Genre: Nonfiction/Inspirational
Copyright: 2017
Before you get offended, it stands for “Social, Humorous, and Inspirational Thoughts.”
I wasn’t sure how I would like this book. I’m not sure how I feel about the inspirational genre, but, after reading through the table of contents and the first few pages, I knew this book was one for me.
It’s sassy, sarcastic, patriotic, and awkward all wrapped up in a humorous blunt way of speaking. Patchen’s book is an assemblage of blog posts from jacobpaulpatchen.com. And, in a strange way, after finishing the book, I had an image of what he looked like in my head. I went to his site, and he looks almost exactly like I’d pictured. Crazy! After reading this book, I feel like I know him. Patchen’s a guy that I could sit and have a beer with while having a semi-intelligent conversation, because half of what I think doesn’t connect to anything else I’ve said.
Talking S.H.I.T. is like sitting down with a cool, awkward, funny, hopelessly romantic dude and just chilling and talking about anything at all. It’s not him running his mouth or ranting. It’s him talking about those things which he thinks about, be it family, back roads, the meaning of life, slutty Halloween costumes, or why we go to bars.
This book has the awkward charm of the dating scene. Its patriotic like a eagle sporting a mullet and holding a shotgun (in a good way). It’s packed with family-love and genuine heart and soul. It’s a refreshing view of humanity that kept me reading. It’s interesting and funny. It reads like Patchen is sitting across the table talking to me. He’s not aggressive in what he says. He’s matter-of-fact and blunt, but not aggressive. These pages are simply his thoughts, take them or leave them; they hold the running theme of living life while we can, spreading love and getting some in return, and never taking life, love, or freedom for granted.
I almost – almost – gave this book a 4 out of 5. There were a few typos, including a few oddly placed semicolons. We all know how I love a good semicolon when done right. I’m not sure how I feel about the blog feel. It feels like blog posts arranged in themed-chapters, which it is, which I have no problem with, but I’m not sure. I want to say that it could have done better if an editor had given it a once-over. I decided to go ahead of give it a 5 out of 5 because I couldn’t suggest a better system.
This book is fun and a delight to read. If you’re into nonfiction and inspirational, I recommend you check it out!
Beatrice B. Morgan 