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It Takes Balls: Dating Single Moms and Other Confessions from an Unprepared Single Dad
Josh Wolf--one of the stars and writers of Chelsea Lately and After Lately--delivers a hilarious collection of essays that reminds us all what it takes to conquer fatherhood without sacrificing manhood. Struggling to make it as a stand-up comic didn't always fit with being a single parent. But Josh figured out his own set of rules--through trial and (frequent) error. Early picking up kids from school? The nearby strip club is a great place to kill time and bond with some like-minded dads. Want a drunken heart-to-heart with your son? First make sure there's no Sharpie around in case you pass out. Wondering where to take that special someone at the end of the night? Remember that no sane woman will have sex with you in a one-bedroom apartment where your kids are sleeping--even if you promise to be really, really quiet. Whether it's revealing the secrets to limitless hookups ( it's single moms) and getting rid of your children's friends that you just can't stand ( it's not single moms), or blackmailing PTA members and ignoring health codes, Josh is sure to impart some parenting wisdom along the way. Or at least have a good time trying.
159 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 19, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
October 21, 2017
I love listening to memoirs like this, especially when they're narrated by the author and especially when that author is a comedian I love. This book made me laugh out loud more than once, and it was so easy to listen to!
I found Josh Wolf through Chelsea Lately, one of my favorite shows. He was frequently one of the comedians featured on the round table, and his banter on twitter is well worth the follow. He did not disappoint in this book.
He talks a lot about his kids and his adventures as a single dad of three. From trying hard to get dinner on the table to combatting the internet with a teenage daughter all of these stories are so incredibly real. If you have kids, there is so much in here that you can relate to. If you don't have kids, this book will still make you laugh at the realism because of the kids you do know.
Fair warning: this book is not for the ultra sensitive. Josh Wolf is of the understanding that it is okay to make fun of anything and everything, and he does just that. I loved that about this book. He had no qualms about making fun of his own or others' kids, and he has no qualms about frequenting strip clubs while waiting to pick up his son from pre-school.
I loved every second of this book, and I think it is a great read for parents as well as any fans of comedy.
I found Josh Wolf through Chelsea Lately, one of my favorite shows. He was frequently one of the comedians featured on the round table, and his banter on twitter is well worth the follow. He did not disappoint in this book.
He talks a lot about his kids and his adventures as a single dad of three. From trying hard to get dinner on the table to combatting the internet with a teenage daughter all of these stories are so incredibly real. If you have kids, there is so much in here that you can relate to. If you don't have kids, this book will still make you laugh at the realism because of the kids you do know.
Fair warning: this book is not for the ultra sensitive. Josh Wolf is of the understanding that it is okay to make fun of anything and everything, and he does just that. I loved that about this book. He had no qualms about making fun of his own or others' kids, and he has no qualms about frequenting strip clubs while waiting to pick up his son from pre-school.
I loved every second of this book, and I think it is a great read for parents as well as any fans of comedy.
March 21, 2013
Read my full review: http://bit.ly/ZOsaMG
My opinion: OK, before I start this review, I have to admit something. I have been a HUGE Josh Wolf fan for years. I compare his "Vodsicle" routine to Bill Cosby's "I brought you into this world...I can take you out" routine. I had been stalking to see if Josh Wolf was going to write a book of his own instead of chapters in Chelsea Handler books. The second I saw this on Netgalley, it was requested!
On that note, I was sucked into this book from page one and it never made it to my Nook. I started it at 10pm last night and finished it in a little over one hour. I simply could not put it down. It was exactly the quality I expected from this incredibly talented comic. His writing is as sarcastic as he is and this book would probably be KILLER on audio, especially since he has done his own narration! I know it is now on my audible.com wishlist.
I am giving warning to those easily offended, Josh uses foul language and very strong sexual language. Offended by that? This book is probably not for you. Not offended by that or, like me, seek it out...grab this fun read.
Like Chelsea Handler's Are You There Vodka, It's Me, Chelsea, Josh had several stories that I was laughing so hard that I was tearing up.
And to whoever talked Josh into writing a book...KUDOS. Don't let it be his only one!
My opinion: OK, before I start this review, I have to admit something. I have been a HUGE Josh Wolf fan for years. I compare his "Vodsicle" routine to Bill Cosby's "I brought you into this world...I can take you out" routine. I had been stalking to see if Josh Wolf was going to write a book of his own instead of chapters in Chelsea Handler books. The second I saw this on Netgalley, it was requested!
On that note, I was sucked into this book from page one and it never made it to my Nook. I started it at 10pm last night and finished it in a little over one hour. I simply could not put it down. It was exactly the quality I expected from this incredibly talented comic. His writing is as sarcastic as he is and this book would probably be KILLER on audio, especially since he has done his own narration! I know it is now on my audible.com wishlist.
I am giving warning to those easily offended, Josh uses foul language and very strong sexual language. Offended by that? This book is probably not for you. Not offended by that or, like me, seek it out...grab this fun read.
Like Chelsea Handler's Are You There Vodka, It's Me, Chelsea, Josh had several stories that I was laughing so hard that I was tearing up.
And to whoever talked Josh into writing a book...KUDOS. Don't let it be his only one!
October 4, 2016
Quite possibly the most hilarious book ever written, Josh Wolf's It Takes Balls: Single Moms, Strip Clubs, and Other Confessions from an Unprepared Dad starts with an unbeatable premise:
A recently divorced father of three with absolutely no money wants to find a way to start living again.
Though the protagonist has life stacked against him from all directions, you can't stop reading.
Josh writes with ADHD, but it works for the narrative. He's going in one direction, says here's another thing and goes in that direction which is even more hilarious, and then meanders back to his original point. It's like Bill Burr's podcast in written form.
Probably the most I laughed was a story about how a compulsive gambler friend who now suppresses his desires because he has become a father himself challenges Josh to hide from him in the mall for an hour for $50. Josh does this and the gambler father leaves.
Regardless, a great gift for a new father, an old one - or anyone who believes that your dreams don't end with your children's arrival, and in fact begin at that time!
A recently divorced father of three with absolutely no money wants to find a way to start living again.
Though the protagonist has life stacked against him from all directions, you can't stop reading.
Josh writes with ADHD, but it works for the narrative. He's going in one direction, says here's another thing and goes in that direction which is even more hilarious, and then meanders back to his original point. It's like Bill Burr's podcast in written form.
Probably the most I laughed was a story about how a compulsive gambler friend who now suppresses his desires because he has become a father himself challenges Josh to hide from him in the mall for an hour for $50. Josh does this and the gambler father leaves.
Regardless, a great gift for a new father, an old one - or anyone who believes that your dreams don't end with your children's arrival, and in fact begin at that time!
March 24, 2015
Let me start by saying that I had never heard of Josh Wolf but the cover caught my eye. The subtitle made me go for it. I enjoyed this book and there were so many parts where I laughed so hard.
Just to give fair warning because tastes can be so different, this book is super funny but it is profanity laced.
I dealt with that even though I don't really relate to it since I can talk for literally an entire calendar year without swearing. But I dealt with it because I love to laugh and this man is funny.
I withheld 1 of the potential stars because of all of the bad words on pretty much every page of the book. You have been warned.
I also withheld a star because I have a really good sense of humor but I don't like gross out humor. Starting with Chapter 7 there were some chapters that were so disgusting I had to skip several paragraphs and sometime a whole page. I think there are a few bodily functions and whatnot that you simply cannot make funny. I can't handle nasty.
I enjoyed his rants throughout the book.
The chapters about his Peanut Butter and Jelly business and his trip to Vegas and his baseball team had me about to pass out laughing.
Very funny book.
Just to give fair warning because tastes can be so different, this book is super funny but it is profanity laced.
I dealt with that even though I don't really relate to it since I can talk for literally an entire calendar year without swearing. But I dealt with it because I love to laugh and this man is funny.
I withheld 1 of the potential stars because of all of the bad words on pretty much every page of the book. You have been warned.
I also withheld a star because I have a really good sense of humor but I don't like gross out humor. Starting with Chapter 7 there were some chapters that were so disgusting I had to skip several paragraphs and sometime a whole page. I think there are a few bodily functions and whatnot that you simply cannot make funny. I can't handle nasty.
I enjoyed his rants throughout the book.
The chapters about his Peanut Butter and Jelly business and his trip to Vegas and his baseball team had me about to pass out laughing.
Very funny book.
May 18, 2013
Let me tell you I watch the Chelsea Lately show quite a bit, and I have enjoyed Chelsea Handler's books as well. But this one right her, from Josh Wolf takes the cake, in a major way. for any single dad that has gone through some of the things that he talks about in this book, or even if you are not a parent at all, but have gone through or done some of these same things, it is truly hilarious. this book made me want to stop everything I was doing at that very instant and keep reading. from cover to cover it will have you laugh so hard you will cry as if you are sitting in a comedy club by yourself while this comedian breaks down the trials and tribulations of having to raise three kids by yourself while being flat broke and having to grow up in the process. But there's just one thing, he hasn't grown up, he has just gotten older. A definite must read for those of us who absolutely love to laugh.
March 22, 2013
This is seriously laugh out loud funny! He takes anecdotes from his life, uses great story-telling to describe these crazy events, and then makes keen observations about what happened and/or could be learned. Stories have a lot of heart for his kids, I especially liked "Your Son Is Not Derek Jeter", about coaching his son's international baseball team, hysterically funny and also moving. Great to read the male perspective on dating & parenting, so stinking funny, but I also felt like I learned some things.
May 8, 2013
I got to see Josh Wolf perform when I bought this book and it was one of the funniest comedy nights I've been to. He is so funny plus being the last show in Portland, late night, on 4-20...things got weird. Real weird in the best possible way.
The book is funny and a nice quick read. It was a lot of kid stories which considering I only have a cat, I didn't find as funny as parents probably would but I still enjoyed it.
The book is funny and a nice quick read. It was a lot of kid stories which considering I only have a cat, I didn't find as funny as parents probably would but I still enjoyed it.
March 2, 2017
Easily one of the funniest books I have ever read. I know there are a ton of "Single Mom" books out there...but not too many under "Single Dad"...Very well written... and reminds me of....well... me. Except Josh Wolf is way more funny... and appears to have taken a lot of lifes downfalls with a grain of salt.
March 27, 2013
I read this book a few days after I saw Josh Wolf live. If you get a chance to see him you should go, because he is hilarious! His book was entertaining and it made me laugh out loud, even on the train. However, it was a bit scattered, and I felt like it ended abruptly.
May 9, 2013
Hilarious. Cried from laughing so hard.
March 2, 2014
This is hilarious! You'll definitely be LOL! His stories are relatable easy reads that you won't want to put down.
July 18, 2022
Super Funny
This man makes me short giggle any time he's on the TV, and this book was no exception. I laughed my ass off, no matter what was going on. In a waiting room at the doctors office was great....people looked at me like I had lost my dawn mind. But I have 7 kids so I'm used to that. Bonus to find people who get this whole parenting thing....we love them, but sometimes you just want to.....
Keep doing what your doing man
This man makes me short giggle any time he's on the TV, and this book was no exception. I laughed my ass off, no matter what was going on. In a waiting room at the doctors office was great....people looked at me like I had lost my dawn mind. But I have 7 kids so I'm used to that. Bonus to find people who get this whole parenting thing....we love them, but sometimes you just want to.....
Keep doing what your doing man
April 27, 2018
Haha so funny. Just a guy telling his stories. Funny funny book. I went out to dinner by myself and laughing out loud, clearly having more fun than anyone else in the restaurant. Also passed on the book tip to two curious waiters
August 31, 2025
Funny, hilarious, soul moving... but really funny. Don't read if you don't like reality.
Funnier than shit! Truth about teen years and parenting. If you don't find this funny, you need to get laid....or use Bob.
Funnier than shit! Truth about teen years and parenting. If you don't find this funny, you need to get laid....or use Bob.
June 27, 2017
This book was literally laugh out loud funny! There were a couple of stories I read that had me laughing with strangers giving me odd looks.
December 7, 2017
This book made me laugh out loud. Loved it.
April 27, 2018
The author co-hosts one of my favorite podcasts and often promotes his book. I'm glad I listened to the audiobook. Josh Wolf's laugh and manner of speaking adds to the hilarity of his stories.
January 14, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. I listened to the audiobook version to hear Josh tell me the stories himself and it was well worth it! He had me laughing the whole time.
October 9, 2023
Decent microcosm of the rise of the man-child in comedy. It has big Dane Cook vibes for most of the book. Some funny moments, lots of immature moments. Worth checking out if you like his comedy.
June 4, 2018
I just adore Josh Wolf. I think I read this book before but it's worth reading a 2nd time. So funny!
May 1, 2013
When I read the first paragraph of this book I was wondering what I got myself into. It starts out with Wolf talking about getting laid and how single moms are basically demons in the sack. Actually, sex is a recurring theme in this memoir. It's about surviving being a single dad, not about parenting.
Which is good, because I don't have any kids and I don't want parenting advice. I do want a book that will make me laugh, so this was just the ticket. Wolf recounts using his kids as props to pick up women, especially at the playground and grocery store. Get them to call you uncle!
The tone is very conversational, but that's standard with almost any book written by a comedian that I have read. It threw me at first but by the end I was loving it. It was like sitting with a friend drinking beer and listening to all their crazy stories and maybe slipping a bud into the kid's lunch box as a joke.
In between the adult theme shenanigans there are a lot of anecdotes about the kids which manage to be a little bit precious but a lot more funny.
Which is good, because I don't have any kids and I don't want parenting advice. I do want a book that will make me laugh, so this was just the ticket. Wolf recounts using his kids as props to pick up women, especially at the playground and grocery store. Get them to call you uncle!
The tone is very conversational, but that's standard with almost any book written by a comedian that I have read. It threw me at first but by the end I was loving it. It was like sitting with a friend drinking beer and listening to all their crazy stories and maybe slipping a bud into the kid's lunch box as a joke.
In between the adult theme shenanigans there are a lot of anecdotes about the kids which manage to be a little bit precious but a lot more funny.
February 10, 2017
It's funny, and I could sort of relate. A breezy read good for a plane trip or the beach.
July 12, 2013
Find all my reviews at:
http://readingatrandom.blogspot.com/2...
There were two or three chapters that made me laugh out loud repeatedly, and while the rest of the book wasn't on par with those stories, it was entertaining and a quick read.
While it should come as no surprise that this book is crude, use of the "f" word is minimal and he didn't use offensive slang to refer to lady parts, so the stories weren't unnecessarily crass. I don't mind language and would've laughed anyway but I wanted to point it out as an unexpected bonus.
http://readingatrandom.blogspot.com/2...
There were two or three chapters that made me laugh out loud repeatedly, and while the rest of the book wasn't on par with those stories, it was entertaining and a quick read.
While it should come as no surprise that this book is crude, use of the "f" word is minimal and he didn't use offensive slang to refer to lady parts, so the stories weren't unnecessarily crass. I don't mind language and would've laughed anyway but I wanted to point it out as an unexpected bonus.
March 10, 2014
I first saw Josh Wolf on Chelsea Lately. He was on the roundtable and I found him very funny. If you like his humor and persona, then you will enjoy this book. I could actually hear his voice as I was reading this, imagining his cadence, intonation, and emotion in the stories he tells of being a single father, raising three kids, and his life now.
This isn't highbrow literature or even something I will re-read in 20 years. It is enjoyable, quick, and produced chuckles and laughs from me, though. So because of that, I liked this book.
This isn't highbrow literature or even something I will re-read in 20 years. It is enjoyable, quick, and produced chuckles and laughs from me, though. So because of that, I liked this book.
May 25, 2014
I have watched Josh Wolf on Chelsea Lately for awhile. When his book came out, I put it on hold at the library and suspended it. S the time went on, I didn't think I would actually read it, but one day it came off suspension, so I had to read it because I can't check a book out and not read it. I am not a fan of the title or the cover, but the book was really funny. I think you have to be a parent to find it funny though. Sometimes I felt like it was for dads not moms, but for the most part it applied to both.
July 8, 2013
Josh Wolf did an interview with two of my morning show DJs when his book, It Takes Balls, first debuted. I was in the studio for the interview and laughed my butt off when he recounted some of the stories from the book, so I simply had to read it. Whether you're a parent or not, you will love this laugh-out-loud book filled with countless anecdotes that every man can relate to. Be warned, once you read this book you'll never look at parenting the same way again!
September 25, 2013
That was by far the funniest book I have ever read. His writing style made it very easy to read. I literally couldn't tear myself away from it. I read half of it one day and the other half the next. I get bored easily, but I wasn't bored at all. There were certain points where I was literally laughing so hard that I had to put my Nook down and take a minute or two, it was that funny. I Highly recommend this to anyone.
June 5, 2016
Truth be told I have known of this guy since I was little. He was my sisters t ball coach and one of his older brothers was one of my day camp counselors. I've had a crush on them since I was 6 or 7. Easy. The day I turned on Chelsea Lately and saw his face and name? I almost passed out. Anyway. The book and his comedy both; not all my style but the parts that are truly about his kids, wife and family? Laugh out loud funny and endearing.
November 3, 2015
I went into this book having been a fan of Josh's from Chelsea and getting to know him even more via his podcast (which everyone should be listening to and enjoying). I've had this book since the release and finally got around to reading it. It's a quick, honest, genuine, and hilarious read that will make you like the guy even more. Easy 5 stars from me!
August 26, 2016
I've enjoyed Josh Wolf's comedy since first seeing him on Chelsea Lately (Chelsea Handler's old show). As expected, this was a quick, funny book to listen to.
I highly recommend listening to books written by entertainers as listening to their stories in their voice helps gain more insight into who they really are.
I highly recommend listening to books written by entertainers as listening to their stories in their voice helps gain more insight into who they really are.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews