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The To-Do List
Would a proper adult ignore the spilt milk under the fridge for weeks? Would a proper adult take three years to post a solitary Christmas card? Would a proper adult have decades-old underwear in active service? Mike Gayle is nowhere near being a proper adult -- even though his tenth wedding anniversary is looming; his second child is due any moment; and in less than twenty-four hours he is going to be officially closer to forty than he is to thirty. Appalled by this lack of maturity, Mike draws up a To-Do list containing every single item he's been meaning to do but just keeps putting off...He's got a lot of stuff that needs doing. But unlike previous To-Do lists, he promises himself that this one will actually get DONE. And along the way, Mike will learn stuff about life (323), love (999), friends (1004) and family (9) and finally work out what it means to be a grown up (846).
343 pages, Paperback
First published December 27, 2008
61 people are currently reading
906 people want to read
About the author
Mike Gayle
38 books2,263 followersI was born in the 70s — the 70s were great. I would recommend them to anyone.
I was also born in Birmingham — in my humble opinion the greatest city in the world with the nicest people too.
I used to live in London — a great city too. But a bit on the pricey side.
I also used to live in Manchester — another great city (although technically I lived in Salford which is next door but that’s sort of splitting hairs).
Before I went to university I wanted to be a social worker — I have no idea why. It didn’t last long.
After I left university I wanted to write for the NME — I’ve always loved music but it was only when I went to uni that it started loving me back. I can’t play any instruments or sing so writing about music seemed to make sense.
My first paid writing gig was for a listings magazine in Birmingham — (Actually my first unpaid writing gig was an interview with Kitchens of Distinction for Salford Student Magazine. I can’t begin to tell you how terrible it was.)
I used to write a music fanzine — it was called Incredibly Inedible and I co-edited it with my mate Jackie. We typed up the first issue on my dad’s olde worlde typewriter and then literally cut and paste on to A4 sheets using scissors and glue. Over the three years of its existence we interviewed many bands and artists including: Smashing Pumpkins, The Cranberries, Pavement, Bill Hicks and Blur.
I was also born in Birmingham — in my humble opinion the greatest city in the world with the nicest people too.
I used to live in London — a great city too. But a bit on the pricey side.
I also used to live in Manchester — another great city (although technically I lived in Salford which is next door but that’s sort of splitting hairs).
Before I went to university I wanted to be a social worker — I have no idea why. It didn’t last long.
After I left university I wanted to write for the NME — I’ve always loved music but it was only when I went to uni that it started loving me back. I can’t play any instruments or sing so writing about music seemed to make sense.
My first paid writing gig was for a listings magazine in Birmingham — (Actually my first unpaid writing gig was an interview with Kitchens of Distinction for Salford Student Magazine. I can’t begin to tell you how terrible it was.)
I used to write a music fanzine — it was called Incredibly Inedible and I co-edited it with my mate Jackie. We typed up the first issue on my dad’s olde worlde typewriter and then literally cut and paste on to A4 sheets using scissors and glue. Over the three years of its existence we interviewed many bands and artists including: Smashing Pumpkins, The Cranberries, Pavement, Bill Hicks and Blur.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
January 18, 2020
Well, it’s certainly not the most exciting book in the world. But it was incredibly motivating! I got so much done while I listened to it because I couldn’t possibly listen to him, someone oh so very relatable, get business done while I sat around and played games on my phone. I made doctor’s appointments I’d been putting off, ordered guitar strings, decided to learn to use my serger, and hung shelves that have been sitting around for (literally) 6 months. All the self help gurus in the land couldn’t have gotten me moving so much as this book did. I’m glad I read it and I’m glad I’m getting ticks off my own to do list.
November 3, 2014
There are some funny and some touching moments in Mike Gayle’s book, but overall I didn’t find it that inspiring. Everyone has experienced writing a to-do list – whether it is something you do regularly to help you get things done, or a once in a while purge, but Mike has written a 1277 item list.
The things on his list are not of the outrageous type but more of the mundane everyday things that people brush aside and let build up – although the ridiculous 24 hour trip to New York to buy his wife a mug (that he didn’t even manage to get) was a bit beyond reality, particularly when one of the other things on his list was to be more green.
Overall it’s an ok read about a chap who has quite a successful life – nice (and very patient!) wife, (I think I would have strangled him myself) lovely kids, nice house and successful career, who just wants to get on top of everyday things. I wouldn’t really say it was worth making into a book, but if you can take anything out of it at all – it’s not to procrastinate “you don’t need to procrastinate when you are on top of things.”
There are a couple of highlights, including when he took his mum to Downing Street – his mum who is never shocked – and he recalls her face as she sees Tony Blair. I like the line “My mum, a woman who arrived in this country with only a single suitcase and 11 pounds to her name, was standing outside the front door of the Prime Minister of England. This constituted the best tick on my to-do list so far and seemed the perfect end to the perfect week.”
I also like his comment when he is trying to read War and Peace – “I can’t help wonder if Tolstoy was a great writer who, like artists who aren’t very good at drawing noses, was just rubbish at writing endings because even though I’m only on page 146, I know this book needs to be a lot shorter.”
It’s an easy read, which is lucky, because otherwise I’m not sure I would have stayed with it as I just couldn’t get myself to care enough whether he completed a list of things as mundane as sewing buttons on shirts and watching box sets of DVDs.
The things on his list are not of the outrageous type but more of the mundane everyday things that people brush aside and let build up – although the ridiculous 24 hour trip to New York to buy his wife a mug (that he didn’t even manage to get) was a bit beyond reality, particularly when one of the other things on his list was to be more green.
Overall it’s an ok read about a chap who has quite a successful life – nice (and very patient!) wife, (I think I would have strangled him myself) lovely kids, nice house and successful career, who just wants to get on top of everyday things. I wouldn’t really say it was worth making into a book, but if you can take anything out of it at all – it’s not to procrastinate “you don’t need to procrastinate when you are on top of things.”
There are a couple of highlights, including when he took his mum to Downing Street – his mum who is never shocked – and he recalls her face as she sees Tony Blair. I like the line “My mum, a woman who arrived in this country with only a single suitcase and 11 pounds to her name, was standing outside the front door of the Prime Minister of England. This constituted the best tick on my to-do list so far and seemed the perfect end to the perfect week.”
I also like his comment when he is trying to read War and Peace – “I can’t help wonder if Tolstoy was a great writer who, like artists who aren’t very good at drawing noses, was just rubbish at writing endings because even though I’m only on page 146, I know this book needs to be a lot shorter.”
It’s an easy read, which is lucky, because otherwise I’m not sure I would have stayed with it as I just couldn’t get myself to care enough whether he completed a list of things as mundane as sewing buttons on shirts and watching box sets of DVDs.
December 16, 2010
While the story itself wasn't that bad the ending did feel a bit open. Read this book more for the journey than the destination.
August 26, 2012
Mike has a lovely conversational writing style, but ultimately this is a bit of autobio not fiction, and the plot is thin despite t being a good concept
November 26, 2022
Quietly amusing, slightly inspiring (I may write myself my own list), this deviation from the fictional output of 'bloke lit' Mike Gayle wasn't too much of a deviation in style. Here the author tells of a project he took on over a year in his mid thirties to compile a 'to do' list and then complete all ~1200+ items over the course of the year.
Don't get me wrong, it's an interesting idea and it was thought-provoking in a mild manner too. However, it was somewhat slim a concept and the result was a book that felt more like it'd be better suited to a newpaper or magazine column instead. Despite the fact I'm sure Gayle embellished some anecdotes and didn't talk about the duller items on the list, it didn't exactly feel a particularly rich, funny or significant read.
Oh, and by the end I found the tone slightly humblebrag and also a touch irritating in a "successful writer has resources of time, money and contacts that allow him to do some tasks much more easily than a 'normal' person - well, bully for him!" manner.
Don't get me wrong, it's an interesting idea and it was thought-provoking in a mild manner too. However, it was somewhat slim a concept and the result was a book that felt more like it'd be better suited to a newpaper or magazine column instead. Despite the fact I'm sure Gayle embellished some anecdotes and didn't talk about the duller items on the list, it didn't exactly feel a particularly rich, funny or significant read.
Oh, and by the end I found the tone slightly humblebrag and also a touch irritating in a "successful writer has resources of time, money and contacts that allow him to do some tasks much more easily than a 'normal' person - well, bully for him!" manner.
March 14, 2023
Actually a non-fiction book but still a very entertaining book, if you likevMike Gayle books you will enjoy this one.
July 26, 2021
A fairly easy going read. I just like how he splashed his cash around to solve his problems and get things done.
January 22, 2022
Inspiring journey of ones struggle to put check marks on all the things in their life, but the list is never ending and struggles are real. Bonus points for attached list for inspiration and dedication to find all the items on the list, some of which are funny and very much everyday life goals/tasks.
May 7, 2017
Refreshingly honest, very funny account of one man's attempt to become a real adult
Mike Gayle does not 'gild the lily' and paint himself favourably in this year-in-the-life of a writer who decides to make a list of every thing he's ever intended to do and actually DO them.
Some of Mike's items are those we all recognise - clear out the attic, spend more time with children, lose weight, go green - and some are a little more unique to him. Mike feels like an everyman as he struggles with the trials we all do - dieting, exercising, getting rid of his old junk.
Claire, Mike's long-suffering wife sometimes comes across as a little shrewish in the audiobook, though she grew on me through the book, and Mike himself also showed himself as the book progressed to be a loving father (he starts his to-do list just as his wife is due their second daughter).
It's the sort of personal journey every reader can identify with - improving yourself, doing all those jobs you've put off for more important ones. Some of his 1277 items are quite moving ones, some mundane, others mountainous in the commitment required to complete them. I loved reading this, and the audiobook narrator made it a pleasure.
Mike Gayle is a well-known writer, and we get glimpses of the life of a writer through this, as well as that of a regular husband and father, though Mike quite guilelessly shows his own flighty nature (half-finished jobs his calling card). Can this man actually finish something he starts, persevere and learning something from his endeavours?
I found this inspirational, being a list person myself (though not to this extent!), and a very entertaining listen. Mike's voice is honest and down-to-earth. I've read a few of his fiction titles previously and love hearing the 'male point of view' he puts across so well.
One day soon, I might even do something similar of my own... I just hope it isn't quite as long as Mike's!
Mike Gayle does not 'gild the lily' and paint himself favourably in this year-in-the-life of a writer who decides to make a list of every thing he's ever intended to do and actually DO them.
Some of Mike's items are those we all recognise - clear out the attic, spend more time with children, lose weight, go green - and some are a little more unique to him. Mike feels like an everyman as he struggles with the trials we all do - dieting, exercising, getting rid of his old junk.
Claire, Mike's long-suffering wife sometimes comes across as a little shrewish in the audiobook, though she grew on me through the book, and Mike himself also showed himself as the book progressed to be a loving father (he starts his to-do list just as his wife is due their second daughter).
It's the sort of personal journey every reader can identify with - improving yourself, doing all those jobs you've put off for more important ones. Some of his 1277 items are quite moving ones, some mundane, others mountainous in the commitment required to complete them. I loved reading this, and the audiobook narrator made it a pleasure.
Mike Gayle is a well-known writer, and we get glimpses of the life of a writer through this, as well as that of a regular husband and father, though Mike quite guilelessly shows his own flighty nature (half-finished jobs his calling card). Can this man actually finish something he starts, persevere and learning something from his endeavours?
I found this inspirational, being a list person myself (though not to this extent!), and a very entertaining listen. Mike's voice is honest and down-to-earth. I've read a few of his fiction titles previously and love hearing the 'male point of view' he puts across so well.
One day soon, I might even do something similar of my own... I just hope it isn't quite as long as Mike's!
July 19, 2014
So....a nice enough guy makes a long list of all the dullest tasks he can think of, and does them, mostly, and his life is still lovely and nothing really significantly changes because he happily admits he's a 'bit hopeless' at finishing (or indeed starting) these tasks. So he does all the boring things on his list, and takes the world's briefest trip to New York to buy a mug which he fails at, and he gets a tad arsey at an AOL account phoneline which he should have cancelled back in 2001....
let's put it this way. It's mercifully brief. The most interesting part is the actual To Do List which is at the back and swells the thin book by about 70 pages. We don't even get a full explanation of everything he did - some of these were added for the 'lolz'. Did he ever finish Tomb Raider 1 or read Watchmen? Who knows. Really, who cares?
I'm not saying every story has to be a thrilling non-stop narrative of high adventure and gratuitous nudity. But come on...and if this is even part way based on his actual life, then I'm sure he's a lovely chap, really. But I would strangle him if we met within twenty minutes of his 'aren't I hopeless' schtick.
So, its great he got on with his list. It's great he mostly finished it. It's just bizarre it was considered worth writing up.
Back to some reading actual storytelling, then. The original book of 'Rock and a Hard Place' AKA '127 Hours' is going to be next. Harrowing, life and death and crucially, something will be at stake other than a dirty floor and mildly disappointed home life.
let's put it this way. It's mercifully brief. The most interesting part is the actual To Do List which is at the back and swells the thin book by about 70 pages. We don't even get a full explanation of everything he did - some of these were added for the 'lolz'. Did he ever finish Tomb Raider 1 or read Watchmen? Who knows. Really, who cares?
I'm not saying every story has to be a thrilling non-stop narrative of high adventure and gratuitous nudity. But come on...and if this is even part way based on his actual life, then I'm sure he's a lovely chap, really. But I would strangle him if we met within twenty minutes of his 'aren't I hopeless' schtick.
So, its great he got on with his list. It's great he mostly finished it. It's just bizarre it was considered worth writing up.
Back to some reading actual storytelling, then. The original book of 'Rock and a Hard Place' AKA '127 Hours' is going to be next. Harrowing, life and death and crucially, something will be at stake other than a dirty floor and mildly disappointed home life.
November 1, 2010
I only recently discovered Mike Gayle and enjoyed his novel 'Wish You Were Here' so was really looking forward to reading this, his first non-fiction book.
It's a simple enough idea - Mike decides it's time he and his wife become 'real grown ups', he is inspired by his next-door neighbours who appear very adult like, with regular dinner parties, a tidy home and responsible jobs. So, Mike writes his to-do list and aims to have 99% of list ticked off by the time his next birthday arrives, in twelve months.
What follows is his account of going through the list and ticking things off. At times he is very funny, at times he is so infuriating. I thought I had procrastinated thoroughout my life, but Mike shows how it's really done!
This is a really entertaining read. Mike Gayle is a 'chatty' sort of author and the reader feels as though they know him and his family really well by the end of the story. Easy to follow, in diary form and yes, it made me think of the mountain of things I need to do before I am a fully fledged grown up person!
It's a simple enough idea - Mike decides it's time he and his wife become 'real grown ups', he is inspired by his next-door neighbours who appear very adult like, with regular dinner parties, a tidy home and responsible jobs. So, Mike writes his to-do list and aims to have 99% of list ticked off by the time his next birthday arrives, in twelve months.
What follows is his account of going through the list and ticking things off. At times he is very funny, at times he is so infuriating. I thought I had procrastinated thoroughout my life, but Mike shows how it's really done!
This is a really entertaining read. Mike Gayle is a 'chatty' sort of author and the reader feels as though they know him and his family really well by the end of the story. Easy to follow, in diary form and yes, it made me think of the mountain of things I need to do before I am a fully fledged grown up person!
May 10, 2012
Kind of meh. It was nothing special really but I did enjoy reading it. Wish it had been funnier, because that would have made it more "worth it". I got seriously annoyed with the main character sometimes, he was such a procrastinator. I think everybody are procrastinators, but he was an extreme one. Just do it! Some of the things were from years ago, come on! Anyway. If you would stumble upon it, read it, but otherwise I wouldn't recommend it.
January 2, 2010
I expected a lot more, since I loved the title and the summary of the book, but somehow I couldn't really relate to the character of Mike and kind of found it ridiculous to have a 1,277 item to-do list, even though I myself am a huge fan of to-do lists.
April 9, 2021
If you'd ask me to summarize this book with one period, then I'd quote Amor Towles from A Gentleman in Moscow: “The first was that if one did not master one’s circumstances, one was bound to be mastered by them; and the second was Montaigne’s maxim that the surest sign of wisdom is constant cheerfulness.”
Because this is exactly what the book The To-Do List is about. Mike Gayle wants to become a real functioning adult. He has spent thirty-six springs being mastered by his circumstances, and he promises himself to master his circumstances within one revolution of the mother earth around her brightest star. He does what a man in his circumstance must do. He makes a list that stands between him and the real functioning adult club, and then he spends an year ticking off that extravagantly large list. With constant cheerfulness and candidness he overcomes all the hurdles that the list throws at him. There are moments when he feels that he has had it enough, moments when he fails to see the point behind this stupendous pursuit. But time and again, with the help of his wife Claire, with the help of his two daughters, and with the help of his friends he comes out with blazing guns and finishes the list by ticking 99%+ tasks (entire list is 1277 items long).
This book is more about experiencing the process rather than expecting the destination. You know from the start that the story is going nowhere, and it was never supposed to go anywhere. There are not many high's and low's in this book, but there are lot of moments of laughter, and moments of joy, and moments of inspiration. In this candid tale, there is everyday life: family and friendship, overcoming obstacles, growing up, taking risks and learning about the things you are really capable of.
I could relate to Mike Gayle on so many levels, and whenever I meet someone whom I can relate with on multiple levels, I try to get to know them a little more. So, that is why I decided to read this book, after having an cathartic experience reading his book, All The Lonely People. I'll see you with the next book Mikey xD.
Now before you judge the man, instead of laughing it off on this little joke. The man crossed the Atlantic just to bring a $12 dollar mug for his wife which she absolutely loved, although which he had broken few years ago. Haha.
Because this is exactly what the book The To-Do List is about. Mike Gayle wants to become a real functioning adult. He has spent thirty-six springs being mastered by his circumstances, and he promises himself to master his circumstances within one revolution of the mother earth around her brightest star. He does what a man in his circumstance must do. He makes a list that stands between him and the real functioning adult club, and then he spends an year ticking off that extravagantly large list. With constant cheerfulness and candidness he overcomes all the hurdles that the list throws at him. There are moments when he feels that he has had it enough, moments when he fails to see the point behind this stupendous pursuit. But time and again, with the help of his wife Claire, with the help of his two daughters, and with the help of his friends he comes out with blazing guns and finishes the list by ticking 99%+ tasks (entire list is 1277 items long).
This book is more about experiencing the process rather than expecting the destination. You know from the start that the story is going nowhere, and it was never supposed to go anywhere. There are not many high's and low's in this book, but there are lot of moments of laughter, and moments of joy, and moments of inspiration. In this candid tale, there is everyday life: family and friendship, overcoming obstacles, growing up, taking risks and learning about the things you are really capable of.
I could relate to Mike Gayle on so many levels, and whenever I meet someone whom I can relate with on multiple levels, I try to get to know them a little more. So, that is why I decided to read this book, after having an cathartic experience reading his book, All The Lonely People. I'll see you with the next book Mikey xD.
2.02 p.m. I am wishing that someone would invent a machine that would just do the things that you want it to do without you having to get involved with any of it.
2.05 p.m. I've just repeated my invention wish to Claire. She tells me I've already got one: 'It's called a wife and it's how ninety per cent of the things that need doing in our house actually get done.'
Now before you judge the man, instead of laughing it off on this little joke. The man crossed the Atlantic just to bring a $12 dollar mug for his wife which she absolutely loved, although which he had broken few years ago. Haha.
May 14, 2021
I've attempted to read this book three times over 3 years. (Physical copy, ebook and finally audiobook.) This isn't the worst thing I've read this year, but it is at the top of the list of books that frustrated me. This book reads like a glimpse into the life of a writer who was tasked with the privilege of writing something/anything. Not quite fiction. Not quite a diary entry. Not quite a good combo of either. This book just feels like it "happened". It wasn't funny. It wasn't engaging. It wasn't anything I could recommend to anyone else.
Don't get me wrong. I've read Mike Gayle's other books. Those felt thought out. This felt like an obligation. So by writing this book and me completing it finally, this feels as if I've checked a tick on a long to-do list. And I'm left wondering why I even had this book on there in the first place. (Thumbs down.)
Don't get me wrong. I've read Mike Gayle's other books. Those felt thought out. This felt like an obligation. So by writing this book and me completing it finally, this feels as if I've checked a tick on a long to-do list. And I'm left wondering why I even had this book on there in the first place. (Thumbs down.)
August 7, 2021
A what should be boring plot written hilariously.
Mike Gayle writes a to do list. This isn’t an exciting, flamboyant, bucket list style to do list but a list of all the things you should do ( think ‘adulting’) but go by the wayside (cleaning the gutter, go green, spend more time with the kids, get health problems sorted, finish the dvds sitting in the house, sort the loft etc). He gives himself one year to complete it. It doesn’t all quite go to plan but the results are entertaining. His wife has endless patience! If nothing else you can’t read this without suddenly feeling a need to write a list of all the things you yourself the reader need to do.
Mike Gayle writes a to do list. This isn’t an exciting, flamboyant, bucket list style to do list but a list of all the things you should do ( think ‘adulting’) but go by the wayside (cleaning the gutter, go green, spend more time with the kids, get health problems sorted, finish the dvds sitting in the house, sort the loft etc). He gives himself one year to complete it. It doesn’t all quite go to plan but the results are entertaining. His wife has endless patience! If nothing else you can’t read this without suddenly feeling a need to write a list of all the things you yourself the reader need to do.
September 6, 2023
I’d probably give this 3.5 if I could…
I like Mike Gayle and I am a master of having long to do lists, so hoped this would give me some tips! However the author’s flexible work hours/wife on maternity leave/frequently babysitting grandparents seem to offer him a lot more time than the average working parent, and his brief trip abroad to tick off an item - and spending his very short time there reading a book - unfortunately seemed a bit ludicrous and kind of took the list ticking outside the realms of possibility for most people!
It was a nice read - but hasn’t helped with my list!!!
I like Mike Gayle and I am a master of having long to do lists, so hoped this would give me some tips! However the author’s flexible work hours/wife on maternity leave/frequently babysitting grandparents seem to offer him a lot more time than the average working parent, and his brief trip abroad to tick off an item - and spending his very short time there reading a book - unfortunately seemed a bit ludicrous and kind of took the list ticking outside the realms of possibility for most people!
It was a nice read - but hasn’t helped with my list!!!
October 10, 2023
Well-written, captivating and motivating ! This book reads very nicely, and offers deep thoughts on accomplishment, procrastination and priorities in life. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a feel-good read: it's both witty and relevant.
April 27, 2023
I always like a Mike Gayle book. This was an easy read but I prefer his novels - still good though.
June 20, 2013
My full video review can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN2fKd...
I first noticed this book in a bookstore because of its title and became intrigued by its premise – A man writes down a ridiculously long to-do list and then tries to cross everything off in only one year. I love making to-do lists, but don’t always end up doing everything on them, so I thought that this would be an interesting read.
Mike Gayle is a successful writer, has a loving wife, two daughters, a comfortable home and a myriad of friends, but in spite of this, he doesn’t feel like he has got it together. He is a self-proclaimed master of procrastination and all of the things he has been meaning to do for a long time, but never does, are weighing on him. All the dvd’s he has bought but not watched, the books he has not read, the household chores that have been neglected for far too long and the old friends that he has not seen for ages etc. etc. One night, he writes down a list of all of these things and decides to complete the list before his next birthday.
This is not a book filled with amazing adventures. This list does not have items such as “Skydive” or “Climb Mount Everest” on it. Gayle is using the list to become more organized and a “proper adult” and so the list has things on it like “Clean out U-bend under bathroom sink” , “Renew passport” and “Watch Battlestar Galactica Season 1” so don’t expect too much from it.
The purpose of this book is to show, by example, that if you set your mind to it, you can overcome procrastination and just finish all of the things that have been sitting in the back of your mind, nagging you.
The characters in this book are really not fleshed out very well, probably because this is biographical and it may be difficult to write about the actual people in your life. But I felt that there were way too many names and too little attached to them.
There were sections in this book that were just about thing that happened to Gayle that didn’t have anything to do with the list, like when he finds out that one of his books has been made into a Bollywood film without his knowledge. There are other examples like this one and it just feels very much like filler material.
The list itself has some problems as well, if we are thinking realistically. There are items on the list such as: “Eat less salt”, “learn more about yourself”, “be prepared” and “be a better son”. These are worthy endeavors but I don’t think that they are items that can be crossed off a list.
There is one section that I can’t stand and that is when he goes to New York just to buy a specific coffee mug for his wife. Needless to say, the mug turned out not to be available. To go there without even calling ahead to see if the store had the mug is just plain stupid. The he gets home and tells his wife about it and she says: “So you went all that way for nothing” and he says “no babe, I went all that way for you” *Shudders*
In conclusion: This book is not “brilliantly funny “ as it says on the cover, but it is light-hearted and a good quick summer read if you are in the mood for something like this. It has a positive message and can be inspiring if you are thinking about becoming more organized yourself. I don’t regret reading this book, but I wouldn't necessarily strongly recommend it. Even though the idea is good, I just don’t think a book about a guy doing 1277 menial tasks works very well in practice.
I first noticed this book in a bookstore because of its title and became intrigued by its premise – A man writes down a ridiculously long to-do list and then tries to cross everything off in only one year. I love making to-do lists, but don’t always end up doing everything on them, so I thought that this would be an interesting read.
Mike Gayle is a successful writer, has a loving wife, two daughters, a comfortable home and a myriad of friends, but in spite of this, he doesn’t feel like he has got it together. He is a self-proclaimed master of procrastination and all of the things he has been meaning to do for a long time, but never does, are weighing on him. All the dvd’s he has bought but not watched, the books he has not read, the household chores that have been neglected for far too long and the old friends that he has not seen for ages etc. etc. One night, he writes down a list of all of these things and decides to complete the list before his next birthday.
This is not a book filled with amazing adventures. This list does not have items such as “Skydive” or “Climb Mount Everest” on it. Gayle is using the list to become more organized and a “proper adult” and so the list has things on it like “Clean out U-bend under bathroom sink” , “Renew passport” and “Watch Battlestar Galactica Season 1” so don’t expect too much from it.
The purpose of this book is to show, by example, that if you set your mind to it, you can overcome procrastination and just finish all of the things that have been sitting in the back of your mind, nagging you.
The characters in this book are really not fleshed out very well, probably because this is biographical and it may be difficult to write about the actual people in your life. But I felt that there were way too many names and too little attached to them.
There were sections in this book that were just about thing that happened to Gayle that didn’t have anything to do with the list, like when he finds out that one of his books has been made into a Bollywood film without his knowledge. There are other examples like this one and it just feels very much like filler material.
The list itself has some problems as well, if we are thinking realistically. There are items on the list such as: “Eat less salt”, “learn more about yourself”, “be prepared” and “be a better son”. These are worthy endeavors but I don’t think that they are items that can be crossed off a list.
There is one section that I can’t stand and that is when he goes to New York just to buy a specific coffee mug for his wife. Needless to say, the mug turned out not to be available. To go there without even calling ahead to see if the store had the mug is just plain stupid. The he gets home and tells his wife about it and she says: “So you went all that way for nothing” and he says “no babe, I went all that way for you” *Shudders*
In conclusion: This book is not “brilliantly funny “ as it says on the cover, but it is light-hearted and a good quick summer read if you are in the mood for something like this. It has a positive message and can be inspiring if you are thinking about becoming more organized yourself. I don’t regret reading this book, but I wouldn't necessarily strongly recommend it. Even though the idea is good, I just don’t think a book about a guy doing 1277 menial tasks works very well in practice.
February 18, 2020
I gave up a while ago - not enough going on!
October 29, 2016
I couldn't exactly figure out if this was some thing he had actually done or he just wrote the book and decided to use his own name for credibility. Doesn't matter, the story stays the same.
I'm not sure if I really enjoyed this story, at parts I thought I did, but at other parts I just wished for all the prograstination, stupid excuses and pointless I-give-up-scenes to end.
I understand you might need to think twice about doing this, but if you are halway through and you've quit like five times already, just quit for good.
Other than that, this book seemed (maybe because he used his own name I don't know) a bit of an arrogant streak by the author 'oh look at me and the crazy and funny and interesting things I am doing isn't it amazing?'
But my biggest problem with this book is that I can't see how following an enormous list, which consists 40% of reading books and qatching series and movies, will make you a proper adult. And also why you should want to continue such list to let it make you an adult.
I'm not sure if I really enjoyed this story, at parts I thought I did, but at other parts I just wished for all the prograstination, stupid excuses and pointless I-give-up-scenes to end.
I understand you might need to think twice about doing this, but if you are halway through and you've quit like five times already, just quit for good.
Other than that, this book seemed (maybe because he used his own name I don't know) a bit of an arrogant streak by the author 'oh look at me and the crazy and funny and interesting things I am doing isn't it amazing?'
But my biggest problem with this book is that I can't see how following an enormous list, which consists 40% of reading books and qatching series and movies, will make you a proper adult. And also why you should want to continue such list to let it make you an adult.
October 8, 2018
Gayle makes a massive To-do List, things he must accomplish in order the consider himself a true, fully-functional adult, and he chronicles the year-long journey towards its completion. The book is quite humorous in many places, and it is very, VERY British (as a Canadian I was able to understand most of them, but I had to look up some of the cultural references in order to understand them). The comparison to A.J. Jacobs books are obvious, and largely accurate because the premise and the self-deprecating humour between Jacobs and Gayle are pretty readily apparent. That said, I don't get the impression of either trying to piggyback on the other. I was hoping for a bit more commentary on Gayle's self-examination of his values and choices, and how they changed, or perhaps didn't change over the course of the To-do List journey, but the book is a little superficial in that regard. However, it was a very fun, very enjoyable light read when I needed something to read for pure entertainment value.
June 5, 2021
I struggled through this book wondering what the point of it was.
I couldn't work out if it was a big boastfest or if Mike Gayle had simply hit a dry spot in regards to writing a new book so had just pumped this out.
The ridiculous scenario of cancelling his AOL account was just........ridiculous.
And the New York jaunt just seemed to me to be a show of look at me throwing my money around.
And as much as I realise it was not done intentionally the way he wrote about his wife made her sound for all the world like a dreary brain dead amoeba.
It's hard to believe that the person who wrote a brilliant book like' All the Lonely People' wrote 'The To Do List' which is most definitely not a book I would ever recommend reading.
I couldn't work out if it was a big boastfest or if Mike Gayle had simply hit a dry spot in regards to writing a new book so had just pumped this out.
The ridiculous scenario of cancelling his AOL account was just........ridiculous.
And the New York jaunt just seemed to me to be a show of look at me throwing my money around.
And as much as I realise it was not done intentionally the way he wrote about his wife made her sound for all the world like a dreary brain dead amoeba.
It's hard to believe that the person who wrote a brilliant book like' All the Lonely People' wrote 'The To Do List' which is most definitely not a book I would ever recommend reading.
December 18, 2016
I loved this book! I've liked Mikes previous books too, but this was about his own life. He somehow managed to write a huge to-do-list and decided to give himself a year to complete all those over a thousand things he's been meaning to do for so long. It was a great read and it taught himself and the readers lots of things about human nature. It made me wanna do my very own to-do-list, and I've done a modest version for myself :) I recommend this to anyone, especially those of us who like doing lists.
November 12, 2017
I really enjoyed this one, I thought it was a real reflection of how we men have earned a reputation for starting things and not finishing them and could identify with many of his struggles.
His wife's constant frustration with his inability to see things through is clear to see and I couldn't help but laugh at many of the situations he gets himself into.
His wife's constant frustration with his inability to see things through is clear to see and I couldn't help but laugh at many of the situations he gets himself into.
October 22, 2013
If you love lists, you'll love this.
February 3, 2018
this made me proper laugh out loud, perfect book to read in the new year when you are ditching your new years resolutions
April 11, 2019
This was one of the books that got me into reading (I'd never really read for pleasure as a kid). Have enjoyed a few other Mike Gayle books since. I love his style of writing.
March 11, 2018
I picked this up primarily because I have an unhealthy relationship with to-do lists. I'm working on a month long one right now (doing things that I've been putting off), I won't do as well as Gayle though. I didn't get along with this book in the beginning, I did warm up to Gayle, but was also very annoyed by him at times (depending a fair bit on the task he was doing). We don't share a sense of humor that's for sure (but that's okay).
It was also a bit fun to see a little into the past in terms of some of the items on the list (what kind of television he was catching up on in particular). I did enjoy browsing the list at the end of the book, all 1277 items. I enjoyed the everyday aspect a large part of it had. Though I still don't believe that he, at 36 (when he decided to start this list) that people don't actually become "grown-ups", though getting a handle on your life is always good.
It was also a bit fun to see a little into the past in terms of some of the items on the list (what kind of television he was catching up on in particular). I did enjoy browsing the list at the end of the book, all 1277 items. I enjoyed the everyday aspect a large part of it had. Though I still don't believe that he, at 36 (when he decided to start this list) that people don't actually become "grown-ups", though getting a handle on your life is always good.
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