The Guinea Pig Diaries: My Life As An Experiment (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
I laughed so hard listening to this book. I like that it's read by the author. This book follows the shenanigans that A. J. Jacobs gets into all for the sake of journalism including a nude photo shoot, outsourcing his life, and impersonating a famous actor. I like that Jacobs reflects on each experiment, what he learned, and how he has changed (or not) as a result of each one. Oh yeah, and his wife is a saint. AJ Jacobs book is really a collection of Esquire pieces, with the connecting theme being Jacobs making temporary radical changes to his life by for example being honest of following George Washington's rules for living.The basic goal here is humour. Jacobs doesn't take the experiments too seriously or try them fully. He describes how it impacts him and his long-suffering wife, talks lightly to a bunch of experts about his experience, and focusses on the positive, negative and funny outcomes of the change.The best part of the exercise are the post-experiment Codas where he looks back on how it impacted him long term. Some of the experiments seem to have real impact. The worst part are all the quotes from experts - largely uninformative and not adding value.Overall I enjoyed the read - light and somewhat witty, but there wasn't any part of this book that I loved or would strongly recommend. It felt like a lot of magazine articles by someone stretching a concept beyond where he was passionate.
What do You think about The Guinea Pig Diaries: My Life As An Experiment (2009)?
Love his writing and quest to try new things and become a better/logical/rational/honest person.
—Cleoscott005
Very funny and enjoyable, but also thought-provoking. I can recommend this book wholeheartedly.
—Michelle
I still enjoy Jacobs' stuff, but it's basically been downhill since The Know-it-All.
—becka
This is an amusing read for the summer (when I read it) quick to read and topical
—SAMAY
