Well, I've never really been into non-fiction. And definitely have never picked up anything written by a comedian before, though I've seen them getting more and more popular over the last few years (Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling, to name a few that have gotten a lot of press). In any case, I decided to try this one because at base, the topic matter was interesting to me. As a nice side effect, I could dip my toe into the comedian author non-fiction genre. I can say for sure that after this, I'll definitely be picking up other books in this genre. Also, if all research was presented in such a fun to read format, I can only assume that many more people would be better informed on a variety of topics. I mean really, if I had written my Master's Thesis with this kind of tone, I can only imagine more people than just myself and my advisors would have read it. Anyways, the point is, I really enjoyed this read. I laughed out loud a quite a few parts AND feel like I learned some things. Being in the exact age group that is on the edge of these current dating trends and technology - like a lot of my friends have tried Match and Tinder, etc. and have been successful to varying levels, but also not all of them are comfortable saying that's how they met, or, we are iffy on certain forms of relationship communication, like sexting or breaking up by text, but also can be super ok with it in other circumstances, really made this exploration of wider trends fascinating. Also, an unexpected bonus, I think this would be a really helpful read if you are out there in the technology dating world but having trouble - some really good points and recommendations are made, plus you get insight into the opposite sex's view of things, which I can only assume would be good info to have in one's pocket. All in all, this was both exactly what I expected and also better at it than I had anticipated it being. Cool!

Well, this one has been on my list for awhile and has been recommended to me multiple times. Well, to be fair, not this one in particular, but anything by Sedaris. It's not really my genre of choice - I prefer fiction and I normally read full length items - so this was a serious departure. Essays. And I mean, they weren't bad. I think he has a good eye for taking something that should be mundane and turning it into something longer and, for the most part, worth writing down. I will say though, I think sometimes the humor tries too hard. And the "realistic/non-realistic" line he walks is sometimes too blurry. Like, I wasn't sure if what I read was true or facetious, but it could actually have been either in so many cases that I was having a hard time identifying with it. Like, do I laugh cause it's not quite real or do I cock my head and raise an eyebrow cause it is too real, and a bit sad. Maybe that's the point, but I wasn't a fan of the sensation. This was particularly true regarding many of the stories about his family - I kinda just felt bad for them most of the time. Tough portrayals. And the self-deprecating tone was greatly at odds with many of the opportunities/chances he got in life, which just made me feel like I wouldn't like the person behind the words, if the words are any indication of the person. And that made it tough to like to book. However, there were a couple spots that definitely got me, like everyone attempting to explain Easter in broken French. That was pretty funny. And it was neat to know a lot of the places/landmarks mentioned, since I live in the Triangle area of NC. Overall entertaining, but definitely didn't hit me the way I think it hits others and it's not really inspiring me to delve deeper into Sedaris' works or this genre in general.

This review originally appeared on my book review blog: justonemorepaige.wordpress.com.

This is a collection of what I suppose you’d call essays from British journalist/author/broadcaster, Caitlin Moran. This was my first journey into the feminist genre (because yes, I think there should definitely be a whole genre dedicated to feminism and feminist writing) and one of a select few nonfiction books I’ve read in general. And I ­really enjoyed it. Moran explores her own life and discoveries of all the things women learn throughout their life that, considering that fact that almost all of us experience these things, are so minimally talked about or acknowledged. Things like getting your first period, buying underwear, what to call your vagina and breasts (and if you cringed just reading those words, this book is definitely for you), dating, marriage, family, having kids (or not), abortion, style/clothing, plastic surgery. I mean really she covers the gambit. And though there are some chapters that I identified with less than others, there were some that hit home SO HARD. (Moran is a fan of capitals, so get ready for that when you pick up this book.) No matter what your personal experience is, living as a female in this world, you will find something in this book that makes you just want you stand up and yell “YES!” and read it out loud to anyone around you. (In my case, that was often my husband – but he mostly handled it with good humor, especially because there were so many Lord of the Rings and Star Wars references.) And Moran did all of it with great insight, great humor, and some surprisingly useful tidbits of advice.

But this was more than just a woman’s telling, albeit an hilarious telling, of her own life. This is a beautiful, strong commentary what her experiences mean on a larger scale, on the world and the place women have in it, on the assumptions we make and the roles we play without even realizing it. She has a whole chapter, towards the beginning, on her discovery of feminism, and from then on it winds its way through the rest of the book – sometimes subtly, but most times not. She brings up questions and points that make you feel a little guilty for not recognizing it before, but, more than that, make you want to stand up and do more/be better moving forwards. Her definition of feminism, her argument to take back the word and make it be what we need it to be, make it really support women, all women, again, is inspiring in its simplicity. At one point Moran suggests an easy “rule,” a question to ask when we aren’t sure about something we think we have to do as women, when we are not sure if feminism applies or not, that I found quite insightful. She tells us to ask ‘Do the guys have to worry about it?’ Whether this is in regards to what we wear (can we leave the house in sweats and with hair/makeup undone and not get weird looks), what we spend money on (waxing, expensive purses, plastic surgery to look younger/prettier), how we speak (can we swear/call our body parts their correct names comfortably), general reactions to us sexually (being labeled a “slut,” wearing clothing that was “asking for it,” etc.) our decisions on family (judgment or having kids or not having kids)…her list was endless. And honestly, if nothing else, it’s such an intriguing thought exercise. But I tend to think it’s more than that…

So pick this book up – it’ll be empowering if you’re a lady and hella insightful if you’re a guy (ever wonder how a woman thinks – this is majorly on point, plus you’ll learn a lot about life as a female that will definitely open up your eyes). Plus, it is laugh out loud funny and there are tons of great pop culture jokes and references to keep things light while you are slowly realizing how serious some of these points actually are. This was a great place for me to start in my feminist reading journey and I’m excited for where it’ll go next.

I’m going to end with this quote I saw the other day that I think is really important, after reading this book. Because it would be so easy to come out of it feeling bad about buying into all these societal expectations, even worse about the ones you actually like (cute underwear for me, for sure), and super guilty for all the snap judgments you’ve made about other people (read: other women). And when that happens, you have a choice, you can deny and ignore because you’re embarrassed or self-conscious OR you can take a second to look at what just happened and make a choice to embrace the cognitive dissonance: ‘The first thought that goes through your mind is what you have been conditioned to think. What you think next defines who you are.’ So let’s all go and redefine who we are. As for me ‘I AM A FEMINIST!'”

This review originally appeared on my book review blog: justonemorepaige.wordpress.com.

*I really want to give it 3.5 stars, but Goodreads doesn't allow that...it's too bad because sometimes you just really need that half star option.*

I've read Jane Eyre so many times, watched all the movie reproductions, and devour any retelling or spinoff that I find. Bearing that bias in mind, I really enjoyed this retelling. In fact, after picking it up yesterday for the first time, I had trouble putting it down and ended up finishing it in less that 24 hours.

There were many things about this version of the story that I just adored. First, the pacing was perfect. Though it read much faster than the original, the slow growth of feelings and affections, the inhibitions on both sides that were the cause of that followed perfectly with the backgrounds presented for each character here. I loved the parts of the story that paralleled Jane Eyre, the pieces that popped out here and there with deja vu and harkened back so well to the original - the governess role, the fancy love interest/lover for Dominic/Rochester, the culminating fire. I found myself smiling each time I noticed one. And, in fact, I loved the places where the stories diverged too. The changed circumstances of Beatrice's background, in some ways similar to Jane's and in many ways much darker, put a more modern day spin on the story. There are things she faced that Bronte likely would never have dared writing about so openly, but represent such horribly common childhood trauma, and I respect that addition by the author. Dominic's ghosts are also similar to Rochester's, but changed enough to create new intrigue. Plus, the changes to the secret marriage and its role in the plot were a creative twist. Lady Augusta was a phenomenal new character and I loved her relationship with Beatrice (who, along with Jane, frankly needed a confidant badly and I'm glad she got one this time around). And the dialogue between B and D was a well done homage to Jane and Rochester - she was still a meek but honest speaker and he was still a bit of a verbal bully with an emerging soft side in consideration of her reactions. At points I think it got a little caught up/overdone to the point of being slightly stilted, but overall I enjoyed the sparring and felt that it honored the original nicely.

There were, of course, a few things that sort of rubbed the wrong way. Honestly, I just wasn't a fan of the names: Beatrice and Dominic. For some reason, maybe the number of syllables?, I had a hard time adjusting to them and they didn't seem to flow correctly in the story. I also felt that there were maybe a few too many times that either Beatrice or Dominic asked the other to go and then pulled them back - it's a plot device that I think could have been used more sparingly. And the last thing was that each of the tender moments the characters had, until the end, were after a large tragedy. The number of close calls stretches the imagination some, as well as makes one question the depth of the connection, if something like that needs to happen for it to come out. I mean maybe the first time, to kickstart things, but after that it either needed to unfurl a bit more naturally or one/the other (or both) would have ended up giving up for good. Though I guess they did both try that...and their hearts overruled their minds. So who knows?

My overall thoughts: I definitely recommend this if you are looking for a timeless love story with odds overcome, the redemption we all crave, and that happy ending feeling, all packaged up in a nice, quick read. Though there are some small iffy spots, the overall feel, the pacing, the development of the love story, and the intrigue/secret revealing are all on point enough to create the right ambiance for the story. You won't want to put it down until you get to the perfect ending that you know is coming.

This review originally appeared on my book review blog: justonemorepaige.wordpress.com.

I haven't really read much poetry. And by that I mean that this is the first time I have read poems that were not assigned in school. It's never really called out to me as a genre. And here I'll be shallow and honest, I picked this one up because the title sounded cool, the cover is gorgeous, and because I have been seeing it all over bookstagram and bestseller lists. I was curious.

As a result of my limited poetry experience, I didn't really know how to read this. Usually I power through books, wanting to get to the big reveal, the section where the lovers finally get together, the end, as fast as possible. But that wouldn't work here. I mean, it would have taken me maybe 30 minutes to get through the whole book reading it that way and I wouldn't have gotten anything out of it. So here's what I did: I read slowly. I limited myself to one section a day and tried to really make sure I had "read," think: absorbed, each poem before moving on to the next one. It was a great lesson in slowing things down, if nothing else (which I probably needed, and do appreciate). But it was assuredly so much more than that.

So, taking into account my super limited experience with poetry, I will say that I straight up loved reading these poems. It's such a beautiful, strong, feminist collection that packs a punch in a totally accessible (an overused word in book reviews in general, I know, but as a poetry newbie, I was really afraid of my perceived inaccessibility of the genre), non-overbearing, comfortably aggressive way. Despite her poem towards the end "to all you young poets (p. 202) with advice to never trade honesty for relatability, I felt that Kaur's poems were ultimately incredibly relatable, both in terms of vocabulary used and topics covered. She does follow her own advice though, for I never felt that she sacrificed honesty in order to do so. What an incredible gift, to be able to take your deepest feelings and be able to create, with just words, a representation of them that is universally recognizable. Kaur writes of the pain and self-discovery, anger and love, revenge and forgiveness, that all women have felt. She owns the pain of relationships, both during and after, and the struggle of putting oneself back together and redefining who you are afterwards. She writes such short pieces that it's unbelievable how much truth and reality she is able to convey. I have felt all those same feelings, but it would take me pages to say the things that she has done in just a few words, striking in their simultaneous depth and simplicity. In reading them, though I didn't know this beforehand, I can see how she is a spoken word artist. The poems automatically flow with that same cadence, even when I read them in my head.

Some of my favorite parts are the details, the drawings and signoffs, that are strewn throughout the pages. The basic black lines that she uses mirror the structure and mood of the poems perfectly. Both details add much to the poems they are paired with, clarifying connections and deepening meaning. The use of only lowercase letters and periods as the only punctuation as an homage to her mother tongue (which has only one case and no punctuation other than periods) is a lovely touch. And again, similar to the basic black line drawings, that just adds to the ambiance of the book.

This collection addresses many struggles of being a women, makes and defends feminist points and arguments, and encourages the reader to find and love who they are first and foremost. It is a light hand on your lower back - comforting, yet strong and supportive. A stunning debut.

This review originally appeared on my book review blog: justonemorepaige.wordpress.com.

After finishing this book, I can really only say that I'm not entirely sure what happened, what was real and what wasn't. There were some things that I thought were beautifully done. This novel is an homage to story telling on so many levels. The characters we are reading about are telling stories about other people telling stories. There are stories within stories within stories. The layers are almost endless, like those mirror rooms at old school carnivals. And, the same as in those mirrored rooms, we are left not knowing for sure what is real and what is a reflection, what is made up.

Although the book centers around Marc and his daughter, Claire, and their relationship (or, in many of the stories, the lack thereof), there are many sub-characters and sub-stories that weave seamlessly in with theirs and become just as important to us as readers. And the interweaving is done beautifully, so that we can see reflections of each story in the others and never really know which is the original, which is the truth, if everyone is actually who they say they are. This is especially true because many of the characters and details are subtly shared among them (a dog named Penny, a lake house in Michigan, an unwanted kiss on the lips, a time spent in Pakistan, a stabbing). We, as readers, are left sort of floating in and among these characters and details, bouncing softly from one to the next, in a sort of dreamy daze. It's a perfectly created ambiance that lends itself well to each of the tellings.

But while the individual pieces are crafted so well into that whole, in the end, that whole fails to impress. I think the author almost tries too hard to confuse the reader, in the end. In the last few pages and into the epilogue, we come to a place where what we thought we knew about the layers is completely dismantled. And we are left with new characters, massive changes to the reality we were presented at the start, the use of amnesia (I mean, really, amnesia as a plot device seems too easy for this book, it resonates badly), and a wrapping up of many characters within the stories in a way that makes them all seem to be suffering from something like schizophrenia (or any other type of illness that distorts reality). It's a twist that fits the plot in general, but not in the sudden way it's heaped on us at the end. It just didn't come across right, for me. And because, with a novel like this, the suspension of belief from the reader is so contingent on pulling it together well in the end, it was just a very disappointing finale. And, I think reasonably, that colored much of the rest of the book, looking back at it, with that same disappointment.

Overall, I see, and agree with, the praise heaped onto this book for it's storytelling power, it's ability to wrap you up in those stories, and the make you lose yourself in them. It really is an expertly crafted set of stories. But we are dumped unceremoniously out of those stories at the end in a way that really ruined the journey and the (prior) expertly crafted ambiance.

This review originally appeared on my book blog: justonemorepaige.wordpress.com.

Other than his familiar name, and some vague idea that he was a bit crazy, I didn't really know much about Nero before this. When I brought it home from the library, my husband was like Nero, wasn't he the one that burned down Rome? So that's the sum total of background knowledge I was bringing into this reading. Like I said, not much. But honestly, I think that was for the best. Since finishing, I read the "Afterward" and did a bit of my own research and the general outlook on Nero is pretty dim. The predominant written records are super negative, casting him as a profligate, a debaucher, the antichrist, and many other terrible things who was hated by the people and who set fire to Rome himself. However, by removing much of the bias imbued in official histories of the time (if you can believe it, ancient historians were worse then the media is today) and extra research "between the lines" by George herself, a different picture is painted. For example, the people believed he would someday return and there are records of at least three impersonators trying to instigate rebellion in his name. It is worth pointing out that, in general, if he was that hated by the people, they probably wouldn't be hoping for his return (reference: similar feelings about beloved figures like Tupac and Elvis). So going in with no preconceptions allowed me to really experience the final Emperor in Caesar's dynastic line the way the author wanted him to be experienced.

Margaret George shows us Nero's youth: the many tragic circumstances, dramatic and sudden changes, and his early lessons that being born into the imperial family, a descendant of Caesar, is a dangerous business. We watch as he is crowned Emperor at only 16, thanks to the many (and violent) machinations of his mother. We see his transition from an innocent (or as innocent as possible) youth to a young adult realizing the reach of his power and embracing the darker aspects of his heritage. But we see all of this from his eyes. So sure, he murders family members (close family members), but it's a situation of "it's either them or me." And we see him engage in super "improper pursuits," like chariot racing, athletic training, writing poetry, playing and performing music and song. [Note: it's partially those pursuits that got him so much negative press from historians, pursuits that are praised in later leaders...so perhaps Nero's reputation suffered the way all those "ahead of their time" do. Plus, those pursuits are really not so bad from our present day point of view, so I appreciate seeing him displayed in the more positive light he receives here.] We experience his unhappy marriage, his first love, his second marriage/love, and his pain at the tragic loss of his only child. At the end, we watch as Nero learns of the fire spreading through Rome and rushes to help address the conflagration. And for the first time, George is writing a story in two parts, so that's is where we are left at the end of this installation: Nero is watching his city burning.

As I have with each of her novels, I fell right into the atmosphere (and story) that George creates. It is so easy to settle into the descriptions, the traditions, and the historical figures' lives. Although there are a few awkward spots throughout, the dialogue/inner thoughts are overall very smoothly written and are the part of her writing that both lead to the "historical fiction" classification but also create the most connection between reader and character. They are the piece that breathes life into history. The pacing is perfect, keeping me engaged while simultaneously fully describing and demonstrating what the time period was like and what [historic] events were happening. A long and educational, but still fast, enjoyable, and super fascinating read. If you're looking for the right book to read that will just whisk you away on a rainy day, like a snuggly blanket and a warm cup of tea, this is it. And I, for one, cannot wait for the rest Nero's story.

One of my favorite sections, of Nero describing his feelings for Poppaea: "Happy. An insipid, pallid word to describe the joy I felt every day with her. Other, stronger words - ecstasy, delight, bliss, rapture - carried within themselves the sense of being momentary, passing. Sturdy "happy" was a condition that could endure day after day. Yet it felt inadequate. And it is almost impossible to describe happiness because it is the absence of pain, of loneliness, of despair, yet it is infinitely more than just an absence of anything. It resides in small movements, moments that lose their power in the telling but pin themselves fast to our hearts." (p.448)

This review was originally featured on my book review blog: justonemorepaige.wordpress.com.

"The door opened. 'Come in, Vasya,' Morozko said. It is cold." These are the final words in this entrancing tale, but they describe exactly how it feels to open this book and start reading. Told with easy prose and a beautifully imagined setting, this is the perfect story to read during a freezing winter day while sitting in front of a fire.

Inspired by Russian folklore, this is the story of a young girl who, in the vein of all true fairy tales, is just a little bit different. Set in a small village in a Russia of the distant past, this is an enchanting tale of the old beliefs. Vasya, our heroine, is at the center of a clash between traditional lore and a new religion, fighting against the relegation of the past to distant memory and the danger of decisions made in fear. She is the descendant of a line of witches and, as such, can see and interact with the many local spirits that live in and protect her village. But the spirit of fear is growing and threatening the village with famine and other evils (like upyr, or the Russian version of vampires), encouraged by the presence of a new priest in town spreading the word of "salvation" and the fear of hellfire and damnation. And the protective house/wood/animal spirits are fading in power, with no one but Vasya left to believe in and leave offerings for them. So she starts to fear that she will not be enough to save her family and her village. And then Vasya is forced deep into the woods in the middle of winter...but instead of her own death, the death she expected, she find a different kind of death instead. She meets Morozko, the frost king, the spirit of death who featured highly in all her favorite stories from childhood.

This is a magical adventure with all the elements of a classic fairy tale that one could want: the heroine, the mother that dies early, the nursemaid that takes her place, the wonderful/supportive brother(s), the stepmother that doesn't really have our heroine's best interests at heart, the helpful and friendly animals and household spirits, the great evil, the "misled" people, the grand witch/wizard, and the old magic that only the heroine can use to save the day. It'll bring you back to your own childhood, your own belief in magic and the power of the world around you, and your own dreams of being the only one that can save the day.

In all fairness, my rating and review are likely skewed by the fact that I started listening to this audiobook like 2 years ago and never finished because the library's copy had scratches on one of the middle disks. But then it was chosen as a book club read for a group I'm in, so I tried a different library's audiobook and just finished it now. So there's a weird, somewhat long, break in the middle of my "reading" experience. However, I definitely was not a big a fan of this book. I mean it wasn't bad, definitely not, but it just wasn't for me.

All in all, what an incredibly slimy premise. Two families meet for dinner to discuss what to do about a "situation" their sons are in. And "situation" is putting it lightly...it's bad. No spoilers, but the sons definitely need some serious help - counseling at the very least, since they are still minors, but this is a jail worthy offense for an adult. And the parents, shit, they are worse. With the exception of the one running for office, and really you know he's only trying to do the right thing so it doesn't blow up in his face later (plus, he's "talked out of it" in the end anyways), they are all typical "turn a blind eye on our kids because they are our kids" parents. And the narrator and his wife - they are straight up creepy. Like, he has some serious problems (we find out as read read exactly how unreliable he is as a person and a narrator), and his wife not only is totally ok with them, she loves him with those problems. And we are talking some serious anger control, among other, issues. Overall, a super terrifying family dynamic situation where serious mental health issues are overlooked and accepted because it's "family." Plus, my goodness, the number of secrets they keep from each other and the diabolic plans they all come up with is ridiculous. Almost reminiscent of a Stepford Wives situation. There are some interesting moral questions brought up, and some exploration of them in the mind of the narrator, but definitely nothing that he says to attempt to "explain away" or "justify" his and his son's and wife's actions comes close to legitimate or believable. So that's a really interesting exploration of the mind and the mental gymnastics people get into and how far people will go to protect family. Credit on that front - and I can see, if that's the piece of the story in question, the perspective of the positive reviews. AND OMG, on more point on the creepy front, what the hell with allowing their son(s) to "deal with" the Bo/blackmail situation at the end?? That is just sick on so so many levels - what they make him do and what they condone him doing. GAH!

But his vague "diagnosis" that could, and likely was in this case, passed onto his son, seems too easy. Like, what type of issue is it? It seems much too vaguely described to then also be able to seen in an amniotic fluid test, as described. I felt like that was a bit of a plot hole. Also, what are the laws in their country that would allow this narrator to be out and living and whatever after attacking his sons principle as he said he did? I mean I get that all the inter-family attacks and drama are kept on the DL and charges are never pressed, but even with a mental illness you cannot just go put people in the hospital and then go on living your normal life... So yea, just a number of plot holes and questions that, sure, you could try to, with a good amount of success, "blame" on the narrator being unreliable, but it just left me feeling like the author relied too much on the shock factor of the story and let some details slip without enough explanation/clarity.

Unrelated to the book itself, I thought the audiobook reader, Clive Mantle, did a really great job. Superb voicing and inflection, nicely individualized for each of the characters, and lovely pacing. It was so easy to listen to him.

This review originally appeared on the book review blog: justonemorepaige.wordpress.com.

I listened to this as an audiobook. That's not something I normally do, but I was looking at a 3.5 hour (each way!) trip in two days...by myself. That may not sound too bad, but my husband loves driving, so I cannot remember the last time I've driven more than an hour and a half straight, and definitely not by myself in the car. So, on the way out of town I had the brilliant idea to stop at the library and get an audiobook. I saw this one on the shelf and was really excited - it's been on my to read list for awhile AND Mindy reads it herself, so I figured that would be really fun. And maybe it would make it seem way less like I was in the car alone.

As a disclaimer, I am not an audio person - I am SO visual. From everything including studying for tests (I had to write out note-cards) to making long weekend plans (I have to be looking at the computer to read about the area we might visit). I just have a hard time taking in audio only information. But there's not really another option for long car rides as a solo driver, so I went for it. I had to pay a LOT of attention (your mind cannot wander AT ALL cause there's no way to go back and read a line you've missed!) and I totally missed at least one turn. But all in all, it was a successful experience.

This was a great car ride companion book. While there were a couple more serious parts, the overall light, friendly feel of the writing and the not-too-intense topics covered kept me entertained and interested the whole way. I enjoyed hearing about Mindy's childhood experiences (they really mirrored my own closely - not too cool, pretty good at school, followed the rules, etc.). And some of her thoughts were really pretty insightful - advice like "don't peak in high school" because, as evidenced by "Jack and Diane," things can really only go downhill (plus, look at all the people that are famous now - most of them were pretty lame in school) and her list of the "perfect amount of famous" she'd like to be (essentially somewhere in the middle of "so famous that the paparazzi ruin your life" and "so not famous that the paparazzi have no idea who you are"). Honestly, I really enjoyed her lists in general - I laughed out loud at her list of things Hollywood thinks would make good movies (there were some that sounded so ridiculous that they might be real) and her list of things that make a guy cool and respectable (owning a nice pea-coat, complimenting the way a girl pulls something off and not the thing itself, only have 1-2 beauty products in your medicine cabinet) that was actually pretty spot on. Her list about clothes that stylists keep trying for "chubby" people that she hates (mumus, navy, daisy print, etc.) was sort of a sad funny, but her comments about each item after listing it definitely make me giggle, I can't lie. And I gasped at her list of franchises she would pick up if given the chance, because that all female Ghostbusters actually did happen since publication of this book, and I enjoyed it. There were some funny points she made about what the hell "hooking up" means and concerns over the legit physical safety of one night stands (I'm glad I'm not the only paranoid person that worries about those things). And it was cool to read about her perspective of her time on The Office and the people she met/worked with there. Plus, seeing some of the more personal time in her life - like time spent being shy and watching Netflix by herself instead of working up the courage to go out with other writers, etc. - that just made her seem more real. It's the type of thing I think everyone can relate to and it's great to see how many people "suffer" from or spend their time doing those same things.

Generally, I think she did a good job mixing up stories about herself, her personality, and how she got to where she is with random lists/thoughts/essays to change things up. She was able to talk about herself in a truthful way, her strengths and weaknesses, while keeping it light and funny and enjoyable for the reader. I think it was a great insight into the mind of a comedian actually - how she is able to tell a story while interjecting totally unrelated, but creative and funny, pieces that somehow do add to the overall feel (I assume this is similar to how they come up with ideas for and write sketches/episodes) and keeping the whole thing entertaining and moving forwards. Definitely an enjoyable, upbeat and fun, if not at all very deep, read (or "listen").

The biggest negative thing I would say is that her reading of it fell a little short of what I was hoping for. I don't know if it's because she was working hard to make sure everything was clearly audible (is that the audio version of "legible"?), but the whole thing was read in a much more paced and monotone voice than I was anticipating. I was hoping for a bit more inflection, especially on the jokes. And also, a little less perfect spacing of words would have helped me get a better picture in my mind of the book's setup (the lists were fine because they were mostly numbered, but I sometimes had a hard time telling what was a new chapter, what were sections in other chapters, and how things were visually presented in the book). In addition, it turns out there's a photo essay type chapter, where she puts in a ton of funny pictures of herself from her phone, so sadly I missed out on that. I'll have to go peep at it in a bookstore/library later to get a better feel for it. (Edit: I have since check out this chapter in a print copy - the pictures are cute and funny, but definitely not a huge "miss" if you only listen and never get the chance to see them.) In any case, I've seen her in both The Office and The Mindy Project and loved her, so I was a bit sad that her personal voice fell a little flat in reading the book out loud.