Ty Reads "Joyful Recollections of Trauma"

I'm just about done reading Paul Scheer's book, "Joyful Recollections of Trauma". I remember him talking about the book on podcast appearances. I remember reading about it online. I saw some other people talking about it on tv and other podcast appearances. But, I hadn't bought it or read it at that point. Then it was gifted to me over the holidays, and about two weeks ago I decided it was time to read. I wanted to get off my phone, and reading a book felt like the best way.

I'm very happy that this was the book I decided to go with. I have really enjoyed reading it. I have heard some of the stories that he wrote about on podcasts, but to get even more in depth, and to hear how he is now dealing with them all as an adult, it is great. And some of these stories can get pretty rough, but Scheer always finds a way to undercut them with humor. Scheer is a funny guy. He always makes me laugh during his podcasts, and when he shows up on a tv show I like, I know he is going to make it even funnier. He has a great way to turn almost any situation into something humorous and enjoyable. So, when he goes into a story in his book about his abusive former stepfather or how his parents leave out major details of stories or when he got engaged or the feelings he had when he first had kids, it always ends with some kind of joke or humorous quip. He goes into great detail about these stories from his past, and while I find myself feeling bad for him, and I still do by the end of the story, he finds a great way to cut the tension. It makes for a nice read. Scheer really seems to know himself and he is finding himself being able to deal with his past. And he is now letting us all in on some of these life altering moments. I respect that. I don't know if I could do something like that, but I appreciate when someone can and Scheer excels here. I also like that he has the support and confidence from his partner, his kids, his friends and his parents to go into this much detail. They left no stone unturned. Even when a celeb's name is blacked out, I understand that people who work in Hollywood don't want to unwillingly call someone out if they don't want their name dragged through the mud. And when he is able to name names, it is pretty great to see how some of his friends used to act. But, in the end, Scheer is not here to talk poorly about anyone. He always has disclaimers about anyone he is talking about. He wants the reader to know that this is his story and his story alone. Scheer has invited us into his world and I'm forever grateful to him for that. There are even some stories in this book that I can relate to both personally and through friends and family.

"Joyful Recollections of Trauma" is a very, very good book. It's a bit over 260 pages, which isn't that long. So, if you're a slow reader like me, a book like this is perfect. And, if you want to read about real life stuff in a very good and funny book, read this book. I highly recommend it. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Ty Reads "Dumb Ideas"

Over the holiday break I decided that I wanted to get back to reading more books. I put about five or six different books on my list, and like a stroke of good luck I got most of them. Now, when I say books I'm not talking about the stuff we read in school or what is in popular demand. I like comedy books. I like books on photography. I enjoy real life sports stories. These are the types of books I like to read. One such book that I put on my list and hoped to get was "Dumb Ideas" written by Dan Curry and Eric Andre.

I, as you all know by now, am a big time Eric Andre fan. I love his talk show, I'm a fan of "Bad Trip" and his new podcast has fast become one of my must listens when a new episode comes out. I also enjoy seeing him pop up tv shows and movies that I did not know he was going to be involved in. So, a new book about his pranking written with his writing partner, sign me up.

I loved this book. I am not a fast reader, but it only took me a little over a week to finish. I would find myself cracking up while reading. But he also put some nice stuff in there too, especially about his mom. But make no mistake, he always buttons the nice stuff with a very solid joke. The way the book works out, Curry and Andre take turns writing different chapters about their lives, their ventures on "The Eric Andre Show" and any other stuff they find funny. I enjoyed reading about how Andre got into the pranking world. It seemed like he was destined for it from what I read, but it was still pretty cool to see where it all started. I also liked reading him write about finding himself in the prank world. Curry would follow this up with how he almost fell into this world. He had other plans, but pranks would always pull him back in. I also enjoyed both of them giving their takes on the shenanigans behind the scenes on "The Eric Andre Show". I loved hearing about the people who worked there and who Curry and Andre trusted. One of my all time favorite pranks on the show was when Andre went to a MENSA meeting dressed in full knight armor. I laugh every time I watch that. Well, they did full chapters about that whole situation. It was awesome. There is a big chapter on Kraft Punk, one of the best characters on the show. Kraft Punk is a menace, and they give the reader all kinds of details. It is epic. They talk a whole lot about them crashing the 2016 RNC. That was funny/terrifying. We get a full Andre chapter about the odyssey of "Bad Trip". There is so much more to that story than I ever knew. Reading about each season of the talk show and the styles Andre tried to go with, that seemed harrowing. We even get to read about both guys' ventures in college, and how much they rip on that. There are also fake quotes from made up philosophers. They give the reader pranks to try if they seem wild enough to go for them. And there are nonsensical emails between Andre and his mom that are pretty hilarious.

"Dumb Ideas" is a very good, very funny and wonderful read. I highly recommend this book to fans of Andre's career and want to hear from his writing partner as well. It is worth your time. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.