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- Title: I’d Like to Play Alone, Please: Essays
- Author: Tom Segura
- Narrator: Tom Segura
- Length: 06:04:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 14/06/2022
- Publisher: Hachette Book Group USA
- Genre: Biography & Memoir, Comedy, Arts & Entertainment, General Comedy
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
There’s something magical about discovering an audiobook that feels like a conversation with an old friend – one who doesn’t mind poking fun at life’s absurdities while you’re stuck in traffic or folding laundry. Tom Segura’s “I’d Like to Play Alone, Please: Essays” is exactly that kind of companion. As someone who has spent countless hours listening to stories while navigating foreign cities or enduring long flights, I can confidently say that Segura’s blend of self-deprecating humor and razor-sharp observations makes even the most tedious moments enjoyable.
From the moment Segura’s dry, deliberate voice fills your ears, you’re transported into his world – a place where parenting fails, awkward celebrity encounters, and unfiltered family dynamics collide with hilarious consequences. His delivery is impeccable, with pauses that land like punchlines and a tone that oscillates between exhausted dad and mischievous comedian. It reminds me of those evenings in Oaxaca, sitting with a local family as their grandmother spun tales with perfect timing – except instead of folklore, we get Segura’s account of explaining death to his morbidly curious toddler.
The essays themselves are a masterclass in finding comedy in the mundane. Whether he’s describing his father’s penchant for oversharing bowel movement details (a trait I recognized immediately from my own South American relatives) or recounting the surreal experience of being recognized at airports by fans who clearly “should not” be approaching strangers, Segura turns everyday chaos into cathartic laughter. His mantra – “I’d like to play alone, please” – resonates deeply in our overconnected world, where solitude feels like a rebellious act.
What makes this audiobook special is how Segura’s narration elevates the material. His background as a stand-up comedian shines through in every syllable, turning written words into a performance. The way he mimics his children’s voices or delivers his father’s inappropriate Vietnam stories adds layers of humor that text alone couldn’t capture. It’s the audio equivalent of watching a master chef add just the right spice – you can’t quite pinpoint why it’s so good, but you know it works.
Comparatively, while other comedian memoirs rely on shock value (looking at you, “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*uck*), Segura’s humor is more refined – less about provocation and more about shared recognition. His essays sit comfortably alongside David Sedaris’s work, though with more fart jokes and fewer literary pretensions. The audiobook format particularly suits his style, as his delivery turns even simple observations (like the horror of inflight baby encounters) into comedy gold.
Of course, no book is perfect. Some bits lean heavily on dad humor, which might not land for listeners without children. And while Segura’s misanthropic streak is part of his charm, occasionally it borders on curmudgeonly. But these are minor quibbles in an otherwise stellar listening experience.
For those wondering when to enjoy this audiobook: It’s perfect for when you’re trapped in a crowded subway, pretending not to hear your neighbor’s phone conversation. Or when you’re hiding in your bathroom for five minutes of peace. Basically, any situation where you’d like to play alone, please – but wouldn’t mind some hilarious company.
With laughter and a renewed appreciation for solitude,
Marcus Rivera
