Why Are There Monkeys?

by Brooke Jones

If you think a conversation with God couldn't possibly be FUNNY, you're in for a very BIG surprise!

"Smart, funny, and profoundly spiritual-a deeply moving experience that skeptics and believers alike can embrace. I loved it!" Howard Rosenberg -- Pulitzer Prize winning former Los Angeles Times columnist and author.

Brooke Jones, Breast Cancer Warrior, Political Satirist, and former star of San Francisco and Los Angeles radio died...but her death was short-lived. 8 minutes passed here on Earth while she was busy being dead, but she wasn't on Earth -- she was at Heaven's Front Door, having a Question and Answer Session with God!

"What is the meaning of life?" "What religion is God?" "Is God male or female?" Brooke asked every question she could think of, and God provided the answers. The first thing she learned was that God has a sense of humor! (Well of course God has a sense of humor -- have you ever seen a Platypus?)

Was she returned to the Land Of The Living because of the startling final question she asked? Did all that she experienced really happen, or was it just the hallucination of a dying brain? She didn't know, until...she was given proof - absolute proof - proof she could not possibly deny!

'Why Are There Monkeys? (and other questions for God)" is the absolutely TRUE, INSPIRATIONAL, laugh-out-loud FUNNY story of one woman's Near-Death Question and Answer Session with God.

"By God, Brooke Jones is a hell of a writer!" Ben Fong-Torres -- former Editor of Rolling Stone Magazine.

"Delightful, insightful, spiritual and startlingly funny! It left me, an atheist, more of a believer than I was before. I loved every minute of it!" Ray Richmond -- former columnist with The Hollywood Reporter, Daily Variety, Orange County Register, LA Herald Examiner.

Genres: Humor, Religion, Spirituality

136 pages, Hardcover

Published February 9, 2021

About the author

Former LA & SF Radio Personality; Political Satirist; Published Author; Breast Cancer Warrior, and "Near Death Experiencer" Brooke Jones, was named “LA’s FUNNIEST LADY” by the now-defunct LA Herald Examiner. Whether or not the paper’s ultimate demise was in any way linked to its glowing endorsement of her talents remains to be seen. (The deceased newspaper could not be reached for comment).

As a Radio Personality, Brooke interviewed more celebrities than she can count, (Mel Brooks, Bob Hope, & Robin Williams, to name [drop] just a few), but the most amazing interview she ever conducted occurred after she DIED & found herself interviewing GOD! (And YES, it REALLY did happen. She received PROOF that no one could deny!)

Her newly-published Memoir “Why Are There Monkeys? (and other questions for God)” is the absolutely TRUE, inspirational, laugh-out-loud FUNNY story of Brooke’s Near-Death Question & Answer Session with God, and if you think a conversation with God couldn’t possibly be FUNNY, you’re in for a BIG surprise! (WrittenByBrookeJones.com)

Reviews

[Lydia Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a heartwarming, sad and funny story. I was laughing at times and then crying. I now have questions of my own I would like to ask God. God does have a since of humor. What a great author and survivor. Thanks for this great book and for your donations to help breast cancer research. You are my hero. I highly recommend this book to friends, family and book clubs. You gave me such inspiration knowing it will be a pleasure meeting God. Waiting on your next book.

[Richard Propes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite once being named L.A.'s Funniest Lady, Brooke Jones is probably not one of those people who qualifies as a household name.

Heck, I'd never heard of her. She wrote this book called "Why Are There Monkeys? (and other Questions for God)" and it sounded like a humorous version of the whole "Conversations With God" thing by Neale Donald Walsch and, to be honest, I thought that book could have used a little humor.

So, I figured "What the heck?" I'll read this book.

So, here I am.

Brooke Jones once died, but then she didn't. She's been semi-famous for being funny. She writes the blog "What If?" and has a line of greeting cards. She's a breast cancer warrior who served Stage 3 Breast Cancer, though that's not how she died.

There's more you'll learn about her from "Why Are There Monkeys?" and there are times in "Why Are There Monkeys?" that you'll wish you'd learned a bit more about her along the way.

"Why Are There Monkeys?" is a frequently humorous, occasionally touching, surprisingly insightful, and, in fleeting moments, even kind of sweet collection about one kind of agnostic young woman's eight minutes with God and God's rather endearing way of being God that will charm some, irritate others, downright offend more than a few, and hopefully result in more than a few laughs along the way.

I was never less than entertained by "Why Are There Monkeys?," a result mostly rising out of Jones's relaxed persona borne out of a life fully lived including all the lessons she could snag along the way. In "Why Are There Monkeys?," Jones asks the kinds of questions, some innocent and curious and others just a tad confrontational, that I can't help but believe many of us would ask if given a few minutes with the big man/woman upstairs -

"What is the meaning of life?"

"What religion is God?"

"Is God male or female?"

Along the way, we all learn that God has more than a little bit of a sense of humor and a whole lot of love.

Of course, we all also learn that Jones returned to the life that she had been living, though perhaps that's inappropriately stated as there's no denying that the not so dead Brooke Jones was quite a
bit different after the return trip.

Was she returned to the Land Of The Living because of the startling final question she asked? Did any of this actually happen or was it just the hallucination of a dying brain?

You need to read "Why Are There Monkeys? (and Other Questions for God)" to find out. A relatively quick yet always engaging read, "Why Are There Monkeys? (and Other Questions for God)" weaves together pieces of a memoir, humor, and spiritual insight and curiosity into a rather delightful and entertaining literary experience.

[Susan Saltos · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay, short, read. Reflects my own thoughts about God, religion, creation/evolution, life, free will, etc. So, if the story is true, it's nice to know my thoughts are correct. I didn't find anything in it funny though. Not sure why God laughed so much. 🤷‍♀️

[N. J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brooke Jones confirms my lifelong belief that God has a sense of humor. Although raised as a Catholic and a graduate of 12 years of Catholic schooling, I am not a religious person. I parted ways with Catholic dogma as soon as I was old enough to think for myself. I have never lost my faith in an Almighty being and have spoken to (him) frequently, especially when outdoors. This book deals with the concept of the NDE and afterlife in a humorous, easy-to-read style I found to be both amusing and thought-provoking. On several occasions, I laid the book down to ponder the concept just delivered and found I agreed wholeheartedly. This is a fun book and a great read.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different kind of memoir where the author recalls her near death experience and how it changed her life. I enjoyed reading it.

[Melissa (Nissa_the.bookworm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book in a few short hours! Wow! I’ve read similar books, like Imagine Heaven, where people have died and met God. Everyone has said the same thing: God is hilarious. These books fascinate me and make me feel even more eager to finally connect with God in Heaven. I love a good sense of humor, and God obviously has the best. While some of the answers given by God surprised me, most did not. I recommend this book to everyone!

[Cody Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the book, and found that the message aligned with my own thoughts and beliefs about God, the Bible, humanity, free will, etc., I would have preferred fewer attempts at being funny. The author’s use of humor was so frequent that it lacked the impact it could have had if it had been used sparingly, placing Easter eggs of humor within a powerful story. Rather, I found myself rolling my eyes more than laughing.
Still, this story is worth reading and the ideas presented worth pondering.

[M.K. McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting.

As an NDE'er myself, I resonated with the message of her experience and enjoyed her journey immensely. God is love and laughter ❤.

[Javier Ruiz · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got this book after hearing a podcast - which is sounding like many people did as well. I was super excited and dove right in. While I was entertained for the first half so so, something started feeling odd. The first thing was from the podcast, she insisted she received absolutely zero profit from this book and all of it goes to breast cancer research. That’s a big red flag, I highly doubt any author would forfeit 100% of their profits. The book itself suggests that only a portion is given to research. Hmm…That was a big inconsistency.

She doesn’t talk at all about her physical death and goes right into the experience of it. Many NDE stories talk in detail about their passing, how, where, when, who was around, etc. The “humor” of God is an enjoyable thought and that kept me interested and wanting to hear more. Each chapter begins to feel like a politically liberal atheistic person’s POV of a conversation they would “expect to have with God” where God basically agrees with their person political leanings and the biggest red flag of all was their take on Muslims vs. Jews. Where God has no argument against Muslim hate against Jews. Considering the events occurring at present in Palestine, this really felt cooked.

I have to give it a 1 star because it’s reading like fantasy fiction.

[Sylvia Clare · Rating 2 out of 5]

quick light read, not very profound but perhaps it is if you have never had these thoughts before - it fits with my ow experiences of God except that i realised God has no gender whatsoever, and no corporeal body. It is witty in places and given this all took place within an 8 minute window of opportunity of being dead, it is fairly comprehensive. Idont hear god laughing in my life, i simply feel JOY almost always, even when having a lower day that joy is there underneath the human concerns that trouble the surface. There are so many books about meetings with God and they do feel so incredibly powerful at the time to the person who has then, but i am not sure there are words which can ever convey that experience, its depth and profundity, a bit like rubbish sex, and good sex, you dont know until it happens to you what it might actually feel like, and how it will leave you feeling afterwards. But in Gods case it does truly last a lifetime, you never look back. I amglad for what i went through to get to that insight that experience myself, and yes acceptance of everything does come with that experience too, but you will have no ability to make it happen to you, it just does and it is astonishing when it does

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute read even though I didn't find it "laugh out loud" funny. But her back and forth banter with God was entertaining and I did find it refreshing that God was doing an awful lot of laughing during their conversation.

Some more serious, yet profound, responses from God:

"I can tell you what has happened," He explains. "I can tell you what will happen - I won't, however - but when the subject is the human mind, the why is often puzzling, even to Me."

"Man never ceases to amaze Me, He says, .... "And that is not meant as a compliment. Regardless of how many clues I give, or how clearly I indicate My meaning, man often manages to draw all the wrong conclusions. ... Man has found ways to turn lies into truth, hatred into honor, and Sin into virtue. ... Man charts his own Destiny."

"You hear with your Soul by listening with your Soul, and when you listen with your Soul, you silence your mind" He explains.

In the end, when she ponders one last question to ask God, the ultimate question comes to her. A question that she now asks Him every single day: "...what can I do for You?"

[Victoria Zvonkina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging but not fully convincing.

The book reads quickly as it is quite engaging, positive, and at times funny. It was not fully apparent to me if indeed it was an NDE or a different altered state experience. The author described her conversation with G-d when she was in that altered state. It was life-changing for the author, but I didn’t find any profound truths or new ideas that could have a larger impact. It seemed to be just her own personality opening up to a greater understanding of certain things. It seems more psychological to me than psychic or mysterious. The experience changed her in a better way, which was an important takeaway from it. So although it was extremely important to the author, it did not seem quite as significant for a wider audience. Still happy that I read it, and happy to learn that proceeds from the book benefit a breast cancer foundation.

[Lea Mcgregor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet, but not exactly mind blowing

I believe Brooke and I appreciate her telling her story. I heard her interviewed on the Jeff Mara podcast and appreciated her sense of humor much more in that format. I found her humor really annoying in this book and skipped over large sections just trying to get to the actual meat. I’ve read a lot of books on the afterlife and NDEs and I think this may be a good introduction for someone interested in the topic, but there is really nothing new here.

[Stephen Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an eminently reasonable presentation of the One we call God. He laughs. He is familiar with everything and everyone. He answers a series of questions all of us have, sometimes surprisingly. For example, he sees the Bible as fallible but answers that Noah did what it says he did, on his order. It makes sense since he can do anything he wants. The book is short enough to read a few times. A lot of the text is the author's chat but the answers are always included and that is the reason this is a good book.

[Lynne Claybaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confirmation of beliefs I have come to on my own

Loved this story as it supported all my own conclusions. I’ve never clung to any religion nor accepted lock stock and barrel some of the widely held rules and constraints. My relationship with God is personal and my goal to be the best version of myself and doing what I intuit I can do for Him sums it up. Additionally the writer is hilarious and confirms what I always knew, God does have an exquisite sense of humor. A personal journey, for sure.

[David Holman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Absolute Delight

Really, the divine and the world divinity has created is actually quite simple. Love, honesty with self and others mixed with proactive kindness is something natural and easy to do. And throw in humor, too. God does laugh, and he makes jokes as well. And then finally we can know how best to serve God which is couched in a simple question: What, God, can I do for You? This sweet, encouraging and amusing book is worth reading over and over, and in it's sweet simplicity is all we really need to know.

[Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brooke is a gifted author with a great sense of humor. Whether you believe her encounter with God or not, the book will have your sides aching. But she couldn't bring me around to believing that she truly had this conversation with God. The God I know gave His only begotten Son so that we might know God through Him! There is not one mention of Jesus in the book. A 3-star rating is a compromise between believability (1 star) and readability (5 stars).

[Juan Zamora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly it's a must read, in the book God explains that he made a miracle once for a bad baseball team to win. Which converted many thousands of people, who thought that is such an impossible odd, that therefore God must be real. That's one if not my favorite part of the book. I don't want to spoil more, but I do want to say I wanted to read it again. Sadly i lost the book. It has the potential to become a classic if it's not already.

[Tyler Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely wonderful read that you can likely finish in a weekend. Whether the events described in this book truly happened or not, it was very eye opening for me and addressed many questions that I've had for a long time. I would highly reccomend it to anyone who wonders about the important things in life; purpose, love and monkeys all included.

[Keli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I KNEW God had a sense of humor!

I don’t know what I expected with this book, but it was really good! The writer really made God like what I expect He’ll be like when I finally see Him face to face. He didn’t give her the answers she expected, but she learned a lot and so did I. If you want to laugh and feel good - this is your book.

[Lucinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure what I was expecting with this book but it is quite funny and it’s a really quick and interesting read.

It really does make you think.. what would you ask God if you could ask him anything?

Definitely worth a read for any one interested I. Spiritualism and about where we come from and where we go!

[Vince Hamon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Is this a (bad) joke?

I hate this book with passion. The wannabe comedian who wrote it mocks everything in her futile effort to be funny. It all seems made up. Don't believe she had an NDE (have read many) and she comes off as a Jewish atheist belittling the idea if a god or heaven.

[E.W. Buck · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing combination of humor and inspiration

The author is a comic whose writing style will make you smile or even laugh out loud. She died and went to heaven and had hilarious conversations with God. All ring true and give you the assurance that God does indeed have a great sense of humor 😀. Highly recommended!

[Nick Papaxanthos · Rating 4 out of 5]

After hearing her testimony on a YouTube channel about Near-Death Experiences, I thought I'd check out her book. Definitely worth the read. It's short, funny, and God makes an appearance to answer all the big questions. Not gonna lie, the last question she asks God was a real tear-jerker, and the final chapter made a lasting impression.

[Jane Chopping · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

I found this to be an interesting account and, certainly, some comments 'God' makes does sound like something I believe he would say. Other things I believe are less straightforward. But worth some reflection.

[Ann Potschka · Rating 5 out of 5]

YOU ARE LOVED!

I have always hoped that God has a sense of humor, I don’t know why, but it seems necessary in a God of love. I now have a new mantra, “ what can I do for you today God?“

This book is full of belly laughs and occasionally an ocean of tears. I highly recommend it.

[Deborah Necessary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The true story of one woman’s near death experience and her meeting with God on his doorstep and how it changed her life forever. I loved that God has a sense of humor, I’m sure I’ve made Him laugh a few times!

[Sheri Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! You always have questions about this sort of thing and the way she explains her experience is awesome. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Lets you know it can happen to anybody!
It helps restore your faith amid all the crazy dark things going on in the world today.

[Nellie Trust · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Story One Wants to Believe

If the reader is experiencing a sad situation in life, this book will make you cry. At the end, one will want to believe every word because the burden will be lifted, even through the tears. I found myself thinking, “Oh, if only….”.

[Carol L Spurrier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not knowing what to expect, I really enjoyed this book! It's written in a rather clever way...with humor and potent conversations with God. It's not a deep read but brings on some deep thought... It's not a real funny read but is quite comical. It is a fairly short read and a lot of fun!