Books like Failure is an option

A hilarious, anti-inspirational manifesto that gives you full permission to lower your expectations and embrace your inner slacker. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with Failure is an option.

low-stakes
amusing
relaxed
slightly chaotic

01
How to fail at almost everything and still win big
Scott Adams
A wry, contrarian playbook for turning a string of embarrassing failures into a personalized system for success.
Shares:
- wry
- conversational
02
Paddle your own canoe
Nick Offerman
A hearty, wood-scented manifesto on living deliberately, loving fiercely, and finding joy in the simple things.
Shares:
- wry
- deadpan
03
Food
Jim Gaffigan
A hilarious, unapologetic love letter to the worst foods in the American diet, delivered with the timing of a master stand-up.
Shares:
- self-deprecating
- absurd
04
Vacationland
John Hodgman
A hilarious, painfully self-aware stroll through the haunted forest of middle age and the unforgiving beaches of New England.
Shares:
- wry
- self-deprecating
- deadpan
05
Yes Please
Amy Poehler
Like sitting down for a boisterous, wine-fueled dinner with your funniest, wisest friend who isn't afraid to tell you the messy truth.
Shares:
- self-deprecating
- conversational
06
I might regret this
Abbi Jacobson
A funny, vulnerable road trip through the messy realities of relationships and self-discovery.
Shares:
- wry
07
Why not me?
Mindy Kaling
A hilarious, cocktail-hour catch-up with your most successful, unapologetically ambitious friend.
Shares:
- self-deprecating
- conversational
08
American on purpose
Craig Ferguson
A hilarious, brutally honest ride through rock bottom and back up to the American Dream.
Shares:
- self-deprecating
09
Furiously Happy
Jenny Lawson
A wildly tangential, laugh-out-loud manifesto on fighting crippling depression with weaponized absurdity.
Shares:
- absurd
10
Not that kind of girl
Lena Dunham
A hyper-articulate, unapologetically messy dispatch from the trenches of young womanhood.
Shares:
- wry
- self-deprecating
11
How to Be Perfect
Michael Schur
A hilarious, deeply earnest crash course in how to navigate the moral minefield of modern life without losing your mind.
Shares:
- wry
- self-deprecating
- conversational
12
The Bob's Burgers burger book
Loren Bouchard
A delightfully pun-filled culinary playground that brings quirky, comforting warmth straight into your kitchen.
Feels:
- cheerful
- cozy
- playful

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