I enjoyed this series of essays, which had some laugh out loud moments, and a perspective that's original. However, as a fan of his first book of essays, Fraud, I admit that this one wasn't as good for me. Maybe I just enjoyed the subject matter of the other essays as the writing and wittiness are still present.

If someone were looking for essays to read, I'd probably recommend Fraud first, but I wouldn't tell someone not to read this. I guess that's about as critical as I can get on this one. ( )

Don't Get Too Comfortable: The Indignities of Coach Class, The Torments of Low Thread Count, The Never- Ending Quest for Artisanal Olive Oil, and Other First World Problems by David Rakoff (2006)

More humorous essays from David Rakoff. Not as strong as "Fraud," but still worth a few reads. ( )

Not that funny. I listened to half. ( )

okay

Many reviewers have aptly compared this book to essays by David Sedaris. Sadly, these essays are not as funny as those by Sedaris. Though Rakoff sometimes tackles more serious topics than Sedaris, overall I was disappointed by these essays. The writing was good, the book was funny, but it didn't live up to the high bar set by Sedaris. Too many of the essays felt like set ups: he went to the Midnight Madness game night just so he could write it up; he went to the Brooklyn food foraging event just for an essay, etc. That might be okay if the resulting essay was really funny. But when the resulting essay is, "Eh, so the event wasn't that much fun. Or maybe I'm just the anti-fun..." it comes off as whining rather than amusing. ( )

My dog loves these dental treats, and they only sell them at Costco. Thus, I venture into the land of milk and honey and housewives once a month just to please a fourteen year old dog. I figure, the odds are slim that I actually get off my lazy ass and renounce my citizenship after a trip to capitalist mecca, no matter how much I bitch. In those moments, I tend to reach for this book. There's nothing like watching your neighbors stock up on ketchup like they might stop making it to make you question the whole system. ( )

Great book of essays. Made me laugh outloud ( )

Like Sarah Vowell, Rakoff is a contributor to This American Life. I enjoyed Vowell’s book, but Rakoff’s was laugh-out-loud funny. Something about the way he takes on modern life—from Martha Stewart (he’s a fan) to foraging for eatables in Prospect Park to cryogenic freezing to the Log Cabin Republicans—just struck my funny bone. Fore instance, he always refers to unmentionables as “underpants,” whether belonging to men or women. About his decision to mark on his US citizenship application (he is originally Canadian) that yes, he would, if required by law, bear arms on behalf of the United State, he writes, “if there ever came a time when the government of my new homeland was actually calling up the forty-something asking-and-telling homosexuals with hyperactive thyroids to take up arms, something very calamitous indeed will have to have happened.”
A lot of people seem to find David Sedaris witty and hysterical; I liked exactly one essay out of his book that I read (“Six to Eight Black Men,” about Christmas in the Netherlands). I find him, frankly, boring. And while both men are gay, David Sedaris makes his homosexuality gross and a little threatening, as when he’s ogling other men (many of them straight) in locker rooms or manipulating other (straight) boys into touching him. Rakoff is able to talk about being gay—although he doesn’t very much, as that’s not what the book’s about—in a much more benign way. ( )

I enjoyed this book - I am a huge fan of This American Life and the essayists who regularly contribute to it - that being said I thought this book definitely had some essays that were much much better than others. i found a few of them really on the boring side (the log cabin republican one and the one about freezing people after death - to name a couple) but on the other hand - I thought a few were really hilarious and above average - (loved the Concorde/Hooters one and the fasting one...)

All in all - a good read. ( )

Rakoff is a master of the incisive turn of phrase. He says, "Writing is like pulling teeth. Out of my dick." For his sacrifice, I'm very thankful.

The incredibly excoriating description of Karl Lagerfeld...priceless. And that's just one paragraph. ( )

I don't read books of essays very often, but after seeing the author appear on the Daily Show with John Stewart, I had to pick this up. Rakoff's essays follow him on several very different types of journies around the globe, and he takes on the upper echelon of society with great wit and a touch of sarcasm. It's difficult to tell whether or not Rakoff considers himself one of those that he's documenting - while he often sets himself apart and makes it seem as though he's lucky to be in the places that he is, merely observing, as a journalist; he also uses such lofty language, that it is obvious he is very well educated, and he makes mention of his good taste in several different areas, as well. However, this attribute is often endearing, rather than confusing. There are times you'll feel like giving Rakoff a hug, and other times when he makes you laugh out loud. However, occasionally, an essay here and there seems like a bit of fluff filler - some just don't grab my attention in the ways that others did. However, overall, this book made me think [a must for any book I read], changed the way I look at certain parts of American culture, and overall was a pleasant read. I'd definitely reccommend it. ( )

...Did I say Fraud was one of the funniest books I've read? I meant Don't Get Too Comfortable. Why did I give this one an extra star? Possibly just because this book was my first exposure to Rakoff (I bought and listened to the audio book before I read anything by him). Occaisionally, you can feel Rakoff working a little too much to make his ostensible topic relate to a personal revelation, but who cares? He's always funny, regardless. ( )

Didn't like it as much as his first book. ( )

David Rakoff is my hero (and one of my many, *many* gay Canadian boyfriends). He's hilariously funny, but there's real meat to this volume, too. My favorite essays are the one exploring Rakoff's mixed feelings upon deciding to become an American citizen, and the chapter about the Log Cabin Republicans. In the latter Rakoff presents himself as sympathetic to their plight yet understandably completely baffled by gay Republicans' attempts to earn a place inside "the big tent" (the essay's called "Beat Me, Daddy"--and for good reason); there's a humanity to his political commentary that's increasingly rare these days.

I read this book after seeing the author as a guest on The Daily Show. I thought his bit on the show was entertaining and witty, and that the book would be as well. I was not disappointed. A truly good read. ( )

Individual chapters about different events in his life. Smart with words and wit in his observations, but mostly uninteresting. ( )

Funny, well written and sassy! ( )

This book kept popping up on my Amazon recommendations because I'm a big fan of David Sedaris and Sarah Vowell. I'll admit, it was entertaining, but I doubt it will stick with me for too long. The book has Rakoff's essays on fasting, cryogenics, expensive simplicity, plastic surgery, and lots more. If you like Sedaris or Vowell, I bet you'll like this book, but don't expect to laugh out loud like you do with Sedaris's stories.

All in all, a good way to spend a relaxing weekend. ( )