RISK!

by Kevin Allison (Editor)

A "fascinating" ( MetroSource ) collection of uncensored, confessional, and at times outrageously funny essays about coming of age, coming out, and the wildest experiences that define us.

Collecting the most celebrated stories from the hit podcast RISK! , along with all-new true tales about explosive secrets and off-the-wall adventures, this book paints a spellbinding portrait of the transformational moments we experience in life but rarely talk about. No topics are off-limits in RISK! , no memories too revealing to share. From accidentally harboring a teen fugitive to being poisoned while tripping on LSD in the Mayan ruins, these stories transport readers into uncharted territory and show how your life can change when you take an extraordinary leap.

In these jaw-dropping stories, edited and introduced by RISK! host Kevin Allison, writers reveal how they pushed drugs for a Mexican cartel only to end up kidnapped and nearly killed, how they joined a terrifying male-empowerment cult and fought desperately for a way out, how they struggled with pregnancy complications and found a hero where they least expected it, and so much more. A lifelong construction worker shares the intimate details of transitioning to being a woman, a bestselling author discusses how he assumed the identity of his babysitter online in a social experiment gone awry, and a beloved comedian discusses how a blow job from a prostitute changed his life. By turns cautionary and inspiring, RISK! presents an extraordinary panorama of the breadth of human experience and a stunning tribute to the power of the truth to set us free.

Genres: Nonfiction, Short Stories, Biography, Audiobook, Comedy, Essays, Memoir

400 pages, Paperback

First published July 17, 2018

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh man, I really was not expecting to be in the position of writing this bitter review, but, alas, here we are...

It's funny, really, because I went into Risk! the MOST excited after having read the very first story and received such a positive feeling throughout my reading, which is exactly what made me request a copy from the publisher, who kindly provided one. With Great Beauty by A. J. Jacobs is a story set on finding an online match for his babysitter who "happens to be crazy hot." The author talks to guys he meets online through her profile, which grants him an insider's look into what it means to be a beautiful woman, living vicariously through her: "because with great beauty comes great responsibility."



An incredible start to the collection; it set the mood for what's to come, in my mind. And yet I continued reading only to discover how utterly mistaken I was. The introducing story is the peak of happiness that this collection hits.

I was expecting this to be in the vein of The Moth Presents All These Wonders by Catherine Burns, where we have a mix between the happy and sad, tragic and wistful. But this is just non-stop tragedy thrown your way, and I felt misled.

The consecutive stories that follow in Risk! all settle for the same damn shock-factor: death. It all comes across quite jarring since nearly every essay settles for announcing these out-of-nowhere deaths and suicides and killings. There's no build-up preparing the reader; it’s like those jump-scares in horror movies that are only there to shake you up and don't add depth to the story.

Also, some trigger warnings before certain pivotal stories would've been much appreciated. I settled for checking out the Q&A at the end of each essay to get a clue for what's ahead. There are deeply unsettling stories featured in here that at times made me feel physically revolted, enough to lower my need to reach for this book. It's sad that these jarring stories came to overshadow those that are full of fragile, wide open, lingering truths.

Taking away filters may be fun for the teller, but I don’t want anyone else to be hurt.

Unfortunately, that's not even the worst of it all. The worst of it all I can grant to Nimisha Ladva's An American Family. Oh damn, my heart beats furiously just thinking about where to start with this one.

This story has a) no redeeming quality whatsoever b) literally raised my wrath without even trying, while I read it in the morning, which c) pissed me off for the rest of the day.

And it all comes down to this moment on her wedding day with David, who's Jewish:

She leans in, puts her hand tenderly over David's head, and gives him his gift. That is when I see it for the first time.
My mother has painted a swastika on it.

This, instead of being addressed, is then excused as being a part of their culture way before "the evil bad Nazis took it". UMMM... 


How can the mother be this desensitized to not realize the scope of the person in front of her? Never thought I'd need to write this down, but take a minute before pulling out the swastika and consider the connotations of whether or not it's appropriate in front of a person who's clearly not Hindu.

And David, if there's ever been a clearer sign for a Jew to make a RUN for it (on his wedding day, no less), this is it. But the man wasn't even fazed. Moral of the story: American culture has him so brainwashed he doesn’t even blink at the sight of a swastika from his own in-laws. I am terrified that my own people are forgetting history this rapidly. Stop depleting your roots, PLEASE.

I feel like the quote from Yosl Rakover Talks to God, on the world moving on all too quickly by not holding Nazis and their silent accomplices accountable, seems all too fitting in here:

“The world will consume itself in its own evil, it will drown in its own blood.

The murderers have already pronounced judgment on themselves, and they will not escape it. But You, I beg You, pronounce Your guilty verdict, a doubly harsh verdict, on those who witness murder and remain silent!

On those who condemn murder with their lips while they rejoice over it in their hearts.

On those who say in their wicked hearts: Yes, it is true that the tyrant is evil, but he is also doing a job for which we will always be grateful to Him.”

After, it was pretty much impossible for Risk!  to have any redeeming points. That's not to say that I didn't try multiple times to move on. But you know, when you have such a favorable first impression of a book, you subconsciously hold on a little longer hoping for that spark to reappear... But it never did with this one.

This is where the subtitle, "True Stories People Never Thought They'd Dare to Share," paints a clear picture for why it's best to keep some things to ourselves.

Expected publication: July 17th, 2018





Support creators you love. Buy a Coffee for nat (bookspoils) with http://Ko-fi.com/bookspoils

[Jordan B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a nosy person by nature. I love hearing other people’s interesting stories. This book has it all and it satisfies the voyeur in me. It’s heartbreaking, hideous and beautiful just like the human experience.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, raw emotional stories. I found this one in my local Vroman's little free libraries. I will definitely pass it on.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read it in a few hours on an airplane. I’m already a huge fan of the podcast; some stories I had heard before. The repeat stories were good enough to warrant inclusion in this book and I enjoyed revisiting them. Most stories were new to me; some were from comedians and writers I love, like Marc Maron.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe it’s because I’m not familiar with the podcast, but I didn’t really like this book very much. A couple of the stories were moving and well-written, but most were disjointed, confusing, or boring. I’m sure it’s better to hear these stories being told by the people themselves, I just don’t think they translate well to the page/written word. Only finished this because it was a present.

[Regan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been on the Risk show twice and took my freshly purchased copy with me the second time to get signed by Kevin...and then literal YEARS passed and I still hadn't read it. Well. Today was the day! LOL, OK, not exactly, but I am surprised at how long it took me to get around to reading this little gem.

I will admit, written personal true stories have a different vibe than told ones, but most of these translate well (and some are quite different than the told versions from the podcast). Each one is short enough to be an "I'll just read for a quick minute" satisfaction, but you can also sit down an plow through a bunch if you feel like a longer reading engagement.

Overall, thoroughly enjoyable. I highly recommend! And go listen to the Risk podcast!

[Dale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanted to like this more. I love the podcast, but something is lost between the stage and the page when you can't hear the intonation of the various story tellers. Maybe try the audiobook rather than the print version. It's a quick read, though, and it was a nice break from the heavy nonfiction I've been reading lately.

[Lizeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give this book a 5 star. I loved it very very much. It's basically a book of different and so many short stories, very interesting, funny, sad, happy, risky stories you never thought someone would share with you or anyone else in this world.

[Brittany Makufka · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good book.
I LOVE the Risk podcast. After a few years of changing jobs and changing my podcast listening habits, Risk has always stayed on my app's "download every week" list.
I loved reading the stories, and I only recognized one or two that I had heard already on the podcast. But I loved reading them again. I liked that they were shorter and I could get through one or two during my lunch break. So that makes the book easy to pick up and set back down again and not worry that you won't remember where you left off.
All that said - I just couldn't help but want to hear the stories, rather than read them. What makes Risk (and other storytelling podcasts) so great is to hear the person tell their story - all of their emphasis and inflection and laughter and passion. That comes through surprisingly well here in the written format, but I still just wanted to hear it. Maybe the audiobook would have been a better option.
That said, it's definitely what I would expect from Risk. You laugh, you cry, you cringe, you feel incredibly moved. Thank you, Kevin, and the Risk Storytellers!

[Drew Boles · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve not listened to the Risk! podcast, but I can imagine a lot of these stories work much better on the stage; something gets lost in their translation to the page.

There is actually a huge divide between storytelling and writing, something this book doesn’t really understand and thus thoroughly underscores. It is clear that most of these people are not writers, and I imagine a number of these stories are far more successful when in their original state as a performed oral piece. It’s honestly a little perplexing that a wildly successful podcast of this nature would be made into a book to begin with.

That said, many of the stories were moderately compelling, and they made for easy and quick nighttime reading. So overall, a decent experience. But a fairly forgettable one that I doubt I’d be recommending to anybody else. If anything, I’d just tell people to listen to the podcast (the one I’ve never listened to) instead.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a new listener of the RISK! podcast and requested an advanced reading copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoy hearing people's stories, especially those of life-changing and defining moments. This book kept me engaged the entire time because of the variety of stories - stories that make you question humanity, stories that make you cry tears of joy, and stories that make you laugh out loud. I was familiar with some of the storytellers (Aisha Tyler, Michael Ian Black, Paul F. Thompkins), but many were new to me - and I cannot wait to check out their other content. The chapters were fairly short and perfect for when I only had a few minutes at a time to read.

[Anandatic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having been a fan of the RISK! podcast for 6+ years, I was really looking forward to the book, and quite enjoyed it. There is a great variety of stories from many walks of life, and they fulfill the book's title to a T.

Most of the storytellers are definitely more accustomed to oral VS written storytelling, and I did find that listening to their stories on the podcast felt like a more powerful experience compared to reading them here. However, the short Q&A's after each story were a wonderful way of giving more insight into each storyteller and their story - I wished they were even longer!

Overall a really fun, quick read that I'd highly recommend, and a great way to get into the podcast as well.

[Bryon Brandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've recently joined an ACA group for Adult Children of Alcoholic and Dysfunctional Families.
There I've come to realize I'm more Intellectual than Feeling of my Emotions.
While being emotionally quite stable can seem nice, having more Emotions would likely help drive my Intellectual Decisions and Achievement of my Goals.

So I'm looking for ways to prod me into connecting with my feelings more.

And somehow I came across this book.
(Wish I knew how to Thank Them.)

While some of the stories seemed almost too far out to believe they are true,
most tweaked a chord somewhere inside me that I feel more popcorn popping now.
Have already started relistening to this book to help continue this internal awakening process.

[Nicholas Zacharewicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent introduction and companion to the podcast!

If you're not a listener, this collection of stories from the show offers an excellent look at the variety of stories featured on the podcast. It really gives you a great sense of what the show is all about.

If you've heard a few episodes before (or even a few of the stories in this book), it's still worth picking up because sitting down and reading these intimate, humane, stories is quite a different experience than hearing them while going about your day.

Either way, this is a great book for lovers of stories and storytelling.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been listening to the Risk! Podcast for, 7-8 years? I've heard all of these stories told on the show over the years. It's meant so much to ride these emotional, true life roller coasters with the people who lived it. I think I prefer the audio, but being familiar with so many of the peoples' voices, I could hear so many people telling their stories as I read them. I'm curious how people who don't listen to the show react to the book. Still, it's a great companion to the podcast and easy to reference to find something specific and go back to, which sometimes the show is not.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this book, as I learned Risk is a podcast on which people confess to things that happened in their lives that they've never told anyone else or are ashamed to admit, but need to purge it. To me, this is an uneven collection in that some of the stories just didn't suit my taste. Others I thought were valuable, relatable and could be seen as cautionary tales to others. If I had to do it over, I think if I wasn't into a story or the subject, I would skip past it without losing the overall concept of the book.

[Liam Dillow · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some interesting stories in here and I’m a huge fan of the podcast, but overall I find the stories don’t transfer to the page well.

In a live setting these storytellers can communicate so much more nuance of emotion and perspective, but unfortunately morph into one-dimensional characters in stories that unfold in short sentences lacking descriptive language that make the authors seem less reflective than they actually are.

It reads more like cookbook recipes. I highly recommend checking out the podcast though.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Admittedly, I’ve not listened to this podcast or seen the live show, so I went into reading this without really knowing what to expect. That said, it was okay. The stories were interesting, but some felt unfinished, left me wondering “well, what happened?!” The little interview questions (if you can call 2 questions an interview) at the end of each chapter were pointless and annoying. Overall, I think this one is probably better as a podcast.

[Crystal M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook, so it felt very much like listening to the podcast, which I was already familiar with. The stories are unique, surprising, and well-written. However, it was difficult for me to continue because of the unpredictability- I didn't know if the story would be happy, sad, disturbing, etc, so I was hesitant to keep reading. I'd recommend this book to adults who like Humans of New York, taboo topics, and emotionally moving experiences.

[Charlie Tolbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great comprehensive, introductory book for listening to super bold, raw stories. I’ve been a fan of the podcast for years, and while I do prefer hearing these stories as live recordings told by the original storyteller, this book is a great listen as well. The stories themselves hold up (albeit some may be dated by now) and if you’re a fan of the podcast as well, you’ll probably recognize some of them.

[Cheryl Jensen · Rating 2 out of 5]

These stories are from the podcast of the same name. I am skeptical that they never thought they'd dare to share, it seems most of the authors were pleased to do so. Some of the experiences stood out for their uniqueness, but they were few. Several involved the author discovering their sexuality, which is personal and important for the individual, but as many of their stories are similar, the narratives become rather repetitive.

[Fawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of the podcast, I thought I would take a RISK and read the book. It’s such an unusual collection of stories, many stories are moving or totally outside of my experiences and/or celebrate humanity. I think it’s important to bear witness to people’s stories - and RISK really provides that platform. Thanks Kevin (and please don’t stop singing!).

[Shona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading stories of peoples lives, and having heard the RISK! Podcast I couldnt pass up on the book.

The best review is not my own, but is on the first page of the book "RISK! uncovers life at its most hilarious and terrifying. Each story leads readers over a tripwire and leaves you thinking, 'wow.....'"
This is so accurate, the stories gave me goosebumps, happiness and sadness. Loved it.

[Casian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to this as an audio book as I am used to the podcast format of risk. Each story was beautifully told and had an important life message to deliver. Absolutely incredible and a must read for everyone l. Comedic stories, emotionally moving stories, so many lessons learned from other people’s unique experiences.

[Marit · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've listened to dozens of the podcast episodes and maybe it's because these stories are meant to be told aloud to audiences, rather than read in solitude, but I found myself less engaged than when I listened to the podcast. The stories are still moving and shocking and beautiful, but they feel unfinished and lacking.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

True stories told by the people who lived them on topics they never thought they'd share publicly. Daring, evocative, and not for the faint of heart. Some of them will make you cringe, some will make you think. All will affect you and make you look at your own experiences in a very different way.

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of some of the best true stories from the Risk! storytelling podcast (which is perhaps the best storytelling podcast). Risk stories are raw, uncensored, heartwrenching, hilarious, and told by people from all walks of life. Risk gets right down to the core of what it means to be human.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was interesting reading other peoples confessions.. I respect the stories because they are true but some were seriously disturbing..read with caution and a very open mind. Listened to as an audio book.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Even though many of the stories are featured on the podcast there is something powerful about reading them. It takes the experience to another level. Hope there is another book in the future!!!!!!!

[Laryssa Wirstiuk · Rating 3 out of 5]

A total mixed bag! There are some really interesting (and well written) stories in here, but there are also a lot of not-great ones that could have used some workshopping. Overall I didn’t hate reading this book, but I’m not sure I’d necessary recommend it.