Customer Reviews

Sleepwalk with Me

5 star:		(82)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a book you're going to love. If you're a fan of Mike from his many venues, his CD's, Off Braodway show, Comedy Central or late night TV appearences, then this is a book you need to get. If you don't know Mike this is a book that will get you searching for his old CD's. Mike is a keen observer of the human condition, much like Seinfeld or Larry David without the narcissism or meanness. He seems to stumble, sometimes literally, into everyday situations and sees the irony and absurdness in human interactions. He takes these events and weaves them into stories that will have you laughing out loud, so you need to be aware of your surroundings if you're reading this book in public. He has perfected the awkward character, probably because he is an awkward character, who says just the wrong thing at the wrong time, or who finds he's one beat too late, but his sincerity and honesty will have you rooting for him. I loved this book and I think you will too.

I got this book because I had seen Mike's live show and was blown away. The book does not disappoint. It's jam packed with even more Mike hilarity. He's is one of the funniest people alive, and is also whip smart. He has you laughing out loud one moment, then moved almost to tears the next. Great, great stuff.

I became a fan of Mike Birbiglia after hearing a handful of his stories on This American Life and The Moth. But before I could get around to checking out one of his albums or seeing one of his performances, Sleepwalk With Me was published, so I picked it up expecting great things. And in some ways, it is great. Just not quite as great as I expected.

In the AV Club interview that persuaded me to buy the book, I took notice when Birbiglia explained that his writing's guiding principle is that it not be about him so much as it be about the audience. And indeed, having been born into a very Catholic family in a northeastern suburb in the late '70s, much of this book is about me. But somehow I find the childhood anecdotes that make up its first half to be so familiar as to be uninteresting. Acting mostly as a character witness, they provide a good framework for what's to come, but despite their relatability, they are generally inessential. It is with Birbiglia's more unique adulthood experiences in the book's second half that the pages really start turning. The titular story of his sleep disorder, a strong finish, is worth the price of admission all by itself.

Birbiglia's self-awareness, gift for mixing humor and candor, and total lack of cynicism make this an engaging read throughout; I just wish it was less uneven. It's a good first book that I'm confident will lead to a great second one.

First off I'd like to say that even though I was a Birbiglia fan before this book came out, I am a very stingy person when it comes to money. The only reason I bought it was because it was cheap on Amazon. And thank God it was. This book was awesome. I'd heard a couple of the stories on This American Life and on an NPR promo. He also includes larger stories in his life that give you the full story behind some of his jokes, the "like fun" comes to mind as well as something in my bladder joke he does. But these are entire stories taking up huge chunks of chapters, so it's not like you've heard all of it and he's rebranding his jokes. Of course if you saw the Off-broadway show with the same title then you have heard it all.

What I like so much about this is the same thing I like about Birbigs' comedy. It's not like every other comic where he provides observational commentary or rants on something for ten pages. To know this guy's comedy is to know the actual guy Mike Birbiglia because most of his comedy is based on personal and embarrasing things. He reveals a lot about that, which is actually a recurring theme in this book, and sometimes you feel bad for/with him and other times you can't help but laugh out loud at a book. The narrative's very readable to the point where you can almost hear his voice reading it to you. It's more than a comedian writing about embarrasing stuff to make us all laugh. It's an entire insight to his life and creates a deeper more shared experience with the reader.

I have heard a lot about Mike from a friend so I looked him up online and found his appearances on Letterman and routines from comedy shows. I also listened to one of his segments on this American Life. He has some hilarious jokes and now I am a big fan. I bought the book to gain some insight into his life and into the life of a comedian. How does somebody want to become a person that tells jokes for a living? Where does a comedian get his material? And then what is it actually like to be comedian?

This book is great. It is easy to read and laugh out loud funny in many chapters. Mike also touches on a lot of those topics I was wondering about. He also touches on some topics I definitely would not touch upon especially with anybody else in the room. Definitely worth reading and looking forward to seeing one of his shows.

It turns out that if you were looking for it, the media "storm" for this book was impossible to ignore. Okay, I listened to the Nerdist podcast and watched a little Youtube (those lovebirds really were adorable) and then downloaded the book. Stat.

Here's my impression: I loved it! In many ways, that is not surprising. However, in a way it is. Many of the best memoirs I've read were filled with untold stories. Now that I think about it, I think that it takes a real artist to organize new and old stories in such a satisfying fashion. Even though I have heard all of the cds and Moth and This American Life pieces (listen immediately if you haven't already), I was still highly entertained. I should have known... Birbiglia never disappoints :) It was funny, appealing, page-turning, entertaining, sweet, and just feels right.

Even if you hate to read books you will love this book. Mike Birbiglia himself hates books and so he knows how to make one that is better than the normal ones. This book is a tearjerker and a laughjerker all in one. If you know a comedy fan or a book hater or a book lover, buy them this book. They will probably be surprised that you are cool enough to have done so. If I could give it 6 stars I totally would.

Sleepwalk With Me... laugh with Mike Birbiglia!!!

I am old enough to be Mike's Mom, but sadly, I am not! I do have two children of my own that are about Mike's age. What does that have to do with Sleepwalk With Me? I'll tell you later!

Now... about the book!

Mike's a great storyteller. I have listened to his CD's and even seen him perform on Letterman and at Caroline's in NYC, so I know! I am absolutely delighted that he writes as well as he performs!!!

I ride the NYC subways and reading helps me pretend I am somewhere else. So, I read SWM and while reading a story about his Catholic childhood... I had to look away because I was laughing so hard. When I looked back I thought I was going to laugh my head off...right there on the #1 train! For a moment, I was just another one of those subway-riding crazy persons...a happy crazy person!

You find out in SWM, Mike's not only HILARIOUS, he's inspirational! Mike shares his "on the road" and "his rise to the top" stories, too.

It seems to me that Mike's success is his, home-grown style of storytelling. AND that makes him the funny guy he is. It's his gift to us.

AND... he works blissfully hard at his sharing his gift...and this is where my 2 kids fit into this review...

My two children are both working artists with the vision of sharing their gifts and talents and vision with the world! They too, like Mike, work blissfully hard.

We all work hard, but we need to laugh and be entertained. Artists do that with their lives! Hooray for artists! Hooray for, Mike!

Mike has what it takes to be funny and share it with anyone who will listen. Now you can read it at your leisure, on the beach or like me, on your ride home to or from work.

We all need a few good laughs!!! Read this book.

Laughter is the cure for EVERYTHING. Mike's got the cure

Been looking forward to getting my hands on this book, and it does not disappoint. Engaging, candid, funny, clever, authentic...all these words are accurate, yet come up short when reviewing Mike's book. We all know that reading a list of ingredients for a recipe can be intriguing, but tasting the dish is what is truly satisfying. Get yourself a full portion and savor it. Delicious.

What's happenin yall. I bought this book and its incredibly supergood. Mike Bibiglia is my favorite working comic today so when I herd he was comin out with a book I knew it would be ballin. Its a nice quick read with alot of hilarious antindotes that are in the style of his standup act. The only downside would be if youre already a fan now and then there will be a joke that youve heard before but who cares. The thing about finding season tickets in your bladder is hilarious no matter how many times you hear it. All right guys ill see you later and buy this book if you enjoy those times when reading and laughs come together.

P.S. Helpful hint: When you read the book, imagine this his voice saying the words while youre reading it. Its funnier on account of his voice being funny.