Nice Try

Laugh-out-loud funny. The part about the Michael Jackson impersonator at his wedding? I nearly fell off the elliptical. Gondelman has a real talent for the comedic essay that lets his earnest, almost innocent enthusiasm shine through; but he doesn't shy away from tackling tough topics that loom over our time, like divisive politics and misogyny and racism. It's a fun read firmly cemented in reality that rings with levity and hope and some good solid laughs about miserably old pugs or dates gone awry.

Are you tired of comedians being exposed for pretending to be nice?
If so, I'd like to recommend Josh Gondelman who is earnestly funny and genuinely nice.
No, no, not Jim Gaffigan (although I like him too). There will be no hot-pocket jokes here.
I'll probably re-listen to it soon, because it feels like a good antidote to the 2020 of it all.

Pro-tip: get the audiobook.

Very charming, funny, and introspective/self-aware. Very relatable for a fellow anxious/awkward well-meaning white person.