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My Boring-Ass Life: The Uncomfortably Candid Diary of Kevin Smith
Anything but boring, the creator of Jay and Silent Bob shares his x-rated thoughts in his diary, telling all in his usual candid, heartfelt and irreverent way!
Lewd, crude and hilariously rude, Kevin Smith pulls no punches in this hard-hitting, in-your-face exposé of, er, his rather dull and uneventful life… well, not always dull. In between watching his TiVo, he manages to make and release Clerks II, relate the story of his partner-in-crime Jason Mewes’ heroin addiction, get a tattoo, serve on a jury... and get caught stealing donuts from Burt Reynolds
Thrown in are his views on the perils of strip clubs, the drawback of threesomes, the pain of anal fissures, his love-affair with Star Wars and so much more! Adults Only!
Lewd, crude and hilariously rude, Kevin Smith pulls no punches in this hard-hitting, in-your-face exposé of, er, his rather dull and uneventful life… well, not always dull. In between watching his TiVo, he manages to make and release Clerks II, relate the story of his partner-in-crime Jason Mewes’ heroin addiction, get a tattoo, serve on a jury... and get caught stealing donuts from Burt Reynolds
Thrown in are his views on the perils of strip clubs, the drawback of threesomes, the pain of anal fissures, his love-affair with Star Wars and so much more! Adults Only!
470 pages, Paperback
First published September 25, 2007
About the author
Kevin Smith
443 books944 followersKevin Patrick Smith is an American screenwriter, director, as well as a comic book writer, author, and actor. He is also the co-founder, with Scott Mosier, of View Askew Productions and owner of Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash comic and novelty store in Red Bank, New Jersey. He also hosts a weekly podcast with Scott Mosier known as SModcast. He is also known for participating in long, humorous Q&A Sessions that are often filmed for DVD release, beginning with An Evening with Kevin Smith.
His films are often set in his home state of New Jersey, and while not strictly sequential, they do frequently feature crossover plot elements, character references, and a shared canon in what is known by fans as the "View Askewniverse", named after his production company View Askew Productions. He has produced numerous films and television projects, including Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and Clerks II.
His films are often set in his home state of New Jersey, and while not strictly sequential, they do frequently feature crossover plot elements, character references, and a shared canon in what is known by fans as the "View Askewniverse", named after his production company View Askew Productions. He has produced numerous films and television projects, including Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and Clerks II.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
December 31, 2007
Been wracking my brain trying to understand why this book absorbed me so profoundly since I received it from my brother 5 days ago as a Christmas present. It's 500 pages long and I have finished it in less than 6 days, and I'm not a fast reader. I think it's because, outside of his movies, Kevin Smith has somehow managed to turn himself into a fascinating character. He's not tabloid fodder (the dude doesn't even drink), and he's not interesting to look at physically (he's the stereotypical schlubby basement dweller with man boobs and a goatee). But somewhere along the way, he happened to make a certain type of movie that had never been made before—Clerks. That film, and all Smith's subsequent films, was dully shot, poorly acted, and across-the-board mediocre—but it didn't matter because for whatever reason, it was the first to feature white slackers talking about Star Wars and blow jobs in the same sentence. The genre of slacker indie film was born, with any white dude who'd ever picked up an issue of Daredevil eternally grateful to Smith for finally acknowledging his secret genius. The rare slacker with ambition (perhaps the only one), Kevin Smith became the spokesman for millions of comic book nerds who delighted in seeing all they held sacred riffed on again and again. I do not like Kevin Smith's films. I think he's a lazy film-maker with little vision beyond the next only slightly funny pop culture reference. However, I am fascinated with the influence he has had on the cinematic landscape. Certainly he was one of the primary figures during my formative years, and I remember very clearly watching Clerks for the first time and being proud of myself for viewing my first arty film and actually being entertained by it! It was only after I'd gone through college and seen some actual decent arty films that I realized what Smith really is: a maker of extended sitcom episodes who was in the right place at the right time. But lord, he is an important hack; certainly one of the least talented film-makers to ever get a DVD put out by Criterion. A major Hollywood player now who (as evidenced by this book) receives offers to collaborate with Bruce Willis (from Willis himself), and who got married at Lucas' Skywalker Ranch. He's duped us all. He is one of the greatest self-promoters in history, with an incredible web presence at his View Askew site, multiple stores devoted entirely to his own merchandise, and public q & a sessions that have become so popular they've spawned a line of DVDs of their own. He has become infinitely more skilled at describing his own life in an array of public venues than he is at making the films that got him there. And that's why I'm fascinated with him. In person he's funny, articulate, giving to his fans, and self-deprecating. He tells great stories about making movies and about the crazy world of Hollywood. To an aspiring film-maker like myself, he's utterly magnetic, and yet I have little to no respect for him artistically. I love the guy on one level and I hate him on another. At the same time, I know I'm jealous of his success, and yet I'm a snob. I could never have Kevin Smith's life because I loathe the world he lives in and what he represents—as I believe the New York Times said,
"Elevating the white-guy-doing-nothing prerogative from a lifestyle choice to a moral principle." (The last thing this world needs is the validation of lazy white guys) Jesus, how these contradictions titillate me to no end! And, I will continue to monitor every move Kevin Smith makes, see every movie he puts out, and read every book, blog entry and message board post he publishes. I grew up with him and he is a part of me, the part of me I can't look away from because it has so much more fun than I do.
"Elevating the white-guy-doing-nothing prerogative from a lifestyle choice to a moral principle." (The last thing this world needs is the validation of lazy white guys) Jesus, how these contradictions titillate me to no end! And, I will continue to monitor every move Kevin Smith makes, see every movie he puts out, and read every book, blog entry and message board post he publishes. I grew up with him and he is a part of me, the part of me I can't look away from because it has so much more fun than I do.
August 29, 2013
Kevin Smith is an amazingly talented film director. I absolutely love his movies. His role as Silent Bob cracks me up. Likewise, his Q&As are at times hilarious, insightful and witty.
This novel that I review towards you was originally a series of blog posts that were reportedly quiet popular on his website. I can imagine many people getting up and reading a couple of hundred words a day of what ended up being this book over the time that it was published that way.
Unfortunately, that was not the way I read this book. And I honestly don't believe a book like this would have been picked up and published at all had it not been for Kevin Smith's name on the cover.
Quite apart from the spelling mistakes that were obviously simply lifted from the blog posts, this series of posts is hopelessly repetitive, leading me to skipping more pages than I feel like I actually read. It's not an insubstantial tomb, either, at 470 pages.
In his defence, the writer himself offers no illusions as to the nature of this 'boring-ass' diary within the title itself.
I suppose I should comment on the recounting of Jason Mewes' drug addiction that was actually the thing that had me sticking through the novel to finally find and read. So that people are aware, the pages (in my addition at least) that this story appears in is pages 328-395, quite late in the novel, and quite short considering the amount of time the addiction spanned.
It was interesting, but there are very few elements to it that fans of Kevin Smith wouldn't already be have heard from his Q&As.
This novel that I review towards you was originally a series of blog posts that were reportedly quiet popular on his website. I can imagine many people getting up and reading a couple of hundred words a day of what ended up being this book over the time that it was published that way.
Unfortunately, that was not the way I read this book. And I honestly don't believe a book like this would have been picked up and published at all had it not been for Kevin Smith's name on the cover.
Quite apart from the spelling mistakes that were obviously simply lifted from the blog posts, this series of posts is hopelessly repetitive, leading me to skipping more pages than I feel like I actually read. It's not an insubstantial tomb, either, at 470 pages.
In his defence, the writer himself offers no illusions as to the nature of this 'boring-ass' diary within the title itself.
I suppose I should comment on the recounting of Jason Mewes' drug addiction that was actually the thing that had me sticking through the novel to finally find and read. So that people are aware, the pages (in my addition at least) that this story appears in is pages 328-395, quite late in the novel, and quite short considering the amount of time the addiction spanned.
It was interesting, but there are very few elements to it that fans of Kevin Smith wouldn't already be have heard from his Q&As.
December 10, 2007
Definitely boring. I made it about 40 pages and dumped it. Couldn't stand to continue to read, "had a meeting with So and So; took a dump while checking email; fell asleep to Tivo'd Simpsons/Law & Order."
I guess its supposed to get into how he helped Jay get over his heroin addiction but if he deals in how boring his day to day life is to helping Jay than I fail to see how interesting that is.
I guess its supposed to get into how he helped Jay get over his heroin addiction but if he deals in how boring his day to day life is to helping Jay than I fail to see how interesting that is.
April 1, 2008
after reading silent bob speaks, i bought a signed copy of this from the secret stash( if your a smith fan you know what this is). haven't gotten too far, but it's the same smith humor that's in everything else he does.
gotten a bit farther into this, and damn if it ain't really repetative. i know that this is essentially a diary, but i'm also reading the palin diary, and there's variation to his days. with smith it's....dogs wake me up....i go eat....i do stuff with the fam....i eat some more....i fall asleep watching tivo. i really hope this changes, otehrwise, it's far too long a book to continue.
have now finished the smith diary....still working on te palin diary.....almost gave this 5 stars simply on the strength of the 50+ page mewes story. it's just amazing man, and really heartbreaking, but also uplifting. if you can get to the halfway point of this book, then it's pretty sweet reading from there. i really burned through the thing after he finished the catch & release arc....it's takes a more essay type shape....more like silent bob speaks.....if you don't want to read the whole thing, you should try to bum a copy and read the mewes story at least. it's titled me and my shadow part 1-8 (i think there're 8 parts, but there may only be 6).
gotten a bit farther into this, and damn if it ain't really repetative. i know that this is essentially a diary, but i'm also reading the palin diary, and there's variation to his days. with smith it's....dogs wake me up....i go eat....i do stuff with the fam....i eat some more....i fall asleep watching tivo. i really hope this changes, otehrwise, it's far too long a book to continue.
have now finished the smith diary....still working on te palin diary.....almost gave this 5 stars simply on the strength of the 50+ page mewes story. it's just amazing man, and really heartbreaking, but also uplifting. if you can get to the halfway point of this book, then it's pretty sweet reading from there. i really burned through the thing after he finished the catch & release arc....it's takes a more essay type shape....more like silent bob speaks.....if you don't want to read the whole thing, you should try to bum a copy and read the mewes story at least. it's titled me and my shadow part 1-8 (i think there're 8 parts, but there may only be 6).
June 17, 2009
LONG - but the quickest read for a book that size EVER. I am enjoying this type of writing. Kevin is a good guy, a great poker player, a model father and something really special. This book helped me understand that life as a celebrity may not be all its cracked up to be. The parts about his struggles related to his best friend and hetero-lifemate Jay Mewes were touching and sad at once. It made me wanna hug this fat man until some of his love seeped into me. In the words of his smod-mate - - - that's beautiful man!
April 17, 2009
If you like Kevin Smith and you like his inane rantings and often painfully detailed accounts of his everyday life (I do), this is an entertaining read... I went through it as a second book, a few entries at a time (usually in a particular seat, er, throne, in a particular room where Kevin would be proud to have his book be read).
January 22, 2010
This isn’t the first time I’ve read this one (somewhere around 2nd or 3rd, leaning toward 3rd, time), but it’s still one of my favorite reads. Granted it is about my favorite filmmaker.
But, this book is a printed version of his online diary up to the point of publication. Most of it consists of him detailing everday life. Yes, for at least half of the book, each post begins with wake up, curse and let the dogs out, take a leak/shit. But if you can get past that part, it shows what a funny, loving, creative guy he is. Of course being a fan of his at all helps.
One thing that really leaps out at me through the book is how much he loves his women. He is constantly in amazement that his wife married him, but I can see why. While they do have their arguments like any other married couple does, he is totally devoted to her. When she’s sick, he runs out and gets what she needs. She has a girl’s night out, he drives her there and picks her up. It’s the same with his daughter. He loves spending time with her, even gets up early to do so and let Jen (wife) sleep in.
I found myself wanting to have something Kevin Smith related in the background when I’d be reading at home. I actually put in Catch and Release followed by Clerks II one Saturday mainly because those are the two flicks he works on for most of the book. Hell, reading the last part about his part in Live Free or Die Hard actually makes me want to see the flick. It’s the first time I’ve read it since actually seeing Die Hard and want to see if it lives up to the hype of the only worthy sequel.
But this book has actually motivated me to get up off my butt and really try to get my life going in the direction I want it to be going. Let’s see if it actually happens!
But, this book is a printed version of his online diary up to the point of publication. Most of it consists of him detailing everday life. Yes, for at least half of the book, each post begins with wake up, curse and let the dogs out, take a leak/shit. But if you can get past that part, it shows what a funny, loving, creative guy he is. Of course being a fan of his at all helps.
One thing that really leaps out at me through the book is how much he loves his women. He is constantly in amazement that his wife married him, but I can see why. While they do have their arguments like any other married couple does, he is totally devoted to her. When she’s sick, he runs out and gets what she needs. She has a girl’s night out, he drives her there and picks her up. It’s the same with his daughter. He loves spending time with her, even gets up early to do so and let Jen (wife) sleep in.
I found myself wanting to have something Kevin Smith related in the background when I’d be reading at home. I actually put in Catch and Release followed by Clerks II one Saturday mainly because those are the two flicks he works on for most of the book. Hell, reading the last part about his part in Live Free or Die Hard actually makes me want to see the flick. It’s the first time I’ve read it since actually seeing Die Hard and want to see if it lives up to the hype of the only worthy sequel.
But this book has actually motivated me to get up off my butt and really try to get my life going in the direction I want it to be going. Let’s see if it actually happens!
April 3, 2021
I feel like I should start by saying I'm a Kevin Smith fan, pure & simple. And yes, while I enjoyed Clerks and Chasing Amy and even the ill-received Jersey Girl, what really pushed me into total fandom was, like many Hollywood executives who started giving him cameos as a result, An Evening with Kevin Smith, the filmmaker's foray as a guest speaker among the film school circuit. It almost feels like a stand-up comedy routine, but it's not, though it kinda is. Until that point he was known as one of the definitive slacker writer-directors, but listening to him dredge up his Hollywood stories and experiences, you come to realize what an articulate, clever and even lovable human he actually is. How do you NOT just want to have a beer with this guy?
I'll admit, there was a point early on in Boring-Ass that I didn't know if I was going to get through it. The first half seemed kinda redundant (How many times did I have to read about Smith taking a shit each morning and ending the day falling asleep to TiVo'd Simpsons or L&O, with some sex with his wife Jen peppered in? Seriously...500 pages of this? In surprisingly small font?) But thankfully it began to take a turn and he started diving deeper into some of his other Hollywood experiences, some good, some bad, but all leaving me on the edge of my seat. My husband and I are huge fans of his small acting roles in Catch & Release and Live Free or Die Hard, so reading about how he came to acquire those roles as well as the ups and downs that transpired while shooting them left me with so much delight. By the last 150 pages, after reading about Mewes and his rehab saga, I only wanted more stories courtesy of Smith. Off to find more of his publishings to add to my to-read list.
I'll admit, there was a point early on in Boring-Ass that I didn't know if I was going to get through it. The first half seemed kinda redundant (How many times did I have to read about Smith taking a shit each morning and ending the day falling asleep to TiVo'd Simpsons or L&O, with some sex with his wife Jen peppered in? Seriously...500 pages of this? In surprisingly small font?) But thankfully it began to take a turn and he started diving deeper into some of his other Hollywood experiences, some good, some bad, but all leaving me on the edge of my seat. My husband and I are huge fans of his small acting roles in Catch & Release and Live Free or Die Hard, so reading about how he came to acquire those roles as well as the ups and downs that transpired while shooting them left me with so much delight. By the last 150 pages, after reading about Mewes and his rehab saga, I only wanted more stories courtesy of Smith. Off to find more of his publishings to add to my to-read list.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2008
Just about 1/3 through, so will update my rating when I've finished!
The book is a collection of the the regular updates to his message board.
So far so good: Kevin Smith's life isn't that boring (unsurprisingly, being stuffed with 'celebs'and played out in the exciting world of film-making). It is refreshingly written, with equal time devoted to the everyday aspects of this working family man's habits, hopes and fears alongside the un-fanfared name checks and insight into his starrier friends and colleagues.
Complete honesty about every little detail can make for some squirmy moments and I now know a little TMI about his best friend and co-star Jason Mewes :-O but I have to hand it to the man, as diaries go this one is written in the true spirit of a diary - no holds barred. Self censoring might make for a more comfortable read but would inevitably miss the point.
As a long time Smith fan, I find this book only confirms the reasons I like his film work so much. Funny, kind, generous and a little bit grumpy now and again, he tells the day to day story of his life in such a down to earth way that I can't help wishing I was a buddy of his too.
I recommend this to any Kevin Smith fan, or anyone who thinks they know what he's about but really haven't a clue (me!).
If you like Smith's work, get this book. It'll make you want to re-watch everything and maybe get a little obsessified.
If you don't like Smith's work, get this book. if you can stand the all-out honesty (I dare you to finish it), you'll wind up with a better understanding of why the guy's so popular and why his films and other works are about more than 'just the funny'.
It's also a love story. Really!
The book is a collection of the the regular updates to his message board.
So far so good: Kevin Smith's life isn't that boring (unsurprisingly, being stuffed with 'celebs'and played out in the exciting world of film-making). It is refreshingly written, with equal time devoted to the everyday aspects of this working family man's habits, hopes and fears alongside the un-fanfared name checks and insight into his starrier friends and colleagues.
Complete honesty about every little detail can make for some squirmy moments and I now know a little TMI about his best friend and co-star Jason Mewes :-O but I have to hand it to the man, as diaries go this one is written in the true spirit of a diary - no holds barred. Self censoring might make for a more comfortable read but would inevitably miss the point.
As a long time Smith fan, I find this book only confirms the reasons I like his film work so much. Funny, kind, generous and a little bit grumpy now and again, he tells the day to day story of his life in such a down to earth way that I can't help wishing I was a buddy of his too.
I recommend this to any Kevin Smith fan, or anyone who thinks they know what he's about but really haven't a clue (me!).
If you like Smith's work, get this book. It'll make you want to re-watch everything and maybe get a little obsessified.
If you don't like Smith's work, get this book. if you can stand the all-out honesty (I dare you to finish it), you'll wind up with a better understanding of why the guy's so popular and why his films and other works are about more than 'just the funny'.
It's also a love story. Really!
June 25, 2008
5/5/08- I'm not even 1/4 through as of yet. So far, though this book is pretty good. I find it interesting to see the back story of one of my favorite directors. Not only does it mention the everyday things (sleeping, eating, etc.), but it also touches on other topics such as the making of Clerks II and his role in Catch and Release.
It's an easy book to pick up and read a few pages, as it's written in the journal format. As a result of that, though, I don't think I'm reading as much each time I read it as I normally would. I don't think anyone but Kevin Smith fans would find this an interesting read.
5/24/08- After reading, I still agree that this book is only for Kevin Smith fans, or possibly anyone who is curious as to what directors and actors do on a daily basis.
What most surprised me about this book was the sheer amount of DVDs he buys and, along with massive amounts of television, he watches. He manages to spend a lot of time laying around, doing nothing, but also directs Clerks II, stars in Manchild, Catch and Release, and Die Hard, and I'm sure I'm missing some other stuff he did-- all within the span of one book.
I would give it about three and a half stars, if this rating system allowed it. The book was worth reading for the "Me and My Shadow" story about Jay and his drug addiction. I did find some parts to be slow, though, but that's the nature of a diary (that's not fictional, of course): some parts will be fascinating, and some parts will be boring.
It's an easy book to pick up and read a few pages, as it's written in the journal format. As a result of that, though, I don't think I'm reading as much each time I read it as I normally would. I don't think anyone but Kevin Smith fans would find this an interesting read.
5/24/08- After reading, I still agree that this book is only for Kevin Smith fans, or possibly anyone who is curious as to what directors and actors do on a daily basis.
What most surprised me about this book was the sheer amount of DVDs he buys and, along with massive amounts of television, he watches. He manages to spend a lot of time laying around, doing nothing, but also directs Clerks II, stars in Manchild, Catch and Release, and Die Hard, and I'm sure I'm missing some other stuff he did-- all within the span of one book.
I would give it about three and a half stars, if this rating system allowed it. The book was worth reading for the "Me and My Shadow" story about Jay and his drug addiction. I did find some parts to be slow, though, but that's the nature of a diary (that's not fictional, of course): some parts will be fascinating, and some parts will be boring.
July 25, 2009
I know it took me AGES to read this, not because it was bad, but because I owned the book. If I actually own a book and have no deadline to return it by (as in the case of a library book), I just leave it for months because I know it's not going anywhere.
That being said, when I got around to reading it again and finishing it, I couldnt believe I'd put it down for so many months. Kevin Smith is so hilarious, and his tales of anal fissues literally had me cackling like a psycho. Of course Im totally biased as Im a HUGE Kevin Smith fan, but fuck he's hilarious.
The tale of Kevin trying to get Jay (Jason Mewes) off heroin is the most upsetting and frustrating thing to read, and I cant imagine how frustrated Kevin must have been, experiencing that first hand. While Kevin Smith's known for his potty mouth humour, the dude sure knows how to write a touching, heartwrenching and page-turning tale.
My only criticisms about the book is that occasionally I got uncomfortable with the amount of detail he goes into when describing his sex life with wife, Jennifer Schwalbach. Im sure she doesnt care, and it's such a Kevin Smith thing to do, but I kinda sat there on occasion and was like "oh god, I hope their daughter doesnt read this in the future LOL".
Overall, fricken hilarious book and a must-have if you love Kevin Smith. Im so annoyed with myself that I didnt read it all sooner :)
That being said, when I got around to reading it again and finishing it, I couldnt believe I'd put it down for so many months. Kevin Smith is so hilarious, and his tales of anal fissues literally had me cackling like a psycho. Of course Im totally biased as Im a HUGE Kevin Smith fan, but fuck he's hilarious.
The tale of Kevin trying to get Jay (Jason Mewes) off heroin is the most upsetting and frustrating thing to read, and I cant imagine how frustrated Kevin must have been, experiencing that first hand. While Kevin Smith's known for his potty mouth humour, the dude sure knows how to write a touching, heartwrenching and page-turning tale.
My only criticisms about the book is that occasionally I got uncomfortable with the amount of detail he goes into when describing his sex life with wife, Jennifer Schwalbach. Im sure she doesnt care, and it's such a Kevin Smith thing to do, but I kinda sat there on occasion and was like "oh god, I hope their daughter doesnt read this in the future LOL".
Overall, fricken hilarious book and a must-have if you love Kevin Smith. Im so annoyed with myself that I didnt read it all sooner :)
September 12, 2009
This book could have been at least 50 pages shorter had they cut out Kevin Smith's morning routine of 'let out dogs, get on laptop, take a shit' that is repeated EVERY ENTRY. His frequent trips to fast food joints are really not nearly fascinating enough to read about on a daily basis. While I recognize that this is a published version of his online blog, I still found it frustratingly repetitive about totally banal things. I think I missed the point.
Smith is a funny guy, and there were moments of brilliance and humor. But if you pick this up and are not a die-hard Kevin Smith fan, I'd suggested skipping to the last quarter of the book or so.
Smith's account of Jason Mewes' struggle with drug addiction was extremely touching. It was worth the price of the book, and you could not ask for a better love story. Smith's honesty about the situation and his own fault in it gives some hope without denying responsibility.
After the series of posts about Mewes' addiction and recovery, the rest of the book goes back to the regularly scheduled blather, but has a few highlights that kept me going to the end. Smith's man crush on Bruce Willis kept me giggling all the way through to his poetry-reading benefit featuring Stan Lee, Carrie Fisher, and Johnny Rotten (to name a few).
I can't say that the last bit of the book was worth all the time wasted on bowel habits, sex snippets, and fast food takeout menu recitations, but it was enough to merit at least a couple of stars.
Smith is a funny guy, and there were moments of brilliance and humor. But if you pick this up and are not a die-hard Kevin Smith fan, I'd suggested skipping to the last quarter of the book or so.
Smith's account of Jason Mewes' struggle with drug addiction was extremely touching. It was worth the price of the book, and you could not ask for a better love story. Smith's honesty about the situation and his own fault in it gives some hope without denying responsibility.
After the series of posts about Mewes' addiction and recovery, the rest of the book goes back to the regularly scheduled blather, but has a few highlights that kept me going to the end. Smith's man crush on Bruce Willis kept me giggling all the way through to his poetry-reading benefit featuring Stan Lee, Carrie Fisher, and Johnny Rotten (to name a few).
I can't say that the last bit of the book was worth all the time wasted on bowel habits, sex snippets, and fast food takeout menu recitations, but it was enough to merit at least a couple of stars.
January 28, 2014
FINALLY finished it. While this was not a boring read what-so-ever, it IS time consuming to read. Frankly, Mr. Smith's life is more entertaining than mine, and it's as simple as that. His writing is funny, honest, and open and it was nice getting a a more pure read of a celebrities autobiography than which exists these days.
There's some really touching moments throughout the book that give you this amazing insight into how great a person Mr. Smith is. The way he talks about his father upon his death and how much his father taught him positively impacted the man Smith is today. His relationship with Mewes is also extremely touching and the Mewes stories is one of the most worthy reads in the book.
I have one main downside to the book and that is that several grammatical errors suddenly pop up in the last 1/6th of the book. Practically insinuating that the book was pretty much over and no one cared anymore (to read or edit it, at least).
But overall, whether you're a fan of his movies or not, I think his book is worth a read because he's got a great personality on him and he's funny.
There's some really touching moments throughout the book that give you this amazing insight into how great a person Mr. Smith is. The way he talks about his father upon his death and how much his father taught him positively impacted the man Smith is today. His relationship with Mewes is also extremely touching and the Mewes stories is one of the most worthy reads in the book.
I have one main downside to the book and that is that several grammatical errors suddenly pop up in the last 1/6th of the book. Practically insinuating that the book was pretty much over and no one cared anymore (to read or edit it, at least).
But overall, whether you're a fan of his movies or not, I think his book is worth a read because he's got a great personality on him and he's funny.
May 11, 2008
Kevin Smith's life is pretty Boring Ass. Essentially, this book is just a diary of his daily or weekly or whatever activities, which consists of mostly going out to eat, letting the dogs out in the morning, and falling asleep to TiVo'ed episodes of various TV series. What makes this book great is Kevin Smith's funny narration. The genius behind Clerks reveals himself to be naturally candid and just a little bit off-color(i.e. the chapter about anal fissures). The book has it's touching moments such as when Kevin Smith expresses his loneliness for his family while in Canada filming Catch & Release and the scary helplessness of best friend Jason Mewes'(Jay of the Jay and Silent Bob duo) drug addiction. One of the best autobiographies I've read, because he doesn't try to immortalize his life. He just relates his days as he sees them.
September 27, 2008
okay - I am a huge geek and I know it, but if I have a hollywood crush (well besides Sean Astin, but I have loved him since I was a kid) it has to be Kevin Smith. Who needs chiseled abs or a hollywood smile - this man makes me laugh. He plays with words like few people can and makes people think in the process.
What can I say - I am in love
While most of the book is mundane daily activities of his life - there are amazing insights into who he is, as well as the description of watching his best friend struggle with herion addition and figuring out how to let him go in order to allow the friend to save his own life - the only way it could ever happen
so tears and laughter and lots of F bombs
What can I say - I am in love
While most of the book is mundane daily activities of his life - there are amazing insights into who he is, as well as the description of watching his best friend struggle with herion addition and figuring out how to let him go in order to allow the friend to save his own life - the only way it could ever happen
so tears and laughter and lots of F bombs
February 12, 2009
At first glance this book is just a bullet list of every innane detail in Kevin Smith's life. Depending on who you are, this could be awesome or terribly boring.
What I ended up getting out of this book is that despite all the lounging the man does, and the insane number of people who are in and out of his house, he still manages to write, direct, and act. This book came when I needed it, when I was trying to figure out how I was going to get some work done in my life, outside my normal job.
Also, there's no denying how powerful "Me and My Shadow" is. It really was moving to read about how hard it was for Kevin to stop enabling one Jason Mewes in his addictions, and having to watch him destroy himself.
What I ended up getting out of this book is that despite all the lounging the man does, and the insane number of people who are in and out of his house, he still manages to write, direct, and act. This book came when I needed it, when I was trying to figure out how I was going to get some work done in my life, outside my normal job.
Also, there's no denying how powerful "Me and My Shadow" is. It really was moving to read about how hard it was for Kevin to stop enabling one Jason Mewes in his addictions, and having to watch him destroy himself.
August 5, 2011
If you don't like Kevin Smith, I don't know how you could get through the first 350 or so pages. I'm a pretty massive fan, so even though the bulk of the book was, "woke up by dogs, took shit, ate large quantities of unhealthy food, fucked wife, turned on movie while playing internet poker, lost all of my money, IM'd Annie Duke for a re-fill, went to sleep," I still found it hard to put it down. That makes me kind of pathetic.
Still, the last hundred pages or so are pretty damn entertaining for anyone. Talks about Jason Mewes' drug problems, shooting a movie with Bruce Willis and a surprisingly entertaining account of his bout with anal fissures.
Still, the last hundred pages or so are pretty damn entertaining for anyone. Talks about Jason Mewes' drug problems, shooting a movie with Bruce Willis and a surprisingly entertaining account of his bout with anal fissures.
May 31, 2013
It's no doubt the entire point of the book and the blog that this originates from that the first 200 pages are extremely repetitive. Lots of shitting, lots of jerking and lots of TiVO.
Smith is likeable company throughout, and he really is a great writer. What elevates this book above a three star rating are the completely enthralling chapters cataloging Jay's heroin addiction, the making of Die Hard 4.0 and Smith's unflinching approach to commenting on his peers such as Ben Affleck, Chevy Chase, Jennifer Garner and Bruce Willis.
It's not going to broaden your horizons but it certainly is entertaining.
Smith is likeable company throughout, and he really is a great writer. What elevates this book above a three star rating are the completely enthralling chapters cataloging Jay's heroin addiction, the making of Die Hard 4.0 and Smith's unflinching approach to commenting on his peers such as Ben Affleck, Chevy Chase, Jennifer Garner and Bruce Willis.
It's not going to broaden your horizons but it certainly is entertaining.
September 8, 2008
This book was hilariously funny providing an honest and interesting look into the life of Kevin Smith. It provided entertainment to the mundane aspects of life whilst also showing you a world you wouldn't normally see, the world of film making, premiers and conventions. It really gave him and the people he works with a real person feel, like you know them in person rather than what you see on tv. Interesting and refreshing.
August 19, 2009
I love diary-entry style books, and I like Kevin Smith movies, so this was an easy read for me. As "boring-ass" as he thinks his life is, and as much as he talks about his bowel movements and how many tv shows he's watching at the moment, I found the book a fun read. If you like An Evening With Kevin Smith and that sort of ranting and random stories, you'll like this one! A better book than Silent Bob Speaks, by the way.
October 29, 2014
He really, really isn't kidding about the boring part. Much of this book was incredibly boring, filled with many journal entries about going to the bathroom, eating junk food, and watching more tv and dvds than should be humanly possible. BUT, it also has it's redeeming qualities. Like the descriptions of Jason Mewes' battle with drug addiction. Or the descriptions of what it's really like on a movie set. And even the boring days are still written with that characteristic Kevin Smith humor.
October 15, 2007
i am a little over a hundred pages into kevin smith's diary. I guess he first kept this on-line as a blog to show people who might be interested in what he actually does with his time. If you are looking for Hollywood gossip or such this isn't gonna cut it. If you like kevin smith's movies or kevin smith it is a good, solid, fun read.
April 25, 2008
As a self-proclaimed Kevin Smith devotee, this rocked. It is a lot of where they are eating out and his bathroom habits, but if you love Smith's movies, then your sensibilities won't be offended.
I once described this as a book where you wait for the climax and wait and wait but nothing ever really happens. I stand by that description, but I loved every second of it.
I once described this as a book where you wait for the climax and wait and wait but nothing ever really happens. I stand by that description, but I loved every second of it.
January 1, 2009
I loved this book. I love Smith's honesty. I loved that this book made me laugh out loud often and I found myself crying, more like sobbing on more then one occasion as well. Just a touching book that inspires me to work on my dreams, to write, to be creative because you never know what might happen!
January 10, 2011
LOVED IT!
Used to read his blog back in the day but got busy with my boring ass life. Was an amusing read for most of the book and then a very compelling and compassionate look inside his best friends battle/recovery from addiction.
It confirmed for me something that I had always suspected, Kevin Smith is my kind of 'people'!
Used to read his blog back in the day but got busy with my boring ass life. Was an amusing read for most of the book and then a very compelling and compassionate look inside his best friends battle/recovery from addiction.
It confirmed for me something that I had always suspected, Kevin Smith is my kind of 'people'!
December 14, 2007
So I don't think this book is for everybody, but I'm kinda crushing on Kevin Smith as a writer/director/actor and I seriously wonder what rich people do in their day-to-day lives. This book told me. Sometimes it's mundane, sometimes incredible, but I didn't find it boring at all.
November 13, 2011
The "Me and My Shadow" section, in which Smith details Jason Mewes' improbable journey back from heroin addiction, is worth the price of the book alone. Smith is known for his comedy, but this story shows his heart, and it is as powerful as any story you'll read about addiction.
October 24, 2012
Kevin Smith, to me, can do no wrong. Even when writing a detailed description of his bodily functions. This book was laugh out loud, look like an idiot on the train funny. I'd recommend this to anyone familiar with Smith's work, especially Jay and Silent Bob.
September 17, 2019
A little of its time, but peppered with fascinating insights into the business of show. Smith's account of Jay Mewes' battle with drugs is easily the most compelling part of the book and has insights that I'm sure will resonate with many who have encountered addiction. Overall an interesting read.
October 27, 2019
The title really does sum it up. Largely, it's a boring read, but the hidden gem is Smith's telling of his hetero life mate Jason Mewes' drug addiction and recovery. For that section alone I gave it an extra star.
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