What do you think?
Rate this book
Keeping Your Cool: a post-teen tale of relations, frustrations, and bodily functions
For a young, unemployed college dropout goth like Jim Scarpelli, the bars and clubs of Chicago are a refuge. And never more so than in the spring of 1989, when Jim’s primary goal in life is to escape his suburban boyhood home and live in the city, where he can finally enjoy the urban high life he’s always dreamed about.
Then he meets Barb, an artist whose hoity-toity background underscores just how plebian his own his. Sparks fly, but Jim is terrified she might discover the truth of his situation and immediately drop him for the loser he is. How to avoid such a fate?
Jim sets out to convince her that not only does he indeed live in the city, but that he is gainfully employed and interested in going back to school as well. And Barb, much to his delight, seems to be buying it. Buying it so gullibly, in fact, that after those first few orgasm-addled days actually begins hinting that perhaps Jim should move into her tiny little studio apartment with her, the tiny little studio apartment she’s been having trouble affording on her own ever since her jerk ex-boyfriend moved out. The tiny little studio apartment that sabotages all of Jim’s attempts to pretend that a svelte, black-clad goth such as he does not need to move his bowels like every other mope on the planet.
But Jim is game. He’ll need a job, and will even have to look into going back to school. But how long can he endure the mind-numbing boredom of telemarketry, not to mention the alcoholic insanity of Marko, his crazy, conspiracy-theorist co-worker? And does he really have to enroll in a community college and retake calculus again, a subject so bewildering that it turns him into a drooling doofus? All in the hopes of impressing Barb? And to what end, eventual marriage one day? It’s enough to make him want to run back home in his pointy black booties and be a manchild for the rest of his life!
Thus is set in motion a series of misadventures in which Jim battles enemies both annoying—Barb’s snide, haughty best friend and the cackling, ghoulish interloper trying to steal away his own best friend—to downright frightening, such as Barb’s pugilistic ex-boyfriend and Marko’s phantom ex-bandmate, who, it just might be possible, is stalking him for nefarious, supernatural purposes. But there’s also taunting Cubs fans, pot-smoking, paranoia-inducing teenage Sixties Twins with malevolent psionic powers, and violent Ogreboys, whose antics are quite frightening to witness under the influence of an LSD-besotted brain. All of them, however, pale in comparison to Jim’s most implacable enemies—his own insecurities, lusts, and hangover-agitated innards.
From Wrigleyville and Wicker Park to mysterious South Side lofts, Jim battles away, desperately trying to keep his cover intact, his frustrations at bay, and his bodily functions in line as he becomes evermore entangled in the baffling webs of adulthood.
Then he meets Barb, an artist whose hoity-toity background underscores just how plebian his own his. Sparks fly, but Jim is terrified she might discover the truth of his situation and immediately drop him for the loser he is. How to avoid such a fate?
Jim sets out to convince her that not only does he indeed live in the city, but that he is gainfully employed and interested in going back to school as well. And Barb, much to his delight, seems to be buying it. Buying it so gullibly, in fact, that after those first few orgasm-addled days actually begins hinting that perhaps Jim should move into her tiny little studio apartment with her, the tiny little studio apartment she’s been having trouble affording on her own ever since her jerk ex-boyfriend moved out. The tiny little studio apartment that sabotages all of Jim’s attempts to pretend that a svelte, black-clad goth such as he does not need to move his bowels like every other mope on the planet.
But Jim is game. He’ll need a job, and will even have to look into going back to school. But how long can he endure the mind-numbing boredom of telemarketry, not to mention the alcoholic insanity of Marko, his crazy, conspiracy-theorist co-worker? And does he really have to enroll in a community college and retake calculus again, a subject so bewildering that it turns him into a drooling doofus? All in the hopes of impressing Barb? And to what end, eventual marriage one day? It’s enough to make him want to run back home in his pointy black booties and be a manchild for the rest of his life!
Thus is set in motion a series of misadventures in which Jim battles enemies both annoying—Barb’s snide, haughty best friend and the cackling, ghoulish interloper trying to steal away his own best friend—to downright frightening, such as Barb’s pugilistic ex-boyfriend and Marko’s phantom ex-bandmate, who, it just might be possible, is stalking him for nefarious, supernatural purposes. But there’s also taunting Cubs fans, pot-smoking, paranoia-inducing teenage Sixties Twins with malevolent psionic powers, and violent Ogreboys, whose antics are quite frightening to witness under the influence of an LSD-besotted brain. All of them, however, pale in comparison to Jim’s most implacable enemies—his own insecurities, lusts, and hangover-agitated innards.
From Wrigleyville and Wicker Park to mysterious South Side lofts, Jim battles away, desperately trying to keep his cover intact, his frustrations at bay, and his bodily functions in line as he becomes evermore entangled in the baffling webs of adulthood.
- GenresHistory
646 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 14, 2017
8 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 11, 2025
Hilarious, honest, and painfully relatable.”
Bill Franz absolutely nails the awkward messiness of early adulthood. Jim Scarpelli’s inner monologue complete with that snarky voice in his head, “Little Snidey”, is one of the most entertaining things I’ve read in a long time. The dialogue feels so real, and the scenes of Chicago’s underground scene are full of color and energy.
What I loved most was how the book balances humor with heartbreak. Jim’s lies aren’t malicious but they’re the product of fear and insecurity, which makes them deeply human. I alternated between laughing out loud and wincing in recognition.
It’s a wild, immersive ride through youthful self-delusion and fragile identity. If you liked High Fidelity or Catcher in the Rye, this one’s for you.
Bill Franz absolutely nails the awkward messiness of early adulthood. Jim Scarpelli’s inner monologue complete with that snarky voice in his head, “Little Snidey”, is one of the most entertaining things I’ve read in a long time. The dialogue feels so real, and the scenes of Chicago’s underground scene are full of color and energy.
What I loved most was how the book balances humor with heartbreak. Jim’s lies aren’t malicious but they’re the product of fear and insecurity, which makes them deeply human. I alternated between laughing out loud and wincing in recognition.
It’s a wild, immersive ride through youthful self-delusion and fragile identity. If you liked High Fidelity or Catcher in the Rye, this one’s for you.
October 13, 2025
This is easily one of the funniest and most heartbreaking character studies I’ve read in years. Jim Scarpelli might be a train wreck, but he’s an incredibly self-aware one, and watching him stumble through relationships and bad decisions is oddly therapeutic.
The book’s stream-of-consciousness style and vivid internal dialogue make it feel like you’re trapped inside Jim’s head — and that’s a wild, hilarious, sometimes claustrophobic experience. Franz’s prose is sharp and witty, yet unexpectedly tender when it needs to be.
A must-read for anyone who appreciates flawed, authentic characters and clever writing.
The book’s stream-of-consciousness style and vivid internal dialogue make it feel like you’re trapped inside Jim’s head — and that’s a wild, hilarious, sometimes claustrophobic experience. Franz’s prose is sharp and witty, yet unexpectedly tender when it needs to be.
A must-read for anyone who appreciates flawed, authentic characters and clever writing.
October 13, 2025
The humor in this book is top-tier. Jim’s chaotic thoughts, awkward interactions, and constant self-sabotage are both hysterical and heartbreaking. The writing is razor-sharp, full of rhythm and personality.
Franz brings 1989 Chicago to life with such texture — you can feel the clubs, the cheap beer, the awkward romance. The book’s energy is infectious.
It’s crude at times, but that’s part of its charm. Beneath the jokes lies a story about self-acceptance that sneaks up on you.
October 13, 2025
This novel captures that exact feeling of being twenty-something, broke, and completely lost. The humor is dark and sometimes offbeat, but that’s what makes it work. It’s unfiltered, messy, and totally alive.
Jim’s relationship with Barb feels real equal parts lust, insecurity, and confusion. And I loved the subtle undercurrent of loneliness beneath all the bravado.
Not everyone will get it, but those who do will love it. It’s the kind of book that lingers long after you’re done.
October 13, 2025
From the first page, I knew I was in good hands. The voice is snarky, intelligent, and full of heart. Jim’s relationship with Barb is written with such tenderness and realism. the awkwardness, the overthinking, the moments of quiet connection.
What I appreciated most is that the book doesn’t romanticize self-destruction or “coolness.” It shows how exhausting it is to maintain an illusion, how liberating honesty can be.
It’s raw, it’s hilarious, and it’s unexpectedly moving. Readers who like Bukowski, Hornby, or early Irving will eat this up.
What I appreciated most is that the book doesn’t romanticize self-destruction or “coolness.” It shows how exhausting it is to maintain an illusion, how liberating honesty can be.
It’s raw, it’s hilarious, and it’s unexpectedly moving. Readers who like Bukowski, Hornby, or early Irving will eat this up.
October 13, 2025
This book threw me right back into that confusing space between youth and adulthood, when everything feels urgent and meaningless all at once. Jim Scarpelli is a disaster in the best way possible. He lies, he panics, he overthinks every interaction, and somehow you love him for it.
The 1980s Chicago backdrop is vivid without feeling like a gimmick. I could smell the cigarette smoke, hear the post-punk tracks, and feel the sticky floors of those parties.
Franz’s voice is confident and funny. The humor sneaks up on you, then the emotion hits hard. Absolutely loved this one.
The 1980s Chicago backdrop is vivid without feeling like a gimmick. I could smell the cigarette smoke, hear the post-punk tracks, and feel the sticky floors of those parties.
Franz’s voice is confident and funny. The humor sneaks up on you, then the emotion hits hard. Absolutely loved this one.
October 13, 2025
Reading Keeping Your Cool feels like falling into someone’s fever dream, chaotic, funny, uncomfortable, but impossible to put down. Jim’s internal dialogue had me laughing out loud more than once.
At times, it’s a little too explicit or meandering, but that’s also what makes it feel authentic. Life at that age is messy and directionless, and Franz captures that beautifully.
It’s literary fiction that doesn’t take itself too seriously, that’s refreshing.
At times, it’s a little too explicit or meandering, but that’s also what makes it feel authentic. Life at that age is messy and directionless, and Franz captures that beautifully.
It’s literary fiction that doesn’t take itself too seriously, that’s refreshing.
October 13, 2025
This book is undeniably well-written, with a strong sense of place and character. The dialogue is excellent, and the 1980s Chicago vibe feels authentic.
My only issue was how much time we spend in Jim’s thoughts. It’s realistic, sure but sometimes I wanted the story to move forward instead of circling around his insecurities.
Still, the humor and honesty kept me reading. It’s an impressive debut, even if it’s not a perfect one.
My only issue was how much time we spend in Jim’s thoughts. It’s realistic, sure but sometimes I wanted the story to move forward instead of circling around his insecurities.
Still, the humor and honesty kept me reading. It’s an impressive debut, even if it’s not a perfect one.
October 16, 2025
Jim’s desperation to reinvent himself is both cringeworthy and heartbreakingly familiar. The author walks a fine line between comedy and tragedy and somehow nails both.
The book’s greatest strength is its honesty. Franz isn’t afraid to make his character look foolish, but he also gives him dignity in the smallest moments.
It’s a raw slice of late-80s youth culture, and I loved every awkward, beer-soaked minute of it.
I really love this book!
The book’s greatest strength is its honesty. Franz isn’t afraid to make his character look foolish, but he also gives him dignity in the smallest moments.
It’s a raw slice of late-80s youth culture, and I loved every awkward, beer-soaked minute of it.
I really love this book!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews