Little Victories

Review of Little Victories: Perfect Rules for Imperfect Living by Jason Gay
by Daron Larson 

I enjoyed every minute of listening to Jason Gay describe what it feels like to stumble into regular adulthood. It felt like having a long conversation with a friend who makes you laugh, not by trying to be funny, but simply by describing ordinary life in all its messiness. 

It made my week better. I laughed out loud on the treadmill, in the car, and while walking the dog in the snow. I enjoyed it more when I decided not to hold back the laughter for the benefit of indifferent strangers. 

I wouldn't expect to relate so easily to a sports writer for the Wall Street Journal, but the awkwardness of adult life is universal and he doesn't shy away from sharing candid glimpses into his experiences of vulnerability, illness, embarrassment, loss, and powerlessness. That's what makes his stories and advice so relatable. 

When a book grabs my attention, I enjoy trying to think of friends who might also like it. With this book, however, I can't think of anyone I wouldn't recommend it to with confidence. 

I'm sure reading it in print is as fun as listening, but hearing him read it added a layer of humanity that was refreshing. 

If you're feeling worn down by all the polarizing news and presidential campaigning, I can't think of a better break than hanging out with Little Victories. It will help you step back and focus on what's in your control – the uncool details of your imperfect life and the people you care about who won't be around forever. It will make you smile in recognition, laugh in public, and buy copies for friends. 

I predict that it's going to be earn an enormous audience and that we'll be hearing more from Jason Gay. In the meantime, I look forward to listening to it again, spreading the word, and staying in the humanity game in spite of its endless comical, daunting challenges.