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Nice Try: Stories of Best Intentions and Mixed Results
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Humor (2019)Emmy-Award winning writer and comedian Josh Gondelman’s collection of personal stories of best intentions and mixed results.
Josh Gondelman knows a thing or two about trying—and failing. The Emmy Award-winning stand-up comic—dubbed a “pathological sweetheart” by the New York Observer—is known throughout the industry as one of comedy’s true “nice guys.” Not surprisingly, he’s endured his share of last-place finishes. But he keeps on bouncing back.
In this collection of hilarious and poignant essays (including his acclaimed New York Times piece “What if I Bombed at My Own Wedding?”), Josh celebrates a life of good intentions—and mixed results. His true tales of romantic calamities, professional misfortunes, and eventual triumphs reinforce the notion: we get out of the world what we put into it. Whether he’s adopting a dog from a suspicious stranger, mitigating a disastrous road trip, or trying MDMA for the first (and only) time, Josh only wants the best for everyone—even as his attempts to do the right thing occasionally implode.
Full of the warm and relatable humor that’s made him a favorite on the comedy club circuit, Nice Try solidifies Josh Gondelman’s reputation as not just a good guy, but a skilled observer of the human condition.
Josh Gondelman knows a thing or two about trying—and failing. The Emmy Award-winning stand-up comic—dubbed a “pathological sweetheart” by the New York Observer—is known throughout the industry as one of comedy’s true “nice guys.” Not surprisingly, he’s endured his share of last-place finishes. But he keeps on bouncing back.
In this collection of hilarious and poignant essays (including his acclaimed New York Times piece “What if I Bombed at My Own Wedding?”), Josh celebrates a life of good intentions—and mixed results. His true tales of romantic calamities, professional misfortunes, and eventual triumphs reinforce the notion: we get out of the world what we put into it. Whether he’s adopting a dog from a suspicious stranger, mitigating a disastrous road trip, or trying MDMA for the first (and only) time, Josh only wants the best for everyone—even as his attempts to do the right thing occasionally implode.
Full of the warm and relatable humor that’s made him a favorite on the comedy club circuit, Nice Try solidifies Josh Gondelman’s reputation as not just a good guy, but a skilled observer of the human condition.
272 pages, Paperback
First published September 17, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews
January 19, 2019
I'm biased. But I think it is perfect.
September 21, 2019
Okay so, full disclosure: I know Josh Gondelman. This isn’t a humblebrag or starfuckery or a way to inflate my own stature in the world because I happen to know an Emmy-winning comedian/writer.
I say it because most of this book exudes niceness, a quality too many of us conflate with being wishy-washy or bland. I told a friend of mine he was nice once and he took it as an insult. I don’t think Josh would take it as an insult.
He actually addresses his niceness right up front, setting the stage for a whirlwind collection of personal essays that are at once exciting, fun, touching, and kind. He talks about why being nice is both important and sometimes a liability. Why “Nice Guy” can actually be code for a bro dude doing the bare minimum of performative good. And how balancing nice without losing yourself is difficult and worthwhile.
I read a lot of books of essays by funny people, and some of them are acerbic and some are cutting, and there’s definitely a place for those. I like those qualities in other books. I’m just glad they aren’t part of this book.
The essays are all compelling: he talks about the three origin stories of his relationship with his wife, and who gets to know which version. There’s one on the mysterious past of their adopted dog, Bizzy. Or the time he may or may not have tried MDMA. Gondelman, unlike one of my favorite essayists, Chuck Klosterman, made me care about sports in a moving, elegiacal tribute to his grandmother. And, unlike most every other book of essays by New Yorkers I’ve read in the past few years, there isn’t one on 9/11, which might be a bit of a relief.
I listened to the audiobook version of this collection; Josh himself reads it, and it’s comforting to hear it all in his voice and inflection. It reminds me of his standup and storytelling from when he was laying his comedic foundations in the Boston comedy scene. One of the best things about the book is that you come away happy, because whether Josh is making you think or cry or laugh, it’s a joy to get insight into his life and his way of thinking. The only thing more satisfying than knowing Josh Gondelman, it turns out, is knowing him better.
I say it because most of this book exudes niceness, a quality too many of us conflate with being wishy-washy or bland. I told a friend of mine he was nice once and he took it as an insult. I don’t think Josh would take it as an insult.
He actually addresses his niceness right up front, setting the stage for a whirlwind collection of personal essays that are at once exciting, fun, touching, and kind. He talks about why being nice is both important and sometimes a liability. Why “Nice Guy” can actually be code for a bro dude doing the bare minimum of performative good. And how balancing nice without losing yourself is difficult and worthwhile.
I read a lot of books of essays by funny people, and some of them are acerbic and some are cutting, and there’s definitely a place for those. I like those qualities in other books. I’m just glad they aren’t part of this book.
The essays are all compelling: he talks about the three origin stories of his relationship with his wife, and who gets to know which version. There’s one on the mysterious past of their adopted dog, Bizzy. Or the time he may or may not have tried MDMA. Gondelman, unlike one of my favorite essayists, Chuck Klosterman, made me care about sports in a moving, elegiacal tribute to his grandmother. And, unlike most every other book of essays by New Yorkers I’ve read in the past few years, there isn’t one on 9/11, which might be a bit of a relief.
I listened to the audiobook version of this collection; Josh himself reads it, and it’s comforting to hear it all in his voice and inflection. It reminds me of his standup and storytelling from when he was laying his comedic foundations in the Boston comedy scene. One of the best things about the book is that you come away happy, because whether Josh is making you think or cry or laugh, it’s a joy to get insight into his life and his way of thinking. The only thing more satisfying than knowing Josh Gondelman, it turns out, is knowing him better.
August 5, 2023
Josh Gondelman's book was a very pleasant read.
I'm often perplexed when someone talks about a humor book making them laugh out loud. Because...are they lying? I find it extremely rare that any funny book can make me literally LOL. Josh's book was funny and nice, and he seems like a good person, and he and Maris are the cutest. There was one part where I was actually smiling and chuckling, and that was when he described his wedding DJ impersonating Michael Jackson at the reception. It was ridiculous.
I did appreciate that Josh was reflective as well as funny in this book. He's not trying too hard to be a woke white guy, but he is trying to move consciously from being passively nice to actively good and kind, a force for the positive.
All in all, a fun read that I'd recommend picking up in between heavier books.
I'm often perplexed when someone talks about a humor book making them laugh out loud. Because...are they lying? I find it extremely rare that any funny book can make me literally LOL. Josh's book was funny and nice, and he seems like a good person, and he and Maris are the cutest. There was one part where I was actually smiling and chuckling, and that was when he described his wedding DJ impersonating Michael Jackson at the reception. It was ridiculous.
I did appreciate that Josh was reflective as well as funny in this book. He's not trying too hard to be a woke white guy, but he is trying to move consciously from being passively nice to actively good and kind, a force for the positive.
All in all, a fun read that I'd recommend picking up in between heavier books.
January 23, 2020
I have no idea how this got on my library holds list. After listening to it, I’m still perplexed. Not much is funny (exception is the bit about teaching preschool). All the pop culture references seem to be 20 to 30 years old. I’m not recommending this book.
April 3, 2022
Nice try, yeah, but the results are not mixed, they are mediocre and also dull. No, seriously tell me who needs one more personal story of a guy, some comedian this time, telling you about his boring school life, his moving to New York, his bachelors apartment, and then - how he fell in love with his wife, how much he loves her still, how cool was is grandmother, because they shared love for sports, how he adopted an old dog - very Nobel gesture and surprise, surprise - he hates Trump, thinks he is stupid and also he was engaged and made himself useful (bringing coffee and all that little kind gestures, blah) in the campaign to support democrats. And to a bigger surprise - he is against racism and supports human rights. Are you shocked and/or stunned? I am too. Why on Earth do we need another American book like that? There are plenty. Personal story, OK, who cares about your not so interesting personal story, to put it mildly? Tell me something I don't know or that I haven't read many times since Trump is your piece of sh7t president, or tell my something smart. And also the mixed results are about his attempts to be funny and original, which he is not unless you are a middle aged person, or better - long time housewife, and your sense of humor is simple and easy like Sunday morning. The book is not bad, it is completely unnecessary.
Blah.
Blah.
August 21, 2019
A sweet and funny book of personal essays (and lists) about being the type of person who worries a lot and tends to give everyone the benefit of the doubt (even sketchy dudes giving you a dog and the Patriots bc your grandma was a fan). Standout pieces include “You Don’t Know, Now You Know” (becoming a rap fan), “The Thanksgiving Dragon”, “The Three True Stories of How We Met” (awwww 💖), and “Bizzy” (y’all, if you don’t follow @bizzythepug on IG well, your life has less snorty, pizza-begging pugs in it). The book ends with “Don’t Let the Bastards Grind You Down” which is a call to just try and do your best and put a little back into the world when it feels like everything is going to burn down around you. Out in September.
December 31, 2019
Easily one of my favorites of the year: funny, warm, introspective, and menschy as hell. I read this on audiobook & I’d recommend that format to any prospective reader. Thanks to his background in standup, Gondelman is a delightful performer of his own material. If you like this, his album Dancing On A Weeknight is streaming & well worth a listen, too!
February 22, 2020
I enjoyed this collection of essays the way I enjoy a mug of hot chocolate after a long day. I don’t have it often, it’s not my first choice, but it’s comforting nonetheless. The footnotes sometimes made me chuckle more than the essay itself.
October 2, 2019
Thoughtful, charming, wise, observant, full of heart & laugh out loud hilarious.
January 1, 2020
This book made me feel not lonely when I was home sick on New Year’s Eve. It speaks truth in hilarious ways and reminds me a lot of myself (but I’m not as funny).
September 9, 2021
Hilarious and sweet! A great audio book too!
November 13, 2019
Gondelman is more of a hip-hop guy, but he would probably agree with the witch in Into the Woods when she says "Nice is different than good." He dissects the difference in his quest to become the latter, noting "Niceness is only enough under the best possible conditions. It relies on having adults in your life looking out for you, and on not facing prejudice." His humorous essays are smart and funny, the kind of light read that nevertheless makes you think.
December 23, 2021
My first ever dnf. This was so boring. Like, wholesome sure, but incredibly boring.
June 12, 2020
Very charming, funny, and introspective/self-aware. Very relatable for a fellow anxious/awkward well-meaning white person.
September 22, 2020
I read this because I like him as a podcast guest on The Last Post. It's a funny book, nice light reading.
July 1, 2020
On the 1 in a 1000 chance Josh reads this I want to start off by saying - after reading this book - I think he is a wonderful human and we need more people like him. That is to say - I don't want to hurt his feelings. He took in a barely alive Pug from a con artist and still loves the dog, he's a great guy!
But as far as reading enjoyment, this book was exactly like Josh "nice". That's not a glowing endorsement. My quick critique is - Josh just doesn't have enough interesting stories in his life to pull from so we are forced to read chapter after chapter of very mundane events that wouldn't even make it into interesting conversations my friends had with me this week. A sample: He gets sold fake Molly and ends up having a nice time at a concert. He was supportive of a 5 year old who wanted to dress up like a dragon on thanksgiving and turns this into a moral dilemma when really it was a blip the 5 year old forgot about minutes after it was over. He shaved his hair once for a play. He was morally torn whether or not he should support the Patriots after it was revealed Tom Brady and the coach were MAGA supporters.
Now - the fact the events are mundane isn't a fair critique IF Josh spins them into comedy. A comedy writer can turn the simplest events into funny stories. But...this was yet another example of a solid comedy writer failing to make me laugh. I did laugh a few times but was it worth the 5-6 hours of reading time to get those few chuckles? Not really.
It isn't like some comedy autobiographies haven't made me laugh but I am starting to discover a truth - most comedy writers can be good at the performed laughs and that doesn't translate onto the static page. I know it isn't impossible because I have a lot of memories embarrassing myself laughing out loud in public while reading comedy (I'll always cite Tina Fey's Bossypants as the example of "how to do it right") but after many disappointments of reading my fav stand ups books I see how hard and unlikely it is to accomplish. It is a different muscle that many of them don't have.
The other problem I see is most of these stand up writers don't want to talk about the most interesting part of their lives - their jobs. That is what makes them unique! Tell me about times you bombed. Or horrible road trips. Or how a weak joke was made stronger by a lucky tag you added one night. Or talk about the Emmy you won!! I think they don't want to talk about it because they think "other people don't want to know about that stuff". But I do! Maybe not every story but at least a few more. Being sold a fake drug? That happens to a million teenagers every day. Doing stand up for a corporate gig with an open bar? Only YOU (Josh, in this case) can tell those stories.
Well, in sum, I wish there had been more interesting stories that made me laugh - but there wasn't.
But as far as reading enjoyment, this book was exactly like Josh "nice". That's not a glowing endorsement. My quick critique is - Josh just doesn't have enough interesting stories in his life to pull from so we are forced to read chapter after chapter of very mundane events that wouldn't even make it into interesting conversations my friends had with me this week. A sample: He gets sold fake Molly and ends up having a nice time at a concert. He was supportive of a 5 year old who wanted to dress up like a dragon on thanksgiving and turns this into a moral dilemma when really it was a blip the 5 year old forgot about minutes after it was over. He shaved his hair once for a play. He was morally torn whether or not he should support the Patriots after it was revealed Tom Brady and the coach were MAGA supporters.
Now - the fact the events are mundane isn't a fair critique IF Josh spins them into comedy. A comedy writer can turn the simplest events into funny stories. But...this was yet another example of a solid comedy writer failing to make me laugh. I did laugh a few times but was it worth the 5-6 hours of reading time to get those few chuckles? Not really.
It isn't like some comedy autobiographies haven't made me laugh but I am starting to discover a truth - most comedy writers can be good at the performed laughs and that doesn't translate onto the static page. I know it isn't impossible because I have a lot of memories embarrassing myself laughing out loud in public while reading comedy (I'll always cite Tina Fey's Bossypants as the example of "how to do it right") but after many disappointments of reading my fav stand ups books I see how hard and unlikely it is to accomplish. It is a different muscle that many of them don't have.
The other problem I see is most of these stand up writers don't want to talk about the most interesting part of their lives - their jobs. That is what makes them unique! Tell me about times you bombed. Or horrible road trips. Or how a weak joke was made stronger by a lucky tag you added one night. Or talk about the Emmy you won!! I think they don't want to talk about it because they think "other people don't want to know about that stuff". But I do! Maybe not every story but at least a few more. Being sold a fake drug? That happens to a million teenagers every day. Doing stand up for a corporate gig with an open bar? Only YOU (Josh, in this case) can tell those stories.
Well, in sum, I wish there had been more interesting stories that made me laugh - but there wasn't.
Read
February 2, 2020I enjoyed this book more than I expected to. It felt like he enjoyed reading it out loud, which I often wonder about with people who read their own books for audio books. I related to a lot of it, and appreciated the reflections and range of topics. I needed the chance to feel more hopeful, and this book delivered.
April 7, 2020
This book was good for me for a few reasons: I’d just come off from a heavier family drama I read last week, we’re living in a dystopian hellscape (a pandemic during an election year — woof), and I’m addicted to the internet.
Gondelman writes charming anecdotes that I found genuinely interesting and funny, woven into the greater theme of niceness and goodness and what those words really mean. Pop culture references and self deprecation are things I love, and they made for perfect companions to his conversational, yet thoughtful writing.
Gondelman writes charming anecdotes that I found genuinely interesting and funny, woven into the greater theme of niceness and goodness and what those words really mean. Pop culture references and self deprecation are things I love, and they made for perfect companions to his conversational, yet thoughtful writing.
October 2, 2019
Josh Gondelman has the distinction of being the sole exception to my moratorium on going to straight white guys' shows at my local comedy club (a decision that looks better and better by the day). I've seen his standup twice and I love it.
This book pulls a lot from his comedy, which is great, though of course it's not as dense with jokes. He's earnest and sweet but not saccharine or boring, and his book comes across as a very honest expression of his personality, which seems like a lot of fun to be around. I don't think you'll read this book and expect to come away with, like, a fresh outlook on life, or mind-blowing ideas, but I think it does what it does really well.
I appreciate that for an emmy-winning comedy writer who has no doubt rubbed elbows with a lot of famous and powerful people, that he spares us from name dropping or self-aggrandizing, and it makes me even happier that he has all the success he does.
This book pulls a lot from his comedy, which is great, though of course it's not as dense with jokes. He's earnest and sweet but not saccharine or boring, and his book comes across as a very honest expression of his personality, which seems like a lot of fun to be around. I don't think you'll read this book and expect to come away with, like, a fresh outlook on life, or mind-blowing ideas, but I think it does what it does really well.
I appreciate that for an emmy-winning comedy writer who has no doubt rubbed elbows with a lot of famous and powerful people, that he spares us from name dropping or self-aggrandizing, and it makes me even happier that he has all the success he does.
October 8, 2019
I really enjoyed this book despite my (self-destructive?) kink being reading self absorbed memoirs by white people. Josh is well aware of his privilege as a straight white male and he wants to make the world a better place though even I draw the line at essays on football and sneakers, I am more of a flip-flop kinda gal.
With metaphors that are David Sedaris perfect and some stories that didnt turn out to be the way I expected, this was a good book from Mr Maris Karizman (author of my favorite Slaughterhouse 901210 and to whom he dedicates a significant portion of the book).
With metaphors that are David Sedaris perfect and some stories that didnt turn out to be the way I expected, this was a good book from Mr Maris Karizman (author of my favorite Slaughterhouse 901210 and to whom he dedicates a significant portion of the book).
November 11, 2019
I love Josh! I am a frequent requester of his Twitter pep talks and I loved reading about how he came up with the idea. He is funny and self-deprecating and also really really awesome. I grew up so cynical and for a long time snarky bad attitudes seemed to be the "it" thing, but it's actually really nice to be nice. It feels good to give and to receive niceties. Snarky sarcasm is exhausting, but sincere kindness gives me life. I so appreciate reading about Josh's kindness, the part he comes by organically and the habits he cultivates. This book is hilarious AND inspirational!
October 23, 2019
This was honestly probably the funniest book I read all year. Each essay had at least one line I immediately wanted to tell Miranda, but mostly I just want everyone to read this so we can laugh about it all together. I related to a lot of what Josh talked about!
Samantha Irby was spot on when she said, "Josh Gondelman is a human cardigan and this book is like a warm, consensual hug."
Samantha Irby was spot on when she said, "Josh Gondelman is a human cardigan and this book is like a warm, consensual hug."
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September 30, 2019I love this book and I now to be a better person
This was such a nice read. I literally laughed out loud so many times and also felt warmth and sincere happiness in most parts. This book has inspired me to be a better person and to believe that things will always get better.
This was such a nice read. I literally laughed out loud so many times and also felt warmth and sincere happiness in most parts. This book has inspired me to be a better person and to believe that things will always get better.
March 1, 2023
I picked this up because it had the best book dedication ever composed, and it didn't disappoint. I laughed my tuchus off and also found new sources of inspiration for my own writing. I checked this out of the library, but plan to buy a copy of my own, it was THAT good.
January 5, 2020
Mildly entertaining
I don’t know who the author is outside of his credits but thought it was worth a read. It’s moderately entertaining. Funny, but not side splitting. I realize I prefer the books where I know the person from tv and movies (eg tina fey, Steve Martin)
I don’t know who the author is outside of his credits but thought it was worth a read. It’s moderately entertaining. Funny, but not side splitting. I realize I prefer the books where I know the person from tv and movies (eg tina fey, Steve Martin)
Read
October 17, 2019I found this to be relatable and funny. I laughed and cried and actually finished a book for the first time in what feels like months (maybe only three weeks but that’s a long time for me)
January 7, 2020
“Even the Zodiac killer was polite enough to remember to leave a note after he did a murder.”
January 15, 2020
One word: Yawn! (Need I saw more?)
June 15, 2020
Perfectly pleasant, but not particularly memorable.
November 28, 2021
Quite funny and relatable, this book crosses the line from being family friendly but has a wholesome feel to it nonetheless. Gondelman comes across as a delightful mix between hapless and brilliant, and his anecdotes had me laughing aloud several times.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews