I am trying to get myself in a happier place after the loss of a loved one. I have found reading or listening to funny books has helped me take my mind off of things for a few hours.
Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime is truly one of the best memoirs I have ever read. He can educate you and entertain you in a way I have never experienced in a memoir. It is in a league of its own, in my opinion.
I enjoyed Norm MacDonald’s nonsensical memoir Based on a True Story to the point I’ve listened to it twice. I like MacDonald because his writing style is phenomenal and fresh; his lies and BS riddled stories are funny and ridiculous. He even includes his frustrated “ghost writer” as a character in the book.
I have read Carrie Fisher’s Wishful Drinking, which I liked so much for her honesty and wit. I’m no longer much of a fan of David Sedaris, though I’ve read many of his books. I like his early books so much more than his more recent works; like Fisher’s book, I enjoyed his cynical wit and off beat observations.
I am currently listening to Craig Ferguson’s memoir Riding the Elephant, which I think is very well written and contains some interesting insights into the human condition and generational trauma in his family and Scotland. Despite these sometimes heavy themes Ferguson still weaves in humor.
I would love to know others’ list of favorites.
by twofourtwofour
2 Comments
Come to think of it, I’ve only ever read one memoir and it was Bossypants by Tina Fey. I absolutely loved it (although maybe most of that is due to being a fan of 30Rock).
Anything by Pat McManus. They may not all be exactly true, but his stories of childhood are some of the funniest things I’ve ever read. The Grasshopper Trap and The Night The Bear Ate Goombaw almost killed me with laughter.