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Sep 07, 2010

Khaya rated it:

Between not having a TV and living in the middle east, my knowledge of current pop culture is pretty limited and I had never actually heard of Kathy Griffin. But I noticed that people seemed to like her book on goodreads and I figured hey, most of the memoirs I read are written by people I’ve never heard of so why not this one? I also went through a phase in high school where I really enjoyed celebrity biographies even if I wasn’t particularly interested in the celebrity – I was curious about More...

2 comments like (3 people liked it)

Mar 03, 2011

Alisha rated it:

Quick Take: From the tongue-in-cheek title to the celebrity-filled index, this book was a hoot. Griffin manages to write a memoir that is at once touching, informative, freaky and above all FUNNY.

Review:
I like to consider myself a "fan" of comedian Kathy Griffin. Her reality show, Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, is full of kooky situations where Griffin's personality is deliciously larger than life. On one particular episode, she announced to the world that she More...

9 comments like (6 people liked it)

Aug 04, 2011

Helga added it

I freely confess that am an unabashed fan of the stand-up comic Kathy Griffin. I watch My Life on the D-List whenever I get the opportunity (damn you, Charter Communications! Bravo should be a core channel!) and I have seen her perform live at Foxwoods and Boston's Symphony Hall. I enjoy her profanity-laden style of storytelling, even though sometimes I am not so familiar with the pop culture events that she references. Written in a conversational style, Griffin's memoir traces her life from her More...

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Jan 04, 2012

Christina Marie rated it:

Reading through Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir According To Kathy Griffin is like going to Kathy Griffin's stand-up show for $25 plus tax. It's also like watching one of her stand-up specials on tv for $25 plus tax. So in one sense, it's a bargain. In another sense, not so much.
In any case, most of the book is like her stand-up. She weaves stories. Her act isn't joke-punchline-joke-punchline. It's a narrative, a one-sided discussion with an animated friend who may talk about you be More...

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Oct 27, 2011

Ismail rated it:

I know it's shocking, but our favorite A-list diva lets her hair down with this tell-all memoir (gays, pay attention.) She starts off with a personal letter to Oprah, which of course is very moving, telling her to brace herself for the tsunami that is this book. That's right, she's not holding anything back, and that's saying something.

Kathy opens up with candid talk about her family, especially her brother Kenny. It takes a lot of guts to talk publicly about a family member who's a p More...

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Aug 21, 2011

Megan rated it:

For what it is, this book is great! She really offers an interesting glimpse into her life--the chapter about her brother is shocking and really shows her heart and character. We also learn why she and her husband divorced (I always wondered the reasons, not sure if it was made public before this book). I really appreciate that it showed many sides of her. Although I think she's hilarious, I don't always agree with what she says; sometimes she takes things too far for me. But this book really sh More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jul 30, 2011

Rebecca rated it:

For some reason, I have been on a roll with autobios at the moment, so get ready. This is Kathy Griffin's book. I was always a fan of hers. She was always a hey, it's that guy-type person and everything she has done, I have always found funny. If you like her, you'll like this book. Since I didn't have cable (or was in the country) for most of the run on her tv show, I haven't watched a lot of it, but the episodes that I have seen, I have always enjoyed. She is a little ridiculous but at least k More...

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Jan 30, 2011

Jose rated it:

I read the first 100 pages waiting in line for her to sign my book. The line didn't look that long from the outside, but once I got inside and saw how it winded around each and every shelf...I thought, "Good for her! And how long could this possibly take?" Well, it took long enough for me to read about 100 pages (and by no means am I a speed-reader)...but the more I read, the more I liked her. It was definitely a quick, easy read, but not because it's all completely fluff. She blu More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Dec 27, 2010

Ashley rated it:

I admit it, I am biased. I loved this book because I get Kathy Griffin's humor and furthermore deeply admire her as an atypical female celebrity. I have loved her in person and in everything I've seen her in. My feelings were only intensified by this book and how she refuses to apologize for herself, shares her insecurities, trials and tribulations. Beyond that though, I loved this book because it is a true story about a strong female who has insecurities like the rest of us and she hasn't b More...

1 comment like (4 people liked it)

Jul 18, 2010

AudioBookFans rated it:

This review refers to the audiobook version of this book

Long story short? Kathy Griffin is absolutely hilarious. I’ve been a fan for years and always DVR My Life on the D-List. She’s a nut, plain and simple. After I joined Audible, this was my first purchase and download because I couldn’t wait to hear the book.

Kathy is a superb storyteller and her narration of the book puts the icing on the cake. She chronicles her life and career from the beginning, even including the p More...

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Jun 19, 2010

Lara rated it:

Disclaimer: If you don't like Kathy Griffin, you aren't going to like this book. It doesn't matter how many stars I give it or what I say about it, although, how flattering if it would! If you are reading this and don't know who she is, I will just say she's hysterically crass (that's Rated-R) and most celebrities fear her. Or should.

I saw Kathy Griffin perform on tour this past January and her show, a 2-hour rant against celebrities and their crazy antics, had the audience roaring fro More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

May 02, 2010

Katie rated it:

This book was going at a four until the emails back and forth with Woz, which were boring.

As an aside, I've read about 10 memoirs/autobiographies/biographies by comedians, and it's endlessly interesting to me. In that respect, I really liked hearing about why her style of comedy was different and difficult to catch on while she was up and coming, especially considering that her style is why I like her. She balanced the funny (Mariska Hargitay getting dropped in Groundlings classes) wi More...

1 comment like (2 people liked it)

Apr 22, 2010

Talulah rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Apr 12, 2010

Lindsay rated it:

I like the title and wonder how many book clubs will actually pick this book. Honestly, I wouldn't. I've seen her stand up shows on the Bravo channel and they cracked me up, so I thought that I would like her book. If she's funny on TV, shouldn't her book be funny too? Apparently not. She did try to make it humorous, but, to me, it just wasn't. The main reason why I wanted to read this is because I wanted to hear to go off on celebs like she does in her shows, and while she did mention them, she More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Apr 07, 2010

Helen rated it:

I suppose I should start by admitting that before I picked up this book I had no idea who Kathy Griffin was. And, having given a celebrity tell-all or two a try I am not usually drawn to them. In fact, I avoid them. This book, however, was well worth making an exception for.

I got hooked while reading the captions of the photos and belly-laughing in the relative quiet of the public library. I couldn’t put it down. Luckily, the audio was there and Griffin’s reading makes the book that More...

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Mar 23, 2010

Lena rated it:

Comedian Kathy Griffin has become famous over the last few years for not being famous. In this fascinating and very funny memoir, she talks about the journey she took from being a loud-mouthed, gossipy kid in suburban Chicago to the Emmy-award winning and controversial (albeit low-level) Hollywood figure she is today.

The book is written in the personal storytelling style Kathy has perfected in her stand-up shows, and gives the reader an intimate first row seat as she dishes on every More...

2 comments like (2 people liked it)

Jan 08, 2010

April rated it:

This book is pretty entertaining.

The first part is all about Kathy's childhood, which well explains the origin of her humor. However, I would've appreciated more details on the decision to move to California: It was very superficially explained that when she graduated, Kathy and her parents moved to Santa Monica from suburban Chicago. With the family's history in Oak Park (and particularly their home), I thought there would be more info about the conversations that took place to make More...

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Dec 18, 2009

RNOCEAN rated it:

Official Book Club Selection is Kathy Griffin unplugged, uncensored, and unafraid to dish about what really happens on the road, away from the cameras, and at the star party after the show. (It’s also her big chance to score that coveted book club endorsement she’s always wanted. Are you there, Oprah? It’s me, Kathy.)Kathy Griffin has won Emmys for her reality show Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, been nominated for a Grammy, worked and walked every red carpet known to man, and rung in the More...

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Dec 01, 2009

Sara rated it:

I think Kathy Griffin is hilarious and this book did not disappoint. She writes exactly like she talks and I could picture her on stage or on her reality show sharing these stories. What struck me most was how hard she worked to get where she is. Seriously, not to be cliche, but she had to change her plan of attack many times on the way to stardom. In the beginning she wanted to act and then tried improv. She didn't think stand-up was the way to go and when she finally decided to give it a More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Nov 21, 2009

Erin rated it:

I listened to this on audio, and I think hearing it in her voice versus reading it made it that much better (and I'm not usually an audiobook fan). Very conversational and surprisingly charming. I expected it to be more laugh-out-loud funny, and while I laughed at points, I more just listened as if she were talking to a friend about her life. And she's had a really interesting life! And I think this book makes her much more sympathetic (although I don't believe she tries for that) than she c More...

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Oct 15, 2009

Kateqe rated it:

“This is my book.” This is what Kathy Griffin states in her autobiography. She tells it like it is and exactly like she wants to. I used to think Kathy Griffin was just some crazy comedian, but after reading her book, I realize she is a well trained, determined, and hilariously funny comic. Kathy Griffin’s Official Book Club Selection tells her life story and her long tough struggle into the spotlight. She talks about anything and everything, even her personal life and plastic surgery batt More...

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Oct 13, 2009

Diane rated it:

People either really like Kathy Griffin, or they really don't. I'm in the really-like-her camp. (Although I will admit she does cross the line at times with her comedy.) I started watching her "Life on the D-List" show on Bravo TV from day one, and was impressed with her work ethic. No one works harder than Kathy to get her name out there.

A stand-up comic who performs all across the country, she is best known for her costarring role in Brooke Shields 90s sitcom "Sudde More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Sep 17, 2009

Jeff rated it:

I totally didn't mean to read this book! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Kathy Griffin. Truly. I think she is hysterical and I love her stand-up. What I mean is that I bought the book as a gift for a friend and, before I wrapped it up, I decided to peruse the first few pages. Well, when I saw that it started with an open letter to Oprah, I knew I was in for a long night of reading -- reading AND laughing.

Kathy's book is a compulsively good read. It is equal parts Griffin schtick and true More...

2 comments like (3 people liked it)

Dec 30, 2009

Heather rated it:

I have tried to read biographies or autobiographies many times. Never fails, I find them boring or just plain not interested in the person after I begin reading. So I decided I'd never waste money on an autobiography again. Until now. Well, it wasn't wasted. I love Kathy Griffin. For those of you who don't know her, she's hiiiilllarious! She's been a comic for decades and her best stuff is bashing celebrities. What I love most about her is that she doesn't hold back, she doesn't back down, she t More...

1 comment like (1 person liked it)

Jan 09, 2010

Janell rated it:

Well, if you don't like Kathy Griffin's brand of brash, in your face humor, you won't like her book either. But, if you're a fan like me, you'll eat up every funny word. I read this in two days, and wanted to read more! That would have put the book in contention for a 5-star rating, but I gave it four stars. This was due to the fact I felt that she left out some things I would have liked to have known more about. For example, she mentions her assistant Jessica from her "My Life on the D More...

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Jan 01, 2010

Mari Anne rated it:

This book is funny from the very first page to index in the back (don't miss the witty comments sprinkled throughout the listing.) That the book is funny is not really suprising... what is surprising is the brutal honesty that KATHY GRIFFIN brings to this memoir. Her ability to lay it all out,the good, the bad, the donut fryers, and then turn around and make fun of herself or her family is refreshing in this day of angst ridden tell alls. Too much confession and reflection gets boring, quite f More...

2 comments like

Feb 24, 2010

Jennifer rated it:

Kathy Griffin has been around for a very, very long time. And she has been hilarious throughout. This book did not disappoint. While Kathy is popular, she isn't so popular that really anyone (at least from what I know) knows much about her life, or her background, including her childhood and subsequent entrance into the comedic Hollywood scene. It was very interesting to hear where she came from (because, let's face it, sometimes she can be referred to as an 'obscure celebrity'), how she got int More...

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Oct 02, 2009

Corrine rated it:

I am a huge Kathy Griffin fan and since I'm going to see her 10/10 at the Chicago Theater, I knew that I had better read this before going to the show. I agree with a lot of other reviews I've seen that this was a pretty good book, but was bogged down by the chapter of emails between Kathy & Woz (Steve Wozniak of Apple Computer fame) and by the material rehashed from her Grammy-nominated comedy album For Your Consideration. Otherwise, it's a quick look at Kathy's home life growing up, how she wa More...

2 comments like (7 people liked it)

Oct 04, 2010

Karen rated it:

My friend Nicole gave me Kathy Griffin’s memoir “Official Book Club Selection” for my birthday. This was awesome, because I probably wouldn’t have bought it for myself and it was an autographed copy! I have seen Griffin perform standup and I thought that she was hilarious, but I really didn’t know what to expect from her memoir.

It sucked me right in. I plowed through it in two days and just couldn’t put it down. It has a little bit of everything, including a generous helping of celeb More...

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Sep 08, 2010

Belinda rated it:

Wow--not that I did not know this book would be hilarious (of course it is) but also so moving and enlightening--I was truly amazed at the sexism and bs that female comedians have to put up with in this day and age. One of the biggest things I took away from this book is how very hard Ms. Kathy worked to get to where she is--mad props to her for that if nothing else. But there is so much on display here that she may not even have intended--her loyalty, her complete love of her wacky family, he More...

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