Book Review: Party Like It's 2044 by Joni B. Cole

November 22, 2023 Michelle Cornish

Today I’m reviewing Party Like It’s 2044 by Joni B. Cole as part of her WOW! Women on Writing blog tour.

About the Book

Author Joni B. Cole worries that Vlad the Impaler may be a distant cousin. She feuds with a dead medium. She thinks (or overthinks) about insulting birthday cards, power trips, and the real reasons writers hate Amazon. And she wishes, really wishes, all those well-meaning people would stop talking about Guatemala. At once irreverent and thought provoking, Cole offers a joy ride through this collection of eclectic essays that lands smack on the sweet spot between soul searching and social commentary, between humor and heft. Writes author and national book reviewer Joan Frank, “Here is a voice giving us a welcome break: vibrant, provocative, funny and flavorful...Cole’s deep and generous thinking makes room and fresh air: worth breathing deeply.”

Publisher: University of New Mexico Press

ISBN-10: 0826365566

ISBN-13: 978-0826365569

Print length: 240 pages

Purchase a copy of Party Like It’s 2044 on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Thrift Books, and Bookshop.org. You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list.

My Review

Joni B. Cole's latest book, Party Like it's 2044, is a blend of humor, introspection, and sharp social commentary that resonates with readers on multiple levels. Through a series of eclectic essays, Cole explores a variety of themes, ranging from the trivial to the profound, all the while maintaining a tone that is both irreverent and insightful.

Cole's writing style is distinct and engaging, characterized by self-ironic and audacious wit. Her essays are a romp through the absurdities and contradictions of modern life. Whether she's pondering potential familial ties to Vlad the Impaler, feuding with a deceased medium, or reflecting on the complexities of writerly disdain for Amazon, Cole's voice is vibrant and provocative. She manages to strike an intricate balance between making readers laugh and prompting them to think, navigating through her subjects with a deft hand that is both compassionate and critical.

Cole doesn’t shy away from introspection or social critique, expertly weaving them into narratives that are as entertaining as they are enlightening. Her essays are like a joyride – fast-paced, unpredictable, and utterly enjoyable, yet they also manage to arrive at destinations that are emotionally and intellectually satisfying.

Critically acclaimed for her unique voice, Cole takes the reader on a journey through the nuances of everyday life, highlighting the absurdities and joys of the human experience. Her writing is relatable, often reflecting on common insecurities and societal observations with a freshness that is both enlightening and humorous.

In summary, Joni B. Cole's Party Like it's 2044 is an amalgam of wit, wisdom, and whimsy. It’s a book that reminds us of the power of laughter and the importance of self-reflection. Whether you're in it for the laughs, the insights, or the sheer pleasure of good writing, this book is a delightful addition to any reader's collection.

About Joni B. Cole

Joni B. Cole is a writing instructor and author of seven books, including the acclaimed new essay collection Party Like It’s 2044, described by scholar and humorist Gina Barreca as, “Fabulously readable and thoroughly engaging, it is Cole’s voice that makes her stories sing. Whether she’s leading us into laughter, or holding our hand through dazzling moments of emotional recognition, Cole takes writing seriously while taking herself lightly, and thereby illuminating the world with these memorable essays.”

Joni also has authored two books for writers: Good Naked: How to Write More, Write Better, and Be Happier (listed as one of the "Best Books for Writers" by Poets & Writers magazine); and Toxic Feedback: Helping Writers Survive and Thrive (“strongly recommended” for students and teachers by Library Journal). Nominated for a US Fellowship Award and Pushcart Prize, she created the three-volume “This Day” series that shares a day in the life of hundreds of women across America (“fascinating and eye-opening,” Publisher's Weekly).

For twenty-five years, Joni has taught online and in-person creative writing to adults through her own Writer's Center in White River Junction, Vermont, as well as at academic programs and conferences around the country. She lives in Vermont and has two daughters. For more info, email jonibethcole@gmail.com. Or visit: jonibcole.com or thewriterscenterwrj.com.

Follow the Blog Tour

November 13 @ The Muffin

Join us at the Muffin as we celebrate the launch of Joni B. Cole's essay collection Party Like It’s 2044. Read an interview with the author and win a copy of the book.

https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com

November 15 @ One Writer's Journey

Visit Sue's blog for a guest post by Joni B. Cole about tips for productive revision.

https://suebe.wordpress.com/

November 18 @ A Wonderful World of Words

Visit Joy's blog for a spotlight of Party Like It’s 2044.

https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/

November 20 @ One Writer's Journey

Join Sue again for her review of Joni B. Cole's essay collection Party Like It’s 2044.

https://suebe.wordpress.com/

November 22 @ Michelle Cornish's blog

Visit Michelle's blog for her review of Party Like It’s 2044.