Honestly? The third star is probably a Tom Hanks likability star. The majority of stories in this collection just felt like a slog. There was one story I enjoyed, but overall I just didn't love this as much as I wanted to. The common thread of including a typewriter in each story was a clever idea, though in many of the stories it was just a throwaway mention. I think Tom Hanks has a lot of potential as a writer- it's clear that his creativity is not limited to his acting talent- but this collection just failed to grab me, overall. As a librarian, I have no doubt that his name alone is going to move copies of this book, but I don't expect that it will have a long-term impact.

The stories Tom Hanks interweaves with typewriters were so warm and lovely. I thoroughly enjoyed this collection and am incredibly jealous of how talented he is.

This is a well-crafted collection of short stories of varying lengths. Many feature typewriters as part of the plot,, celebrating their value even in this time of more "advanced" devices. Several of the stories concern the same cast of characters, a group of 20-something aged friends. Each story is self-contained and satisfying, yet it's easy to imagine some of them expanded to full-length works.

Tom Hanks definitely has a unique writing style. Some of the stories were good and some were rather boring.

I wanted to like this book more than I actually did. It's been clear for a long time that Tom Hanks lives in a different, more magical world than the rest of us mortals, and it shows in these stories. Even those set in the modern day or future had the feel of old, 50's-style language. The dialogue was not great, bordering on cheesy at many times. The collection wasn't bad, but also wasn't good. It felt like a slog at the end.

First line: Anna said there was only one place to find a meaningful gift for MDash—the Antique Warehouse, not so much a place for old treasures as a permanent swap meet in what used to be the Lux Theater.

Summary: A collection of short stories written by Tom Hanks. Each story has its own feel and flow to it but in each he incorporates a typewriter. The stories span from time travel to a struggling actress to a bowler with a perfect score.

Highlights: I liked each and every story. They are all unique. I was excited to read this book because I am a big fan of Tom Hanks. He is very talented and once again proved it with this collection. The depth of the stories and the variety captured me. It was nice to have something I could pick up and put down without losing track of the storyline. I think my favorite was the story of the time traveling billionaire. The ending was sad but I completely enjoyed it.

Lowlights: I wanted more! I have never been drawn to short stories but I think this will be a gateway into trying more. I was always disappointed when the story ended.

FYI: Must read for all Tom Hanks fans!

Well-written short stories, some connected by repeating characters, and all connected by the theme of typewriters, in some fashion or other. I liked best the realistic stories, especially the one set on Christmas Eve. Hanks has a strong feel for his characters, bringing them to life in an understated fashion. Of less interest, to me, were the stories that hewed to the science fiction genre, but I did not feel the stories were any less well-conceptualized or executed. We knew Hanks could act. Now we know he also can write.

This was a great collection. I loved the break of each story with the typewriter photos. The stories were well thought and I was invested in most. I liked that he changed up the way he wrote them, not strictly narrative, but having said that some of the formats I did not like and that's fine. Other people will! Tom Hanks is a great actor, and now a great writer.

Is there anything Tom Hanks can't do? Does he dance and or sing? He sure can write and I can't complain about his acting. He seems like an all round nice guy with a lot of talent(s). Many of these short stories tend to leave one hanging, but I suspect that just might be the point!

After reading, Uncommon Type, it comes as no surprise that talented actor, Tom Hanks, has decided to share his gift of prose with fans. Truly a Renaissance Man, Hanks' short stories are insightful and inspired. This reader is hopeful that more publications are fourth coming, and that hopefully, a full length novel will emerge will as much gusto as these tantalizing tidbits.

Leave it to Tom Hanks. He can do just about anything. In his first book of short stories he underscores his talent once and for all. The stories all have something in common, a typewriter. There's the girl who has wanted a typewriter all her life and she uses what little money she has to buy a child's typewriter in a second hand store. Then there is a man who loves to bowl, bowls a perfect game and his life is forever changed. Mostly its great fun to see just how Tom Hank's brain works in devising these tales.

Great short stories about characters you could know. I was delighted to discover that Hanks's charm and humor come through in his writing.

This is a fun collection of short stories that pull you into the human condition. I really liked this book

I was first drawn to this collection of short stories simply because they were written by actor Tom Hanks, and I was interested in experiencing his literary work. After I finished I looked up his background to see if he had an English degree, because I thought his writing was quite good. He doesn't by the way; studied theater in school. "Uncommon Type" is a collection of seventeen short stories with varying themes, but most of the stories have a common demoninator in which an antique typewriter pops up at some point. Because the characters and events of these stories are so varied I found myself reading the book practically in one sitting, and never tiring of it. Included are stories of relationships, war, space travel, and even time travel. "Steve Wong is Perfect" is a story of one man catching the eye of E.S.P.N from bowling continuous perfect scores. He enters a tournament to win 100,000 dollars, and I found myself totally invested in this story about bowling. Well done, Mr. Hanks!

Talent Tom Hanks writes 17 short stories.
If you are a fan of tom Hanks- this is a must have.

I savored story 2 - Christmas Eve 1953
seeing Christmas through the eyes of the Beuell Family
I could see the Christmas tree, hear the records on the phonograph.
I could feel the keys and hear the pings of typing the letter to Santa on the typewriter.

I enjoyed story 3 - Junket in the City of Light
the press schedule during the pre release of a movie.

and Who's Who describes New York City living that I could imagine being there.
Then A Special Weekend - describes flying that I could live through them.
Finally, in Steve Wong is Perfect - how in a second a video goes worldwide!!

I recommend this book

I really tried to like this book, but it was a straight-up snoozer for me. There's no question that Hanks can write. His prose is really quite good, but I just found this collection of short stories to be D.U.L.L. There are a couple kernels of stories that could be developed into full-blown books, but most are just odd and sad. It may just be that I am not a fan of literary fiction, but I have to wonder if this collection would have been published at all if not for Hanks' fame. It will be popular and in demand, though, so libraries should buy a copy.

I admit that I picked up this book because it was written by Tom Hanks. Yes, that Tom Hanks. I'm not usually much of a fan of short stories, but I thought I'd stretch myself a bit, and Tom Hanks is one of my favorite actors so I wanted to give his book a chance. There are stories on many different topics in different time periods, so if you enjoy short stories, there will be one for you. Some of the stories I liked more than others, and some I didn't like at all. Overall, I just don't think short stories are for me.

The different stories are fun and we'll written. I was pleasantly surpised.

I saw this on NetGalley and knew that no number of reviews from even trusted sources would do. Patrons are going to want to know about this and "I read a good review" is not going to cut it. I like this actor but I'm not a die-hard fan; I probably haven't seen a quarter of his movies, although I would say that he is very versatile and all his characters are unique. That's impressive, but doesn't necessarily translate to being a good author-- I've panned several books written by good movie and TV writers. The format is too different. Assuming a movie writer could automatically write a good novel is like expecting a pianist to pick up guitar in 20 minutes.

The very first short story was the first short story I've ever read that didn't make me think, "huh, that would have made a really great novel." In fact, every short story was the perfect length.

What's even more amazing is that each character's voice is unique. AND, the narration in each story has a different flavor as well. Yet nothing was over the top or felt too reach-y. The language was beautiful, but in an unobtrusive way. Not "look at my effort, look at my ART." Even his female main characters read as pretty authentic. I'd be interested to see a novel next, but I couldn't even tell you which genre I'd prefer-- I was intrigued by his near-future "call it sci-fi" story, but his modern stories about a reoccurring group of friends had maybe the most authentic voices and his recent-historical fiction had the most moving character stories. I guess I just need 5 or 6 novels from this author and then we can choose.

I emailed the publisher part-way through my reading because there are some comma errors, some dropped open- or closed quotation marks (and, I think, for one whole story, some missing font or illustration or other indicator to call out parts) and this text deserves perfect proofreading. This is a collection you could recommend to 80-90% of readers. A must-have.