About the author:

"B.J. Novak is a writer and actor best known for his work on NBC's Emmy Award-winning comedy series The Office and as an actor, writer, director, and executive producer. He is also known for his standup comedy performances and his roles in motion pictures such as Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds and Disney's Saving Mr. Banks. He is a graduate of Harvard University with a degree in English and Spanish literature."

This is a book of short stories that are mostly independent of one another, but have some nods and references to other stories throughout it. There are references to well-known fables, great authors, famous people, silly events, and both ordinary and extraordinary moments in life.

The stories are just about as varied as can be, but one thing that is common throughout each of the stories is B.J.'s writing style. He has a knack for pretty dry humor and long-winded sentences with short punchlines. Some of the uses of it can be quite poetic.

I found as a whole, this book was really easy to get through. The stories were short and sweet - some are just a few lines, and the longest one is only 20 pages. If you're looking for some good wit and amusement, we suggest reading this book.

Some of my favorite shorts, and why:

Julie and the Warlord - Funny ending

Missed Connection: Grocery Spill - I want to know what happened from the guy's perspective, and now I want to know what happens next!

Sophia - The descriptions of love and the human experience are compelling

MONSTER: the Roller Coaster - I totally loved the analogy to life and the different perspectives of the group

Johnny Depp, Fate, and the Double-Decker Hollywood Tour Bus - The absurdity of the ending and the discussion question had me laughing out loud

The Best Thing in the World Awards - It's fun to think about some of the best things in the world, and it became a cool mystery at the end. I'm curious about what happened. 

Compelling quotes from the book:

"Something in your nature was telling you that the rules of your childhood home weren't the rules of your life anymore."

"I didn't understand anything, but at least now it was a relief that I wasn't supposed to."