One More Thing

One More Thing is a collection of 64 short stories that range from a few paragraphs to several pages in length. The stories feature a mix of everyday scenarios and absurdist premises, including tales about a man who wins the lottery and buys the concept of love, and a rematch between the tortoise and the hare. The narratives move between realism and surrealism, exploring relationships, ambition, technology, and modern life. Characters include ambitious entrepreneurs, disappointed lovers, historical figures, and anthropomorphized objects and concepts. B.J. Novak employs sharp dialogue and precise timing throughout the collection, drawing from his background as a television writer and comedian. The stories maintain a consistent voice while shifting between different genres and styles, from comedy to drama to satire. The collection examines how people navigate success, failure, and meaning in contemporary society, often using humor to expose deeper truths about human nature. Through its varied perspectives and scenarios, the book raises questions about authenticity and connection in an increasingly complex world.

Readers describe the stories as clever but uneven in quality. Many found Novak's humor sharp and original, particularly appreciating his takes on modern technology and relationships. The short format earned praise for being readable in brief sittings. Likes: - Smart observational comedy - Quick-hitting format - Original premises - Dark humor elements Dislikes: - Inconsistent quality between stories - Some stories feel incomplete - Several readers called certain pieces "pretentious" - Humor sometimes tries too hard One frequent comment notes that fans of The Office (where Novak wrote/acted) may expect similar humor but find this collection more cerebral. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (55,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4/5 (1,000+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.7/5 (500+ ratings) Notable reader quote: "Like a box of chocolates - some amazing pieces mixed with others you wish you'd skipped" - Goodreads reviewer

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🔖 B.J. Novak wrote many of these short stories during breaks while acting and writing for "The Office," where he played the character Ryan Howard. 📚 The book's title comes from the catchphrase of TV detective Columbo, who would often turn back and say "Just one more thing" before solving a case. ✍️ Several stories in the collection began as live performances at comedy clubs, where Novak would test and refine them based on audience reactions. 📱 The book's audiobook version features performances by Rainn Wilson, Mindy Kaling, Jenna Fischer, and other celebrities from Novak's professional network. 🎓 Despite being known primarily as a comedy writer and actor, Novak studied English and Spanish Literature at Harvard University, where he was a member of the Harvard Lampoon.