Start Without Me

by Gary Janetti

First published 2022

Gary Janetti examines the irritations and absurdities that have shaped his existence. He dissects his twenties summers chasing the ideal tan and romance, finding neither but collecting plenty of regrets. At his Catholic high school, he forges an unexpected bond with a soap opera loving nun who becomes his unlikely ally. He demonstrates how subpar hotel accommodations can destroy even the most promising getaway. Janetti transforms everyday annoyances into comedic material, celebrating the satisfaction of nursing grudges for years. His razor sharp observations target life's minor insults and daily frustrations. The collection reveals how small moments accumulate into a complete existence. Janetti offers readers the experience of spending time with someone who articulates exactly what bothers them about modern life. He validates the universal experience of being perpetually annoyed while finding humor in that shared condition.

Genres: essays, humor, contemporary, comedy, 21st-century

Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking

Tropes: humor, personal-narrative

208 pages · Hardcover · Henry Holt and Co.

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