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  • James Acaster's Guide to Quitting Social Media

  • By: James Acaster
  • Narrated by: James Acaster
  • Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (639 ratings)
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James Acaster's Guide to Quitting Social Media cover art

James Acaster's Guide to Quitting Social Media

By: James Acaster
Narrated by: James Acaster
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Summary

This is a self-help book like no other. Because you are not helping yourself, James Acaster is helping you.

When James quit all forms of social media in 2019, he felt like he'd been born anew, but he was worried he'd suffer withdrawal and get lured back online to compete in a never-ending popularity contest with only one possible winner (f--king Zuckerberg). He knew that in order to stay clean, he'd have to replace everything social media used to give him with three-dimensional real-life activities.

And so it was that James found ways to anonymously bully strangers, see photos of everyone's dogs, get invited to as many parties as possible, immediately know about all celebrity deaths, get public figures fired, argue with everybody about everything and so much more without even owning a phone (he painted over the screen of his old one to stop himself looking at Instagram).

His life is amazing and yours could be too if you buy James Acaster's Guide to Quitting Social Media, Being the Best You You Can Be and Saving Yourself from Loneliness Vol. 1.

You will also need to do everything the book tells you to. Including helping us promote the book by tweeting about it.

©2022 James Acaster (P)2022 Headline Publishing Group Ltd

What listeners say about James Acaster's Guide to Quitting Social Media

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  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
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    1 out of 5 stars

I'm a fan, but didn't like this book.

I'm a big fan of James' standup and regularly listen to his podcasts, so this isn't one of those "his style of humour wasn't to my taste" kind of reviews.

While there are funny observations about the internet and social media, this book relies way too heavily on fictional anecdotes that are trying much too hard to be 'random' and just aren't funny.
An early example: James has given up social media, but has strayed back under the alias 'Jame Bacaster' in order to talk to someone called Tangerine Jill, a woman who obsessively posts photos of James' hair and wonders what it tastes like. He befriends her by pretending to share a love of obscure pasta and the band Crowded House.

Imagine if the 'Pat Springleaf' bit from his standup lasted nearly 7 hours - that's how I would describe this book.

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19 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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hmmmm

I am a huge fan of James' work and have followed his career for years but will review it honestly. I pre-ordered this ages ago and was excited to listen but it really isn't what I expected. The stories James recounts are random and un-funny which is such a shame! If you're a fan of James I'd suggest giving it a listen but it isn't one I will be re-listening to sadly. The cheese board of literary desserts :(

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12 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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quintessentially James Acaster

Whilst this book flirts with real events at best, the book is essentially 6+ hours of the genie's stand-up.
Very up to scratch in my opinion. Lots of "wow" scenarios within ;)

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Funniest thing I've heard in a long time.

Loved this so much that I thought I'd leave a glowing review that James will never read.

James Acaster's classic scrapes was so funny because it was true. This was so funny because it wasn't. I loved the way James's situation got more and more extreme whilst roping in a wonderful cast of characters. The author has such a good voice and such a good understanding of vocabulary that I couldn't stop listening.

Now I'm off to listen to it again and to fantasize about how delicious James Acaster's golden syrup locks must be.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Heaven

Happy days I spent listening to this while decorating and rearranging my house … the wobbly lines next to the picture rail will remind me of where I laughed out loud and the uneven glosswork on the radiator in the hallway reminds me of the mad memes acaster has come up with
If you ever dreamed of returning to scouts to get that badge never completed then this is for you

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Non-sensical genius

If you're a fan of James' stand up shows then you'd be an idiot not to get this.

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3 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Couldn’t get into this

Love James Acaster and have really enjoyed his previous books. I like the thought and intelligence that goes into his comedy.

This felt like badly executed surrealism, it had a few funny moments but mostly was just a bit too childish and telegraphed. Very pedestrian compared to his usual ability / standard.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant

Fantastic, funny and brilliantly sharp. I really enjoyed this - huge thanks to all those involved in the production.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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It's more like the bible than an instruction manual

There's so many reviews on here from people who haven't listened to the entire book and misunderstand what the book tries to achieve. This isn't a step by step instruction manual, the stories (like the bible) bring up lots of ideas and make you realise how ridiculous your need for social gratification is. It's daft but don't let that fool you.
I came out a completely different person after finishing this book.

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1 person found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Underwhelming

I can’t really tell who the target audience for this book is for? I’ve enjoyed JA for years and recently quit social media, so thought this would be a good fit but the amount of jokes forced into each sentence is intolerable
It feels like it’s meant for kids & teenagers, none of whom would understand the references?
I gave the book a few chapters but the tone never changed and it became too much to bear. Ultimately exhausting.

James read it well but the book is poor, I’d recommend you try reading a few chapters first before buying

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1 person found this helpful