We're All in This Together . . .: So Make Some Room

by Tom Papa

Stand-up is all well and good, but observational humor that’s funny and warm may work best in books. And Tom Papa, whose loyal audiences are packed with “date night” couples of all ages, has perfected the form. In We're All In This Together, Papa’s thirty-seven short essays tackle these universal American topics, among

–Love for Your First Car (“To Buy or Lease”)
–The Truth about Personal Hygiene (“How You Know When It’s Time to Go”)
–Date Nights (“Will You Go Out with Me?”)
–Unfamiliar Hotel Rooms (“Why Nothing Works”)
–Pets (“Cats–Ancient Menace”)
–Drinking (“There’s no Cure for a Hangover”)
–Ducking your Family, even Though you Love Them (“The Lesson of Mark Twain’s Cigars”)

Tom Papa’s books make readers laugh, but–crucially–feel better about themselves while doing it. And while there’s thematic overlap with Papa’s stand-up, with a couple of exceptions, all the writing here is fresh for our book.

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

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 6, 2023

About the author

Thomas Papa is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, producer, and television/radio host.[1][2] He is currently the head writer and a regular performer on Live from Here (formerly A Prairie Home Companion).

He began in New York City in 1993 playing open mics and hosting at the Stand Up New York comedy club. He toured with Jerry Seinfeld after meeting him at the Comedy Cellar in New York. In 2005 he released his debut comedy album Calm, Cool, & Collected. His successful one-man show Only Human opened at the Montreal Just for Laughs Comedy Festival.

He has recorded three stand up specials for Comedy Central. The most recent, Tom Papa Live in New York City, directed by Rob Zombie, aired on 8 January 2012 and was shot at the Union Square Theater. His third special, Freaked Out, aired in July 2013. He completed his fourth special, Human Mule, in December 2016.

Papa has appeared thirteen times on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He was a frequent guest on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and Late Show with David Letterman.

In 2010, Papa hosted NBC's The Marriage Ref, which ran for two seasons.

Reviews

[Melissa (Hiatus due to Death in Family) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always funny, I enjoyed this latest collection of essays by comedian Tom Papa.

Papa has a way of getting to the heart of real people, trying as hard as we can to get through this messy life. His humor is thoroughly relatable, laugh out loud funny, and self-deprecating enough to hit the perfect balance of interest and reality. The section about choosing wine was my favorite, so honest and real.

I listened to this as an audiobook with the author narrating. This allows the listener to hear his inflection and the emphasis he puts on various things, which makes the book even more funny overall.

If you're looking for a light, enjoyable, humorous collection of essays, then look no further because Tom Papa always delivers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
Comedian Tom Papa discusses a variety of topics(20+) from relationships to your cat plotting to kill you to general musings on life. I did laugh in many places(not deep belly laughs but the jokes still made their mark) and it was a nice lighthearted read.




Publication Date 06/06/23
Goodreads Review 06/06/23

[CYIReadBooks (Claire) · Rating 2 out of 5]

We’re All in This Together is a collection of essays covering various topics. The essays can be read independently from each other and in any order. The book reads like a comedy routine. But I didn’t find it to be that humorous.

Some notable essays for me were: Don’t Eat That, Sleeping Together, There’s No Cure for a Hangover, and Surviving Childhood.

Somehow I expected a lot more than a few chuckles. So this book was somewhat disappointing. Two okay stars.

I received a digital ARC from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

[John Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brunello and Bathing Suits……

Book Information

Tom Papa's upcoming book "We're All in This Together...So Make Some Room" is set to release on June 6, 2023. The 256-page book is accompanied by a 7-hour and 10-minute audio version, which the author himself narrates. With extensive experience in film, television, and radio, Tom Papa is a renowned comedian who is also a regular performer on the popular radio show, Live From Here, and serves as its head writer. I had the privilege of receiving an advance reader's copy of this book from Macmillan Audio for review purposes, and I'm grateful for the opportunity.

Summary

Tom Papa is a master of observational humor and this book presents a collection of thirty-seven short essays that tackle a diverse range of universal American topics. With his signature blend of humor and insight, Papa's essays are sure to delight readers seeking a lighthearted and relatable read.

My Thoughts

In We're All In This Together, Tom Papa delivers a powerful message that it's the little moments in life that matter most. With wit and wisdom, he reminds us to find joy in the everyday, leaving readers with a renewed appreciation for the beauty of the human experience.

Papa's writing is both relatable and approachable, making his observations feel like your own. What sets Papa apart from other comedians is his kindness and love for humanity, which shines through in his humor. He has a unique talent for making his personal experiences feel universal. Whether he is talking about parenting, marriage, families, first cars, or kids in dress clothes, he will have you laughing, regardless of your background.

Papa's easy-going and cheerful insights on the modern human condition cover a wide range of topics. His stories are engaging and heartfelt, told in his unique style, and delivered with a calm and genuine tone. What's more, Papa doesn't resort to crude humor or foul language to get his point across.

Tom Papa's performance of his book in audio format is truly exceptional. With his distinct voice and natural delivery, Papa brings his essays to life in a way that no one else could. His timing and intonation are spot-on, and he infuses each piece with just the right amount of humor and warmth. Listening to him read his own work is a delight, and it's clear that he has a deep connection to the material. Papa's performance is a testament to his talent as both a writer and a performer, and it's an experience that should not be missed.

Recommendation

"We're All In This Together" is a great example of Tom Papa's talent as a storyteller. With vivid clarity, he paints touching vignettes from his past and present life, leaving readers with a smile on their faces and a newfound appreciation for life's little quirks. If you're looking for a funny and uplifting read, this book is guaranteed to make you happy. Highly Recommended.

Rating

4 Very Funny Stars

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can* · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars 🌟

*libby app*

Just what I needed for my mental health this past week. He helps keep the mental monsters at bay.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chuckles but no deep laughter. His standup is better.

[KarnagesMistress · Rating 5 out of 5]

TLDR: Gen X, straight, Italian David Sedaris

This was, to the best of my knowledge, my first Tom Papa experience. It was a delight, and over too soon. I now plan on glomming on to everything of his I can. The topics range from straight comedy to autobiography to what could almost be motivational speech. I was either nodding my head along or laughing throughout the entire book. It's always a bonus when comedians crack themselves up, and I could hear laughter in Tom's voice several times.

I don't know what else to say. If you think you would like it, give it a listen. I would like to thank Macmillan Audio for allowing me to experience this NetGalley audiobook.

[Shilo Adams]

One of the most frustrating things as a reader is when you're zooming along, fully entangled in a book's reality and enraptured by its voice, only for the author to pull the rug out from under you.

For me, this happened with comedian Tom Papa's essay collection We're All In This Together, which serves as something of a fusion of nonlinear memoir via essay and repackaged (and expanded) stand-up bits. The first half of the book took me by surprise in a positive way, as Papa provides lovely, thoughtful tributes to his grandfather ("A Wise Ancestor Called Grandpa") and father ("Why We Return to the Sea"); recalls a particularly hilarious story centered on a swimming adventure gone wrong ("Don't Swim Alone") and a poignant connection with a stranger in an airport ("Trust"); takes us into his decision to leave small town New Jersey for the bright lights of New York City ("How You Know When It's Time to Go"); and extols the dangers of cats ("Cats - Ancient Menace"), hangovers after a certain age ("There's No Cure for a Hangover"), and everything from jazz to badminton, pirates, and laughter ("Some Things That Can Kill Us"). Through it all, his authorial voice has a wry wit, conversational ease, and admirable amount of self-awareness that makes it feel like you're visiting with a funny, enlightened friend who's been saving some of his best stories for the next time you catch up.

Because of this, I was genuinely looking forward to reading the second half of the book and barreling toward what was sure to be a thoughtful conclusion. However, "Long Live the Clowns" just made the book DOA for me and I was pretty instant in my decision to pull the ripcord. In short, the essay (#19 out of the 37 available here) finds Papa, a fairly mild-mannered comedian who keeps things solidly apolitical until then, going on a rant about cancel culture, cultural sensitivity, and the so-called "thought police." Not only is it tonally not in line with the rest of the book to that point (it's angrier, more petulant, and in an ironic twist, entirely humorless), it showcases Papa's lack of media literacy, intellectual laziness, and allegiance to his contemporaries who make their dollar punching down on marginalized groups.

The gist of the essay is the same argument that's been trotted out the past few years when this topic has been broached, usually by some older white male throwing a hissy fit that he doesn't have carte blanche in the material he puts out for public consumption. Tom Papa believes that the "thought police" are ruining comedy via "McCarthyism from the left" and that anyone who gets offended by a joke doesn't have common sense, going on to describe them as "damaged, sorry, small-minded people," "misbegotten, ladder-climbing creeps," and "scabby, thin-skinned carcasses." It's abrasive writing that goes against the entire ethos of the book (which is supposed to center on common experiences that unite us rather than insular nonsense like this) and doesn't have any kind of evidence to back it up. When you see Dave Chappelle winning a boatload of awards and making millions upon millions at Netflix, Louis C.K. winning Grammys and selling out his latest tour, Aziz Ansari consistently writing and directing projects, Bill Maher fronting a talk show behind the mighty HBO brand for 20 years, and many other similar instances of a controversial comedian still creating, it's hard to see where the actual "cancelling" is.

This is the first time in any media landscape where comedians can't hide behind their job title in order to spit out or do anything their id tells them to. If you go over the line, if you punch down on marginalized groups, if you abuse your power, you get held accountable (in a best case scenario). That can take different forms and be of different strength to different people, but so-called cancel culture is an illusion and anyone who bucks against its "pervasiveness" is fully telling on themselves. This essay all but says that Tom Papa (who somehow thinks that there's no comedy on television, even though I could name you 20 good-to-great current comedies off the top of my head) wants to say offensive things about people with less power/social capital than him but knows that he'd get pushback on it, so he's throwing a tantrum. It's honestly quite repulsive and enough to sour me on not only We're All in This Together but the rest of his work going forward.

Full disclosure: I won We're All in This Together through a Goodreads giveaway. Thanks to Goodreads and St. Martin's Publishing Group for the opportunity.

[David Dunlap · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is it just my imagination, or do Tom Papa's books keep getting better and better? This one is a GEM. There are the laugh-out-loud moments ("To hear my wife scream when she sees them [ants], you would think the ants are human-sized and that soon our family will be dict-taped to our kitchen chairs while the ants work us over for our Uber Eats password."). There are even more smiles -- of recognition, of identification. There is a chapter ('Don't Swim Alone') that is touching and moving in its pathos. Another chapter ('These Are the Days That Must Happen to You') reminds us of the things that inevitably crop up in our everyday lives (a roommate [or colleague!] who eats your food in the refrigerator, people yelling at you and making you feel small, taking books on a vacation but never reading a line of any of them, etc.). But, to my mind, the chapter entitled 'Long Live the Clowns' -- in which the author posits the loss of humor/comedy in the world as a root cause of the polarization and political-correctness-run-amok in our present society -- is alone worth the price of admission. Most highly recommended! (When, oh when, Tom will you favor us with your NEXT book? I can hardly wait!!)

[Jill Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute and fun collection of pick-me-up stories designed to bring a smile (both genuine and snarky) to your face. I want familiar with him prior to this, but his mass appeal is easy to understand. His writing is relevant, approachable, and clever. I couldn't read large swathes at a time - there's a feeling of similarity after a while, especially I felt with the early pieces - but a few here and there were just the thing I needed after a long day to bring a smile to my face.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.

[Richard Propes · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We're All in This Together" is an absolutely sublime title for the latest book of observational and humorous short essays by comedian, actor, radio host, and author Tom Papa whose book "You're Doing Great!" revealed the comic's gift for literary humor that tackles universal themes with a personal touch.

The same is very much true for "We're All in This Together," a collection of 37 essays addressing such topics as drinking, pets, date nights, unfamiliar hotel rooms, and ducking your family even though you love them. While there's some thematic overlap with Papa's comedy, for the most part "We're All in This Together" offers fresh material from a refreshingly funny and surprisingly heartfelt comic whose background ranges from SiriusXM radio shows to two Rob Zombie-directed comedy specials (plus 3-4 others) to a wide range of television and film appearances.

If you know Tom Papa, you love Tom Papa.

While Papa occasionally tackles a political topic or two, it's typically from a more personal angle with the vast majority of "We're All in This Together" material finding its roots in family live with his wife and two children and his unique humor that somehow is both empathetic and often quite pointed. Papa's a comic who unites, not as a political statement or position but as a human being who seems to genuinely want to build a longer table. Papa's podcast "Breaking Bread with Tom Papa" is evidence of this and it's a spirit that poignantly and hilariously comes to life in this genuinely engaging and entertaining collection of essays.

If you've never listened to Papa's Netflix radio show with Fortune Feimster, "What a Joke," it's an absolute must. Quite simply, at least for me, Papa has become one of my "go to" comedians who never disappoints no matter the medium.

It doesn't hurt that Tom Papa is infinitely relatable. He's the kind of guy who feels like a BFF, admittedly a BFF who'd likely hide from you in the grocery aisle if he noticed you first.

But hey, he's far from my only friend who does that.

"We're All in This Together" features, once again, everything we've come to know and love about and from Papa. With heart and humor, Papa's 37 essays essentially respond to the call put forth by the book's title - "We're All in This Together ... So Make Some Room."

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 enjoyable stars, rounded up to 4
“We belong to something greater – an ongoing story that has been written throughout time and has now been handed off to us. Whether we like it or not, we’re all in this together.”

We’re All in this Together is a collection of essays, most entertaining and/or thought provoking. Papa’s humor is generally subtle, not ROFL. (Rolling on the Floor Laughing.) He picks everyday things and expounds. “And where have all the electric can openers gone? There was a time when they were on every counter, now it’s been decided, without a single meeting, that the handheld works just fine and the counter space should be used for the latest air fryer they say we can’t live without.”

I enjoyed what Tom said about beer. “Beer is your unpretentious friend. Beer blends in. Beer doesn’t impose. Beer is comfortable on a back porch.” Contrasting the light and entertaining, I like that he speaks his mind about serious stuff. “People who don’t laugh go to war with themselves, with their neighbors, with their enemies, because they lack a release valve.” He also mentions, “I never saw Trump laugh once.”

Tom throws in his thoughts about current events and serious stuff. “As institutions change, human rights are challenged or taken away, and digital isolation cuts us off from one another, we need to find new ways to connect.” We’re All in this Together can help us do that. (I also think it would be an excellent road trip book for a couple. While generally clean, some of the material is not suitable for elementary school children.)

“To laugh at oneself is to protect oneself and at least make survival more enjoyable.” Thanks, Mr. Papa, Netgalley, and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review and making survival more enjoyable.

[Mindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I truly enjoy Tom Papa's comedy. I've been to a show, watched his specials, and read his other books. I was really looking forward to this book, but honestly I felt it just fell flat. I was going to finish it, however halfway through there is a political jab. I am so tired.....can we just move forward? For those who dislike Donald Trump why keep bringing him up and giving him free advertising? This is a hypothetical question I'm not looking for a nasty debate. :-)

[As You Wish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts were truly laugh out loud funny. I don't often laugh while reading a book, but this caught me out a few times. The story of his first car, the crawl space where he retrieves Christmas decorations. CHRISTMAS TOWN! A few others very, very funny. But for me I felt like his humour didn't quite land for me. Would read another book for sure but I'll have adjusted my expectations.

Won in a giveaway! Thanks, Goodreads!

[Kelly {SpaceOnTheBookcase] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall this was a fun book that felt more like a conversation than a book. It was a bit all over the place and definitely something I'd need to be in the mood for, but for the right time and person, it's a winner.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for access to an ARC & ALC to review.

[Bob Hand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny stuff. Not as intensely personal or autobiographical as a book like Gary Gulman’s Misfit; this is pretty light. But funny. And now I know how to pronounce his name.

[Andrea Pole · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're All in This Together by Tom Papa was my first experience of this author, and I must say that I can certainly understand his mass appeal. This collection of short essays is collectively witty, sharply observed, relatable, and guaranteed to leave you with a smile. I look forward to reading much more from this delightful author. 4.5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for an ARC.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think that essays like this are really my thing. The writing was good, there were some elements of humour, and they did resonate with me as an Italian-Canadian. But in the end, they felt very disjointed and I guess were not what I was shooting for. I was hoping for more humour from a comedian and more LOL moments which just didn't happen. And because of that, I kind of wanted this to then veer more towards the serious which it skirted at best.

Papa is a storyteller, so he does a good job when he gets into a story even with some exaggeration and attempts at funny. He is also well spoken so there is nothing to critique about his skills. I just felt like these essays were not very structured as a whole and as such felt very random. Glimpses into his youth. Glimpses into his young adulthood. Glimpses into his adulthood and now. But all kind of randomly jumbled together. I did appreciate the idea that we are all in this together. And I did appreciate his moments of trying to link situations with his lived experience to life lessons. Just not enough to really make up for my overall enjoyment of the book. It wasn't awful. It just wasn't great. Or wasn't great for me.

If you like Papa as a comedian and are a fan of his other writings, then I think you'll enjoy this one. If you are into essays about lived life without any major drama, then also a good pick for you.

* I received an ARC via NetGalley.

[Matthew · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first two books were definitely funnier and better. This was OK but really struggled to finish it. I think Papa just ran out of things to say and stories to tell.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of this collection of humourous essays by one of the funniest comedians working today.

With som much going wrong in the world it is very hard to be a nice person, especially in comedy. Punching down seems to be the trend now, or going out on tour and making fun of all the horrible things that one has been accused of. Observational humor is tough, because observing the world right now is a miserable experience, and people are trying to get away from that. Which makes Tom Papa a rarity and important to comedy. Papa is funny, without the slander, and generally seems to like humans, which is something that comedy has always had a problem with. Papa limns his own experiences, and makes them universal. I'm not a father, nor married, but still laugh at his jokes about parenting and marriage. Papa makes people laugh, and is kind. Which is a rare strength today. This collection We're All in This Together . . . So Make Some Room shows this.

The book consists of thirty-seven essays, many about him, his family relations and experiences on the road and life. A few might seem familiar from his podcast or comedy shows, but are given a lot more room in essay form. All are funny and are really nice pieces to start the day, or even better too wind down from a day of just getting through life. Some of my favorites was one on cats, which for some reason I kept laughing through, and on how he dodges people he knows in public, something that I am quite guilty of and again made me laugh out loud. Others range on how long pants can be worn before washing, cars, kids and family problems.

I enjoyed the writing quite a bit. The essay form really gives Papa a chance to broaden some ideas, give more examples and expand on some themes that a regimented stand-up show or even podcast might not allow. The language, the way Papa uses words and phrases, setting up the joke and carrying the reader through the piece, until he hits with a big laugh, surrounded by smaller chuckles. This kind of writing takes real skill, some honed from working in front of crowds, but being able to translate this to the written page is quite impressive. I have read a lot of books by comedians, some are just their sketches written down, some are just a series of jokes, almost a laugh a page. These essays take time, and really deliver. Papa seems very comfortable in writing longer pieces, I hope he tries his hand at novels as I think he would be quite good at them.

A great book for a bad day. There is a pleasant feeling that comes from reading these essays, something that is rare in comedy now. I mentioned that one can read these after bad days, and I think that is the nicest thing I can say. A very funny collection, and one that will make a lot of people quite happy.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a fan of Tom Papa. He’s smart and funny and learns from his own mistakes. These days, I mostly hear him as a guest on NPR’s Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me!, so I was excited to read this book and get a bigger dose of his comedy. Almost immediately, I was really surprised by this book.

In We’re All in this Together . . ., there are stories about growing up and about acquiring stuff, about drinking too much and why your cat will eat you if you die and how he would go out crabbing with his dad and sisters when he was a kid. He talks about how we all make mistakes and and drink too much and embarrass ourselves at parties and have regrets. He talks about how we can learn from all that and be better people.

In these essays, Papa shows us who he really is, a dad who thinks about exercising but doesn’t actually do anything about it, a New Jersey kid who chose to go to Manhattan to find a bigger life, and a stand-up comedian with the heart of a philosopher.

Papa’s humor is gentle and intelligent, and he speaks from the experience of middle age. He sees us all for who we really are, flaws and all, and he’s okay with that. We all have problems. We all have challenges. We all struggle with jazz. And we all need a friend who helps us face things with laughter and compassion. Papa is that friend in these short essays filled with family stories, warnings about pirates, a little self-loathing, bad haircuts, and life lessons that are surprisingly insightful for a book written by a comedian.

I really enjoyed We’re All in this Together . . . I did expect it to be more punchy and a little offensive, but it turned out to be lovely and kind and honest in a way that felt tender and warmhearted. This would cheer me up if I were down and help me get a more balanced perspective on life. This book would actually be a great gift for someone graduating or starting a new chapter in life. Papa brings smiles and encouragement to help us be better, because as he says, We’re All in this Together.

Egalleys for We’re All in this Together . . . were provided by St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley, with many thanks.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom Papa is a very talented guy. The list of job titles on his resume is almost hard to believe: stand-up comedian, writer, movie actor, television actor, television host, radio host, and podcast producer. And what makes it more remarkable is that he is good at all those things, in addition to being very, very funny while doing them. I have long been a big fan of his work and his comedy specials available on various streaming services are among my absolute favorite things to binge when I need a quick pick-me-up from the daily grind.

In We’re All in This Together, Papa gives us his unique take on a wide variety of topics involving life’s mundane occurrences, including the travails of traveling with your family, the useless stuff we tend to accumulate, unexpected things that can kill us, the joy in several glasses of wine, bug infestations in the house, picking up roots and leaving home, rules for the food we eat, the art of not complaining, and even how cats can be conniving jerks. Written in more than three dozen short essays, collectively this volume is a little hard to classify—it is not quite a memoir, not quite a set of philosophical musings, not quite a lot of rants on random peeves. What it does add up to is one man’s easy-going and cheerful insights on the modern human condition.

I enjoyed reading this book, which is hardly surprising given my regard for virtually everything I have seen the author do. Papa is a good writer, but mostly where he excels is as a great storyteller. I did not find any of the essays to be enthralling or even side-splittingly funny—it seems very hard to be as humorous in writing as one can be in person—but each was interesting in its own way, whether dealing with events from the past (his boyhood) or the present (his current family life). Although somewhat haphazardly organized, this collection of observations is an easy one to recommend, whether you are a long-standing follower of the author or someone discovering his work for the first time.

[Stacey (Bookalorian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished We're All in This Together . . .: So Make Some Room by Tom Papa and here is what I have to say about it.


Books synopsis

Stand-up is all well and good, but observational humor that’s funny and warm may work best in books. And Tom Papa, whose loyal audiences are packed with “date night” couples of all ages, has perfected the form. In We're All In This Together , Papa’s thirty-seven short essays tackle these universal American topics, among

–Love for Your First Car (“To Buy or Lease”)
–The Truth about Personal Hygiene (“How You Know When It’s Time to Go”)
–Date Nights (“Will You Go Out with Me?”)
–Unfamiliar Hotel Rooms (“Why Nothing Works”)
–Pets (“Cats–Ancient Menace”)
–Drinking (“There’s no Cure for a Hangover”)
–Ducking your Family, even Though you Love Them (“The Lesson of Mark Twain’s Cigars”)

Tom Papa’s books make readers laugh, but–crucially–feel better about themselves while doing it. And while there’s thematic overlap with Papa’s stand-up, with a couple of exceptions, all the writing here is fresh for our book.

I don’t read a lot of non fiction books like this one but I read some reviews and it sounded like the kind of book I would enjoy. It was funny with that self deprecating humor I am so partial to. The book was so raw and related that I couldn’t help reading it all in one sitting. It’s well written and I found myself chuckling on more than one occasion. I actually loved the short essay format it was written in and that surprised me to be honest. It would make a great book club to read.

I have never heard of the comedian before and it spurred me to go watch some of his stand ups. If you like books that will make you laugh, grab this one and a nice cup of tea and enjoy the most relatable book you will find today!

Out now!! Thank you @stmartinspress for my gifted copy! 4 stars

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars.

Tom Papa has been in enough radio, tv, and movie projects that you’d think I would have heard of him by now, but no. I stumbled across a mention of his new book, and investigated. The reviews of his past books made him sound like Saint Tom of Papa, or maybe Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, and I just couldn’t wrap my head around a comedian who doubled as a positivity guru.

Thank goodness, he’s not. He starts the book with a little pep talk-- you’re not a bad person, even if you do some bad things-- then moves on to observational humor about the usual topics-- family life, dating, alcohol, travel, food, and childhood.

His childhood stories are some of the best, as he shares deeply embarrassing stories involving very cold swimming pools and Bubble Yum. But my favorite piece was “These Are the Days that Must Happen to You”, which was 99.4% accurate, in addition to being funny.

For me, there were no laugh-out-loud moments, only gentle smiles of recognition at relatable stories.

My inner pedant was piqued by one thing-- at the beginning of the book, when he’s telling the audience they’re good people even when they do bad things, one of the examples is sneaking a handful of bulk candy at the grocery store. Then much later, when he’s lamenting the lack of civility in the world, one of the examples of things contributing to the eventual downfall of society was taking 15 items into the 13 items only lane at the grocery store. I submit, Tom, that these two transgressions are equally heinous, and should be met with tsking and malicious side-eye.

[Larissa Goulart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Tom Papa on WWDTM, so when I got the chance to read his new book before it came out I jumped on it, but this book felt repetitive a lot of the times. Before I start complaining, let me start with the things that I did like:

Positives - Having recently moved to New Jersey, myself, I absolutely loved reading this and knowing exactly the place that he was talking about. Like when he said he bought his first car in Paterson, or when he talks about going to the beach in NJ. In fact, some of the Italian restaurants he mentions, I added to my list of "places I want to go" (hey maybe I'll see Tom Papa in real life!). He definitely captures the Italian influence in New Jersey and there's some essays that deserve a five star on their own, like "a wise ancestor called grandpa", "why we marry", and "finding religion".

But, and here comes the - Negatives - I think there's at least three essays about de-cluttering your house, at least 2 about cars, a lot about vacations with family. In sum, it felt like this was variation on the same themes (maybe this would be a better title).

Overall, I think this book works as a collection of essays sometimes funny, sometimes bittersweet, sometimes a bit unhygienic (IF THE JACKET SMELLS LIKE IT TRAVELLED A LOT WASH IT). I guess, I just wanted to it be a bit more concise.

Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!

[Gail Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not know anything about Tom Papa. I don’t remember why I requested this book. When I began it, sitting in a waiting room at a Drs. Office, I sensed that he was an observant person, both of his surroundings and of human nature. And then I got to this sentence:
“Walk the streets of Rome and you can literally see how they lived, through the remnants of theaters, churches and walkways that were never removed. Sit by the sea in Beirut and you’ll be perched on the same rocks that provided respite for people before the time of Jesus. Walk into a condo next to a strip mall in Jacksonville, Florida, and you won’t feel anything at all.”
. . .And I burst out laughing. Having traversed the streets in Rome, sat beside the Mediterranean, and resided in Jacksonville for the last 22-years, this comparison was hilarious.
Then I was hooked. I loved Tom Papa’s comments on life, on family, on drinking, on diets and hotel rooms and cats. He is truly an enjoyable entertainer and a good writer. These thirty-seven essays were delightful.
MY thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

[Booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favourite comedians. Some excerpts I enjoyed:
"I never stir the oil into a new jar of peanut butter. My family wants the all natural stuff that comes with two inches of oil on top and requires a half hour of intense stirring that results in a greasy slimy mess on me, the knife, and the sides of the jar. Fine, I'll buy it, but I'm not stirring it."

"That's a house: a giant place filled with clutter, worry, joy, and concern. I wouldn't change it for anything, but I also wouldn't try to write the Next Great American novel there either. Only a fool would attempt to write anything longer than an email at home and only a genius like Mark Twain would figure a way to get kicked out of his own house."

"Did you ever notice that when you go on these visits you hear the adults whispering behind your back when you leave the room? You're not paranoid. They are totally talking about you. They know you are keeping things from them but they can't figure out what they are. Good for you. Keep those secrets you need to develop your own personality. If you tell them everything they will criticize everything and you'll end up just like them, worried about everything."

[Kim W · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not finish - I found this book mildly enjoyable and then I got to the chapter comparing comics being "cancelled" to Russian comics being put to death and I just couldn't finish it. There is a difference between harsh public criticism of entertainment in the United States and the execution of people by the Russian state. At the least, this lacks perspective and at the worst it is truly someone who feels that their particular vocation is beyond reproach. Nope.

I once sat through a stand up set with a bunch of young millennials. The headliner was big in LA in the 80s, was pals with Jay Leno, etc. His set was clearly geared to LA in the 80s not middle of nowhere Canada in the 2010s. He bombed hard with his outdated jokes that were no longer funny. He wasn't cancelled, he was just irrelevant. That's what American comics miss with this complaint about "cancelling" and "everybody's too PC". No, dude, you've gotten old and so have your jokes.

The saddest part about all of this is I like Tom Papa and his stand up but the book feels like a misstep and that chapter about Americans throwing comics in gulags is just sad. Couldn't finish.

[jpbrokerreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom Papa has become one of my favourite comedians over the last few years. He first came to my attention after his appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience. After that he appeared several more times and I grew to love him more and more. I was excited to read his last book You’re Doing Great and I really enjoyed it so I was equally excited to get the chance to read this book.

Each chapter discusses a different take the author has on a myriad of topics. This ranges from family vacations, diets, relationships and more. I really loved the quick hits from each chapter and the humour Tom provides. As any comedian does he finds reality in his points of view and I found a lot of points to be very relatable. The book is similarly written to his last one in terms of style so if you enjoyed that one you will certainly like this one too. I would highly recommend this one to comedy lovers everywhere

[chels marieantoinette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like a memoir, whether I know the author or not, so when I was offered this in ebook to read and review, I accepted and started reading on my kindle… picking up and putting down each short story, as it’s not one of those intertwined novels that needs to be read sequentially or quickly to keep it fresh in my brain.
But, I realized I’d rather hear the audio narration of Tom Papa himself and when I saw the audiobook up for review, I had to request it. This did not disappoint.
His cadence was great. His delivery calm and genuine. He isn’t crude and doesn’t scream like some comedians, so I appreciated that. His stories were interesting and heartfelt, talking about his grandparents and breaking out of his small town and his love of Christmas.
I’ve never really watched any of his standup, but I’ll definitely look him up now and I think this is a great set of stories that pretty much anyone would enjoy. Definitely recommend.