Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advanced digital copy of I’d Like to Play Alone, Please by Tom Segura.
If you are a fan of Tom, please run, don’t to get your hands on this book. Told through various essays, we get a closer look into Tom Segura’s life; from the time he overdosed to the gnarly basketball injury we all love/hate to watch. This book reads just as if Segura was telling you a story, and it’s awesome.
I highly recommend this book to fans of Segura, comedy, or life in general. This book has me laughing, but also sobbing at the end of the first chapter. It has everything!

This was just as funny as his stand up. Just a good ol' escape, and entertsining read. If you loved his specials, or his podcast you should read this one. This is a sort of deep dive into Tom Segura's head. So very enjoyable.
Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

One of the better comedian slice-of-life books out there.

Those familiar with Tom’s standup and podcasts will recognize many of the themes and family quirks and overall worldview of the charmingly psychopathic Tom Segura—a man who routinely laughs at a video of a mechanic getting his legs crushed by a car thrown hastily into reverse.

It opens with a sort of character profile of his father (to whom the book is dedicated), lamenting the brusk aloofless he displays when ending all conversations abruptly once he’s bored with them. Oh, and Tom’s dad likes to name his bowel movement…uh…varieties.

His mother, a Peru native, is a mild-mannered opposite of his father. Devoutly Catholic and a gifted storyteller, she is perpetually disgusted and horrified by her husband’s lack of manners.

Our author seems to be the natural product of the two: a sadistically-funny boundary-pusher like his father and a smart and charming raconteur like his mother.

Coming from a long line of physicians, Tom fancied himself a future doctor as well. Admittedly, it took him a while to realize he didn’t quite have the dedication and smarts needed for such a prestigious field. (That said, I think Tom is much smarter than he lets on).

If you’re easily offended and generally lack a sense of humor, you’ll be far too squeamish for Tom Segura. He tells boundary-pushing, transgressive jokes, and sometimes the jokes are at the expense of other people (or the entire state of Louisiana).

Tom’s book is about his life—and his life, to borrow a favorite term from him— is BANANAS.

Tom grew up on the Golden Age of Rap and has a few hip hop stories to share with us readers.

The rest of the book contains some funny bits of autobiography, the tumultuous, hobo-like existence of a road comic and minor celebrity (and eventually, a much bigger celeb).

If you know his standup you’ll recognize some of the stories, a huge overdose of GHB and various things about football (which I skipped, because who the hell cares about football?), and a terrific story about meeting (and impressing) Mike Tyson!

It’s a really funny book and you can hear Tom’s voice in your head as you read it. Tom’s married to another talented comedian, Christina P. with whom he hosts a very popular podcast. He also hosts a great podcast with a not-so-great comic named Bart Chrysler.

I'd Like to Play Alone, Please is a must read for any diehard Segura fan. He brings all the same wit and charm on page as he brings to the stage but the long form medium allows for more expansion and insight into even his most familiar stories. At times this book is introspective and poignant but its always grounded in Toms witty and honest prose.

Lets get real guys, this wont change your life in the way, say, a Garth Brooks concert would...but it's a pretty fun time.

Tom Segura strikes me as someone who’d be fun at a barbecue. He’s that guy (I don’t intend for this to be read as an insult - I really like barbecues).

I originally grabbed this title for my husband who is a bigtime Segura podcast / standup fan. Now that I’ve read his book, I’ve come to the realization that I may be a fan myself.

As much as I found myself saying “god, that’s terrible” about something in many a place, I would quickly find myself completely taken over with laughter. I have a habit of reading things I find funny aloud, to my husband and my teens - so, I was reading one of the early bits out loud and I start laughing to the point where I can no longer actually read aloud, tears have begun to stream from my eyes, and I can’t catch my breath for a few minutes because I’m laughing so much - real and true laughter. This happened on more than one occasion during my reading of this book. You don’t need me to tell you what a gift that it is these days. (if you’re reading this, thanks Tom Segura! 🙂)

I read this in less than a day, and enjoyed every page (even the ones that made me cringe but sans the bit about his recent injuries). Just so you’re aware - this is not a memoir, and if you’re more than a casual fan you may already be familiar with some (or many) of these stories.

Whether you’re an existing fan of Segura’s or like me, I suggest this one to anyone who could really benefit from some laughter in their lives (if you’re hearing abled, I’d personally suggest the audiobook - the author narrates and the reader will be able to process this as he intended (tone, inflection, pauses, etc.).

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for opportunity to read and provide honest feedback about this arc.

Most people can relate but you know how sometimes there’s a celebrity (or two) that you wish you could be friends with or just hang out with. This is one of mine so I was excited to get to read Tom Seguras essay book, and it did not disappoint. I was invested and interested overall and enjoyed the read, so much do that I finished it in less than a day. I'm not normally a nonfiction fan but I do enjoy reading memoirs from comedians and the like and rod was one of the better ones I've read. None of it was fake or false... But I did personally question how he's been doing lucky to constantly get upgraded flights all the time for free! I've never been that lucky. Nonetheless, good book. If you like his comedy definitely read this. If you aren't sure, go watch his specials on Netflix (maybe without your young kids around though)!