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Music to My Years: A Mixtape Memoir of Growing Up and Standing Up
In this memoir full of humor and heart, comedian, writer, and producer Cristela Alonzo shares personal stories of growing up as a first-generation Mexican-American in Texas and following her dreams to pursue a career in comedy.
When Cristela Alonzo and her family lived as squatters in an abandoned diner, they only had two luxuries: a television and a radio, which became her pop cultural touchstone and a guiding light.
Cristela shares her experiences and struggles of being a first-generation American, her dreams of becoming a comedian, and how it feels to be a creator in a world that often minimizes people of color and women. Her stories range from the ridiculous—like the time she made her own tap shoes out of bottle caps or how the theme song of The Golden Girls landed her in the principal’s office—to the sobering moments, like how she turned to stand-up comedy to grieve the heartbreaking loss of her mother and how, years later, she’s committed to giving back to the community that helped make her.
Each significant moment of the book relates to a song, and the resulting playlist is deeply moving, resonant, and unforgettable. Music to My Years will make you laugh, cry, and even inspire you to make a playlist of your own.
When Cristela Alonzo and her family lived as squatters in an abandoned diner, they only had two luxuries: a television and a radio, which became her pop cultural touchstone and a guiding light.
Cristela shares her experiences and struggles of being a first-generation American, her dreams of becoming a comedian, and how it feels to be a creator in a world that often minimizes people of color and women. Her stories range from the ridiculous—like the time she made her own tap shoes out of bottle caps or how the theme song of The Golden Girls landed her in the principal’s office—to the sobering moments, like how she turned to stand-up comedy to grieve the heartbreaking loss of her mother and how, years later, she’s committed to giving back to the community that helped make her.
Each significant moment of the book relates to a song, and the resulting playlist is deeply moving, resonant, and unforgettable. Music to My Years will make you laugh, cry, and even inspire you to make a playlist of your own.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published October 8, 2019
About the author
Cristela Alonzo
2 books19 followersCristela Alonzo is a comedian, actor, and producer. She was the first Latina to create, produce, and star in her own network sitcom, Cristela. She became the first Latina lead in a Disney Pixar film, Cars 3. Alonzo’s stand-up special, Lower Classy, can be streamed on Netflix. Cristela is an advisory board member for the nonprofit media and culture organization, Define American, and a board member for La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), founded by Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta. She lives in Los Angeles. ~ Simon & Schuster
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
December 13, 2019
I literally LOL'd throughout Cristela's Netflix special, Lower Classy, a few years ago. It was filmed in my town! So when I saw that Cristela had come out with a book then I knew I had to read it. I'm also a sucker for memoirs by comedians.
What I didn't expect is to tear up so much throughout this book. Cristela shares her stories growing up poor on the Texas-Mexico border and her relationship with her family. I've been to some of the towns she talks about. I also appreciate how she shares about her struggle to reach a dream. The songs tie the book together well.
Cristela is relatable, ambitious, and hopeful. I'm making my husband read this book so I can have someone to talk to about the book. It would make a good book club book.
If you liked Mindy Kaling's "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?" or if you just love a good memoir then you should definitely read this book!
What I didn't expect is to tear up so much throughout this book. Cristela shares her stories growing up poor on the Texas-Mexico border and her relationship with her family. I've been to some of the towns she talks about. I also appreciate how she shares about her struggle to reach a dream. The songs tie the book together well.
Cristela is relatable, ambitious, and hopeful. I'm making my husband read this book so I can have someone to talk to about the book. It would make a good book club book.
If you liked Mindy Kaling's "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?" or if you just love a good memoir then you should definitely read this book!
June 15, 2020
I am often drawn to memoirs and biographies written by those sharing their first-generation experience, as I am first-generation Australian. Until I read her book, I had no knowledge of Cristela Alonzo. Although I may not share her taste in music, I enjoyed her book very much and I applaud her empathy, honesty and political engagement.
May 26, 2023
I first found out about Cristela Alonzo from her celebrity appearances on the game show Pictionary. When I found out she wrote an autobiography I figured I should give it a read. She is a comedian, actress, voice of a car in Cars 2, and I figured she would have quite a lot to write about. And she did.
She grew up poor and raised by her mother with three siblings in Texas and relates many stories about her mother and family often with humor, but also with drama. Each chapter is based around a song that had deep meaning to her at the various times in her life. Neat read.
She grew up poor and raised by her mother with three siblings in Texas and relates many stories about her mother and family often with humor, but also with drama. Each chapter is based around a song that had deep meaning to her at the various times in her life. Neat read.
November 11, 2019
Perfect in every way. Had the flow of a sweet melody that will captivate all audiences. Music to my ears. And book taste. 5/5 stars
January 11, 2022
A solid 3.5 stars, rounding up.
I had no idea that Cristela had written a book until I got to see her standup show in which she mentioned it and how it came to be.
I found this memoir to be such an eye-opener. I had no idea about her growing years or background aside from being a Latina and the voice behind Cruz in Pixar's Cars 3, which I loved, so listening to her narrate her memoir is a bit heartbreaking to hear. There are moments in which her voice catches and the slight pauses in those hard memories that made me, in turn, pause and stop.
Listening to her reflection of her growing years, I realized how certain things happen to come across as the same in Latin communities, as there were a few things I felt I related to so much more because it so closely mirrored mine or those of friends.
I really got to know more on Cristela than I ever could have anticipated and I just want to give her the biggest hug after listening to this.
I had no idea that Cristela had written a book until I got to see her standup show in which she mentioned it and how it came to be.
I found this memoir to be such an eye-opener. I had no idea about her growing years or background aside from being a Latina and the voice behind Cruz in Pixar's Cars 3, which I loved, so listening to her narrate her memoir is a bit heartbreaking to hear. There are moments in which her voice catches and the slight pauses in those hard memories that made me, in turn, pause and stop.
Listening to her reflection of her growing years, I realized how certain things happen to come across as the same in Latin communities, as there were a few things I felt I related to so much more because it so closely mirrored mine or those of friends.
I really got to know more on Cristela than I ever could have anticipated and I just want to give her the biggest hug after listening to this.
May 18, 2020
I got an autographed copy of Cristela Alonzo's memoir months ago during her recent stand-up tour. I held off on reading this book because I knew I would cry. I cried because it's rare to come across someone so relatable. I have been a fan since her TV show and had the privilege of meeting her when she toured after the show's cancellation. Like Cristela herself, her memoir is smart, funny, authentic, and inspiring. I am so proud of this woman who, like me, is the American child of an immigrant, a word nerd, someone struggling with anxiety and health issues. The memoir is somewhat chronological and at times purposefully and professionally vague but engaging.
December 29, 2019
This was such a great memoir written and read by Cristela Alonzo. She was so honest and revealing about her life growing up. I could not stop listening.
November 29, 2019
I want to say so much about this book but really, you should just read it. Every brown girl will see some of herself in this book and it touches the heart in so many ways. I loved it and I already want to read it again. It’s got some humor, in true Cristela style, but what it mostly has is heart and sincerity. If we are friends and you want to know more about my own life, I feel like this is a window into it.
December 31, 2019
She's great. I especially appreciated this book because she encapsulated the cadence and rhythms of the Rio Grande Valley so well. Unless you lived there, you wouldn't necessarily enjoy this book quite as much as I did.
October 26, 2019
It’s like reading from her journal. Unpretentious. Honest. Relatable.
December 6, 2019
This book is phenomenal. So many latinas will find this relatable and it reads with so much honesty.
February 9, 2021
I absolutely loved Cristela Alonzo's memoir of growing up in poverty in Texas, pursuing her dreams despite racism, colorism, and genderism set to the soundtrack of her life.
Five things about Music to My Years: A Mixtape Memoir of Growing Up and Standing Up by Cristela Alonzo.
1. Each chapter in this book is a beautiful love song to the people and experiences that have brought her to this point in her life. These are real, honest, hard to look at people and experiences but she has a way of finding the meaning - no - of making them meaningful. There's a difference.
2. I have never been a first-generation, US citizen, Latinx woman growing up in abject poverty on the Mexican border of Texas but wow - can I relate to the humanity of her experience. Such different upbringings but such similar experiences. This is because she is honest and forthright and has done a lot of hard work to face, process, and embrace the experiences of her life.
3. I thought I would fly through this book. I love Cristela. I've watched her Netflix special about 40 times (still makes me laugh so hard), saw her in person in 2019 in Houston before we knew the world would close down for a couple of years, and enjoyed her show for the brief time it was on - but after reading this memoir have different feelings about it. I thought she'd make me feel all the feels and this would be easy. It was. She did. It was also beautiful and I found myself savoring it - chapter by chapter and needing time to process. So I did not Zoom through it because I didn't want it to end.
4. I listened to Cristela read this WHILE I read the book. This was optimal because I was able to underline the passages that particularly spoke to me while feeling like she was telling me her own story - in her own words - with her own voice. This is my preferred way to read a memoir. To hear the author. And yes - there are many many underlined portions in my physical copy of this book because Cristela spoke to my heart and Cristela is reflective, and Cristela is honest and raw.
5. I look forward to Cristela's continued offerings to the world. This woman isn't perfect (she lets you know that) but she's honest (how many times have I said that?) and she's kind, and she's loving, and she's loyal - to herself and others. There were so many things said in this book that I would like to scream from the proverbial mountain tops but the ONE that I'll mention here is from the end of a chapter about integrity and her career. "A lifelong dream has the word lifelong connected to it because that's how long the dream takes. There is no end to a dream, just a continuation. I guess I'm saying that if you say yes to happiness, I believe you will always be successful. I really ask the question...what would I do if I had one chance to get everything I've ever wanted. Would I go after it or would I let it slip? Answer: Sometimes I have to do both because all the nos will get me closer to a yes."
Read this book. It's one of my favorites of the year.
Five things about Music to My Years: A Mixtape Memoir of Growing Up and Standing Up by Cristela Alonzo.
1. Each chapter in this book is a beautiful love song to the people and experiences that have brought her to this point in her life. These are real, honest, hard to look at people and experiences but she has a way of finding the meaning - no - of making them meaningful. There's a difference.
2. I have never been a first-generation, US citizen, Latinx woman growing up in abject poverty on the Mexican border of Texas but wow - can I relate to the humanity of her experience. Such different upbringings but such similar experiences. This is because she is honest and forthright and has done a lot of hard work to face, process, and embrace the experiences of her life.
3. I thought I would fly through this book. I love Cristela. I've watched her Netflix special about 40 times (still makes me laugh so hard), saw her in person in 2019 in Houston before we knew the world would close down for a couple of years, and enjoyed her show for the brief time it was on - but after reading this memoir have different feelings about it. I thought she'd make me feel all the feels and this would be easy. It was. She did. It was also beautiful and I found myself savoring it - chapter by chapter and needing time to process. So I did not Zoom through it because I didn't want it to end.
4. I listened to Cristela read this WHILE I read the book. This was optimal because I was able to underline the passages that particularly spoke to me while feeling like she was telling me her own story - in her own words - with her own voice. This is my preferred way to read a memoir. To hear the author. And yes - there are many many underlined portions in my physical copy of this book because Cristela spoke to my heart and Cristela is reflective, and Cristela is honest and raw.
5. I look forward to Cristela's continued offerings to the world. This woman isn't perfect (she lets you know that) but she's honest (how many times have I said that?) and she's kind, and she's loving, and she's loyal - to herself and others. There were so many things said in this book that I would like to scream from the proverbial mountain tops but the ONE that I'll mention here is from the end of a chapter about integrity and her career. "A lifelong dream has the word lifelong connected to it because that's how long the dream takes. There is no end to a dream, just a continuation. I guess I'm saying that if you say yes to happiness, I believe you will always be successful. I really ask the question...what would I do if I had one chance to get everything I've ever wanted. Would I go after it or would I let it slip? Answer: Sometimes I have to do both because all the nos will get me closer to a yes."
Read this book. It's one of my favorites of the year.
August 31, 2020
I watched Cristela's Netflix special a couple years ago and really enjoyed it, so I was looking forward to learning about her life and getting more of her humor in book form. This book certainly delivered on the first part, though there was a bit less humor than I was hoping for. Although there were certainly jokes scattered throughout, the general tone of the book was mostly very earnest. Nothing wrong with that, per se, but for me it did drag a bit in places, especially in the middle chapters. The idea of having each chapter centered around a particular song also came off a little gimmicky at times; some chapters really felt connected by the theme, but in others it felt tacked on and almost irrelevant.
It was a very interesting read, though; I had no idea about the more recent projects she has outside of show business (and honestly would have loved to hear more about them). You'd expect somebody with dreams of acting stardom, once they had a foot in the door in the TV world, would snatch any opportunity that came their way, but she has been choosy about the projects she works on and seems to be committed to chasing her dream her way. I hope she does get back to TV someday, because I'd love to see what else she has to contribute there, but in the meantime good on her for chasing her dream in a way that works for her.
It was a very interesting read, though; I had no idea about the more recent projects she has outside of show business (and honestly would have loved to hear more about them). You'd expect somebody with dreams of acting stardom, once they had a foot in the door in the TV world, would snatch any opportunity that came their way, but she has been choosy about the projects she works on and seems to be committed to chasing her dream her way. I hope she does get back to TV someday, because I'd love to see what else she has to contribute there, but in the meantime good on her for chasing her dream in a way that works for her.
June 8, 2021
It was funny & light while packing some heavy hitting chapters. I wasn’t prepared to lose mom. She was so young and it makes me angry that she worked herself to death in a country she was proud to call home; a country that should have been happy to have her and her hardworking family. She reminds me of other women I’ve known. And women that I still know.
I identified with Cristela’s journey as a nerd, her experiences being bullied, and doing things in spite of being anxious. Hearing about how political decisions at the border affected her family’s ability to see each other was heart wrenching. The ability to move freely has become such a privilege it seems.
One could even imagine being In Honolulu with family forced to fight a white man for being a fool. Although, I probably would have found myself under the jail 😞😩🤣🤣🤣. This book reminds me of Gabrielle Union’s memoir. I mean that as a compliment because I enjoyed Union’s too. I look forward to the reading the rest of her next chapter. (... im also heading to YouTube for stand up clips.)
I identified with Cristela’s journey as a nerd, her experiences being bullied, and doing things in spite of being anxious. Hearing about how political decisions at the border affected her family’s ability to see each other was heart wrenching. The ability to move freely has become such a privilege it seems.
One could even imagine being In Honolulu with family forced to fight a white man for being a fool. Although, I probably would have found myself under the jail 😞😩🤣🤣🤣. This book reminds me of Gabrielle Union’s memoir. I mean that as a compliment because I enjoyed Union’s too. I look forward to the reading the rest of her next chapter. (... im also heading to YouTube for stand up clips.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2021
Hi,
I hope all is progressing well.
Music to My Years: A Mixtape Memoir of Growing Up and Standing Up by Cristela Alonzo is largely about her upbringing particularly in relation to her journey toward becoming, not only a more aware entertainer, but a woman of her own choice merits. I find out about the author randomly scrolling through Twitter, then decide to buy the book after reading a tweet she pins from October 13, 2019: https://twitter.com/cristela9/status/.... I mainly find surprise reading stats of her tweet ("1st Latina to create/write/star in network sitcom/1st Latina to star/lead Pixar movie") because Pixar has a lot of films, and television networks are decades old! I like the book. I think the author maintains a comical tone throughout the text though grounds the text in serious topics as well as situations (like bullying, healthcare, etc.) progressing through chapters thematically by songs.
Onward and Upward,
Kevin Dufresne
www.Piatures.com
IG: @Dufreshest
I hope all is progressing well.
Music to My Years: A Mixtape Memoir of Growing Up and Standing Up by Cristela Alonzo is largely about her upbringing particularly in relation to her journey toward becoming, not only a more aware entertainer, but a woman of her own choice merits. I find out about the author randomly scrolling through Twitter, then decide to buy the book after reading a tweet she pins from October 13, 2019: https://twitter.com/cristela9/status/.... I mainly find surprise reading stats of her tweet ("1st Latina to create/write/star in network sitcom/1st Latina to star/lead Pixar movie") because Pixar has a lot of films, and television networks are decades old! I like the book. I think the author maintains a comical tone throughout the text though grounds the text in serious topics as well as situations (like bullying, healthcare, etc.) progressing through chapters thematically by songs.
Onward and Upward,
Kevin Dufresne
www.Piatures.com
IG: @Dufreshest
March 11, 2020
I'm sorry to say that I had never heard of Cristela Alonzo until I read a review of her memoir in one of the several book mailing lists I subscribe to. The review raved about the book and said the audiobook was even better, so I got a copy of that and was hooked right from the introduction when Cristela jokes that she'd decided to write a new Bible. She then goes on to say, "I'm kidding. I was raised very Catholic: I don't know anything about the Bible." As someone who was raised very Catholic myself, I found myself laughing out loud.
I didn't grow up poor or Latino and Cristela is about 15 years younger than I, but I could relate to her on an emotional level as I was an awkward kid and am definitely an introvert. She is so incredible because she is such a survivor and is so humble and unselfish. Despite all her setbacks, she persevered and she learned to stand up for herself. She is someone I would want to have as a friend.
I didn't grow up poor or Latino and Cristela is about 15 years younger than I, but I could relate to her on an emotional level as I was an awkward kid and am definitely an introvert. She is so incredible because she is such a survivor and is so humble and unselfish. Despite all her setbacks, she persevered and she learned to stand up for herself. She is someone I would want to have as a friend.
May 4, 2023
I had never heard of Cristela Alonzo, but someone I know mentioned her on social media, and someone commented on how great her memoir was. I am into memoir audiobooks read by the author, and comedian memoirs are usually pretty good. This one was no exception--I got to know this new (to me) person through her own words about her life, and I really enjoyed it.
She organizes the book through songs that have shaped her in some way because she loves pop culture. Her childhood in extreme poverty in a Texas border town, whose mother was undocumented, really shaped the humble person that she still is today. It was fascinating to hear how she grew up to later living in LA. She's open about the hard times that influenced her while still creating the visual of her happy family who loves each other.
I'm interested in her Netflix specials now, but whether I like Cristela's stand up or not, I liked this book and feel like I just like her!
She organizes the book through songs that have shaped her in some way because she loves pop culture. Her childhood in extreme poverty in a Texas border town, whose mother was undocumented, really shaped the humble person that she still is today. It was fascinating to hear how she grew up to later living in LA. She's open about the hard times that influenced her while still creating the visual of her happy family who loves each other.
I'm interested in her Netflix specials now, but whether I like Cristela's stand up or not, I liked this book and feel like I just like her!
April 20, 2020
I found out about this book because I follow Cristela on social media, I don’t usually follow celebrities but somehow I ended up following her... anyway, I was having a reading rut and memoirs are a good way to get me out of them so I picked up her book.
I really appreciate that the writing style and content is very accessible, it seems like it was a conscious choice to write a book that even those who don’t consider themselves “readers “ would want to pick up and be able to finish. She had a relaxed conversational style that I think probably translates well to audiobooks.
I would recommend this book to people who like memoirs or are looking for more Latinx content and authors. She provides insights into her experiences as the child of an immigrant, mixed status family in poverty. And throws in the music that has defined her stages of life.
I really appreciate that the writing style and content is very accessible, it seems like it was a conscious choice to write a book that even those who don’t consider themselves “readers “ would want to pick up and be able to finish. She had a relaxed conversational style that I think probably translates well to audiobooks.
I would recommend this book to people who like memoirs or are looking for more Latinx content and authors. She provides insights into her experiences as the child of an immigrant, mixed status family in poverty. And throws in the music that has defined her stages of life.
June 23, 2024
Cristela Alonzo made TV history by becoming the first Latina to create, produce, and star in her own primetime comedy show on American network television. Several years ago, I watched it on streaming, and recently I had the opportunity to see her give a talk at an event. Upon discovering she had written a book, I felt compelled to read it.
Her story is truly inspiring. The adversity she encountered during her youth and early adulthood on the path to achieving success is filled with invaluable lessons and wisdom about resilience in the face of difficulty, especially for first generation Americans. Her memoir is woven with moments of laughter and heartfelt tenderness. The book also made me reflect on my own connection to music, and the important role it plays in providing comfort, inspiration, and motivation.
Her story is truly inspiring. The adversity she encountered during her youth and early adulthood on the path to achieving success is filled with invaluable lessons and wisdom about resilience in the face of difficulty, especially for first generation Americans. Her memoir is woven with moments of laughter and heartfelt tenderness. The book also made me reflect on my own connection to music, and the important role it plays in providing comfort, inspiration, and motivation.
July 6, 2023
My main problem is that the author keeps stating she wants to write the book she wished she could read growing up, a 'role model' kind of book that would tell girls in her community that a bigger world awaits them, so that's what signed up for, yet the book never felt as if it was written with that girl in mind. The repetitive descriptions of what growing up poor was like for her, while absolutely important for her coming up, made me feel as a visitor instead. I know perfectly well what a pothole and a dirt road is, you don't have to tell me every other line. Condescension? Pathos? I'm not sure what it made me feel.
January 28, 2024
I first saw Cristela's stand up comedy special on Netflix. Based on her stand-up, I would probably laugh at most of her jokes. Then I read this book, where I discovered I liked the art more than the artist. As an Asian American, I did not like her constant victim mentality making everything about racism. It's true, Latinos face discrimination. However, she omits the possibility that not everyone from this demographic are well behaved. Perhaps there is some resentment or insecurity that she had not completely superseded her privileged white peers.
It's actually quite difficult to maintain success in standup comedy. I admire her journey, but she still has a long way to go.
She's a great lady, but this book wasn't for me.
It's actually quite difficult to maintain success in standup comedy. I admire her journey, but she still has a long way to go.
She's a great lady, but this book wasn't for me.
June 24, 2024
Wouldn't have chosen this book on my own but had to read it and write an essay on it for my English class. It actually wasn't horrible, just the usual "follow your dreams" and "be true to yourself" narratives that I could find in any Disney movie if I wanted.
The cool part was that each chapter is the title of a song that was impactful to her in a specific season of her life. Having learned to attribute much more personal meaning to music than I used to, this was such a neat pattern to watch in her life.
Main takeaway: music is powerful and should be used positively in our lives.
The cool part was that each chapter is the title of a song that was impactful to her in a specific season of her life. Having learned to attribute much more personal meaning to music than I used to, this was such a neat pattern to watch in her life.
Main takeaway: music is powerful and should be used positively in our lives.
July 14, 2022
I personally don’t like her style of writing, as I feel like it lacks polish. However—what an incredible life she has lived, and I’m so appreciative that she wrote this book. I appreciate her success so much more because she has opened a window into the struggles of her past. I recommend this wholeheartedly, bc Cristela is inspiring. Her humor came out in random spots, and I found myself laughing out loud a few times while reading.
January 12, 2024
I discovered Cristela Alonzo on New Years Day when I watched one of her specials on Netflix. I loved it and wanted to see if she had a book. I was glad to learn that she did. I really love how each chapter has a song connected to it. I love everything about this book such as the songs, the pop culture references, identity issues, the power of representation in the culture, and feeling like you aren’t enough for either culture (in her case American and Mexican).
My favorite quote from the book is “Money doesn’t dictate your future, you do..” That is a message people need to hear. Also, as a lover of “The Golden Girls” myself, my favorite section is where she discusses the theme song and what the show means to hear. I love her love of Sophia and the story of her singing it at school and ultimately cutting off the girl’s hair in front of her as she said she hates that song and show. Finding out that she was the principal’s daughter was icing on the cake. Additionally, I liked the story connected to the blow up sex doll.
Also, the two most moving parts of the book where her talking about the loss of her mother and her own health struggles.
I highly recommend this book.
My favorite quote from the book is “Money doesn’t dictate your future, you do..” That is a message people need to hear. Also, as a lover of “The Golden Girls” myself, my favorite section is where she discusses the theme song and what the show means to hear. I love her love of Sophia and the story of her singing it at school and ultimately cutting off the girl’s hair in front of her as she said she hates that song and show. Finding out that she was the principal’s daughter was icing on the cake. Additionally, I liked the story connected to the blow up sex doll.
Also, the two most moving parts of the book where her talking about the loss of her mother and her own health struggles.
I highly recommend this book.
October 25, 2024
This is such a good book! I enjoyed Cristela’s narrative style. I read the audiobook narrated by her and it was as if she was talking to a friend (me).
Her journey is quite interesting and easily relatable to the Latino community. And to everyone else, a good way to learn about a the experience of a Mexican-American woman in the United States, in LA, in show business, in life..
This book exceeded my expectations. Highly recommended to all readers!
Her journey is quite interesting and easily relatable to the Latino community. And to everyone else, a good way to learn about a the experience of a Mexican-American woman in the United States, in LA, in show business, in life..
This book exceeded my expectations. Highly recommended to all readers!
February 29, 2020
Le sigh. I savored this book and read it ever so slowly because I didn’t want it to end. Then I waited forever before reviewing it. I loved everything about this memoir. Cristela did a spectacular job in telling her life story and making the reader connect with her life.Her story is not the only one. I honestly can’t recommend this book enough.
October 6, 2020
I love Cristela. I learned about her from her show. Her experience and mine are completely different but she is such an amazing storyteller, performer, activist, and all around great person. Her story is beautiful. Even if we are so different to mine her mom reminds me of mine so much. Her family is so similar to mine in how they joke with each other and love each other. This is a great book.
November 9, 2020
I don't read a lot of memoirs (or long-form non-fiction for that matter), but Cristela's book is just too awesome to avoid. While she's a bit younger than I, her connection to music as touchstones through life (and chapter titles) is very familiar.
And the final line echoes nicely this second week in November, 2020: "We, the people, got it from here."
And the final line echoes nicely this second week in November, 2020: "We, the people, got it from here."
October 10, 2019
This book is fabulous! I first saw Cristela Alonzo at a Wits show in 2015. I immediately knew she was awesome when she talked about her love of Billy Joel. Such a clever way to organize a memoir, and such powerful stories.
December 1, 2019
I don't know what exactly I was expecting, but I didn't get it. I was left with a hollow feeling, and this really disappointed me because I love Cristela's stand-up, enjoyed her sit-com and her View appearances.
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