This collection was aptly titled, because there were quite a few occasions when I wasn't sure what the author meant and what she didn't. That's not a criticism, though. Josie Long is a very good writer and these are very good short stories, which deserve to be read with care, delicately skewering aspects of modern life, relationships, hypocrisies and insecurities. The last story, in particular, felt very personal as the narrator reflects on bringing children into the world as it is today.

These are probably best not read all together, as I did, as at times I forgot which story I was reading. Standouts - in the sense that I remember them most - are the story in which a woman's abusive former partner moves nearby with his new wife and child; the young boy torn between two sides of his family; the two stories Poets Rise and Poets Rise Again, which can't really be adequately described and need to be read. The "neighbourhood pandemic WhatsApp group" story is memorably odd - at first I thought I was reading about a future egg-shortage dystopia, because who goes on that much about a single egg?

All in all an engaging, sensitively written collection of stories which centre the female experience amid the horrors - but also joys - of modern life. I'll definitely go back and reread some of these more slowly.

A pretty interesting collection of stories. Plenty of interesting turns of phrase and ideas included. Didn't always hold my attention, though. Nevertheless, would be interested in reading more by the author.

This is a collection of sixteen short stories that focus very intensely on various human experiences. From the horror of a neighbourhood WhatsApp group, to a young man carrying the weight of parental expectations; to the trauma of an old relationship coming back to haunt you, and the terror of infatuation. Gaslighting, coercive relationships, social media, one-sided friendships, regrets, classism, obsession, unrequited love, escaping the rat race, and the horror of parenting children in a modern world are all brought to life in these short snapshots into the lives of everyday people.

Some of the stories were so relatable that it was scary - particularly the ones about the teen using her interest in the occult as a distraction for how much she hates her body, or the one about the woman who had moved on from a relationship that she now recognises as the cause of her PTSD, only to discover that her ex has moved nearby.

"I'm half amazed that a thought, a way of looking at something can just sit unchallenged, unexamined, for twenty years before you can take a look at it and realise that it's junk."

The one about the mother reminiscing about her past while being terrified at the state of the world really hit a nerve too:

"I feel grief for the world I wanted them to have."

It's a book I'll read again - if you know Josie Long as a comedian, don't go into this one expecting laughs. It's heavy, and it's raw, but it's also a beautifully written reminder that everyone has their own shit to deal with, whether they choose to share it or not. I loved it.

My thoughts about this collection varied. No, it's nowhere near as fine as Josie's personality and stand-up. But no, it's not Bridget Christie, so we can all be thankful. It feels a slightly similar world, mind – a very left-wing response to humdrum work, where you seem to commute ninety minutes to attack people online, only to return to a shitty rental place with no outside world or community (beyond perhaps an in-light-of-covid whatzap group). Or you're the thinks-herself-chubby-and-ugly girl wanting to get in with the cool-but-very-flawed crowd at school, or you're suffering because a guy at a party can't keep it in your trousers, or someone from your past moves in to the neighbourhood, with his current and you have a hard time over you being his ex still, or someone from your past ends up on a nearby billboard you see daily.

All told, much of this is reasonably readable (thanks, Lady Margaret, Oxford) but at the same time some stories just seemed to be taking me nowhere other than the skip button. The second tense is over-used, for sure – and if you didn't see that in my first paragraph then worry not, it's slathered over this like dodgy liquids on a stag night. In the finish your response is probably down to how you see the left wing – the leftie complaint about men, modern housing, men, the parole service, men, housing, housing for people who aren't men – you get the drift. Best surely is the piece regarding a charged attack on the upper middle classes, from two young women determined to get their slice. Reading like someone American wrote it, it's very Sofia Coppola – but better.

The book closes with the hopeful optimism of a young mother, demanding of the world her children are being brought up in that it be a good one, by their rules. It's very harsh to say this is a book only its mother could love, but much like children it was something that I really could take or leave – and at least hand back when called for.

A dark collection of short stories that examines not only what happens behind closed doors to the people you live next door to but also the changing family dynamics of mothers and daughters, fathers and sons. It's by highlighting the mundane that we see the stark realities of life. It was a thought provoking collection, and certainly not what I was expecting.

Though every story is unique in its own way, I felt a running theme throughout relating to heightened anxiety and worries. From turning the everyday into the extreme, the internal monologue that turns people to fragile beings. It was very cleverly done, and probably set my own anxiety off more than is healthy.

A great set of stories that feel clever and well thought out, and work well as a collective as much as individually.

Because... by Josie Long is a delightful and heartwarming short story collection that effortlessly blends humor and sweetness. Long's witty and relatable writing style captures the essence of everyday life, finding humor in the mundane and celebrating the beauty of small moments. Each story is a gem, filled with endearing characters and charming anecdotes that evoke both laughter and a warm sense of connection. Whether exploring quirky encounters or introspective reflections, Sometimes leaves readers with a smile on their faces and a renewed appreciation for life's quirks and joys. Long's storytelling prowess shines through in this funny and tender collection.

An odd and unsettling collection of short stories from comedian Josie Long, which largely eschew the comedy she’s known for and dwell in much murkier places.

I found I got on with the book better by reading each story in isolation, rather than trying to read too many back-to-back. This allowed me to absorb and enjoy the weirdness.

The standout stories for me were the ones dealing with motherhood, which felt rooted in lived experience. Other favourites were those set in imagined dystopian futures.

I enjoy Josie Long’s socialist comedy and her soft voice presenting the Radio 4 series Short Cuts, so I was looking forward to seeing what her first short story collection would be like. The stories were mainly the soft thought provoking type, with a lot of interiority and reflection, not too much on the comic front.

A recommended read for those who like thoughtful woman-based stories.

This is an engaging and complex set of short stories, all from a first person perspective. Each story is from the point of view of a character whose distinct flaws or insecurities are explored through the interactions with other characters and their own internal monologue. There is a ‘stream of consciousness’ style to many of the stories (somewhat reminiscent of Max Porter’s books) which allowed me to feel like I was inhabiting that character - travelling along inside their head for a short time.

I sometimes had a little difficulty with the first person perspective - it wasn’t always clear the gender of the narrator, and the lack of third-person exposition meant that sometimes relationships between people weren’t clear to me. Also, this is not an uplifting book - some of the themes are a little dark, and many of the stories deal with insecurity at some level. However, these minor issues aside, I found the character explorations very satisfying, and enjoyed each one.

The story “Poets Rise Again” stood out as the most enjoyable for me. I would love to see the ideas and characters in this story expanded into a novel in their own right - I was fascinated by what their back-story was, and would have enjoyed a longer, more satisfying narrative arc than the short story form allows.

Thank you #NetGalley and Canongate Books for the free review copy of #BecauseIdontknow in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Oh this was quite a surprise. I love Josie's comedy so I was chomping at the bit to get my hands on these short stories. And wow, they were totally not what I was expecting. They seem to be a collection of snapshots of everyday peoples lives. I couldn't tell if there was a thread between the stories and I might have benefited from an introduction to set my expectations. They were dark in places and there were a few where I had to reread as I was WTF?! But in all I enjoyed them.

Josie Long is one of Britain's brightest and most intelligent comedy stars. This collection of short stories suggests she definitely holds some promise as a literary talent too.

An excellent collection of stories, because I don't know what you mean and what you don't packs a powerful punch in bitesize chunks.

The book can be read one story at a time or all at once. Many of these short stories left me wanting more and I would love to read a full-length version. Josie Long is a very talented writer and, despite one or two stories which disappointed slightly for me as they weren't as good as the rest, I'll be recommending this collection!

My thanks to NetGalley and Canongate publishers for a copy of “ Because I Don’t Know What You Mean and What you Don’t “
I’m not a big fan of short stories to be fair, but I have read a few collections recently that were more hit than miss. Unfortunately , for me, this book wasn’t one of them .I couldn’t really connect with the stories , and I struggled to finish the book

DNF
This wasn't my kind of thing. I thought it would be a nice funny read but I just didn't click with it or want to read on so I had to DNF.
I am putting it as 2 stars as I can't really judge it all

Because I Don't Know What You Mean and What You Don't" is a book written by Josie Long, a British comedian, writer, and actress. The book is a collection of personal essays, reflections, and musings on a variety of topics, including mental health, politics, art, and the challenges of navigating modern life.

Long's writing is characterized by her trademark humour, wit, and vulnerability. She is unafraid to share her own struggles and insecurities, and her writing is infused with a deep sense of empathy and compassion for others.

In "Because I Don't Know What You Mean and What You Don't," Long takes on a range of topics, from the difficulties of maintaining friendships as an adult, to the joys and frustrations of being an artist in a rapidly changing world. She also addresses the impact of social media on our lives and the need for greater compassion and understanding in today's society.

Throughout the book, Long's writing is thoughtful, insightful, and deeply relatable. She writes with honesty and authenticity that is both refreshing and inspiring, and her book is a testament to the power of humour and storytelling to help us connect with ourselves and others.

Overall, "Because I Don't Know What You Mean and What You Don't" is a delightful and thought-provoking book that will appeal to anyone looking for a fresh perspective on life, love, and the challenges of being human.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Stand up comedian Josie Long's short story collection came as a surprise, there is nothing in the way of an upbeat tone, instead what you get is an astute and observational eye on the darker and more unsettling aspects of life. I did not necessarily connect with every story, some were a little on the slight side and for me required more depth. The stories are:

A Good Day
We Decided to Leave London
A Little Dirty Thing
Forgetting
Gallus
Poet's Rise
2021, 20/21
Bold and Brazen
Just an Informal Chat
Volunteering
What You Could Have Done
Poets Rise Again
Between
A Photo Taken at a Small Town Museum
The Patron Saint of Lost Causes
I Don't Know

Long gives the reader a glimpse into a wide range of lives, touching on the doubts, insecurities and anxieties, and poor self esteem experienced by women and girls. There are issues of identity, and memories, including a boy's troubled relationship with his father, a forgotten memory surfaces of his abusive father from when he was a toddler. It probes being a parent, marriage, family, and the nature of relationships, the rose coloured glasses as opposed to the reality when seeing someone, the madness of a superficial enchantment, the obsessions, the tensions, body issues, feeling unsafe, and trauma. Long skilfully examines the small things, the everyday ordinariness and awkwardness, and being Long there is the occasional inclusion of the political and class. Definitely a short story collection worth reading. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

This is a collection of short stories and is a very quick read, basically a snapshot of different lives.

I struggled with this - some of the stories were just perfect, such as the story of the women on an estate in lockdown and the story of the grandpa trying to compensate for a relationship between a son and his father. Others were quite hard to follow and just as you were getting into the swing of the story, it finished. There is an overarching theme of female anxiety, especially felt in the story where the young woman meets up with her ex-boyfriend, but I didn’t relate to the majority of the characters.

I'm usually quite fan of short story collections but this fell quite flat. With a few exceptions, I felt like every time I managed to understand the context and was getting into the rhythm of the story it finished at that point.

Because I don't know what you mean and what you don't by Josie Long is a collection of short stories with empathetically drawn flawed characters.

I received a free copy from Netgalley for an honest review.

Despite Long being a well-known comedian this collection of short stories are anything but 'funny', in fact they are all somewhat disturbing in nature. It seem all of the stories have similar themes: anxiety, pettiness, obsequious and obsession - unwanted but unresolved characters in human nature - are all heavily present in each story.

All the stories spotlight flawed parts of ourselves and that explicitly means that they are entirely relatable. Everyone has experienced loss, unrequited love, a bully, and more importantly their own internal doubt - perhaps not in excess as the poor characters involved in Long's short stories.

Long showcases these heightened feelings almost to an extreme point, and while they can be exciting, deranged and cringey to read about, you do have to ask yourself - What would happen if we did let the intrusive thoughts win?