Microthrills

True Stories from a Life of Small Highs

By: Wendy Spero

Narrated by: Wendy Spero

Raised in Manhattan by her overprotective sex-therapist mother (who wore “nine inches of shoulder pads”), Wendy Spero has always sought excitement in microthrills, the small, strange highs that give her life meaning—from finding a strip tease video of her grandmother to selling knives door-to-door. As a little girl, Spero passed the time sniffing fruit-scented markers and breaking up arguments between her imaginary friends. As an adult, in her first office job, she formed an unusual relationship with her boss that involved as much marijuana-smoking as it did mentoring. Called “a profoundly funny human being” by Time Out New York, Spero is now a comedian living in L.A., grappling with such grown-up issues as trying to kick her addiction to eating candy in bed and learning how to drive.

wonderful

a favorite I can listen to over and over again. i highly recommend giving it a listen

hilarious

funniest book i've ever heard. Wendy's narration makes it all the better---probably one of the few books that is even more enjoyable listening than reading.

Very funny

I bought this book a while ago but never listened to it and couldn't remember anything about it. When I started listening, I was at first mildly amused by the author's essays describing of her life and family. As the book went on, I got a very good idea of her and her many, many frankly admitted foibles. Wendy seems to realize her own quasi-craziness and doesn't mind sharing it with us for laughs, but she also has a deep and abiding love for her family and her boyfriend Amos (who seems long-suffering and worthy of her devotion). Some of the essays at the end of the book were so funny that I embarassed myself by laughing out loud in a restaurant where I was dining alone and, later, in a public bathroom stall (I'm not sure if anyone else was in the bathroom). I'm a fan of David Sedaris, and Wendy will also be on my list of essayists to enjoy.

Exhilarating

Wendy Spero's first book, of which I hope many more will follow, is a genuine gem. With a well honed narrative, she has unfailingly captured the humor of her obessesions, the strangeness of her family and friends, and the absurdity of her school and work life. As her life unfolds in a series of chronological stories, I smiled, laughed, and cried as she touched my soul with both her humanity and humor. By the end of the book, I wanted to thank Wendy Spero for having shared so much of her unusual experiences and keen insights.

A truly keen observer!

Wendy's micro-examination of her life's not-so-momentous moments is a unique experience. The going got kind of intense for me at times, so don't expect the 6 hours to just fly by in a sitting or two. I'm in full agreement that the audio version would be a completely different experience (better!) than for those who read the print book. Worth it alone to hear the voice she uses for her mother. <g>