Review: We Should Hang Out Sometime by Josh Sundquist
We Should Hang Out Sometime: Embarrassingly, a True Story
by Josh Sundquist
At the age of twenty-five, Josh Sundquist - Paralympic ski racer, cancer survivor, vlogger and motivational speaker - was still single. His longest relationship had lasted less than a day. Why? Josh decides to approach the problem scientifically by contacting his former girlfriends and romantic interests to uncover where he went wrong. By gathering data, testing hypotheses, interviewing former flames, and charting everything Josh is certain he’ll unlock the secret to finding a girl. Along the way he revisits his extremely conservative upbringing, social awkwardness as he transitioned from home school to public school, and the uneven whirl of his encounters with the opposite sex. It’s funny and heartfelt, bringing hope to any who worry they’ll never find “the one”.
It would be so easy for Josh to blame his disability for the reason he can’t get any dates. When he was nine, he lost his left leg to cancer. But having only one limb barely slows him down. Josh throws himself into life with gusto, and he isn’t afraid to laugh at himself as he looks back on his teen years. Whether it’s an embarrassing date at a mini-golf course or a harsh rejection on the dance floor, Josh doesn’t hold back from sharing every humiliating detail. His accounts become even more interesting when he tracks down each girl and interviews her. In many cases, the girls don’t even remember the events that Josh found so horrible. Each interview helps him to move on and eventually isolate the true problem that has doomed relationship after relationship. It’s all told in a very engaging, self-deprecating style that makes it easy to laugh with Josh about funny moments from the past.
The format of each chapter is really cute. Josh begins with the background, describing his life around the time of his infatuation with each girl. He introduces her, why he liked her, and what he knew about her. These stories are often accompanied by graphs or charts illustrating key points. After reaching the inevitable failure, he presents his hypothesis for why the friendship didn’t blossom into romance. He then embarks on an investigation, contacting the girl in the present and finding out what she remembers. These conversations are often awkward and a little strange - because who wouldn’t find it a bit odd that some guy from ten years ago wants to know why he was rejected? - but hidden in these women’s recollections are clues to Josh’s problem, and as he journeys the path to self-awareness the reader is right there with him.
This is a fantastic book for teenagers or young adults who find themselves frustrated by dating and worry that they’ll never find someone compatible. It’s a reminder that you are not alone, that others are just as confused as you. It’s also hilarious, and adult readers will surely feel nostalgic for their younger selves’ own attempts to find happiness.
4.5 out of 5 stars
To read more about We Should Hang Out Sometime, buy it or add it to your wishlist click here.
Peeking into the archives...today in:
2014: The Agincourt Bride by Joanna Hickson
2013: 1776 by David McCullough
2012: Sailor Moon Vol. 6 by Naoko Takeuchi
2011: The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson #5) by Rick Riordan
2010: Photos: 20 Brilliant Bookshelves
2009: Contest #10 Winner!
2008: BBAW: Kiva.org Giveaway
by Josh Sundquist
At the age of twenty-five, Josh Sundquist - Paralympic ski racer, cancer survivor, vlogger and motivational speaker - was still single. His longest relationship had lasted less than a day. Why? Josh decides to approach the problem scientifically by contacting his former girlfriends and romantic interests to uncover where he went wrong. By gathering data, testing hypotheses, interviewing former flames, and charting everything Josh is certain he’ll unlock the secret to finding a girl. Along the way he revisits his extremely conservative upbringing, social awkwardness as he transitioned from home school to public school, and the uneven whirl of his encounters with the opposite sex. It’s funny and heartfelt, bringing hope to any who worry they’ll never find “the one”.
It would be so easy for Josh to blame his disability for the reason he can’t get any dates. When he was nine, he lost his left leg to cancer. But having only one limb barely slows him down. Josh throws himself into life with gusto, and he isn’t afraid to laugh at himself as he looks back on his teen years. Whether it’s an embarrassing date at a mini-golf course or a harsh rejection on the dance floor, Josh doesn’t hold back from sharing every humiliating detail. His accounts become even more interesting when he tracks down each girl and interviews her. In many cases, the girls don’t even remember the events that Josh found so horrible. Each interview helps him to move on and eventually isolate the true problem that has doomed relationship after relationship. It’s all told in a very engaging, self-deprecating style that makes it easy to laugh with Josh about funny moments from the past.
The format of each chapter is really cute. Josh begins with the background, describing his life around the time of his infatuation with each girl. He introduces her, why he liked her, and what he knew about her. These stories are often accompanied by graphs or charts illustrating key points. After reaching the inevitable failure, he presents his hypothesis for why the friendship didn’t blossom into romance. He then embarks on an investigation, contacting the girl in the present and finding out what she remembers. These conversations are often awkward and a little strange - because who wouldn’t find it a bit odd that some guy from ten years ago wants to know why he was rejected? - but hidden in these women’s recollections are clues to Josh’s problem, and as he journeys the path to self-awareness the reader is right there with him.
This is a fantastic book for teenagers or young adults who find themselves frustrated by dating and worry that they’ll never find someone compatible. It’s a reminder that you are not alone, that others are just as confused as you. It’s also hilarious, and adult readers will surely feel nostalgic for their younger selves’ own attempts to find happiness.
4.5 out of 5 stars
To read more about We Should Hang Out Sometime, buy it or add it to your wishlist click here.
Peeking into the archives...today in:
2014: The Agincourt Bride by Joanna Hickson
2013: 1776 by David McCullough
2012: Sailor Moon Vol. 6 by Naoko Takeuchi
2011: The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson #5) by Rick Riordan
2010: Photos: 20 Brilliant Bookshelves
2009: Contest #10 Winner!
2008: BBAW: Kiva.org Giveaway