Rhys James is to publish his first book
- You'll Like It When You Get There: A Life Lived Reluctantly is the first book from stand-up Rhys James
- Due to be published in August, it's described as "a hilarious guide to life from someone who doesn't want to do anything"
- The comic says: "I've always wanted to write a book, partly because it doesn't require leaving the house. Or shed"
Rhys James has written his first book, a "refreshingly honest look at modern life, and how to get out of living it".
Due to be published on 14th August in hardback and eBook formats, You'll Like It When You Get There: A Life Lived Reluctantly is described by publishers Wildfire as "a hilarious guide to life from someone who doesn't want to do anything, and an exploration of why you possibly shouldn't either".
The stand-up comedian says: "I've always wanted to write a book, partly because it doesn't require leaving the house. Or shed. I'm eternally grateful to Wildfire for giving me the platform, and terrified for anyone to read it and find out who I really am."
The book's blurb explains: "Rhys has lived his entire life with a backdrop of dread. As a child, the sentence he feared most was 'come downstairs and say hello'. Age 5 he feigned injury to avoid dancing at a wedding, and 25 years later, he celebrated when the venue set on fire moments before what would've been the biggest gig of his life.
"You'll Like It When You Get There is a guide to life from someone who doesn't want to do anything, and an exploration of why you possibly shouldn't either. Part comic memoir, part essay collection, join Rhys as he avoids not just social engagements but big life milestones too, like getting married and having children. A deep dive into regret, humiliation, failure and pretending to be French for personal gain. From the Wild West of early internet chatrooms to the sticky circus of the Kavos strip, from redesigning therapy after completing it in just four sessions, to having a full existential breakdown when a Buddhist monk asks him for 5 stars on TripAdvisor.
"If you've ever celebrated plans being cancelled with an Andy Murray fist pump, secretly prayed for another lockdown, attempted to start your own nickname, or tried - in vain - to control the outcome of everything you do, then welcome to the club. We close early, obviously."
Speaking to The Bookseller, publisher Philip Connor said: "I've loved Rhys' work for years, so it has been amazing to work with him on this hilarious new book. It is also uplifting, insightful and inspiring - even if what it's inspiring you to do is absolutely nothing. It's a refreshingly honest look at modern life, and how to get out of living it."
You'll Like It When You Get There is available to pre-order now.
Rhys James - You'll Like It When You Get There: A Life Lived Reluctantly
A refreshingly honest look at modern life, and how to get out of living it.
Rhys has lived his entire life with a backdrop of dread. As a child, the sentence he feared most was "come downstairs and say hello." Age 5 he feigned injury to avoid dancing at a wedding, and 25 years later, he celebrated when the venue set on fire moments before what would've been the biggest gig of his life.
You'll Like It When You Get There is a guide to life from someone who doesn't want to do anything, and an exploration of why you possibly shouldn't either. Part comic memoir, part essay collection, join Rhys as he avoids not just social engagements but big life milestones too, like getting married and having children. A deep dive into regret, humiliation, failure and pretending to be French for personal gain. From the Wild West of early internet chatrooms to the sticky circus of the Kavos strip, from redesigning therapy after completing it in just four sessions, to having a full existential breakdown when a Buddhist monk asks him for 5 stars on TripAdvisor.
If you've ever celebrated plans being cancelled with an Andy Murray fist pump, secretly prayed for another lockdown, attempted to start your own nickname, or tried - in vain - to control the outcome of everything you do, then welcome to the club. We close early, obviously.
You'll Like It When You Get There is at once hilarious, insightful and inspiring - even if what it's inspiring you to do is absolutely nothing. This is the introvert's manifesto, the overthinker's dossier, the diary of a wimpy kid.
First published: Thursday 14th August 2025