We are never meeting in real life review

Title: we are never meeting in real life.
Author: Samantha Irby
Genre: Essays, Humor
Publisher: Vintage Books

Blurb: Sometimes you just have to laugh, even when life is a dumpster fire. With We Are Never Meeting in Real Life., "bitches gotta eat" blogger and comedian Samantha Irby turns the serio-comic essay into an art form. Whether talking about how her difficult childhood has led to a problem in making "adult" budgets, explaining why she should be the new Bachelorette--she's "35-ish, but could easily pass for 60-something"--detailing a disastrous pilgrimage-slash-romantic-vacation to Nashville to scatter her estranged father's ashes, sharing awkward sexual encounters, or dispensing advice on how to navigate friendships with former drinking buddies who are now suburban moms--hang in there for the Costco loot--she's as deft at poking fun at the ghosts of her past self as she is at capturing powerful emotional truths. 

Me: Look at that cover. How could you not read this book??!!

Seriously, though. I would normally not be drawn to read a collection of humorous essays, but when I saw a complete wall display of these at BookPeople, my local book store, I couldn't refuse. Besides, Samantha Irby is COMING to BookPeople in a few days! So yup, I paid the full price for a book (which happens like once a year) and started right away. 

This came to me at a great time. Nothing I read seems to be sticking in my mind lately and it was so easy to get swept into the hilarious anecdotes and well-timed jokes. I was cracking up and giggling in public and I didn't care because this book was just so ridiculous yet relatable. The wonderful thing about these essays are that the stories she tells are so comical and random that you know there's no way that was made up. Then it makes you laugh even harder while regretting that you weren't there to witness whatever it was happening before your eyes. 

But the greatness of this collection doesn't end there. Samantha Irby is funny, of course, but she also keeps it so real. She touches on sexuality and alcoholism, anxiety and depression, and trauma and societal expectations, but she approaches everything with a wit that isn't too cynical but still keeps everything honest and raw. It is the perfect mix: enough humor to make the hard parts bearable but also enough grit to make you think. 

I mean, just look at some of the essay titles: 

-My Bachelorette Application

-Do you pay your f****** bills or what?

-A case for remaining indoors

-I'm in love and it's boring

-The real housewife of Kalamazoo

As someone who really doesn't read much nonfiction in general, a book that I read this quickly and made me this happy was worth it. Of course, it may not have changed my life, but I highly recommend it as a great read. 

Rating: 4 kisses!