I really thought that I would love this book, but when it came down to it, I got probably about 30% of the way through and had no real motivation to finish it off.

It's not really a book for me. It just wasn't what I expected.

I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.


I'm going to keep this short and sweet, because it's been almost a month since I finished reading this, and still I genuinely don't know what to say about it.

Seriously... What Am I Doing Here? is a travel memoir in diary-form that brings us along on the most random of all the random trips - from bike rides to healing retreats to climbing mountains, we're along the ride and gain insight into the thoughts the author has during these experiences. Written with honesty, humour and insight, I found that what it did to me most of all was prove that there are still good people in this world.

Hilarious, thoughtful, living travel as a curious experience for a non-professional traveler, this wandering memoir is smart and provocative. The time on the road is used to reflect, meditate and sometimes to heal. A reminder that there are people around, most of them, for whom travel is seldom a weekly, or even daily concern. It might happen by accident, but maybe because it is not a common occurrence is meticulously observed. A nice and thoughtful read, especially for the non-travel weekends.

When I read the blurb and some details about the author, I knew I had to try this story. I mean, I'll pretty much read any story that involves my home turf (aka, a Jew from New Jersey), and I was super excited to see where Ken Schneck would take me.

Ken Schneck is naturally funny and engaging, and you'll automatically want to be friends with him (especially if you like Jews from New Jersey!). I liked reading about him and his adventures because he went to some seriously interesting places. I was really curious about how he would fare in Uganda, on an AIDS bike ride, and on an intense camping/hiking trip, especially since Ken is funny, impulsive, and chronically underprepared.

If you want to read about a likable guy doing adventure-types of actives, then this book is for you. However, I couldn't help but feel like some greater point was missed. There were some mini-breakthroughs mentioned, but I was expecting some more personal growth, not just a travel diary. I had trouble connecting the stories to one another and I didn't get a sense of cohesiveness.

What I liked most about the story was when Ken was being honest and funny and didn't seem like he was writing for an audience. There were moments of greatness, but I think I was expecting more from this collection of diary-type stories.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

I feel like I'm reading his journal or having an intimate conversation with him (but I can't ask questions). And I guess he essentially states at the beginning that this is exactly what this book is. He is funny. My kind of funny with dry humor and seeing the crazy in everyday things and even himself. I loved him. Almost from the first few pages I knew he was for me because I could be him. I'm the same way... stumbling and bumbling into things larger than myself, following through then saying "I can't believe I did that". He goes in depth, probably too in depth for some people, but I liked it. He seemed to have a purpose for every delving he goes into. I'm jealous of what he's done, I've jotted some things down onto my "someday" list based on this book. I enjoyed this book a lot.

I'm not sure what it was that I expected this book to be but I did actually end up genuinely enjoying it. I've not read a lot of travel/bio books so this was a little bit of a step outside of my comfort zone, something that is amusing to me because this is what the book was precisely about.

The adventures of Ken are at times amusing, distressing and heartbreaking, but they all have a note of honesty to them that I really do appreciate. There are some people, who when writing about themselves would try to sugar coat it, or change the narrative to make themselves seem like more, to make themselves seem like flawless individuals. Ken Schneck does not do that and it's something I love about this book. He is critical of others, and sometimes it is VERY deserving (looking at you No Trail Name Lady) and sometimes it isn't so much. But the person he is most critical of at times is himself, as we all are.

This overall was an interesting, very human journey about how much we can grow and develop, in the most extraordinary and even ordinary of circumstances. I found this to be inspiring.

Such a fantastic book! Well written. It is equal parts funny and touching. I felt as if I were with Ken, along for his adventures. A must read!

DNF. Sorry, I usually love travelogues, and I was a excited to read about queer Jewish adventurer, but this wasn't for me.