Nice Try: Stories of Best Intentions and Mixed Results

(Paperback)

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If you only read one book in your life, it probably shouldnt be this one. However, if youre not operating an inexplicable one-book policy, these stories are funny, touching, and more than worth your time. John Oliver

Josh Gondelman is one of the most original hilarious voices out there today. This book will hook you and make you laugh and laugh.Amy Schumer

Emmy-Award winning writer and comedian Josh Gondelmans collection of personal stories of best intentions and mixed results.

Josh Gondelman knows a thing or two about tryingand failing. The Emmy Award-winning stand-up comicdubbed a pathological sweetheart by the New York Observeris known throughout the industry as one of comedys true nice guys. Not surprisingly, hes endured his share of last-place finishes. But he keeps on bouncing back.

In this collection of hilarious and poignant essays (including his acclaimed New York Times piece What if I Bombed at My Own Wedding), Josh celebrates a life of good intentionsand mixed results. His true tales of romantic calamities, professional misfortunes, and eventual triumphs reinforce the notion: we get out of the world what we put into it. Whether hes adopting a dog from a suspicious stranger, mitigating a disastrous road trip, or trying MDMA for the first (and only) time, Josh only wants the best for everyoneeven as his attempts to do the right thing occasionally implode.

Full of the warm and relatable humor thats made him a favorite on the comedy club circuit, Nice Try solidifies Josh Gondelmans reputation as not just a good guy, but a skilled observer of the human condition.

Reviews

If you only read one book in your life, it probably shouldnt be this one. However, if youre not operating an inexplicable one-book policy, these stories are funny, touching, and more than worth your time. John Oliver, host of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Josh Gondelman is a great comedian, super nice, and now the author of a terrific bunch of essays. How annoying. Jim Gaffigan, author of Food: A Love Story and Dad is Fat Josh Gondelman is a human cardigan and this book is like a warm, consensual hug. Samantha Irby, author of Meaty Josh Gondelman is one of the most original hilarious voices out there today. This book will hook you and make you laugh and laugh. Amy Schumer, author of The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo Nice Trymakes me wish I was friends with Josh in high school. His take on the world is something we need more ofits optimistic, observant, sincere, and insanely funny. Read this book. Hasan Minhaj, host of Patriot Act Josh Gondelman is a comedian who looks like an author, so this book makes a lot of sense. Like him, its hilarious, excellent and fun. Pete Holmes, author of Comedy Sex God Josh Gondelman reinforces what I love so deeply about his writing: chock full of wit, so wonderfully hilarious, and unafraid to be vulnerable and honest. Yes, he is known as one of the nicest dudes in comedy, but hes also one of the most funny and consistent. This book will not disappoint, so stop reading this blurb already and read the book! Phoebe Robinson, author of Everythings Trash, But Its Okay Reading Nice Try is like carrying around a good friend with you, someone whos funny and compassionate and always reminding you to do better. If youre lucky enough to read Josh Gondelman, youre sure to leave the experience a happier, kinder person. (And as a real bonus, youll laugh, too.) Theres good in the world yet Nice Try is a great reminder of that. Scaachi Koul, author of One Day Well All Be Dead and None of This Will Matter Josh Gondelman is hilarious. This book proves he clearly wouldnt have survived if he wasnt. Judd Apatow I laughed on every single page of Joshs book and insisted on reading much of it aloud to whoever was sitting next to me. I did not always know those people, but I choose to believe they loved it too. Jill Twiss, author of A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo Like the best conversation with your smartest, funniest friend, these essays leave you feeling a little bit better about the world. Gondelman doesnt flinch from self-examination or the complexities of life, but navigates both with such warmth and wit that I miss his company already. Cynthia-DAprix-Sweeney, author of The Nest Gondelmans chops as a comedy writer are on full display throughout, and his observations are hilariously spot-on [His] fun, witty book is a marvel of emotional depth and cutting one-liners. Publishers Weekly [A] sweet and laugh-out-loud-funny memoir [Gondelmans] whip-smart observational humor pierces through at every turn This reads like a delicious, extended season of The Wonder Years. Booklist A quick and amiable read Nice Tryreaches [its] revelation gradually, through poignant stories of bungled pet adoptions and recognizing that anger is a valid emotion even for a self-described pushover. AV Club Gondelman celebrates a lifetime of good intentions sometimes gone wrong in this funny and heartfelt collection of personal essays. USA Today Both witty and matter-of-fact,Nice Try: Stories of Best Intentions and Mixed Resultsencourages readers to take solace in Gondelmans mishaps and keep trying until desired results are achieved This hilarious and heartfelt essay collection reminds readers to be who we want to be. Shelf Awareness

Author Bio

Josh Gondelman is a comedian and writer for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. Josh has earned a Peabody Award, an Emmy, and a WGA Award for his work on Last Week Tonight. In the past, Josh has written for Billy on the Street. His writing has also appeared in New York Times, New York Magazine, and The New Yorker. He lives in New York City with his wife and pug.