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Heads in Beds
Heads in Beds: A Reckless Memoir of Hotels, Hustles, and So-Called Hospitality | Jacob Tomsky
22 posts | 49 read | 34 to read
A veteran of the hospitality business uses humor and irreverence to describe working in the industry, coming clean on the housekeeping department, the unwritten code of bellhops and what really goes on in a valet parking garage. 40,000 first printing.
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blurb
Coffeymuse
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Worked in hospitality for a long time-always the front desk. So to me, a desk is where I used to work.

#schoolspirit
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
@Eggs

Eggs Brilliant 🙌🏻 2mo
20 likes1 comment
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Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick
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Panpan

I plucked this from the depths of my physical TBR stacks for the #pop21 prompt #ABookWhereTheMCWorksAtYourCurrentOrDreamJob and though I'm in sales now, I have many years of being involved in hotel operations and thought it was a good excuse to get around to this.
If you have ever worked in a hotel for more than a week, you've likely heard the phrase "I could write a book about this place". Sadly, this memoir was filled more with the ⬇️

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick stories of toxic workplaces that cater to the wealthy moreso than the interesting characters we meet along the way. I get it...you can't call out Mr Adultery by name, but surely there were more interesting things to write about than the ridiculous job security brought on by having a Union or the way you and your team hustle cash tips from the well-off guests, who are eager to add another peon to their entourage. ⬇️

3y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick Maybe it's different coming from the POV of an economy brand, but my experiences that are less about the money and more about the characters: the fat naked guy who left bedsheets tied to the bed - bondage style (true!); the good old days of playing "porn or not porn" when we saw movie charges on your bill (also true); and the couple who checked in with a "very large dog who doesn't bark" because it's actually a pony and, yes, ⬇️

3y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick that IS hay in their checked out room. (True again. You haven't lived until you've seen the housekeeper come running, flapping her hands yelling "horsey, horsey, horsey!) Unless the dealings of an entitled Front Desk jockey at a NYC hotel sounds fascinating to you, I say skip this and just buy me a beer instead. I've got stories for days!

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks
3y
See All 7 Comments
LiteraryinPA Whoa, maybe YOU should write the book that you hoped this would be? I‘d read it! 3y
Ruthiella I agree with @LiteraryinLawrence , you should write a book! 3y
bthegood Love reading your reviews - thank you!! 😂 3y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3y
43 likes1 stack add7 comments
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RebL
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2021 book log dump
~
I did not love this year of reading, so I relied on memoir get me through. The absolute worst book I read was The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. 🤮

11 likes1 stack add
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Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick
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#NewYearSpecial Day 1 in the books. I read 154 pages in the tagged book bringing me close to finishing and I found 9 words already.

#20in4 #treasurehunt @Andrew65

Andrew65 You‘re doing brilliantly 👏👏👏🙌 3y
42 likes1 comment
review
K.Wielechowski
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Mehso-so

Tomsky comes off as a bit of an asshole but as the book went on, I began to understand why. He‘s spent most of his life being chewed up and spit out by customers and management and as a fellow service industry worker, I completely get it. It was interesting learning about the hotel industry and how to play the game to get the best perks possible.

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Wife
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Mehso-so

Such an angry 😡 tone this book has, but I get it. Those folks that are in food service, retail, and hospitality jobs are abused by management and customers alike, and after you take so much, you get tired of it. The author did give some tips to get upgrades and premium service, but basically advises customers to just be kind to the staff. 2/5🛌s

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GlassAsDiamonds
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Mehso-so

Not bad, not brilliant. I enjoyed the book but I wanted a different ending for the author. He is SO self deprecating that it‘s hard to tell how much is “real” & how much is entertainment but as a memoir, it is not at all uplifting or hopeful. Still, it‘s a snarky, often humorous, window deep into the hospitality industry & I found myself going “ha! So THATS what that was” quite a bit. If you‘re offended by profanity, this is not the book for you⬇️

GlassAsDiamonds One note I would have for anyone thinking to try them - the tips or tricks he offers are NOT globally applicable, especially tipping the front desk. Not all countries tip and in some, it‘s actually considered at best crass, at worst offensive to offer money to try and say get a room upgrade that you haven‘t paid for.... know the morals of your destination BEFORE you land. Bad mannered customers however, seem to be global!! 🤦🏻‍♀️ 5y
33 likes1 stack add1 comment
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GlassAsDiamonds
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♥️Love this.

SarahHarts_books Wow!! 😍💖 5y
25 likes1 comment
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britt_brooke
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Pickpick

“Service is not about being up-front and honest. Service is about minimizing negatives and creating the illusion of perfection. Here‘s how it‘s done: Lie. Smile. Finesse. Barter. Convince. Lie again. Smile again.”

I didn‘t expect to laugh so much! I respond to his type of humor and a funny book is exactly what I needed. This is also an interesting glimpse into the hospitality business. I highly recommend the audio. Tomsky‘s narration is perfect.

knittedgnome I read this awhile back and was surprised how interesting it was. Everytime I stay in a hotel I think about it! 7y
britt_brooke @knittedgnome It‘ll definitely stick with me, too. 7y
blondie Since I work in a hotel I think that makes me want to read this even more! I started the audiobook once, but never got that far. 7y
britt_brooke @blondie It‘s a worth a listen if you decide to try again. 👍🏻 7y
Reviewsbylola I thought this was pretty funny and interesting too! 7y
125 likes7 stack adds5 comments
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britt_brooke
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Leftcoastzen 👍👏 7y
LouLouLane Hey there! I was thinking of trying to get another meet up on the calendar. What do you think? I‘m happy to host! Is there an email list of everyone? 7y
britt_brooke @LouLouLane That would be great - thanks! Shoot me an email and I‘ll send you what I have: brittany.seibert@gmail.com. 7y
89 likes3 comments
blurb
britt_brooke
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Birthday party prep! My baby will be 4 on Sunday and has requested a Lego Mini Fig Party. 😁 Some of these will end up topping cupcakes. Not sure about the rest yet. I made way too many. #audio #overdrive

BookwormM They look really good 7y
vivastory Nice job! 7y
Tamra Awesome! 7y
See All 18 Comments
BookofWords How did you make them??? 7y
saresmoore These are great! What a fantastic party theme! 7y
OrangeMooseReads Those look great! Man Cub had a lego party for his 5th, it was so much fun. 7y
Meeko93 Very creative 7y
minkyb Sounds fun! 7y
WhatDeeReads This book is really hilarious. 7y
britt_brooke @BookofWords Silicone candy molds and vanilla candy melts. Super easy! 7y
MissAimz_55 Sooo cool! 7y
LeahBergen Cool!! 😍😍 7y
britt_brooke @saresmoore Thanks! Holden is obsessed with building creative Lego people so we thought this would be perfect. There‘s a Mini Fig cake in my future, too. We‘ll see how that goes ... 7y
britt_brooke @OrangeMooseReads Thanks! My other son had a Lego party for his last birthday, too (5 years), so little brother is following suit. But, he‘s super into the Mini Figs specifically and builds some really creative people. 💚 7y
britt_brooke @WhatDeeReads I‘m really enjoying it! I‘ve been in a bit of a slump and this is bringing me out. 7y
MinDea So cool! Have you seen the lego tape? You can actually put the tape on something (like upside down on the ceiling) and put legos or mini figurines on it! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072N68FPM/ref=asc_df_B072N68FPM5365540/?tag=hyprod-20... 7y
britt_brooke @MinDea We have some! 😁👏🏻 It‘s such a neat idea. 7y
148 likes1 stack add18 comments
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Clwojick
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Pickpick

This was a fantastic book. I really enjoyed learning a bit more about the inner workings of running big hotels. The audiobook version was a must. Loved it.

101 likes9 stack adds
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everlocalwest
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My favorite mug, tee, and tote, followed by a ridiculous pile of bookmarks. Was anyone else here a subscriber to Jacob Tomsky's Short Story Thursdays? #mugsteestotesswag #riotgrams

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kiminreverse
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Pickpick

I had never heard of this book but the cover caught my eye when I was searching the library catalog for an audiobook without a waitlist. I'm happy to report that it's seriously funny and quite interesting! I suspect it may seem a little "trying too hard" on paper, but the audio narration is pitch perfect. #audiobooks

5 likes2 stack adds
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lennearb
Pickpick

You'll never look at hotels the same way again after reading this book. I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing. Possibly both.

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Slynn71
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Following up A Man Called Ove with Heads in Beds. I needed something light and irreverent after Ove. I could never work in hospitality.

Reviewsbylola I thought this was pretty entertaining! 8y
Slynn71 I just finished it. Im gonna minibar my way thru my next hotel stay! Lol 8y
6 likes2 comments
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LitDrivenGirl
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Staying warm while working at the shop...it is a crisp 14 degrees out today. We decided this called for a blanket and reading time. #wickedwitchshoes #booksandcuddles

5 likes1 stack add
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WeeWeegieBookworm
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Pickpick

After years working within the hospitality industry, I could totally relate to this book. I saw myself in certain scenes, had a sense of deja vu with some of the conversations. Didn't help that I decided reading while commuting to/from work each day. But will defo be recommending it to my fellow reception ladies. I know they will feel the same way I did.

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WeeWeegieBookworm
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Currently Reading.
In my 5th year working in hotels and I totally understand what he's gone through. My fellow reception ladies are already asking to borrow this once I'm done.

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Megan_Roberts
Pickpick

This one was fun! An interesting look into working in the hotel industry. Not something I would usually read, but I'm glad I did. Several hilarious moments.

3 likes2 stack adds
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dawnsworldblog
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Pickpick

Perfect beach read as not much thought involved but an enjoyable read all the same. Found the author to be very likeable, was like an old friend telling a story. A quick, pleasant read.