Here For a Good Time: Organised thoughts from a disorganised mind

by Chris Parker

Comedian Chris Parker brings his brilliant comic wit to this book.

Star of stand-up, winner of Celebrity Treasure Island and lockdown Instagram sensation, Chris Parker shares a series of short stories, essays and musings.

Chris has made a name for himself as an outspoken, witty and charming personality who is consistently exceeding his own and others' expectations. Be it his lockdown felting journey, which saw him creating a felt hat that was bought by Auckland Museum for their permanent collection, or winning Celebrity Treasure Island thanks to his knowledge of his garden's exotic weeds, or just living the dream as a larger than life openly gay unapologetically camp man in Aotearoa. Chris can turn his mind to anything and he's ready to share his insights on the world.

Chris Parker has built a large audience with his charismatic storytelling and online video sketches. Here for a Good Time allows you to take Chris home for a much-needed pick me up whenever you need.

Chris Parker is one of New Zealand's most prominent comedians, and an active voice of the LGBTQ community in Aotearoa. Chris has featured as both a writer and actor on numerous television comedy shows. Chris is also a regular face on comedy panel shows like 7 Days and Have You Been Paying Attention.

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

7 pages, Audible Audio

Published November 1, 2022

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Reviews

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was always going to love anything written by Chris Parker. Warm, lovely & written from the heart! Exactly what I needed after too much mis-lit. So glad I wasn’t the only one buying “funny” outfits to wear with friends to the movies and feel like less of a loser teenager bc Chris behaved like that too. Thank u.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listening to Parker narrate the audiobook himself at 1.3x speed really adds to the experience. Huge fan!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book incredibly relatable, which is a strange comment for me, a straight female, to make about a gay males book on his life. All very relatable in that bebo was a tragic but hilarious time, giving “love” and typing in text language. Carpal tunnel from the texting on our Nokia 2280’s. His taste in chips at his Nana’s house and how to eat kiwi biscuits. Buying an expensive candle and importing jugs and toasters. Sheliah Winn competitions and theatre sports at school. The memories. Chris is just wonderful and I love all of his content. Would love a reenactment of his time as a mall Santa. Also enjoyed hearing about his friendships and the drama of planning (and MC’ing) a wedding.

[Maddie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm writing a short review because I feel like 2 stars otherwise is just mean! I really like Chris Parker and his humour but I didn't think this book offered a lot and I unfortunately didn't find it that original or funny at all. I really struggled with the writing in particular; sentences were so often SO long with a million sentences nestled within them and then with questionable grammar and punctuation. I know that's his sort of comedic style (and it often works when it is said that way) but it made it not a fun thing to read in my opinion. I think maybe listening to it as an audiobook and him narrating would have been more enjoyable and that would probably be my advice for others wanting to see what it's about.

[Shona · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fan of Chris Parker and his humour, I took the chance to listen to this book on Audible so I could listen to the dulcet tones of Chris himself. It was fab, and a total good time!
The thoughts of each chapter had me laughing (because it often described my memories of childhood years!) while we travelled over summer. The stories of teenage acne, McDonalds, malls, haircuts, best friends and the funniest list of things that he is afraid of! A great read/listen.

[Stacey Nanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read! Perfect for any Chris Parker fan.

I wanted an easy to follow read as I am really sick with covid at the moment and this was just what I needed.

Was a nice short read (only 270 pages) but given how sick I am, took me almost a week!

It was such a relatable read in so many ways, Growing up in NZ there were so many references I enjoyed too.

Highly recomend

[Chandra Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars. Delightful.

[Sarah Pollok · Rating 4 out of 5]

Low expectations but loved! Very ‘everything I know about love’ style of mini essays on his life. Brill beach read.

[Kirsty Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read! Gave me lots of giggles and loved the incredibly relatable kiwi anecdotes.

[Tessa Worthington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amusing and enjoyable! I love Chris’ podcast and this was like a behind the scenes and context to the podcast. But this book definitely could’ve done with another edit as some of the sentences were so long and chaotic they were unreadable.

[Laura Giddey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this collection of essays and musings and loved “hearing” Chris’s voice in my head while reading it. So many references I got immediately from being a similar age along with, of course, the kiwi context. Big fan.

[Robyn Dunning · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very light and easy read. Definitely laughed out loud on a number of occasions. Would recommend.

[Bre · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute joy to read.

[Michelle T · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
A fun and easy read by a hilarious and lovely guy.

[Hannah Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literal lols. I was already a fan bc of Male Gayz pod and this has only cemented it.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun collection of essays that really showcased Chris Parker’s wit and sense of humour. There were a few bits that turned out to be veeeeryy relatable and nostalgic, in particular where he talks about the mall being THE place to hangout as a teenager - that gave me a few flashbacks lol.

Overall, this was such an enjoyable and easy-going read! Definitely recommend if you’re looking for something light but still with a lot of heart.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joyous and hilarious

[Christine Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this and intend to buy copies for friends! Easy fun read with lots of relatable bits

[Chelsea Slee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written with relatable anecdotes!

Five stars should be given to the pen licence section alone!

[Beks Henderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me - couldn’t finish it…. Just didn’t grasp me so gave up!

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this as a kid of the 90s I found Chris Parkers Instagram hilariously relatable and entertaining. This book didn't disappoint it was funny and a good hearted read.

[Harriet Rayner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my word where do I even start with this.
Here For a Good Time is by far the most funny book I have ever read. To be completely honest when first picking this up I thought it would be a serious biography on hardship of being a comedian or something, but who am I kidding this is Chis Parker ( NZ comedian ) for goodness sake.
This book had me grinning from ear to ear despite Parker discussing some struggles throughout life the way he was able to construct it made it feel relatable as well as making me feel more human, for example who Chris used to eat biscuits as a child ( wont spoil it any further) . This book is the kind of book I would give my copy to a friend even if they don't enjoy reading, additional to this I am also currently reading this to my mum.

[Simon Sweetman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Almost endearingly lightweight. Almost.

A while ago it was blogs being turned into books. Now it’s Instagram and Instagrammers being turned into books and authors. And there’s just not a lot there.

But he seems like a good guy. Not the enemy.

[Chelsea Berry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I asked for this book for Christmas as I have enjoyed Chris' TV comedy over the years. Also, as a fellow Christchurch native it is always interesting to hear about other people's experiences overlapping with yours (mine happened just a few years earlier though. Rangiora High - because I know you want to know!)

A fun and entertaining read which doesn't hide from the fact that growing up gay was tough, but also doesn't go too in depth with negatives.

The dedication said the stories in the book were shared around the dinner table before being written. Reading it does feel a bit like a conversation at a family gathering, nothing earthshattering but obviously important to the person telling them, who is delighted to be sharing and making the room laugh.

I feel this would be better on Audio, as the writing style seems like words have just flown straight out of Chris' brain in the same way he would speak, and reading loses something without his inflection - in spite of the fact that my inner voice was doing its best Chris Parker impression.

2023 52 Book Club:
#1 Has a subtitle

[Kimberlee Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being of a similar age to Chris it was lovely to take a trip down memory lane and revisit growing up in Aotearoa, New Zealand in the 90s and early 2000's.
Light hearted, witty and a wonderful collection of organised thoughts from a disorganised mind.
It has left me pondering the questions:
Why does he not eat the plain biscuit of the toffee pop first and saviour the sweet caramel topping for last?
Why did they stop making the snifter, greatest of all NZ lollies?
How did he set off the fire alarms in Melbourne central and did we cross paths when l worked there?
Is the journal l bought in my 30th year of life finally going to be one l see through to fruition?
And finally, if Chris's disorganised mind can write such an entertaining book, perhaps there's hope l too shall write my memoirs one day.
10/10 for me. Hoping for a follow up!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Chris Parker's book was definitely a good time, just like when you see him do comedy. We are around the same age so there were so many references to things from the 2000s that I had not thought of since then. Quite a few chuckles throughout.

Also, if you ever read this Chris Parker, I did actually find this book in a "bargain bin", a big bargain bin store, a second hand book store on Cuba St, however I will put it on my own book shelf next to the other memoirs I have read and own, like "Becoming" by Michelle Obama 😄

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable and easy read. Have loved Chris Parker's comedy for years so was excited to read this but wasn't sure what his motive was with publishing a book - well, I found out, it was to continue to bring the good vibes!! Found myself relating all too well to a lot of the silly stories and teenage embarrassments, especially re being a drama kid. If he ever does a follow up book in years to come I'll be eager to pick that up too!

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super quick, funny and engaging read. Chris Parker hasn't been alive for all that long so a memoir from him doesn't have a long life to draw on yet, but this book gives you a great insight into his scattered and incredibly quick mind. I enjoyed the stories of Chris and his friends at school, and of his quick rise to fame in our small country. I really love his humour, I think he is that lovely kind of quirky and not mean-minded funny that I thoroughly appreciate. It's a happy book.

[Rebekah Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this. Particularly the insights to growing up Kiwi and around Christchurch that I could relate to. There is a lot of IYKYK moments. There is also a lot of heart in this book - a real look inside a man who knows himself and still wants to know more. I love a growth mindset.

There were many LOL moments - mostly that I did in public so tried to hide a loud laugh but came out as an embarrassing snort. Feel like Chris would be thrilled with that.

[Siobhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chris Parker (or I've given him the nickname of Chrissy P), is one of my fave NZ comedians.
He's taken up many roles across heaps of media and I was super excited to read his book.
A quick and easy read, it was nice being able to relate to... even though though I am a straight female.

I liked how each chapter was sort of like a new story being told of Chris's and it was like his voice was in my head reading the book to me.