We Are Never Meeting in Real Life.: Essays

I found a few of the blog entries funny. Most of the rest just seemed to depict the cynicism and sadness the author appears to suffer from. And I'm not sure why so many authors feel the more vulgar words and descriptions they have the better. In my humble opinion, that is a poor substitute for quality writing. There are many ways to get a point across without having to use excessive amounts of poor language. I'm amazed by glowing reviews by people who profess to have a good command of the English language and who value good writing.

Sorry, but this is a disgusting, vulgar diatribe. Had to stop after a couple of the essay. Why anyone would feel this rambling was worth publishing, I don't know. Most books have at least some redeeming value but this one doesn't seem to in my opinion. Sorry.

Seriously disappointing. Jumping from the severe self-degradation and disgustingly dissapointing sexual encounters to the deep hatred for the human race and self-depracating humor, this book left me with a permanent upturned lip - the one you get from mouthing "Ewwwww" for several hours.

I readily confess that I always read the dedications and acknowledgements of books I finish. Samantha Irby grabbed my attention with the dedication for her essay collection titled, We Are Never Meeting in Real Life. She dedicated the book to klonopin, a brand name for the anxiety medication clonazepam. I was alert to expect to read a distinct and likely funny voice in these 21 essays, and I was not disappointed. Irby simultaneously led me to laugh, and to realize that she was conveying some profound truth. I loved her direct style of writing and how could you not be drawn to the cover of this book? That’s before meeting Irby’s cat, Helen Keller. It only gets better after the cover and the dedication.

Rating: Four-star (I like it)

Samantha Irby is a kindred spirit: depressed, anxious, self-deprecating, pissed-off, stubborn, self-involved, determined not be happy. She uses raw language to express her clash with dieting, working out, living with a crazy cat, having a partner whose kids from a previous relationship push Samantha to the edge of going crazy.

Samantha is a tired woman. Her job at a veterinarian clinic leaves her exhausted, and she can barely stay up past dinner without going into a depressive food coma.

She picks her partners on how well they can tolerate her neuroses and how well they counterbalance her complete absence of pragmatic skills, like paying bills on time.

This all makes for a funny collection of essays though some pieces are better than others. Her ebullient personality might elevate this material as a stand-up comic or perhaps she would do well to have her own TV show akin to Louis C.K.’s Louis.

I feel like it's been a while since I've tried out a new collection of essays - and with less than two months until David Sedaris' newest book coming out, I am in the mood to jump back into the genre as soon as possible! Though I am unfamiliar with this author (I am not a blog-follower), it's shockingly easy to connect with this collection right away! And not just because of Irby's obvious skill as a writer (her word choices are unique - and shockingly hilarious at times!), but also because of the range of emotion. Though many of the essays are quite funny (I read bits out loud to my husband, who also laughed with me), but there are deeper issues and topics covered here giving the book a real emotional range. It's really terrific and I definitely plan on keeping my eye out for more from her in the future!

What is especially neat to me though is that I was practically neighbors with Irby - she lived literally one street over from me in Chicago! Needless to say, all of the details about the city and its neighboring suburbs rang true! I really liked this a lot - and I am sure that an audio version would be equally fun!

I love a good book consisting of comedic essays.  Samantha Irby did not disappoint.  I laughed out loud as Irby describes how she hides from children she babysits so that she doesn't have to help with math homework and models clothes for her cat, Helen Keller.  Irby also described her difficult childhood that was a challenge to read but many readers will feel a connection to.  The essays in this book reminded me of the books by Jenny Lawson, another super funny writer.  I really enjoyed the escape that this book gave me and anyone who is looking to have a few good laughs should definitely read this book.

I absolutely loved this book. It comes at a time when I needed a book to make me belly laugh, snort, and nearly spew out my tea with shock and amusement. Irby pulls no punches, skirts no issues, avoids no intimacy with her cutting, ribald, downright dirty, and foul-mouthed humor. But it is humor with heart and real insight, seeing the messy and the broken and the tragic but with wit and attitude. Highly recommended so long as you aren't queasy about bathroom humor, sex, and some unfortunate events accompanying a cremation scattering.

Very smart, funny, engaging prose. I got totally sucked in once I started reading it. The only weakness, in my opinion, is the structure -- it's clear that some (or possibly a fair amount) of this book is republished from her blog. The essay structure itself should be tight and meaningful, but plenty of these "essays" felt cobbled-together and ended abruptly. That said, Irby's observations, wit, and language were strong enough that this didn't really diminish the experience of reading the book.

Rarely have I read a book and thought the writer sounded like someone I knew. Page after page of "We Are Never Meeting in Real Life" crackles with Samantha Irby's gut-busting humor. She reveals truths about poverty, the body, sexuality, isolation, longing, race, pop culture, and the daily struggle to navigate the landmines of twenty-first century American culture that reach universality through her sterling candor. Irby proves herself to be one of the most trenchant observers of culture I've encountered, and her writing is almost deceptively nuanced. Few writers possess Irby's talent for melding high diction with low diction and broad humor with shattering pathos. I predict this, Irby's second book, with catapult her into the elite realm of humorists, alongside such greats as David Sedaris, Fran Lebowitz, and James Thurber.

But seriously, Samantha Irby is a brilliant writer. She writes in a way that’s relatable without being over the top. Reading this book feels like she’s your friend venting to you right there in the room with you. I’m a sucker for self-deprecating humor, and this delivers in a big way. Finding a balance between humor and poignancy is no small feat, but she accomplishes it brilliantly.

This essay collection is a must read. Plus it’s been out for over a year now at this point, what are you even doing with your life if you haven’t read this book yet??

To be very honest this book randomly showed up as a hold from my library e book account. I downloaded it because why not. I loved this book! It felt honest and truly didn't sugar coat anything. It made me laugh and it made me a little sad. At times a felt like I was reading parts of my own brain and at times I couldn't relate at all! I feel like if I can still enjoy reading something that I can't relate to it's a sign of a good book!! It was a good read!!

lovelovelove. These stories are fantastic. Samantha Irby certainly has a way with words and some amazingly embarrassing and hilarious stories to go along with it. The ride home from NIU had me cringing for this poor girl and howling with laughter at that last line. OMG. All three of them were no doubt traumatized for the rest of their lives. At least Irby's making some money off of it! Excellent voice.

I listened to the book on audible. I loved the essays about her time with her parents and growing up. I was surprised by the essays about her relationship with Mavis, but mostly because I’m a prude. I loved the book.

Okay, so if I had twelve dollars I would buy this book. As it is, I'm reviewing the Sample. The author is observantly funny and not afraid of delivering the truth. I find myself nodding my head more often than not, especially when she describes interactions with others. You won't be wasting your time reading this, in fact, it will be time well spent with a writer who's lived life and is not afraid to talk about it.

This book spoke directly to my lazy, food obsessed, overanalyzing, antisocial soul. I get fed up with 95% of the books I start reading and give up halfway through. Samantha is amazing and I can't wait to read more of her work and coming from me, this is a double compliment.

Samantha Irby is a full-figured, somewhat-introverted, black woman. She has stories to share. Moreover, with biting candour: she shares. Irby highlights the heartfelt realities of her life struggles mostly learning to accept whom she has become. She seems to want to hide from the world while at the same time screaming out: LOOK AT ME! At least—README!

As much as her collection of stories are wit-filled diatribes on the perils of living in one's own skin, what makes the book standout is her courage to allow vulnerability to sneak onto the pages—and when it does, Irby turns the awkward pain into a slightly up-turned smirk. Only slightly. Laughter comes from pain. An abusive, manipulative, alcoholic father may provide a plethora of comedy necessary to survive. I’m not a full-figured black woman. Also, this life is hers, not mine—but, as much as humour allows us to cope—I would be surprised if before the laughter grew roots, it drowned in tears.

In the end: I’m glad I heard her screaming: README.

It might have been the dishevelled cat on the cover doing the screaming!

I guffawed, cringed, a tear almost made it into my left eye, a couple of times I considered puking—but mostly: I enjoyed escaping into her life.

If you enjoy a witty take on such shallow topics as racism, alcoholism, mental health issues, isolation, sex, lesbianism—you will love this book! Mainly, if you are an alcoholic who is suffering from mental-health problems while being isolated from the world, as you struggle with sexuality + the health issues that arise—from not the best eating plan, well, this book might be about you (us), or someone we know, READ IT!

Sorry for yelling: read it!

that are hard to read. Samantha lays herself bare, meaning we get to some very painful moments. There were quite a few things I related to (none involving the cat) and that made much of this book more meaningful to me. Be prepared, she's funny, but there's a whole lot more to her.

I can read FB for better, funnier rantings from people I actually care about. This book was so bad and so poorly written, that I could not finish it. The author tries to be funny, but is mostly just vulgar. Horrible. Awful. Don't waste your time or money.

Buy this book, and also buy the audiobook. Find out if or when Sam Irby will be doing some sort of thing in your area and go have your book signed. Leave the book to your child/niece/nephew/local APL in your will. It's trite beyond my normal level of acceptance, but this book has changed my mindframe. Thanks, Sam.

I had read great reviews of this book, mainly about how side splittingly hilarious it is.
Unfortunately I think this is a very 'American' book and the many many American based cultural references made most of it incomprehensible to me.
There are many references to people, songs, places, drugs, foods etc that made zero sense to me. I took to googling random phrases and names for some context.

I did finish it and it did give me a few laughs and I thought it was well written but not the laugh-fest I'd been promised and I put this down to a cultural miss-match.

A brutally honest and both funny and poignant series of essays. She has a unique voice and perspective and if humor is pain plus time, well she has plenty of pain that she mines for humor and trenchant observations. Yes, it's graphic at times. But it is a book that will stick with you.

Samantha Irby is the hero we all need but most definitely don't deserve. I pray she never has to wear real pants or encounter strangers in public, like the patron saints before her. She is not only hilarious, but also incredibly intelligent and woke AF (as the kids say). You'll be LOL'ing one minute and in tears the next with her amazing story telling of her life experiences. She keeps it real and says all the things you're thinking.

You will live in a life full of regret if you don't immediately read this, and her previous book Meaty. Get your life in order!!! Read these STAT.

I didn't buy this on the store--bought it locally because of the amazing reviews I was reading. I am no prude by any means, but I thought the language was over the top when it needn't be. I felt as if I was reading a teenager's words at times. Although amusing, I never LOL'ed. This just wasn't my favorite book and not as great as some of the reviews.

Seriously the funniest book I've read in a very long time. From her depressingly daunting dating life to her deceased parents, she made light of all the things in life we allow to tear us down and render us incapable of moving forward. I would love to meet her, we are definitely kindred spirits. I love her unrelenting dedication to the lazy life. This book was entertaining from start to finish!

I'm not quite sure how to describe this book, hilariously brusque? Anyway, I did a lot of laughing out loud in public while reading this which I hate because I get weird looks on the train. I appreciated Irby's honest writing, even when she was honest about not entirely being honest. She is very authentic even when talking about the worst parts of her life and I enjoyed it, there wasn't any fluff or frills. It made me want to be more honest about my trash life and not be apologetic for it. Irby's writing is blunt and conversational and I adored every bit of it.

When I was offered this book I read a few blog posts to get a gist and was laughing so hard I was curious to read the book. I was not truly prepared for this book though. If you do not know Irby or her content I suggest you check her online videos (it was great to hear Irby's voice and hear her inflections when speaking) and read some blog posts to see what you think.

These are essays and they jump back and forth in time so I was sometimes confused but thanks to the internet I got more information so I figured it out. My main confusion was at the beginning of the book she references boyfriends and being straight and puts down white people but then online I saw she'd married a white woman so I was confused. Later in the book we hear the details of meeting this blog fan then their eventual marriage. But then near the end is an essay about an ex-boyfriend. I can tolerate the stories going back and forth, no problem.

Anyway there were parts where I was literally laughing out loud with tears of laughter in public (!) and a few times I was shedding an emotional tear. I have been struggling to come up with the right words to describe her writing style: raw, profanity filled, in your face, honest, bold, offensive sometimes (she describes the type of white woman she hates as basically me, oh well, I'm not offended). She has some hilarious diarrhea IBD stories and some detailed lesbian sex learning experiences (TMI for me). She was raised in the church but says she is now agnostic. There is content here that some people will find too much. She is so over the top that honestly she would make a funny character in a movie or TV show. She is a real character and her writing style is unique. I note that her blog does not use upper case letters in the traditional manner (the I pronoun, proper nouns) but the book uses traditional grammar rules. The blog uses colored font, the book of course has black text only. The blog has no indentations for paragraphs but the book is traditional. So the book is easier on the eyes.

I was truly entertained by We Are Never Meeting In Real Life even though Irby and I are polar opposites especially in the nutritional choices, health and wellness, parenting and attitudes towards children and so much more. I enjoyed the book despite her describing me as the kind of American woman she hates. Rating 5 stars = Love It.

This was a really funny good read for me. The author does kinda ramble a bit, and gives a little to much detail and information about some things. But all in all this was a very funny some what relatable book.

I smiled and chuckled my way through this collection of essays. I love humorous essays, but this is the first time I’ve read a collection by a black author. There were differences, but I identified with a lot of what she talked about. We’re both from the north shore suburbs of Chicago, I’ve also battled the depression she describes, and while my health issues are different than hers, I understand.

Parts of this collection are very funny; others poignant and sad. There are so many lines I’d like to quote but can’t because I’m reading an ARC (advance reader copy) uncorrected proof. I will definitely buy her first collection MEATY.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Funny, awkward, sad, moving, relatable. I will read ANYTHING this woman writes. She’s hugely talented & I cannot believe how much her blog & books have impacted my life.

I know we’ll never meet IRL, Sam, but I love your work.

So I saw this title in a Goodreads email. I keep telling myself to step outside my normal box of contemporary romance and try something new. So Samantha’s take on life sounded very funny in the description. And she has a cat. I like cats. And she likes the Bachelor/Bachelorette series. I like that too.

I did not know who Samantha Irby was. Never heard of her. But I’ll be on the lookout now. This book is stories and musings on everything from her childhood, to sexual encounters, to food obsessions and everything in between.

She kept me on my toes and each section was something different. The book is not all about the funny. It gets very serious at moments and very real. Some very raw moments and some laugh out loud moments. And some cringe-worthy moments that make you uncomfortable. But that is life. This is her life and she’s opened herself up. I think I could be her friend. But I can just hear her opinion on that. We will never be friends. <smile> And that’s okay.

*I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review of this book.*

My first the store review because I loved this book so much. Samantha Irby will have you laughing and crying and meditating on the richness of everyday life. This woman makes watching TV, and going to work, and dealing with everyday foolishness into biting, amazing essays. Also loved listening to her read her own work. It's truly a test of good writing when something sounds great spoken. Am going to catch up and read Meaty now and wait anxiously for her to come out with her next collection.

This book was packed with jokes, but the most powerful parts were where the humor functioned as a lead-in to a gut-wrenching time in the author's life. Sam Irby is a clever and talented writer, and she uses LOLspeak to mine real, emotional depth. Minus one star for incessant and often unnecessary vulgarity, along with occasional repetition.

Samantha Irby is HILARIOUS. Her voice is truly one of a kind. My favorite essays were the one about money and the one about working out, but honestly, each one is a gem. If you're going to buy one funny-lady essay collection this year, make it this one.

So I saw this title in a Goodreads email. I keep telling myself to step outside my normal box of contemporary romance and try something new. So Samantha’s take on life sounded very funny in the description. And she has a cat. I like cats. And she likes the Bachelor/Bachelorette series. I like that too.

I did not know who Samantha Irby was. Never heard of her. But I’ll be on the lookout now. This book is stories and musings on everything from her childhood, to sexual encounters, to food obsessions and everything in between.

She kept me on my toes and each section was something different. The book is not all about the funny. It gets very serious at moments and very real. Some very raw moments and some laugh out loud moments. And some cringe-worthy moments that make you uncomfortable. But that is life. This is her life and she’s opened herself up. I think I could be her friend. But I can just hear her opinion on that. We will never be friends. <smile> And that’s okay.

*I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review of this book.*

My first the store review because I loved this book so much. Samantha Irby will have you laughing and crying and meditating on the richness of everyday life. This woman makes watching TV, and going to work, and dealing with everyday foolishness into biting, amazing essays. Also loved listening to her read her own work. It's truly a test of good writing when something sounds great spoken. Am going to catch up and read Meaty now and wait anxiously for her to come out with her next collection.

This book was packed with jokes, but the most powerful parts were where the humor functioned as a lead-in to a gut-wrenching time in the author's life. Sam Irby is a clever and talented writer, and she uses LOLspeak to mine real, emotional depth. Minus one star for incessant and often unnecessary vulgarity, along with occasional repetition.

Samantha Irby is HILARIOUS. Her voice is truly one of a kind. My favorite essays were the one about money and the one about working out, but honestly, each one is a gem. If you're going to buy one funny-lady essay collection this year, make it this one.

I bought this book at the airport because who can resist this cover?!?! Not me, that's for sure! I've never heard of Samantha Irby before so I wasn't sure what to expect, but now I wish we were besties. I'm a huge fan of the memoir genre - it's all I read nowadays - but they can be hit or miss. And a lot are sad because life is sad, but I need more than sad. I want to learn from the authors and I want to laugh alongside them as they recall just how absurd life can be. I don't know if this book is my #1 favorite, but it's at the top of the list somewhere. I'm buying copies for my favorite girlfriends - starting with my Mom. It's authentic, it's real, I could go on and on about how much I loved it. Sam is a "curvy, bookish woman" and one of my favorite chapters is entitled something like, "You don't have to be grateful for sex" where Sam recalls some experiences with men who thought they were God's gift. Sam, those guys should be grateful they ever got the chance to be with someone as funny and beautiful (yeah - I saw your pic on the back cover and you are beautiful - inside and out!). I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fabulous summer read.

Samantha Irby's blog B*tches Gotta Eat has hovered on the periphery of my internet browsing for years-- occasionally I'll remember and check it, laugh myself into tears at her writing, and then, like a dingus, immediately forget. Lucky for me, this book has changed that.

In a series of essays, Irby's inimitable writing covers her family, her imaginary Bachelorette application and season, her relationship with her cat, and more. She's not apologizing for who she is and what she likes, and that confidence in her own tastes and personality is fantastic. Reading this was an exercise in trying to laugh quietly as someone slept next to me, because her ability to turn a phrase is amazing. By the time I'd finished this, I'd badgered three coworkers into reading Meaty and/or ordering this book.

I haven't read Samantha Irby's writing until now and while this collection of essays started out making me laugh and smile it quickly fell flat. I found myself glossing over paragraphs at a time. It's too bad, I had high hopes.

This book is funny, insightful and real. I loved this book so much that I was recommending it to friends and looking for other books by her before I even finished the first chapter. I listened to the audiobook version and I think hearing the author read her book the way it is meant to be read makes all the difference, it's even funnier than just reading it yourself.

Not even exaggerating. I couldn't read this in public places because I'd burst out laughing and it was awkward for everyone else. (Not for me, obvi. I know myself.) If the words "pearl-clutching" have ever been applied to you, go ahead and skip this one because you're not going to get it. Just trust me.

I finished the audio version of this book three days ago and I MISS HER SO MUCH. Every time I get in my car, I feel a pang of disappointment because she's not with me anymore, and I won't be snort-laughing on my way to work. I highly recommend buying the audio version because her voice inflection adds a lot to these hilarious essays.
I want more people on earth like Samantha Irby! We'd all be having much more fun. This book will make you cackle!

Just grabbed this without suggestion and i'm honestly so glad i did. it's humor that made me feel understood. i'm really terrible, gross, and misguided. if you've ever felt that way, read this and make an imaginary friend.

I'm listening to the audio version of this book and I have to say its not what I expected. It is somewhat entertaining but wow so much self loathing its hard to listen to. It's funny is some parts but mostly I feel sorry for the author. I kept wondering throughout listening to the book perhaps she needs to be in therapy. She seems to take pleasure in nothing except over eating and watching TV.

After reading a recommendation from an Audible editor touting how funny this book is and describing the sense of humor as "curmudgeonly," I eagerly downloaded the Audible version (read by the author). I was all set to like it.

You can be angry and funny at the same time, but Samantha Irby is just angry. She is the hostile hostess of her own pity party. Apparently, the descriptions of her childhood are intended to explain why Irby is now a sullen, self-centered adult who works at a vet clinic even though she doesn't like animals and has no savings because she splurges on Whole Foods deliveries and Celine sunglasses. Even her cat doesn't like her, and it's easy to understand why.

I didn't know what to expect going in but I am so glad I went there. What a refreshing,hilarious and often times gut
wrenching piece of work. I'm already in the middle of the other book Meaty which is equally as good.

This is a very sad version of "funny." I feel terrible for Samantha Irby and hope that things get better for her. In the meantime, I would hope that she figures out some positive things she can do with her life and her relationships.

How is this funny to anyone??? So sad. What are young women doing to themselves???

I really wanted to like this book (mostly because of the title) but can find nothing funny or remotely entertaining about it or its author. Samantha's simply an angry person who blames her shortcomings on others, and accepts no responsibility for herself.

I found nothing funny in the first 70 pages. At that point I decided it was not worth my time. The writing is awful, the attitude is worse. It's a prime example of what is wrong with our country. I don't ever want to meet her. "She wasn't pregnant as a sophomore in high school, couldnt do hair and the state gave her $15,000 to go to college to sleep through Engish 102 and watch Young and the Restless - so how could she refuse?" Straight from the book. Apparently she dropped out of college (states so early in the book) and did indeed sleep through that English class - the writing certainly reflects that.

Color me puzzled. I'm not sure I've ever seen 81% 5* ratings on the store. Please people, help me out here!

Because this is NOT a stand up and cheer type book. This was not something EVERYONE (to plagiarize the author's constant capitalization) would love.

There were a couple of laugh out loud moments (which is why it's getting 2* rather than 1*). But for every one there were 10 that were cringe worthy. It's not worth my time to explain the good/bad because the bad way outweighed any semblance of good. (For what it's worth the language didn't bother me.)

I got this off a summer reading list from Riffle. Thankfully I got it from the library.

I really wanted to like this book (mostly because of the title) but can find nothing funny or remotely entertaining about it or its author. Samantha's simply an angry person who blames her shortcomings on others, and accepts no responsibility for herself.

I found nothing funny in the first 70 pages. At that point I decided it was not worth my time. The writing is awful, the attitude is worse. It's a prime example of what is wrong with our country. I don't ever want to meet her. "She wasn't pregnant as a sophomore in high school, couldnt do hair and the state gave her $15,000 to go to college to sleep through Engish 102 and watch Young and the Restless - so how could she refuse?" Straight from the book. Apparently she dropped out of college (states so early in the book) and did indeed sleep through that English class - the writing certainly reflects that.

Color me puzzled. I'm not sure I've ever seen 81% 5* ratings on the store. Please people, help me out here!

Because this is NOT a stand up and cheer type book. This was not something EVERYONE (to plagiarize the author's constant capitalization) would love.

There were a couple of laugh out loud moments (which is why it's getting 2* rather than 1*). But for every one there were 10 that were cringe worthy. It's not worth my time to explain the good/bad because the bad way outweighed any semblance of good. (For what it's worth the language didn't bother me.)

I got this off a summer reading list from Riffle. Thankfully I got it from the library.

was taken in by the cover & thought it would be a funny, light summer read. the author is just a foul-mouthed, unfunny, unhappy woman who has to spew her filth for any to see & tell herself how important she is. don't waste your time or money!