I think we mentioned once or twice that we’re excited about Amy Poehler’s new book, Yes Please . But in case you missed the memo: We are so excited. Poehler, who made us practically pee our pants in SNL and converted us to waffle-lovers via Parks and Recreation, allegedly reveals a lot of funny, heartfelt, and personal things in her memoir. Poehler shares details about her first pregnancy and how her doctor died of a heart attack the night before she was due. She shares intimate, sweet anecdotes about her current boyfriend, Nick Kroll (who ironically plays The Douche in Parks and Rec, aka one of Leslie Knope’s arch enemies). Poehler doles out sex advice to men, such as, “We don’t need it to last as long as you think. Hurry up. We are so tired.” Amen to that, sister. And she briefly covers her and Will Arnett’s divorce, which was very sad for all of us. I think it’s safe to say Yes Please will be epically amazing.
Amy Poehler isn’t the only funny gal who can write a book, though. Tons of women have hilariously bared their souls in the written form. Here are 11 of my absolute favorites:
Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson
If you don’t read Jenny Lawson’s blog, The Bloggess , then drop everything you are doing right now and prepare yourself for the glory that is Lawson. The writer, who discusses her OCD, depression, and anxiety, is also really into taxidermy and naming her online shop “EIGHT POUNDS OF UNCUT COCAINE” so that your banker might consider calling the DEA on you. Her book is just as funny, and even more personal than her blog (which is delightfully personal). Recounting tales of her childhood and other traumatic experiences, Lawson connects with her readers on a crazy personal level.
Bossypants by Tina Fey
Tina Fey, Amy Poehler’s partner in crime, also wrote a book a few years ago titled Bossypants. In Bossypants, Tina Fey unveils everything: her dream to become a comedian, her sad love life in college, motherhood, and early experiences on SNL. Fey started a movement with her memoir; she officially declared war on "bossy" being used as a negative word. Being bossy means you’re getting stuff done. And no one can take that away from you.
I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron
Nora Ephron, who wrote the ever-iconic When Harry Met Sally and You’ve Got Mail , also came out with a hilarious and touching memoir. In I Feel Bad About My Neck, Ephron shares her experiences about getting older, as well as other relatable and very important topics such as: hating your purse, hair dye, and the things women do to try and look more youthful and how it’s all bullshit.
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? By Mindy Kaling
Much like Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling also describes her budding career as a comedian and writer. Kaling’s story especially resonated with me, since I too have immigrant parents who vehemently pushed me and pushed me toward success and supported me when I decided to go into writing (to their horror). In Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? Kaling details her childhood, teenage years, college, and what it was like basically stomping her way into the very male-dominated field of TV writing.
The Worst Date Ever: War Crimes, Hollywood Heart-Throbs and other Abominations by Jane Bussman
In her hilarious memoir, Jane Bussmann, who wrote for South Park and The Fast Show, reflects upon her weird and sometimes ridiculous experiences in Hollywood. She also recounts her mission to make John Prendergast love her (she goes to Uganda and becomes an investigative journalist — no big deal or anything). All of that in the name of love. And politics. And world peace, obviously.
Everything is Perfect When You’re a Liar by Kelly Oxford
Kelly Oxford, princess of Twitter and social media, is really, really funny. Not only can she craft tremendously on point 140-character tweets about humanity, celebrities, sexism, and motherhood, but she can write a book as well. In Everything is Perfect When You’re a Liar, Oxford writes about her childhood, having unmanageable eyebrows, and chasing Leonardo DiCaprio in the reckless and weird streets of L.A.
How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran
In this funny and unapologetic book about womanhood, Caitlin Moran breaks down feminism like a boss: “Feminism is having a vagina and wanting to be in charge of it.” Thank you, Caitlin Moran. How to Be a Woman discusses female empowerment, sexuality, celebrity magazines, and more. She also doesn’t feel shy about sharing personal anecdotes that reflect upon her own experiences with work, entitlement, and relationships. This book isn’t for everyone (and at times, Moran’s language could be more affective and considerate). But it’s loud and it’s powerful.
I Love Everybody (and Other Atrocious Lies) by Laurie Notaro
Sometimes… it doesn’t get better. After your fumbling 20s, you might still keep fumbling into your 30s, but at least your struggles lend themselves to become stories. In I Love Everybody, Laurie Notaro recounts her marriage and employment… as well as her credit card debt, her canceled newspaper column, and the evil moms at preschool. Growing up, I read all of Notaro’s books, and while they terrified me, they also reassured me that it’s probably okay to be a hot mess sometimes. Perfection is, and always will be, a myth.
Confetti Covered Quicksand by Amy Asbury
Confetti Covered Quicksand is about grunge, the L.A. club scene, and celebrities (including Leonardo DiCaprio! Clearly an ongoing theme in this post). Amy Asbury writes about her tumultuous party girl life, and how Hollywood affects your identity; it's addictive, weird, and subtly funny.
Devil in the Details: Scenes from an Obsessive Girlhood by Jennifer Traig
If you’ve read any of David Sedaris’ memoirs, then you’ll know that he is very good at describing his OCD. The pressing, almost painful need to go lick a lamp post five times and other stories showcase this issue in a funny, David Sedaris way. In Devil in the Details, Jennifer Traig also shares her stories about OCD. And they’re wickedly hilarious. And honest. Tales of Traig’s strangely religious, Jewish-Catholic hybrid childhood as well as more somber conversations about anorexia and mental illness are as tender as they are humorous.
The Bedwetter by Sarah Silverman
Even though Sarah Silverman has never been known to be 100 percent politically correct, I will always have a lil’ bit of room in my heart for her shenanigans. I bought this book when it was on sale at an Urban Outfitters about four years ago, and I finished it in about an hour. The title pretty much gives away the plot. Sarah Silverman was a bedwetter well into her teenhood. But she vanquished her pee problems, just like she vanquished any morsel of self-doubt that could keep her from becoming the successful comedian she is today. Bonus: There are a lot of dick jokes.
Images: Getty Images; Barnes and Noble
