“Rejected,” edited by Jon Friedman

Comedy writers and other funny people share stories rejected by SNL, the Onion and Comedy Central, as well as stories of general disapproval. Absolutely hilarious.

(“Rejected” is slated to be released Jan. 27, 2009. Gotta love preview copies!)

THE LOWDOWN
Published: 2009, 272 pp.
Obtained via: Free table at work
Date started: 12.4.08
Date finished: 12.20.08
What I liked: I was especially fond of the stories from Kristen Schaal, Wendy Spero, David Wain and Michael Ian Black, Joel Stein and Janet Ginsburg.
What I didn’t like: There were only one or two stories I wasn’t cracking up at.
What I learned: Sometimes the outtakes are funnier than the main act.

David Sedaris, “Me Talk Pretty One Day”

Reread this—it appeared in my list from the first year I started keeping track.

THE LOWDOWN
Published: 2000, 272 pp.
Obtained via: My bookshelf
Date started: 7.26.08
Date finished: 8.1.08
What I liked: Pretty much everything! It’s also a lot funnier if you imagine him reading it in his nasally voice.
What I didn’t like: Pretty much nothing!
What I learned: Never yell “Good luck beating that rape charge!” to a friend when you get off the bus or train.

Lauren R. Weinstein, “Girl Stories”

Awesome collection of awkward-middle-school-girl vignettes in the same vein as Tammy Pierce is Unlovable, one of my all-time favorites.

THE LOWDOWN
Published: 2006, 240 pp.
Obtained via: Clifton Comics
Date started: 5.15.08
Date finished: 5.15.08
What I liked: Awkwardness level is off the charts!
What I didn’t like: Varying styles of drawing is a little confusing, but not bad!
What I learned: Everything will be OK.

The Onion, “Embedded in America: The Onion Complete News Archives Volume 16″

All the fake news that was fit to print from October 2003 to November 2004.

THE LOWDOWN
Published: 2005, 320 pp.
Obtained via: Library
Date started: 3.4.08
Date finished: 3.15.08
What I liked: All the usual stuff.
What I didn’t like: No complaints.
What I learned: Learning?

Stephen Colbert, “I am America (and so can you!)”

If you don’t already know what this is, how are we friends?

THE LOWDOWN
Published: 2007, 230 pp.
Obtained via: Barnes and Noble
Date started: 11.22.07
Date finished: 11.26.07
What I especially liked: The chart describing the homosexual agenda (page 117), an illustration of what the liberal media puts on newsstands (page 152) and a transcript of his speech at the White House correspondents’ dinner (218). The pages of stickers are also a nice touch.
What I didn’t like: How right he is.
What I learned: Everyone should use footnotes and margin notes.

Jason Roeder, “Oh, The Humanity”

“Oh, the Humanity! A Gentle Guide to Social Interaction for the Feeble Young Introvert” is one of the first books put out by a revived humor imprint called TOW, which is headed up creatively by one of the big dudes at McSweeney’s.

THE LOWDOWN
Published: 2007, 160 pp.
Obtained via: Work
Date started: 10.22.07
Date finished: 11.4.07
What I liked: Even though this book sets out to mock the insecure and emotionally stunted, there’s actual good advice in here, even if it comes through backhandedly.
What I didn’t like: Oh, the awkwardness.
What I learned: What friendship means.