• You're Not Doing It Right

  • Tales of Marriage, Sex, Death, and Other Humiliations
  • By: Michael Ian Black
  • Narrated by: Michael Ian Black
  • Length: 6 hrs and 31 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (485 ratings)

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You're Not Doing It Right  By  cover art

You're Not Doing It Right

By: Michael Ian Black
Narrated by: Michael Ian Black
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Publisher's summary

"You’re not doing it right."

Michael Ian Black has been hearing these five words all his life. And now—on the eve of his 40th birthday—he is finally beginning to wonder why. As a husband and father living in the suburbs, Michael asks the question so many of us ask ourselves at one point or another: How did I end up here? (And also: If fat Kevin Federline succumbs to his own wasted potential, what does that mean for the rest of us?)

The answers to these questions, and others that you probably would have never thought to ask, are painstakingly detailed in You’re Not Doing It Right, Michael Ian Black’s debut memoir. Darkly humorous and told with raw honesty, Michael takes on his childhood, his marriage, his children, and his career with unexpected candor and deadpan wit in this funny-because-it's-true essay collection. He shares the neuroses that have plagued him since childhood and how they shaped him into the man he is today. Stories include: How his lesbian feminist mother raised him to be a tough but sensitive New Seventies Man like Alan Alda; how his camp girlfriend dumped him for a guy nicknamed Taco; how he backed into marrying his wife by breaking up with her first; how he is completely undone by hearing a Creed song on the radio on the eve of becoming a father; and how he learned to use Santa Claus as a "bad cop" threat to control his kids year 'round.

From the comedian who brought you Stella and The State, Michael Ian Black says the kinds of things you’re afraid to admit. Here he is: naked, exposed, a little chilly, and understandably shriveled.

©2012 Michael Ian Black (P)2012 Random House, Inc.

What listeners say about You're Not Doing It Right

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Relatable in so many ways

What made the experience of listening to You're Not Doing It Right the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed the deadpan and sometimes unexpected humor, but also the raw emotion displayed in certain situations was extremely thought provoking. I reflected heavily on my own life and the similarity of the situations faced in the book. I too enjoy finding the humor in things, but also being faced with certain issues I didn't know how to cope with, or at least didn't know how to cope with at the time. This book follows the happiness and hardships of life, and through that I feel everyone can relate.

What did you like best about this story?

I knew the book would be comical considering the author is a comedian, but I was pleasantly surprised with how relatable and thoughtful it all was. I have found myself in the same situations the author has, and I too use humor in everyday life to cope. While the deadpan sense of humor was prevalent throughout, there were many touching and tragic scenes as well which I felt were displayed beautifully. Human emotion and thought processes were shown in unfiltered and honest settings.

What does Michael Ian Black bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I personally believe hearing the author read their own works gives a better insight on their own thoughts and emotions towards the various themes within the book. The way he read the chapters about the tragedies he's faced sounded to me more somber than the chapters about him falling in love and the joys in his life. It's almost as if an old friend is telling you a personal story, versus you reading it in their journal.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listened to a majority of it on a 4 hour bus trip and it held my attention the whole way. Each chapter is unique in experience but thought provoking and relatable in their own way. Part of me wished the bus ride was longer so I could have finished it all in one go.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant

Loved it. Couldn't stop listening until I finished and listen again. Bought the next book. Dry wit with real issues.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Funny, then sad... but still funny

Would you listen to You're Not Doing It Right again? Why?

Yes – because M.I.G doesn't have enough standup specials to listen to!

Which character – as performed by Michael Ian Black – was your favorite?

This should be obvious, right?

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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F**king Hysterical and Utterly Accurate

Would you consider the audio edition of You're Not Doing It Right to be better than the print version?

Yes! Which does not fit with my generally nostalgic-for-print personality, but Black's tone of voice/inflection/etc absolutely made this book for me. I laughed out loud at least an average of once per 3 minutes.

What other book might you compare You're Not Doing It Right to and why?

It had a David Sedaris feel in my opinion... but I hesitate to make a direct comparison between books.

Which character – as performed by Michael Ian Black – was your favorite?

Himself... or Martha.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laugh laugh laugh. I would find it hard to believe that someone wasn't entertained by this book.

Any additional comments?

I'm a newly wed in my twenties, and both Martha and Michael had so many things about them that reminded me of either myself or my husband that there was no way for me to not love this book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it.

It's not "haha funny" like MIB's previous work, but I got hooked early on and loved it. He has a wonderful way of telling stories, even the not-so-funny ones.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Unexpected!

I saw this recommended at another site & thought I'd try it, although the only thing I knew about this guy was the snarky comments on the VH1 series. I really enjoyed listening to this - the unexpected honesty, humor, and insights he shares about marriage, having & raising children. Just - not what I was expecting at all!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Dry humor paired with frank, personal stories

What does Michael Ian Black bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Michael's narration fits his dry, irreverent sense of humor. I know some listeners complained that he seemed monotoned, but I feel like they may not have been as familiar with his comedic style prior to listening.

Any additional comments?

I thought he did a great job of discussing (rather frankly) struggles in his marriage and as a parent while bringing his particular flavor of humor and sarcasm.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Driving and laughing

This book ranges from thoroughly entertaining to laughing-alone-in-my-car funny, and prior to listening to it I would not have called myself a fan of Michael Ian Black. Now I am. I'm 41, and could identify in some way with just about every single topic he touched on in this book. It was funny. Excellent narration in just the right voice. Bottom line, I loved it. Oh, and did I mention it was funny?

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

very honest

What did you like best about You're Not Doing It Right? What did you like least?

Micheal Ian Black is an enjoyable narrator to listen too. The is very honest about the joys and struggles of marriage and parenting.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Can't wait for his next book.

If you could sum up You're Not Doing It Right in three words, what would they be?

I actually had never heard of Michael Ian Black but had just finished Tina Fey's Bossy Pants and was looking for another easy/funny listen. I wasn't disappointed! If you're a male age 35-50 this book will really speak to you, but anyone with a sense of humor will like it.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Steve Jobs biography.

What about Michael Ian Black’s performance did you like?

Told in the authors own words - very funny delivery!

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