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Brave
From the author of the phenomenally bestselling novel The Summer Remains and the phenomenally unsuccessful flop Blue comes a new essay collection that is as heartfelt and hilarious as it is personal and revealing.
By the age of twenty-seven, Seth King had lived through an upbringing alongside seventeen adopted siblings, survived a career as a child actor without melting down, and finally become a bestselling author of novels like Honesty. But really, his story was only beginning.
In his first memoir, Brave (And Other Things I’ll Never Be), King recounts his journeys to a dozen countries across the globe to adopt his siblings, his bizarre days on the Disney lot alongside the likes of Michael Jackson and Miley Cyrus, and a life-shaking descent into depression and addiction after a ruinous breakup at the height of his writing career. (So maybe that meltdown is still on the way.) If you thought you knew him before, be prepared to think again.
Also includes never-before-asked-for advice on how to handle online dating debacles, how to deal with Internet trolls (hint: back away slowly), how to be brave and demand a seat at the table when the world just wants to shut you up, and what to do when a Russian government official tries to take you hostage on an adoption mission gone wrong (hint: run).
“Seth King is the voice of a new generation of authors.” – Prominent book review site
“Seth King is annoying and needs to go away.” – Anonymous Amazon commenter
“Who’s that? You mean he isn’t the guy who wrote Carrie?” – Everyone else in the world, probably
By the age of twenty-seven, Seth King had lived through an upbringing alongside seventeen adopted siblings, survived a career as a child actor without melting down, and finally become a bestselling author of novels like Honesty. But really, his story was only beginning.
In his first memoir, Brave (And Other Things I’ll Never Be), King recounts his journeys to a dozen countries across the globe to adopt his siblings, his bizarre days on the Disney lot alongside the likes of Michael Jackson and Miley Cyrus, and a life-shaking descent into depression and addiction after a ruinous breakup at the height of his writing career. (So maybe that meltdown is still on the way.) If you thought you knew him before, be prepared to think again.
Also includes never-before-asked-for advice on how to handle online dating debacles, how to deal with Internet trolls (hint: back away slowly), how to be brave and demand a seat at the table when the world just wants to shut you up, and what to do when a Russian government official tries to take you hostage on an adoption mission gone wrong (hint: run).
“Seth King is the voice of a new generation of authors.” – Prominent book review site
“Seth King is annoying and needs to go away.” – Anonymous Amazon commenter
“Who’s that? You mean he isn’t the guy who wrote Carrie?” – Everyone else in the world, probably
- GenresNonfictionM M Romance
138 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2016
21 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
Seth King
53 books1,868 followersSeth King is a twenty-eight-year-old American author.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 21, 2016
This is a hidden gem, and I’m so glad I found it. This breath of fresh air has laugh out loud moments, OMG revelations, and plenty of “holy sh*t, did he just say THAT?” type confessions. I was hooked from the first essay—I read this, all at once, TWICE. It’s that addictive. I’d describe it more as a collection of essays, musings, some auto-biographical, some celeb-dish gossipy, some touching, but all wildly entertaining. This is a page-flipper, and the cliché “I could not put it down” applies here. I’m still shocked I loved it so much—but I did. This treasure of a non-fiction from Seth King is a must-have, and I predict the must-read of the year. I hope there is more where this came from.
October 26, 2016
I am not usually a reader of nonfiction, autobiographies, memoirs and such BUT...
This was Seth Kings and if he rewrote my local telephone book I would read it. So I read his memoir! So glad I did!
First off it was FUNNY not boring and fact filled, it was little short stories from his life with comedy relief. Some very tough stories to tell with little snarky comments that just make you giggle. Descriptions of people, situations and places that just make you say 'Oh I have been there' or 'Yep, I know someone like that'. Of course even though I laughed my butt off I had some tears it is Seth King book after all.
But in the end we see Seth went through some crappy times but he is living and working toward his dream. He is a published author!! I wish he could go back to some of those bullies and naysayers and sing the Toby Keith song How Do You Like Me Now!
This was Seth Kings and if he rewrote my local telephone book I would read it. So I read his memoir! So glad I did!
First off it was FUNNY not boring and fact filled, it was little short stories from his life with comedy relief. Some very tough stories to tell with little snarky comments that just make you giggle. Descriptions of people, situations and places that just make you say 'Oh I have been there' or 'Yep, I know someone like that'. Of course even though I laughed my butt off I had some tears it is Seth King book after all.
But in the end we see Seth went through some crappy times but he is living and working toward his dream. He is a published author!! I wish he could go back to some of those bullies and naysayers and sing the Toby Keith song How Do You Like Me Now!
October 25, 2016
This is a first time read for me by this Author, I was recommended this book by another Author. Best recommendation I have gotten to date! Wow, Seriously I mean Wow, I don't care what your orientation is, this is something everyone should read! Not only is this book absolutely hilarious, it's full of bits of wisdom things we could all use in our daily lives, the things we over think,things we all put ourselves down for (at least some of us) he has put it all out for us! I highlighted several parts for my daughter who is 15 now to read when she needs reminders that she should be proud of who she is, and how to inspire others to do the same! On top of that I felt like I was sitting with him having a conversation instead reading a book, it was like you had known this author for years, makes me want to go buy every book he's ever written! His words are inspiring, honest, funny sad, and just plain awesome! Made me wish I would have known him as a kid. Side Note I don't suggest wearing a face mask towards the end of this book, it's emotional and crying well let's just say it wasn't pretty.. I look forward to reading more from him!
October 22, 2016
"Life is a game that nobody knows how to play.." but Seth does!
I loved this book. True to a work of Seth King, it had all the feels, but it was also witty and entertaining and humorous. Seth's story had me smiling, laughing, and wanting to reach out and hug him. He can tell a story like no one else. Every word I read of Seth's hits home. He has a way of reaching people where it means something.
I loved this book. True to a work of Seth King, it had all the feels, but it was also witty and entertaining and humorous. Seth's story had me smiling, laughing, and wanting to reach out and hug him. He can tell a story like no one else. Every word I read of Seth's hits home. He has a way of reaching people where it means something.
October 23, 2016
I truly have no words to describe how much I loved this book!!! I laughed out loud a lot and had to re read some parts. Seth was so honest and so much came from his heart. I don't even know him but I want to give him a big hug and tell him how brave he really is and how much his stories mean to so many people. He has such away with words and knows how to tell a story. Thanks for sharing them with us.
October 24, 2016
I loved this book.
Its full of happiness, heartbreak, quirky and its all Seth. I loved getting this insight. I loved getting to know what Seth thinks and how he feels. Most authors conveys that threw characters but this book don't need characters to hide behind.
Seth is an amazing guy even if he don't realize it. This book is full of inspiration.
Its full of happiness, heartbreak, quirky and its all Seth. I loved getting this insight. I loved getting to know what Seth thinks and how he feels. Most authors conveys that threw characters but this book don't need characters to hide behind.
Seth is an amazing guy even if he don't realize it. This book is full of inspiration.
October 25, 2016
Wow!
I've never read a memoir before, but I'm a fan of Seth King's writing so I wanted to give it a try. I'm so glad I did. This book is amazing!!! Can't wait to see what Mr. King writes next.
I've never read a memoir before, but I'm a fan of Seth King's writing so I wanted to give it a try. I'm so glad I did. This book is amazing!!! Can't wait to see what Mr. King writes next.
April 13, 2019
I love Seth King and of course I loved this book! It was open, honest and funny. I can't wait to read his next book! :)
October 25, 2016
Loved this book! It's LOL, makes you think, heartbreaking, wonderful read!! Seth is an amazing man and writer!
November 5, 2018
So real and utterly beautiful.
I just finished the most amazing book. I would say it's probably the best I've read this year. And that's so difficult for me to say because I normally don't pick favorites. It's too hard. Most readers will tell you this. But seriously this book left me with an impression I won't soon forget.
Let me first tell you why I even chose to read it. So I went to Rebels and Readers in Huntington this weekend and while I knew some of the authors, there were many attending I had no clue who they were. Seth Nicholas King is one such person. I first saw him Friday night at the Flashback party. He drew my attention because he was dressed in all black and had such a presence about him on and off the dance floor. He was a master of the piano. And it didn't hurt that he was gorgeous. Of course I was going to stop by his table Saturday. I wanted to meet this enigma. Well Saturday came and I was able to speak to him for just a minute as he asked about times at registration. He was so freakin' polite. I definitely wanted to know more about his books and see what he could write.
Moving ahead...Rebels has started. VIPs everywhere. I turn around and there's Seth's table and it's clear. Y'all don't even know. This is like a rarity. A sign from the angels.
You don't get a table all to yourself. It's a miracle. He's mine!! Well his books are. Soon to be. I approach. We talk. He's still the nicest. I purchase two books after talking to him about what he thinks I'll like etc. etc. I leave knowing somehow we are going to be BFFs.
Then I get home last night and get on KU. I borrow his memoir Brave (And Other Things I'll Never Be) ... I finished it today. I laughed. I cried. And I am in awe of this man. Everything about this book is real and raw. So dang beautiful.
I just finished the most amazing book. I would say it's probably the best I've read this year. And that's so difficult for me to say because I normally don't pick favorites. It's too hard. Most readers will tell you this. But seriously this book left me with an impression I won't soon forget.
Let me first tell you why I even chose to read it. So I went to Rebels and Readers in Huntington this weekend and while I knew some of the authors, there were many attending I had no clue who they were. Seth Nicholas King is one such person. I first saw him Friday night at the Flashback party. He drew my attention because he was dressed in all black and had such a presence about him on and off the dance floor. He was a master of the piano. And it didn't hurt that he was gorgeous. Of course I was going to stop by his table Saturday. I wanted to meet this enigma. Well Saturday came and I was able to speak to him for just a minute as he asked about times at registration. He was so freakin' polite. I definitely wanted to know more about his books and see what he could write.
Moving ahead...Rebels has started. VIPs everywhere. I turn around and there's Seth's table and it's clear. Y'all don't even know. This is like a rarity. A sign from the angels.
You don't get a table all to yourself. It's a miracle. He's mine!! Well his books are. Soon to be. I approach. We talk. He's still the nicest. I purchase two books after talking to him about what he thinks I'll like etc. etc. I leave knowing somehow we are going to be BFFs.
Then I get home last night and get on KU. I borrow his memoir Brave (And Other Things I'll Never Be) ... I finished it today. I laughed. I cried. And I am in awe of this man. Everything about this book is real and raw. So dang beautiful.
October 22, 2016
A must read!!
I read this book in one sitting because I just couldn't put it down! It was riveting, heartbreaking in some places, and funny in others. This author has opened himself and his life up in a way that you just couldn't help but want to be included as one of his friends or siblings. He's neurotic as all get out but aren't we all? He's just is brave enough to admit it. You can't help but end up loving him.
I read this book in one sitting because I just couldn't put it down! It was riveting, heartbreaking in some places, and funny in others. This author has opened himself and his life up in a way that you just couldn't help but want to be included as one of his friends or siblings. He's neurotic as all get out but aren't we all? He's just is brave enough to admit it. You can't help but end up loving him.
December 28, 2016
Interesting Read
This was my first read from Seth King. Honestly it's probably not the one to start with because it was personal - and for an author I don't know, it made it hard to understand.
Still... Seth King has brought a collective bunch of information together. He's candid and seemingly honest.
It's a quick and enjoyable read.
This was my first read from Seth King. Honestly it's probably not the one to start with because it was personal - and for an author I don't know, it made it hard to understand.
Still... Seth King has brought a collective bunch of information together. He's candid and seemingly honest.
It's a quick and enjoyable read.
January 1, 2018
Omygosh! Brave is absolutely a must read!! The author gives us tidbits of his life. So hilarious! Yep that's me. Been there, done that. Also, so life's lessons and how we perceive others. I would definitely recommend this book!!
February 5, 2018
DNF. I've enjoyed other books by Seth, but this was a bit much for me. I made it about 35-40% through and had to stop because of the ridiculousness. It may very well be his life, but even the writing was hard to take.
June 5, 2018
Loved it!
I loved this very real book by Seth King. It gives you insight into who he is as a person and how he sees the world. It makes me want to read more of his books and to just enjoy life.
I loved this very real book by Seth King. It gives you insight into who he is as a person and how he sees the world. It makes me want to read more of his books and to just enjoy life.
July 11, 2017
Review to come...
May 20, 2018
Funny and Insightful
I liked some of this. It was funny, personal and entertaining. I like seeing the real side to him and his family.
I liked some of this. It was funny, personal and entertaining. I like seeing the real side to him and his family.
July 19, 2019
Loved it!
I absolutely loved this book. I felt like I was sitting down for coffee with a friend,listening to their life story.
I absolutely loved this book. I felt like I was sitting down for coffee with a friend,listening to their life story.
March 29, 2017
This book had me laughing and crying, sometimes in the same sentence. Sooo many gems scattered throughout. I really needed a friend to be reading this with me so that I could explain my laughter and tears to someone!
May 23, 2022
Authors with mainstream publishers get the legitimate editors and their Google images have a pristine Photoshop quality (or dermatologist, orthodontist and professional make-up) that you won’t find in self-published authors. With all my own ranting and raving at typos I still can’t deny I find the raw uncensored self-published author rather alluring. Whatever super organizational skills (money and accolades) an actual publisher could have provided for this book, I am grateful that I read it as is, untouched by someone else’s idea of worthwhile. Beta reader is one thing; the “test audience” aiming for generic sameness is something else entirely.
Though mostly I hate reading self-help books. This, of course, is not that. People going on ad nauseam about what will make me happy pisses me the f— off. I don’t want someone else to define my happiness. I can do that all on my own thank you very much. I’m also not entirely sure how I feel about reading essays in a collection (which, in turn, this is), though I have written an inordinate amount of essays myself.
That said it is quite possible that a collection of someone else’s essays is just not my cup of tea (really I like coffee). Besides, I’m on the fence about stilettos. I wore those for over a quarter of a century that time lapsed through the latter part of the 70s, all of the 80s and most of the 90s. And I seriously cringe at the thought that I may have read the author (I’ve no idea who she is) who thought spewing vile at a child was ever even remotely okay.
My all time favorite essay (thus far) is still Annie Dillard’s The Death of the Moth; Ioverly overtly empathize (feel free to check out my “Reality Bites,” essay).
Still, Seth King takes a moment to remind the world that a voice doesn’t have to scream out in echoes to the rafters or in silence to the void. I’m all for a young man whose half my age and walks into glass doors telling me about his world POV. We each have one, like opinions and __ (fill in the blank). His is one I want to hear.
And though “night pools wetly” at her (Dillard) feet, brave is something he (King) truly is.
Lillian Carrero © 2019
https://lillian168.blogspot.com/p/i-h...
Though mostly I hate reading self-help books. This, of course, is not that. People going on ad nauseam about what will make me happy pisses me the f— off. I don’t want someone else to define my happiness. I can do that all on my own thank you very much. I’m also not entirely sure how I feel about reading essays in a collection (which, in turn, this is), though I have written an inordinate amount of essays myself.
That said it is quite possible that a collection of someone else’s essays is just not my cup of tea (really I like coffee). Besides, I’m on the fence about stilettos. I wore those for over a quarter of a century that time lapsed through the latter part of the 70s, all of the 80s and most of the 90s. And I seriously cringe at the thought that I may have read the author (I’ve no idea who she is) who thought spewing vile at a child was ever even remotely okay.
My all time favorite essay (thus far) is still Annie Dillard’s The Death of the Moth; I
Still, Seth King takes a moment to remind the world that a voice doesn’t have to scream out in echoes to the rafters or in silence to the void. I’m all for a young man whose half my age and walks into glass doors telling me about his world POV. We each have one, like opinions and __ (fill in the blank). His is one I want to hear.
And though “night pools wetly” at her (Dillard) feet, brave is something he (King) truly is.
Lillian Carrero © 2019
https://lillian168.blogspot.com/p/i-h...
November 8, 2016
Brave (And Other Things I'll Never Be) by Seth King is sweet, laugh out loud funny and poignant. Up to this point he has lead a very interesting life. Seth has great insights & advice for all ages. Brave is a look at the first act of Seth King’s life. He shares things that have happened to him that have left marks on his Soul, some positive/ some negative. You will have a stronger connection to Seth Kings writing.
“Life is a game that nobody knows how to play- some are just better at faking it than others.”
And Seth King is wrong, Brave is just one of the many things he is. Seth King is a wonderful wordsmith, Brave is a window not only into his life but his work ethic. Brave (And Other Things I'll Never Be) by Seth King is a story that does not disappoint on any level. Brave is a memoir not to be missed. Give Brave a try, I loved it.
Thanks Seth King & Good Writing
“Life is a game that nobody knows how to play- some are just better at faking it than others.”
And Seth King is wrong, Brave is just one of the many things he is. Seth King is a wonderful wordsmith, Brave is a window not only into his life but his work ethic. Brave (And Other Things I'll Never Be) by Seth King is a story that does not disappoint on any level. Brave is a memoir not to be missed. Give Brave a try, I loved it.
Thanks Seth King & Good Writing
November 4, 2016
Not only does this book include many amazing stories from the adventurous life of Seth King, it's sprinkled with life advice. GOOD advice. In my opinion, this book is gold. It's witty, opinionated and fucking REAL. I think I appreciate that the most. We live in a world with so much phony petty bullshit, it was so refreshing to read him break that stuff down, throw in some seriously LOL funny one liners, and reveal life's weirdness for what it really is. I've never read anything like this and I probably never will. I think this book is a solid winner!
December 31, 2016
I really enjoyed this! It has happiness, it has heartbreak and it portrays Seth! I love that he is honest and I have to agree with his do not do's while writing a book! I had several Laugh out loud moments and a lot of Yes, I am so glad he said that! You truly inspire me to be a better person.
Once I started this book I couldn't put it down. I read it in less than 45 minutes. It is a must read!
Thank you Seth for giving us readers more of you! You are a true inspiration
Once I started this book I couldn't put it down. I read it in less than 45 minutes. It is a must read!
Thank you Seth for giving us readers more of you! You are a true inspiration
February 5, 2017
Brave is an understatement
Seth, like Winnie the Pooh always said, You are Braver then you Believe!! What a journey you have traveled. You made me laugh, you made me cry and most of all, you made me believe there are still good people left in the world. Your brother is proud of you for what you are doing for his children, and also for what you books are doing for other. Thank you :)
Seth, like Winnie the Pooh always said, You are Braver then you Believe!! What a journey you have traveled. You made me laugh, you made me cry and most of all, you made me believe there are still good people left in the world. Your brother is proud of you for what you are doing for his children, and also for what you books are doing for other. Thank you :)
October 26, 2016
A must read
Better have some tissue near by. This will hit you in the feels. Seeing the strength in someone who seemed not able to catch a break, be able find a way to move on and not let it break them completely. This made me reevaluate my life. It may make you rethink yours. A must read.
Better have some tissue near by. This will hit you in the feels. Seeing the strength in someone who seemed not able to catch a break, be able find a way to move on and not let it break them completely. This made me reevaluate my life. It may make you rethink yours. A must read.
May 3, 2017
Brave
It's an amazing peek into the mastermind of so many great books, many have experienced some of the situations he speaks about but have never been able to put them into words so beautifully. He shows that from heartbreak the most amazing experiences can come.
It's an amazing peek into the mastermind of so many great books, many have experienced some of the situations he speaks about but have never been able to put them into words so beautifully. He shows that from heartbreak the most amazing experiences can come.
November 27, 2016
I really love all that is Seth King and this was a really fun read.
Full Review Coming
Full Review Coming
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews