Customer Reviews

Microthrills: True Stories from a Life of Small Highs

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There are thousands of 'slice of life' books which range from traumatic to absurd. The life of Wendy as portrayed in Microthrills seems far more relatable than many of these. Amos claims she actually toned down her OCD for the book. Still, with as crazy as she seems, there are aspects of her neurosis that anyone can relate to. We're all a little neurotic after all. On top of being extremely interesting, this book is also extremely funny. Many times during my read I laughed as if I had been there at that moment and experienced what she had experienced, feeling the joy she felt at experiencing something unique and strange.

After finishing her book I had a general feeling that I needed to be more observant in life. Wendy shows us that no life is ordinary if you look at it through the right kind of eyes. Situations which we might perceive as painful or awkward can be seen as novel and humorous. We're surrounded by absurdity. Recognizing the absurd makes life that much more interesting.

I enjoyed the whole book, cover to cover. Unlike albums where there are only a few songs you REALLY like, I felt every chapter of this book was worth reading.

Wow. What a total and utter surprise.

After reading the rave reviews on Amazon I figured I would get the book and it would be a letdown. Good, but not 5-star good. Well, I was wrong -- and the reviews were right. Do yourself a favor and get this book.

You probably won't learn any life lessons that you can teach your children, but you'll close the book with an understanding of life in another person's shoes. There were lots of things I was shocked about (people live like that?!) and just as many things I identified with (oh my gosh, me too!!). As soon as I finished this book I forced my roomate to read it -- every 5 minutes there was a roar of laughter from the next room for the next few nights.

Its honest. Its funny. You'll want to read it all, and you'll be sad when it is over. I recommend it.

This book is hilariously funny, honest and I enjoyed every second of it. Wendy Spero has a really unique ability to view some of life's truly bizarre events with joy and humor and reading this book, you couldn't help but share in it. She's also so gut-wrenchingly, heart-stoppingly funny that I laughed until I cried and then some. Read this book!

I found this book clever, touching, and witty. It is a wonderful story of growing up in NYC, but it really could take place almost anywhere stateside. A great read!

Norma Davidoff

I do not read much non-fiction. I live real life. I read to escape it. But the bright neon yellow cover of this book was eye-catching. So, against my will, my feet walked up to it, my hand picked it up, and my eyes began reading. Before I knew it, hours had gone by and I had read the whole thing.

In this book, Wendy "Wendaay" Spero tells readers true stories about her life in a way that only she can do. From her childhood, to her awkward years, and on up to the present day. Being raised by a mother like Wendy's makes for some interesting memories. (I will think of Wendy and her mother every time I go to a fair from now on.)

***** Engrossing, packed with humor, and just all around fun, this is one book you will never forget. Very highly recommended! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Wendy's book is completely original and completely funny. Unlike a lot of the contemporary memoirs out there all competing to sound smarter than the next guy, Wendy is honest and straightforward. I thought the book was incredibly unique -I laughed out loud but also found it poignant. I hope there' a follow up soon.

thank god for wendy spero. for all the "funny" books that promote "the next david sedaris," finally a funny, funny woman who isn't the next anyone but herself. i don't know exactly where to begin. she just captures small funny moments and obsessions and it rings so true that you think it happened to you or is your obsession. like when she talks about Float Night at her camp. I became convinced that I went to her same camp. (then it turned out that I did, but you see my point). microthrills is right--this book is pure entertainment on the microscopic level. now everyone's going to be saying they're "the next wendy spero," but it won't ever be true.

one of the funniest books i've ever read. very witty. laugh out loud funny.

Wendy Spero touches on all things ordinary and
turns them into belly laughs.
I couldn't put it down.
Buy it for all your friends, you won't want to give up your copy.
When will they make this a movie?

Wendy Spero is an unusually gifted storyteller-- In Microthrills (as well as on stage), she craftily blends her hilarious wit with personal but generalizable insights about the everyday crazy workings of the world. I could not get enough of this book. I found myself wanting to sell door-to-door knives, produce finger-puppet dramas, and have sex with her swarthy boyfriend while singing Carly Simon tunes under a waterfall of pink glitter. Highly recommended. The perfect summer read.