex (or his lack thereof), and the second half was mostly God, so sometimes the transition was jarring. His discussion of his spiritual growth was the most interesting part of this book, and I wish there was more of it.
The author narrates the book, and I enjoyed that. I felt like he was in my kitchen with me.
The first half of the book was mostly sex (or his lack thereof), and the second half was mostly God, so sometimes the transition was jarring. His discussion of his spiritual growth was the most interesting part of this book, and I wish there was more of it.
The author narrates the book, and I enjoyed that. I felt like he was in my kitchen with me.
thisbookbelongstosk's review against another edition
4.0
Being a big fan of Pete Holmes (listening to his podcast, watching his specials and TV shows, going to a bunch of his live shows and even meeting him in-person), I was excited to listen to the audiobook copy of this book. I love when an author narrates their own book, which ALWAYS happens with comedian memoirs. (Plus, Pete is just such a wholly good and funny person, so there's that.)
Since I know a lot of Pete's history (through his comedy, TV show, podcast, etc), there was a lot that I already knew: his religious past, his first marriage and subsequent divorce, his comedy roots in Chicago and NYC (and making fast friends with Kumail Nanjiani, Emily V Gordon, John Mulaney, etc).
That being said, he definitely offered a few bits of information that made this all worthwhile. I especially loved Pete's Mulaney impression that he uses every time he quotes Mulaney, or his brief Bill Burr impression. And I absolutely adored any of the moments where he quotes Kumail and Emily (specifically their fashion advice and the anecdote about them dropping him [Pete, who they playfully refer to as their son] off on whore island to find he managed to build a car out of coconuts).
For those who don't know Pete, he grew up religious, lost his faith, and then found a new expression of faith through his experiences with philosophy, therapy, eastern meditation practices and (on occasion) mind-altering drugs. Pete is a happy go-lucky, golden retriever of a man, and his path to enlightenment is practical and honest. Throughout his ups and downs, he remains Pete.
There are so many great philosophical questions and affirmations in this book. Pete's openness is so gratifying. It makes me really happy to see that he's come out the other side of his crisis years to find success and happiness. The amount of work he's done (professionally, personally, spiritually) is inspiring to read about, especially as someone who has been rooting for Pete Holmes for many years, and as someone with work still to do for myself in those areas.
I really really enjoyed this book. Typically, I only like to recommend comedian/artist memoirs to fans of that person, but this one offers so much more than just Pete's story. If you want a light-hearted introduction to spirituality (or the spiritual journey), this book is a great choice from a uniquely curious, funny, not too serious perspective.
Since I know a lot of Pete's history (through his comedy, TV show, podcast, etc), there was a lot that I already knew: his religious past, his first marriage and subsequent divorce, his comedy roots in Chicago and NYC (and making fast friends with Kumail Nanjiani, Emily V Gordon, John Mulaney, etc).
That being said, he definitely offered a few bits of information that made this all worthwhile. I especially loved Pete's Mulaney impression that he uses every time he quotes Mulaney, or his brief Bill Burr impression. And I absolutely adored any of the moments where he quotes Kumail and Emily (specifically their fashion advice and the anecdote about them dropping him [Pete, who they playfully refer to as their son] off on whore island to find he managed to build a car out of coconuts).
For those who don't know Pete, he grew up religious, lost his faith, and then found a new expression of faith through his experiences with philosophy, therapy, eastern meditation practices and (on occasion) mind-altering drugs. Pete is a happy go-lucky, golden retriever of a man, and his path to enlightenment is practical and honest. Throughout his ups and downs, he remains Pete.
There are so many great philosophical questions and affirmations in this book. Pete's openness is so gratifying. It makes me really happy to see that he's come out the other side of his crisis years to find success and happiness. The amount of work he's done (professionally, personally, spiritually) is inspiring to read about, especially as someone who has been rooting for Pete Holmes for many years, and as someone with work still to do for myself in those areas.
I really really enjoyed this book. Typically, I only like to recommend comedian/artist memoirs to fans of that person, but this one offers so much more than just Pete's story. If you want a light-hearted introduction to spirituality (or the spiritual journey), this book is a great choice from a uniquely curious, funny, not too serious perspective.