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Sign up todayShit, Actually
The Definitive, 100% Objective Guide to Modern Cinema
Narrator
Lindy West
This audiobook uses AI narration.
We’re taking steps to make sure AI narration is transparent.
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Length
7 hours 16 minutes
Language
English
Bookseller recommendation
“Lindy West is a blast. Shit, Actually is basically CinemaSins, but but more (self-described) Femi-Nazi. I lol-ed through most of it. I recommend just reading everything she writes and, if you can listen to it, even better, as West's delivery is the pitch-perfect sarcasm that makes this such a fun reading experience. It'll make you a better person and you'll have a great time doing it.”
— Conner • BookBar
Bookseller recommendation
“I've read a few things by Lindy West, but they were all pretty serious subjects. This audiobook, narrated by West, had my cracking up at my desk. Of course it's perfect for movies you've already seen — I'll admit to liking Love Actually, but her scathing review was still enjoyable. Even movies I have never seen before and barely know the premise, her rundown lets me picture it in my mind with ease, yet still want to rush home and watch it. This is a great pandemic listen. ”
— Amber • Quail Ridge Books
Bookseller recommendation
“Lindy West makes true observations about movies in ways that will make you laugh out loud, and cause you to re-think some of your 90s/00s favorite films! Her witty commentary is what we all NEED in this post 2020 world, even if you have not seen the films. It’s written by someone smart and hilarious who has strong opinions about things that don’t matter. The PERFECT road trip audiobook, listeners can come in and out without losing place in the book. ”
— Emma • Content
Bookseller recommendation
“I would give this book a rating of 10/10 DVD copies of The Fugitive. Absolutely hilarious—I laughed out loud several times. I have watched most of the movies she talked about and am going to watch the one's I haven't immediately!! This is the perfect book for anyone who loves trash talking bad movies, pointing out plot holes, and discussing theories—or really anyone with a sense if humor who loves movies. I listened to the audiobook for this and WOW! Lindy West does an amazing job reading. She brings with her her witting sense of humor and an over-exuberance of nuances and words while reading. I LOVE this book. P.S. She has a terrible taste in movies... HAHA”
— Anna Rose • The Well-Read Moose
Bookseller recommendation
“Lindy West makes true observations about movies in ways that will make you laugh at out, and cause you to re-think some of your 90s/00s favorite films! Her witty commentary is what we all NEED in this 2020 world, even if you have not seen the films. It’s written by someone smart and hilarious who has strong opinions about things that don’t matter. The PERFECT road trip audiobook, listeners can come in and out without loosing place in the book. *12/10 DVDs of The Fugitive*”
— Emma • Content
Bookseller recommendation
“It might be that Lindy West talks during movies, but you wouldn't shush her. She's better than the movie. This audiobook is read by the author and she is hilarious. Smart, funny, irreverent and feminist. I'll take that with a bowl of popcorn. PS. I really, really want West's Hermione-lead HP remake.”
— Robin • Books & Books @ The Studios of Key West
**Your Favorite Movies, Re-Watched**
New York Times opinion writer and bestselling author Lindy West was once the in-house movie critic for Seattle's alternative newsweekly The Stranger, where she covered film with brutal honesty and giddy irreverence. In Shit, Actually, Lindy returns to those roots, re-examining beloved and iconic movies from the past 40 years with an eye toward the big questions of our time: Is Twilight the horniest movie in history? Why do the zebras in The Lion King trust Mufasa-WHO IS A LION-to look out for their best interests? Why did anyone bother making any more movies after The Fugitive achieved perfection? And, my god, why don't any of the women in Love, Actually ever fucking talk?!?! From Forrest Gump, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, and Bad Boys II, to Face/Off, Top Gun, and The Notebook, Lindy combines her razor-sharp wit and trademark humor with a genuine adoration for nostalgic trash to shed new critical light on some of our defining cultural touchstones-the stories we've long been telling ourselves about who we are. At once outrageously funny and piercingly incisive, Shit, Actually reminds us to pause and ask, "How does this movie hold up?", all while teaching us how to laugh at the things we love without ever letting them or ourselves off the hook.Shit, Actually is a love letter and a break-up note all in one: to the films that shaped us and the ones that ruined us. More often than not, Lindy finds, they're one and the same.
Lindy West is a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times and a contributor to This American Life. She is the bestselling author of the essay collection The Witches Are Coming as well as Shrill, a memoir, which she adapted into a comedy for Hulu starring Aidy Bryant. She lives in Seattle.
Lindy West is a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times and a contributor to This American Life. She is the bestselling author of the essay collection The Witches Are Coming as well as Shrill, a memoir, which she adapted into a comedy for Hulu starring Aidy Bryant. She lives in Seattle.
Featured in these playlists...
Reviews
BookRiot, "Book Recommendations for October 2020"Fortune, "Five New Books to Read in October"
SeattleMet, "11 Localish Books to Read This Autumn"
Up News Info, "5 new books to read in October"
"TWO
THUMBS UP."—SAMANTHAIRBY
"Oh
God, I hope something I make is skewered by Lindy West--what an honor!"—ELIZABETHBANKS
"It's
annoying how many good, funny, and laser-precise books Lindy has written. Here's
another damn great book! It's the opposite of shit, actually."—AIDYBRYANT
"[A] laugh out loud romp... [these essays are] warmhearted, acutely self-aware, and surprisingly timely, providing insight into modern society through movies first sold on VHS... Like catching up with a dear and funny friend, this insightful and irreverent book is a soothing balm for turbulent times."—Kirkus Reviews
"Queen of keenly observed, hilariously rendered cultural criticism, West offers this delicious distraction from reality....a cathartic, joyful exploration of entertainment....in true West form she reads like your smartest, funniest, and warmest friend. A perfect blend of substance, escapism, and laughter - a gift from West to the rest of us."—Booklist Review (starred)
"It's
a no-holds-barred romp through modern movie-making."—LitHub
"[A] hilarious, sharp collection..."—BookRiot
"In our opinion, Lindy West is the ultimate authority, and we agree with her on all matters--including her assessments of beloved iconic movies... Shit, Actually is the ultimate read for the pop culture-obsessed."—Hello Giggles
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