Straight Outta Crawley: Memoirs of a Distinctly Average Human Being

Regular watchers of UK panel shows such as Mock the Week or QI will likely recognize Romesh Ranganathan. In this memoir, he talks about how he got his start in stand-up (at the age of 9, at a holiday camp), his teaching career, and his family life. If you’re a fan of his bone-dry self-deprecating humour, then you’re probably already running out to get this book. As many people will likely say about this book, my favourite parts were about his mum. She is hilarious, and she is the core of the family.

The only thing that is a shame about this book is that it went to press before The Ranganation, which is my favourite thing of his. I would have loved to read more about it! One of the few panel shows that seems to have worked just as show more well as, or even better than, its pre-pandemic self. show less

I have to admit I'm not a big memoir reader, and only picked this up as my friend and I noticed Ranganathan was finishing off a book signing at the Cheltenham Literary Festival as we wandered past the Waterstones tent late one night.

It was fine as far as these types of books go. Interesting enough reading about the highs and lows of someone else's life, but nothing amazing.

3 stars - a good enough read, but instantly forgettable.