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Dave Hill Doesn't Live Here Anymore
A painfully funny series of autobiographical essays, centered around the relationship between comedian Dave Hill and his dad, in the wake of his mother's death, as father and son redefine their relationship—and Dave, finally, becomes a man.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published May 10, 2016
15 people are currently reading
580 people want to read
About the author
Dave Hill
4 books188 followersDAVE HILL is a comedian, writer, musician, and man-about-town originally from Cleveland but now living in New York City in an apartment all by himself because he is a grown man. He has written for The New York Times, Salon, The Huffington Post, NY Daily News, Guitar World and a bunch of other people, too. He is a regular contributor to public radio’s This American Life and starred in his own TV series, The King of Miami, which was canceled, even though Dave really liked it. He has also appeared on Comedy Central, BBC America, MTV, and Adult Swim and is a regular host on HBO and Cinemax. Dave stages his own chat variety show, The Dave Hill Explosion, at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatres in New York and Los Angeles, and also in London, wherever it is tolerated. Dave plays in several rock bands and is so good at the guitar that most people can’t even handle it. Dave also smells really nice—ask anyone.
Here are some nice blurbs about Dave's book Tasteful Nudes:
“Dave Hill speaks, rocks, and now writes with a voice so powerful and funny and compelling that I’m pretty sure he's channeling some weird god from another dimension. Basically, this dude is a comedic Cthulhu, and when you read this book, you will either go COMPLETELY MAD or BECOME A SLAVE TO HIS MAD GENIUS. Pray for the latter.” —John Hodgman
"This book should affirm Dave Hill's rightful place as a major American humor writer. You will laugh.
Buy two and brighten a friend's life as well." —Dick Cavett
“I run into Dave Hill all the time at the coffee shop in our neighborhood. He's always unshaven and badly hungover, with some 16-year-old groupie from Cleveland in tow—and he's just as funny then as he is in Tasteful Nudes. He is my idol.” —Malcolm Gladwell
“We have Dave Hill on our radio show as much as we can because he's so winningly funny, and it's thrilling to see how well his sense of humor translates to the page. I've never seen a comedian quite like him: full of unjustified bravado, but also amazingly vulnerable. There's something very bare through all these stories that are so full of jokes and brags. He's a rocker who shreds his way through mindblowing solos while somehow also communicating to you that maybe he thinks the whole thing is just a little much. I don't say that as a metaphor, I've actually seen him do this. I enjoyed the hell out of this book.” —Ira Glass
"First of all, Dave Hill is a pathological liar, a fantasist, egoist, and unlicensed podiatrist. I cannot confirm the veracity of anything in this book, but my feet have never felt better. And as Dave always says, when you have your feet, you have everything." —Janeane Garofalo
“If you want to get inside Dave Hill’s head, then you have to go for it. Throw caution to the wind. Jump into the icy waters. Speed across the Bonneville Salt Flats. Trek the Himalayas. Take a solo flight around the globe. Or just read his new book, Tasteful Nudes, the most dangerous way to get there.” —Sandra Bernhard
"This book, in addition to being a hilariously fun read, is exactly the kind of book that will get Dave Hill totally laid." —Andy Richter
"Not only did Tasteful Nudes take me on an emotional journey through the seedy underbelly of Dave Hill’s life, but it also introduced me to a whole new slew of colorful and imaginative euphemisms for my pud. For this, I shall forever be in Mr. Hill’s debt." —Chris Elliott
Here are some nice blurbs about Dave's book Tasteful Nudes:
“Dave Hill speaks, rocks, and now writes with a voice so powerful and funny and compelling that I’m pretty sure he's channeling some weird god from another dimension. Basically, this dude is a comedic Cthulhu, and when you read this book, you will either go COMPLETELY MAD or BECOME A SLAVE TO HIS MAD GENIUS. Pray for the latter.” —John Hodgman
"This book should affirm Dave Hill's rightful place as a major American humor writer. You will laugh.
Buy two and brighten a friend's life as well." —Dick Cavett
“I run into Dave Hill all the time at the coffee shop in our neighborhood. He's always unshaven and badly hungover, with some 16-year-old groupie from Cleveland in tow—and he's just as funny then as he is in Tasteful Nudes. He is my idol.” —Malcolm Gladwell
“We have Dave Hill on our radio show as much as we can because he's so winningly funny, and it's thrilling to see how well his sense of humor translates to the page. I've never seen a comedian quite like him: full of unjustified bravado, but also amazingly vulnerable. There's something very bare through all these stories that are so full of jokes and brags. He's a rocker who shreds his way through mindblowing solos while somehow also communicating to you that maybe he thinks the whole thing is just a little much. I don't say that as a metaphor, I've actually seen him do this. I enjoyed the hell out of this book.” —Ira Glass
"First of all, Dave Hill is a pathological liar, a fantasist, egoist, and unlicensed podiatrist. I cannot confirm the veracity of anything in this book, but my feet have never felt better. And as Dave always says, when you have your feet, you have everything." —Janeane Garofalo
“If you want to get inside Dave Hill’s head, then you have to go for it. Throw caution to the wind. Jump into the icy waters. Speed across the Bonneville Salt Flats. Trek the Himalayas. Take a solo flight around the globe. Or just read his new book, Tasteful Nudes, the most dangerous way to get there.” —Sandra Bernhard
"This book, in addition to being a hilariously fun read, is exactly the kind of book that will get Dave Hill totally laid." —Andy Richter
"Not only did Tasteful Nudes take me on an emotional journey through the seedy underbelly of Dave Hill’s life, but it also introduced me to a whole new slew of colorful and imaginative euphemisms for my pud. For this, I shall forever be in Mr. Hill’s debt." —Chris Elliott
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
July 1, 2016
This is a wonderfully articulated tale of what happens when the person who has always been there to soothe, encourage, love, and inspire is suddenly removed by death, from her place, her hallowed place as mother, wife, and touchstone.
Leaving a son to at last rediscover the father that was always there, but whose distinction as parent and friend was always relegated to the shadows of that celebrated by his beloved mother.
This sometimes funny, often insightful, and always heartfelt exploration of a father/son relationship. Is told in a series of scenes depicting moments, conversions, and thoughts from Dave Hill's life, and his journey toward truly coming to know the man that is his father. As well as the man that his father has shaped him to become.
Whether you read this book in one sitting, or choose to devour it story by story. Chances are very good that you will see bits of yourself in the stories. This is a very honest collection of one man's experiences, with loss, grief, acceptance, love, and fatherhood.
Reviewer's Note: I was granted access to an advanced copy of this book in exchange for the honest review provided. As part of my participation on Penguin-Random House's First To Read Program.
Leaving a son to at last rediscover the father that was always there, but whose distinction as parent and friend was always relegated to the shadows of that celebrated by his beloved mother.
This sometimes funny, often insightful, and always heartfelt exploration of a father/son relationship. Is told in a series of scenes depicting moments, conversions, and thoughts from Dave Hill's life, and his journey toward truly coming to know the man that is his father. As well as the man that his father has shaped him to become.
Whether you read this book in one sitting, or choose to devour it story by story. Chances are very good that you will see bits of yourself in the stories. This is a very honest collection of one man's experiences, with loss, grief, acceptance, love, and fatherhood.
Reviewer's Note: I was granted access to an advanced copy of this book in exchange for the honest review provided. As part of my participation on Penguin-Random House's First To Read Program.
March 14, 2016
My crush on Dave Hill continues. Or starts again. Honestly, I kind of forgot about him for awhile but I remember him now, which is cool. I read Tasteful Nudes whenever it came out because I was into comedy podcasts at the time and I find him super likable. I just happened upon this new one on netgalley. Thanks Netgalley and Blue Rider Press.
Dave Hill is no Rue McClanahan but he's definitely up there in people whose books make me like them more. This round of essays is more about his family and less about his music. (I think tasteful nudes was a lot about traveling around and guitars??) I really like mom and dad stories, especially when they're good people and the writer actually likes/appreciates them. Overall good stuff. I followed him on instagram while I was reading. For dog pics, mostly. But also I think he should do a men's style guide.
Out May 10th.
Dave Hill is no Rue McClanahan but he's definitely up there in people whose books make me like them more. This round of essays is more about his family and less about his music. (I think tasteful nudes was a lot about traveling around and guitars??) I really like mom and dad stories, especially when they're good people and the writer actually likes/appreciates them. Overall good stuff. I followed him on instagram while I was reading. For dog pics, mostly. But also I think he should do a men's style guide.
Out May 10th.
May 8, 2016
I would have given this five stars but Dave didn't mention his radio show in his bio! I blame Danne D.
P.S. Thanks Penguin/First to Read for the advance copy.
P.P.S. Thanks Yngdave, for everything.
P.S. Thanks Penguin/First to Read for the advance copy.
P.P.S. Thanks Yngdave, for everything.
August 29, 2018
This book fucking rocked my socks off
February 17, 2025
Dave Hill does it again! Write a book, I mean. If you haven’t checked his insta Mr Dave Hill, then plz do. Then read this great, funny, and heartwarming book.
August 16, 2016
This was a very quick read. Dave's style is very straightforward and I can understand how some might find him funny. At first, I wasn't sure why this book (about a man-child with Failure to Launch Syndrome) was published and was not actually amused until the chapter "The Bachelor Pad". Then, I began to see why this book was written and that this Dave guy had some good stuff to write about. "Mexcellent" is also a great chapter that entertained me enough to keep reading.
I definitely would not have read this book, ever, if it had not been given to me as a free digital download (through another website). Dave is a silly man with amusing stories, but that's all there is to it. There are moments of heart and sympathy, but other than that, I probably would not have finished this book if I wasn't expected to write a review on it (for the other website). I would recommend this book to young-to-middle-aged men who are close with their parents. His relationship with them is very sweet. Overall, I enjoyed the footnotes and lightheartedness of the stories. It felt like an annoying friend or overfriendly acquaintance was sharing a part of their life with me.
Thanks to the Penguin First to Read program for this book.
I definitely would not have read this book, ever, if it had not been given to me as a free digital download (through another website). Dave is a silly man with amusing stories, but that's all there is to it. There are moments of heart and sympathy, but other than that, I probably would not have finished this book if I wasn't expected to write a review on it (for the other website). I would recommend this book to young-to-middle-aged men who are close with their parents. His relationship with them is very sweet. Overall, I enjoyed the footnotes and lightheartedness of the stories. It felt like an annoying friend or overfriendly acquaintance was sharing a part of their life with me.
Thanks to the Penguin First to Read program for this book.
January 30, 2017
I listened to this book through audible instead of reading a physical copy. I have to say that this was a great choice. Dave Hill narrates the book himself, and it makes it all the more entertaining. I've always loved Dave's voice and comedic style, and he did not disappoint with this book. The book is essentially a collection of short stories, made up of snapshots from his life. Many of the stories are mundane, but they are told in such a way as to grab the reader/listener. Some of the stories are hilarious, some are touching. I will admit that I both laughed out loud, and was brought to teary sniffles at times. My opinion of the book is a bit biased, since I'm a big Dave Hill fan, but I honestly think this book could be enjoyable for any adult listener/reader. It's really well done.
September 15, 2017
Got halfway through. In person, Hill is just ridiculously funny (not to mention a Rock God), and reading with his deadpan, mock-braggadocio delivery in mind helps enliven the prose here. But the style is insufficient to give these small-scale essays much impact. The reader keeps expecting them to open up into something bigger, à la David Sedaris, and they never do. They're mildly amusing, and mildly moving, and that's kind of it.
May 14, 2019
I let this book sit gracefully on my shelf for a couple of years. Only pulling it out once in a while for a good laugh. I kept it there on purpose. Never wanting for it to end. Every single story that Dave Hill tells makes me laugh out loud, and in the moments that I’m not laughing, I am still smiling. Unfortunately I did finish the book today. The bright side is that since I read the first story so long ago, I think I can pull it out and start all over the next time I need a laugh.
May 8, 2021
There are a few comedians and humorists that make me laugh aloud—literally—when I read them, but it is a very short list. So other than Norm MacDonald, there is the incomparable Dave Hill.
This collection veers into heartwarming once or twice. There is real pathos here at times. But if you know Hill from his online presence or essays elsewhere, then you know exactly what you’ll get here. It’s funny stuff on every page.
This collection veers into heartwarming once or twice. There is real pathos here at times. But if you know Hill from his online presence or essays elsewhere, then you know exactly what you’ll get here. It’s funny stuff on every page.
January 8, 2019
As far as celebrity memoirs go, this was one of my favorites. Relateable father struggles after the passing of his mother, as well as plenty of laugh out loud moments that kept me entertained in airports/flights. I highly rec commend this one.
June 30, 2023
This is pretty good. I found this book after falling into a rabbit hole of Dave Hill videos on Instagram where he rides bikes, shreds on his guitar or gives insightful restaurant reviews. This was similar to that but with more words. I liked it.
September 9, 2017
Received through a goodreads giveaway. Dave Hill discusses his life through autobiographical essays. If you like his humor, you will like this book.
February 13, 2022
so this randomly popped up in my favorites even tho i don't remember rating it 5 stars.
July 15, 2022
I felt it got funnier towards the end - which I didn't expect! I enjoyed the book plenty, just not really my style.
March 30, 2024
This is a collection of funny essays by Dave Hill. He contemplates his life and his attempts at making a living by doing little.
November 7, 2018
Pleasant. Likeable stories of growing up in Ohio and being new to New York City.
March 14, 2017
I love Dave Hill. His writing and his escapades are a treat.
August 10, 2024
I listened to this audiobook on a solo road trip. It was incredibly touching and there were points I had to pause for a bit to regain composure while driving. It resonated as I am an only child who is caring for aging parents and as a mother whose children are at and approaching adulthood. As I listened to these stories, I found myself at times in Dave's shoes and at others in his parents'.
February 22, 2017
This book was a selection for my book club. The author was a childhood friend of one of the member's spouses. I found it to be a clever, witty, and easy to read book of short essays about the life of the author. The stories were well put together, entertaining, and quite humorous - the last story really did a nice job of tying the other stories together. I laughed out loud on several occasions while reading this (prompting my kids to keep asking me why I was laughing) and am now curious to learn more about Dave Hill and his career as a musician, comedian, and writer.
Read
June 4, 2017Tasteful Nudes, Dave Hill's first book, was a whole lot of fun. This one is even better.
Dave's humourous essays jump around to cover a variety of topics, but the main focus this time around is his relationship with his aging father. He never stops pretending that he is a total playboy who can melt your face off just by breathing on his guitar, but this facade is deliberately thin and used for comic effect. The jokes are non-stop and hilarious, but the obvious dissonance between this persona and the emotional realities of his life result in a sneaky undercurrent of emotion that feels super genuine. He never holds back a single joke for the sake of sentiment, but the feelings are still totally there.
It's a more personal book than Tasteful Nudes which makes the jokes funnier and the stories more engaging. Both books have instances where Dave clearly went and did something just so that he could write about it later, and these parts are rarely as good as his more mundane anecdotes. He's a keen observer who can make a story about sitting in his Dad's kitchen so funny that there is really no need for him to go on nude cruises or take martial arts classes or try his hand at being a pedicab driver. His two trips to prison are spectacular additions, but in general I like it better when his stories are more personal.
I'll read whatever he writes next no matter what the topic, though. I dig emotions 'n all, but everything Dave Hill writes is worth reading whether or not he tries to accomplish anything other than "just" being funny. Being funny is way harder than people seem to realize and Mr. Hill deserves mad respect. All that touching stuff is just icing on the cake.
Dave's humourous essays jump around to cover a variety of topics, but the main focus this time around is his relationship with his aging father. He never stops pretending that he is a total playboy who can melt your face off just by breathing on his guitar, but this facade is deliberately thin and used for comic effect. The jokes are non-stop and hilarious, but the obvious dissonance between this persona and the emotional realities of his life result in a sneaky undercurrent of emotion that feels super genuine. He never holds back a single joke for the sake of sentiment, but the feelings are still totally there.
It's a more personal book than Tasteful Nudes which makes the jokes funnier and the stories more engaging. Both books have instances where Dave clearly went and did something just so that he could write about it later, and these parts are rarely as good as his more mundane anecdotes. He's a keen observer who can make a story about sitting in his Dad's kitchen so funny that there is really no need for him to go on nude cruises or take martial arts classes or try his hand at being a pedicab driver. His two trips to prison are spectacular additions, but in general I like it better when his stories are more personal.
I'll read whatever he writes next no matter what the topic, though. I dig emotions 'n all, but everything Dave Hill writes is worth reading whether or not he tries to accomplish anything other than "just" being funny. Being funny is way harder than people seem to realize and Mr. Hill deserves mad respect. All that touching stuff is just icing on the cake.
May 11, 2016
Dave Hill is funny. That we know (or should know by now)... . What I didn't realize until reading his essays how simply sweet and kind he seems. His essays are tender towards his relationship with his family, his friends (the essay Mexcellent was brilliant to me) and ultimately himself (Rolling Thunder). It was refreshing to read something with this much heart and footnotes. Oh footnotes have never been this amusing.
Thanks Penguin for letting me preview the book and experience Mr. Dave Hill in a way that I didn't expect. I appreciate him now even more and look forward to hearing and seeing more of him!
Oh wait he has an amusing and to me adorable website where I can...!
added on may 11 16.... note that there is an amazing trailer for the book which made me completely reassess what I read... I missed out on the charm of the father son relationship... there I said it. I missed out on that because I read the book completely as a humorous collection of stories and missives. Yep. Point missed. I suppose. BUT if you want to see what may be the most charming thing ever.... watch the trailer for the book: I will be rereading the book so that I get the point. Thanks Dave Hill for helping us all get there....
https://youtu.be/tZXYrr_d3Jw
Thanks Penguin for letting me preview the book and experience Mr. Dave Hill in a way that I didn't expect. I appreciate him now even more and look forward to hearing and seeing more of him!
Oh wait he has an amusing and to me adorable website where I can...!
added on may 11 16.... note that there is an amazing trailer for the book which made me completely reassess what I read... I missed out on the charm of the father son relationship... there I said it. I missed out on that because I read the book completely as a humorous collection of stories and missives. Yep. Point missed. I suppose. BUT if you want to see what may be the most charming thing ever.... watch the trailer for the book: I will be rereading the book so that I get the point. Thanks Dave Hill for helping us all get there....
https://youtu.be/tZXYrr_d3Jw
May 31, 2016
I received this ARC from the Penguin's First to Read program in exchange for my honest opinion. I am very careful about the books that I recommend, and I have to say that I highly recommend this book. It was hilarious. I want to be Dave's best friend. I usually never laugh out loud with books, but I did - multiple times - while reading this one. Somehow he is able to take a serious subject and make it funny in a way that doesn’t diminish it or make you feel weird that you laughed about it. I feel like he is a good person and like he would be really fun to relax and have a beer with, even though he tries to put across that he is the opposite of that. The book gave no indication of how accomplished he is. I only found that out when I looked him up later. I liked this book so much that as soon as I finished reading it, I immediately went out to get his first book . It was, amazingly, just as good as this one. I was impressed by the consistency between the two books, which lent a strong feeling of authenticity to his story. And he is just so damn funny. I recommend this book with no reservation.
July 14, 2016
Telling stories about yourself and your family can be tricky to craft because you want to give enough details for people to understand, but not too many that the point is masked. But maybe telling these stories gets easier when your living is based on telling them, such as for Dave Hill in Dave Hill Doesn't Live Here Anymore.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
In a series of autobiographical essays, Hill recounts stories of his life relevant to the time after his mother's death and his father's move from his childhood home and how that plays into his current relationship with his father. With subject matter that is rather serious and personal, the comedic touches from Hill's personality and manner of dealing with arguably uncomfortable things made it far more approachable and easy to relate to. With a writing style that is quite conversational, the book is quick to read and provided many opportunities for some chuckles. The use of footnotes can be aggravating, but I found that their use here was quite funny, even if they were often self-promoting.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
In a series of autobiographical essays, Hill recounts stories of his life relevant to the time after his mother's death and his father's move from his childhood home and how that plays into his current relationship with his father. With subject matter that is rather serious and personal, the comedic touches from Hill's personality and manner of dealing with arguably uncomfortable things made it far more approachable and easy to relate to. With a writing style that is quite conversational, the book is quick to read and provided many opportunities for some chuckles. The use of footnotes can be aggravating, but I found that their use here was quite funny, even if they were often self-promoting.
August 30, 2016
I heart Dave Hill's heart-fizzing and hilarious writing ways. This memoir covers time spent with his dad and siblings after his mom died. (His mom does make appearances throughout, popping back in some very funny flashbacks.) As I read, i often had a hunch that things were about to jump the rails, story and writing-style wise. It seemed that DH was, well, using too many words, jamming in too many thoughts in one sentence. BUT, then I would get to the end of the sentence, paragraph, etc., and unbelievably, it was fine. Better than fine. No room to go into every aspect that makes this a primo DH effort. However, I was intrigued, entertained, and even surprised, and look forward to reading about whatever's next for DH.
June 12, 2016
I received an advance copy of this book for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher and First to Read. I requested this book because I thought the title was funny. I had never heard of Dave Hill before now. I'm happy to say I'm a fan.
This book was laugh out loud funny in parts. I enjoyed the stories from his childhood. The only thing I didn't like about the book was all the footnotes. I feel if it's important enough to make a footnote about, it can be added into the story in some way. I will give this a 3 star rating only because of the footnotes.
I will be recommending this book.
April 30, 2016
Received this as an ARC from Penguin's First To Read.
Most of these stories I really liked, some I skipped altogether. It really came down to whether the first couple of lines made me interested and propelled me to keep reading and most of the chapters did that. Overall I feel that this is a pretty entertaining read and I chuckled at various points through the book. David Hill as a character is not someone I particularly relate to but David Hill as a writer is very funny, if you like tongue-in-cheek and somewhat sarcastic humour.
Most of these stories I really liked, some I skipped altogether. It really came down to whether the first couple of lines made me interested and propelled me to keep reading and most of the chapters did that. Overall I feel that this is a pretty entertaining read and I chuckled at various points through the book. David Hill as a character is not someone I particularly relate to but David Hill as a writer is very funny, if you like tongue-in-cheek and somewhat sarcastic humour.
July 2, 2016
Geez, What can't this guy do? He is an amazing guitar player, stand-up comedian, & excellent writer. Dave is like the brother we all know & love, who finally moves out of the family home because it has sold. He is the ultimate boomerang child, moving back home to Cleveland after stints in NYC. I could not put this book down once I started & you will laugh out loud, just be forewarned! The funny footnotes were a unique touch. This book is an amazing autobiographical collection of essays about growing up in Cleveland & trying to find himself. (I think that it is an ongoing process!)
June 29, 2016
*I won this book for free in a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for an honest opinion*
This was a lighthearted, humorous read. I found myself quoting some lines of the book to my boyfriend, and I managed to get a few chuckles out of him. I even liked this book enough that I looked up some of Dave Hill's other work. Very funny guy with an interesting life.
This was a lighthearted, humorous read. I found myself quoting some lines of the book to my boyfriend, and I managed to get a few chuckles out of him. I even liked this book enough that I looked up some of Dave Hill's other work. Very funny guy with an interesting life.
May 8, 2016
I was given a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.
This book was funny but not laugh-out-loud funny. I really hated the footnotes. Why not just put the thoughts/asides in parenthesis next to the topic being discussed in that sentence? Oh well. It's an easy read since it's a collection of essays.
This book was funny but not laugh-out-loud funny. I really hated the footnotes. Why not just put the thoughts/asides in parenthesis next to the topic being discussed in that sentence? Oh well. It's an easy read since it's a collection of essays.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews