So Close to Being the Sh*t, Y'all Don't Even Know

When I saw that Retta had written an autobiography, and that she was narrating it on an audiobook, I thought (predictably enough) "Treat yo'self!" I loved her as Donna Meagle in Parks and Recreation, and am enjoying the heck out of her semi-dramatic turn on Good Girls where she's breaking my heart as well as making me laugh. But I knew absolutely nothing about Retta, and I wanted to.

Turns out, she is the daughter of Liberian immigrants, a Jersey girl, and one of the most down-to-earth celebs imaginable. She is brutally honest about herself -- Chapter 8 in which she describes at length how lazy she is is both hilarious and reassuring because so much of it describes me too. I loved listening to her talk about her passionate love for "dark show more magic" (coffee) and the day she (unknowingly) was flirted with by Michael Fassbender. I love how much she loves John Hamm and her Parks and Rec co-stars, how much she loves her family, but doesn't spare them from her cutting sense of humor, and how much she loves her designer handbags. Because she's a big girl, and handbags always fit.

I love that she refuses to apologize for who she is unless she knows she's somehow in the wrong. I love that she can call out both racism and body-shaming with a sense of humor. I love that she can fangirl Lin Manuel Miranda, and that she never seems blase about meeting the likes of Idris Elba or Robert Redford. Retta knows who she is and that is no mean feat in Hollywood.

I love listening to her. Just flat out love it.

I devoured this audiobook in less than a day and wish there was more. Maybe one day there will be. Maybe one day we'll get the continuing adventures of Retta in H'wood, or even Dr. Retta, neurosurgeon (She was pre-med before she went into show business.) No matter what she wants to talk about, I'm there. show less

This book was a damn treat! I feel like I'm in the Parks and Rec Book Club because I HAVE TO read all the books they write. I'm so glad Retta joined their ranks because this book is a roller coaster of amazing. There is some real heartfelt shit in there, but it's also so down to earth and funny. I straight up felt like she was my best friend after this. Each chapter is an essay about some aspect of her life; from her addiction to designer bags, her newfound love of Hockey, making it as a black female comedian, growing up poor, cutting loose in college, the joys of being lazy, her love of television, to her struggle of finding amazon sized footwear (girl we wear the same size, the struggle is real!), this entire book is funny and show more relatable. After reading this book I instantly had to follow her on all social media (what have I been doing with my damn life?) and I coaxed my boyfriend into getting me tickets to see Hamilton (well... he's gonna try to anyways). Retta waxes poetic about the Broadway play, Hamilton, and it was better than any theater review I've ever read. I love, love, love this book!! I'm including a picture from my book club when we discussed Aziz's book and I had Parks and Rec cookies made; I wish I still had that Donna Meagle cookie!

https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/21764995_10154932563127548_5698788... show less

"stop wasting time fearing the worst. Living through the worst is never as hard as fearing it. Fight the fear and go do what you gotta do. That's what you came here for."

Being a big fan of Parks & Rec (my personality is more like a mix of Ron and April than Donna), I had to read Retta's essay collection. She didn't disappoint!

Retta's personality jumps off the page and her enthusiasm for her passions is contagious. This collection feels very much like she's sitting across the table telling you about her adventures. I don't even like carrying a purse, so collecting ($15,000) designer handbags is not my thing. Nor is coffee or football or hockey. But her stories are entertaining and funny, which is what I had expected from this book.

My show more favorite essay is "Membership Has Its Privileges" in which Retta recounts meeting Michael Fassbender and Idris Elba. But I also appreciated the first essay's message about talking oneself out of big opportunities.

4.5 stars

I bet the audio version is even better! show less

Road trip! 2,500-mile round trip taking my daughter to college and driving back alone calls for a whole lot of audiobooks. (1 of 7)

Retta's contribution to the trip was passably amusing, though the sections on handbags and hockey games seemed to go on a bit long while the Parks and Recreation chapters seemed way too short. The Hamilton musical chapters left me incredibly jealous and resentful of how many times she got to see the original cast on Broadway.

So Close to Being the Sh*t, Y’all DOn’t Even Know

I Picked Up This Book Because: Curious

If our backgrounds had been more similar I would be sure Retta and I are related. Her love for TV reminds me of 80% of my conversations with my cousin. What I wouldn’t give to have her sit in on a break down of Vampire Diaries or Grey’s Anatomy with us. And the time she spent talking about Hamilton, I agreed with every word! I sadly haven’t met Lin-Manuel, Daveed, Oke or Leslie nor seen the show multiple times so I’m hella jealous. And should I even bother to talk about the lazy club??? HA!

I enjoyed this book thoroughly. I’ve already recommended to my like minded bookish real life friends. And this babbling review can serve as a show more recommendation to my virtual bookish friends. Read it! Or better yet listen to the audiobook. It was great.

The Random Thoughts:

SN: I’ve always wanted to go to a pro hockey game. Now I know I need to sit on the glass. ;-)

4 Stars show less

I received this Advanced Reader Edition as a @goodreads giveaway and could not wait to read it. I’m rewatching Parks and Rec for the ?th time (I’ve lost count.) so I’m in the Pawnee mindset.
First of all, Retta is a treasure. She’s hilarious, honest, and real. I laughed out loud frequently while I devoured this book in 24 hours. I cracked up at the bit about coffee, treasured the Parks & Rec behind the scenes stuff, and completely identified with the Hamilton obsession (Also insanely jealous!)
A fun read and glimpse into her funny, smart, talented, no-BS life. #TreatYoSelf to this book when it comes out later this month. 5/5 stars ⭐️

Listening to memoirs or collections of personal essays on audiobook is a rather intimate experience. By the end of spending several hours in the car with Retta, i am left with the false sense of being her new bestie. She swears like a sailor and loves to get her drink on and all I want now is to hang out with her and have some drinks and watch a Kings game and I don't even like hockey. But, she never reveals anything too personal. This is not a baring of the soul. This is not a heart-to-heart. This is the things a new acquaintance shares in the getting-to-know you stage—just enough to start to engender intimacy, but not so much that either of you feels uncomfortable.

And, for fuck's sake people, stop giving the woman candles.