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Work Work Work: Book 1: Memoirs of a Downwardly Spiraling Career
The average American has thirteen jobs in a lifetime. Tom Bross has had at least forty. Don't worry—this is only Book One.
You should know up front that this book is a pathetic, self-indulgent journey through a topic generally hated by everyone. Work. And he hopes you love it.
He's been a pot-scrubber, a porter, a pizza guy, and a dancing genie. He's had a boss who fired him, a boss who mentored him, and a boss whose mixed-up metaphors drove him crazy. He sent out a résumé with a photo of himself bursting out of a walnut shell— That's me in a nutshell—and somehow it worked. He went behind the scenes at Jelly Belly and spent an afternoon in the lab tasting jelly beans flavored like booger, earwax, and burnt rubber. He sang a State Farm jingle at the worst possible moment. And somehow on the morning of an interview, he rubbed sports cream into his eye. He also started catching feelings for a coworker who was—by his own panicked math—far too young for him, so naturally he did the mature thing and pretended it wasn't happening.
Work Work Work is a memoir told one paycheck at a time, by a guy who has loved most of his jobs, hated a few of them, and is still trying to come up with a clean answer to "What do you do?" If you've ever stared down a Monday morning and thought what the hell am I doing here—pull up a chair. Tom’s just getting started…
You should know up front that this book is a pathetic, self-indulgent journey through a topic generally hated by everyone. Work. And he hopes you love it.
He's been a pot-scrubber, a porter, a pizza guy, and a dancing genie. He's had a boss who fired him, a boss who mentored him, and a boss whose mixed-up metaphors drove him crazy. He sent out a résumé with a photo of himself bursting out of a walnut shell— That's me in a nutshell—and somehow it worked. He went behind the scenes at Jelly Belly and spent an afternoon in the lab tasting jelly beans flavored like booger, earwax, and burnt rubber. He sang a State Farm jingle at the worst possible moment. And somehow on the morning of an interview, he rubbed sports cream into his eye. He also started catching feelings for a coworker who was—by his own panicked math—far too young for him, so naturally he did the mature thing and pretended it wasn't happening.
Work Work Work is a memoir told one paycheck at a time, by a guy who has loved most of his jobs, hated a few of them, and is still trying to come up with a clean answer to "What do you do?" If you've ever stared down a Monday morning and thought what the hell am I doing here—pull up a chair. Tom’s just getting started…
- GenresMemoir
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 3, 2026
I've read this book more times than I can count, and I still laugh out loud in the same places.
Tom has the gift of making you feel like you're sitting across from him while he tells you about the worst job he ever had.
What gets me is how honest it is. He isn't a guy trying to make himself look good in hindsight. He's just telling you what happened, and somehow that's funnier and more moving than anything dressed up to be either one.
If you've ever taken a job you knew was wrong and talked yourself into it anyway, you'll recognize yourself on every other page.
(Full disclosure: I'm his wife. But I was a fan first.)
Tom has the gift of making you feel like you're sitting across from him while he tells you about the worst job he ever had.
What gets me is how honest it is. He isn't a guy trying to make himself look good in hindsight. He's just telling you what happened, and somehow that's funnier and more moving than anything dressed up to be either one.
If you've ever taken a job you knew was wrong and talked yourself into it anyway, you'll recognize yourself on every other page.
(Full disclosure: I'm his wife. But I was a fan first.)
June 4, 2026
Work Work Work was a joy to read! Tom J. Bross is truly a great storyteller! He makes me want to keep turning page after page after page! Don’t miss his newest book, Work Work Work! Try it, you’ll like it! WWW for the Win!
August 29, 2026
Tom’s Jupiter books are included with audible so I came across him that way and then discovered the work series.
I listened to the Jupiter books and the first Work book for free and have paid credits for the Work Books 2 and 3.
Tom is such a talented man and I love listening to his stories. I wish I could remember my life as vividly as he remembers his. (Well maybe that’s a double edged sword though).
I was in marketing, like Tom, for much of my career until I changed careers at age 50. Marketing can really chew you up and spit you out - I feel like that’s what happened to both me and Tom, so I can really relate to him.
I think we see in his adult life how the trauma of his childhood had an impact. He is so funny it is easy to laugh along with his stories of his childhood… but truly he was absolutely abandoned and betrayed by the adults in his life when he was so young. His mother was a true covert narcissist though he never once calls her that. And that does take a toll in later life - you just have to listen and you can hear where it left its scars on Tom, and his siblings. I really empathize with him and wish he had found more adults who supported him growing up. It’s so hard to prop yourself up in lonely hard times when your own childhood was a house of cards and the foundation was a yellow bus driving away from you.
Thankyou Tom for sharing your stories with us. That takes courage. I also want to tell you I SEE your incredible talent in advertising and marketing and wish your (mostly) idiot employers rewarded it more. (As I wish that for myself!).
I listened to the Jupiter books and the first Work book for free and have paid credits for the Work Books 2 and 3.
Tom is such a talented man and I love listening to his stories. I wish I could remember my life as vividly as he remembers his. (Well maybe that’s a double edged sword though).
I was in marketing, like Tom, for much of my career until I changed careers at age 50. Marketing can really chew you up and spit you out - I feel like that’s what happened to both me and Tom, so I can really relate to him.
I think we see in his adult life how the trauma of his childhood had an impact. He is so funny it is easy to laugh along with his stories of his childhood… but truly he was absolutely abandoned and betrayed by the adults in his life when he was so young. His mother was a true covert narcissist though he never once calls her that. And that does take a toll in later life - you just have to listen and you can hear where it left its scars on Tom, and his siblings. I really empathize with him and wish he had found more adults who supported him growing up. It’s so hard to prop yourself up in lonely hard times when your own childhood was a house of cards and the foundation was a yellow bus driving away from you.
Thankyou Tom for sharing your stories with us. That takes courage. I also want to tell you I SEE your incredible talent in advertising and marketing and wish your (mostly) idiot employers rewarded it more. (As I wish that for myself!).
September 30, 2026
I don't know how I stumbled upon this book, but I sure am glad I did. I enjoy memoirs, so it likely came up as a suggestion. Tom J. Bross, the author, is hilarious. At least this book is quite funny! Each chapter the author tells a little about his experiences in work life. Bross grew up in California and seems like a typical California guy. The chapters are not sequential which he gives a reason why in the first chapter of the book. By trade, Bross is an "ad man." Many of his jobs are in marketing, and he has very funny stories about what happened during his career. This book is only the tip of the iceberg, as there is a Book 2 and Book 3 at least. If you like memoirs with a little humor, you will like this one. We don't learn much about him regarding his early and adolescent years except that he came from a broken home, and his mother turned into a hippie in California. I believe he has a memoir that talks about his formative years, and it is one I will likely listen to. The author narrates the book on Audible. I found his voice to be very fun to listen to and typical of what you might expect.
June 8, 2026
Another winner! After reading the Don't Call Me Jupiter trilogy and Evergreen Lodge, I thought there was no way Tom could keep this up and the book could be as captivating. How can one man have this many stories? I have to admit, my first thought was, "Who wants to read about a person's jobs? That doesn't sound interesting or fun." BOY WAS I WRONG!!! Tom has such a way with words. The way he describes the people, the clothes, the phrases, the mood, etc, in every snippet of time, you just feel like you are right there. As part of the ARC Team, I was given an advance copy of this book and asked to give feedback. One of my comments on one of the chapters was about the professional attire worn in the '80's & '90's. He was spot on, I wore those clothes! I felt like I was right back there.
Just like with his other books, there are stories that will make you laugh, some that will make you sad, and some that are downright cringe-worthy. And wait for the cliff-hanger at the end, looking forward to Book 2!
Just like with his other books, there are stories that will make you laugh, some that will make you sad, and some that are downright cringe-worthy. And wait for the cliff-hanger at the end, looking forward to Book 2!
June 3, 2026
I chose to be an advanced reader for Work Work Work by Tom Bross because I’ve had several weird jobs and work experiences in my life and figured I could relate—but Tom’s work history takes the cake, and this is only Book 1 of his three-book series!
I’ve never read any of his books before, but I love hearing his childhood hippie stories on Instagram, and this didn’t disappoint. He has a natural storytelling ability, almost script-like in feel. It felt like he was sitting at a bar telling stories after a long day of work.
His candor was refreshing, and I laughed out loud at several points throughout the book. I especially loved his younger work stories and hearing about his time in the Boston area. Since that’s my hometown and we’re close in age, it really brought me back.
Any writer who can take you on that kind of journey is special.
Unfortunately, as a result of reading this book, you will develop earworms for commercial jingles. Thanks a lot, Tom.
I’ve never read any of his books before, but I love hearing his childhood hippie stories on Instagram, and this didn’t disappoint. He has a natural storytelling ability, almost script-like in feel. It felt like he was sitting at a bar telling stories after a long day of work.
His candor was refreshing, and I laughed out loud at several points throughout the book. I especially loved his younger work stories and hearing about his time in the Boston area. Since that’s my hometown and we’re close in age, it really brought me back.
Any writer who can take you on that kind of journey is special.
Unfortunately, as a result of reading this book, you will develop earworms for commercial jingles. Thanks a lot, Tom.
June 3, 2026
I first became acquainted with Tom through his Don’t Call Me Jupiter series which I quickly and happily devoured. He has a special knack for humor, honesty and vulnerability, making his readers laugh and cry simultaneously while in utter disbelief that he actually survived his unconventional childhood which shaped him into the man, the myth, and the true legend that he is today.
I was fortunate to be an advanced reader of Book One from his new series, Work Work Work. I knew I was in for a real treat and wasn’t wrong as in typical TJB style, this book did not disappoint. In fact, I startled my napping dog awake on more than one occasion, shattering the silence, bursting into laughter at multiple points throughout and snorting with glee. Tom is pure joy, absolutely hilarious, and a fantastic storyteller. I wish I could have met K.C., Sam M., Disco Don and Montgomery Ward Beverly, Won Song, Balzac, pizza Dale, and so many others, but his descriptions of the people and places made me feel like I already knew them personally and was right there, immersed in their stories and settings alongside them too.
It was a blast to get to know this side of Tom and I can’t wait to read the next two books in the series. I’m so happy for his success and wish him many more fun, entertaining and moving experiences to share with us all. Do yourself a favor and dive into any of these memoirs. You won’t be sorry.
Thank you to Tom J. Bross for the advance copy. All thoughts are my own.
I was fortunate to be an advanced reader of Book One from his new series, Work Work Work. I knew I was in for a real treat and wasn’t wrong as in typical TJB style, this book did not disappoint. In fact, I startled my napping dog awake on more than one occasion, shattering the silence, bursting into laughter at multiple points throughout and snorting with glee. Tom is pure joy, absolutely hilarious, and a fantastic storyteller. I wish I could have met K.C., Sam M., Disco Don and Montgomery Ward Beverly, Won Song, Balzac, pizza Dale, and so many others, but his descriptions of the people and places made me feel like I already knew them personally and was right there, immersed in their stories and settings alongside them too.
It was a blast to get to know this side of Tom and I can’t wait to read the next two books in the series. I’m so happy for his success and wish him many more fun, entertaining and moving experiences to share with us all. Do yourself a favor and dive into any of these memoirs. You won’t be sorry.
Thank you to Tom J. Bross for the advance copy. All thoughts are my own.
June 10, 2026
Who thought reading about someone's job history could be so entertaining?! "Work Work Work" is a wild mish mash of advertising jingles, raging hormones and juggling (literally) his way out of trouble. After reading "Don't Call Me Jupiter" the trilogy of Tom's unorthodox, crazy and traumatic childhood it is a wonder that he survived and is able to write with such humor and honesty. He has an incredible knack for details and descriptions of coworkers and scenes so much that you feel you are right there on the job with him. Very much looking forward to the second book in this series.
June 7, 2026
I was already a fan of Tom Bross, thanks to his Don't Call Me Jupiter trilogy and Evergreen Lodge.
Work Work Work is very entertaining, and gives us a look behind the curtain at some iconic businesses and the marketing teams that created the jingles that sometimes follow us for life.
I have an advanced reader copy of book two from the Work Work Work trilogy, and can't wait get started. Highly recommended!
Work Work Work is very entertaining, and gives us a look behind the curtain at some iconic businesses and the marketing teams that created the jingles that sometimes follow us for life.
I have an advanced reader copy of book two from the Work Work Work trilogy, and can't wait get started. Highly recommended!
July 8, 2026
I just love this story as well as all of Tom Bross’s others. Audible listening makes this memoir truly come to life as the author reads their own story. This installment of a portion of his work life, leaves the reader wanting to hear more. Everyone should be half as talented to be able to share such an entertaining glimpse of their early experiences of working. It’s comical, dramatic and honest.
June 14, 2026
I LOVED this memoir, ‘WORK WORK WORK’ by Tom Bross! It’s filled with so much humor which makes it fun to read and hard to put down. Tom is definitely the Master of Memoirs. I’m absolutely looking forward to Book 2 and 3! Thanks for an entertaining trip from your past.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews