How to Ruin Everything

Essays

By: George Watsky

Narrated by: George Watsky

Length: 5 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

A New York Times best seller.

Are you a sensible, universally competent individual? Are you tired of the crushing monotony of leaping gracefully from one lily pad of success to the next? Are you sick of doing everything right? In this brutally honest and humorous debut, musician and artist George Watsky chronicles the small triumphs over humiliation that make life bearable and how he has come to accept defeat as necessary to personal progress. The essays in How to Ruin Everything range from the absurd (how he became an international ivory smuggler) to the comical (his middle-school rap battle dominance) to the revelatory (his experiences with epilepsy), yet all are delivered with the type of linguistic dexterity and self-awareness that has won Watsky devoted fans across the globe. Alternately ribald and emotionally resonant, How to Ruin Everything announces a versatile writer with a promising career ahead.

©2016 George Watsky (P)2016 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Funny, subversive, and able to excavate such brutally honest sentences that you find yourself nodding your head in wonder and recognition." (Lin-Manuel Miranda, composer and lyricist of In the Heights and Hamilton: An American Musical)

“Watsky is a skillful lyricist who has successfully transferred his wit, humor and humility into a smartly written collection of essays. How to Ruin Everything shows off his versatility as a writer and proves that the nerdy guys can also be part of the cool crowd.” (Russell Simmons)

“George Watsky is a lyrical mastermind. Unflinchingly honest, sincere, and gut-wrenchingly funny, How to Ruin Everything is one of the best books I've read this year. Watsky effortlessly translates his razor sharp wit from the stage to the page. This will be the first of many amazing books in the life of a tireless artist.” (Hasan Minhaj, The Daily Show correspondent)

A Celebration of Unsure

It's okay to have a mistake become a vibrant tapestry, revel in a small moment.

From College Slam Poet to National Rap Star

This book gives incredible insight to the life of George Watsky. There's a palpable rhythm to each essay. Thijs would make for a great Spring Book. It's a light read and worth the extra few bucks to hear the autthor read it to you.

watsky ruins everything.

if you happen to be a 20 something in 20something and you happen to question that life you're building around yourself this book might offer a little insight into decisions you didnt make.

Wonderful

Watskys is the only person who could narrate this book is provides so much wonderful insight into his colorful world.

What a talented guy!

George Watsky's essays, read by George Watsky, make you realize you were as talented as he is. Some of the stories you feel like you know the characters personally. I loved the story about the Giants, Uncle Saul and returning to the Fillmore. Nice work George!

Nonsense and Existentialism Galore

A poetic, insightful, free-form experience that adheres less to plot than sheer imagination and insight.
George Watsky is a blacksmith of the written word, and a warrior in verbally wielding it. Great, eclectic read, but scattered and disproportionately interesting. Some essays left me wanting more, others made me disinterested. All-around great read.

First audiobook I've enjoyed more than reading

Phenomenal performance by George Watsky. It's worth so much more hearing Watsky recount the life situations he wrote so passionately about. No other person could have done this justice.

Good stories

It was great to tie together the pieces of Watsky's life and figure out a lot of the inspirations for his songs. Must have for the Watsky fans.

Read by the author<br />

the author reading his own book really makes the book sound good. George Watsky has experience with vocal performance, so it is even better.

Unexpectedly insightful.

Open, smart, heartfelt, and honest. Killer narration. Not every chapter is equally engaging, but when he gets it right, he gets it right. I've gone back and listened to the one about Baseball four times now. Goddamn.