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memoir

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Pick of the Day: Bob Odenkirk: Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama (in LA & NYC) 2/28 + 3/9
February 21, 2022
News
alan sepinwall, bob odenkirk, memoir

Bob Odenkirk, now a comedy legend turn celebrated drama thespian/action star, has recounted his wild, topsy turvy career (it’s almost as unpredictable as an episode of Mr. Show at this point) in his upcoming memoir Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama. Not only will this book undoubtedly be on the reading list of any comedy fan this year and beyond, but Odenkirk is going on an in-person book tour (yes, we’re doing those again) that ought to be a must see event.

For LA & NYC, Odenkirk will be stopping into The William Vale in Brooklyn, with the heralded critic Alan Sepinwall in conversation, on Mon. Feb. 28th at 7:45PM ET and the Aratani Theatre in Little Tokyo here in LA on Mar. 9th 8PM PT. Tickets are $35 and $50 respectively and includes a signed copy of the book. Get them here and here ASAP.

Hannah Gadsby’s Memoir “Ten Steps to Nanette” Due Out March 2022
November 18, 2021
News
hannah gadsby, memoir, nanette, ten steps to nanette

(via THR)

One of the biggest lightning rod pieces of art over the 10 years just happen to be a comedy special, one from Hannah Gadsby called Nanette.

It should stand to reason that you’d want to know how that came to be.

Thus, you should mark down Mar. 29th, 2022 when Hannah Gadsby’s memoir Ten Steps to Nanette that chronicles her very first days in stand-up comedy all the way to when Hannah’s name was uttered by millions and millions of people. There’s also, of course, Gadsby journey growing up the very not queer friendly place of Tasmania and coming to terms with being neurodivergent. Of the myriads of comedians that put out memoirs these days, this undoubtedly will be one of the most compelling stories put together by one of the best storytellers and artisans in the art/craft of comedy.

One can only hope that by 2022, there will be no more debate over Nanette‘s validity as a comedy special and that it won’t take a memoir to finish such a vapid argument.

Go Get Sara Schaefer’s Grand: A Memoir
August 11, 2020
News
grand, memoir, sara schaefer, simon and schuster

We love Sara Schaefer and her comedy for so many reasons over so many years. The attention to detail and the overall artisanship she puts into all of her comedy has been an absolute to delight to revel in whenever we have gotten to see or hear it. As such, she’s Emmy nominated for her writing. Also, her Hobby Lobby story on her last album Live Laugh Love is one of the best, most thoughtful stories we’ve heard in stand-up in recent memory.

Schaefer’s latest work is a cleverly wrought memoir, Grand: A Memoir. It follows Schaefer’s journey going rafting on a vacation with her sister through the Grand Canyon as someone who is both afraid of whitewater rafting and reflects on a life-altering family scandal throughout holding on for dear life on a turbulent raft. The way that Sara weaves own internal dilemmas and psyche through narrative is quite beautiful and makes Grand really stand out from most comedian memoirs.

 Grand: A Memoir is out today, fresh off the presses from Simon & Schuster and you can (and should) go get it here.

 

Nicole Byer’s Self-Help Book #VeryFat #VeryBrave Out Now
June 5, 2020
News
memoir, nicole byer

Nicole Byer is so many things between comedy, acting, podcasting, and writing that all add up to being a shining beacon in a godforsaken world for being true to herself as she could possibly be.

So, a memoir #VeryFat #VeryBrave from Byer is a very welcome gift to have bestowed on us all this week. Throughout the book, Nicole encourages both complete acceptance and love of your body and also shows how to rock a bikini as a fat person. Byer’s marvelously unapologetic sense of humor makes it so this should be the next book you should get.

You can and very much should go get Nicole’s self-help book #VeryFat #VeryBrave at any number of booksellers here. Also, if you’d like to support black owned bookstores at this time, here’s a list of them.
October 7, 2019
Uncategorized
adam cayton holland, comedy show, los angeles, memoir, stand up comedy, storytelling

Adam Cayton-Holland wrote such a powerful book in Happy Place recounting the loss of his sister to suicide. There was such a vast response to Adam’s story within the pages that Cayton-Holland took to the stage and adapted Happy Place into a solo show. Given that Adam is one of the most respected stand-up comedians today, it’s no surprise that there is already buzz around this live show version of Happy Place.

Get your tickets for this exclusive LA performance on Tues. Oct. 29th at 8PM of Happy Place by Adam Cayton-Holland at UCB Franklin here.

My Favorite Murder’s Memoir “Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered” Out Now
May 28, 2019
Uncategorized
georgia hardstark, karen kilgariff, macmillan, memoir, my favorite murder, ssdgm
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If you’ve ever wanted the origin stories of Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, hosts of one of the world’s favorite podcasts, My Favorite Murder, then take note that their dual memoir Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered is officially out now. 

It’s a carefully curated collection of stories from both that offer insight how they became a cultural institution from simply hosting a weekly comedy true podcast. Of course, it’s written with their signature sassy, clever, and unapologetic voices and offers up a fun read (perhaps the book of the summer?). 

Oh, the audiobook not only has Karen and Georgia, but the voice of Paul Giamatti as well.  

Well, go get Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered already. 

My Favorite Murder Is Coming Out With a Memoir “Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered” (That Will Feature Paul Giamatti in the Audiobook)
April 26, 2019
Uncategorized
audiobook, georgia hardstark, karen kilgariff, memoir, my favorite murder, paul giamatti, preorder
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Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered has undoubtedly become one of the maxims to live by in these times thanks to the efforts of Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark and their great, hit comedy-true crime podcast My Favorite Murder.

Naturally, after touring all over the globe and starting their own podcast network, Karen and Georgia have moved on to writing a memoir titled with their aforementioned podcast sign-off, Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered, set for hardcover release on May 28th (pre-order here). They’ll essentially be sharing a book’s worth of “hometown murders” (i.e. life stories that have led a life of SSGDM) and we have no doubt that it’ll be some of their best tales. 

Oh yeah, the audiobook will not only be read by them, but, as briefly mentioned in their latest episode, none other than Paul Giamatti joined Karen and Georgia in recording it. 

So, with all of that said, go pre-order Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered here if you haven’t done so already.

Please Make Guy Branum’s “My Life as a Goddess” Your Summertime Read (or Read for Any Season Since Guy’s Writing Is That Good)
August 15, 2018
Uncategorized
atria books, guy branum, memoir, my life as a goddess, personal essays
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The humor of Guy Branum is so exquisite in its careful juxtaposition of literary references and historical events from Canada (even though he’s not Canadian) and elsewhere into jokes about the world that he and the rest of us live in. It’s so refined and yet, we feel, accessible to those not as well read as Guy (that includes most folks by the way).

The canvas of an entire book, specifically the recently released My Life as a Goddess, allows Guy to really flex his brilliance and he definitely delivers in this regard. Really, there are very, very few writers and comedians that can circumnavigate the highs and lows of culture, both popular and sophisticated, in such an entertaining way as Guy does.

So, go get and make your Summer (or whatever season it may be) better My Life as a Goddess: A Memoir Through (Un)popular Culture now wherever you get your books.

Please Get Amy Dresner’s Chronic Addiction Memoir “My Fair Junkie”
September 19, 2017
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addiction, amy dresner, dark comedy, hachette, memoir, my fair junkie
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Yes, there are plenty of comedians that have a plethora of infamous stories about addiction that they have worked into very funny, yet harrowing tales. 

Even within that subgenre/niche, the life of Amy Dresner is captivating, heartbreaking, and damned hysterical as well. Dresner used to do stand-up that we really loved, which is where she first caught our eye. In transitioning to writing full time, we were hoping a book like My Fair Junkie would come out.

Fortunately, My Fair Junkie is out now and available in hardcover and as an audiobook. Please get it here.

Eddie Izzard’s Memoir “Believe Me: a memoir of love, death, and jazz chickens” Is Out Now
June 15, 2017
Uncategorized
believe me, eddie izzard, love death and jazz chickens, memoir, penguin random house
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On top of being a world renowned comedian that can perform stand-up to sold out theaters in several different languages and celebrated actor and writer, Eddie Izzard has run more marathons than you can count on two hands, is a political activist, and has been an associate director of a football club just to name of a few other things that Eddie juggles in his “spare time”. 

Sounds like a life that would make for a hell of a memoir, no? 

Well, Izzard’s memoir Believe Me: a memoir of love, death, and jazz chickens has just been released from Penguin Random House.

You can get in hard cover, Ebook, or audio now.

Jeffrey Tambor Discusses His Book “Are You Anybody?” at Skylight Books 5/24
May 19, 2017
Uncategorized
are you anybody, jeffrey tambor, live reading, los angeles, los feliz, memoir, silverlake, skylight books

Jeffrey Tambor has a brand new book that details his long, storied, and illustrious career called “Are You Anybody?”

Here’s a lovely promo video for the book featuring his kids. 

He’s doing a live event next week at Skylight Books in Los Feliz on Wednesday, May 24th and you can attend with the purchase of the book from Skylight.

The rest of our listings for comedy shows, events, open mics, and maps can be found at www.thecomedybureau.com.

Donald Trump Faux Memoir Being Written with Audiobook That Will Feature Alec Baldwin
March 1, 2017
Uncategorized
alec baldwin, donald trump, kurt andersen, memoir, parody, penguin press, satire, you can't spell america without me

Donald Trump Faux Memoir Being Written with Audiobook That Will Feature Alec Baldwin

The title “You Can’t Spell America Without Me: The Really Tremendous Inside Story of My Fantastic First Year as President Donald J. Trump"  is, as the POTUS would put it, tremendous.

Novelist Kurt Andersen, who also was a co-founder of Spy Magazine, will write the fake memoir for Penguin Press and an accompanying audiobook will feature SNL’s Trump, Alec Baldwin. They’re currently looking towards a November release date.

We’re curious to see if Alec has to put on a power tie that’s way too long, don a bad wig, and contort his face for the entire duration of the audiobook recording just to stay in character.  

Norm MacDonald’s Memoir “Based on a True Story” Out Today
September 20, 2016
Uncategorized
based on a true story, memoir, norm macdonald, random house

There may be very few people that are as high in status, revered, and have as many insane stories in comedy quite like Norm MacDonald.

Even as a “tell some” book, Norm’s still got a wild ride of a life through SNL, stand-up, insane gambling debts, etc. that probably could make for a whole series of books.

All of that is captured on the page by Norm himself in Based on a True Story, which just happens to be now available from Random House Books.

It’s National Book Lovers Day, So Buy/Pre-Order New Books from Norm MacDonald, Reductress, Tony Millionaire, Will Hines and More
August 10, 2016
Uncategorized
amber tozer, based on a true story, book lovers day, connor ratliff, dave hill, drinky crow, how to be, how to win at feminism, improv, jessi klein, memoir, national book lovers day, norm macdonald, reductress, sober stick figure, tony millionaire, will hines, winning isn't everything, you'll grow out of it
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There’s nothing quite like a random day like National Book Lovers Day that’s set up to celebrates books that allows us to recommend to you some great comedy book titles that have been either recently released or will be hitting bookshelves (both physical and digital) very soon. 

So, without further delay, get your observance of this holiday in with buying or pre-ordering the following:

–Based on a True Story: A Memoir by Norm MacDonald (out September 20th)

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–How To Win at Feminism: The Definitive Guide to Having It All-And Then Some! by Reductress (out Oct. 25th)

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–You’ll Grow Out of It by Jessi Klein 

–How To Be The Greatest Improviser on Earth by Will Hines 

–The Bob’s Burgers Burger Book: Real Recipes for Joke Burgers by Loren Bouchard and the Writers of Bob’s Burgers; Recipes by Cole Bowden

–Dave Hill Doesn’t Liver Here Anymore by Dave Hill

–Drinky Crow Drinks Again by Tony Millionaire

–Sober Stick Figure: A Memoir by Amber Tozer

–Winning Isn’t Everything: Why I Am Running For President Again… And Why I Will Lose by Connor Ratliff

Amber Tozer Tells the Story of Her Recovery from Alcoholism via Stick Figures in “Sober Stick Figure”
June 11, 2016
Uncategorized
amber tozer, memoir, running press, sober stick figure
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The illustration of humans via stick figures is subtly powerful. It’s something kids resort to as many of them can’t draw that well, but it still communicates messages and points of a view in a way that almost seems universal.

Comedian/writer/ Amber Tozer utliizes this to a wonderful degree in her memoir Sober Stick Figure that chronicles her harrowing road into alcoholism and eventually to recovery. The bleakness of such a journey gets juxtaposed next to stick figure drawings throughout the whole book that delightfully illustrate how ridiculous all of these very true events really are. It’s the comic relief that keeps on giving . 

Sober Stick Figure is available in hardcover now from Running Press.

Doug Stanhope’s “Digging Up Mother: A Love Story” Out Now
May 17, 2016
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digging up mother, doug stanhope, memoir
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Descriptions such as honest, dark, and unflinching are often give to Doug Stanhope’s comedy. Much of that is due to his upbringing, specifically with his mother who imparted as much comedy history to him as she did with life experience gained from bringing Doug to an AA meeting.

Digging Up Mother: A Love Story is the story of how Stanhope said goodbye to his singular mother as she came to a point where she didn’t want to live anymore. The sweetness of a sincere valediction gets outfitted in Stanhope’s unfiltered sense of humor for a book that will undoubtedly take you through that wide range of emotions that comedy is capable of encompassing. 

You can get your copy of Digging Up Mother: A Love Story now.

Get Bonnie McFarlane’s Memoir “You’re Better Than Me”
March 7, 2016
Uncategorized
anthony bourdain, bonnie mcfarlane, breaking in, coming up in comedy, memoir, you're better than me

Bonnie McFarlane’s journey in comedy is the kind of journey that you almost wouldn’t believe given how cool, calm, and collected that Bonnie is when you see her on stage or hear her on a podcast. Yet, you’ll hear all about what she went through in her new memoir You’re Better Than Me.

From climbing the ranks of stand-up atypically, directing her own films, and being one of a handful of female stand-ups to have done Letterman, Bonnie has more than enough stories to show the improbably winding road she had to take to do comedy on her terms and keep it together all while doing so.

Get You’re Better Than Me fresh off Anthony Bourdain’s publishing arm.

Norm MacDonald Memoir “Based on a True Story” Coming Out in 2016
December 10, 2015
Uncategorized
based on a true story, memoir, norm macdonald, random house, spiegel & grau

(via Deadline)

Just based on title alone, it’s kind of an appropriate follow-up to Me Doing Stand-Up.

If there’s someone that’s got a hell of a story for a memoir, it’s comedian Norm MacDonald. Norm is almost as known with his back-and-forth relationship with the entertainment biz as he is for being downright funny. 

Random House’s Spiegel & Grau is set to publish Based on a True Story in 2016 and it will indeed track the roller coaster of a career that Norm has had. 

Though the title just might be ironic, we wonder if Norm would put anything fictional in his memoir and, if so, what it would be. Perhaps, it would be that perfect joke he has been seeking where the set-up and punchline are one in the same?

Doug Stanhope’s Writing a Memoir “One Funny Mother”
August 31, 2015
Uncategorized
doug stanhope, memoir, one funny mother

I just typed “The End” into my book and while I know that it really isn’t, It’s a milestone that calls for a cocktail.

It’s been years since Doug Stanhope’s last book, but we’re glad to hear that Stanhope is hard at work writing his memoir that’s due out next year.

8 days til deadline of book. Just spent 2 hours watching Youtube scorpion vs centipede v spider v beetle v etc. 8 days left.

Currently titled One Funny Mother, it instantly recalls his heart wrenching and hysterical stories about his mother that found their way into Doug’s stand-up recently.

It’s on pre-order now on Amazon and set for an Apr. 12th, 2016 release. You should definitely put your order in for a copy even though there’s no cover art yet because we’re pretty sure Stanhope’s memoir will be that good.

Doug Stanhope Set to Write A Memoir
March 24, 2015
Uncategorized
doug stanhope, memoir
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Well, you know this is going to be good.

Doug Stanhope is now set to write a memoir covering his relationship with his mother. If you’ve listened to or watched Stanhope’s latest special Beer Hall Putsch, you know that this will probably be as an unfiltered, darkly comedic collection of personal tales as Stanhope has ever told about his mom. 

However, you’re going to have to wait until a year from now in Apr. 2016 for its publication. Still, we’re guessing it’s going to be worth the wait.

Patton Oswalt’s “Silver Screen Fiend” Out Now
January 8, 2015
Uncategorized
memoir, new beverly, patton oswalt, silver screen fiend

           

Patton Oswalt’s memoir-ish book Silver Screen Fiend: Learning About Life From an Addition to Film about his time in the 90’s spent watching as many movies as he possibly could at places like The New Beverly and The Nuart and how that informed him as a comedian, writer, etc. is now out. 

If you’re resolving to read more this year, this is a good start.

Get a copy here.

Patton Oswalt Coming Out with Book About His Film Addiction
July 24, 2014
Uncategorized
film addiction, memoir, patton oswalt

Though Patton Oswalt is maintaining his social media silence this summer, his latest book chronicling his obsession with watching film in tandem with coming up as a comedian and writer.

Entitled Silver Screen Fiend: Learning About Life from an Addiction to Film, it’s is set for a release at the beginning of next year, but is now on pre-order.

“The Todd Glass Situation” Now on Pre-Order
April 14, 2014
Uncategorized
memoir, todd glass

                                                 

The amazing Todd Glass wrote a memoir entitled The Todd Glass Situation: A Bunch of Lies about My Personal Life and a Bunch of True Stories about My 30-Year Career in Stand-Up Comedy that from just reading the title you get exactly what it will cover and will want to get a copy.

It’s available on pre-order now for a June 3rd release, so start off your day today reserving a copy.

 

Read About the One-of-a-Kind Life of Comedian Matty Goldberg in ‘Brain Humor’
December 23, 2013
Uncategorized
angelo bowers, brain humor, matty goldberg, memoir

                                     

Brain surgery for a tumor at 20, the loss of the great-comedian-in-the-making Angelo Bowers, in addition to all the highs and lows of coming up as a stand-up nowadays, make for a singular memoir from Matty Goldberg.  

Pick up a copy of Matty’s Brain Humor now to feel inspired and get an unfiltered look into what it takes to do comedy and why comedians, despite anything and everything, go and tell jokes to strangers anyway.

Ron Burgundy Goes Over Unexpected Portions of His Memoir on Conan
November 23, 2013
Uncategorized
anchorman 2, conan, let me off at the top, memoir, prison, ron burgundy, survival tips, will ferrell

In addition to Anchorman 2 coming out soon, Ron Burgundy’s memoir Let Me Off at The Top! covering so many aspects of the news legend’s life just got released. Burgundy (and not Will Ferrell) stopped by Conan to talk about the lesser expected chapters of his book like a certain type of survival tips.

Watch the clip here. 

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