I Didn't Ask to Be Born: (But I'm Glad I Was) (original 2011; edition 2012)

Quite a few chuckles and overall a pleasant read. ( )

It is hard to write a humor book. It is not easy to be funny chapter after chapter. That is the case of this book. There are some funny chapters. The first three stories, Me and Marcia, Bernadette (a classic), and the Thre Morphamization of Peanut Armhouse (another classic that should be turned into a cartoon with Bill Cosby voicing the story from the book), are worth the read. There are also some short essays, My Son's First Bad Word and My Single Daughter are good. Others like Too Late for Me But Not for You, and Children Aren't Your Friends are worth a read. The book is uneven. I was upset when the author referenced his other books in stories. Nevertheless, one of the pictures has someone reading this book in a laundrymat. I took it to a laundry mat and read it. You will laugh out loud if you want to read it while doing your laundry. ( )

Who Me? Miss this? Why? Optimistic Extraordinary!

Bill Cosby’s “I Didn’t Ask to Be Born (But I’m Glad I Was)” is life as everyone experiences it but few take time to note it. How we perceive our circumstances has value as a learning tool if we are able to find humor in some of the things that are ‘hard pills to take’ when originally experienced.

This book is something that makes you laugh out loud because only you can know what you are laughing about. Cosby gives us circumstances that make us remember our own characters, situations, and events while imputing humor in what may have been a serious, sobering thing when first experienced. This is an idea compendium to read while on a flight, on a bus, waiting in line or anywhere where the passage of time is moot but necessary as it is guaranteed to deliver you to your destination in good spirits and uplifted.

Reviewed by: Gail ( )