We Are Never Meeting in Real Life

Essays

By: Samantha Irby

Narrated by: Samantha Irby

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • This essay collection from the “bitches gotta eat” blogger, writer on Hulu’s Shrill and HBO's And Just Like That, and “one of our country’s most fierce and foulmouthed authors” (Amber Tamblyn, Vulture) is sure to make you alternately cackle with glee and cry real tears.

"A sidesplitting polemicist for the most awful situations.”—The New York Times

Whether Samantha Irby is talking about how her difficult childhood has led to a problem in making “adult” budgets; explaining why she should be the new Bachelorette (she's "35-ish, but could easily pass for 60-something"); detailing a disastrous pilgrimage-slash-romantic-vacation to Nashville to scatter her estranged father's ashes; sharing awkward sexual encounters; or dispensing advice on how to navigate friendships with former drinking buddies who are now suburban moms (hang in there for the Costco loot!); she’s as deft at poking fun at the ghosts of her past self as she is at capturing powerful emotional truths.

Don't miss Samantha Irby's bestselling new book, Quietly Hostile!

Author's Narration Really Elevates This Book!

I bought this book after seeing a friend had read and liked it on Goodreads. I didn't know anything about Samantha Irby and I rarely read essays.

tldr; This book was great. Probably better for you if you don't mind narsty talk and have struggled with a mental health issue at some point in life.

Pros:

- Samantha did a great job narrating. I think her humor and openness might have come across differently to me if I hadn't heard her tone of voice.

- This book made me feel things. Better about some rough times in my life. Made my heart hurt something fierce. Made me genuinely happy. Kinda grossed me out.

- Samantha touches on some topics that aren't covered often. Being in a relationship that isn't abusive but isn't not - and the powerlessness of it when you're young and haven't fully accepted yourself - was one thing that I really connected to. But there was a lot in there.

Cons:

- I mean, I had to put headphones on a lot cause there's some narsty stuff in here.

- I didn't really 'get' a lot of the Helen Keller essay.

- I'm not sure if this book will be good for someone who hasn't struggled with mental health issues. I read a negative review by someone who said 'this lady describes herself as lazy so I couldn't like her'. I think that's fair, but that's not how it made me feel.

Found my spirit animal

She’s me x100. Hilarious and entertaining, and sometimes uncomfortable, but unapologetic about it. She’s real and everything she relates is identifiable on some level. Her no-bullshit air is her coping mechanism and it’s downright funny as hell. I’m definitely purchasing her other works.

Hilarious

Funny, dark, warm, and very smart. Now I want to be Samantha Irby’s friend so much.

LOVED THIS BOOK!

Samantha is a funny and relatable author who I wish I could be friends with! I am going to definitely read everything she's ever written :)

Love this author

Samantha has easily become one of my favorite comedy authors. She is self-depreciating, crude, and brutally honest. If that describes your sense of humor, you will easily love her.