In an effort to actually review all of the media that I consume, I have made the executive decision (for myself) that, henceforth, I will only write really, really short reviews. This will also allow you, the presumptive reader, to suffer my rusty writing skills for the shortest amount of time possible (unless you just choose to not read my reviews at all - which, let's be honest, might actually be preferable at this point).
I recently downloaded and 'read' Tina Fey's 2011 autobiographical comedy book via audiobook FOR FREE from my local library. For anyone who has not yet discovered the rarely marketed delights of Overdrive and your local library (or, in my case, up to 5 local libraries...woo DMV area!) - you poor, deprived soul. Or, you sickeningly energetic soul who actually walks/drives to the library instead of downloading your book while lazing on your couch.
Even though some reviews of the book noted Fey's apparent inexperience with prose, the audiobook displayed none of those purported weaknesses. In fact, I would go as far to say that Bossypants should only be read via audiobook because Tina Fey is absolutely hysterical as a reader. Her comedic timing cannot be matched. Bonus points that NBC allowed her to utilize various SNL and 30 Rock clips in the audiobook. Take that paper and eBook copies! Although, you can't see any of the embarassing photos she published when you're listening to the audiobook so I guess you win some and you lose some. Bossypants documents Ms. Fey's formative moments from childhood and teenagerhood (growing up Greek and brunette in Pennsylvania, working at the Delaware County Summer Showtime, climbing Old Rag Trail in the dark with no water or flashlights while studying at UVA in the hopes of getting laid), early career choices (working at a YMCA in Chicago, acting in The Second City, meeting Lorne Michaels for the first time and writing for SNL), and recent career and family decisions (almost dying on a cruise on her honeymoon, producing the critical success and ratings failure '30 Rock', becoming THE Sarah Palin lookalike of the 2008 presidential election cycle, having baby number 1, thinking about having baby number 2). Every chapter has a moral punchline at the end but is so infused with her trademark sarcastic and self-deprecating humor that, as I was listening to this primarily at work while performing tedious tasks, I had to reprint documents numerous times because I laughed (quietly) so hard that I choked on my tea and coughed everywhere. My unfortunate cubicle neighbor must have been terrified that I would infect him with my 'illness' before the holidays.
Ranking: 5 Stars (would and should read many times!)
Next up: Amy Poehler's 2014 "Yes, Please"
Actually, next up might be a trashy, fantasy romance novel, but I swear I'll still get to Amy Poehler in 2017!
