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pause_theframe's review
5.0
What I Thought:
This was a brilliant book, in so many ways. I have seen people in similar situations, where they had the life they thought they wanted, and then it all fell apart. We watch as a typical man, a typical person, falls apart and truly heads toward a midlife crisis. However, he shows strength, though it may not all be consolidated from the start. We follow him as he battles through each of his goals, some easy, some harder than we might think.
Throughout the book, we are met with comedic, stark and real insights into what he is going through, with a side of frank wise-ass remarks to give us a wee giggle. He is honest and true to what it really is like to lose everything, but on the flip-side he is brave and strong for setting himself goals and a message, to recreate a life he wants. No longer are the days when we fall apart as our life does. Now we look it in the face and tell it to P**s Off! We know what we want and we are going to get it, no matter how hard it is to get there.
I loved that this was written as a diary. It adds to the real, emotional nature of the story. I also love that the author does not hold back. We see our character's life as it truly is, through to the bare bones.
I found myself connecting with this story on so many levels. I may not be in the same situation or the same age, but an illness has shifted me into a recent mid-mid-life crisis, and after reading this, I'll be setting my own goals and keeping a diary - I can wade through the crap and recreate myself too!
No, this isn't your average self-help, fluffy, love yourself and love life, but this book is the most real version of a self-help book I have ever read. It's harsh. It's real. It's more inspiring than any other help book I've ever read. I highly recommend this book to everyone! We've all got something in our lives brining us down. This book shows you how to kick it and have a thousand chuckles doing so. I loved it.
This was a brilliant book, in so many ways. I have seen people in similar situations, where they had the life they thought they wanted, and then it all fell apart. We watch as a typical man, a typical person, falls apart and truly heads toward a midlife crisis. However, he shows strength, though it may not all be consolidated from the start. We follow him as he battles through each of his goals, some easy, some harder than we might think.
Throughout the book, we are met with comedic, stark and real insights into what he is going through, with a side of frank wise-ass remarks to give us a wee giggle. He is honest and true to what it really is like to lose everything, but on the flip-side he is brave and strong for setting himself goals and a message, to recreate a life he wants. No longer are the days when we fall apart as our life does. Now we look it in the face and tell it to P**s Off! We know what we want and we are going to get it, no matter how hard it is to get there.
I loved that this was written as a diary. It adds to the real, emotional nature of the story. I also love that the author does not hold back. We see our character's life as it truly is, through to the bare bones.
I found myself connecting with this story on so many levels. I may not be in the same situation or the same age, but an illness has shifted me into a recent mid-mid-life crisis, and after reading this, I'll be setting my own goals and keeping a diary - I can wade through the crap and recreate myself too!
No, this isn't your average self-help, fluffy, love yourself and love life, but this book is the most real version of a self-help book I have ever read. It's harsh. It's real. It's more inspiring than any other help book I've ever read. I highly recommend this book to everyone! We've all got something in our lives brining us down. This book shows you how to kick it and have a thousand chuckles doing so. I loved it.
traceyo's review
5.0
A short time ago, I was browsing in my local bookstore when it was suggested that I was a lover of “quirky, contemporary fiction”. Not knowing that this was a subgenre, I still wholeheartedly agreed. Think The Rosie Project, The Full Ridiculous or Amy Falls Down, to name just a few.
Let’s face it, in this wild and crazy world there are times when you just want to sit down to a fun, playful read. One that makes you laugh out loud, but still offers food for thought in comfortably sized bites.
Ben Adam’s debut novel, Six Months to Get a Life, is that and more. Because, you see, while I was having fun with this playful book, something else happened: I developed a bit of an attachment to the protagonist and his circumstances.
At a time in life when most of us hope to be financially independent, there’s Graham Hope, back in his childhood bedroom and sharing a bathroom with his parents. When he comes up with a six-month plan to turn it all around, he got my attention. Really? That’s all he needs? Six months?
Anyone who’s been through a divorce knows how much of a mine field it can be. Family, friends, children – they’re all affected and they all have something to say. Loyalties can be called into question, sides are drawn, and the behavior gloves come off. There are winners and there are losers, and that’s all before you start dating. Adams brings it all together effortlessly, mixes it up, and sprinkles it all around Graham’s six-month quest.
One thing that makes it all so palatable is the narrative voice. Graham is writing in a journal, but it’s as if he’s talking to a close buddy–and that’s you, the reader. He is friendly and frank, when he could easily be whiney and bitter. He is a sort of twenty-first century, middle-aged “boy next door”.
Of course, with that comes empathy. Even as a woman, I couldn't help but feel bad for him when he admits to having a small penis and a big ego. If he had just admitted to a big ego, well, who would really like him? But throw in the small penis, and how can you help yourself? And then there’s the twerking episode …
Which is to say that there is a good helping of humor throughout, and it’s at its best when Graham is either trying to date or when he’s parenting his two boys, Sean and Jack. I couldn't help but wonder though if I was missing some of it, being Canadian and sadly lacking in a knowledge of current ‘Britishisms’ and the British Premier League (I hear that’s a football thing).
But really, rather than taking away from my experience as a reader, it charmed me. I don’t understand everything they say in Four Weddings and a Funeral, Bridget Jones, or Downton Abbey, but that doesn't make me love them any less.
As the climax of the novel approaches, Adams throws in a few surprise twists that made me sorry it was coming to an end. And that’s the great thing. It really doesn't. He leaves us with a tease—an excerpt from a sequel he’s calling Six Lies. I, for one, am looking forward to it.
Let’s face it, in this wild and crazy world there are times when you just want to sit down to a fun, playful read. One that makes you laugh out loud, but still offers food for thought in comfortably sized bites.
Ben Adam’s debut novel, Six Months to Get a Life, is that and more. Because, you see, while I was having fun with this playful book, something else happened: I developed a bit of an attachment to the protagonist and his circumstances.
At a time in life when most of us hope to be financially independent, there’s Graham Hope, back in his childhood bedroom and sharing a bathroom with his parents. When he comes up with a six-month plan to turn it all around, he got my attention. Really? That’s all he needs? Six months?
Anyone who’s been through a divorce knows how much of a mine field it can be. Family, friends, children – they’re all affected and they all have something to say. Loyalties can be called into question, sides are drawn, and the behavior gloves come off. There are winners and there are losers, and that’s all before you start dating. Adams brings it all together effortlessly, mixes it up, and sprinkles it all around Graham’s six-month quest.
One thing that makes it all so palatable is the narrative voice. Graham is writing in a journal, but it’s as if he’s talking to a close buddy–and that’s you, the reader. He is friendly and frank, when he could easily be whiney and bitter. He is a sort of twenty-first century, middle-aged “boy next door”.
Of course, with that comes empathy. Even as a woman, I couldn't help but feel bad for him when he admits to having a small penis and a big ego. If he had just admitted to a big ego, well, who would really like him? But throw in the small penis, and how can you help yourself? And then there’s the twerking episode …
Which is to say that there is a good helping of humor throughout, and it’s at its best when Graham is either trying to date or when he’s parenting his two boys, Sean and Jack. I couldn't help but wonder though if I was missing some of it, being Canadian and sadly lacking in a knowledge of current ‘Britishisms’ and the British Premier League (I hear that’s a football thing).
But really, rather than taking away from my experience as a reader, it charmed me. I don’t understand everything they say in Four Weddings and a Funeral, Bridget Jones, or Downton Abbey, but that doesn't make me love them any less.
As the climax of the novel approaches, Adams throws in a few surprise twists that made me sorry it was coming to an end. And that’s the great thing. It really doesn't. He leaves us with a tease—an excerpt from a sequel he’s calling Six Lies. I, for one, am looking forward to it.
sunshineariel's review
4.0
I received this book for free through Story Cartel. I was initially interested for two reasons - one, I have enjoyed books written through the perspective of journal entries or other forms of communication in the past, and two, I liked the idea of a book from a man's perspective, as so many of the books I read have women as the main character.
It took me a few tries before I really got into the story, but once I did, it was easy to read in one sitting. This was good, because there are no chapters or sections, just daily entries that are only a page or two long. No good stopping place, but the story flows along quickly so you really don't need to stop.
The plot wasn't anything spectacular, as it is about a newly divorced man figuring out how to live his new life and trying to improve his situation. I thought the writing was good, and I liked the quick pace of the story. At first I was a little bored with the main character, as he sat around drinking beers, but he grew on me as the book went on.
Overall, I enjoyed it.
It took me a few tries before I really got into the story, but once I did, it was easy to read in one sitting. This was good, because there are no chapters or sections, just daily entries that are only a page or two long. No good stopping place, but the story flows along quickly so you really don't need to stop.
The plot wasn't anything spectacular, as it is about a newly divorced man figuring out how to live his new life and trying to improve his situation. I thought the writing was good, and I liked the quick pace of the story. At first I was a little bored with the main character, as he sat around drinking beers, but he grew on me as the book went on.
Overall, I enjoyed it.
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