Nothing Samantha Irby does is wrong.

As a long-time reader of her blog, I was more than happy to review this latest collection from Sam. It's exactly what one expects - irreverent, insightful, sometimes gross-out, hilarious, touching, and most of all, perfect.

Sam explores the early days of the pandemic, working on a reboot of a beloved TV Series, being a step-parent, gastrointestinal woes, and the horniness of one Dave Matthews.

This is a must-read for any Sam Irby fan and anyone needing lightness and honesty.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publishers, and Sam Irby for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley.
This book is H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S unless you are easily offended in which case definitely don't read it, but everyone else should. I was reading it during an early lunch at work when everyone around me was still working and it was super hard for me not to laugh snort out loud many times. I have to confess that I don't know who the author is, but now I have to look her up.

This collection of essays was such a delight to read. I loved Samantha Irby’s writing style and voice in previous books and this one did not disappoint.

Irby approaches life in such a unique way, yet it remains so relatable that you can’t help but say ‘Yeah I would absolutely do that too.” I typically don’t pick up memoir style books because most people are fairly boring or unrelatable, but Irby just hits all of my boxes on funny and relatable topics. There are so many topics that are discussed and you may not think they are important, but they absolutely are. Each essay was well crafted, despite what she may lead you to think at the beginning, and just so goddamn funny I could not put this book down.

If you love bleak life outlooks with funny twists, sensible stoner thoughts, biased opinions on ways of life and life choices that don’t seem judgy (but definitely are, and for good reasons), and self deprecating humor, this might just be the book for you.

I love Samantha Irby so much. As soon as I started, I was upset that I was closer to the end. As an elder millennial who has seen all of SATC, I especially appreciated that deep dive (Superfan!).

Once again, Samantha Irby delights, disgusts, and leave the audience wanting more! I read most of this book lying in bed sick next to my soon-to-be ex-husband as the power flickered on and off in my frigid house, and somehow that felt perfect. I continued reading this book on my iPad during a multi-day power outage, so that tells you that this was worth reading and using up the remaining battery on my device under uncertain circumstances. On top of that, she got me Kegeling while reading about bladder incontinence, so that's a win, right? Basically, this was the book I needed during a period of chaos as it echoed my own anxieties and insecurities but with the much-needed comic edge. I am consistently amazed at how well Irby captures her self in writing, and I wish I knew her in person so that I could determine the veracity of what she says about herself. Also, I would just want to know her because she seems like a kickass, fun person to be around and the kind of friend who wouldn't mind my inane brain wanderings.

I love Sam Irby's voice so much. I've loved all of her books and this one is no different. She makes me laugh out loud frequently and drops great insights when you are least expecting it. The only reason this isn't five stars is because there are a few essays that just didn't click for me. The Sex and City chapter might make sense to a super fan who has all of the episodes memorized, but I was lost for a good portion, trying to remember what actually happened in the episodes she would have rewritten. Personally, I think she shines the most when she writes about her daily life- trying to connect with her step kids, having an allergic reaction and being worried about disturbing other people to get help (I related to this so much), how she and her wife differ about what food to stock the fridge with, etc. I also appreciate her honesty about her medical issues and how she tries to find entertainment in situations that probably seem bleak at the time. I can imagine someone with similar issues would find a lot of comfort and value in that.

If you enjoyed her other books, you will probably like this one too.

<i>Read an ARC of #QuietlyHostile via #Netgalley.</i>

Like every Samantha Irby essay collection I've read, this one didn't fail to entertain. If you curse like a pirate, enjoy stoner thoughts about how we live on the same planet as whales, jump through self-made hoops to mitigate social anxiety, or deal with gut issues on the regs, you'll feel right at home while reading. I especially loved the lament about people who talk on cell phones in public bathrooms (WHY!?!) and the Pantone-level specificity in that same essay.

If by chance Samantha ever sees this pitiful little review, I would like her to know that we are on the same page about Charmin Ultra Strong and the shit-bears being the best TP marketing out there—no debate necessary. And, if I ever have the opportunity to invite her to my house (no clue why this would happen but I feel a need to convey it), and she feels like showing up, I would like her to know the following: There will be white noise machines in and outside of the bathroom, enough Charmin Ultra Strong to wipe a thousand butts, fancy soaps and bathroom sprays that I only save for guests because I do not have celebrity money, and a medicine cabinet stuffed with a variety of pills to help us both cope with everything from allergies to pain to bowel terrorism. Just saying. It's a safe space here.

Back to the review!

Irby's writing style is a unique blend of chill as hell and sharp as a tack. There's a no-veneer quality, like you're reading something a beloved (perverted, smart) friend wrote. The only part I skimmed through was the Sex & the City stuff (sorry) just because I've never actually seen the show(s?) or the movie(s?). So, I was out of the loop on the references, which is not a dig on the book. It made me want to watch it all just so I could go back to read it and laugh.

But it's not all shits and giggles—there's real life stuff in here, things that not a lot of people are quite so open about, and I appreciate everything she's chosen to share. The honesty in every essay is endearing whether you're comfortable with it or not. A real "this bitch gets it" kind of read.

Quietly Hostile is not going to be your bag if you're not into lewd humor, but I absolutely am! I plan to buy it and read it again when it's out for real. Thanks for another good time, Samantha.

I just laughed so much. What a gift. Sam Irby shares her horror stories and I laugh real laughs and that feels great. There's a lot of poop and some weird sex stuff but it's neither my poop nor my weird sex stuff so who cares? 10/10 recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Vintage Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Meh. I didn’t love it. I probably should have given myself a break between reading Wow, No Thank You and Quietly Hostile, but you live and learn, probably. A lot of these essays felt forced, like she threw them all together to fulfill her end of a book deal.

Highlights included a list of the most romantic Dave Matthews Band songs, an essay about anaphylactic shock called “What If I Died Like Elvis,” and an essay titled “Two Old Nuns” which was a hilarious breakdown of the categories listed on xxx websites and a play by play retelling of the titular movie. (I laughed out loud at “…this is what is sexy to me: the outline of a septuagenarian breast through a sensible cotton pintuck pinafore nightgown.”) And I can’t forget the absolute perfection that is the grand finale of this collection, “Please Invite Me To Your Party.”

Missteps include an entire essay about urine. That’s right. Urine. How she dated a guy who was into golden showers and ultimately spit her own urine into her mouth. How she peed her pants in a club. A non-exhaustive list of other things she’s peed on. It wasn’t funny or relatable in the way women who have given birth joke about having to avoid trampolines. It was just gross, and not in a raunchy humorous type of way. There’s definitely some good stuff here, but there’s also some lackluster bits that kind of feel like she’s just phoning it in. And like…poop humor is funny? Mostly? But only to the extent that it’s relatable.

But wait. Full disclosure? I was planning to give this book 2.5 stars but one simple subheading slipped in at the 96% mark changed everything for me: “I Saw Bill Clinton in a Maggiano’s.” That’s how easily impressed I am, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. AND THEN came the real nugget of perfection, at 97%: “I couldn’t wait to watch that dude eat mozzarella sticks.” Girl? Same. It could be it’s own subsection of my personal version of a “Two Old Nuns” essay.

And honestly, that’s all it took. A couple of anticlimactic paragraphs about Bill Clinton, and I’m a Samantha Irby fan for life, urine be damned.

Samantha Irby’s third essay collection is my first introduction to the author. What a ride it was!

Quietly Hostile contains essays on relationships, intestinal problems, friends, sex and life, and let me just say that I love Irby’s writing style!!!!! The way she pens down everything makes it immediately feel so relatable.

Although some topics/essays are not for everyone (I mean, if you can’t handle vivid descriptions of exploding intestines or if you’re squeamish about urine, this book may not be for you) I loved every minute of it.

If you’re up for a wild ride of kinks, poop, and other hilarities, definitely give this one a go! I’ll certainly be reading more of Irby’s work.

Irby has produced another collection of essays in her signature smart and funny style. She writes about finding bathrooms to have diarrhea in while on book tour, surviving anaphylaxis, writing a never-to-be-seen pilot episode, and sharing a fridge with a spouse. Through it all, readers will be laughing at her turns of phrase and her ability to bring the absurdities of life to the page. This book is a master-class in making fun of one's own misfortunes for the enjoyment of others. I sped through essay after essay, wishing there was someone close by to share the more hilarious bits with. My only wish is that I could have had an ALC to listen to Irby narrate her own work. I'll continue to read whatever she produces.

I really enjoyed Irby’s previous three books, all three are very funny and touching and bonkers. So I am sad to admit that this one just fell flat for me, it lacks the oomph that the others do. I can only posit that this is due to the author simply being in a different place in her life (i.e. she’s older with a wife and step kids and living in the Midwest suburbs, as opposed to single and dating in Chicago).

The length of the essays seems really off and quite different from her previous books. Some of them are only a couple pages, and some are way too long (as other reviewers have mentioned the Sex and the City essay is ridiculously long, it’s just the author detailing practically every episode). My favorite essay by far is “ two old nuns having amazing lesbian sex”, and make of that what you will 😉.

Thank you to NetGalley & Vintage Anchor for this advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.

I'll read anything by Samantha Irby. I think she is one of the funniest writers I've ever been blessed to encounter. Her essays aren't all comedies, but they're all great. I highly recommend this title.

Quietly Hostile
Samantha Irby
Pub Date May 16
Vintage
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Nonfiction essay
Strong essays. I am going to check out her newsletter.
Triggers: parental death and grief
3 stars

The idea of reading several short stories (er essays) really appealed to me, but I had a tough time wanting to keep reading this. I didn't find them amusing OR entertaining. Thankful to NetGalley, nonetheless, for the chance to find out for myself.

This is the fourth collection I've ready by Irby and it never gets old. Irby understands her readers best: readers seeking some light heartedness that is purely entertaining. The essays are even better with a sense of time and place, positioned within Irby's thoughts about the coronavirus pandemic affecting her life, just like others. But its how Irby describes daily disfunction that always keeps brining me back to binge these essays--to find the tenderness in the everyday, even better if it also makes me laugh.

Mostly, I like Samantha Irby’s humor, however in this collection of essays there was way too much detailed potty talk and potty humor. That aside, several of these writings are quite funny and made me chuckle. That’s the good thing about a collection of essays, speed through the uninteresting ones and savor the good ones. There is plenty here to enjoy and make you smile. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review an advance copy of this book.

This is classic Samantha Irby and I mean this in the best way. I read this on the plane and was CACKLING and my husband had to ask me what was so funny. I showed him the Dave Matthews chapter since I knew he would find it relatable and then he immediately understood. Irby has a way of describing everyday life and it's nuisances in a way that will make you truly laugh out loud and also maybe want to cry a little. I love everything Irby publishes and this is no exception.

I got a digital ARC from NetGalley and just immediately started fist pumping. I love Samantha Irby, and I enjoyed this collection just as much as her last couple (although it did feel like there were a lot more poo stories in this one). Either way, Sam Irby has a way of making me feel seen as a Midwesterner and as a gross little goblin of a person. I'm excited to re-read it as an audiobook once it's officially published because there's no better way to take in her stories.

I love Samantha Irby’s writing. It’s like she’s in my head, but much funnier than me.

*Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.