Gumption // Nick Offerman {Audiobook}

Why I'm reading
Two words: Nick Offerman.

Where I got the book
Audiobook from the Greenwich library, read by the author.

Expectations
I've seen interviews with him, so I know he's an odd mix of his Parks and Rec character and a stereotypical touchy-feely actor. Surprisingly not contradictory.

So how was it?

In Gumption, Offerman covers a hodge-podge group of "great Americans." He meanders from one to the other in a very conversational way, with all sorts of side notes and personal anecdotes. And, of course: meat, woodworking, politics, and manliness.

Recommendation
Fans of any kind of American history; he doesn't contain himself to the usual "great Americans."

Feels
Like a rambling one-sided conversation-cum-monologue, probably over a pint in a pub.

Favorites
Offerman includes a surprising number of women "great Americans," and it's not at all pandering.

Least favorites
I could've done with a little more structure.

Writing style
I haven't read Paddle Your Own Canoe, his autobiography, so I wasn't ready for the utter verbosity! He writes like someone with a thesaurus open at their elbow -- no, that's not right. He writes like someone who occasionally enjoys reading the thesaurus. Surprisingly not as annoying as it should be.

Dirty Daddy // Bob Saget {Audiobook}

Oh my GOD I got Alan to read a book. Okay, listen to a book. Without internet. While trapped on an airplane. In other news: we went to Arkansas for an action-packed week of alcohol and board games with friends!

 Why I'm reading
Bob Saget, star of Full House, bastion of 90s TV.

Where I got the book
Overdrive, Greenwich Library.

Expectations
It’s called Dirty Daddy, and I’ve certainly heard how bad his stand-up can be, so… dirty.

So how was it?

And -- it wasn’t. Dirty, that is. It was a fairly clean and even motivational memoir about Sagat's life and family, and most of the crude humor seemed tacked on to keep the reader from getting bored.

Apparently, despite what we've all heard, Bob Saget actually is (a slightly ruder) Danny Tanner. And that’s actually pretty neat.

Recommendation
Fans of Full House, or Bob Saget in general. Not for people who can’t handle a few “my laptop is melting my balls” jokes, but it doesn’t go much further than that.

Feels
Heartfelt, but inexperienced in terms of writing.

Favorites
The unexpectedly heartwarming focus on the role of humor in times of tragedy.

Least favorites
Like quite a few memoirs, this one falls into the trap of talking about itself way too much -- naval gazing about the process of writing a memoir, the whys and wheres, the deadlines, how far along it is, how silly and awkward it is to be writing about oneself, etc. etc. Sagat is an actor and comedian who can write jokes, but doesn’t seem comfortable writing an actual book.

Writing style
Conversational and heartfelt, with a dirty joke tacked on every few paragraphs.

Choose Your Own Autobiography // Neil Patrick Harris {Audiobook}

Want to read about the life of a gregarious, gay, well-adjusted child actor turned magician, Broadway-TV-movie star, and family man? Yes. Yes you do.

Why I'm reading
It’s Neil Patrick Harris! 

Actually, there is a “why I’m not reading” for this book, or at least a “why I’m listening to the audiobook instead.” I love the idea of a choose-your-own-adventure autobiography, but I always tried to read those wrong, with my fingers bookmarking each and every possible outcome. Plus, I’ve been listening to a lot of autobiographies recently, and for those a book just can’t beat an audiobook read by the author. 


Where I got the book
Audiobook, Greenwich, etc. etc.

Expectations
Fun showbiz stuff, Dougie Howser, sappy stuff about his husband.

So how was it?

It was pretty much exactly what I was expecting. Maybe even more what-I-expected than I was actually expecting (...?!). And of course, since it’s in the format of a choose-your-own-adventure book, it’s peppered with exaggerated fake endings.

I did notice that NPH stuck almost entirely to the positives in his life. I can hardly complain about it, because it was an artistic (and personal) choice that made the book a very fun read... and I'm not all that surprised, either. NPH has always struck me as the kind of person who has a very open and outgoing personality, but is pretty guarded about deeper feelings.

He also talks exactly the right amount about his kids -- you get a glimpse into a very important part of his life, but you don't feel like he just strapped you to the couch and pulled out twelve photo albums and a heap of parenting books.

Recommendation
NPH fans (of course) and basically anyone interested in celebrities.

Feels
Fun, lighthearted, honest, loving, hilarious.

Favorites
Dougie Howser days, of course. I also like how he talked about figuring out his sexuality, but it wasn’t this whole big over dramatic thing… just something he slowly figured out. His stories about David Burtka were adorable.

Least favorites
I really wish he went into more detail about Hedwig (what can I say?) or mentioned John Cameron Mitchell. I’ve seen interviews where he clearly has interesting JCM stories.

Writing style
Awesome. Basically, Barney Stinson telling a really awesome story, except take away all the Barney craziness.

Not My Father's Son // Alan Cumming {Audiobook}

I’m quickly coming to the realization that memoirs make great audiobooks, especially when they’re read by the authors. Unfortunately I’m tearing through the small number of audiobook-celebrity-memoirs, at least the ones I’m interested in.  

Why I'm reading
Alan Cumming is one of my (many, many, many) long-standing celebrity crushes.

Where I got the book
Greenwich Library, audiobook. I’d passed this by before, but decided to pick it up this time because I wasn’t in a sci fi mood.

Expectations
I know the basics of his life, but I haven’t really delved into it much.

So how was it?

Wow, I had no idea Alan Cumming was abused as a child, let alone so severely. I can’t imagine how hard it was for him to put this all out there for the public to read; at one point, he explains that he tries to live his life as openly as possible, and he’s not kidding.

I was expecting your standard “my life up ‘til now” memoir, which is not what I got. The book specifically focuses on Cumming’s father, and family history on his mother’s side. He starred in an episode of Who Do You Think You Are?, discovering some unfortunate things about his grandfather on his mother’s side; while shooting the episode, he explains, he was also going through drama with his estranged father. I actually just watched this episode -- like, paused it halfway through, went to bed, went to work, then borrowed the audiobook -- and completely forgot about it.

Recommendation
Fans of Alan Cumming, of course. Although I can’t speak from experience, I think it would be a validating and uplifting read for survivors of abusive homes. If you’re just interested in family history (in the historical sense), you’re better off just watching the Who Do You Think You Are? episode.

Feels
Both devastating and uplifting. Cumming is surprisingly frank about everything, and it somehow does not feel uncomfortable.

Writing style
Honest, dramatic, paints a colorful picture.

Yes Please // Amy Poehler {Audiobook}

The next audiobook after my failed attempt to complete Ray Bradbury...  

Why I'm reading
Amy Poehler!

Where I got the book
Greenwich library, audiobook. I didn’t even know she wrote a memoir until I saw it on the shelf… now, I’m seeing it everywhere.

Expectations
Something like Tina Fey’s memoir.

So how was it?

I can’t help but compare it to her comedy-wife Tina Fey’s memoir -- and since I’m much more of a Tina than an Amy, I liked hers a lot better. But that’s entirely down to preference. There was a lot of baby/mom stuff, and it was all front-loaded into the beginning of the book. But all in all, a fun and interesting read (listen). She spends a lot of time talking about her insecurities, but it never gets dark. After you get past the baby stuff, she has some cool stories about SNL cast members, award shows, and Parks and Recreations.

Recommendation
Fans of Amy Pohler, Saturday Night Live, Parks and Recreations. Anyone with an inner doubt demon.

Feels
Fun, funny, family oriented, a little self-help-y.

Favorites
Award show shenanigans, and the fact that she brings in a bunch of other actors/comedians to read bits.

Least favorites
Eh, some of it gets philosophical... or at least tries to. Also there was maybe like 25% more baby stuff than there really should have been,

Writing style
Very conversational, with some additional (improv’d?) discussion with her guest readers.