Bossypants

What a letdown, this is the least profound and insightful nonfiction book I think I've ever read. It's not a memoir, not an autobiography as it is a collection of essays that reveal absolutely nothing about its author, Tina Fey. It was as TIna Fey wrote it as an SNL character. The writing is so self aware, cringe-worthy in its self-deprecation. The only section that garnered any genuine emotion is when she (very briefly) talked about the incident that caused the scar on her face. The stories completely lack any depth, reveal nothing about what makes Tina Fey tick. The stories she chooses to share--her stint working the front desk of a decrepit YMCA, literally following a college crush up a mountain--aren't interesting. I think this is what happened:
Fey's Agent/Manager: You know, there's so much interest in you, what makes you tick. You should write a book about yourself.
Fey: No! No one's interested in me. I wouldn't know what to write. My private life is private--I don't want to share stories about me and my family to the world.
Fey's Agent/Manager: I think the publisher would be willing to pay an advance in the high six figures.
Fey: Well, let me think about it.
So this is what we got, a group of stories that have nothing to do with each other, told by the character "Tina Fey" (versus the real person), that are about as deep as a mud puddle. Big disappointment.

Tina Fey's book was fine. That's it. I had high expectations after hearing how it was laugh out loud funny, but even if I went in with no expectations I don't think this would have gotten more than 3 stars from me. I didn't laugh out loud once and only occasionally cracked a smile The book is a collection of essays/stories that lacked focus as a whole and didn't have much to offer individually. I wasn't expecting anything profound, but they had nothing to say and the sarcastic humor often just felt too mean to be funny. I'm a fan of Tina Fey and find her hilarious in general, but the humor didn't come through her book for me. Some stories were enjoyable but I was left disappointed as a whole. I still gave it 3 stars because I think it could be a great read for the right reader, but for me it was just okay.

I really enjoy Tina Fey and was looking forward to reading this book.....but I couldn't even finish it. I kept forcing myself to read another chapter in the hopes that it would get better and after about 100 pages I just couldn't do it anymore. It was a strange mix of stories and observations that really didn't make sense and have a connection or flow to the storytelling and writing. I was glad that I borrowed this book from the library and didn't spend $ to buy it.

Given Tina Fey's 6 years on SNL and 7 on 30 Rock, I went into this book assuming I'd get some real insights into other cast members and guests, broadening my appreciation for them along with Tina. Never happens, in fact were I one of her fellow cast members I'd feel dissed by the lack of attention she gives. So many truly talented people along her creative path, yet so little sharing of her experiences with them. Reading this book came to feel like trudging across a desert looking for an oasis that never arrives, honestly it left me feeling that dissatisfied at the end.

I found her childhood through college memories vaguely interesting, but never LOL, and generally too long. I waded through whole chapters on her mom, then her dad, and later even on breast feeding, patiently assuming these would frame the real substance of her book, insider recollections from her SNL/30 Rock years which never truly arrive. Having always been a fan of Tina's self effacing and sharp witted comedy style, especially on 30 Rock which she created, this came all the more as a disappointment.

Such talents as Jane Krakowski, Judah Friedlander, Chris Parnell (nary a mention of any of them), Jack McBrayer and Tracy Morgan (barely touched upon) and even Alec Baldwin (no insights, just snippets of adulation) along with a Who's Who of comedic guests are brushed past. The lack of any sharing of her interplay with Jane Krakowski in particular, who works so well as a counter to Tina and a star in the show in her own right, was especially disappointing to me given she was one of the few non-SNL cast members and her range of talent such an asset.

Same for the cast of SNL from 2000-2006, including Will Ferrell, Cheri Oteri, Jimmy Fallon, Darrell Hammond, Seth Meyers, Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch, Maya Rudolph, Bill Hader, Will Forte, Jason Sudeikis, Kristen Wiig, Andy Samberg...well, you get it, a wealth of gifted comedic performers she related to on a daily basis. Tina's a wonderfully creative comedic performer and writer with a sharp wit, but unfortunately this book left me disappointed, failing to tap into her sense of humor and wealth of experiences during her defining body of work.

This may be a case of her needing to have a talented independent author write a book about her career, experiences and fellow cast members to provide her story the depth it deserves. While Tina's clearly a talented comedic writer of scripts, she may be too close to her body of work and friends made along the way to write of them without possibly fearing to offend them. That is my hope, anyways.

I read this as a book club book since it was recommended for books in your 20's for females. Every single person that read it said the same thing, the first few chapters were entertaining then it was not so great. The only redeeming factor was reading it mentally in Tina Fey's voice but otherwise I was not impressed, which is sad because I think Tina Fey is hilarious.

Tina Fey wrote this book as if she was having a conversation with you; it's hilarious, reflective and exactly what I wanted.
Shipping was the fastest I've ever experienced, also included a free copy of King Fu Panda 3 (? Haha idk) and the size I ordered was exactly as advertised! 10/10

Like Tina Fey but didn't even chuckle while reading this book. Maybe an audio version would be better.

Really? This book has very few humorous moments but it is full of pathetic and cruel antidotes.

What can I say. Tina entertains no matter what she does. Of course, her book is funny. That has to happen. But it is also smart, clever, and real. In it she reveals herself as the person I imagined her to be. I've always admired her. Now I like her. Her fearless willingness to be self-depricating at times, in a sincere, candid way is endearing. I must say, the more I read books from powerful women, the more I come to believe that they are changing the world by softening the raw edges. I admire this woman. The book was a pleasant, easy read that generated lough-out-loud moments. There were serious, heavy moments as well, but the intensity of it was never overwhelming. This is not a book that will stir you up so you can't sleep, so you can ready it in bed, feel good, laugh a bit, and get a good nights rest.

Couldn't get past page 17...foul language and content that just isn't what I consider entertainment.