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beastreader's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to read this book because it sounded like a good time with tons of laughs. I mean if you saw this book cover you would expect nothing less. However I was sadden by this book. I hardly laughed. Some of the situations that the author may have thought was funny and the reader like me was supposed to laugh at was more awkward like a blind date, creepy like a stalker, or just plain sad.
There were times where I even skipped chapters because I thought the subject title would be more interesting and funnier. Not so much. While I do appreciate the author sharing a unscripted look into her life growing up, I wished it was happier and not so much time spent in detail about everything. For example do I really need to read about several pages worth of how Sara went to the bathroom and her time playing with dolls that she thought up while in the bathroom. Although, the conversations that Sara had with the dolls were funny.
There were times where I even skipped chapters because I thought the subject title would be more interesting and funnier. Not so much. While I do appreciate the author sharing a unscripted look into her life growing up, I wished it was happier and not so much time spent in detail about everything. For example do I really need to read about several pages worth of how Sara went to the bathroom and her time playing with dolls that she thought up while in the bathroom. Although, the conversations that Sara had with the dolls were funny.
christajls's review against another edition
4.0
My review for The Harm is Asking can be found over on Women Write About Comics
rmesquirrel's review against another edition
1.0
Well
I chose this book at random. The title sounded interesting. That was about it. The title was interesting. The book was written in a stream of consciousness manner that was more of, I do not have a point than a flowing of ideas.
I chose this book at random. The title sounded interesting. That was about it. The title was interesting. The book was written in a stream of consciousness manner that was more of, I do not have a point than a flowing of ideas.
nunderhill's review against another edition
3.0
I loved Sara Barron's first book-People are unappealing. This one, for me, just was not nearly as funny. There were a few mildly funny anecdotes, but the whole collection felt uneven and the ending was rather abrupt.
tmatysik's review against another edition
3.0
Feels a little like a b-side to her first book, but still fun.
madetofly's review against another edition
2.0
I was interested in this book because I hadn't read much humor before and wanted to try it out. I'd say this book was enjoyable, but I don't think I found it as funny as it was trying to be. There were parts throughout the book where I'd be amused, but I don't think I ever laughed or had a desire to laugh for the majority of the book.
The beginning of the book was harder to get through for me than the rest of the book. The primary reason for that is I found the author a bit too annoying to find amusing in the earlier chapters. It wasn't an "I can't stand her" kind of thing, but it definitely was an "I don't really care about reading all of this" thing. Since the stories go more or less in chronological order, the author is younger in the earlier stories, I suppose that can be an excuse for that. I'm not sure if it was maturing as the stories went on or just that I got used to it, but the latter stories didn't have the same sort of annoyance.
Overall, I didn't love this book or even "like" it necessarily, but I did think it was okay. Reading it wasn't really a waste of time, and I never considered not finishing it. I think the biggest thing is that the humor in the book is only going to appeal to certain people. It's definitely not a sort of humor that a lot of different people will get amusement out of. I'd recommend checking the book out more before you read it in order to see if it's a type of humor that you would enjoy.
I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.
http://hmweasley-blog.blogspot.com/2014/06/book-review-harm-in-asking-by-sara.html
The beginning of the book was harder to get through for me than the rest of the book. The primary reason for that is I found the author a bit too annoying to find amusing in the earlier chapters. It wasn't an "I can't stand her" kind of thing, but it definitely was an "I don't really care about reading all of this" thing. Since the stories go more or less in chronological order, the author is younger in the earlier stories, I suppose that can be an excuse for that. I'm not sure if it was maturing as the stories went on or just that I got used to it, but the latter stories didn't have the same sort of annoyance.
Overall, I didn't love this book or even "like" it necessarily, but I did think it was okay. Reading it wasn't really a waste of time, and I never considered not finishing it. I think the biggest thing is that the humor in the book is only going to appeal to certain people. It's definitely not a sort of humor that a lot of different people will get amusement out of. I'd recommend checking the book out more before you read it in order to see if it's a type of humor that you would enjoy.
I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.
http://hmweasley-blog.blogspot.com/2014/06/book-review-harm-in-asking-by-sara.html
voya_k's review against another edition
2.0
I am a sucker for this kind of book, but this one was just ok. Barron makes a lot of mountains out of molehills about how weird/awkward/unlucky she is. She also comes off as a bit snobbish towards working class and poor people. I guess that's supposed to be charming? Meh.
dorigray's review against another edition
4.0
"Wow, you're laughing out loud a lot while reading this book" - my husband, to me. And yes, I was, because once again Sara Barron wrote a very funny book. The Harm in Asking is a collection of stories from Sara's life, a life where absurdly humorous things happen. The book is funny in large part because it is relatable -- however Sara Barron is willing to put into words thoughts most of us keep to ourselves. She has no shame and I love her writing for it. She also has a clever way with words and phrasing. I appreciate her as both a writer and as a genuinely funny person. And any author that can make me laugh out loud while on the subway is an author worth reading.
I had such a fun time reading The Harm In Asking that I'm going to go back and reread her first book, People Are Unappealing, which kick-started my love of Sara Barron years ago.
This review is based on an advanced reader copy.
I had such a fun time reading The Harm In Asking that I'm going to go back and reread her first book, People Are Unappealing, which kick-started my love of Sara Barron years ago.
This review is based on an advanced reader copy.
helentbower's review against another edition
2.0
Not all that good. Yet not all that bad. For some reason, I judged this book by it's cover to be about two people in a psych ward. Instead, it is funny, self depreciating, and an easy read. Though I'm not much one for 'funny autobiographical books by comedians' this one is very real and relatable.