You Ought to Know Adam Wade

by Adam Wade

What? You don’t know Adam Wade? Here’s your chance! Adam Wade’s personal-yet-universal stories and vulnerable delivery have made him one of the most popular storytellers and comedians in the country on "story slam" platforms like The Moth and Comedy Central’s Whiplash.

This Audible Original, performed on stage in front of a live audience, combines Wade’s greatest hits stories with entirely new material. It takes listeners on a guided tour through Adam’s life, starting with his humble beginnings as a geeky but lovable underdog in rural New Hampshire. Adam then lets listeners in on the support he received from his family and friends as he overcame countless obstacles to achieve his dream of making it as a comedic storyteller in New York City.

Adam’s nuanced observations, openness, and wit transform these coming-of-age tales into funny, impactful, and universal stories of joy and hope. Wade’s stories pull listeners in, reminding them of what it is to be human and that we all experience happiness, shame, failures, triumphs, and moments of incredible courage.

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction, Humor, Comedy, Memoir, Autobiography, Biography

Audio CD

First published January 2, 2020

Reviews

[Karen Manna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! What a great story teller. A+ listen!

[elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to this via Audible. It was nice, and light, and I appreciated how emotional he got sometimes.

[نزار شهاب الدين · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is really embarrassing. First, it's not stand-up comedy, but rather an attempt at storytelling on stage. The performer tried to sound sincere and down to earth but ended up so overreacting, artificial, and borderline pathetic. I even moved from feeling upset at him to feeling bad for him.
A waste of time.

[Дмитрий · Rating 1 out of 5]

Это было знать необязательно

[Elizabeth Frey-Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Audible Original, this is a sometimes maudlin and sometimes funny memoir, highlighting episodes from Wade's life. The pacing is a little uneven, but the stories are earnest.

[Kue Tee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually enjoyed this short but sweet book.

[Mrs.Chardonnay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A coming of age narrative interspersed with life's ups and downs in rural New Hampshire.... some of it funny, some downright tragic, but ultimately heartwarming. The longer I listened, the more I enjoyed it. I liked the last two chapters the most, including memories of his college years when he split a heart shaped pizza and a first kiss with a girl whose perfume smelled like powdered sugar, and his final journey to New York City to break into the "story slam" scene. Overall, I enjoyed this.

[Jack Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A personal memoir. Comedian, Adam Wade, reflects on his life. Adam describes awkwardness, low self-esteem, geekiness, humiliation, bullying, and shyness while demonstrating an ability to express himself cogently, laugh at himself, and accept himself for who he is. A natural story-teller, Adam Wade, recounts his life introspectively, highlighting pivotal moments. His story is mildly funny accented with inflections and mannerisms that easily relate to human frailty and inhibition. He is courageous enough to allow his real sensitive feelings emerge at the conclusion of certain episodes in his life exposing vulnerability, giving the rendition more character.

[Onionboy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The narrator was very earnest, and put his all into telling these stories. He is very open and honest. But the stories just aren't that compelling. My problem is that they don't really have a point, a conclusion. He builds up to what feels like it should be a great ending, then the story just stops. I think this style may be more common in the story slams that he is a part of. But in general public, I feel like stories need a compelling point to justify them.

As others have said, you wind up feeling more embarrassed for him rather than connecting to him and relating.

[Tracie Kowalski · Rating 2 out of 5]

An Audible original that fell flat in my opinion. It's a memoir/bio of storyteller, performer, comedian Adam Wade told through his own stories, in his own voice. The artist is mildly funny at times but not hysterical and at times becomes so emotional he chokes out the ends of his sentences. The whole thing is performed in front of a live audience, making the audible public reaction awkward. Just a meh for me.

[Jenny Stevens · Rating 2 out of 5]

I downloaded this thinking it'd be something to keep me laughing when I've got a lot on my mind. Some of the comedy sketches were entertaining, but the majority of the time it was just a guy telling self-deprecating stories about how horrible his life has been with a few exceptions along the way. Not my thing.

[Jackie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok, I had this book in my library for quite some time, and a few days ago, decided to finally read it. I have to say, I'm disappointed. I get that it's supposed to be a memoir but, I guess I wasn't impressed by the storytelling skills.

[Alex · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m sure he’s a great guy, but those stories are so general and without any punches. Not my cup of tea. GL though

[Kathie Lambert · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was barely amusing. Probably got 1/2 way thru it and realized I didn't care. Pulled the earbuds out and found something more interesting.

[Doodle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not funny 

I couldn't finish this one. It just wasn't funny and wasn't interesting. Boring. It was a freebie, but I love comedy and was hoping it would be at least somewhat entertaining.

[Valia (beingshelfaware) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

You Ought to Know by Adam Wade, was a unique audiobook. I was attracted to Adam’s stories by the book description that mentioned him participating in story slams on The Moth. I love The Moth podcast, even though I don’t listen very often anymore because I listen to audiobooks instead. In fact, podcasts such as The Moth and This American Life directly influenced by consumption of audiobooks. Since I enjoyed listening to the stories on the podcasts, I decided to try listening to audiobooks. It has been great and given me to opportunity to read so many more books in my lifetime.  
 
I digressed. You Ought to Know was a unique experience as Adam is a storyteller and comedian. This audiobook was recorded with a live audience as he tells stories about his upbringing and transition into adulthood. I should specify that these are not just stories, they are stories that expose vulnerabilities. He has a talent for sharing life experiences that are embarrassing and humbling in a way that I could relate and laugh with.  
 
I recommend this short audiobook when you need humor and an opportunity to embrace your humanness. I acquired this audiobook through my Audible membership. This is an Audible Original that is available “Only From Audible.”

I have photos and additional information that I'm unable to include here. It can all be found on my blog, in the link below.
A Book And A Dog

[Jacob Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is truly a very funny and interesting audiobook performance by Adam Wade. He is known for his storytelling ability and the openness of those stories. The recording is done in front of a live audience, so it helps the overall experience. The intro is of him trying to talk to a girl, it then progresses on from there with various interjections from him on what is happening at these periods in his life. It is a very funny and interesting detailed story of how an awkward kid grows up into an adult who is still having challenges, but still does the best he can do with everything.

The ending is one of the funniest and craziest stories I've heard in a while. His stories are funny, touching, and very easy to enjoy and frankly, make you want to recommend this for other people to listen to.

[Bill Shannon · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got three stories in, and with due respect to Mr Wade, I don't really understand the point of any of this. The stories are barely stories: they are mildly interesting anecdotes that don't seem to have any kind of point or punchline.

One story is about how he was playing literally baseball as a kid, and swung at the ball but struck out. The point, ostensibly, was that he didn't lose, because he at least took a swing. But after he finishes that lesson, he ends with, "and then we celebrated my birthday." Each one of the stories is ended in this anti-climactic fashion

I can see how this is a valuable therapeutic exercise for adam, but I really don't understand what the audience was laughing at. I did not have one laugh in over an hour of listening. he seems like a nice enough guy, but I've heard more compelling and funnier storytelling from strangers at a bar.

[Rocky Sunico · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn't quite sure what to make of this Audible Original, but it was part of a set of titles they had given away for free last year. It wasn't necessarily bad, but I guess I lack a better appreciating of the space that professional storytelling occupies versus things like stand-up comedy.

To be fair, Adam Wade is a sweetheart, and his candor is evident in the way he speaks about his life. At first, it felt like a biography disguised as a stand-up comedy routine, but over time I found myself feeling warm and fuzzy since he had more inspirational things to share. And I got the spirit of things in time and it made getting to the end a lot more fulfilling.

So while I wasn't overly committed to this piece when I started, I walked away pretty happy in the end.

[Jeff Koeppen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a comedic memoir of Adam Wade. I've never heard of him before but he is one of the top performers in the country in story slams such as The Moth. There are a number of stories here in five chapters, starting from when he was a child and up to him achieving fame as the winner of 20 slams in The Moth. How have I not heard of him?

Most of the stories were emotional and self-deprecating. There were some laughs. I thought the stories were fine, some were really good and some didn't connect with me at all. Maybe they would seem funnier or more poignant if seen live and in person. He seems like a nice and sincere fellow. I wish him continued success

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before I write my review, I usually read a few reviews, because I like seeing what other people thought. It is getting harder and harder to read reviews before you read the book, because people absolutely refuse to refrain from spoiling, but that is off topic. A word I saw over and over in people's reviews was "sad." I really didn't think this book was sad. Growing up is hard. Wade had a loving family and great friends. He had a few disappointments. Don't we all. I didn't feel sad at all as I listened.

Adam Wade seems like a nice guy, and he told stories that we can all relate to. The book isn't hysterical, but it was certainly humorous and enjoyable.

[Erika Reynolds · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was humorous, but not laugh out loud funny. I liked how Wade wrapped up his stories with some sort of moral or lesson tied to his life. What I didn’t like is that the lesson usually ended up being sad and taking away from the humor of the rest of the story. Overall, it was enjoyable to listen to. I’m biased because any memoirist who employs humor is automatically compared to David Sedaris in my mind, which is just cruel and unfair because Sedaris is the master.

[Annie Jarman · Rating 3 out of 5]

mostly read this because it was so short, but it was good. He is definitely a remarkable storyteller, the stories he tells are generally sort of sad as he talks about what it was like to be a lonely outsider for his upbringing. It becomes a lot happier as he talks about actually achieving his lifelong dream of breaking into the entertainment industry. He is very vulnerable and especially for people who didn't have an upbringing like his, it is an intimate peek into a different world.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this and thought Adam Wade did a terrific job of telling his story of a child, teen and young man who was a shy outsider most of his life. He had a strong supportive family and a desire to succeed. He held a variety of jobs and when he went to college in his home state of New Hampshire, he found his niche in the radio station on campus. After graduation he moved to NYC to pursue his dream of being a Stand up comic. Much of this broadcast was tapped before a live audience.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the funnier audio books I’ve ever listened to.
I was gasping in horror, laughing so hard I cried or even just crying real tears while listening to him tell his story.
I wish it had cleaner language though so I could listen in front of my kids.
But overall hilarious.
The story of him on the train???? DYING. I had to pull over the car because not only could I not see from the tears streaming down my face but also from not being able to breathe I was laughing so hard
Highly recommend.

[Kirby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comedic memoir of Adam Wade. I had never heard of Adam Wade, even though I like standup comedy. Wade tells stories from his life about his awkward childhood, his geekiness, mostly being rejected by girls, his attempts at fitting in, his college years, and discovering his calling. He's self-deprecating and sometimes funny, but I didn't actually laugh out loud until the last hour. This Audible Original is mostly innocent and pure, but if foul language offends you, there are a few F-bombs and some other cursing and more in the last hour than in the rest of the recording. Otherwise pretty wholesome comedy with regard to the actual stories. Great storytelling. I found Wade to be very genuine and likeable. Seems like a sweet person.

[James Orlando · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Audible review: This reading is a collection of touching first hand accounts of events in the author's life. Wade recounts difficult experiences that have led him to where he is today.

If you're capable of laughing along with the main character in a story as they narrate through challenging periods of their life, you'd enjoy this audiobook.

I'd plant this book firmly in the "A bunch of sad, interesting stories with happy endings (in most cases)" section.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nice hearing a storytelling memoir that wasn’t filled with trauma beyond most of the things we all face in our childhood. It was nice hearing how close he was to his family, and how supportive they were of his journey, and hearing his heartfelt appreciation for everything he went through to bring him to where he is today was very lighthearted.

[Chuck Cova · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this a LOT! My wife listened to the first 45 minutes with me and did not share my enthusiasm. Think it’s just cause I grew up as a boy and she didn’t :)
A wonderful telling of the authors growing up in a funny and endearing way. So very relate-able. Two thumbs up.