Kilgariff and Hardstark are familiar to listeners of the podcast My Favorite Murder, where they share their murder obsession with fellow "murderinos." It's pretty funny; I recommend it. After listening to some episodes, I figured the book would dive deeper in their interest. Don't pick it up for that reason, or you will be disappointed. It is a humorous but very truthful memoir. The authors take turns sharing deeply personal stories with hard-won life lessons, followed up by q & a of each other. Some lessons include, "Fuck politeness", "You're in a cult, call your dad", "Get a job", and "Buy your own shit".

Problems with an eating disorder, partying over personal responsibility, drugs and alcohol, and other issues, the authors have lived through a variety of poor choices and misjudgments common to many of us. Fortunately, they have gotten through to maturity through a combination of luck and tenacity, like many of us, and share their lessons learned here. Anyone over fifty may find this amusing, but old news. The target audience, young people under thirty, I suspect, will get the humor and value the advice.

Cutting ties with toxic people, the usefulness of therapy, giving something you believe in much hard work and effort (since there are no shortcuts in life), trusting your gut over trying to look cool, the importance of having people in your life who will be straight with you, and who you can call for help no matter what-- most of us older folks have been through enough tough stuff to have learned these lessons. Young adults may be able to miss some difficulties by listening to Kilgariff and Hardstark tell their frank, unvarnished tales. Since no one wants to hear these lessons from their parents, at least not until they hit thirty, when we can finally start to relate to parents as fellow adults, and admire how strong they must have been to get through their circumstances with a happy attitude intact-- perhaps this book can fill the breach. Enjoy this book, absorb their wise nuggets. But take the time to ask your parents about their stories, their stupid choices, what they wish they had done differently, and what they learned from it. You might see yourself in their stories.