I really thought that I would love this book, but when it came down to it, I got probably about 30% of the way through and had no real motivation to finish it off.

It's not really a book for me. It just wasn't what I expected.

I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.


I'm going to keep this short and sweet, because it's been almost a month since I finished reading this, and still I genuinely don't know what to say about it.

Seriously... What Am I Doing Here? is a travel memoir in diary-form that brings us along on the most random of all the random trips - from bike rides to healing retreats to climbing mountains, we're along the ride and gain insight into the thoughts the author has during these experiences. Written with honesty, humour and insight, I found that what it did to me most of all was prove that there are still good people in this world.

Hilarious, thoughtful, living travel as a curious experience for a non-professional traveler, this wandering memoir is smart and provocative. The time on the road is used to reflect, meditate and sometimes to heal. A reminder that there are people around, most of them, for whom travel is seldom a weekly, or even daily concern. It might happen by accident, but maybe because it is not a common occurrence is meticulously observed. A nice and thoughtful read, especially for the non-travel weekends.

When I read the blurb and some details about the author, I knew I had to try this story. I mean, I'll pretty much read any story that involves my home turf (aka, a Jew from New Jersey), and I was super excited to see where Ken Schneck would take me.

Ken Schneck is naturally funny and engaging, and you'll automatically want to be friends with him (especially if you like Jews from New Jersey!). I liked reading about him and his adventures because he went to some seriously interesting places. I was really curious about how he would fare in Uganda, on an AIDS bike ride, and on an intense camping/hiking trip, especially since Ken is funny, impulsive, and chronically underprepared.

If you want to read about a likable guy doing adventure-types of actives, then this book is for you. However, I couldn't help but feel like some greater point was missed. There were some mini-breakthroughs mentioned, but I was expecting some more personal growth, not just a travel diary. I had trouble connecting the stories to one another and I didn't get a sense of cohesiveness.

What I liked most about the story was when Ken was being honest and funny and didn't seem like he was writing for an audience. There were moments of greatness, but I think I was expecting more from this collection of diary-type stories.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

I feel like I'm reading his journal or having an intimate conversation with him (but I can't ask questions). And I guess he essentially states at the beginning that this is exactly what this book is. He is funny. My kind of funny with dry humor and seeing the crazy in everyday things and even himself. I loved him. Almost from the first few pages I knew he was for me because I could be him. I'm the same way... stumbling and bumbling into things larger than myself, following through then saying "I can't believe I did that". He goes in depth, probably too in depth for some people, but I liked it. He seemed to have a purpose for every delving he goes into. I'm jealous of what he's done, I've jotted some things down onto my "someday" list based on this book. I enjoyed this book a lot.

I'm not sure what it was that I expected this book to be but I did actually end up genuinely enjoying it. I've not read a lot of travel/bio books so this was a little bit of a step outside of my comfort zone, something that is amusing to me because this is what the book was precisely about.

The adventures of Ken are at times amusing, distressing and heartbreaking, but they all have a note of honesty to them that I really do appreciate. There are some people, who when writing about themselves would try to sugar coat it, or change the narrative to make themselves seem like more, to make themselves seem like flawless individuals. Ken Schneck does not do that and it's something I love about this book. He is critical of others, and sometimes it is VERY deserving (looking at you No Trail Name Lady) and sometimes it isn't so much. But the person he is most critical of at times is himself, as we all are.

This overall was an interesting, very human journey about how much we can grow and develop, in the most extraordinary and even ordinary of circumstances. I found this to be inspiring.

A travelogue from a snarky, anxiety-ridden man that explores healing, identity, and the hardships of coming to terms with who you are.

The one warning that I feel is necessary is that the discussion on the Ugandan anti-gay legislation, that seems to be coming in the first part of the book, doesn't really happen. It's touched upon, but mostly passed over as this book is not about representation and politics. This was not a problem for me, but if you are hoping for some sprawling essays on the state of LGBTQ life - look somewhere else.
This is an introspective look at one person's anxieties, self-image issues, and ambitions to do more and an honest exploration of his faults and achievements. With a metric ton of sarcasm, witticisms, and emotional moments.

Schneck starts off with some cracks in him as he travels to Uganda to engage in some volunteer work with the local school. He then fractures completely somewhere between that and the bike marathon, losing nearly everything he has and being faced with problems that could crush anybody. And yet he perseveres, stumbling into more and more unlikely and fascinating scenarios, always finding a life lesson or a joke to mine in each occurence.
Ken's stubborn desire to become better, to understand himself, and to patch his life up is contagious and with each fist-pumping triumph you, as a reader, inch ever closer to understanding both him and yourself. It's not an easy road and the book never devolves into a gauntlet of unbearable obstacles as Ken's hopeful nature falters but still shines through in the very cracks that unmade him. But it's not some self-help spiritual healing "I love myself" festival either, as Schneck frankly offers up that some of the problems in his life are his fault.

One of the pitfalls of such books that I was afraid of seeing here is the privileged point of view, where the writer bemoans the horrific issues that they face while living in their huge house with a cushy job, like "my kids weren't perfect!" or "I felt unfulfilled!". Those are important problems, but they are not very relatable in general, unlike Ken's battle with anxiety, a broken heart, and self-doubt. These are things that almost everyone faces and though it seems like Ken is looking at them from a rather comfortable place in life, that changes quickly as he loses and gives up many things and you really get the sense that his life is in turmoil and he is genuinely grappling with significant problems and not some petty grievances.

Ken's writing is fun and crisp, as he always injects just the right amount of honesty into his sarcastic ramblings. Not a single moment feels dull as the scenery changes and Schneck changes with it. From Uganda to the Midwest to the Colorado mountains, every step of his journey is engaging, every connection he makes is earned, and every single problem he has - relatable.

I would heartily recommend anyone to read this, but especially those who also suffer from anxiety and need a pick-me-up and a gentle, fun read to remind them that healing is possible in any situation, even with the help of strangers. Schneck changed his life, so let him try to change yours, it might just work!

Such a fantastic book! Well written. It is equal parts funny and touching. I felt as if I were with Ken, along for his adventures. A must read!

DNF. Sorry, I usually love travelogues, and I was a excited to read about queer Jewish adventurer, but this wasn't for me.