Any fan of the comedic genius of Ellen DeGeneres will appreciate her book, Seriously...I’m Kidding. The book is written in true Ellen fashion and is very reminiscent of her stand-up comedy routines—a pleasing combination of story-telling and comical one-liners.
Through easy-to-read, short chapters, Ellen uses observational humor to create an enjoyable experience for anyone looking to take a break from reality and enjoy the lighter side of life. In her Ellen-esque style, she adds a unique twist as she reflects on life and a whirlwind of topics—getting older, moving, meditation, beauty, nature, dreams, and more. She expands on humorous life stories with silly and extraordinary scenarios, complemented by a collection of funny insights, unique lists, short stories, and even journal entries that can be enjoyed by a vast audience.
As always, Ellen’s sense of humor is refreshing. She’s not afraid to make fun of herself or situations we can all relate to. Whether it’s because she surprises the reader by using a certain word or because of the perfect placement of a specific word to pull off another great joke, Ellen delivers her comedy as well in writing as she does verbally in her stand-up acts.
Although I Absolutely recommend this book, I must admit that this was not exactly what I was anticipating when I first started reading this book. For some reason, I was actually expecting more of a memoir. After reading the book her mother, Betty DeGeneres, wrote, Love, Ellen, I wanted to learn more about Ellen’s life and her perspective on some of the same things her mother discussed in her book. I was looking forward to reading more about her thoughts on family life and what it was like for her growing up in Louisiana. I thought I might read about what went through her mind when she finally made the decision to come out to her mother and, eventually, to the world.
Although Ellen’s book accomplishes the goal of making sure her audience is amused, her jokes dance around some pretty relevant points that really made me think. In fact, Ellen even confirmed some of the very same beliefs I have about the importance of being comfortable with who you are, learning from your mistakes, and avoiding stereotypes. This master of comedy skillfully reinforces her opinions and perspectives with jokes, funny stories, and puns, thereby keeping the reader entertained and engaged. So if you love Ellen DeGeneres and her authentic style of humor, you should seriously read her book...and I’m not kidding.
