I’ve experienced a whole lot the last few years and I have a lot to share. So I hope that you’ll take a moment to sit back, relax and enjoy the words I’ve put together for you in this book. I think you’ll find I’ve left no stone unturned, no door unopened, no window unbroken, no rug unvacuumed, no ivories untickled. What I’m saying is, let us begin, shall we?
Ellen
I have always thought Ellen Degeneres was funny. When I seen she had this new book, it quickly went on my wish list. I had not read Ellen’s two previous books and looked forward to trying one.
And Ellen is funny.
on page 91 she has a chapter called Answers To Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes.
Yes.
No.
One time in High School.
Three times in my twenties.
Rocks no salt.
Yes.
Four.
Never. And how dare you!
I will take no further questions.
Is there such a thing as too much funny? If so… I encountered it in this book.
In Ellen’s defense here (yes I am defending her over my opinion of the book…), she never came right out and said – this memoir will be about my life and how I got to where I am now. I (me… all me) just believed that is what I was going to read. The inside cover flap (flap-jacket as Ellen calls it) stated that a lot had happened in her life with her show, her marriage, and life… and that is what I thought I would be reading.
What I found in the book was funny – lots of funny… and chapters from a few sentences long to a few pages long. She is witty – there is no doubt about that and I have always liked quick wit.
BUT…. (and man I hate using that word so let’s go with….) HOWEVER…
I didn’t really learn much about her. Even when she is talking about what could be a serious or real subject, she frames it in a way that it could be true… it could be half true… it could all be boloney. Really? I just don’t know.
Last year was kind of a memoir year for me where I discovered I liked learning more about people’s lives and what makes them tick. I read many interesting ones and learned much. I know that was what I was looking for in this book, and therefore set myself up for failure.
While this book was not what I thought it would be, I do still adore Ellen. I am curious if either of her other two books are more of a real memoir, or if they are like this one. I hope one day to find out.
Amazon Rating
Goodreads Review
I received this book for Christmas from my son, Justin
Book Journey 
This sounds like a book that might be better if you read it in bits and pieces.
That might have worked Katy – like a coffee table book.
That is funny! 🙂
😀
I love Ellen – she is just so freaking funny. But if I’m reading a memoir, I prefer it to be both true and funny. I’ve never been a fan of comedy books.
I really was looking forward to her life story Trisha… like you, funny is fine… but I wanted something more. 😀
I really appreciate your thoughts on this book, Sheila. I like Ellen and I enjoy a good memoir. Sorry this one didn’t measure up for you.
Thanks Mary – I am bummed too 😀
I think Ellen is hilarious so knowing ahead of time that it’s more humor than memoir will probably make this a good read for me. I actually have not read any of her other books either!
Its hard to explain this one Jenny – it is choppy – from a chapter on twitter… to one on teenagers and talking like they do, to a chapter for adults explaining the teen talk, to 3 pages for kids to color, to a magic trick, to poker…. 😯
I’m glad it was funny, but I would be disappointed too if I started a memoir expecting to learn a lot about the author only to find it lacking. I do like Ellen though!
I would have loved to have learned about her Lu… I wonder if one of her other books offers that?
Yes, having expectations generally makes a book fail for me, too. Same thing with movies….
Knowing that it won’t yield much info about her life, I can now read it without disappointment. Thanks!
I think knowing that going in Laurel would have helped – but probably would have found it a bit too silly even then.
I did laugh a couple times… maybe even a snort… but that was about it 🙂
I was agreeing with you throughout this review. I actually quit halfway through this book because I wanted a real memoir with reflections on her life and instead got a stand-up routine. I was disappointed. Hopefully she’ll right a serious memoir at some point.
Oh I am so glad it wasn’t just me Alyce! 😀
Sorry to say Sheila but I think they are all the same, I just reviewed also, it did help me out of a slump though.
I was going to recommend listening on audio, I hear it is terrific.
If interested, my review of another but sounds like they may be all the same.
http://teawithmarce.blogspot.com/2012/01/review-funny-thing-is-by-elllen.html
Thanks – good to know… 🙂
I really like Ellen too but it does sound like she doesn’t want to put too much in writing. I think though you have me convinced to read Rob Lowe’s biography..that one sounded like you actually get the opportunity to know him a bit more than this one.
Rob Lowe’s is well worth it Staci 😀
This sounds like it’s pretty funny but I hate it when you go into a book with one expectation and get something else out of it. I will say, I read her very first memoir (it was years ago so I can’t remember the name of it now) but it was laugh out loud funny and I learned a lot about her childhood and how she got her sitcom and stuff if that’s what you are looking for.
It sounds like I would enjoy the first one… 🙂
I read her previous book (or rather listened to it while walking on the treadmill 😉 and I can understand your feelings. She had the same style in that book. But I wasn’t looking for more (I just wanted some distraction on that treadmill) so I wasn’t too disappointed. But yes she is funny 🙂
If you do plan to read the previous books, try audio, I so enjoyed her reading it to me!
I went into it wrong… 😀
As you know, I loved this book, however, I do think your review is very accurate and fair! I also thought it would be more revealing, but I ended up liking the straight-up “funny.” I would love to one day read a revealing memoir of Ellen, but I get the feeling she is very private and I don’t know if we will ever get that kind of book from her. 😦 Great review!
Thanks Steph 🙂 I didnt know she was private, but good for her…. I thought it would be interesting to hear about her life – but its all good 🙂