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I didn‘t hate this book. At all. It‘s an easy read about an Oblomow kind of guy who fails to make something of his life and just accepts that. That makes him annoying but that‘s what the author aims at I think. At least as annoying are the women who tolerate, facilitate and even justify his behaviour and deeds. A fun read with a deeper message. Just not worth to be shortlisted for the #ToB25.

📷 Groningen, Netherlands

This was a soft pick. I‘ve known way too many people like George to give it more than 3 stars, but I didn‘t hate the book. Like someone else said I think there were books in the long list that did the details of every day life better. #TOB25

Oh man. George recommending books he never read. I can see why people say this is funny. But it‘s kind of we have to laugh so we don‘t cry funny, you know? #TOB2025

I‘m bailing just past the halfway point because I‘m just not interested and I‘m annoyed by the tone of the writing. I feel like the author thinks it‘s funny and it‘s really not.

I clearly didn‘t hate this as much as many Littens - I gave it a pick after all! I found George to be more pathetic than anything, although he did become particularly insufferable at the time he was clearing out his childhood bedroom.

Where I do agree with everyone is why did we need a book about a boring white guy? And I contrast it with Help Wanted, another #ToB book, that was also about the mundanities of life but SO much more interesting.

It left me so depressed. At times, I felt like George - aggravating everyone around me, being callous, and just plain hateful. Most of the time, I felt like Jenny - being an enabler because he doesn't know how hurtful he is, or finding the bright spot in a bad situation. I stayed mad the whole time. Mad at George. Mad at me. MAD AT MY HUSBAND. And, now I canceled plans because I am choking with my own depression. Thank goodness for my therapist.

This was a tough one. George was so annoying and so I give credit to the author for capturing it, terrific pacing, always up to the edge. “Oh George, I am worried about you.” “George, you need therapy.” Clueless and yet self-pitying. What a rough ride this was! OMG. I am so glad it is over but afraid I might be thinking of George for a long time. #Jan2025 Book11 #ToB

I'm hoping the doctor will release me to go back to work this week, but hopefully, I can get a bingo.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

Isn‘t this just THE cutest pic of my dear departed Esther? My current iPhone‘s screensaver. So, I am 5+ minutes in so far and will listen as I walk Copper or drive to/fro from work. Am just ready to endure this mediocre white boy. #LFG #ToB2025

Another meh #tob25 entry. I‘m glad I listened to this one. This was tough to read so recently after Good Material, which I enjoyed MUCH more. It just didn‘t come together for me, though it had some funny moments.

Oof that mediocre George is a real piece of work! I feel like I know this guy

I really don‘t know what to say about this one. The writing is good and there‘s some genuinely good humor in it, but for some reason Greathead clearly believed we needed a book about a mediocre white guy skating through life believing far more of himself than he should. We can see that all around us, why do we need to read it? #TOB25

Uhhah, I think this book was well-written - a book of ordinary people living ordinary lives - adult lives that might be better lived had George and Jenny never met. Reading about the drudgery that life can sometimes be left me rather exhausted for the experience. It tried interest with a Super Bowl commercial but that moment but wasn‘t enough for me to pull my thumb up.

Oof this main character, George, is so unappealing it made the book difficult to read, hence the so-so. Typically I can handle unlikable characters but this is the first book I actually thought about abandoning because I hated a character so much. George is a caricature of the white male millennial who relies on the women in his life to get by. His mother and significant other both can‘t help but love him though he gives so little in return. Eww.

I am surprised at the sheer number of contemporary fiction picks on the #toblonglist. I liked the choice to use a female audiobook narrator for this book focused on the life of an everyman as he navigates life from childhood to his 40s. That said, I didn‘t particularly enjoy spending time with George. He was self-centered and self-involved. Pathologically unable to learn from his mistakes. I didn‘t hate it, but I can‘t recommend it. 🤷🏻‍♀️ #tob25

Another down from the #ToB25 longlist. The characters in this novel are realistic and complex, which means they're also maddening. They make stupid choices and jump to conclusions and repeat the same patterns of behavior over and over. But I liked reading this novel. The flow of the story feels right to me, and even my frustration with George and his total self-involvement is satisfying, in a way.