Dad is Fat Review

Dad is Fat
Author: Jim Gaffigan
My rating: 4/5 stars

Summary:

Jim Gaffigan, comedian by day, father of five (yes, five) by ALL THE TIME. Dad is Fat is a brilliant and hilarious novel about parenthood and dealing with the joys, chaos, and frustrations of being a parent....of five....in a two-bedroom apartment....in New York City. Just let that sink in for a bit.
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My thoughts:

Dad is Fat really surprised me. I heard the book was pretty funny and an easy read, so I gave it a go. I was definitely not let down. The book is very amusing, but what surprised me is that there are some good tips and lessons to be learned from Jim Gaffigan. It's not all funny business for this comedian....okay, it is, but he uses his comedy skills to deliver some pretty great content. Also, it has one of the best forewords I've ever read in a book.

I enjoyed reading about how Gaffigan balances being a comedian and being a family man. This is where I learned to steer clear of "family-friendly" things (read the book to find out why). He has always been labeled as such, but thinks that it's just a nice term for "annoying for adults." He is, however, a clean comedian, which I was happy to learn because it shows that his job isn't a way out of being a father. He incorporates his family in his job.

The format of this book contributed to its laid-back feeling. The chapters, or as Gaffigan writes, essays, are short and sweet, and usually involve a disaster, a lesson, and a whole lot of laughter. It's touching to learn about his huge family and all of the great stories he has to tell. They are all definitely book-worthy. Gaffigan often glides through the lesson or moral of each chapter/essay in order to deliver his comedic punch, but it still shines through each time.

The book may seem like a bunch of comedy sketches strung together, but it still feels like a story to me and he tells it so very well. And you know what lacks in most stories? Pictures. Hey, adult books (I'm not referring to the naughty kind) deserve some pictures every now and again. Dad is Fat includes many pictures of Gaffigan's family, which makes it much more personal and welcoming.
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Would I recommend Dad is Fat?

Yes, I would absolutely recommend it. It's a quick and amusing book that is delightful to read. It's also a mood-booster! If you enjoy non-fiction, comedians, humor, or books about parenting, then this is spot on.
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Resources:

To learn more about Dad is Fat (or to buy your own copy), click here.

For more information about Jim Gaffigan, click here.
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I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.