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Faking It: How to Seem Like a Better Person Without Actually ImprovingYourself
The ultimate guide to faking it through the real world! Now the people who bring you the Web�s most popular humor site teach you how to live the good life (or at least look like you do).
With annual revenues surpassing $6 million and an astonishing 10 million unique visitors a month, CollegeHumor.com ranks within the top six hundred Web sites worldwide. Now, in a follow-up to their recently launched The CollegeHumor Guide to College, these cheeky alumni offer real-world novices a guide to getting ahead�without getting out of bed before noon.
In Faking It readers will learn how to bluff their way through on-the-job conversations, woo cute art students with the compelling use of the term �postmodern,� and feign a deep appreciation of Neruda. The CollegeHumor team of experts provides everything required to pull off an outstanding social life, including appearing to have cultural knowledge beyond references gleaned from The Simpsons. The sexual, financial, and social arenas have never been more competitive, so it can�t hurt to act like you understand classical music, even if you prefer light beer to light opera.
Published just in time for graduation, Faking It is the poseur�s bible, but with less religious overtones than the real bible�and more pointers on conspicuously carrying an NPR tote bag.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
23 people are currently reading
381 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
March 25, 2008
Flipped through it in a book store was horrified to see it wasn't kidding and read the whole thing.
Should be called "Faking It: The Starter Guide To Being That One Dude You Know That 50 Year Old Douche Bag Who Keeps Trying To Pick Up 20 Year Olds. The One Who Has Nothing To Show For His Life But 2 Divorces, Kids Who Hate Him, A Subscription To Men's Health, And A Vague Terrifying Sense Of Ennui. Only He Doesn't Know To Call It That Because He's Never Devoted More Then 2 Minutes To Knowing Anything That Didn't Directly Lead To Money Or Pussy."
Should be called "Faking It: The Starter Guide To Being That One Dude You Know That 50 Year Old Douche Bag Who Keeps Trying To Pick Up 20 Year Olds. The One Who Has Nothing To Show For His Life But 2 Divorces, Kids Who Hate Him, A Subscription To Men's Health, And A Vague Terrifying Sense Of Ennui. Only He Doesn't Know To Call It That Because He's Never Devoted More Then 2 Minutes To Knowing Anything That Didn't Directly Lead To Money Or Pussy."
December 15, 2010
I saw this book at the library and decided to check it out because it seemed like an amusing quick read.
It did have amusing parts. However, I should note that all the advice in this book is specifically directed towards men. Straight men, specifically. I guess women don't need to know how to seem smart and interesting, because all we need to do is wear a push-up bra and a low-cut top to seem "interesting."
The book is okay until the last chapter, which is on dating. I know the book is intended to be humorous and all, but this chapter just comes across as really creepy and misogynistic. It basically boils women down to 2 categories: the hot ones, who probably have no personality, and who you want to trick into sleeping with you. And fat girls, who are cool to hang out with, but you certainly don't want to sleep with them! Ugh.
It did have amusing parts. However, I should note that all the advice in this book is specifically directed towards men. Straight men, specifically. I guess women don't need to know how to seem smart and interesting, because all we need to do is wear a push-up bra and a low-cut top to seem "interesting."
The book is okay until the last chapter, which is on dating. I know the book is intended to be humorous and all, but this chapter just comes across as really creepy and misogynistic. It basically boils women down to 2 categories: the hot ones, who probably have no personality, and who you want to trick into sleeping with you. And fat girls, who are cool to hang out with, but you certainly don't want to sleep with them! Ugh.
June 17, 2022
Неетичния подход към живота винаги е интересен, доколкото всякакви психопати, социопати и нарцисисти някак успяват да издрапат до високи позиции и макар да не сме като тях, ни се иска не само да разберем как са го направили, ами може би да закачим малко от техния опит в яденето на мекото на хляба.
За мое голямо учудване, първата част от тази книга всъщност се оказа наистина интересна и полезна - тя се занимава с това как в университета да привлечеш вниманието на преподавателите като активен и умен студент и дава някои тънки съвети за отношенията с тях.
Това е първите 10% от книгата, всичко останало е пълна и абсолютна скръб с жалки опити за хумор.
За мое голямо учудване, първата част от тази книга всъщност се оказа наистина интересна и полезна - тя се занимава с това как в университета да привлечеш вниманието на преподавателите като активен и умен студент и дава някои тънки съвети за отношенията с тях.
Това е първите 10% от книгата, всичко останало е пълна и абсолютна скръб с жалки опити за хумор.
November 17, 2023
It’s reaaaally dated and the satire comes off less intentional than satire should, but I didn’t hate reading it lol 😂
August 22, 2014
I'm actually fairly ashamed I read this book. It wasn't so much funny as it was actually informative for graduate pot smoking bums who were looking for a few life pointers. Not relevant for people who have have a bit of purpose. I only laughed once, at the part about "billowing pantaloons"... Mainly just because visualizing that is funny.
April 8, 2020
The book was directed to a male audience but it still was hilarious. Really enjoyed the arts and culture chapter, we all know some pompous fake intellectuals that fit the character. But they were so many funny parts throughout all the passages that I've read (skipped some parts that really were no use to me). Anyways I don't usually read funny books so it was refreshing to me and I will definitely read some parts to my friends :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2018
Sometimes wry, more often reminiscent of days when College Humor was still funny occasionally. Book managed to be amusing for about 50 pages, but that's more or less the nature of comedic writing. Wouldn't recommend the book for much more than a prop for social engagement, and reminder of the late 2000's.
July 25, 2019
After the last book about African refugees I had to read something lighthearted and well, stupid. This book is definitely that. It's written as if the reader is a guy just trying to impress and hook up with chicks. I want to do neither of things but the suggestions were all fairly funny and if there is anything I actually love in life....it is taking NOTHING seriously.
January 24, 2025
Did not age well lol. I didn't have high expectations but it was rough. Lots of humor and jokes that even during the mid-2000s would've been iffy.
Also for what its worth, even though its clearly parody and humor, the title isn't even accurate. You'd end up improving yourself a lot if you followed some of the suggestions in this book, but it would require a lot of effort.
Also for what its worth, even though its clearly parody and humor, the title isn't even accurate. You'd end up improving yourself a lot if you followed some of the suggestions in this book, but it would require a lot of effort.
January 14, 2019
Honestly, missed the mask. Really wasn’t funny and kinda cringe for the most part - felt like a manifesto for every greasy college guy who thought they were the coolest around. Waste of time to read.
October 17, 2019
A humorous book, however written mostly towards male audience. Also, some of the jokes are not funny or cheesy. Yet, it's a good satire to read with many "that's so me/us" examples.
May 31, 2023
Literally threw it in the trash after finishing it so no one else would make the mistake of buying it.
August 15, 2023
This book was entirely directed at men. Some of the content was funny but repetitive and in some instances sexist, even when written sarcastically.
March 12, 2024
It seems like once again you’d have to greet me with goodbye
By i_dont_read
Drarry sequel - liked a lot, did not love (Dracos pov was epic tho)
By i_dont_read
Drarry sequel - liked a lot, did not love (Dracos pov was epic tho)
December 20, 2024
فقط اینو بگم ک با خوندنش یاد خیلی آدما میفتی... حباب های توخالی...
June 15, 2015
I read this book because I enjoy Jake and Amir videos (and one of the authors is Amir Blumenfeld), the premise seemed funny, and the fake reviews on the cover implied a relatively smart kind of humor.
So hmm, how do I feel now that I've read the book? Well, on the surface this book seems written for a male in his early 20's who was in a college frat and exemplifies every negative stereotype.
Yet the book is clearly not trying to take itself seriously. It uses the bro-dude stereotype to get a laugh, which is evident in the over-the-top advice the book gives. Plus, throughout the book there is some actual information (like how to categorize different types of wines) which seems targeted towards a more intelligent reader.
So it's hard to know if this book is catering to the bro-dude or making fun of him, or both. Either way I would say pass on this one unless you are in that very narrow band of being in your early 20's, pretty shallow, and already a fan of CollegeHumor.com's brand of comedy. For what it is, I say 3 stars. If you're outside the targeted demographic, 1 star.
So hmm, how do I feel now that I've read the book? Well, on the surface this book seems written for a male in his early 20's who was in a college frat and exemplifies every negative stereotype.
Yet the book is clearly not trying to take itself seriously. It uses the bro-dude stereotype to get a laugh, which is evident in the over-the-top advice the book gives. Plus, throughout the book there is some actual information (like how to categorize different types of wines) which seems targeted towards a more intelligent reader.
So it's hard to know if this book is catering to the bro-dude or making fun of him, or both. Either way I would say pass on this one unless you are in that very narrow band of being in your early 20's, pretty shallow, and already a fan of CollegeHumor.com's brand of comedy. For what it is, I say 3 stars. If you're outside the targeted demographic, 1 star.
October 8, 2007
This etiquette guide is cleverly disguised as a subversive humor book! I love any book that gives SPECIFIC advice on how to act (ie The Preppy Handbook, Sex and the Single Girl). This one tells you how to act like a male, white-collar recent graduate who lives in an urban area in 2007! For instance, don't wear striped shirts out clubbing and do make Pimm's No. 1 Cup to impress girls!
This book is goofy, somewhat irritating and it will be outdated by next spring. But sociologists can study it later and you can buy it in the thrift store if you get nostalgic for the Naughty Oughts in 2021.
This book is goofy, somewhat irritating and it will be outdated by next spring. But sociologists can study it later and you can buy it in the thrift store if you get nostalgic for the Naughty Oughts in 2021.
June 10, 2011
I was enjoying this book (and actually learned a few things, who would have thought?) up until the last chapter which suddenly declared that fat people aren't actually people and you should never date a girl who is even the tiniest bit chubby because your friends will forever mock you. Obviously when it comes to women you should only ever be concerned about their appearance.
The entire book is written for straight males and this fact shines through every chapter. There's no "advice" at all aimed towards females but if you do yourself a favor and skip the final chapter on dating it can be a funny read.
The entire book is written for straight males and this fact shines through every chapter. There's no "advice" at all aimed towards females but if you do yourself a favor and skip the final chapter on dating it can be a funny read.
January 7, 2013
Sometimes this hits too close to home. We all know someone who does these things and comes across as a pretentious jerk. That said, there were some interesting explanations about the very basics of music and alcohol.
The authors don't beat around the bush and suggest that all of these tricks are about wooing girls into bed. Sometimes it comes across as creepy, other times it's just hilarious in a "that'll never work and if it does then shame on the both of you" sort of way.
All in all it's an amusing read with some good pointers, and some bewilderingly bad ones too.
The authors don't beat around the bush and suggest that all of these tricks are about wooing girls into bed. Sometimes it comes across as creepy, other times it's just hilarious in a "that'll never work and if it does then shame on the both of you" sort of way.
All in all it's an amusing read with some good pointers, and some bewilderingly bad ones too.
January 12, 2010
The authors suggest things like saying "I didn't know I applied for a job working for Big Brother!" if you get caught lying about your GPA. Another gem concerns name-dropping famous writers who mention the beverage you're serving at your cocktail party in one of their works: Substitute Faulkner for Hemingway if you're below the Mason-Dixon line. This is such a wonderfully absurd book, great for the CollegeHumor crowd.
May 21, 2016
Kind of embarrassed for reading this one. Lots of wink-wink-nudge-nudge-you-know-we're-really-kidding-here -- but it's not kidding. Occasionally useful and funny at times, but it turned into such a venting of misogynistic insecurity that I almost started to feel bad for the guy.
On the upside, it made me feel pretty good about myself, and for how much things have changed since 2007!
On the upside, it made me feel pretty good about myself, and for how much things have changed since 2007!
January 24, 2008
Seemingly stupid "Collegehumor.com" type comedy, but actually filled with some worthwhile information on things like faking one's way through a conversation on an unknown topic and proper etiquette for all sorts of situations.
April 6, 2009
very funny also very useful. if you have ever wanted to join in a conversation yet you dont understand what it is about then this is the book for you. it will do exactly what it says it will do which is to teach you how to appear like a better person.
October 7, 2015
I thought this book would actually be humorous and have some kind of deeper, positive message hidden within, but it really just teaches one how to behave like a total asshole and overall definitely sucks. If you're looking for humor and substance, look elsewhere.
March 13, 2008
Heee-larious. I just like the fact that the back cover of this book looks like a Quantum Physics book!
April 16, 2008
It was OK, not college humors best
March 9, 2009
No personality, awkward, annoying. Learn to fake your way through your life.
Not really, no real advice. It had it moments. It was good for a lark.
Not really, no real advice. It had it moments. It was good for a lark.
May 12, 2009
Some parts were hilarious. However, it seems very repetitive and doesn't seem to make a point.
July 21, 2009
Anyone who enjoys CollegeHumor and their videos will laugh throughout this book. A funny look at post college life and actually some pretty good advice.
October 14, 2009
Opens strong, ends strong; middle tries too hard.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews