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One of The New Yorker's "Books We Loved in 2017"

“Arbitrary Stupid Goal is a completely riveting world―when I looked up from its pages regular life seemed boring and safe and modern like one big iPhone. This book captures not just a lost New York but a whole lost way of life.” ―Miranda July

In Arbitrary Stupid Goal, Tamara Shopsin takes the reader on a pointillist time-travel trip to the Greenwich Village of her bohemian 1970s childhood, a funky, tight-knit small town in the big city, long before Sex and the City tours and luxury condos. The center of Tamara’s universe is Shopsin’s, her family’s legendary greasy spoon, aka “The Store,” run by her inimitable dad, Kenny―a loquacious, contrary, huge-hearted man who, aside from dishing up New York’s best egg salad on rye, is Village sheriff, philosopher, and fixer all at once. All comers find a place at Shopsin’s table and feast on Kenny’s tall tales and trenchant advice along with the incomparable chili con carne.

Filled with clever illustrations and witty, nostalgic photographs and graphics, and told in a sly, elliptical narrative that is both hilarious and endearing, Arbitrary Stupid Goal is an offbeat memory-book mosaic about the secrets of living an unconventional life, which is becoming a forgotten art.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ MCD; First Edition (July 18, 2017)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0374105863
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0374105860
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.82 x 1.05 x 8.58 inches
Reviewer: Christopher G. Lewis
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A wonderful and candid portrait of a neighborhood and a cantankerous mensch
Review: Reading about the Shopsins' store in the 1970s will make the reader nostalgic for the pockets of small-town life that used to exist around New York. Tamara Shopsin's narrative style and illustrations are often very funny and always candid. A version of Shopsin's still survives in the Essex Street Market though sadly the philosopher/chef/patriarch passed away in 2018.This is an essential companion to the documentary "I like killing flies", Calvin Trillin's 2002 New Yorker profile of the store/restaurant, "Don't Mention It", and father Kenny's cookbook/guide-to-life "Eat Me" - for the armchair adventurer who will likely rue that he/she never experienced "the store" firsthand.

Reviewer: giniajim
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Nice book, good service
Review: Delivery was fine, no problem. Book in good shape, good product. Thanks.

Reviewer: Kathleen K. Repinski
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Unusual to say the least!
Review: One of the more unusual books that I’ve read of late. I suspect that had I lived in the New York area I might have appreciated it more. Worth the time.

Reviewer: C
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great
Review: A book that will convince your friends who don’t read to start reading again

Reviewer: Winky
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Disappointing
Review: I was not impressed by the style of writing OR the author's drawings OR by the quirky page layouts. The book seemed to try too hard. Also ... supposedly it was about the author's experiences in the 1970s. She was not born then. All of that said ... she sure introduced us to a few fascinating characters from her life.

Reviewer: Gale
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Arbitrary Stupid Book
Review: Like reading someone’s diary.

Reviewer: Dr. Susan R. Meyer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Nostalgia for Greenwich Village Folks, Fun for Everyone
Review: I wasn't very familiar with Shopsin's in it's first location; more with the second or third. I taught pre-school at Greenwich House in those days and harbor a fantasy that Tamara was one of our students. I had heard so many stories about Kenny Shopsin and watched a few interesting encounters first-hand. I bought the cook book because you can't even imagine Shopsin's menu and I wanted to read more about the family. The stories are great and will take you into the heart of the real Greenwich Village of decades long gone. They are fascinating even if you've never been to New York. This is one I may loan out but will never give away.

Reviewer: Sheila Pruzansky
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Four Stars
Review: i liked it it was funny inputs which made for an enjoyable read

Reviewer: Lawrence
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Great book,well written. Read after watching “I like killing flies“ . A beautiful, quirky look at Greenwich Village in the 70s. If your at all interested in that period of time as viewed from an eccentric, bohemian diner, then this is for you! It’s laugh out loud, so be careful where you read it! The Arbitrary Stupid Goal in the title may change your life, be aware!