Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Lion Forge via Edelweiss. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

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Title: Gender Queer: A Memoir
Author: Maia Kobabe
Upcoming Release Date: May 28, 2019

Synopsis: In 2014, Maia Kobabe, who uses e/em/eir pronouns, thought that a comic of reading statistics would be the last autobiographical comic e would ever write. At the time, it was the only thing e felt comfortable with strangers knowing about em. Now, Gender Queer is here. Maia's intensely cathartic autobiography charts eir journey of self-identity, which includes the mortification and confusion of adolescent crushes, grappling with how to come out to family and society, bonding with friends over erotic gay fanfiction, and facing the trauma and fundamental violation of pap smears. Started as a way to explain to eir family what it means to be nonbinary and asexual, Gender Queer is more than a personal story: it is a useful and touching guide on gender identity--what it means and how to think about it--for advocates, friends, and humans everywhere.

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Review: This memoir is excellent. The author takes us through eir life from childhood up to present day. The subjects of gender, sexuality, and identity are present in all parts of eir life. This could be described as a coming-out story, but a more accurate representation of coming-out. Throughout eir life, e had various identities that led to having to (or choosing to) come out. 

This memoir is so informative, but shows one person's personal experience. I learned a lot and I thought I already was pretty familiar with gender identities. I wasn't familiar with the e/em/eir pronouns.

I loved this book. The artwork and flow of the story blends so well into a story you're going to read in one sitting. I think this book would be great for anyone unsure about their own gender or are curious about non-binary and gender queer experiences. I give this book a 5/5 and will be recommending it to everyone this summer!   


--PAUL

Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography (audiobook) - Paul's Review

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Title: Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography
Author: Neil Patrick Harris
Year Published: 2014

Narrator: Neil Patrick Harris
Audiobook Length: 7 hours 15 minutes


Synopsis: Tired of memoirs that only tell you what really happened?

Sick of deeply personal accounts written in the first person? Seeking an exciting, interactive read that puts the “u” back in “aUtobiography”? Then look no further than Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography! In this revolutionary, Joycean experiment in light celebrity narrative, actor/personality/carbon-based life-form Neil Patrick Harris lets you, the reader, live his life. You will be born in New Mexico. You will get your big break at an acting camp. You will get into a bizarre confrontation outside a nightclub with actor Scott Caan. Even better, at each critical juncture of your life you will choose how to proceed. You will decide whether to try out for Doogie Howser, M.D. You will decide whether to spend years struggling with your sexuality. You will decide what kind of caviar you want to eat on board Elton John’s yacht.

Choose correctly and you’ll find fame, fortune, and true love. Choose incorrectly and you’ll find misery, heartbreak, and a guest stint on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. All this, plus magic tricks, cocktail recipes, embarrassing pictures from your time as a child actor, and even a closing song. Yes, if you buy one book this year, congratulations on being above the American average, but make that book Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography! 

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Review: Neil Patrick Harris or NPH, as he is often referred to as, is an awesome person. He is an excellent actor as well as an all around entertainer. He also lives an amazing life with a loving husband and two adorable kids. I mean, have you seen their Halloween photos? Why would you not be more interested in his life?

In this book, NPH creatively put together a Choose Your Own Adventure book in the style of old. I listened to the audiobook, so I had a little different experience. I imagine reading and actually choosing your path leads to a different feel. In the audiobook, NPH pretty much reads the book straight through with some added explanation to help with the unusual form of storytelling. 

Some of my favorite chapters concluded with NPH dying. Or, rather me dying. The book is written in second person. This adds an extra level to the audiobbok when NPH is reading to you calling you himself. 

This book covers most of NPH's life from his early Doogie Howser, M.D. days until now. All the stories are told in such a witty, clever, and fun way. 

I give this book a 5/5 and HIGHLY recommend it. Of all the recent memoirs/autobiographies I have read this is definitely one of my favorites. 


--PAUL

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