In the acknowledgments, Bob-Waksberg refers to early readers (friends and collaborators) who helped him steer clear of his worst impulses during the editing process. If I had to guess, I'd say his worst impulses involve too often undermining the sincerity in his writing (of which there is a fair amount) with distractjng attempts at clever verbal posturing. I get it, too - I have the same impulse toward balancing humor and heartache, toward taking just enough piss out of pathos. Sometimes that balance gets struck here, and when it does, it's alternately amusing and genuinely moving. But there are a few too many instances where the cleverness feels forced and self-conscious instead of driven by organic purpose -- where the seams of the cleverness stick out like a thumb saying, "Look at me, I'm a talking thumb, how delightful is that?"

That being said, overall I enjoyed it, am glad I read it, and look forward to checking out any future writing from Bob-Waksberg.