I Probably Shouldn't Have Done That

by Edmond Manning

Edmond Manning, author of "The Lost and Founds" series has made a few mistakes in his life. Well, more than a few. But with his characteristic ability to embrace the weird and the wonderful, he prefers to think of them as "experiences." Why label an adventure a regret if everything works out in the end? Whether getting high from an airplane stranger's candy, attempting to deceive the DMV with magic, or discovering he might be the central figure in an unfolding teen horror flick, Manning reflects on a lifetime of questionable decisions in this memoir and confessional. In the essay, "Dear Penthouse, " Manning ponders the appropriate response to a late-night booty call from an irritating neighbor. "The Best New York Sandwich" documents his day being homeless in New York City. Soft reflections about "The Final Blessing" from his father, and thoughts of growing older, are interspersed with odd tales of a family that believes in "Moon Recession Birthdays." Manning leaps from personal lunacy to handling homophobia to sheer wonder at the beauty of everyday people which makes for a giggly, surprising, and occasionally sweet-sad journey through a gay man's collected tales of a life filled with glorious mistakes.

Genres: Nonfiction, M M Romance, Humor, LGBT

170 pages, Paperback

First published November 28, 2013

About the author

Edmond Manning has always been fascinated by fiction: how ordinary words could be sculpted into heartfelt emotions, how heartfelt emotions could leave an imprint inside you stronger than the real world. Mr. Manning never felt worthy to seek publication until recently, when he accidentally stumbled into his own writer’s voice that fit perfectly, like his favorite skull-print, fuzzy jammies. He finally realized that he didn’t have to write like Charles Dickens or Armistead Maupin, two author heroes, and that perhaps his own fiction was juuuuuuust right, because it was his true voice, so he looked around the scrappy word kingdom that he created for himself and shouted, “I’M HOME!” He is now a writer.

In addition to fiction, Edmond enjoys writing non-fiction on his blog, www.edmondmanning.com. When not writing, he can be found either picking raspberries in the back yard or eating panang curry in an overstuffed chair upstairs, reading comic books.

Reviews

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first story in "I Probably Shouldn't Have Done That" I had read a few months ago on Edmond's website. I kind of stumbled upon it in an hours-long fit of internet browsing that ended with my eyes glassy to the point of tears, and about 15 tabs of random sites across the top of my screen. I read Edmond's airplane story and laughed so hard that I couldn't breathe for a few moments. I then forwarded the story to my husband at about 3 am. He never responded and played dumb when I asked him if he had read it the next day. I think my husband puts my emails to him in his spam folder, or at least ones I send after midnight... Regardless, after reading Edmond's story, I had to buy his book to see what other hilarious tidbits he had to offer me. Lots, as it turns out.

This book felt very familiar to me. Some of the stories I had already heard from Edmond or his website, but yet more I just related to. They felt like I, or a close friend, was telling the stories. They were hilarious and poignant and completely accessible. I understood his feeling of "coming home" that he experienced at his first Gay Rom Lit, which I attended as a newbie only months ago. I also felt welcomed and judgement-free in a crowd of like-minded people. I choked with laughter at his story about the DMV and remembered the saga that occurred when I renewed my license in June. My 18 month old baby ran away from me while we waited for an eternity and ate some strange substance off the floor. Yes, you heard me right. ATE SOMETHING OFF THE FLOOR OF THE DMV. She also ran by each person as they were taking their picture and screamed "cheese" as the camera flashed. My license picture is probably almost as bad as Edmond's.

What I'm trying to say by my ramblings is that Edmond's book resonated with me. I connected to the stories, some more than others. Some of his stories I think I could re-read weekly, some I skimmed even as I was reading for the first time. I think this book has something for everyone. It was a lovely piece of Edmond's life and I'm so happy that he shared it with me.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: I probably shouldn't have done that by Edmond Manning  
 
Dear Edmond Manning,
 
I love your writing. I love it so much more after reading this amazing book. I was both moved to giggles and to tears during the course of your book, and I cannot thank you enough for writing it.
 
You tell your stories with such enthusiasm, with so much heart and with so much thoughtfulness. Frequently, I was snickering at your snarky humor only to be hit by something very profound that crept up on me without notice until it was too late. With every story, every anecdote, a clearer picture emerged of the person behind the words. Someone I'd be proud to call my friend, someone who thinks the world of his own friends, someone who is a great friend, a wonderful son. 
 
 
When Edmond announced on Facebook that he had just published a non-fiction, sort of biography, I clicked that link without hesitation and bought a copy.
 
Excellent life choice! 
 
For anyone reading this review, I would like you to stop and hop on over to your favorite bookseller to purchase this book. There are lessons to be learned from what Edmond probably shouldn't have done. Don't be alarmed by the image on the cover - that story isn't told in the book. There was no hugging a bear cub and no angry bear mama tearing him to pieces. Though I can see how Edmond might have done that. 
 
What did happen though is a story about Edmond spending a day as a homeless person in NYC. And talking about that experience, seeing the passers-by hurrying to their jobs and still taking the time to find goodness in their hearts. That story gave me renewed faith in humanity, especially when I found out that one woman gave up her homemade sandwich to who she believed to be in greater need.
 

"She made it with processed cheese, the cheap kind that remains imprinted with its individual plastic wrap. The meat was thinly sliced, a hybrid of ham and pastrami, one of those sandwich meats rather difficult to name. Ambiguous flavor. Wheat bread. Mayonnaise. It wasn't fully cut in half. The bottom bread was barely perforated. A half-assed job done by someone in a hurry. I know. I've made sandwiches like that. Obviously, she made it for herself, but when she encountered someone who she felt needed it more, she did not hesitate. She gifted it to me and disappeared into the crowd of busy professionals."

 
 
What happened is a story about Edmond sitting in his friend's backyard, drinking beer and talking about monsters. What happened is a story about Edmond writing wonderful letters to his Mom and Dad, and the assumption his proclivity to decorate the envelopes and packages caused. What happened is a story about teaching a class of cops and encountering a raging case of homophobia. 
 
The story about his father and what was said shortly before he passed made me tear up. There was so much love between the lines that it felt almost like an intrusion on my end to read those words. 
 
And then in the next breath, you read about a snorkeling trip with his friend Ann, and you're giggling again but also struck by the lesson to be learned.
 
You see him weed dandelions from a back yard as part of a charity project he participates in, and you see that he is kind and good-hearted and realizes that children need encouragement, not chastising. 
 
You see him deal with homophobia, the one on the outside flung at him, and the one he internalized and flings at himself. You see him be courageous and you see him scared. 
 
Edmond Manning lets you see into his life, into what shaped him, into what made him the person he is today. There is no greater gift than to open yourself up to your fellow man and let them see that you're just as flawed and incomplete as they are. 
 
Sure, he keeps some things very private, as they should be, but I didn't expect him to do any different. Still, each story, be it funny or thought-provoking, is a lesson Edmond learned and one we can all benefit from. 
 
I enjoyed this book tremendously. I'm so very humbled that he agreed to be our blog's first ever Author of the Month in 2014. And I look forward to many more amazing stories from him.
 
You can buy his book here . 
 
 
 
I purchased this book for myself, with my own money. The above is my opinion, and mine alone. 

[Kaje Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you could use a laugh that still has heart, or a story with honesty that catches in your chest but still makes you smile... or if you need to just take a moment away from your day and remind yourself of how wonderful and unique people can be, read this.

In the interest of disclosure, I know Edmond Manning, although we didn't really meet until after he'd blown me away with how good his first novel, King Perry, was. This book is a series of anecdotes and thoughts about his life, from his love of practical jokes, and stickers, and strange, creepy monkey figures, to his loving but not accepting Catholic family.

Although you might wonder if someone can really be this funny, this serious, curious, tentative, thoughtful, silly, brave, and full of his love for words and for people, I'm here to say, "Yeah. That's Edmond." I saw his DMV picture with the shoe-blacked hair that said more "convict" than "magic". He emailed me from his trip to New York, where he went to find the heart of that unfamiliar city, for his next book. He's the guy who hugged an almost stranger, with kindness and compassion, when my first GRL conference almost got the better of me in a public hallway. That guy.

Edmond writes about funny moments, like finding out what his home post office really thought of his sticker-covered packages back to his mom. He writes of hard times, like the death of his father, or the moment when his sister told him his sexuality could be healed by belief in God. But every story seems to cradle within it more than one emotion. In the middle of a tender reminiscence, there's a moment you'll laugh out loud. In the midst of humor, his reflection on the human heart will make you sigh. In a sad slide into loss, there is affirmation of love.

These stories were taken from his blog posts, so they may be familiar to his loyal followers. I was glad to reread them, and savor the new ones. Each story stands alone, making this the perfect book for those short waits, and breakfast pick-me-ups, and last thing before bed. They will make you smile, and sigh, and think. And I count myself lucky in being among those who sometimes get to hang out with Edmond and hear his tales first hand.

[Vanessa North · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my review of this book, I am about to tell you a bunch of lies, and I swear every one of them is true.

I read this book on a spring evening in Asheville, North Carolina, in a coffee shop which no longer exists, clutching the hand of a woman who was a stranger earlier that day. I held her hand as we talked because the conversation was so heartfelt we had to make that physical connection.

I read this book on Halloween night in Blandford, Massachusetts, walking from the elementary school to my grandma's house in the dark because I'd be safe there.

I read this book under the stars on a summer night in Dijon, with my hand tangled in the soft ginger beard of a man who kissed as though he was praying for something.

I read this book on a scorching July afternoon, in the shadow of the Sagrada Familia, sharing a joint and a snickers ice cream bar with a beautiful canadian woman who was my sister for the day.

I read this book in a hospital in Atlanta with two newborn babies clutched to my chest.

I read this book on an October night in Belmont, North Carolina when I couldn't stop smiling.

I had to stop reading this book a few times, because between Edmond's stories and my own recognition of times i felt "just like that" i grew overwhelmed.

I read this book from the comfort of an armchair in my yellow house in a small city in northwest georgia. My kids played hide and seek, and used my laughter and my quiet tears to cover their giggles. Every one of Edmond's stories touched me, and reminded me of those times in my life when i experienced joy and heartache and fear. In relating his memories, he evoked my own.

And then, in that last bit, he called me on it.

Brilliant, you know?

[Brandon Witt · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are books that come into our lives at just the right moment. I Probably Shouldn’t Have Done That was one such book for me. It was a personally dark time in my life when I started reading it. Even so, I lost track of how many times during the first half of this book that I burst out laughing (which is rare for me when I’m reading, doubly so considering my head space). By the midway mark, each tale brought on tears of understanding, serenity, and shared human experience. I read these stories over four different nights. During the rough moments of the day, I’d remember that I would get to go home and read more of Edmond Manning’s life, and it made the day much easier to get through. I didn’t want it to end. I wish it were like one of those cheese-of the-month clubs, except on a daily basis. You would walk into your home from a hard day (or not hard day) and there would be another adventure from Edmond’s life waiting to heal you through laughter and tears. For me, this was a perfect book. I’d be worried about over-selling it, but I don’t actually think that is possible. The story telling, the writing, the heart, the humor, the depth, the genuineness of this book (in EVERY, SINGLE story) is flawless. Buy, read it, and then get a copy for everyone you care about.

[Vivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life can truly be wondrous
... especially when seen through the eyes of Edmond Manning. I gladly followed his invitation to share some of those moments of joy, or sadness, or goofy weirdness, and a few adventures, knowing that at the very least I would be entertained. And what do you know? I got so much more than I bargained for. This delightful little book is not just a collection of short stories allowing you a glimpse into the unique mind of Mr. Manning, it's a flaming declaration of his love. For life, for the goodness and kindness in his fellow humans, for his friends, who are so precious to him he occasionally dresses up as a gorilla and throws bananas at them. You think that's no way to show your appreciation and affection? Trust me, it is. After you've read this book you will agree with me. You will laugh, and you will laugh hard, you will be touched and surprised, you will be entertained and enlightened. Think I'm promising too much? Well, only one way to find out, start reading.

[♣ Irish Smurfétté ♣ · Rating 5 out of 5]

there aren't enough stars in the sky... or planets, or black holes or cookies or zombies.

these will be my own reactions, notes I wrote in my paperback copy, feelings I experienced, and still do, as and since I read this book. it won’t be a “critique”, I can’t really do that. this is Edmond, his book, his stories… though, they’re mine, too. even more, that means not only can I not critique this, but I will not. i’ll just love.

as I started reading this, I was going to do just the first couple of stories. three hours later, I had finished. with notes, written in the book. in orange ink. just because. I wrote down my reactions, I wrote down my "me too!'s", my stories, my understanding.

sitting here, it doesn't feel like hundreds of miles and lives separate us. it feels like we're sitting on the couch together and I'm about to give and get a hug, a queen hugging a king. can I say that? am I allowed to... self-queen? is that how it works? or do others queen me, is it a combo, something like a group effort? I'm thinking yeah, it is.

it may sound cliche but it's no less true: I giggled, I exclaimed my common love of dolphin stickers, I understood the surprise, I cried my tears over a parent with whom I also wasn't finished but left me with so very much in ways to handle it.

I collect elephants (ahem, E), not monkeys, but they all hold meaning because nearly every single one (except for a cool ass lamp I bought for myself, I couldn't pass it up) was and is a gift. jussayin'.

friendship. family. struggles. fears. light bulbs and unanswered questions. you can't have an uneventful life with all of these things swirling around you. one person's weird is another person's weird, and that's what makes it so great, and relatable, and worth sharing, and fulfilling, and the conduit through which so many of us find those friends and family who we make our own. and they do the same for us.

see? there's no way to rate this kind of thing. at least I can't "rate" it. it's getting five stars because that's the most this platform allows. but there aren't enough stars in the sky, and I'm grateful for that.

this was the best thing for me to read today. day one in that new year, no longer the first...
<3

[Ulysses Dietz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Probably Shouldn’t Have Done That
By Edmond Manning
Pickwick Ink Publishing, 2013
Cover by L.C. Chase
ISBN: 9780989097956
Four stars

I’ve read all of Edmond Manning’s “Lost and Found Kings” books, and am a huge fan of his wild, visceral, emotional style. He’s a brilliant writer, without pretension, full of love.

I finally decided I should read his book of non-fiction essays, which, unsurprisingly, are autobiographical. They are by turns hilarious and poignant, absurd and shockingly true. The book starts off with the silly little “Flying High,” which is a giggle-inducing memory of the results of inattention on an airplane. But the variety of topic and mood is large, and each essay is a surprise, a small gift from a writer to his friends.

There are stories about Manning’s misadventures, about his friends, about his family, about his life as a writer. What they have in common is that they all open windows into this writer’s head and heart. They reveal, bit by bit, the man behind the Vin Vanbly novels, and give the reader a sense of just how much of the real Edmond Manning is in those books.

There is a huge amount in these short essays that resonated with me, even though Manning’s life is not at all parallel to my own in any specific way. Here is an author who gives as much as he gets in life. The whole premise of the “lost and found kings” is not something he made up for his books – it is part of the way he sees the world around him. Manning is a writer of profound gentleness and generous humor. Having read this smattering of memoirs, I think I understand why reading his novels makes me feel so loved.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is always a pleasure to read and recommend Edmond Manning's books. I have enjoyed immensely the two books in his King series, King Perry and King Mai, which were absolute treasures of fiction. "I Probably Shouldn't Have Done That" is a different offering by Mr. Manning. It is a collection of wonderful essays on life that is the treasure chest itself, full of delicious gems relating his unique experiences with a wide variety of subjects, including family relationships, homophobia, and tackling a day at the DMV, just to name a few.

Mr. Manning's engaging style invites the reader to come sit down and enjoy a good story. With a homespun, conversational tone that makes us feel as though we are simply sharing a chat with the author, he tells us his tales that range from the hilarious to the heartbreaking, yet they are consistently poignant. Each one has its own unique flavor and nugget of wisdom inside, allowing us to experience something entirely different from the last. As we savor these glorious tidbits of Mr. Manning's life, he subtly weaves beautiful, gentle life lessons into each, touching on a wealth of varying emotions such as compassion, humility, anger, and fear. Yet all are delicately laced with Mr. Manning's delightful joie de vivre and are undeniable evidence of his love for others.

I highly recommend this little treasure chest. Pick it up. Start reading. You might find that the voice you hear through Mr. Manning is actually your own, kindly reminding you of something you desperately needed to tell yourself: be brave, be kind, be patient, be human.

Maybe you shouldn't have, Mr. Manning, but I am so glad you did!

[Jayden Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the books I read in 2013, and there were a lot, this is my favorite.

I spent a few nights reading in bed.

The first night I was evicted from bed by my guy. He didn't appreciate my hysterical laughing fits as I read Flying High.

The second night when he got impatient, I drew him in on the fun. We read the DMV story together.

Then there were the stories that warmed my heart. Some brought me to tears. The worst ones made me think. I hate when that happens. :) But I have to admit. There was one thing that really, truly disappointed me - there were no more pages to turn.

Just fantastic.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

True stories from Manning's life that are sometimes laugh-out-loud funny, sometimes touching and sad. I enjoyed them a lot. Especially the DMV story.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book. Great weekend read.

[J.P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful collection of autobiographical stories from a truly superb storyteller. Manning takes readers on a roller coaster ride of beautifully detailed life moments, from the sublime to the outrageous. The hilarious chapter on Edmond's long day at the DMV is worth the price of the book alone. Buy this book, grab a glass of wine (or scotch) and have a box of tissues handy for hours of laughs, tears, and more laughs. Highly recommended. This was the first book I've read by Manning and now I'm off to purchase and devour his fiction writing...

[Melyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edmond Manning is a wonderful storyteller. He has been on my tbr for a while. When I decided to take a reading challenge to read a book by an author I had not read before, I chose Edmond. I chose his memoir because I love his sense of humor, the kindness he exudes in his posts.

This is a wonderful book. It is filled with moments from Edmond's life. His stories are sweet,thought provoking and will touch your heart. And more than once, they were Laugh Out Loud funny. This is a great feel good, "I need a Pick me up" kind of read.

Recommended

[Andy White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is like having a friend over to talk about his life. Funny, real, sad, a highly recommended read.

[Elisa Rolle · Rating 5 out of 5]

2014 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)

[Arshad Ahsanuddin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky and humorous memoir.

[Josy]

A totally awesome gift from my cyber momma Karen!! She got Edmond Manning to sign this book for me!! Amazing, right?
Thank you sooo much, Karen!!!