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pn_hinton's review
3.0
I picked up this book thinking it was a fiction book about a man who was going to celebrate random holidays. It turned out to be a non-fiction book with the same premise which was a bit less appealing.
Don’t get me wrong, it was still a funny and enjoyable book. But non-fiction meant it was also like a memoir. After reading a few work related books I was almost burnt out on those. But it started of engaging enough so I kept at it.
All in all, it was enjoyable. The whole “goofy dumb husband and firm wife” bit got old quick though. I’ve read too many books recently where that is the set up so it got boring fast. There were also days where it felt like the celebration was halfway. I especially enjoyed the anecdotes with the children though. Those were cute stories and he was creative with the ways he tried to celebrate with them. I found that a lot of the side stories that didn’t relate to the holiday were difficult to get through though. They read as extra fluff in a book that was already fluffy. For a lot of those parts I just skimmed.
This book ready more like a blog than anything else. It’s a bit jumbled and there is no real plot so don’t go in expecting one. It's an odd concept for a memoir type book. Everyone comments on this, even George at various points in it. Which is why I feel it would have been better as a fiction book. You’re not going to be a better or worst person for having read it. Hell even George didn’t learn anything or grow (as he stated in the final pages); it was just a fun experiment.
I’m on the fence about whether I want to read the second book. It wasn’t terrible but again nothing was memorable to me and it wasn’t as funny as I was hoping it to be. But I didn't want to just give up on it. There were humorous moments but again it read like a blog. So there were some side stories that had nothing to do with the holidays and were just filler. If nothing else it is a quick funny read to pass a rainy weekend with.
Don’t get me wrong, it was still a funny and enjoyable book. But non-fiction meant it was also like a memoir. After reading a few work related books I was almost burnt out on those. But it started of engaging enough so I kept at it.
All in all, it was enjoyable. The whole “goofy dumb husband and firm wife” bit got old quick though. I’ve read too many books recently where that is the set up so it got boring fast. There were also days where it felt like the celebration was halfway. I especially enjoyed the anecdotes with the children though. Those were cute stories and he was creative with the ways he tried to celebrate with them. I found that a lot of the side stories that didn’t relate to the holiday were difficult to get through though. They read as extra fluff in a book that was already fluffy. For a lot of those parts I just skimmed.
This book ready more like a blog than anything else. It’s a bit jumbled and there is no real plot so don’t go in expecting one. It's an odd concept for a memoir type book. Everyone comments on this, even George at various points in it. Which is why I feel it would have been better as a fiction book. You’re not going to be a better or worst person for having read it. Hell even George didn’t learn anything or grow (as he stated in the final pages); it was just a fun experiment.
I’m on the fence about whether I want to read the second book. It wasn’t terrible but again nothing was memorable to me and it wasn’t as funny as I was hoping it to be. But I didn't want to just give up on it. There were humorous moments but again it read like a blog. So there were some side stories that had nothing to do with the holidays and were just filler. If nothing else it is a quick funny read to pass a rainy weekend with.
hookerkitty's review
I just could not listen to this insufferable twat anymore. His poor wife. (I’m shocked that I didn’t see others mentioning any of this)
Rant loading…
First, she had 3 kids in 4 years, which would be hell on her body and mind (and that’s just from pregnancy and delivery, not even including breast feeding and so much screaming and bodily fluids). But then this guy decided that he’s the one that needs an adventure after being stuck in a routine (right after claiming that he loves being a dad more than anything and they’re the best thing that have happened to him).
Yet, from the selection of stories he shared, he’s practically a Kodak dad - only helping for the picture perfect moments. His wife works one day a week, and apparently it’s so rare for him to actually watch the kids himself while she leaves the house that they call it “Daddy Day” (I’m really surprised he didn’t call it “babysitting” actually, so at least he’s not quite that dumb).
He also keeps sharing that she’s the one cleaning up the mess he creates while “celebrating” these days. One of the days in January was a cleaning/organizing holiday, and he actually tried to hide it from her. He then complained about her giving him a list of things that needed to be done around the house, and then claims to have completed everything she asked within 2 hours (unlikely, unless he half-assed it, which wouldn’t surprise me at all). During one of these days he complained that she takes two baths a day and the washer and dryer is constantly running. Like, uh, dude, you have 3 small messy children who will be going through a lot of laundry. As for the baths, her body is probs constantly sore from the massive hit to her body for 4 years, plus it sounds like she’s the only one (or at least doing the brunt of) the parenting and cleaning. Let her have some relaxing time to herself, damn.
He seems very self-absorbed and just expects everyone to bend to his whims. He even had the audacity to remove all of her teaching material from the study bc it was “today is a room of one’s own day,” and since she only teaches once a week, it should now be his study and no one else’s (when he's a wedding photographer. It’s not like he needs a ton of books for that. A teacher needs a lot of space though).
I don’t think he understands how much he’s been telling on himself for being an awful husband and human being? He might not actually be as bad irl, and could be playing up the “dumb husband/cranky wife” trope, but I couldn’t take it anymore. I hope someone comes and gives that wife a mini vacation, because she needs it while raising four kids (three little ones and one giant manchild).
Also, I get being upset about how the vicar spoke to him. It wasn’t cool. However, stating that “she was without a doubt the most rude and unpleasant person that I have ever had the misfortune to meet” is such a grandiose reaction, and a rather privileged one at that.
So obviously I am highly disappointed with this book. The last couple years I started adding some of these fun/wacky days to my calendar, so I was excited to read about someone else’s process with it. But it ended up basically being diary entries into his very comfortable life, where he’s grasping at straws trying to make it sound like he’s important and does actually work, when it sounds like he just creates even more work for his wife, while whining that everything isn’t about him. It also completely reaffirms my choice to be child free lol
Rant loading…
First, she had 3 kids in 4 years, which would be hell on her body and mind (and that’s just from pregnancy and delivery, not even including breast feeding and so much screaming and bodily fluids). But then this guy decided that he’s the one that needs an adventure after being stuck in a routine (right after claiming that he loves being a dad more than anything and they’re the best thing that have happened to him).
Yet, from the selection of stories he shared, he’s practically a Kodak dad - only helping for the picture perfect moments. His wife works one day a week, and apparently it’s so rare for him to actually watch the kids himself while she leaves the house that they call it “Daddy Day” (I’m really surprised he didn’t call it “babysitting” actually, so at least he’s not quite that dumb).
He also keeps sharing that she’s the one cleaning up the mess he creates while “celebrating” these days. One of the days in January was a cleaning/organizing holiday, and he actually tried to hide it from her. He then complained about her giving him a list of things that needed to be done around the house, and then claims to have completed everything she asked within 2 hours (unlikely, unless he half-assed it, which wouldn’t surprise me at all). During one of these days he complained that she takes two baths a day and the washer and dryer is constantly running. Like, uh, dude, you have 3 small messy children who will be going through a lot of laundry. As for the baths, her body is probs constantly sore from the massive hit to her body for 4 years, plus it sounds like she’s the only one (or at least doing the brunt of) the parenting and cleaning. Let her have some relaxing time to herself, damn.
He seems very self-absorbed and just expects everyone to bend to his whims. He even had the audacity to remove all of her teaching material from the study bc it was “today is a room of one’s own day,” and since she only teaches once a week, it should now be his study and no one else’s (when he's a wedding photographer. It’s not like he needs a ton of books for that. A teacher needs a lot of space though).
I don’t think he understands how much he’s been telling on himself for being an awful husband and human being? He might not actually be as bad irl, and could be playing up the “dumb husband/cranky wife” trope, but I couldn’t take it anymore. I hope someone comes and gives that wife a mini vacation, because she needs it while raising four kids (three little ones and one giant manchild).
Also, I get being upset about how the vicar spoke to him. It wasn’t cool. However, stating that “she was without a doubt the most rude and unpleasant person that I have ever had the misfortune to meet” is such a grandiose reaction, and a rather privileged one at that.
So obviously I am highly disappointed with this book. The last couple years I started adding some of these fun/wacky days to my calendar, so I was excited to read about someone else’s process with it. But it ended up basically being diary entries into his very comfortable life, where he’s grasping at straws trying to make it sound like he’s important and does actually work, when it sounds like he just creates even more work for his wife, while whining that everything isn’t about him. It also completely reaffirms my choice to be child free lol
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Pregnancy
apiratethatdoesnothing's review
5.0
Absolutely hilarious! My better half looked at me on more than a few occasions concerned that I was laughing so hard! The memoir and journal or diary style writing was a refreshing change from my standard non-fiction stories. It was a joy becoming a temporary member of the Mahood family and joining George along for his celebrations :) I do wish he had taken his kids along for the ride on more holidays compared to being a solo adventure but to each their own.
caslater83's review
2.0
It was cute in various places. I stopped reading because I soon lost interest. Yes, every day is a holiday, but not every entry made me laugh to tears or anything. Some was just hit-and-miss. But you might like it.
geekypaddy's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
alliebookworm's review against another edition
5.0
Fun, light read. I enjoyed the writing style - Mahood writes in a very relatable and fun way. You can't get bored because each entry features a new celebration. What could easily have been a boring play-by-play instead becomes a funny dialogue between him and his wife and children about what wacky new thing he's doing, plus interesting background on the holiday itself. Whether it's Wave All Your Fingers At Your Neighbor Day or National Reese's Day, it's funny and entertaining to read.
theonionboy's review against another edition
3.0
The author was much more haphazard about his experiment than I expected for someone who it doing it to chronicle the experience in a book.
I couldn't help but wonder how his wife feels about this book. It comes across to me that they have quite a miserable marriage. Every mention of it was quite negative except for the very end, which made it an odd, out of place surprise (I won't spoil it.)
As a glimpse into half a year in the life of family, this was a decent book. The author is more honest than I could ever be in a book. There were many amusing incidents that made the book a fun read. It was probably just the right length. I think I am going to read the sequel (which sounds like it is just part II of this book), so I guess I would recommend this one.
I couldn't help but wonder how his wife feels about this book. It comes across to me that they have quite a miserable marriage. Every mention of it was quite negative except for the very end, which made it an odd, out of place surprise (I won't spoil it.)
As a glimpse into half a year in the life of family, this was a decent book. The author is more honest than I could ever be in a book. There were many amusing incidents that made the book a fun read. It was probably just the right length. I think I am going to read the sequel (which sounds like it is just part II of this book), so I guess I would recommend this one.
elehuiliztli's review against another edition
3.0
Mildly entertaining
I could only read half before it became a chore and I wanted to venture elsewhere for my reading pleasures. Mahood is a funny guy but maybe this format doesn't present his writing in the best of light.
I could only read half before it became a chore and I wanted to venture elsewhere for my reading pleasures. Mahood is a funny guy but maybe this format doesn't present his writing in the best of light.
drelaine's review
5.0
Affectionate and funny account of George's family life and his attempt to celebrate little known and quirky holidays every day for 6 months.
abby_leigh's review against another edition
5.0
I did enjoy free country a bit more but this was such a fun, light read. Definitely recommend.