Average at Best (Astrid Jorgensen, S&S)

Average at Best is one of those rare books that sneaks up on you with its funny and effortless voice, as well as its emotional depth. It doesn’t try to impress with profundity — its power lies in how grounded and sincere it feels. In this memoir, musician and Pub Choir founder Astrid Jorgensen embraces the idea that being ‘average’ doesn’t mean unremarkable. Instead, she finds meaning, joy and connection in life’s imperfect everyday moments. Pub Choir began as a simple idea: bring strangers together in a pub to sing. What started as a grassroots experiment quickly evolved into a global cultural phenomenon, and Jorgensen recounts the early days with warmth. Packed with absurd, laugh-out-loud anecdotes and sharp observations, she captures the spirit of those first gatherings, where music dissolved social barriers and strangers became a chorus. One standout example of her gift for turning embarrassment into connection involves a story of a desperate moment in a glasshouse, a chip packet, and the awkwardness of a cleaner being in your house. It’s a masterclass in comedic storytelling, turning bodily betrayal into theatrical brilliance. Her tone is self-deprecating yet empowering, and her reflections on confidence, failure and the beauty of being ‘average’ are refreshingly honest. Jorgensen knows her strengths and plays to them, making this a fast, funny and worthwhile read, whether or not you’ve ever sung a note in your life.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Jayne Webster is a librarian in South Australia. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

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