I Wrote This Book Because I Love You: Essays

Kreider does it again. Brilliant essays that sparkle with wit. Highly recommended.

First let me start by saying I don’t read essayist with any regularity because it has been my experience that to write an essay involves the writer having an opinion that MUST be stated, and I just don’t agree with too many people and I don’t want to hear their opinion as a form of my leisure. With that said, I do like to hear other men’s stories about women and I like to hear their opinions, not locker-room talk, but wholesome, good hearted talk about the fairer sex. Kreider wins in this category, he is never gratuitous, always a class act and he is all of this while doing the no-no of kissing and telling. It is great to hear from another girl crazy man in his middle years who is not a complete selfish jerk. Falling in love, even if it is just for a few days should not be about womanizing or conquering, it should be about tenderness and mutual surrender, Kreider has many stories like that. This book will not make you a better man, but it should make you feel better about being a man if you already don’t feel good about it. Additionally, this book will not let you finally understand men, but it will reassure you that not all men just want to have sex and then hit the road, some of us want to have sex and then go on a caper.

This book feels like it's welcoming you into a world of inside jokes and stories you've exchanged with your buddy for years. The essays are colored with quirks like the author pretending he's married to an old college friend as the only way to join her transient teacher adventures in Mexico City with circus folk. The author tiptoes into explaining what it's like to become romantically involved with a pleasure advocate whore (prostitute). The book is balanced with the story of dating a pastor as well, whom sounds pretty badass.In many of the stories the author's love for these women doesn't manifest into a traditional path of marriage, but it does come out organically in friendships that change and evolve over time, some of which involve sex and dating. He writes about the love in friendship that sometimes seems almost impossible to explain, but that's part of this writer's charm. His stories (plus or minus the eccentric factors) are the more articulated and clever versions of everyday affections and experiences we've all had.I'm particularly fond of the essay "Feast of Pain" that ran in the NYT. This piece (along with much of his work) takes the ennui and existential dread in everyday life and makes it gut-wrenchingly funny. It makes joy feel sweeter and sorrow feel like a universal bonding component of the human condition that just for a moment made me feel a little less lonely.

A writer of energetic use of language, honest observations, and a contemporary sense of pathos. My only objections are the curation and the order of the essays. Something slightly off about the collection as a whole in the order in which they are presented. Sorry to be vague about that but I can’t place my finger on it exactly. But no matter in the long run. What you remember is what a good writer he is.

I loved Kreider's first book (We Learn Nothing) and I had liked some of his cartoons, although the graphic grossness sometimes was too much for me. His writing is the opposite -- it is graphic beauty. Sometimes there are sentences I stop and read over and over. Just simple things, but perfect. I like this book a lot, too, although I prefer the more general topics of the first book to the "to all the girls I've loved before" theme. His writing and honest voice make quality literature even of kiss-and-tell, though. When you need to remember what human is, give him a read.

This book was a recommendation, and as I prefer to read shorter passages before bed, I took a dive in. Truly impressed with the authors articulate and often comical deliverance. A hidden gem that exceeded my expectations; I will most definitely be reading more of Kreider's work in the future (and recommend it to others with similar taste as well).

I heard the tale end of an interview with Tim Kreider on NPR & was late to an appointment because I sat in the car waiting to hear the name of the book. I knew he was my people. What a beautiful book. I took it camping & found myself both brought to tears and laughing out loud, alone in the woods. I just bought a second copy for someone I have been dating and we have reached the end of the relationship, but neither one of us know why. I just can't decide if it's him or me that can most identify with the author. Mostly I just want to thank Tim Kreider and give him a hug.

I'm enjoying the book, it's been a delight for the most part. However, not the humorous experience I expected. Perhaps I expected too much. What I do find disappointing in the mostly excellent prose is it's verbosity, most of the essays could have been at least a third shorter. The peevishness in the politics could have been ommitted too, nothing edifying about it, bit puerile really. Surprise, surprise, Time Kreider is a far left winger. Regardless, the book is good, not a classic, but good.

An amazing collection of essays. You'll have to search far and wide for a more emotionally raw and touching book. Kreider combines personal stories with universal insights, and it makes for both a hysterically funny and touchingly heartful book.

Adorabile libro scritto fa un'ottimo e romantico scrittore/caricaturista

I liked the review but honestly gave up after a few pages. Too much swearing I am sorry to say.