This Is A Book By Demetri Martin by Demetri Martin
by Jenners • 10/18/2011 • 4.5 Stars, Essays, Fiction, Humor, Humor, M Authors, Non-Fiction, T Titles • 53 Comments
This Is A Book By Demetri Martin by Demetri MartinPublisher: Grand Central Publishing, 2011
Pages: 268
Genre: Fiction/Non-Fiction (???), Humor, Essays
Where I Got It: Bought It
My Rating: 4.5 stars
This is a very silly and funny book. I loved it. This is the kind of book I’m always looking for but so rarely find—one chock-a-block full of smart silliness and intellectual goofiness. (It gave me the same joy as reading Woody Allen’s Without Feathers or Side Effects.) It was love at first browse.
I first saw the book at an airport book store. I thought to myself “Demetri Martin. Is that the guy from The Daily Show?” I picked up the book to see if it was (it was) and started paging through. From the very first page of the introduction called “How To Read This Book,” I was hooked:
If you're reading this sentence then you've pretty much got it. Good job. Just keep going the way you are.
Flipping to the next page, I started reading the first essay called “Announcements.”
Thank you for coming to the show. Before tonight's performance begins there are a few announcements. Please pay attention. Flash photography is not permitted at any time during the show. Also, there is no recording of any kind allowed during the show. This includes both audio and video recording, as well as sketching, journaling, documenting, making mental notes, reminiscing, reviewing, or remembering anything at all with your mind. Any recording devices that we find will be taken away from you and juggled recklessly by the clown you see standing near the left exit.
Too well trained by Mr. Jenners to buy the book for full price from an airport bookstore (sorry, Mr. Martin), I waited until I got home and ordered it from Amazon. It was fun from beginning to end. This is the kind of book that will either grab your funny bone or it won’t. So, to give you a better idea of the kind things you’ll find inside, here are a few excerpts.
From “Palindroms For Specific Occasions” (Seriously, how can you not love a book that includes five full pages of palindromes?)
GENTLY INFORMING A DJ THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SOUND SYSTEM: No music is, um, on.
THE HEAD BAKER AT A BAKERY INSTRUCTING A NEW EMPLOYEE ABOUT HOW TO DEAL WITH CUSTOMERS AND THEN SUDDENLY NOTICING WHAT THE NEW BAKER HAS MADE: Snub no man. Nice cinnamon buns!
A GUY EXPLAINING TO HIS FRIEND HOW HE FEELS ABOUT OPERAS AS HE ACCIDENTALLY RUNS INTO A BEEHIVE: See, bro, operas are poor—Bees!
From Honors & Awards (for Which I Would Qualify)
National Champion at being the ex-boyfriend who is most consistently awkward around his ex-girlfriend and/or anyone who is even a casual acquaintance of hers.
A scholarship awards to Greek Americans who have done very little for the Greek American community but definitely look Greek American, no matter what outfit they are wearing.
Top 40 people under 40 who live in my apartment building
Award for Perfect Attendance on Earth for Whole Life So Far
Nobel Prize for Chemistry with Very Cute Women Who Turn Out To Already Have Boyfriends
I could sit here and type excerpts that cracked me up all night long but that would be silly. Hopefully, you’ve gotten a feel for the book. (You could also watch him on The Daily Show or his stand-up comedy act.) But let me just share a few of the essay titles with you: Optimist, Pessimist, Contortionist; Frustrating Uses of Etc.; A Capella Group Freak Accidents; Confessions of a White Guy with Dreadlocks; Excerpts from My Often-True Autobiography. Plus there are funny drawings and charts included.
So, to sum up, this is a very funny book and you should read it. (Oh, and I’ll be keeping my copy so don’t look for it in a giveaway. This is one I’ll keep and read whenever I need to giggle.)
What are other bloggers saying about this book? You can find out at the Book Blogs Search Engine.
Pingback: Books Read In 2011
Hi Jenner, great review of this book! The book sounds witty and funny! I would surely enjoy reading this one. I’m impressed at you for not being an impulsive buyer. And thank goodness I have read this here and not in an airport!
You find some of the best funny books. I love the excerpts and will have to look for this.
Have you ever watched any of Demetri Martin’s stand-up shows on Comedy Central? So dang funny. He even does sketching during them. I caught a little bit of his performance at the LA Times Festival of Books. He’s also a bit of a cutie.
I’ve not see any of his stand-up shows … just some of his bits on The Daily Show. I need to check him out. He is cute in a nerdy way!
Anyone on the Daily Show deserves a few extra bucks in their pocket just for being funny. Glad you conributed!
I agree! They do turn out some comic geniuses.
I think Demetri Martin is hysterical. I had no idea he had a book out, so I know what I will be ordering soon!
If you are a fan, I bet this is a gift from heaven! I need to check out his live stuff!
I know I’m the odd one out, but I just don’t end up enjoying most comedians’ humor when it’s in book form. It almost always falls flat for me. I picked up Ellen Degeneres’ latest at the library, hoping that it would be more of a straight memoir and feel like I’m hip deep in jokes (that almost always fall flat for me in print form). I just enjoy the verbal delivery and timing so much more.
I agree with you … but this is much more cerebral and seems more geared to print. I can’t imagine how he might pull this stuff off in a stand-up act!! It isn’t so much jokes as short-form essays that are big in humor, wit and goofiness.
I am not sure i could have walked away from the full price book at the airport. You showed great restraint! This sounds like the kind of snarky humor that we are so fond of in our house. I could see my whole family reading this book! Great review!
It was hard to walk away from it … it would have been perfect for the plane ride! Sounds like it would be a great fit for your household!
This sounds like a quirky, funny read. ‘Award for Perfect Attendance on Earth for Whole Life So Far’<-
It is like the thoughts of a guy who is just a little bit left of center … in the best possible way.
Wow those palindromes are crazy!!
There is one that is at least six or seven paragraphs long!! I can’t imagine how long he had to work on them!!!
I so knew you’d be a Daily Show gal, and the book sounds hilarious. Maybe a gift for my kid (I’ll read it first).
Sounds like a good deal! I love the idea of giving a book but reading it first!
I must agree…silly and funny does sound like you!
This is the kind of book I wish I could write!
This sounds very fun. I love palindromes!
There is a really really long one that just blew my mind. I can’t imagine how long he worked on them.
Wow – 4.5 stars! Sounds like my cup of tea!
Sounds very fun. I’ll have to check it out at the library.
This sounds good. Great review!
I need to read this book and the Woody Allen titles you mentioned. I really enjoy non-fiction humor books but I want smart ones (the same with sitcoms hence I am still lamenting the cancellation of Frasier but loving Modern Family). I’m not that famiiar with Demetri Martin but this book sounds pricelss…loved the palindromes…
I totally understand keeping your copy of this book. I love having books like this one on my nightstand and, when I need a boost of funny, knowing if I flip to a certain chapter or page, I will get it in spades!
Thank you for reviewing this book!
)
Kepp on laughing, Jenners
The Woody Allen ones are totally worth checking out, and those would probably be easy to find in the library. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Modern Family! Best sitcom out right now!
Oh I adore Demetri Martin! I’ve been in the mood for funny things, lately, so I think this is definitely on my list. thanks for the suggestion. :O)
This would be a perfect book for you right now … little bits and pieces to make you laugh but easy to put down when you need to. And in your sleep-deprived state, you may find the writing even funnier!
this does sound like a fun read
I’ve never heard of this guy but I love funny books like this. I love the title too! Do you think someone would still enjoy it if they don’t know who he is/don’t watch The Daily Show?
I only saw him on The Daily Show once or twice so I don’t think you need to have seen him to appreciate the book.
I knew I should have looked up your blog when I was at the library today. Not that they would have had this book….but I could have ordered it! It sounds great. I need to get it.
You need to have a list to take with you to the library!!! Or, if your library has a reserve system, put books on hold at home and then pick them up when they are ready!
Is it kid-friendly? My 13 yr old would love this, but I have to be careful about gifting books (i.e., sex, drugs, profanity, rock & roll ….)
Gosh … I’m trying to think. Most of it is pretty tame but I’m sure there are some questionable things in it. I didn’t read it from a parent’s point of view!!!!
Not sure this is for me. I prefer watching funny to reading it. I’m glad it was a great read for you though. I say anything that makes us laugh is a good thing.
I think it is hard to “write” funny and keep it up for a whole book. That is why so many books by comedians don’t really work for me … you need the inflection, the tone of voice and so forth.
Awwww. I was just going to ask if it would be a give-away when I got to the end of your review. This sounds fun!!
So sorry … it was just one I know I’ll want to revisit at one point.
This does sound like a lot of fun, and I really need a book like that in my life at the moment. I am so glad to hear that you had such a great time with it and that it’s going to be something you go back to again and again. Great review! I am glad you included so many samples!
It is one of those books where you want to just go on and on. It was such a light fun read.
I love silly but your mention of Woody Allen puts me off a little bit. You give some very funny excerpts though so perhaps I shall just put him to the back of my mind and forget you ever mentioned the name.
You have to think of early early stand-up comedy Woody Allen, who is a very very different person than the filmmaker! Or just forget I even mentioned him.
I love these kinds of books. Funny, snarky, and fun. You’ve sold me on it.
I’m always looking for a book like this. They aren’t easy to find!
I so need to read a smart, silly book like this! I’ll have to check with the library first, since free is even better than not full price!
You got that right!!
Great review. I enjoy funny, witty books too. I may go browse through it at the bookstore. I love how Mr. Jenners has you trained not to pay full price. Lol. I am the same way. Always looking for a deal. Way to go Mr. Jenners!
I could hear his voice in my head “This would be at least 30% cheaper on Amazon. This would be at least 30% cheaper on Amazon.”
Okay, I’m impressed that you didn’t just buy it right there at the airport; I wouldn’t have been able to stop myself!
Mr. Jenners has trained me really really well. Plus, it is a purchase I coudn’t have hidden.