Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for the advanced audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When I saw that a memoir was being published by my favorite comedian, I was so excited to get my hands on it! It did not disappoint! Nate's delivery in this book his much like his stand-up delivery on stage. This book had me laughing out loud. I really enjoyed the light-hearted and comical delivery of stories from his life, including insights into growing up, his first car- "old blue," dating Laura, and his forays into adulting.
A really cool thing about this book is that you can read it from start to finish, or you can pick up a chapter that interests you and just read that. He does a really good job of introducing and reintroducing you to characters or topics so that you don't get lost in detail. These stories are so heartwarming and relatable- it gives you some insight into his modest and Christian upbringing in the South. My favorite stories were the COVID Barber and Whataburger.
Listening to Nate deliver his own memoir really enhances the experience. Definitely a must listen!

This was so much fun! Nate is hilarious and his storytelling is top tier! This felt like an extended version of his comedy special which I really enjoyed and hearing Nate's narration of this book was a lot of fun. If anyone is a fan of comedy they need to check out this book or audiobook whatever way you're trying to get through this

The audiobook is definitely the way to go since his accent and way of ennounciating words adds up to the story. I have seen some of his stand up reels and I like him. Unfortunately, the book lost my interest after a while.

Thanks for this ARC.

Fabulously funny! I love Nate Bargatze’s clean humor about everyday life. I have watched his comedy specials, and he has been hilarious on Saturday Night Live. So, when I saw that he wrote a book, I had to request it from NetGalley and his publisher. His first book did not disappoint.

He read his audiobook himself, and I believe it is a necessity to listen to his southern voice talk about his life. Listening to him talk about his childhood and then adulthood, I found myself literally laughing out loud. It is so refreshing to finally see someone who has success that does not have to use gross comedy or foul words.

Thank you NetGalley and Hatchette Audio for allowing me to read Nate Bargatze’s first book in exchange for an honest review. I have already suggested this book to several fans of Nate Bargatze. #NetGalley @HatchetteAudio #BigDumbEyes

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for my advance copy of Big Dumb Eyes: Stories from a Simpler Mind by Nate Bargatze, in exchange for an honest review.

As a huge fan of Nate Bargatze’s comedy, I was happy to review this audiobook—and it did not disappoint. Right from the start, having Nate himself narrate the book made the entire experience much more engaging. There’s something uniquely personal about hearing an author tell their own story, and with a comedian like Nate, it adds another layer of authenticity and humor.
The book is a perfect blend of heartfelt moments, laugh-out-loud stories, and classic self-deprecation, all delivered with Nate’s signature down-to-earth style. It’s everything fans love about his stand-up, now in book form. I especially appreciated the “breaks” and pauses that wouldn’t quite translate as well in written form.
Whether you’re already a fan or new to Nate’s work, Big Dumb Eyes is a delightful and funny listen that showcases the warmth and wit he’s known for.
My Rating Scale:
1 Star – I wish I could get that time back. Just not good at all.
2 Stars – It was okay. I wasn’t excited about it, but it held my attention enough. I don’t feel like my time was totally wasted.
3 Stars – A really good read! I probably won’t pick it up again, but I enjoyed it and might recommend it to someone.
4 Stars – Great book! I really liked it and would definitely recommend it to others.
5 Stars – One of my absolute favorites! I likely own a physical copy. I’d happily read this one again.
#BigDumbEyes #NateBargatze

I always find Nate Bargatze’s comedy funny. This book made me laugh many times. I enjoyed listening to his voice as he told his stories, especially when it got to the “breaks” that didn’t translate from page to audio. For being a relatively short book, I did find that there was some amount of repetition and it was scrambling at times. That said, big fans will love this and even if you’re not familiar with his comedy, you’ll still get a few chuckles!

3.5 🌟

I thought this was... okay. 🫤

I love Nate Bargatze and was so excited to get this audiobook. And I will say, the audiobook was well done. But I expected this book to be funnier. I thought it was just okay. Of course, there are funny stories but I wanted more.

Thanks, Netgalley for the ARC of this book!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for my copy of Big Dumb Eyes Stories from a Simpler Mind by Nate Bargatze Narrated by Nate Bargatze in exchange for an honest review. It publishes May 6, 2025.
First off, I always appreciate when the author narrates the audiobook. It always adds to the overall experience.
This is a book that fans of Nate will devour and totally be laughing and enjoying. I liked the overall message and positivity in this book.

This book from Nate is a dream! A perfect mix of heartfelt, funny, and self-deprecating, just like Nate’s comedy. Having him read the book was perfect, as his personal reflections and storytelling make the audio book all the better!

I am a huge fan of Nate Bargatze, so I couldn’t wait to dive into his book—and it absolutely delivered. The audiobook, narrated by Nate himself, is a perfect match for his signature humor. Hearing him tell stories from his life and childhood in his own voice made it feel personal, hilarious, and effortlessly entertaining. It’s a quick, fun listen that had me laughing throughout.

Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Nate Bargatze for the ALC!

This audiobook gives all the feels! The stories are funny, heartwarming, and relatable. The Christmas elf, COVID barber, and Whataburger story are some of my favorites. Nate Bargatze’s narration was a treat and greatly enhanced the enjoyment and entertainment of this nostalgic collection. Thank you, NetGalley and Hachette Audio, for my audiobook.

I just finished listening to Nate Bargatze narrate his upcoming book, Big Dumb Eyes. I’m happy to report: I was not disappointed.

Even if you don’t immediately recognize the name, you’ve almost certainly seen his face (and those unmistakable “big dumb eyes”). With hit specials on Netflix and Amazon Prime, guest spots on SNL, and a steady stream of clips across social media, Bargatze is everywhere these days.

Celebrity memoirs-comedian edition-are a mixed bag, but Big Dumb Eyes lands squarely in the sweet spot. The book unfolds as a series of personal and family anecdotes, each delivered with Bargatze’s signature comedic timing and deadpan charm. It feels less like reading a memoir and more like listening in on a string of stand-up bits.

Nate’s narration is spectacular. It’s intimate, almost like having a private conversation with him. Too many comedians opt for a dry, monotone reading of their memoirs-never my favorite approach. To quote Kurt Cobain: “Here we are now, entertain us.” Bargatze delivers.

If you’re from the South, live in the South, or even think you might want to live in the South, you’ll find something to love here. If you grew up Christian, converted to Christianity, or are just Christianity-curious, this book is for you. If you’ve ever dated, married, or considered marrying someone you’ve dated, you’ll relate. In other words: Bargatze’s stories are broad, but always relatable.

Looking for tales of the seedy underbelly of stand-up? Scandalous affairs? Wild, hedonistic adventures? You won’t find them here. But if you want an all-ages-friendly, genuinely funny book to share on your next family road trip, you’re in luck.

Big Dumb Eyes won’t stretch your brain, but it will relax it-and probably leave with a smile.

My only gripe: I didn’t have access to the bonus photo album PDF that Nate kept referencing. I had to use my imagination, which, come to think of it, is exactly how regular books work.

Disclaimer: I received a free advanced reader copy (ARC) from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. These opinions are my own.

This was a really fun and easy listen - I always love to listen to celebrity memoirs read by the author, it makes the experience a lot more relatable and immersive, being able to hear the intonation and turns of phrase the way the writer intended. This was especially great because of Nate's unique southern twang and comedic timing.

I appreciated the audiobook production, especially that it was specifically catered to a listener, with references to the pdf (unfortunately not included with the alc), and the music in appropriate places (the blank pages bit, which I found fun).

I haven't been following Nate as a comic for very long, so a lot of the content of the book was new to me, and I really enjoyed the anecdotes and jokes within. While most of the book wasn't 'laugh out loud' funny, it was entertaining and amusing and kept my interest the entire way through. I listened to the entire audiobook over the course of a single day!

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishikt for the ALC. This was a delight! I think Nate Bargatze is a hoot so I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found myself laughing out loud multiple times. I listened to it and Nate himself narrated it, so it felt like listening to a comedy special of his-I’d definitely recommend!

It was fine. Nothing spectacular.
It was cool that it was narrated by the author.
Felt a big silly for a memoir

Thank you to NetGalley for an Audio ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing Nate narrate the book! Loved learning about Nate's parents, that his dad was an actual clown and how he was raised. Comic relief throughout the book, while getting to know one of my favorite comedians better. Missed out on pictures, but laughed at the "blank pages" he did with the audio version.

If you are a Nate Bargatze fan, you are going to like his Big Dumb Eyes audiobook. Nate reads it, so it is like you are listening to his show, but while you are driving or cleaning the house. His dry sense of humor and delivery are as funny as ever and I found myself laughing to myself.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this advance copy. #netgalley #hachetteaudio #natebargatze

I've been following Nate for awhile on Instagram so when he announced he was coming out with a book I was really excited. I was curious about his upbringing and how he became a comic. His memoir was funny and had me laughing out loud at certain points. He is super relatable and is similar to my age so I could relate to a lot of his stories. The blank pages parts had me laughing, if you follow his standup you will get that joke. I listened to the audiobook and would highly recommend reading it that way because he narrates.

Some of my favorite parts were the random food things, the Harry Potter ride, and the stories involving his dad or his wife Laura.

Nate will tell you in the beginning that this is not the most amazing piece of literature, but it is a good time and will make you laugh.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Listening to the audiobook version of Big Dumb Eyes was like having Nate Bargatze perform a private stand-up show just for me. His signature humor and delivery shine through perfectly in audio format, making it an absolute joy from start to finish. It was the perfect lighthearted and cheerful break between my usual lineup of murder mysteries. Highly recommend for anyone who needs a good laugh.

I am a big fan of Nate Bargatze, I’ve seen his stand ups on Netflix and gone to a live show in Toronto so when I saw this pop up on Netgalley I was crossing my fingers for my request to be approved!

If you’ve watched Nate’s shows before you know that books aren’t really his thing but he managed to make this book so undeniably him. The audiobook is by far the way to go for this book as he is the narrator so his voice, tone, and word pronunciation makes the book all the more humorous. There are also a few different auditory elements added in that try to give the listener a similar experience to a reader which were quite funny and I’m glad I didn’t have to miss out on.

If you’re looking for a book/audiobook version of one of his standups, this isn’t it. He does reference things he has made jokes of in his stand ups but this is a more wholesome version. It’s like sitting around the table with his family during the holidays as they reminisce and squabble about stories from growing up in the Bargatze family.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It's funny, heartwarming, sometimes sad, but most of all it feels like you’re getting a behind the scenes sneak peek into the life of Nate Bargatze.