Awkward Family Pet Photos [Paperback]

Mike Bender (Author), Doug Chernack (Author)

Book Description

Release date: November 1, 2011

The authors of the New York Times bestseller Awkward Family Photos are back with a hilarious tribute to the unbreakable and sometimes uncomfortable bond between people and their pets.

There are few things more rewarding than having a pet. They love us unconditionally, shower us with attention, and because of them, we actually live longer. So, what can possibly be awkward about our animal BFFs? Well . . . nothing. In fact, we’re the awkward ones. We adore our pets, but let’s face it—sometimes L-O-V-E makes us go a little overboard. Like giving them middle names, throwing them elaborate birthday parties, and making them a Christmas sweater to match with the rest of the family. Truth is, what they cherish most is our companionship. And maybe that’s the reason we care about them so much—because for such simple pleasures, they allow us to be as awkward as we want.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A Look Inside Awkward Family Pet Photos

There always has to be a camera hog.	You never know what you’re going to get for Christmas.	Little Jake had never met a bird he couldn’t intimidate.
A gentle reminder that we want the photographs; they don’t.	The dogs have decided to return to therapy.	If Cody had a treat for every time he was abducted...

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Review

Online buzz for AwkwardFamilyPetPhotos.com:

"The folks who brought the Internet the face-palming absurdity that is Awkward Family Photos have struck comedy gold again with Awkward Family Pet Photos." --AOL

"Hilariously awkward." --MSNBC.com

"The genius minds behind the hilarious site Awkward Family Photos - which features cringe-worthy, embarrassing photos of fairly creepy, fashion-challenged families - have taken their collection of awkward photos to a whole new level with their hysterical new site, Awkward Family Pet Photos." -AnimalPlanet.com

Praise for Awkward Family Photos:

"This is the best book of embarrassing and strange photos of people who look like my family that I have ever seen." --Judd Apatow

"A living, breathing, laugh-out-loud reminder that no matter how badly you dressed, how oddly you posed, and how weird Uncle Dave who lived in the basement was, somebody out there had it worse." --Jennifer Weiner, bestselling author of In Her Shoes

"Being a test tube baby doesn't seem such a bad idea after looking at these folks. I laughed till it hurt. To paraphrase Tolstoy... every family is freaky in its own way. There's so much love here- but maybe a little more pain, or desperation, or bewilderment. I often feel slightly sad or guilty that I'm not closer with my own family- but looking at this bunch I sense we all have something in common and I'm far from being alone." --David Byrne

"Anything that both makes me laugh and think my family isn't so embarrassing deserves to be a book." --Joel Stein, Time magazine columnist

"I wept with laughter fourteen times while reading this book and snorted aloud twice. I dare you to find a higher weep/snort ratio in any other publication." --Karen McCullah Lutz, screenwriter of Legally Blonde and The Ugly Truth

"Awkward Family Photos is the funniest book that I've read in a long time. It reminds you that it's okay to laugh at yourself and celebrates the family that made you awkward in the first place." --Mia Kirshner, The L Word

"Awkward Family Photos is absolutely hysterical, yet at the same time, it's a stunningly accurate photographic record of the late 20th century American family. Now I can be certain I was not alone in my awkwardness."  --Adam Herz, Writer, American Pie I, II, III

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press; Original edition (November 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9780307888129
• ISBN-13: 978-0307888129
• ASIN: 0307888126
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 0.4 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,743 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #45 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Humor > Cats, Dogs & Animals

More About the Author

Mike Bender is a screenwriter whose credits include "Not Another Teen Movie" and the MTV Movie Awards. He created the hit website AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com with childhood friend Doug Chernack in May 2009 after seeing an awkward vacation photo hung in his parent's house.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Even better than Awkward Family Photos, great coffee table book, too November 1, 2011

By K. Corn TOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Even the most " humor challenged" people I know can't keep from laughing as they look through this one. We keep a copy on our coffee table and somehow it manages to "migrate" to the night stands in guests' bedrooms or other areas of the house....even if they aren't animal lovers. The book is proof that people CAN be just as smitten with their pets as with any person they know. And the crazy photos attest to that.

This is the kind of book that can liven up somber family gatherings or break the ice at parties. The kind of book where you can look at just one page at random - but I dare you to stop after looking at any one page. Impossible. To. Do.

Some of the photos (an armful of chihuahuas) are almost too cute for words while others are just too...well...strange.....to seem believable...and also laugh out loud funny. Pity the poor guy whose cat went ballistic during a photo shoot and the picture that documented the whole thing. Or just laugh at him. Maybe he even submitted the photo himself...if the cat didn't.

The photos show both people and their pets at their craziest...and often it is the people who appear totally nutty while their beloved pets (finally) get their just dues. There are some "behind the photo" explanations here and there,adding to the hilarity. From cats to pot-bellied pigs, there are all sorts of pets here, even a fair smattering of lizards, birds, and snakes. All steal the show. If you liked Awkward Family Photos you should add this to your collection.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!! December 7, 2011

By collie!!

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Always a kick to see these pictures and be glad the aren't your family...oh wait...this edition does have one of us in it :)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great conversation Starter! November 13, 2011

By Bibliophile By the Sea TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

As an animal lover in need on a good laugh, I was pretty sure this book would fit the bill. I wasn't aware that there was a website devoted to this as well as Awkward Family Photos until I got my hands on this eBook.

Unfortunately, the eBook was read on my black/white print Kindle, so for a book which consists mostly of photographs, this is not the ideal way to view this book. I was able to flip through the actual book at my local bookstore as well, so that made the book much more fun for me. The book is a quick read, and does include a few brief stories along the way. Many of the photos are totally ridiculous and it made me wonder about the people submitting the photos for consideration -- some are certainly cringe-worthy.

There is a section of Holidays and I think these were may favorite --very funny. In addition there is a section of farm animals which were very fun, vacations with people and their pets. Other sections feature, cats, dogs, exotic pets and just plain "awkward pets".

This is one of those books that would be perfect to have on your coffee table when you are have company over --a perfect conversation started for sure. This book would also make a fun holiday present for the animal lover who has everything. Check it out and see what you think.