J. Gondelman and J. Berkowitz, “You Blew It! An Awkward Look at the Many Ways in Which You’ve Already Ruined Your Life” (Penguin, 2015)

Looking for a cheery, encouraging guide to improving your life? A reminder that nothing is really all that bad, and you can still pick yourself up and make a big success of yourself? Look elsewhere! In their new book You Blew It! (Penguin, 2015), writers Josh Gondelman and Joe Berkowitz dash those dreams against the rocks of reality, and instead point out that you’ve seriously blown it already, in every aspect of life from love and sex to roommates and career choice. And don’t forget family. Oh, how we sometimes wish we could forget family.

We’re kidding. Kind of. Gondelman and Berkowitz have hardly ruined their own lives – Gondelman is a stand-up comedian and Emmy-nominated writer for “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” and Berkowitz is a writer and editor for Fast Company. Their book is a fast and funny guide to the many pitfalls of everything from parties to Facebook. They list out friendships to avoid (the “Never Carries Cash Friend” and “Suddenly Got Really Religious Friend” are two examples) and advise you on how not to compliment someone (never tell someone she “cleans up nicely,” or tell him he looks like a random celebrity he may or may not find attractive).

Gondelman and Berkowitz join podcast host Gael Fashingbauer Cooper (who was once told she looked like Marie Osmond and still doesn’t know what to make of that) to discuss lives ruined and not ruined. Tune in and travel with them down the many roads to social disaster.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/popular-culture