Title: We Are Never Meeting In Real Life

Author: Samantha Irby

Genre: Memoir, Essays

Publisher: Vintage, Penguin Random House

Cover:

Summary: from Amazon

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.

Review:

I’ve been wanting to read this book of essays by Samantha Irby for quite a while because I’ve read so many reviews and book lists declaring it hilarious. I eventually bit the bullet and bought it a couple of weeks ago and I read it over the course of the past weekend. I can confirm it was hilarious but also so relatable and honest.

All of these essays revolve around everyday sort of things like relationships, work problems and pet ownership but Irby brings so much wit to each anecdote with a huge dose of self-deprecating humour. Her insecurities and worries are all things that most people have thought at some point but tend not to say out loud. Irby is not afraid at all to investigate the not so nice parts of her personality and poke fun at herself and others. She is so honest about herself and there are some surprisingly poignant and sad moments particularly when she discusses her childhood which gives these short essays more meaning and feeling. Despite some darker moments the book never veers into the maudlin or becomes depressing to read because Irby’s sarcastic humour brings light into the more intense moments.

I loved this book the whole way through. Usually in a book of essays I find there are a couple that miss the mark a little but that was not the case in We Are Never Meeting In Real Life. Every essay was funny, natural and made me wish I was friends with the author. If you are looking for a fun yet searingly truthful read then I can highly recommend this book. Plus – it might be my favourite cover of all time – that cat makes me giggle every time I look at it!