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If This Isn't Nice, What Is?: Advice for the Young
If This Isn't Nice, What Is?: Advice for the Young | Kurt Jr. Vonnegut
19 posts | 15 read | 11 to read
Master storyteller and satirist Kurt Vonnegut was one of the most in-demand commencement speakers of his time. For each occasion, Vonnegut's words were unfailingly unique, insightful, and witty, and they stayed with audience members long after graduation. As edited by Dan Wakefield, this book reads like a narrative in the unique voice that made Vonnegut a hero to readers of all ages. At times hilarious, razor-sharp, freewheeling, and deeply serious, these reflections are ideal for anyone undergoing what Vonnegut would call their "long-delayed puberty ceremony"-marking the passage from student to full-time adult. This book makes the perfect gift for high school or college graduates-or for parents and grandparents who remember Vonnegut fondly and want to connect with him in a new context.
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psalva
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“If this isn‘t nice, what is?” #catsoflitsy

dabbe That is the best. Surrounded with kitty-kat love. 🖤🐾🐾🖤 5mo
Bookwomble 💖🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛💖 5mo
19 likes2 comments
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ChaoticMissAdventures
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I forgot who wanted tagged on these!

I love that storygraph tells you who you read the most. I am one of those people who read a wide range of books, and not very often books by the same author. But I do have some authors I return to year after year. I am working my way through Toni Morrison this year, so expecting a few more of hers on this by the end of year. I would love to get some more diverse authors up here.

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psalva
Pickpick

There are some gems in these graduation speeches. Really honest talk. This is certainly a book that I will be revisiting from time to time.

britt_brooke I loved this collection, too! Vonnegut is my favorite. 💚 2y
1 like1 comment
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britt_brooke
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I love this title quote (a saying from his uncle). This is a brief collection of college graduation speeches and other such speaking engagements. As usual with Vonnegut, there‘s plenty of absurdity and hard truths. Often funny, yet dark, he paints interesting points while offering poignant advice. This is 100% for established Vonnegut fans. I need a physical copy for my collection!

Cinfhen Awesome photo 🙌🏻💚😍 3y
britt_brooke @Cinfhen Thanks! It‘s hard to dress up a paperwhite. 😅 3y
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britt_brooke
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A Vonnegut #shelfie, just because. 🤩

kspenmoll 😀 3y
tpixie 💗💗💗 3y
Ruthiella Fantastic! Any time is a good time to share your Vonnegut collection! 😍 3y
See All 21 Comments
KatieDid927 🥰 3y
britt_brooke @Ruthiella Thank you! 🙌🏼 3y
BarbaraBB Fantastic! The title of the tagged book as well 😀 3y
Chrissyreadit I love how it looks! 3y
Hooked_on_books I knew this was your post before I even saw your name! 3y
Megabooks 🤩🤩🤩 3y
britt_brooke @BarbaraBB And I‘m actually reading the tagged book now, too! 😄 3y
britt_brooke @Hooked_on_books This makes me extremely happy! 😄💚 3y
saresmoore I‘m always here for a just-because shelfie! (Which my phone wants to call a “Sheldon.” 😆) ♥️🥰🌈 3y
QuintusMarcus I so want that Harry Potter monster book - how did you manage to get one? 3y
britt_brooke @QuintusMarcus It was special Lego freebie (with a specific purchase amount) a few months ago. I got lucky! 3y
TheNeverendingTBR 🧡💛💚💙💜 3y
108 likes21 comments
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britt_brooke
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From a 1999 commencement speech. 📚🖐🏼🧠

IuliaC Beautiful! 3y
73 likes1 comment
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britt_brooke
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From a 1978 commencement speech. Still relevant.

vivastory Very relevant, unfortunately. I need to read this speech 3y
britt_brooke @vivastory I recently realized I hadn‘t read this speech collection yet. It‘s off to a good start! 3y
Megabooks Great read for the 6 month anniversary today. 3y
64 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Eggs
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Pickpick

The words in the title are Vonnegut‘s key to living in, and being grateful for, the lovely moments with which we are blessed. This is a collection of graduation speeches that also includes his acceptance speech for receiving the Carl Sandburg award.
I had to sub in this book for the original 17th book in the stack, bc i encountered a selection I wasn‘t crazy about reading...
Book 17 of 20: May #bookspinbonanza @TheAromaofBooks Three to go🤗!🤗

TheAromaofBooks YAY! I am so impressed!!! 4y
Eggs Thanks 🥰📚🥰 @TheAromaofBooks 4y
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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

I‘m a big fan of Vonnegut‘s work. I loved all of his references to his hometown, Indianapolis, since I‘m from there too. This collection of commencement speeches is a bit repetitive, but still so much fun to listen to.

#readathon #deweyApril

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EllaS
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Pickpick

If I heard there was a book with advice from Vonnegut after I'd only read one of his novels, I likely wouldn't have investigated, initially seeing his literature as 'confusingly absurd' + 'bizarrely fascinating satire'. By this point, however, I've read many of his novels and a few short stories, looking to his words for enlightening perspectives. That, as well as characteristic humor, is what permeates through this wonderful book. #vonnegut #kurt

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N8ure
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wanderinglynn Yes! We should all do this. ❤️ 6y
Michollio I 💙💜💚 Vonnegut 6y
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ElenaBaer
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Some snow day reading. Trying to work on my TBR pile.

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haileybean
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Finally got started on the #24in48 and already have to take a break. Child demands a snack. 😒 l

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haileybean
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I love Kurt Vonnegut. I‘ve only finished two of his novels. Part of me wants to read the collective works in order of being published. I realize that‘s crazy. I‘ve been in a HORRIBLE reading slump, and I got this book for my birthday. I‘ve finished one of the speeches and now I don‘t want to do my job. I just want to read. 😂

14 likes2 stack adds
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OrangeMooseReads
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After getting dressed this morning I realized I wore a lit shirt yesterday as well. So I‘m going to wear one everyday this week. #litshirt #challengeaccepted
(I‘ll post a pic of yesterday‘s shirt later)

readordierachel Love it!! 6y
britt_brooke I don‘t know how I missed so many of your posts, but I‘m enjoying looking back through! 6y
65 likes2 comments
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OrangeMooseReads
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Meant to post this Friday. At least once every year since Kurt joined our home Marty can be found having a deep discussion with him.

LeahBergen 😂😂 6y
Centique Ohhhh I want some stuffed toy authors! I could make very civilised tea parties for them. 😂 6y
OrangeMooseReads @Centique LOL those would be fun tea parties . they are from Unemployed Philosophers Guild, you can buy them on their website or Amazon (edited) 6y
Centique @OrangeMooseReads I‘m having fun now on that website - there are so many great characters! 6y
OrangeMooseReads @Centique they have some great stuff 6y
59 likes5 comments
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OrangeMooseReads
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The Vonnegut Museum and Library on Facebook

britt_brooke 💚💚💚 7y
shawnmooney ❤️❤️ 7y
38 likes2 comments
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veemacg
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Seeing as this is my first post, I thought that it should mean something because I'm sentimental like that. This is one of my favourite quotes from one of my favourite authors. This advice is important to me and I think everyone should keep it in mind. I look forward to the journey ahead!

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vulpes_pulchella
Pickpick

If you're at all a fan of his fiction, you'll find familiar themes also woven into these speeches. They are beautiful, humble, and human. I pull this little book out and offer up quotes from these speeches to friends all the time - it's like giving advice from wise uncle Kurt.