Not me thinking I spaced out in the later half , only to relisten to this again to find out I didn't space out and it was infact how the book ended. 😂 I was a bit disappointed when I came to the end, because I was expecting more about her life in America, but maybe it's going to be written about in another memoir? Her journey, at least in its early stages, was, admittedly, a bit haphazard - but which comic’s isn’t? Yashere was a telecoms, and then lift, engineer with a passion for clubbing before falling into - and in love with - stand-up.

It ended up being rather anticlimactic and I thought it was interesting. I immediately wondered if her controlling and conservative mother (who wouldn’t even let her go to friends’ parties in the neighborhood or take swimming lessons at school) would have been so passive, if Gina wasn’t the successful international comedian she was. It’s especially difficult for children of immigrants living among racists and bigots. Unless you're from a place deemed desirable, your culture and identity is up for ridicule and hate. The book spends a lot of time on that and I’m willing to bet because it had that much of an effect on her, more so than her sexuality which she stumbled upon a little later than some. I felt that her memoir could've been a bit more rounded, and would've loved to hear about when she chose to publicly come out; so much more could be been written on this issue, especially with her mother and the community she was raised in. It was briefly mentioned, but to reiterate, it wasn't fully developed.

The author shares how she navigated her relationship with her mother and how her mother's moods and parenting affected her life. We also learn that she turned to comedy as a way to mitigate some of the racialized violence she experienced and how writing this book helped her understand her mother and her history in a brand-new way. It's always great learning about somebody else's experience. That's how we all grow as people, is something not similar to our lives, There is no man, woman or child funnier than Gina Yashere. They may be as funny but definitely not funnier. If you don't believe me, read this funny ass book." — Chris Spencer, comedian, writer, and executive producer Gina is one of those comedians you watch on TV and be like I want to meet her. I got the honor to meet Gina in the trenches of the LA comedy scene. Her story is funny, inspiring, and thought provoking. Her success is a testament to her crazy work ethic. This Book is a Must Read, Trust. Tiffany Haddish If your Mom is cool, might I recommend that you get her this book for Mother's Day? She'll love Gina's Mom, possibly even finding a little of herself in there, particularly if she sacrificed for you and your siblings and placed enormous expectations on you. Of course, you'll want to read it yourself, first, so that when Mom starts citing some of the random lines at you you'll get the jokes. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go get caught up on her appearance in Season 2 of The Standups on Netflix. I won an uncorrected proof of this book as a Firstreads giveaway and would like to note to the publisher that in trawling through the daily list of giveaways, it was the title that first caught my attention. Then, I recalled that I'd seen Gina on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah where she'd killed. The book arrived within a day or two of my notification (h/t HarperCollins!) and was a superfast and highly enjoyable read.

The British comedian of Nigerian heritage and co-executive producer and writer of the CBS hit series Bob Hearts Abisholachronicles her odyssey to get to America and break into Hollywood in this lively and humorous memoir. There were tons of other relatable experiences, like her mother’s undying quest for her becoming doctor, hateful parental figures, hair disasters and familial expectations. By this point, the reader has come to understand Yashere’s journey, thanks to the the variously entertaining, troubling, stories from her life, both professionally and personally, that she tells so engagingly and with more heart that comes through in her often hard-edged stand-up.Going to Church Doesn't Make You a Holy Person Any More Than Going to a Garage Makes You a Mechanic 59 From birth, Gina carried a similar birthmark – a sign that she was her grandmother’s chosen heir, and would fulfil Patience’s dreams. Gina would learn to speak perfect English, live unfettered by men or children, work a man’s job, and travel the world with a free spirit. Is she the reincarnation of her grandmother? Maybe. The British comedian of Nigerian heritage and co-executive producer and writer of the CBS hit series Bob Hearts Abishola chronicles her odyssey to get to America and break into Hollywood in this lively and humorous memoir.