For Christmas this year I was given Tina Fey’s “Bossypants” by my best friend, John, who was quick to mention that he’d like to read it, too, so could I kindly hurry up? Never one to disappoint, I finished this book swiftly in between the 4th and 5th installments of A Song of Ice and Fire. This hilarious and quirky memoir made for the perfect reprieve from Westeros and the Free Cities and led me instead into Charlottesville, Chicago and ultimately New York City. As someone who firmly believes internet shorthand like “omg” and “brb” have destroyed our grasp of the English language, it pains me to say that Ms. Tina Fey had me laughing out loud with this book (that’s “lol” for any post-millenials reading).
From her dashing description of her dad, Don Fey, to her honest recollection of taking a job from someone who needed it far worse than she did, this book felt real. I feel it necessary to admit that I do, of course, think Tina Fey is a genius. I find her particular brand of humor to be smart and effective on every level. It’s high brow pretending to be low brow. It’s Tracy Morgan making a poignant statement about social inequality while slipping on a banana peel. It’s brilliant and accessible, as was this book. The honesty with which she revisits her life is refreshing and relatable. She speaks of the struggle balancing a high-pressure career with having a child, but is quick to compare her “stress” to those who actually have stress:
See the distinction?
As someone who loves a good memoir, this was one I was ecstatic to read and it did not disappoint. It did however reaffirm my desire to be Tina Fey. We’ll see how that works out. Read the book; you’ll like it.
Eat. Read. Ask. Do. Be. 