Not Taco Bell Material

( 61 )

Overview

Now in paperback, Adam Carolla takes us back—before Loveline and The Man Show, before the Guinness World Record-breaking podcast and the New York Times bestseller In Fifty Years We'll All Be Chicks—to reveal all the stories behind how he came to be the angry middle-aged man he is today.

Funnyman Adam Carolla is known for two things: hilarious rants about things that drive him crazy and personal stories about everything from his hardscrabble childhood to his slacker friends to ...

See more details below
Hardcover
$5.38
BN.com price
(Save 78%)$25.00 List Price

Pick Up In Store

Reserve and pick up in 60 minutes at your local store

Not Taco Bell Material

Available on NOOK devices and apps  
  • NOOK Devices
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 NOOK
  • NOOK HD/HD+ Tablet
  • NOOK
  • NOOK Color
  • NOOK Tablet
  • Tablet/Phone
  • NOOK for Windows 8 Tablet
  • NOOK for iOS
  • NOOK for Android
  • NOOK Kids for iPad
  • PC/Mac
  • NOOK for Windows 8
  • NOOK for PC
  • NOOK for Mac
  • NOOK for Web

Want a NOOK? Explore Now

NOOK Book (eBook)
$11.99
BN.com price
Note: This is a bargain book and quantities are limited. Bargain books are new but may have slight markings from the publisher and/or stickers showing their discounted price. More about bargain books

Overview

Now in paperback, Adam Carolla takes us back—before Loveline and The Man Show, before the Guinness World Record-breaking podcast and the New York Times bestseller In Fifty Years We'll All Be Chicks—to reveal all the stories behind how he came to be the angry middle-aged man he is today.

Funnyman Adam Carolla is known for two things: hilarious rants about things that drive him crazy and personal stories about everything from his hardscrabble childhood to his slacker friends to the hypocrisy of Hollywood. He tackled rants in his first book, and now he tells his best stories, debuting some never-before-heard tales as well.  Organized by the myriad "dumps" Carolla called home as a child to the flophouse apartments he rented in his twenties, up to the homes he personally renovated after achieving success in Hollywood, the anecdotes here follow Adam's journey and the hilarious pitfalls along the way.
     Adam Carolla started broke and blue collar and has now been on the Hollywood scene for more than fifteen years. Yet he's still connected to the working-class guy he once was and delivers a raw and edgy, fish-out-of-water take on the world he lives in (but mostly disagrees with), telling all the stories, no matter who he offends—family, friends, or the famous.

Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble

Before he became a famous comedian and popular author (In Fifty Years We'll All Be Chicks), Adam Carrolla was a construction worker, a carpet cleaner, a carpenter, a boxing instructor, and a traffic school instructor. Since then, he has retained the hard-edged working class perspective that makes him a podcast favorite. His raucous Not Taco Bell Material goes back to his roots; from his difficult childhood flophouse dives that he once called homes to his conflicted feelings about West Coast entertainment elites. Not your average celebrity comedian; now in trade paperback and NOOK Book.

Kirkus Reviews
Former Man Show co-host and podcast phenomenon's manly-man memoir about the awfulness of poverty and the crappiness of wealth and fame. Carolla (In Fifty Years We'll All Be Chicks, 2010, etc.) supplements his income as a famous podcast-show guy by doubling as a writer--or more specifically "ranter," as in this latest autobiographical harangue. Warming to the author's sense of humor depends on how you relate to a 47-year-old male who still calls women "chicks" and uses junior high scatological terminology like "ass mud." Here Carolla takes vengeful aim at all the human beings who've pissed him off over the years, which seems to be pretty much everyone he's come in contact with except his stepgrandfather. He rags on his over-the-top hippie parents for their un-American voluntary poverty and humorless activist causes; he rebelled against them in high school by becoming an obnoxious jock. His early 20s were full of crappy jobs and gonzo hijinks with buddies whose existences appeared to center around getting wasted and peeing on stuff. Carolla admits his love for lighting farts and recreational flatulence in general, gaseous coming-of-age hobbies that, not surprisingly, proved useful in his first gig as a host on Loveline in the mid-'90s. He got his big TV showbiz break when he met established comic Jimmy Kimmel and created the Man Show; next thing he knew, he was making serious dough and living in a house in the Hollywood Hills. The first half of the book showcases Carolla's unrelenting bitching about all the manual-labor jobs he toiled in; the next chronicles his firsthand discovery that Hollywood success pretty much sucks too--except now he can pay his bills and doesn't have to share his apartment with someone who isn't a hot chick. Another full-on blitz of 40-something white-male rage, lightened very little by the occasional potty-humor anecdote.
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780594577645
  • Publisher: Crown Publishing Group
  • Publication date: 6/12/2012
  • Pages: 336
  • Sales rank: 61868
  • Product dimensions: 6.40 (w) x 9.20 (h) x 1.30 (d)

Meet the Author

Adam Carolla

ADAM CAROLLA is a radio and TV host, comedian, actor, and host of the Adam Carolla Podcast. Carolla is well known as the co-host of the radio and MTV show Loveline, the co-creator and co-host of The Man Show, and as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars.

Read More Show Less

Interviews & Essays

Why a memoir? Why now?

Because I've had sex with a lot of famous people and I need the cash. I've got a pretty bad bath-salts problem.

Of all your jobs, which one still gives you nightmares?

Carpet cleaning. To this day I refuse to enter a building if there's one square foot of carpet in it.

If you had to do one of them again now, which one would you choose and why?

I would go back to being a boxing instructor, mainly because I weighed 177 pounds.

Any words of wisdom/advice for kids today who start out in a “dump with a dirt lawn”?

Read my book and remember, you're only limited by your own ethnicity and gender.

Where would you be today if Jimmy Kimmel hadn't been around?

I would be hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 61 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(43)

4 Star

(8)

3 Star

(3)

2 Star

(2)

1 Star

(5)
See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 61 Customer Reviews
  • Posted Fri Jun 15 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    more from this reviewer

    Even when you disagree with Adam Carolla, you have to concede th

    Even when you disagree with Adam Carolla, you have to concede that he has a point. This is no hyper-edited glossy celeb bio. This is an angry ranting middle-aged white dude with a beautiful sense of irony, often a crude sense of humor, and a way of looking at things that makes a reader think and laugh.
    Adam's humor is often self-deprecating, but he doesn't mind bringing down anyone and everyone a notch or two. This has occasionally made those who don't understand his humor or irony think that he's racist or bigoted. He makes many cracks about women that used to irritate me until I'd catch myself doing the very thing he'd yelled about...and realized he's right.

    If you like the book, I recommend that you also get the audiobook, as Adam eschews the traditional format and starts ranting tangents that are not in the book. It's the audiobook version of a director's cut and is worth every penny. I'm only 2 hours in and already there's a bunch of material not in the ebook!

    9 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted Wed Jun 13 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Another great one from Ace.

    GET IT ON ACE MAN!!!! I've been impatiently waiting for the release of this book ever since I put down the last one and as I expected, it was worth the wait. If you listen to the podcast (as you should if you're not retarded), a lot of this will be things that Adam has touched on and sometimes ranted about before. However, there are plenty of unheard tales and little nuggets that will give you more insight into the life of Ace Rockolla. Do yourself a favor, buy the book and you will not regret it. While you're at it, tell a friend, support the podcast and keep the pirate ship afloat!!

    7 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted Thu Jul 12 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Excellent Read

    This book shows what you can achieve on your own without help from family or goverment. Hats off to Mr. Carolla.

    5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted Mon Jul 09 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    I like hilarious reads and this month has been a good one for me

    I like hilarious reads and this month has been a good one for me. I decided to make my weekend a relaxing one and starting off with The Oaf, and then capped it with Adam Carolla's Not Taco Bell Material. The characters are witty and serve their purposes pretty well. The pace is fast and the descriptions succinct. On top of all of that, the writing is smooth and the lines made it the fun book that it is. This book of a beautiful mind deserves all the credits it has been given.

    3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted Fri Jul 06 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Funny and inspiring

    A great look at one mans growth and life from each house he lived in. Super funny

    2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted Thu Jul 05 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Had to buy it 3 pages into the sample!

    All I can say is I loved it...and it's the only Nook book I've paid this much for, and worth every penny! I laughed in every chapter and appreciate him so much more knowing his background. Highly recommend to anyone who's ever laughed at only even one of his jokes; funny and still touching.

    2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted Wed Jul 04 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Fun read!

    I really enjoyed the book

    2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted Tue Jun 19 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    This book is a perfect example of what happens when someone lose

    This book is a perfect example of what happens when someone loses their edge. Put me to sleep. But after The Hammer, I suppose this was to be expected.

    2 out of 13 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Posted Sun Oct 06 00:00:00 EDT 2013

    This book would make great toilet paper! ZERO STARS

    I have never read a book like this in my life - it is one boy's wet dream of a life - I have never read a book with so much pee, poop, puke, etc. in it. Most lousy books have something to recommend them, but this stinker is AWFUL! I can't believe I bought such a piece of drek. This guy keeps telling us how he is a "celebrity", however, I have never even heard his name before. Please do yourself a big favor and DON'T BOTHER WITH THIS BOOK.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted Wed Jan 30 00:00:00 EST 2013

    Bobthebuilder1234567890@$%(:::::)\=]

    Hi

    1 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted Thu Jul 12 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    The Ace Man Comes Through Again

    Great fun once again. I buy a taco from you any time!

    1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted Tue Jul 03 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Hilarious

    Loved this book as much as his first. Laughed all the way thru and learned a few things along the way.

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted Sat Jul 07 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    funny

    Tells it like it is a no hold back kind or guy, very entertaining!!! WORTH YOUR TIME----------

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted Tue Jun 26 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Very Funny

    The language is a little raw, but that is Adam Carolla. Enjoyed his life story. Title is perfect. Not for kids.

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Posted Mon Jun 25 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    A great follow-up to In Fifty Years We'll All Be Chicks. Before

    A great follow-up to In Fifty Years We'll All Be Chicks. Before you jump to the conclusion that it's trash based on his comedy and podcast, give it a chance. You'll be surprised and probably won't want to put it down. Without being a spoiler, look out for the Tan Gents, little nuggets of wisdom. I still want to know how he fixed up his pickup to become "theftproof" by cutting off the fuel supply for one or two blocks? I was rolling on the floor after reading that one!! Sheer genius!!

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Posted Sun Jun 24 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Way too funny! Who knew this guy had such a crazy life!

    Way too funny! Who knew this guy had such a crazy life!

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted Fri Jun 22 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Phenomimal

    Inspriational. Endeering. Hillarious and life changing for me. Not since his first have i had a life changing book grace my eyes like this one. A must buy. Especially for podcast listeners

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted Thu Jun 21 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Awful...

    I read this book because of Dennis Prager's interview with Mr. Carolla. It's awful - not because of the cussing and the utter and relentless crassness but because of the total lack of any gratitude.

    1 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Posted Mon Jun 18 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Hilarious!

    Adam takes us on a walk through his incredibly interesting journey in an engaging, thought provoking, and hilarious way.

    1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
  • Anonymous

    Posted Tue Jun 12 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    What a sad, pathetic childhood. Now a genius.

    What a sad, pathetic childhood. Now a genius.

    1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  No   Report this review
See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 61 Customer Reviews

If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
Why is this product inappropriate?
Comments (optional)