Arts & Literature
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I'd Like to Play Alone, Please: Essays
From a massively successful stand-up comedian and co-host of chart-topping podcasts "2 Bears 1 Cave" and "Your Mom's House," hilarious real-life stories of parenting, celebrity encounters, youthful mistakes, misanthropy, and so much more.
Tom Segura is known for his twisted takes and irreverent comedic voice. But after a few years of crazy tours and churning out podcasts weekly, all while parenting two young children, he desperately needs a second to himself. It's not that he hates his friends and family - he's not a monster - he's just beat, which is why his son's (ruthless) first full sentence, "I'd like to play alone, please," has since become his mantra.
In this collection of stories, Tom combines his signature curmudgeonly humor with a revealing look at some of the ridiculous situations that shaped him and the ludicrous characters who always seem to seek him out. The stories feature hilarious anecdotes about Tom's time on the road, including some surreal encounters with celebrities at airports; his unfiltered South American family; the trials and tribulations of parenting young children with bizarrely morbid interests; and, perhaps most memorably, experiences with his dad who, like any good Baby Boomer father, loves to talk about his bowel movements and share graphic Vietnam stories at inappropriate moments. All of this is enough to make anyone want some peace and quiet.
I'D LIKE TO PLAY ALONE, PLEASE will have readers laughing out loud and nodding in agreement with Segura's message: in a world where everyone is increasingly insane, sometimes you just need to be alone.
Tom Segura is known for his twisted takes and irreverent comedic voice. But after a few years of crazy tours and churning out podcasts weekly, all while parenting two young children, he desperately needs a second to himself. It's not that he hates his friends and family - he's not a monster - he's just beat, which is why his son's (ruthless) first full sentence, "I'd like to play alone, please," has since become his mantra.
In this collection of stories, Tom combines his signature curmudgeonly humor with a revealing look at some of the ridiculous situations that shaped him and the ludicrous characters who always seem to seek him out. The stories feature hilarious anecdotes about Tom's time on the road, including some surreal encounters with celebrities at airports; his unfiltered South American family; the trials and tribulations of parenting young children with bizarrely morbid interests; and, perhaps most memorably, experiences with his dad who, like any good Baby Boomer father, loves to talk about his bowel movements and share graphic Vietnam stories at inappropriate moments. All of this is enough to make anyone want some peace and quiet.
I'D LIKE TO PLAY ALONE, PLEASE will have readers laughing out loud and nodding in agreement with Segura's message: in a world where everyone is increasingly insane, sometimes you just need to be alone.
Editorial Reviews
"I'd Like to Play Alone, Please is a stereotypically masculine tour de force with farts, football and a third thing starting with "f" that's not fit to print, occasionally interrupted by completely disarming, heartfelt sentiments. Then followed by more poop jokes…The book is funny, surprising and even sweet at times."―Associated Press
"Segura's quick wit and irreverent charm come across loud and clear in "I'd Like to Play Alone, Please," a collection of essays that reads like a stand-up set deserving of a standing ovation."―The Los Angeles Times
"[L]augh out loud funny. . .Segura is impish and charming and clever and self-deprecating."―Forbes
"Stand-up comedian Tom Segura built his career making laugh-out-loud funny observations live, onstage and for his multiple podcasts. With the fittingly titled I'd Like To Play Alone, Please-so named for Segura's son's brutally pointed first sentence-the witty, relatable, exhausted curmudgeon welcomes audiences into an equally entertaining but more intimate romp."―AV Club
"Tom Segura delivers a treatise that is as timely as it is thought provoking and…actually, he did something better…a book that's ridiculously funny!!!! If you want to live inside the mind of one of the best comics out there, here's your chance. I hear the audio version is for shit, though…"―Jon Stewart
"One of the funniest men I know has written an extremely funny book of stories that he's never told on stage. There's lots to learn too, like how close Tom came to playing in the NFL (not very); or why sitting next to Mike Tyson on a plane is the most dangerous and exciting thing in world; or how Tom continues to be one of the greatest storytellers on the planet."―Ali Wong
"Tom Segura is a great guy, an amazing friend, and a limitless well of hilarious stories. He also has an appreciation for the absurdity of life that borders on mental illness. This book is a window into his beautifully f*cked-up mind, where some of the dumbest people and the ridiculous things they do take center stage, all masterfully animated by one of the best stand-up comics on earth. He's my favorite kind of comic because his take on life is legitimately therapeutic. His enthusiasm for stupid sh*t is so contagious that it actually changes your mood and convinces you to join in on his way of seeing it. I love him to de...
"Segura's quick wit and irreverent charm come across loud and clear in "I'd Like to Play Alone, Please," a collection of essays that reads like a stand-up set deserving of a standing ovation."―The Los Angeles Times
"[L]augh out loud funny. . .Segura is impish and charming and clever and self-deprecating."―Forbes
"Stand-up comedian Tom Segura built his career making laugh-out-loud funny observations live, onstage and for his multiple podcasts. With the fittingly titled I'd Like To Play Alone, Please-so named for Segura's son's brutally pointed first sentence-the witty, relatable, exhausted curmudgeon welcomes audiences into an equally entertaining but more intimate romp."―AV Club
"Tom Segura delivers a treatise that is as timely as it is thought provoking and…actually, he did something better…a book that's ridiculously funny!!!! If you want to live inside the mind of one of the best comics out there, here's your chance. I hear the audio version is for shit, though…"―Jon Stewart
"One of the funniest men I know has written an extremely funny book of stories that he's never told on stage. There's lots to learn too, like how close Tom came to playing in the NFL (not very); or why sitting next to Mike Tyson on a plane is the most dangerous and exciting thing in world; or how Tom continues to be one of the greatest storytellers on the planet."―Ali Wong
"Tom Segura is a great guy, an amazing friend, and a limitless well of hilarious stories. He also has an appreciation for the absurdity of life that borders on mental illness. This book is a window into his beautifully f*cked-up mind, where some of the dumbest people and the ridiculous things they do take center stage, all masterfully animated by one of the best stand-up comics on earth. He's my favorite kind of comic because his take on life is legitimately therapeutic. His enthusiasm for stupid sh*t is so contagious that it actually changes your mood and convinces you to join in on his way of seeing it. I love him to de...
Readers Top Reviews
KyleEjanekendigKi
Title says it all. This was the perfect book. It made me laugh, it made me cry, from both ends!
JulesKyleEjaneken
Hysterically funny and also wholesome. I couldn't imagine reading anything more.enjoyable than if it were a Hitler autobiography. Live life 365, home here now.
Parker gigousJule
Fun easy read book. Finished in a day because I couldn’t put the book down. Been a fan of Toms for years and when reading this book I can hear him saying everything that was written.
Paul TaberParker
If you’re a fan on funny people, buy the book. The way the chapters are a mix of short to medium length makes it an easy and quick read. It makes you laugh a lot and you can read a little at a time because of how it was written. Couldn’t recommend more if you’re a fan of his or comedy in general.
DanielPaul TaberP
Do you like Tom Segura? I'm guessing if you've looked up his book then you probably do and why wouldn't you? Tom's hilarious and he's single handedly leading the charge for Garth Brooks to come clean about the bodies. An all around good guy. If you haven't checked out his stand up then why are you looking at his books? Go check his stuff out on netflix and then come buy this. Bottom line though all the stuff he does be it stand up, his various podcasts, and this book are real funny. So check it out or don't. I don't think it really makes a difference to him personally as he's pretty successful. But its a good read either way.
