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Shrinkage: Manhood, Marriage, and the Tumor That Tried to Kill Me
From the popular sidekick on the Guinness World Record-breaking podcast The Adam Carolla Show comes this candid, comical, and uplifting memoir of the author's courageous battle and recovery.
At thirty years old Bryan Bishop’s life was right on track: as the sidekick on The Adam Carolla Show, his career was taking off and, newly engaged, his personal life was soaring to new heights. Then he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Suddenly Bryan’s promising future was looking at a troubling schedule of radiation and chemotherapy. But having found refuge in comedy, “Bald Bryan” recounts his alternately heartbreaking and hysterical experience of cancer treatment and recovery, from writing his will with the bravado of a pulp novelist, to taking chemo in a strip club, to achieving his life-long dream of getting another woman in the shower with him and his wife (even if it was only for physical therapy). These and other charmingly twisted scenes make the serious truly a laughing matter. Now four years since his initial diagnosis, Bryan celebrates how his aggressive treatment shrunk his tumor and gave him a new lease on life.
Through odds and obstacles, blunders and dilemmas, Bryan radiates through Shrinkage with wonder and humor. This profound, honest, and surprisingly funny recovery book is a Cancer Schmancer for the Jimmy Kimmel Live! crowd.
At thirty years old Bryan Bishop’s life was right on track: as the sidekick on The Adam Carolla Show, his career was taking off and, newly engaged, his personal life was soaring to new heights. Then he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Suddenly Bryan’s promising future was looking at a troubling schedule of radiation and chemotherapy. But having found refuge in comedy, “Bald Bryan” recounts his alternately heartbreaking and hysterical experience of cancer treatment and recovery, from writing his will with the bravado of a pulp novelist, to taking chemo in a strip club, to achieving his life-long dream of getting another woman in the shower with him and his wife (even if it was only for physical therapy). These and other charmingly twisted scenes make the serious truly a laughing matter. Now four years since his initial diagnosis, Bryan celebrates how his aggressive treatment shrunk his tumor and gave him a new lease on life.
Through odds and obstacles, blunders and dilemmas, Bryan radiates through Shrinkage with wonder and humor. This profound, honest, and surprisingly funny recovery book is a Cancer Schmancer for the Jimmy Kimmel Live! crowd.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published May 13, 2013
30 people are currently reading
1016 people want to read
About the author
Bryan Bishop
3 books14 followersBryan Bishop has been the on-air sidekick for The Adam Carolla Show since 2006. What started as a syndicated morning radio show evolved into “The World’s Most Downloaded Podcast,” as certified by the Guinness Book of World Records. He has also appeared as a contestant on Comedy Central’s Beat the Geeks and on the syndicated game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Bishop was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Christie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
June 15, 2014
So divided on this one. The best things: (1) fascinating, honest, but fairly upbeat account of an unusual, personal, difficult experience (i.e., having an inoperable brain tumor). (2) Full of down-to-earth advice that will come in handy if I ever get cancer, or when someone I know does. (3) Especially strong on the impact of illness on relationships--I respect and admire the emphasis Bryan puts on *other people*, including his wife, his parents, and his friends.
Basically, I liked all the cancer stuff.
What I didn't like so much was the other stuff, about Bryan's personal history and job and thoughts about sports and music. I'll admit I don't know any of his work, haven't listened to Carolla's podcast, so everything I know about Bryan, I know from this book. And I found him pretty dull company, again aside from his experience with cancer, which he relates very well. This seems like a personal criticism rather than one of the book, so maybe it's not fair. Bryan just seems like a very ordinary guy, one who feels the need to explain to me what a limerick is and tell me about how unfair one of his college profs was. At points like that, I felt like one feels at a dinner party when one is seated between an uninteresting person (this book) and an interesting one (some other books waiting for me to read them), and the uninteresting one keeps endlessly talking.
Part of the problem is that I read the book on Kindle, so all the dozens and dozens of footnotes, most of which aren't particularly funny or illuminating, required me to leave the page and then come back.
By the end of the book, I'll admit, I was pretty well won over. I'm not sorry I read this.
Basically, I liked all the cancer stuff.
What I didn't like so much was the other stuff, about Bryan's personal history and job and thoughts about sports and music. I'll admit I don't know any of his work, haven't listened to Carolla's podcast, so everything I know about Bryan, I know from this book. And I found him pretty dull company, again aside from his experience with cancer, which he relates very well. This seems like a personal criticism rather than one of the book, so maybe it's not fair. Bryan just seems like a very ordinary guy, one who feels the need to explain to me what a limerick is and tell me about how unfair one of his college profs was. At points like that, I felt like one feels at a dinner party when one is seated between an uninteresting person (this book) and an interesting one (some other books waiting for me to read them), and the uninteresting one keeps endlessly talking.
Part of the problem is that I read the book on Kindle, so all the dozens and dozens of footnotes, most of which aren't particularly funny or illuminating, required me to leave the page and then come back.
By the end of the book, I'll admit, I was pretty well won over. I'm not sorry I read this.
June 19, 2015
As a fan of the Adam Carolla podcast as well as Bryan Bishop (and Anderson Cowan)'s own podcast, The Film Vault, I thought I knew Bryan Bishop. And to some degree, his memoir "Shrinkage" doesn't dispel some of those ideas. He's admittedly smug (or self-satisfied), though this book doesn't have nearly the "funny" racist comments he loves to pepper into podcasts, often to my dismay. I'll admit it - in recent years, I haven't been as big of a fan of Bryan's as I used to be.
But ... DAMNIT. This book is really, really great. Bishop was diagnosed with brain cancer a few years ago, announcing it on the Carolla podcast, and has publicly also gotten much better ... and I thought, therefore, that I knew what he'd been through. Not. Even. Close. The stories he tells her paint a much darker picture, to where he essentially lost the ability to talk, walk, or do any basic physical activity while the radiation and chemotherapy ravaged his body. The book is also, essentially, a love letter to his wife Christie - who was only his fiancee when he was diagnosed. Christie -- undoubtedly like many other partners of critically ill people - is a HERO. What she went through along with Bishop was unbelievable, and I found myself surprised by how much I was rooting for them (even knowing in advance that things turned out okay). Bishop is also a very good writer, and the moments he talks about between him and Christie are surprisingly tender, romantic and affirming.
This is, primarily, a book about cancer (shrinkage being, of course, what you want to do to a tumor) - and I have to think it will serve as a helpful guide to those suffering from that shitty disease, along with those suffering along with their loved ones. I read it mainly because I wanted to know more about Bishop, and I ended up learning a lot more, and found myself surprisingly moved more than once. I am still not always a fan of on-air Bryan Bishop, but I think I know him better now ... and I must say that this book is a gripping, engaging read for anyone wanting to know more about him and/or the struggles with cancer.
Also, f*ck cancer.
But ... DAMNIT. This book is really, really great. Bishop was diagnosed with brain cancer a few years ago, announcing it on the Carolla podcast, and has publicly also gotten much better ... and I thought, therefore, that I knew what he'd been through. Not. Even. Close. The stories he tells her paint a much darker picture, to where he essentially lost the ability to talk, walk, or do any basic physical activity while the radiation and chemotherapy ravaged his body. The book is also, essentially, a love letter to his wife Christie - who was only his fiancee when he was diagnosed. Christie -- undoubtedly like many other partners of critically ill people - is a HERO. What she went through along with Bishop was unbelievable, and I found myself surprised by how much I was rooting for them (even knowing in advance that things turned out okay). Bishop is also a very good writer, and the moments he talks about between him and Christie are surprisingly tender, romantic and affirming.
This is, primarily, a book about cancer (shrinkage being, of course, what you want to do to a tumor) - and I have to think it will serve as a helpful guide to those suffering from that shitty disease, along with those suffering along with their loved ones. I read it mainly because I wanted to know more about Bishop, and I ended up learning a lot more, and found myself surprisingly moved more than once. I am still not always a fan of on-air Bryan Bishop, but I think I know him better now ... and I must say that this book is a gripping, engaging read for anyone wanting to know more about him and/or the struggles with cancer.
Also, f*ck cancer.
June 30, 2014
This book was painful to get through. I was not a fan of this author, his personality and his writing fell flat for me. The humour felt forced and some of the "tumor tips" were more common sense than actual tips. If any of you have seen the Advice Mallard meme than you know what I'm talking about. A co-author might have been a better choice here, as having something traumatic happen to you does not a memoirist make.
Heads Up: The foot notes in the ebook version are messed up. There are several of them per chapter and they are all crammed at the end, one after the other. This is extremely confusing unless you have a photographic memory. 2.5/5
Note: I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Heads Up: The foot notes in the ebook version are messed up. There are several of them per chapter and they are all crammed at the end, one after the other. This is extremely confusing unless you have a photographic memory. 2.5/5
Note: I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 16, 2014
Somehow I found myself with an advanced copy of this book and jumped right in. Bryan's writing style is very conversational and comfortable, filled with goofy footnotes and random asides throughout. This can be a bit much in the early part of the book as he recounts his life up until his diagnosis, but those humorous breaks are much appreciated as the book progresses. The positivity and hope that radiates (pun intended) from the story of Bryan's fight with cancer is truly inspiring. I am very glad I read this book, and I would recommend it to anyone who has been affected (personally or through a loved one) by cancer.
July 6, 2014
I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads. FTC guidelines: check!
I had never heard of Bald Bryan so I didn't have any preconceived notions about how his memoir should read. I found his humor to be similar to the tone of Adam Carolla's book: In Fifty Years We'll All Be Chicks. Some of it made me laugh, but some of it made me want to skip ahead to the next chapter. One of his misses, for me at least, was his list of Top Douchebags from his life. I can understand why he put all of those guys on his list (not like they were nice people or anything), it just wasn't that fun to rehash with him.
On the other hand, his insight into his illness, the toll it took on his relationships, and the way that it changed his day-to-day life were all fascinating. Bryan was a healthy and active person who became unable to care for his own basic needs in the span of a few months. It's terrifying, feels random, and Bryan seems like such an every-day guy, that it's easy to imagine the nightmare of an inoperable brain tumor happening in your own life.
In a way, this novel reminded me of the memoir, Stronger (the book by Bauman, one of the victims of the Boston marathon bombing) in that one minute life was one way (normal) and the next, for no reason that the author could control, his life was entirely different. Both memoirs record the utter frustration that comes along with not being able to walk or live life the way that one is accustomed to living it. Both men had to rely on the charity of others to be able to shoulder the enormous financial responsibility that came along with their illnesses/injuries. And both books, while pessimistic at times, end on a completely hopeful yet realistic note and in a forward facing direction.
Personally, I loved the "tumor tips" that were sprinkled throughout the text. I have never experienced an illness of that level of seriousness nor taken care of someone that sick, but Bryan makes the process seem doable. The tips are common sense, but not things that I would have thought of without going through it first like he did. I think that this memoir has the potential to help out all of the people who are going through cancer treatments or will go through them in the future by helping them approach their disease with honesty, humor, and a hopeful outlook for a return to a sort of normalcy.
I had never heard of Bald Bryan so I didn't have any preconceived notions about how his memoir should read. I found his humor to be similar to the tone of Adam Carolla's book: In Fifty Years We'll All Be Chicks. Some of it made me laugh, but some of it made me want to skip ahead to the next chapter. One of his misses, for me at least, was his list of Top Douchebags from his life. I can understand why he put all of those guys on his list (not like they were nice people or anything), it just wasn't that fun to rehash with him.
On the other hand, his insight into his illness, the toll it took on his relationships, and the way that it changed his day-to-day life were all fascinating. Bryan was a healthy and active person who became unable to care for his own basic needs in the span of a few months. It's terrifying, feels random, and Bryan seems like such an every-day guy, that it's easy to imagine the nightmare of an inoperable brain tumor happening in your own life.
In a way, this novel reminded me of the memoir, Stronger (the book by Bauman, one of the victims of the Boston marathon bombing) in that one minute life was one way (normal) and the next, for no reason that the author could control, his life was entirely different. Both memoirs record the utter frustration that comes along with not being able to walk or live life the way that one is accustomed to living it. Both men had to rely on the charity of others to be able to shoulder the enormous financial responsibility that came along with their illnesses/injuries. And both books, while pessimistic at times, end on a completely hopeful yet realistic note and in a forward facing direction.
Personally, I loved the "tumor tips" that were sprinkled throughout the text. I have never experienced an illness of that level of seriousness nor taken care of someone that sick, but Bryan makes the process seem doable. The tips are common sense, but not things that I would have thought of without going through it first like he did. I think that this memoir has the potential to help out all of the people who are going through cancer treatments or will go through them in the future by helping them approach their disease with honesty, humor, and a hopeful outlook for a return to a sort of normalcy.
November 3, 2014
Shrinkage: Manhood, Marriage and the Tumor that Tried to Kill Me by Bryan Bishop had me moaning with all his references to Southern California and information for people who haven’t ever been there! I had lived there for several years and knew all that stuff! There is a lot about his experiences with the Adam Corolla show. I was beginning to wonder when he was going to get to his experiences with the brain tumor. I did like his stories about his childhood which range true for me, both of us being an eldest child. But as soon as he knew that something was wrong, he won my heart.
When his symptoms got so bad that they could not be ignored any longer and he and his future wife, Christi went to hear the diagnosis. The book changed into a heart wrenching story that made me love him and Christy. That turned into a story of determination and courage. He uses gallows humor and that made me identify with him I have a lot of medical problems and that is the best way for me to deal with it. He told the inside story of the difficult experiences that go with radiation and chemotherapy. From then on, he felt like my friend. He is so very honest. One of the best parts of the book is his “tumor tips”. He has sound advice for anyone who has a brain tumor or any serious illness. Some of it I wish that I had known a long time ago. I don’t have a brain tumor but the advice does apply to my medical problems. The advice is so great, you can’t find it on the Internet or in books. Usually this is from friends and relatives who have been through what you are going through.
I loved the pictures that are sprinkled throughout the book. And Christy is amazing, she is the epitome of the person that everyone hopes to marry. She is patient, strong, determined and loving. The tone of this book is conversational and made me feel that I would be honored to have Bryan Bishop as a friend. When this book was finished, I really wanted to read more about Bryan. It is hard to say good-bye.
I highly recommend this book to all who have serious medical problems and those who want to know what it is like to have an inoperable brain tumor.
I received this book as win from FirstReads but that in no way influenced my thoughts or feelings in this review.
When his symptoms got so bad that they could not be ignored any longer and he and his future wife, Christi went to hear the diagnosis. The book changed into a heart wrenching story that made me love him and Christy. That turned into a story of determination and courage. He uses gallows humor and that made me identify with him I have a lot of medical problems and that is the best way for me to deal with it. He told the inside story of the difficult experiences that go with radiation and chemotherapy. From then on, he felt like my friend. He is so very honest. One of the best parts of the book is his “tumor tips”. He has sound advice for anyone who has a brain tumor or any serious illness. Some of it I wish that I had known a long time ago. I don’t have a brain tumor but the advice does apply to my medical problems. The advice is so great, you can’t find it on the Internet or in books. Usually this is from friends and relatives who have been through what you are going through.
I loved the pictures that are sprinkled throughout the book. And Christy is amazing, she is the epitome of the person that everyone hopes to marry. She is patient, strong, determined and loving. The tone of this book is conversational and made me feel that I would be honored to have Bryan Bishop as a friend. When this book was finished, I really wanted to read more about Bryan. It is hard to say good-bye.
I highly recommend this book to all who have serious medical problems and those who want to know what it is like to have an inoperable brain tumor.
I received this book as win from FirstReads but that in no way influenced my thoughts or feelings in this review.
July 23, 2015
I can't say enough about this book. It is engaging and surprisingly funny for a true story about a young man's fight with a brain tumor. Bryan's candid, positive writing was a pleasure to read. And it is refreshingly wonderful to hear a story about cancer that actually ends well. I think it would be very encouraging to someone going through something similar - there is a lot of practical advice, as well as just a good read for almost anyone else. So glad we still have Bryan in this world to continue sharing his humor and great attitude.
August 31, 2015
My friend Sanjay recommended this to me, after I announced my dad had cancer. I immediately bought a copy but then put off reading it due to being nervous. I started it today and finished it a few minutes ago. This is one of the most important books I've read this year. So important, that I bought a copy for dad.
July 17, 2014
This was an amazing book about a young man and his fiance ( who beame his wife) and what the endured when he was given only 6 months to live. I believe Bryan Bishop's great attitude and humor has helped him to outlive those 6 month. The right meds help to, but I do believe attitude has a factor.
July 15, 2014
I am a fan of the Adam Carolla podcast and have developed a listener's relationship with the members of his team. When I learned that Bald Bryan wrote a memoir about his cancer journey, I was excited to get my hands on it because over the years I have been listening to him talk about his experience with cancer and his treatment (as well as Adam's commentary on these things). At the time of the book's release, I was really busy reading for my other job so I decided to get the audio version to listen to on my commute. Good choice! There is no better way to experience a podcaster's book than to listen to him read it. There is even the added bonus of hearing the voice of his wife, Christie, as well as Adam Corolla on the audio version. The only thing you miss out on with the audio are the really great pictures he includes in the print version. But then there's a reason to buy both copies.
Before I say more about the book, here are some confessions about me: first, as my love of Adam Carolla's podcast indicates, I am a fan of irreverent humor. Love it. Don't apologize for it. Second, my husband had cancer several years ago. Combine the two and I love irreverent humor about cancer. With that in mind, I knew while listening to the prologue of Shrinkage that I was going to like the book. It all begins with a sort of morbid joke that Bryan includes in the will he's writing just after his diagnosis when he and his fiancee realize they need to get their affairs in order: "If you're reading this, I'm already dead." He describes always wanting to use that line and this is his opportune moment. Some might find this bleak. Not Bryan. And not me. The laughs start there and keep coming through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
Plus, if you've had cancer, or find yourself newly diagnosed, there is a lot to learn from the the "Tumor Tips" Bryan includes throughout the book. Some of his advice is funny (advice on pooping is always funny) and some is more serious (advice about healthy pooping is a pretty serious matter). Bryan also shares his "feel good playlist" which is a great list of songs that helped lift his spirits in down moments.
But don't be fooled. In Shrinkage, Bryan Bishop does not use humor as a defense wall. Reflected in all those jokes and funny bits is honest writing with an open heart that shares anecdotes of pain, fear, embarrassment, and mortality which illustrate how difficult surviving cancer is for a young couple with so much life left to live together. From the deterioration of his motor skills, to the emotional journey, to the conflicts in his family relationships, Bryan shares all the deepest parts of what he went through while skillfully projecting hope, compassion, and understanding. There are moments that rendered me tearful and made me reflect on the journey my husband and I also experienced. Balance that with the humor Bryan includes, and the memoir treats the subject of cancer in an entertaining yet meaningful manner.
Before I say more about the book, here are some confessions about me: first, as my love of Adam Carolla's podcast indicates, I am a fan of irreverent humor. Love it. Don't apologize for it. Second, my husband had cancer several years ago. Combine the two and I love irreverent humor about cancer. With that in mind, I knew while listening to the prologue of Shrinkage that I was going to like the book. It all begins with a sort of morbid joke that Bryan includes in the will he's writing just after his diagnosis when he and his fiancee realize they need to get their affairs in order: "If you're reading this, I'm already dead." He describes always wanting to use that line and this is his opportune moment. Some might find this bleak. Not Bryan. And not me. The laughs start there and keep coming through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
Plus, if you've had cancer, or find yourself newly diagnosed, there is a lot to learn from the the "Tumor Tips" Bryan includes throughout the book. Some of his advice is funny (advice on pooping is always funny) and some is more serious (advice about healthy pooping is a pretty serious matter). Bryan also shares his "feel good playlist" which is a great list of songs that helped lift his spirits in down moments.
But don't be fooled. In Shrinkage, Bryan Bishop does not use humor as a defense wall. Reflected in all those jokes and funny bits is honest writing with an open heart that shares anecdotes of pain, fear, embarrassment, and mortality which illustrate how difficult surviving cancer is for a young couple with so much life left to live together. From the deterioration of his motor skills, to the emotional journey, to the conflicts in his family relationships, Bryan shares all the deepest parts of what he went through while skillfully projecting hope, compassion, and understanding. There are moments that rendered me tearful and made me reflect on the journey my husband and I also experienced. Balance that with the humor Bryan includes, and the memoir treats the subject of cancer in an entertaining yet meaningful manner.
January 26, 2015
"Shrinkage: Manhood, Marriage, and the Tumor That Tried to Kill Me" authored by Bryan Bishop (1978-) is an engaging humorous recall his life with a catastrophic diagnosis, illness and treatment, while at the same time navigating around unemployment, his destination wedding, his marriage, aftercare, and his newlywed life with Christie. Bryan and Christie live in Los Angeles where he continues working with Adam Carolla.
Raised in the San Francisco Bay area, Bryan recalled his family as "blue collar" workers, his parents didn't go to college. He described his brother as being an "outdoor kid" (who became a project manager for a large landscaping company), Bryan was an "indoor kid" with an interest in watching VCR movies and trivia that was popular in the 1970's-1980's. He wasn't a good student, and realized later he probably had ADHD. After attending a summer creative writing media program at Northwestern University (1996), with dismal grades and high SAT scores Bryan was accepted at USC. At 106.7 KROQ (2001) he became a call screener, enjoyed the work and meeting celebrities. Loveline was co-hosted by Adam Carolla, and Bishop was offered a higher paying position on Loveline as a call screener, and has been employed by CBS involved in a variety of media productions.
In 2009, CBS "flipped" its radio format, deciding to go "DJ-less", many staff were laid off associated with the economic downturn that affected the entire nation. It was during this time when Bryan, (newly unemployed, engaged to be married to Christie) noticed he was having trouble with his vision, balance, falling down as if he'd been drinking. Doctors checked him for MS, but his diagnosis was soon made by top notch medical specialists of brain-stem glioma: a rare aggressive form of brain cancer. He and Christie were devastated, as Bryan began rounds of radiation and chemotherapy. With candor and witty humor Bryan recalls how he and Christie faced dealing with his condition together, the treatments and therapies, the unusual things that happened: Christie lost the diamond from her engagement ring at the hospital, the many things that followed strenghtening his (and Christie's) faith, compassion, and empathy for others. Also included were suggestions, advice, and tips. "Bald Bryan" truly seemed to arrive, though in a most unexpected way.
Raised in the San Francisco Bay area, Bryan recalled his family as "blue collar" workers, his parents didn't go to college. He described his brother as being an "outdoor kid" (who became a project manager for a large landscaping company), Bryan was an "indoor kid" with an interest in watching VCR movies and trivia that was popular in the 1970's-1980's. He wasn't a good student, and realized later he probably had ADHD. After attending a summer creative writing media program at Northwestern University (1996), with dismal grades and high SAT scores Bryan was accepted at USC. At 106.7 KROQ (2001) he became a call screener, enjoyed the work and meeting celebrities. Loveline was co-hosted by Adam Carolla, and Bishop was offered a higher paying position on Loveline as a call screener, and has been employed by CBS involved in a variety of media productions.
In 2009, CBS "flipped" its radio format, deciding to go "DJ-less", many staff were laid off associated with the economic downturn that affected the entire nation. It was during this time when Bryan, (newly unemployed, engaged to be married to Christie) noticed he was having trouble with his vision, balance, falling down as if he'd been drinking. Doctors checked him for MS, but his diagnosis was soon made by top notch medical specialists of brain-stem glioma: a rare aggressive form of brain cancer. He and Christie were devastated, as Bryan began rounds of radiation and chemotherapy. With candor and witty humor Bryan recalls how he and Christie faced dealing with his condition together, the treatments and therapies, the unusual things that happened: Christie lost the diamond from her engagement ring at the hospital, the many things that followed strenghtening his (and Christie's) faith, compassion, and empathy for others. Also included were suggestions, advice, and tips. "Bald Bryan" truly seemed to arrive, though in a most unexpected way.
January 30, 2016
I'm giving this book a 3/5, not because I didn't enjoy it and not because it didn't touch me; quite the opposite.
I've had the good luck of never having to deal with a loved one battling with Cancer, somehow, and Bryan's story has put things into perspective for me. No matter how bleak your life may seem at this moment or even if you've been told you'll only live six months (crazy!), you can't stop laughing and thinking positively. It's a message that we all should take with us into our everyday lives, and I most certainly will.
His wife, Christie, is one tough woman. I was constantly impressed by her willingness to do anything and everything that Bryan needed. She rid herself of any time with her friends and family unless Bryan could be there. The fact that she (seemingly) believed Bryan every time he said "I'm gonna get better" is a testament to HER positivity and wishful thinking. Congratulations, Bryan. You are in love with the worlds greatest wife.
As for the two star dock: This book was cleverly written and funny when it needed to be, and let itself be melancholy at the right times. However, the massive amounts of footnotes, which were just under 200, really took away from his cleverness. 80% of the footnotes could've been added in the sentence he was referring to or been another sentence following the joke. My having to look at the bottom of newly every page almost twice stopped the flow of my reading and enjoyment a little too much.
Also, the parenthesis and random exclamation points (!) did not seem to fit the story telling. Again, most of the footnotes could've been added as parenthesis or just put into the narrative.
My last critique of this book is that Bryan tends to repeat himself... A lot. Especially in the first half of the book. In one chapter he repeated that he was a USC football fan three different times and put it as, "as you remember, I'm a big USC football fan". Yes, Bryan, you only said that two pages ago. I think your readers have the comprehension to retain that information.
That being said, this is such a heartwarming book about a celebrity I looked up to before reading this. Now I am only more driven in my sound career, such like what Bryan is doing, and to be a more loving and optimistic person. As Dr. Drew says about this book. "A must read for anyone with a pulse."
I've had the good luck of never having to deal with a loved one battling with Cancer, somehow, and Bryan's story has put things into perspective for me. No matter how bleak your life may seem at this moment or even if you've been told you'll only live six months (crazy!), you can't stop laughing and thinking positively. It's a message that we all should take with us into our everyday lives, and I most certainly will.
His wife, Christie, is one tough woman. I was constantly impressed by her willingness to do anything and everything that Bryan needed. She rid herself of any time with her friends and family unless Bryan could be there. The fact that she (seemingly) believed Bryan every time he said "I'm gonna get better" is a testament to HER positivity and wishful thinking. Congratulations, Bryan. You are in love with the worlds greatest wife.
As for the two star dock: This book was cleverly written and funny when it needed to be, and let itself be melancholy at the right times. However, the massive amounts of footnotes, which were just under 200, really took away from his cleverness. 80% of the footnotes could've been added in the sentence he was referring to or been another sentence following the joke. My having to look at the bottom of newly every page almost twice stopped the flow of my reading and enjoyment a little too much.
Also, the parenthesis and random exclamation points (!) did not seem to fit the story telling. Again, most of the footnotes could've been added as parenthesis or just put into the narrative.
My last critique of this book is that Bryan tends to repeat himself... A lot. Especially in the first half of the book. In one chapter he repeated that he was a USC football fan three different times and put it as, "as you remember, I'm a big USC football fan". Yes, Bryan, you only said that two pages ago. I think your readers have the comprehension to retain that information.
That being said, this is such a heartwarming book about a celebrity I looked up to before reading this. Now I am only more driven in my sound career, such like what Bryan is doing, and to be a more loving and optimistic person. As Dr. Drew says about this book. "A must read for anyone with a pulse."
April 27, 2014
Full disclosure: I received an ARC of this book through a Goodreads contest in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Bryan Bishop's known to a lot of people as the sidekick and sound-bites guy on the Adam Carolla Show and ultimately his podcast (the most downloaded podcast according to Guiness World Records!), and Shrinkage is the story of his battle with a brain tumor and how he's moved forward with his life since.
The book begins with a few chapters of actual biographical/early life history, before moving forward in time to when he meets his fiance' (spoiler! now wife) Christie, their early romance and the discovery of his brain tumor shortly before the wedding. Loyal listeners of the podcast and radio show will have heard some of the tales in the past, but there's still plenty of new information to be shared as Bryan battles the inoperable tumor with radiation, chemo, steroids, and ultimately Avastin.
Given the subject matter, a reader might expect to enter into this book needing a box of Kleenex nearby, but though there are poignant moments throughout, mostly centered around wife Christie's undying loyalty and fortitude to partner through these trials with her husband, anyone familiar with Bryan's role 'on the air' will be rewarded with the same snarky interjections we've become accustomed to. Peppered all through the chapters are witty stories, as Bryan overcomes a lot of adversity while keeping his chin up and marching, stumbling, hobbling forward, and footnotes containing reparte' that bring laughs aplenty. The story rolls along smoothly, with a great narrative voice and pacing, and Bishop's earnestness in telling the tale unvarnished was very refreshing.
Even those out there unfamiliar with Bald Bryan (as he's known on the ether and airwaves) will truly enjoy this man's tale of bravery in the face of adversity, written with such honesty and positivity that you see the man for who he is. Loving husband, funny man, and inspiring survivor. Grab this book without delay. Even if you don't know someone affected cancer, there's more than enough inspiration and humor here, that I'll be revisiting this book in the future.
Bryan Bishop's known to a lot of people as the sidekick and sound-bites guy on the Adam Carolla Show and ultimately his podcast (the most downloaded podcast according to Guiness World Records!), and Shrinkage is the story of his battle with a brain tumor and how he's moved forward with his life since.
The book begins with a few chapters of actual biographical/early life history, before moving forward in time to when he meets his fiance' (spoiler! now wife) Christie, their early romance and the discovery of his brain tumor shortly before the wedding. Loyal listeners of the podcast and radio show will have heard some of the tales in the past, but there's still plenty of new information to be shared as Bryan battles the inoperable tumor with radiation, chemo, steroids, and ultimately Avastin.
Given the subject matter, a reader might expect to enter into this book needing a box of Kleenex nearby, but though there are poignant moments throughout, mostly centered around wife Christie's undying loyalty and fortitude to partner through these trials with her husband, anyone familiar with Bryan's role 'on the air' will be rewarded with the same snarky interjections we've become accustomed to. Peppered all through the chapters are witty stories, as Bryan overcomes a lot of adversity while keeping his chin up and marching, stumbling, hobbling forward, and footnotes containing reparte' that bring laughs aplenty. The story rolls along smoothly, with a great narrative voice and pacing, and Bishop's earnestness in telling the tale unvarnished was very refreshing.
Even those out there unfamiliar with Bald Bryan (as he's known on the ether and airwaves) will truly enjoy this man's tale of bravery in the face of adversity, written with such honesty and positivity that you see the man for who he is. Loving husband, funny man, and inspiring survivor. Grab this book without delay. Even if you don't know someone affected cancer, there's more than enough inspiration and humor here, that I'll be revisiting this book in the future.
June 24, 2014
I try to make a rule to read ever so often books that I may not know nothing about regarding lifestyle, worldview, culture, etc. So many times in knowing others that are different, we can be defensive and it can be almost confrontational. When that happens, everybody looses.
I generally like a clean book because when pretty crass, it distracts from creativity. Bryan Bishop story is a story that at it's core is everyone's story. Survival, only Bryan has several strikes against him, but he also can hit the ball out of the park. He has that kind of personality. I know nothing about Bryan's life, he works in the entertainment business. Radio to be exact. His show is The Adam Carolla Show. He is crass but he uses humor and that is probably his how he copes with the world and in my estimation that was a big part of his story in battling cancer. Bryan is very honest in his story. The only part that I was unconfortable with is naming names of those that wronged him terribly. I think he could have done it differently. I feel we all wrong others terribly. We are all guilty. I don't think it's fair to put names in a book. What I did find helpful was his "tumor tips". Tips you that were applicable to life in different forms. I also appreciated his wife and how Bryan guarded his relationship with his wife. Because of that, there was tension in his own family. Bryan's honesty shined in this chapter. As well has all involved. It takes time and love to work all that out.
Even though Bryan is not a religious and God forbid not a spiritual, which I found his take very insightful, he realized that God had a hand in his recovery. Bryan's take on arrogance with Athiest and with believers keeps him on the fence. I pray he takes a plunge on the believer's side. God's blessing to you Bryan Bishop and your family. I was encouraged by your story.
I received this book as win from FirstReads but that in no way influenced my thoughts or feelings in this review.
I generally like a clean book because when pretty crass, it distracts from creativity. Bryan Bishop story is a story that at it's core is everyone's story. Survival, only Bryan has several strikes against him, but he also can hit the ball out of the park. He has that kind of personality. I know nothing about Bryan's life, he works in the entertainment business. Radio to be exact. His show is The Adam Carolla Show. He is crass but he uses humor and that is probably his how he copes with the world and in my estimation that was a big part of his story in battling cancer. Bryan is very honest in his story. The only part that I was unconfortable with is naming names of those that wronged him terribly. I think he could have done it differently. I feel we all wrong others terribly. We are all guilty. I don't think it's fair to put names in a book. What I did find helpful was his "tumor tips". Tips you that were applicable to life in different forms. I also appreciated his wife and how Bryan guarded his relationship with his wife. Because of that, there was tension in his own family. Bryan's honesty shined in this chapter. As well has all involved. It takes time and love to work all that out.
Even though Bryan is not a religious and God forbid not a spiritual, which I found his take very insightful, he realized that God had a hand in his recovery. Bryan's take on arrogance with Athiest and with believers keeps him on the fence. I pray he takes a plunge on the believer's side. God's blessing to you Bryan Bishop and your family. I was encouraged by your story.
I received this book as win from FirstReads but that in no way influenced my thoughts or feelings in this review.
January 16, 2015
Fans of the Adam Carolla podcast know Bryan Bishop as Bald Bryan, the side-kick who adds timely sound effects like Alec Baldwin yelling at his kid to be quiet while he's doing a phone interview with the podcast, and perhaps my favorite drop, Adam's daughter Natalia saying "Daddyyyy stop talkingggg". Every once in a while Adam will ask Bryan for a brief update on the tumor situation, but it certainly doesn't come up in any sort of regular fashion (with the exception of last spring when they were whoring the shit out of this book...and deservedly so.)
I only discovered the ACS podcast about a year and a half ago (yep, I'm slow) so I wasn't there in the podcast's infancy when Bald was slurring his way through appearances.
I very much enjoyed Bryan's tale about his cancer diagnosis and treatment (to this day he's still on Avastin and talks about it on the show) and appreciate the humor with which he approached the subject. It was nice to get the background on his life and how he came to be Adam's sound guy...and then it gets ugly. His treatment starts off smoothly enough without a lot of the side effects most people associate with chemotherapy...and then when he finishes his first cycle of radiation and chemo, his condition goes right down the toilet. The last half of the book is fairly depressingly heartbreaking in contrast with the beginning, but then again - reading Bryan's account of how his new wife had to clean him up when he shat himself, showered him, dressed him, and other things you'd never dream in a million years of having your new wife do for you at the age of 30 and how it made him feel like shit - Cancer is a nasty bitch who takes no prisoners, and Bryan doesn't spare any details about just how low his tumor took him before they got him on Avastin, and just how far he had to come with his recovery.
Overall, it's a well-written memoir about a pretty shitty time Bryan's life, and I greatly enjoyed reading it.
I only discovered the ACS podcast about a year and a half ago (yep, I'm slow) so I wasn't there in the podcast's infancy when Bald was slurring his way through appearances.
I very much enjoyed Bryan's tale about his cancer diagnosis and treatment (to this day he's still on Avastin and talks about it on the show) and appreciate the humor with which he approached the subject. It was nice to get the background on his life and how he came to be Adam's sound guy...and then it gets ugly. His treatment starts off smoothly enough without a lot of the side effects most people associate with chemotherapy...and then when he finishes his first cycle of radiation and chemo, his condition goes right down the toilet. The last half of the book is fairly depressingly heartbreaking in contrast with the beginning, but then again - reading Bryan's account of how his new wife had to clean him up when he shat himself, showered him, dressed him, and other things you'd never dream in a million years of having your new wife do for you at the age of 30 and how it made him feel like shit - Cancer is a nasty bitch who takes no prisoners, and Bryan doesn't spare any details about just how low his tumor took him before they got him on Avastin, and just how far he had to come with his recovery.
Overall, it's a well-written memoir about a pretty shitty time Bryan's life, and I greatly enjoyed reading it.
August 6, 2014
I'm a big follower of Adam Carolla's career. From his early days of Loveline (radio and tv), to his various tv shows and now of his extremely famous podcast. Bryan, more commonly referred to as Bald Bryan on the show, has been with him for years.
I heard about this book via the podcast. Bryan is a funny guy on the show and had a unique story to tell. Unfortunately, he's not that great of a writer. It seemed so forced. He should've let his wife re-write it because, based on the excerpts of her blog, she is an excellent writer.
Don't get me wrong, the story is good. It's an interesting first hand account of a young man struggling with a potentially life-threatening tumor. There were SO MANY footnotes. An extremely excessive amount of them. I started skipping them halfway through the book because the time it took to read (on kindle) them wasn't worth it, they weren't adding anything good to the story itself.
The other thing that grated on me was his unnecessary need to constantly explain, defend and repeat his explanations for including something in the book. It's your memoir, man! If people don't get your humor, explaining it to them isn't going to help!
I related to this book because my Dad had a GBM (terrible, terrible tumor) that wasn't diagnosed until Stage 4 and he ultimately passed away from it at age 39. If you've ever gone through an ordeal like caregiving or been the patient, you should read it just to get affirmation that you aren't alone in the funny, weird and sometimes tragic things that happen.
I just wish the book had lived up to the potential I feel Bald Bryan has in him.
I heard about this book via the podcast. Bryan is a funny guy on the show and had a unique story to tell. Unfortunately, he's not that great of a writer. It seemed so forced. He should've let his wife re-write it because, based on the excerpts of her blog, she is an excellent writer.
Don't get me wrong, the story is good. It's an interesting first hand account of a young man struggling with a potentially life-threatening tumor. There were SO MANY footnotes. An extremely excessive amount of them. I started skipping them halfway through the book because the time it took to read (on kindle) them wasn't worth it, they weren't adding anything good to the story itself.
The other thing that grated on me was his unnecessary need to constantly explain, defend and repeat his explanations for including something in the book. It's your memoir, man! If people don't get your humor, explaining it to them isn't going to help!
I related to this book because my Dad had a GBM (terrible, terrible tumor) that wasn't diagnosed until Stage 4 and he ultimately passed away from it at age 39. If you've ever gone through an ordeal like caregiving or been the patient, you should read it just to get affirmation that you aren't alone in the funny, weird and sometimes tragic things that happen.
I just wish the book had lived up to the potential I feel Bald Bryan has in him.
June 27, 2014
Copy received through Goodreads’ First Reads program.
As a former fan of the Adam Carolla morning radio show (and then podcast), I was already familiar with the broad strokes of “Bald” Bryan Bishop’s life story - a young man who’s about to get married gets a brain tumor and is given six months to live. Until I read this book, though, which is a warts-and-all (more like “feces-and-all,” but for some reason, that’s not as popular a phrase) look at his diagnosis and recovery process, I really didn’t have any idea just how terrible, drawn-out, and painful it was. For a long time, Bishop was essentially helpless, completely reliant on his fiancee (and then wife), Christie, for his everyday basic care, a task so demanding that she ultimately got hospitalized with her own breakdown.
It’s a really honest and often heartbreaking look at an incredibly difficult situation, told with enough levity (Bishop is, after all, at least a semi-professional wisecracker) to prevent it from all being too dour or Scandinavian. The jokes weren’t always a smash hit - a few jokes were a bit too bro-tastic or meatheady for me - but Bishop’s a good writer (he mentions taking a class at USC from T.C. Boyle), and this book is routinely funny and inspirational. In an age where 59% of memoirs are just hastily compiled essays about the author’s allegedly-zany-but-not-actually-that-zany-family (“They liked watching Happy Days! What was with that?”), it’s refreshing to see a well-written memoir by someone who’s actually lived through something worth telling about.
As a former fan of the Adam Carolla morning radio show (and then podcast), I was already familiar with the broad strokes of “Bald” Bryan Bishop’s life story - a young man who’s about to get married gets a brain tumor and is given six months to live. Until I read this book, though, which is a warts-and-all (more like “feces-and-all,” but for some reason, that’s not as popular a phrase) look at his diagnosis and recovery process, I really didn’t have any idea just how terrible, drawn-out, and painful it was. For a long time, Bishop was essentially helpless, completely reliant on his fiancee (and then wife), Christie, for his everyday basic care, a task so demanding that she ultimately got hospitalized with her own breakdown.
It’s a really honest and often heartbreaking look at an incredibly difficult situation, told with enough levity (Bishop is, after all, at least a semi-professional wisecracker) to prevent it from all being too dour or Scandinavian. The jokes weren’t always a smash hit - a few jokes were a bit too bro-tastic or meatheady for me - but Bishop’s a good writer (he mentions taking a class at USC from T.C. Boyle), and this book is routinely funny and inspirational. In an age where 59% of memoirs are just hastily compiled essays about the author’s allegedly-zany-but-not-actually-that-zany-family (“They liked watching Happy Days! What was with that?”), it’s refreshing to see a well-written memoir by someone who’s actually lived through something worth telling about.
December 1, 2014
This is one of the best books I have ever read. I am not an avid Adam Carolla fan so I didn't really know who Bryan was before I found his book on this site and decided I wanted to read it. I instantly picked up on his humor - while some reviewers found him crass, I thought he was absolutely hilarious. Beyond hilarious, he was inspirational! I loved the way he kept telling Christie that he would get better and his determination to beat his cancer.
This book made me laugh and of course it made me cry, but overall I couldn't believe how funny it was! It was incredibly interesting for me to read about his experience and I learned things I never knew about canter, tumors and the recovery process. As painful as his accounts were to read, it was more painful to put the book down. I HAD TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED NEXT. The entire time, I was cheering for Bryan and Christie to beat his cancer - I could hardly put the book down. Christie is an amazing role model for any person in a relationship and she handled her marriage & responsibilities with grace and unconditional love. I felt so connected to every character in this book. I ended up finishing it in a little over a day, and needless to say, I am an official Bryan Bishop fan.
This book is a must for everyone to read. I seriously cannot stress how much I enjoyed Bryan's writing style and how much I took away from this novel. More than just a memoir, it is a tale of love and bravery, strength and survival (& it's really funny!) Seriously, read this book
This book made me laugh and of course it made me cry, but overall I couldn't believe how funny it was! It was incredibly interesting for me to read about his experience and I learned things I never knew about canter, tumors and the recovery process. As painful as his accounts were to read, it was more painful to put the book down. I HAD TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED NEXT. The entire time, I was cheering for Bryan and Christie to beat his cancer - I could hardly put the book down. Christie is an amazing role model for any person in a relationship and she handled her marriage & responsibilities with grace and unconditional love. I felt so connected to every character in this book. I ended up finishing it in a little over a day, and needless to say, I am an official Bryan Bishop fan.
This book is a must for everyone to read. I seriously cannot stress how much I enjoyed Bryan's writing style and how much I took away from this novel. More than just a memoir, it is a tale of love and bravery, strength and survival (& it's really funny!) Seriously, read this book
December 14, 2014
I received a free copy of this book from Goodreads First Reads. At first I had trouble getting into it and was really annoyed by the author's writing style. The first half of the book reads like a high school autobiography writing assignment, a chronological account of his childhood and college years. As I was reading, I thought that the writer sounded full of himself. Then when I got to the part where he listed his worst characteristics, it was amusing that he describes himself as self-satisfied. The excessive typos and grammatical errors were extremely distracting (I hope they worked those kinks out before the final version was published). The worst typo was when the author referred to "him Monison," the famous singer from the Doors. I read that sentence a few times in disbelief.
After I made it through the first part of the book, then I really started to enjoy the story. I thought the author did a good job of describing his journey with cancer and gave helpful insights to others who might be experiencing something similar. I still didn't love his writing style, but I was intrigued by his story and how he fought hard and won his battle with cancer. My main takeaway was that if I am ever diagnosed with cancer, I will need a supportive group of friends and family to help me and a sizable bank account to pay for the best treatment available. Overall, I did enjoy the story, just not the writing style.
After I made it through the first part of the book, then I really started to enjoy the story. I thought the author did a good job of describing his journey with cancer and gave helpful insights to others who might be experiencing something similar. I still didn't love his writing style, but I was intrigued by his story and how he fought hard and won his battle with cancer. My main takeaway was that if I am ever diagnosed with cancer, I will need a supportive group of friends and family to help me and a sizable bank account to pay for the best treatment available. Overall, I did enjoy the story, just not the writing style.
January 1, 2015
This book was entertaining and engaging. It was slightly "jokey" but not nearly as much as it could've been coming from a comedian. I love the phrase "he was born on third base and he thinks he hit a triple" to describe someone who falls into success.
The tumor tips were a helpful addition and two in particular stood out to me. When possible, put medical expenses on one credit card with rewards; you'll have everything in one place to make them easier to find and itemize, and potentially the bonus of earning something fun since the bills and expenses will add up quickly. The other was to try and stay positive - you never know who is watching who or the effect you can have on people by smiling.
I'm interested in looking at his wife's blog, An Inconvenient Tumor, for more information on his journey.
A Few Quotes from the Book
"Our Honeymoon or, The Time My Wife Drugged Me at a Kids Pool in Maui" ~ chapter title
"I looked back at my list of regrets in my life and noticed a common thread: They were almost all things I had not done."
Find all my reviews:
http://readingatrandom.blogspot.com/
The tumor tips were a helpful addition and two in particular stood out to me. When possible, put medical expenses on one credit card with rewards; you'll have everything in one place to make them easier to find and itemize, and potentially the bonus of earning something fun since the bills and expenses will add up quickly. The other was to try and stay positive - you never know who is watching who or the effect you can have on people by smiling.
I'm interested in looking at his wife's blog, An Inconvenient Tumor, for more information on his journey.
A Few Quotes from the Book
"Our Honeymoon or, The Time My Wife Drugged Me at a Kids Pool in Maui" ~ chapter title
"I looked back at my list of regrets in my life and noticed a common thread: They were almost all things I had not done."
Find all my reviews:
http://readingatrandom.blogspot.com/
June 1, 2014
I'm a big fan of the Adam Carolla podcast, and think Bald Bryan (with a y) is an important part of it. I started listening to the podcast right as Bryan was in the later part of the events described in this book. I remember hearing his slurred voice, and wondering what was going on.
This book is an account of Bryan and his brain tumor. He does a great job of making the reader understand how he was feeling, but what really made the book great were the excerpts from Christie's (his fiancee, now wife) blog. It was a snapshot in time of exactly how they were feeling at that moment, and helped convey the desperate feelings they had. It had to have been incredibly therapeutic for both of them to work on this book, going back over just how low the low points were, and seeing where he is now.
I'd recommend this book to anyone. If you've had cancer, I'm guessing you could relate to much of what's in this book, but it should give you hope. If you've been close to someone who's had cancer, this will help you understand what they're going through, why they do the things they do, and how you can be most helpful.
This book is an account of Bryan and his brain tumor. He does a great job of making the reader understand how he was feeling, but what really made the book great were the excerpts from Christie's (his fiancee, now wife) blog. It was a snapshot in time of exactly how they were feeling at that moment, and helped convey the desperate feelings they had. It had to have been incredibly therapeutic for both of them to work on this book, going back over just how low the low points were, and seeing where he is now.
I'd recommend this book to anyone. If you've had cancer, I'm guessing you could relate to much of what's in this book, but it should give you hope. If you've been close to someone who's had cancer, this will help you understand what they're going through, why they do the things they do, and how you can be most helpful.
November 27, 2014
Back when Loveline with Adam Carolla and Dr. Drew was syndicated all over hell and high water, I recall being as entertained by the clever little sound bites unleashed by the then-anonymous Bryan Bishop as I was by how the hosts dealt with questions about anal sex and other dinner-related topics. When Adam decided to dive into the podcasting world, he took Brian with him and I don't think it's an overstatement to declare that Brian's presence has made the show more balanced and nuanced since he's found more of his own voice.
This book fills in all of the blanks in fans' knowledge regarding what happened before, during, and after his diagnosis with an inoperable (momentarily) brain tumor during the early days of the podcast. It's a sobering story deftly and honestly told about a terribly humbling and scary time in he and his wife's life. It takes guts to write about something so personal and painful, regardless of the ending (in this case a happy one). You don't have to be a fan of the podcast or any of its previous incarnations to enjoy this book or to appreciate its message of how perseverance in the face of adversity can be its own reward.
This book fills in all of the blanks in fans' knowledge regarding what happened before, during, and after his diagnosis with an inoperable (momentarily) brain tumor during the early days of the podcast. It's a sobering story deftly and honestly told about a terribly humbling and scary time in he and his wife's life. It takes guts to write about something so personal and painful, regardless of the ending (in this case a happy one). You don't have to be a fan of the podcast or any of its previous incarnations to enjoy this book or to appreciate its message of how perseverance in the face of adversity can be its own reward.
August 11, 2015
Although I do appreciate Bryan's contribution to the Carolla podcast and am happy for him and his recovery I finally gave up on this book at chapter 18.
It was so disappointingly shallow. A catalog of affluent-white-people "problems" such as; how to travel to places like Hawaii and Las Vegas, to tailgate, gamble and socialize, go wine-tasting, dine at good quality sushi restaurants, buy a diamond ring and have a huge Napa Valley destination wedding while jobless (and with a jobless partner) concurrent with being treated by the best doctor in the country for a (pesky) brain tumor.
I'm being flippant but the fact is a very dear, unique, accomplished and universally admired friend of mine recently passed away (way too young) from the same type of brain cancer and I was looking for more insight and depth on subject.
It was irritating but I hung in hoping for more depth as the story progressed but my irritation started to evolve into anger as the tone of the book remained so superficial - finally I had to tap out.
("Tumor Tip" - if you have an emotional connection to this subject or have had a different experience with this disease you may want to consider skipping this book.)
It was so disappointingly shallow. A catalog of affluent-white-people "problems" such as; how to travel to places like Hawaii and Las Vegas, to tailgate, gamble and socialize, go wine-tasting, dine at good quality sushi restaurants, buy a diamond ring and have a huge Napa Valley destination wedding while jobless (and with a jobless partner) concurrent with being treated by the best doctor in the country for a (pesky) brain tumor.
I'm being flippant but the fact is a very dear, unique, accomplished and universally admired friend of mine recently passed away (way too young) from the same type of brain cancer and I was looking for more insight and depth on subject.
It was irritating but I hung in hoping for more depth as the story progressed but my irritation started to evolve into anger as the tone of the book remained so superficial - finally I had to tap out.
("Tumor Tip" - if you have an emotional connection to this subject or have had a different experience with this disease you may want to consider skipping this book.)
July 17, 2019
I'm a big fan of the Adam Carolla podcast, and think Bald Bryan (with a y) is an important part of it. I started listening to the podcast right as Bryan was in the later part of the events described in this book. I remember hearing his slurred voice, and wondering what was going on.
This book is an account of Bryan and his brain tumor. He does a great job of making the reader understand how he was feeling, but what really made the book great were the excerpts from Christie's (his fiancee, now wife) blog. It was a snapshot in time of exactly how they were feeling at that moment, and helped convey the desperate feelings they had. It had to have been incredibly therapeutic for both of them to work on this book, going back over just how low the low points were, and seeing where he is now.
I'd recommend this book to anyone. If you've had cancer, I'm guessing you could relate to much of what's in this book, but it should give you hope. If you've been close to someone who's had cancer, this will help you understand what they're going through, why they do the things they do, and how you can be most helpful
This book is an account of Bryan and his brain tumor. He does a great job of making the reader understand how he was feeling, but what really made the book great were the excerpts from Christie's (his fiancee, now wife) blog. It was a snapshot in time of exactly how they were feeling at that moment, and helped convey the desperate feelings they had. It had to have been incredibly therapeutic for both of them to work on this book, going back over just how low the low points were, and seeing where he is now.
I'd recommend this book to anyone. If you've had cancer, I'm guessing you could relate to much of what's in this book, but it should give you hope. If you've been close to someone who's had cancer, this will help you understand what they're going through, why they do the things they do, and how you can be most helpful
August 12, 2014
What a wonderful, informative, humorous, touching memoir of one man's struggle with a brain tumor. I knew going in that I would like his tone of voice, as I've been a fan of Bryan Bishop since the beginning of the Adam Carolla Podcast. But he transitioned seamlessly from a cohost (and sound effects extraordinaire) into a storyteller. I would recommend to anyone wanting to know more about the awful struggle of cancer - just reading about the day-to-day made me realize how your entire life becomes about CANCER. But I'd also recommend to someone looking for a humorous book about LIFE. Because Bryan doesn't let the cancer keep him down for long. He makes fun of his lightweight drinking while on chemo, getting married right after his diagnosis, and how he really knew his wife loved him as she took care of him every day.
March 14, 2015
I liked this book but I'm biased towards Bryan. I'm the teacher who called his parents to say he was the "worst student I've ever had." I may have called them but Bryan certainly was not the worst student I ever had. He had his moments but "bright but challenging" may be a more apt description. I thought the book completely reflected Bryan as I knew him. Cutting edge humor which sometimes knew no boundaries; sensitive but not wanting to show that side; lover of sports but not an athlete. All this came through. What I had a hard time with were all the footnotes but then again those are Bryan-always trying to add another quip, quick comeback. Sometimes they added things but after a while I just ignored them. But the book is a very intimate portrait of his very difficult life with all the warts shown.
September 12, 2017
OK. Bald Bryan is a likeable fellow. He has a good sense of humor, he's smart, and he can come across as thoughtful. It's for these reasons I decided to check out SHRINKAGE. I can't say I recommend it though -- it's not particularly funny or dramatic. It may be inspiring in some ways -- Bryan's optimism is really interesting in the face of outright death. However, that hung-ho nature of his personality means that SHRINKAGE never quite feels as harrowing as it should. This dude nearly died, but you'd never know that based on Bryan's writing and attitude.
And maybe that's a good thing. I'm sure this book means much more to readers that have closer experiences with cancer. For me, though, it was only an interesting diversion.
And I know, I know. I shouldn't be saying crap like this about a cancer survivor's memoir.
And maybe that's a good thing. I'm sure this book means much more to readers that have closer experiences with cancer. For me, though, it was only an interesting diversion.
And I know, I know. I shouldn't be saying crap like this about a cancer survivor's memoir.
June 21, 2018
I honestly just couldn't get into this memoir. To me, the author came across as cocky and annoying, and when you're dealing with a memoir, enjoying the author is a big part of the draw. I honestly haven't heard of this author nor any of the shows that he worked on before--I think this came up in my recommendations based on 10% Happier (which I enjoyed more). There were also some really random chapters that completely threw off the narrative flow (and just felt...obnoxious...one was a list of "assholes" from his past...why put that in a book?).
I do think that his wife sounds like an incredible and supportive person, and I'm glad that the author has such a wonderful marriage and that he was able to make progress in overcoming his cancer. This could be a fine book for someone who connects more with the author's personality, it just wasn't the right fit for me.
I do think that his wife sounds like an incredible and supportive person, and I'm glad that the author has such a wonderful marriage and that he was able to make progress in overcoming his cancer. This could be a fine book for someone who connects more with the author's personality, it just wasn't the right fit for me.
May 19, 2014
I really enjoyed this book about cancer, love, acceptance and humor. The humor is sometimes a little macho, so watch out there, women. I often thought, "This would be funnier to a man." But, nonetheless, it is a touching, interesting portrayal of the beauty of volunteers, the frustration of cancer and of hospitals and a life lived more fully, due to close calls. This guy was blessed with people in his life who wanted to give and help. I was only left thinking: what about the people who aren't? How much harder that might be if one had cancer and very few friends. That thought made me sad, so I went off to write a positive review of a book that kept me interested and, at times, laughing despite the grim focus of the material. Self-effacing fun!
May 16, 2016
Bryan Bishop turned a harrowing experience into a cathartic and accessible story that mixes raw honesty, self-effacing good humor, and the occasional admitted smugness. You get to know Bryan, and his super-wife, personally, while also benefiting from practical advice for anyone that's dealing with illness or tragedy - theirs or a loved one's. If the book is occasionally windy or slightly self-indulgent, it recovers quickly; chalk it up to a first-time author writing about the most personal of subjects and doing a heck of a job. Shrinkage will stick with you well after you put it down and will give you a wonderful perspective on life, especially facing challenge with good humor and a tremendous faith in friends and family.
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