I Drink for a Reason

By: David Cross

Narrated by: David Cross

Length: 6 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

The star and creative force behind Mr. Show and Arrested Development pens his "first and final book, chronicling his meteoric rise and abysmal fall in the literary world."

After a decade spent in isolation in the Ugandan jungles thinking about stuff, David Cross has written his first book. Known for roles on the small screen such as "never-nude" Tobias Funke on Arrested Development and the role of "David" in Mr. Show with Bob and David, as well as a hugely successful stand-up routine full of sharp-tongued rants and rages, Cross has carved out his place in American comedy. Whether deflating the pomposity of religious figures, calling out the pathetic symbiosis of pseudo-celebrity and its leaching fandom, or merely pushing the buttons of the way-too-easily offended PC left or the caustic, double standard of the callous (but funnier) right, Cross has something to say about everyone, including his own ridiculous self.

Now, for the first time, Cross is weaving his media mockery, celebrity denunciation, religious commentary, and sheer madness into book form, revealing the true story behind his almost existential distaste of Jim Belushi ("The Belush"), disclosing the up-to-now unpublished minutes to a meeting of Fox television network executives, and offering up a brutally grotesque run-in with Bill O'Reilly. And as if this wasn't enough for your laughing pleasure in these troubled times, some of the pieces splinter off with additional material being created online in exclusive video and animated web content created solely for the book - a historical first (presumably)!

With a mix of personal essays, satirical fiction posing as truth, advice for rich people, information from America's least favorite Rabbi and a top-10 list of top-10 lists, I Drink for a Reason is as unique as the comedian himself, and cannot be missed.

©2009 David Cross (P)2009 Hachette

Critic reviews

"One of the funniest books I've ever skimmed!" (Paul Rudd)

"It is inappropriate for me to write a 'blurb' for Mr. David Cross, as he is rightly a legend - utterly fearless, absolutely brilliant, and a longtime inspiration to me. My endorsement would be like the weed endorsing the sun, which is to say: I live in the dirt and require David Cross (plus water) to live. But I can grow right through sidewalks, so that's something." (John Hodgman, Daily Show resident expert)

"David's writing in this audiobook for the eyes is every bit as funny, honest, and observant as the man himself-and, oddly, twice as smart. It's surprising and funny dot dot dot, a triumph!" (Mitchell "Arrested Development" Hurwitz, co-creator, The Ellen Show)

Funny when you could be.

Cross doesn’t shy away from his comedic, sarcastic and biting lifestyle. It’s a highly entertainingly ridiculous book brought to vivid light with a great read. Gone back for more listens often.

David Cross is amazing and funny and smart!!

Would you listen to I Drink for a Reason again? Why?

Yeppers. I have re-listened to some parts already because they were too darn funny.

What was one of the most memorable moments of I Drink for a Reason?

When David Cross explains the mobster/hitman/assasin game. It was funny as heck.

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

I laughed. I laughed Until I cried. David Cross is so funny and refreshing and honest.

Any additional comments?

If you want to laugh your butt off.....by this audio book.

OMG!

David Cross always has made me chuckle. But Chapter 14 on the scrapbooking convention had me crying with laughter. Cross is the bizarre-thinking-man's comedian. Worth a listen!

Self Indulgent

What did you like best about I Drink for a Reason? What did you like least?

The first few chapters are classic Cross. Reminiscent of the type of brilliant riting that made Mr. Show so hilariously innovative. Introspective and imaginative rants about life and how ridiculous people can be. I especially enjoyed the Network Executive Meeting chapter.

What was most disappointing about David Cross’s story?

There is no story. This is mostly a stream of consciousness attempt to fill enough pages to qualify as a book. As a long-time David Cross fan, I was disappointed. Using the book to respond to a blogger's comments is just self indulgent. The blogger's "voice" was an INCOHERENT synthesized effect that became increasingly frustrating as it went on, as you can only make out about HALF of what it says.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I enjoyed his intonations when he was reading the chapters, and the various characters that he portrayed. I liked the "extras" where he chides the listener for purchasing the audio book instead of the hard copy. While it was an innovative idea, having a band perform the chapter about "A Free List of Quirks for Aspiring Independent Filmmakers" was just AWFUL. The song was tedious and lacked any real form or melody, and it goes on for SO LONG that it becomes arduous to listen to. I would qualify it in the genre of "depressing goth music to slash your wrists to." Next time get someone snappier like BareNaked Ladies or They Might Be Giants.

Do you think I Drink for a Reason needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No. For the love of god, no. Half of this book was witty and heartfelt, but the rest was just filling space. It gives the impression that he just did this for the money. Of course, that's why MOST people publish a book these days, so I shouldn't be so shocked. If this book weren't one of my FREE trial membership downloads, I would feel VERY cheated indeed.

Any additional comments?

If David Cross is obsessive enough to ever seek out and read the reviews for this audio book, then I'd like to apologize for being so harsh. I WANTED to like this. I've enjoyed almost all of your previous works. I did laugh a few times at this. But you lost me at "A Free List of Quirks." If that's the kind of music YOU enjoy, then it was presumptuous of you to subject your listeners to that.

Not for everyone

I am a big David Cross fan and have read the book before listening to the audio book, and he adds a lot of things in his performance of the book that were not in the book. Very funny and also at times very vulgar but I loved it.

Best. Audiobook. Ever.

What made the experience of listening to I Drink for a Reason the most enjoyable?

Content in the audiobook that is not in the novel. Les Savy Fav performs an excerpt from the book in a song, Kristen Schaal reads a portion of the novel, John Benjamin takes over the introduction.

What was one of the most memorable moments of I Drink for a Reason?

The list of things to do when you're bored. I cried laughing. In a car. Alone. On the way to work.

What about David Cross’s performance did you like?

Whenever he digresses from reading. Things like -- Constantly berating the listener for purchasing the audiobook version. Talking about the budget of recording with the 'engineer.' Loved it. All of it.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Why the f*** would you turn this into a movie?

Any additional comments?

Things I did while writing this: Ate a chicken wing. Thought about going to the gym. Converted to Christianity.

Smart and Funny

Very smart. Very funny. (skip the musical interlude in the middle. It's beyond boring and it's inaudible)

funny but...

David Cross seems to be a love-him-or-hate-him type of comedian. If you're looking at this, you've probably already made up your mind about whether you're going to buy it. I guess it's worth having just for the in-jokes and deviations from the book, but it rambles a lot.

Classic Cross!👍

A great book. As long as you have a sense of humor and an IQ of at least 110.

bummer, I was such a fan

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

If the book was entertaining or funny.

What was most disappointing about David Cross’s story?

I have been a fan of Cross for years, seen him do stand-up, loved his stand-up CD "Shut up you F***in baby!" and listened to it many times.
But this book was absolutely boring! Didn't laugh once. And Im sad to say he came off as sort of obnoxious :(

Would you be willing to try another one of David Cross’s performances?

Definitely- I will keep checking out his stand-up.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

hmmm... no?