This was a very enjoyable, light read. I was drawn to the book by the title. This book gets 4 stars!

I suppose, in some ways, even though I no longer live there I'm a New Yorker at heart. Reading these brought back sights, sounds, smells, and a nostalgia I haven't felt in a while. There's no place quite like NYC. This collection brings the city to life over a span of decades. Some places still stand, some do not. No matter the decade you can almost feel the city wrap around you. Highly recommend.

Only in New York is a memoir told in vignettes spanning a lifetime of the author. It starts with his humble beginnings and ends with reminiscing about all that has happened during his years in New York before relocating to the west coast.

The title of this collection is a bit misleading in that most, if not all of these stories actually are not unique to New York. Living in large cities, maybe, but not specific to one place. I did enjoy the first few stories of his childhood where he worked and schemed with friends like so many do, but it kind of dropped off from there. Many stories were about his days as an account man at Y&R, and most of them just sat there like a not-so-humble humble brag. Playing up the obvious Mad Men comparisons probably would have made it a bit more interesting for me.

For other stories, there were tales without a point. It was a simple recollection, but led to no revelations or realizations for the main players.

I was hoping from the title for some extraordinary or spectacular tales only from New York, but this was mainly tales about the authors life in New York. Interesting, sure, only in New York, not so much. An interesting set of tales, but not what I was hoping for or what it sounded like.



Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Having visited NY a couple of times this book grabbed my attention. I enjoy reading the Humans of New York feed on Facebook, and this felt like an extension of that as you get a fuller picture.

I am a born& bred New Yorker I loved this collection snapshots of my hometown.The flavor the special aura of the people the place.. Stories funny ,touching just a wonderful read.Thanks#netgalley #booksgo social.

Since I’ve been to NYC almost two years ago, I’ve been looking for stories that take me back to this wonderful and unique city.
I enjoyed this collection of stories about people who live in New York, although I didn’t find the stories quite as extraordinary as I hoped they would be. It still makes a good read.

Thank you NetGalley, the publishers and the author for my free copy to read and review!

I thought that given the title there would be more unique and extravagant stories. Only in new york i think crazy and weird things but this was just a story of his life and it was pretty mundane. The writing was fine but i wanted more wild adventures and stories.
But i did like how he went through such a wide span of time seeing how New York changed.

Thank you so much to evookit via netgalley for sending me an ARC copy of only in new york by M. G. Crisci.
All opinions are my own

I posted the following review both on my blog and on Goodreads...

Book 19 of my 2019 Reading Challenge
read from February 9 - 18

Only in New York: 36 True Big Apple Stories Spanning 55 Years and 5 Boroughs
by M.G. Crisci

Summary (via NetGalley)
published 2018

An accomplished storyteller with a New York accent, M.G. Crisci portrays his experiences with people, their struggles, triumphs, loves and jealousies that meandered through his extraordinary life.
It is said that you can't take New York out of a New Yorker. Only in New York is a collection of short stories that are steeped with the richness of the author's skill in depicting his ethnic heritage, colorful neighborhoods, and childhood friends, along with a tapestry of clients and colleagues that were central to his New York-based career.
Throughout each of the individual narratives, readers will become acquainted with local restaurants, favorite Italian dishes, adventures in advertising and misadventures on Wall Street. In the end, it is the author's self-effacing humor that communicates his enjoyment of these twists and turns on the mean streets and upmarket avenues of New York City.

My Opinion
3 stars


*I received an electronic copy of this book via NetGalley and would like to thank the author and/or publisher for the opportunity to read and honestly review it*

This would be an amazing gift of a book if I was related to him or knew him. His illustrations at the beginning of each story were a cute addition to this light, enjoyable read. They were the kind of stories passed around while shooting the shit where it doesn't take anything away from them even if they aren't all exact black/white quotable truth (or maybe they are and he's led an amazing, fantastical life). They weren't the most politically correct but it was in an 'old person can kind of slide by' kind of way, where you'd roll your eyes and say, "You can't say things like that anymore!!!" if you were talking to him in real life.

At first I was letting typos, missing words, and grammar things slide by both because of the kind of book it was and because I never know how much is NetGalley formatting and how much is what the author submitted. But then I saw he's written other books so I started critiquing a bit more, ending up at 3 stars.

Quote from the Book
*Since I read this from NetGalley this may not be the exact quote in the final copy*

"I'm an imperfect being who has lived an imperfect life. Through it all I have loved my New York, the streets, the people, the meter of the place. There is nothing like it anywhere in the world."

Great idea but just not my style. This read more like the cousin you nod and avoid at parties instead of an interesting voice you would want to get to know. I am sure the writer has a good story or five in them but a better bit of guidance from editors would have been useful here.

What a great read!!! This book of short stories with the main setting being New York is a gem. Some of the stories are sad, some are funny. Well told and well written. All the stories were good and I have already looked for more from this author. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the arc of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on my review.

Read More Book Reviews on my blog It's Good To Read - http://ebookwormssite.wordpress.com

Only In New York – M G Crisci

Summary:
A series of 36 short reminiscences, covering about 55 years of MG Crisci’s life in the Big Apple, New York. It is his love story to one of the greatest cities on earth.

Main Characters:
M G Crisci: He is the narrator, and we see a New York that probably is gone forever, but which is/was definitely hidden from tourist eyes!

Plot:

The author intends to give a viewpoint of New York, but really it is an insight into his own lie, from a stereotypical Italian-American Thanksgiving dinner, with lots and lots (molto e molto) of food, innumerable courses, and a swarm of related humanity.

The first story sets the tone and pace of the rest of the book. By turns insightful, regretful, funny and mischievous, the life of a young, hungry original Mad Man (the author spent a large part of his career at Young & Rubicam, before defecting to make and lose millions on Wall Street) is laid out before us. From incredible expense accounts, to cheaper ways for two young execs to get their breakfast, and along the way we see the lengths he would go to keep a high-spending client, and the expensive suits that made up the all-so-important projected image.

Through the author’s reminisces, we visit high-end restaurants (he name-drops Sparks, where I have been a couple of times myself. I would totally recommend the place - it is one of the best steak-houses in the world - steaks are amazing, but you’d need to book!!), museums, and have an epic taxi journey. The author writes about the highs and lows, and frequently points to himself as the reason things did not work out as well as planned.

Throughout it all, however, there remains a strong sense of family, of the importance of working hard and never giving up, and all is leavened with humour and wit.

What I Liked:
- The author is giving us his warts-and-all life-story, and delivers with excellent humour and vibrant writing.
- The stories are excellently paced, and would withstand re-reading.
- The author captures the variety and energy of this great city, and his love for it shines through.
- Some nice anachronisms e.g. people on the train reading three newspapers on the way to work in Manhattan. It’s all so mobile now…

What I Didn’t Like:
- There are some outdated comments, especially in the earlier chapters, which could have been edited out. We all know that’s how it was back then, but this is a 2019 book, and should reflect that. There is no suggestion the author holds any of these views himself.
Overall:

This is a nice read, and I’d recommend it. The author comes across as a good guy, a tough new Yorker who has the backs of his friends, yet will always look out for his own. He readily admits he is not perfect, and confesses to some small-time crime when a penniless kid growing up in a hard neighbourhood.

The stories are necessarily short, but well-written, with an eye for local colour and an ear for conversation. His best stories, I think, are those where he makes random connections, which turn into friendships (e.g. the 89-year old Bennett).

Acknowledgements:

I received a free copy of this book from the author and NetGalley, in return for an honest and objective review.

A New Yorker is a breed unto themselves and nothing proves that more than this entertaining novel. The humorous tone used to describe the authors childhood make this book an enjoyable read. I had a smile plastered on my face throughout my entire reading experience

I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an unbiased review. Thanks for the opportunity.

I hadn't realised beforehand, that this was memoir short stories, rather than a collection of fictional shorts. Reading through, I found some stories definitely gave a flavour of the author and his family - such as working the ball stadium as a kid, or setting out on his career. Others seemed random and to not add anything of note (going for a farewell dinner with two friends before they moved). Some stories really moved me, such as when he sees a doctor and describes how they became close friends over the years. Others (mainly the ones featuring lavish expense accounts, Don Draper-esque japes and Wall Street) really turned me off.

Overall though, a decent and quick read.

Link to Goodreads review (same): https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2704791508

I'm a mid-westerner, but enjoyed these snippets of time in the author's life. He's charismatic and has a good sense of humor and is generous in his credit to others in his telling. I guess he's written a number of other books, of which I'll check out a few. Recommended.

Thanks very much for the review copy!

Only In New York: 36 true Big Apple stories spanning 5 years and 5 boroughs
by M.G. Crisci
due 2-22-2019
Orca Publishing
4.0 / 5.0

M.G. Crisci takes the reader on a journey through his 55 years living in the Big Apple, told in 36 funny and entertaining stories. From the grit of the harbors to the glamour of the elite, Crisci successfully brings to life the bustle and spirit of this diverse city. With memories of his heritage, lifelong friends, his wife and children; he visits restaurants, museums, and shopping areas he and his wife have enjoyed....or not. His life and adventures are colorful, humorous and perfectly capture NYC, its ethnic diversity and people in this memoir.

In the forward, Crisci says "this book wasn't just a collection of short stories, it's my life in all its imperfect glory.", and that is exactly what is here. Addicting and compelling each story is witty and has its own message. Wonderfully written, this is an original book of short stories that would appeal to many.
Recommended.

Thank you to Orca Publishing and M.G. Crisci for this e-book ARC for review.
#OnlyInNewYork #NetGalley
Learn more about M.G. Crisci and his many other novels on facebook.com/worldofcrisci.

A true, raw and poignant tale of survival in New York. This author gets it and expertly weaves several stories throughout the book.

A lovely read which is rich on what makes New York a special place. Full of places tourists don’t necessary happen upon it is the local’s insight into their special home.
Matt Crisci had a hard upbringing but surrounded by love and an extended family. He seems to have a ear for conversation, the memory of a stand up comedian and the skills of a communicator.
This is a unique approach to a life story; an autobiography not as a diarist but as collection of stories that encompass and reflect his time as a New Yorker.
He shares his life across the years and in a chronological journey through memorable stories, that in the telling, feel like events from a movie. Although clearly successful at times he is generous in his acknowledgement of the input of others. He has clearly remained close to his roots and his family has played a key factor in his life. So although mostly reflecting his antics there is room for others even where they take star billing and his stories are well told.
There is a danger the reader would tire quickly if it was a collection of I’s and verbs telling what he had achieved. With Matt’s stories this is impossible as they are all inclusive. Often told at his expense and with life lessons shared rather than look how clever I am doing.
This collection demands to be read. It makes the American dream seem realistic and a humble reality based on hard work and the generosity of time.
Matt becomes a friend along the way; as a guy you’ve met and would be pleased to meet again. His writing is expansive and insightful, free from ranker and bitterness, just positive and humour-ladened stories. Those who he observes are depicted in a three dimensional form; real people who lift from the page and in Matt’s non-judgemental recollections bring colour and vibrancy to the New York environment.
I loved the taxi journey, his relationship with a GP undertaking his annual Check-up and all accounts with his wife. Matt is a person the people in these stories were affected by and they remembered him as much as he has remembered these situations.
It is a lovely recollection of one’s life and I feel enriched for the author sharing it in a book.