Girl Walks into a Bar... by Rachel Dratch (audiobook) - Paul's Review

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Title: Girl Walks into a Bar . . .: Comedy Calamities, Dating Disasters, and a Midlife Miracle
Author: Rachel Dratch
Year Published: 2012

Narrator: Rachel Dratch
Audiobook Length: 5 hours 12 minutes


Synopsis: Anyone who saw an episode of Saturday Night Live between 1999 and 2006 knows Rachel Dratch. She was hilarious! So what happened to her? After a misbegotten part as Jenna on the pilot of 30 Rock, Dratch was only getting offered roles as "Lesbians. Secretaries. Sometimes secretaries who are lesbians."

Her career at a low point, Dratch suddenly had time for yoga, dog- sitting, learning Spanish-and dating. After all, what did a forty- something single woman living in New York have to lose? Resigned to childlessness but still hoping for romance, Dratch was out for drinks with a friend when she met John.

Handsome and funny, after only six months of dating long-distance, he became the inadvertent father of her wholly unplanned, undreamed-of child, and moved to New York to be a dad. With riotous humor, Dratch recounts breaking the news to her bewildered parents, the awe of her single friends, and the awkwardness of a baby-care class where the instructor kept tossing out the f-word.

Filled with great behind-the-scenes anecdotes from Dratch's time on SNL, Girl Walks into a Bar... is a refreshing version of the "happily ever after" story that proves female comics-like bestsellers Tina Fey and Chelsea Handler-are truly having their moment.

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Review: I absolutely loved SNL in the late 90's and early 00's. I probably didn't get most of the jokes, but I would stay up every Saturday night with my dad and watch every episode anyway. Rachel Dratch had some pretty hilarious characters. Since SNL, I've loved her guest spots on 30 Rock. 

This book catches you up on what Dratch has been up to since her SNL days in the spotlight. I love reading awesome comediennes' books that have behind-the-scenes stories of SNL. 

One thing that I wasn;t that keen on was how much Dratch uses self-deprecating humor. It happens a lot, but I guess that is just her style. 

This book not only packs the funny, but also the heart. There are many stories that really delve into Dratch's insecurities, dating adventures, and how she came to be a mother. 

If you have enjoyed other funny books by comediennes like Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, and Chelsea Handler then this book will be perfect for you. I listened to the audiobook and I love hearing the actual author reading her own work. 

I give this book a 4/5. If you are familiar with Dratch only as a former SNL cast member, you should pick this up and learn more about her life. 


--PAUL

Yes Please by Amy Poehler (audiobook) - Paul's Review

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Title: Yes Please
Author: Amy Poehler
Year Published: 2014

Narrator: Amy Poehler
Additional Voices: Carol Burnett, Seth Meyers, Mike Schur, Eileen Poehler, William Poehler, Patrick Stewart, Kathleen Turner
Audiobook Length: 7 hours 31 minutes


Synopsis: Amy Poehler is hosting a dinner party and you're invited! Welcome to the audiobook edition of Amy Poehler's Yes Please. The guest list is star-studded with vocal appearances from Carol Burnett, Seth Meyers, Michael Schur, Patrick Stewart, Kathleen Turner, and even Amy's parents - Yes Please is the ultimate audiobook extravaganza.

Also included? A one-night-only live performance at Poehler's Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. Hear Amy read a chapter live in front of a young and attractive Los Angeles audience.

While listening to Yes Please, you'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll become convinced that your phone is trying to kill you. Don't miss this collection of stories, thoughts, ideas, lists, and haikus from the mind of one of our most beloved entertainers. Offering Amy's thoughts on everything from her "too safe" childhood outside of Boston to her early days in New York City, her ideas about Hollywood and "the biz", the demon that looks back at all of us in the mirror, and her joy at being told she has a "face for wigs" - Yes Please is chock-full of words, and wisdom, to live by.

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Review: Comedienne audiobooks read by their author are so amazing! In this audiobook, Poehler even has a lot of guests read as well. This book follows Poehler's personal stories from her childhood on. I really like hearing about how much hard work each of these amazing ladies has put into their careers. The behind-the-scenes look at SNL is also really cool. I love how some of these comediennes' books overlap. In Rachel Dratch's book there are mentions of some of the same stories in this book. 

Amy Poehler is one of the funniest women out there and this book is worthy of that. If you enjoy her in anything from the Golden Globes to Parks and Rec, you need to read this book. I give it a very strong 4/5. 


--PAUL