Bad Vibes Only

(and Other Things I Bring to the Table)

By: Nora McInerny

Narrated by: Nora McInerny

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

From the host of the podcast Terrible, Thanks for Asking—called “a gift” by The New York Times—a raw and humorous essay collection in the spirit of Jenny Lawson and Samantha Irby.

Nora McInerny does not dance like no one is watching. In fact, she dances like everyone is watching, which is to say, she does not dance at all. A bestselling author and host of the beloved podcast Terrible, Thanks for Asking, she has captured the hearts of millions with her disarming and earnest approach to discussing grief and loss. Now, with Bad Vibes Only, she turns her eye on our aggressively, oppressively optimistic culture, our obsession with self-improvement, and what it really means to live authentically in the online age.

In essays that revisit her cringey past and anticipate her rapidly approaching, early middle-aged future, McInerny lays bare her own chaos, inviting us to drop the façade of perfection and embrace the truth: that we are all—at best—slightly unhinged. Socrates claimed that the unexamined life is not worth living. Bad Vibes Only is for people who have taken that dictum a bit too far—the overthinkers, the analyzers, the recovering Girl Bosses, and the burned-out personal brand—reminding us that a life worth living is about more than just “good vibes.”

Critic reviews

"Podcaster Nora McInerny’s collection of essays will have listeners nodding and chuckling in recognition as she observes life in the Internet Age. McInerny recounts pivotal moments in her life, both poignant and cringe-worthy. Her experiences cover her childhood in the 1980s, college years in the early 2000s, young adulthood, motherhood, the loss of her first husband to cancer, and her remarriage. Through it all she delivers a self-deprecating tone and her signature wit. She takes a deeper look at the pleasures and perils of online life, questioning our struggles with authenticity and performance on social networks. McInerny’s narration complements her poignant observations on her life as a recovering overachiever and offers both laughs and wisdom."

For humans who know their humanness is messy

Witty and honest essays on topics ranging moral superiority, phone addiction, parenthood and grandparents who always love you but don’t necessarily want you in their cabin. For anyone who has experienced life’s almosts, been injured by the rough edges of the universe. For anyone brave enough to live and hope without pretending that anything is certain.

Have been so excited for this preorder!!

I’m a long time listener if Nora books, podcasts, live IG meltdowns….sincerely this woman speak my language. I’m only half through (preorders just came yesterday) and I am already OBSESSED. This author is relatable and real and vulnerable…all while being funny. After years of listening and reading her work I feel like I know her and genuinely like her. I’m crazy enough to think she is rooting for ME too. Read this book, it’s great. If you like to listen to people tell their own story, listen on audible. Nora tells a great story.

Funny and Relatable

I enjoyed listening to this book. It grabbed my attention within minutes of Nora speaking and she told stories about her childhood that I could relate to and that are relevant to her life. I would recommend this book to anyone who just want to feel good and relax for a few hours listening to a good audio book.

Laugh, cry, repeat

There’s nothing about this book that I didn’t like. A must read for recovering perfectionists!

Brave and Thought-Provoking

Nora can tap into the darkest parts of life and pull out a story that makes people feel seen. “Anything Can Happen” was by far one of the most brave and validating stories I’ve ever read. While that exact scenario has not happened to me, other “we were this close to tragedy” moments have and I cannot commend her enough for sharing it. I felt less shameful after reading it. Shining light on shame is the only way to eradicate it.

What I love most about Nora is her ability to own her privilege and her traumas. She allows them to come together and make me ponder things beyond the day to day grind. While simultaneously giving the day to day grind it’s fair share of praise.

There was so much beautiful duality in this book. And both. The only way to truly live.