We Are Experiencing a Slight Delay - by Gary Janetti (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - A RUPAUL'S BOOK CLUB PICK

A Town & Country Must-Read Book of Summer 2024!

One of Vulture's Best New Audiobooks of 2024.

"A delightful and sharp-witted tour through a lifetime's worth of travel exploits and misadventures. . . . Readers are bound to catch the travel bug."--Publishers Weekly

"Filled with warmth and self-deprecating humor, Janetti's relatable observations convey his deep affection for [his husband] Brad and the places they love." --The Washington Post

In this hilarious and often touching collection of funny travel essays, the author, television writer, and producer takes us with him on travels across the globe.

Gary Janetti has gained a devoted following, with a huge audience on social media, and two bestselling collections of essays under his belt. His new collection will prompt laughter but also delighted recognition as Janetti tackles the absurdity and glory of travel.

In We Are Experiencing a Slight Delay, he shares stories of his varied trips around the world. Tag along as he enjoys an unexpectedly transformative stay at a rigorous Italian spa where he and his husband go from deep grumpiness to exaltation. Take a ride on the Orient Express to Venice and discover a surprising side of London, including a hilarious dinner with actress Maggie Smith. And pull up a deck chair to watch the entertainment as Gary embarks on a family cruise on the Queen Mary 2.

Interspersed with recollections of his trips are personal meditations on dining alone as well as journeys to such diverse destinations as Mykonos, Australia, a Noma pop-up, and other glamorous spots. Gary is unabashedly frank about his very exacting travel needs, and delivers practical advice on all aspects of the traveler's life, from very precise packing instructions, suggestions on how to get upgrades, and restaurant and hotel recommendations in his favorite cities.

Aspirational, charmingly acerbic, and as diverting as the best vacation can be, delivering both laughs and moments of sharp recognition, this laugh-out-loud collection is the perfect getaway companion, for both seasoned nomads and curious armchair travelers.

What happens when the trip of a lifetime meets a man who would rather be at The Mercer Hotel?

• Celebrity Encounters: From a disastrously awkward dinner pitch with the legendary Maggie Smith to name-dropping his favorite New York maître d'.
• Travel Misadventures: Uncover the truth about the Orient Express (hint: it stops at a lot of commuter stations) and survive a week of pain and starvation at a "wellness" retreat in Italy.
• Family Vacation Survival: Navigate the treacherous waters of a family cruise on the Queen Mary 2, complete with foghorns, the worst shipboard revue in history, and unexpected moments of connection.
• Acerbic Wit & Wisdom: Master the art of dining alone, packing with military precision, and complaining your way to a better hotel room with hilarious, self-deprecating humor.

Review Quotes

"Gary Janetti has done it again. Through his sharp wit and brilliant observations, he takes us all on vacation without having to leave the comfort of our sofas. Gary says what we're all thinking, offers amazing travel tips, and tells us a beautiful love story along the way. Pack this book in your carry-on, yes, just a carry-on, and come along for the trip of a lifetime!" - Kelly Ripa

"Who needs actual travel when you can just read this book by the hilarious and insightful Gary Janetti? He's the guy I always call for restaurant suggestions, so you should read his book." - Seth MacFarlane

"I love this book so much. It is wise and witty with a subtle soulfulness. It is obviously the most wonderful book ever written about traveling, but like all great books, it is about so much more than its ostensible subject--it's about life itself." - Bruce Eric Kaplan, New Yorker cartoonist and author of I Was a Child

"A delightful and sharp-witted tour through a lifetime's worth of travel exploits and misadventures. . . . Readers are bound to catch the travel bug." - Publishers Weekly

"Filled with warmth and self-deprecating humor, Janetti's relatable observations convey his deep affection for [his husband] Brad and the places they love." - The Washington Post