How I Came To Read This Book: I got a copy of it as a Christmas gift from my cat (sure).The Plot: Another round-up of The Oatmeal’s comics – some of which are on the website, some of which are not. Also once again, a bonus poster is included. And if you’re wondering why grizzly bears should have to wear underpants, let’s just say it’s almost an Adam and Eve parable. Funny, insightful stuff.The Good & The Bad: There isn’t a whole lot to say about The Oatmeal’s ongoing releases other than this guy has a pretty sharp, insightful sense of humour. It’s hard to quantify, really, how delicate of a line he walks between insight and hurt – and he always manages to stay on the positive side of things. Some of the highlights for me in this particular installment were a lot of the one-pagers that just honed in on one specific, hilarious element. I will note that I probably didn’t laugh out loud as much with this book, but still, the ones I laughed out definitely gave me the giggles. Interesting thing about The Oatmeal is that a lot of the comics actually teach you something and aren’t just wry observations, so in a way, it makes sense. I also felt like I’d ‘seen’ a greater proportion of the comics than I had in the past, which is also to be expected as his first book I hadn’t read every last comic already plus it was packed with new content. As long as you can accept that book will always be the best of the lot, you’re good. The Bottom Line: Still laugh out loud hilarious but served up with a hearty side of insightfulness. Anything Memorable?: Nope. I think the pens comic was my favourite.60-Book Challenge?: Book #3 in 2014 YES! I wised up and am writing this as a Word document first, and will then copy and paste my finished review and GOODREADS WON’T BE ABLE TO FREEZE UP ON ME WHILE I’M TYPING! WOOHOO!(Probably as soon as I try to transfer this text, my laptop will be struck by lightning just to teach me a lesson about being a smart arse.)Anyway.The Oatmeal is an awesome comic. “The Oatmeal” is also the most enigmatic food-related name for a comic since “Peanuts,” and I have no idea how either of them landed their respective monickers. But I digress.This is the most recent Oatmeal collection, and if you like the comic, you should get Grizzly Bears, because there’s plenty of new, never-before-seen, not-available-fer-free-on-the-Internet material. If you’re not familiar with The Oatmeal, read some online first. It’s very weird, and I say that with all possible love and admiration. But you know how it is with humor: the more chances it takes, the more likely it is not to please. (Read: massively offend.) And The Oatmeal takes pretty much every chance available.For instance: Grammar nerds and supporters of gay rights will enjoy The Oatmeal’s “What it means when you say literally.” People who love Jerry Falwell and were unmoved by the recent inclusion of “figuratively” in the dictionary definition of “literally” will literally want to stab this comic in its figurative eyeballs.It’s hard to pick “bests” when it’s all brilliant; but I think my favorite line from this collection is when Matthew Inman (The Oatmeal’s creator) describes trying to sit down on a paper toilet seat cover before it gets stolen by the automatic flush as “like playing nude musical chairs with Skynet.” If that sentence hits your humor sweet spot, you should grab this collection (and the previous Oatmeal collections, while you’re at it) without delay. If it doesn’t work for you – well, there’s always “Peanuts.”
What do You think about Why Grizzly Bears Should Wear Underpants 2014 Wall Calendar (2013)?
I fucking love The Oatmeal :) this book was less funny than the first one I ready but still funny :)
—Jenny
This book made me laugh enough to subscribe to his blog.
—trinkets
