Just Act Normal is quirky, intelligent and pretty much sums up different aspects of growing up in this funny comic book. From scenarios at work to personal and social lives—John McNamee has included intrinsic thoughts, questions and answers that will make you laugh as well encourage you to nod with an agreement as they are very relatable. I could frame a few of the illustrations since I love sarcastic and humorous dialogues—so this book is an entertaining read. Would highly recommend this book to others for a hearty good laugh!

Thank you NetGalley and Oni Press for the opportunity to read this ARC.

An absurd collection stuffed with sardonic, biting wit. Perfect for crumbling teens and failing adults.

This is a fun comics collection to read. Some are really funny, but most are just okay. Though I see the appeal of this to most people.

This is a compilation of funny comics. I really enjoyed the humor in this book. Humor about existential dread,love work, nature. It’s geared towards adults, not because it’s inappropriate or anything. The topics are based on adults, such as marriage, aging and work.

I wanted to like this book, but so much of the humor is depressing or vulgar that it fell flat for me. Some of these comics are very clever, looking at the world in offbeat and surprising ways, but even though I occasionally laughed at particularly good panels, the book as a whole did not impress me. Much of the humor depends on a dark, negative outlook on life, and many of the panels involve foul language. Sometimes, the artist bleeped the s-word and f-word, but other times, he spelled them out completely. I didn't appreciate it either way, and often felt like the author was depending on the offensive words for a laugh, rather than crafting an excellent joke.

However, even though I found this book disappointing, I am sure that many people will find it delightful. If someone enjoys dark humor and doesn't mind vulgarity, this may be a good fit for them. Some of these comics are very clever, offering hilarious, twisted insights on life, and I can see why people enjoy this comic series. This book just wasn't for me.

This book is full of dark humor, cynicism, and a hint of the realism that it's all worth it. If that's your style, you will find this book hilarious and, after a little while, maybe a little repetitive.

This book is so random!!!
Not at all what I expected.
Each page is like a little sketch/skit all based around the theme of the chapter 'coping with society', 'coping with childhood' etc. The drawing style seems to vary with each little sketch.
Some of the jokes/sketches were slightly funny, but others were just lost on me.

Overall i didn't find this book clever, witty or funny! I really didn't 'get it' - didn't enjoy it at all.

This was such a fun and quick read!
The cartoons were short, sarcastic, and relatable, with a very simple art style.
I’d definitely recommend this book.

Just Act Normal is a very fun book, one that won't take you long to read through, but will definitely act as a good pick-me-up when you do.

The book isn't a graphic novel, there's no overarching narrative at work here, instead it's small one page stories that are designed to make you laugh. It's this simplicity that really endeared me to this book, coupled with the very easy to understand art style that borders on basic. The style is so simple that I've found myself wondering if I've seen some of John McNamee's work before, shared around on the internet as funny jokes and memes, or if it's just similar to other stuff I've seen before.

Ultimately, I don't think it matters if I have seen his work before or not, as the book completely stands on its own thanks to each comic being its own thing. There are some that feature the same characters across a number of strips, like the depressed goth, but even these don't need to be read in any kind of order or with continuity in mind.

The humour here is very silly, and at times it's even downright bizarre, but even when some could argue that the jokes were stupid, they still made me laugh because of the amount of charm put into them, and the delivery that McNamee manages to get into simplistic panels.

If you're looking for a fun book that's inoffensive, will make you smile, and will take up an hour or two this book will definitely tick those boxes for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read and review.

This book is hilarious and I cannot wait to buy a physical copy! The cartoon are brief, on point, and so relatable. This will also make a great gift for pretty much any adult.

I won't lie, when I see something described as being dry or sarcastic humor, I will definitely want to check it out. I really enjoyed this collection of comics as they perfectly suited my sense of humor. They took a real look at many of the cliches of growing up, as well as real situations that a lot of people face, with a sarcastic twist. I feel the simpler art style really lends to the quick jokes and humor of each comic and thoroughly enjoyed the read.

This book is hilarious with every day observation turned on their heads. Highly recommend to anyone that is looking for a good laugh!

Review to come Early November to blog/Goodreads.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

I was a bit disappointed with the last collection by this artist, but this one was just as fantastic as the first one I read. I laughed so so much while reading this one and I shared plenty with my hubby who was on his PC next to me. He also loves these comics. I am glad that this collection was great again, I have to say throughout reading I was a bit worried, because the previous collection wasn't my thing, but in the end I want to say to myself, don't worry!

Once again it is separated in themes, from coping with childhood to coping with society. Each with respective comics fitting the theme and I just loved it.

We also have a couple of recurring comics and we find out how the artist (if that is really him) started with his art (though his older art didn't approve).

All in all, I cannot wait for the next collection to come out. Can't wait to see what title that one will have (on that note, I loved the title to this collection) and what themes we get.

WTF I JUST READ??????????????????????????? AND I LOVED IT SO MUCH???????????

In a collection of little-comic-short-stories, that involves some bad kids, some philosophical young boys that think a lot about adult stuff, really bad parents, an emo and nihilist kid who dresses in all black, an passive-aggressive sun, ghosts, hats, and the horsemen of getting old, this books made me laugh A LOT.

Really.

The humor is so stupid, just the way I like!!! So do yourself a favor and read this, please.

***Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***

Hilarious and so, so real to life.

John McNamee's graphic novel, Just Act Normal, covers much of what many of us experience growing up. It is very humorous and sarcastic. The book forces you to question why everyone is trying to act "normal" and what that even means. McNamee's cartoons are simple in style and easy to read and understand. In some cases, it gives common sayings in life a double meaning. "If you love something, let it go. Then you can follow it and see what it's really up to". This collection will have you chuckling when you read about the ironies of our modern life.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this wonderful ARC. #JustActNormal #NetGalley

Very quirky find, with bright colourful fresh illustrations that match the satirical humour that explores the fragilities of the human condition whilst highlighting scenarios and situations anyone can relate to within society. Each graphic is unique yet maintains a theme throughout and cleverly interweaves similar characters to explore different aspects such as views on self, world and society.

**I received and voluntarily read an e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Cute drawings, nothing new. Easy to read font, which is always a plus.

Overall, it was nice. Nothing that made me laugh uncontrollably, but nothing that made me want to put the book down and walk away. I've seen funnier, but I've seen worse as well.

Not as successful as "Book Learnin'", this selection of one- or two-page yucks didn't really raise a laugh at all. Some obvious hits at the world's boring people, ignominies and people who can't ever find their purse even after everything's been rung through the till, are OK, but it did seem a bit one-note and joyless. Which was the message it wanted to get across, but that didn't come with any fun on top. Two and a half stars.

Just Act Normal by John McNamee is the third collection from this cartoonist, and my introduction to the world of Pie Comics. While the cartoons themselves are quite simplistic, the messaging contained within is sarcastic, dry, and very relatable. Why do we try so hard to be 'normal', and just who defines 'normal' anyway? I certainly understand the appeal of the strip as a running commentary and critique on modern life and human foible, and I appreciate the truth that bears itself out amidst the funny.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for the opportunity to read this ARC.