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daumari's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely loved this. Humor books are hit or miss for me, but this autobiography with a sense of humor was great. As a Chinese American, I know demographically I'm not exactly unrepresented or qualify for Third-thingism. However, as the only* ABC** in my grade from kindergarten through high school graduation, can definitely identify with glomming on to the biggest Other group (which curiously in Idaho was any non-LDS). People might be wary with the term "social justice comedy", but she expresses her points humorously without getting preachy.
I know I'm in the choir, but I do think this book is accessible for everyone, including yes, you white folks.
*technically not true because there was a Taiwanese hapa girl, but definitely the only Chinese-American-of-Toisanese-flavor at my high school besides my brother
** American Born Chinese, also pejoratively known as bananas or twinkies sometimes because we're "white on the inside" whatever that means
1- side note, this book has footnotes, and I love footnotes.
I know I'm in the choir, but I do think this book is accessible for everyone, including yes, you white folks.
*technically not true because there was a Taiwanese hapa girl, but definitely the only Chinese-American-of-Toisanese-flavor at my high school besides my brother
** American Born Chinese, also pejoratively known as bananas or twinkies sometimes because we're "white on the inside" whatever that means
1- side note, this book has footnotes, and I love footnotes.
jaspott's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
amlibera's review against another edition
5.0
I really liked this book. A lot. Negin Farsad is a girl comedian so we have that in common and I want to be her best friend (or at least add her to the amazing ranks of young female comedians that I know and enjoy spending time with). But also, she has something to say and she says it with huge compassion and positivity. So I also want all the young female comedians that I know and enjoy spending time with to read this book. And she's funny.
stevenyenzer's review against another edition
3.0
Farsad is a unique voice in comedy and her wit is sharp. This equal parts comedy/autobiography/social commentary is both funny and fascinating.
floralfox's review against another edition
4.0
I firmly believe that most humor books should be listened to on audiobook. I snagged this one from the handy library app on a road trip from Boise to Portland when the Ruth Bader Ginsberg book just wasn't working for me (now that's a book that she be read and not listened to)
I had never heard of Negin Farsad, neither her comedy or her activism. For the first few minutes I wasn't really sure how this was going to play out: she went on and on about how she felt Black (she is in no way Black) and sort of co-opted that identity. It took a little bit for her to parse out those feelings of being an (even more than usual) underrepresented minority and the process of her figuring out her identity of being a third Other, not just American or Iranian, but Iranian-American.
Farsad is funny and immensely smart. It was an entertaining, informative read.
I had never heard of Negin Farsad, neither her comedy or her activism. For the first few minutes I wasn't really sure how this was going to play out: she went on and on about how she felt Black (she is in no way Black) and sort of co-opted that identity. It took a little bit for her to parse out those feelings of being an (even more than usual) underrepresented minority and the process of her figuring out her identity of being a third Other, not just American or Iranian, but Iranian-American.
Farsad is funny and immensely smart. It was an entertaining, informative read.
librarylapin's review against another edition
2.0
I really don't connect with Farsad's comedic style. I love political satire but I feel like she tries too hard and the self-deprecation leads to a lack of sincerity. I also feel like she mocks things that she should be defending. Her primary purpose is to make people laugh into not being racist and I think that may be where I don't get her humor.
readingwithhippos's review against another edition
4.0
Negin Farsad definitely knows how to make this white person laugh. She’s bold, irreverent, and on a mission to educate America about Muslims. Her methods, which she calls “social justice comedy,” are delightful. Instead of approaching people with anger or impatience, she is all about making connections. Like the time she stood outside a Mormon church with a “Hug a Muslim” sign (she had many takers), or the time she and a documentary film crew talked to a man with an enormous Confederate flag displayed in his yard. Encounters that you might expect to be contentious end up being warm and friendly.
Of course, like any stand-up comic, Farsad has dealt with her share of detractors and trolls (sometimes within her own demographic), and she writes honestly about those experiences. However, she has a remarkable capacity for optimism—she believes people can change their minds, and that one of the best ways to change minds is through personal conversation and connection. Her winsome cheerfulness was my favorite part of the book. I have a hard time staying positive in the face of ignorance and bigotry, but Farsad showed me there is a better way to respond to closed-minded people.
Farsad’s humor is in the same vein as Key and Peele, the Comedy Central show starring Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, now in reruns. (If you haven’t watched it, get thee to YouTube!) Her perspective as an outsider to the black/white dichotomy of American culture echoes the sense of alienation that Key and Peele, both biracial, have expressed to hilarious effect in their sketch comedy. I would love to see a collaboration between the three of them—Key and Peele are already creating some sophisticated commentary on race and culture, but with a feminine angle, they’d be unstoppable.
Other highlights: her list of sorority girl names (my favorite: Langley Pleats), her the-lady-doth-protest-too-much insistence that she’s totally over being rejected by Yale, and at the end of the book, an exquisitely timed reference to her enthusiasm for honey mustard.
With regards to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy. On sale May 24!
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
Of course, like any stand-up comic, Farsad has dealt with her share of detractors and trolls (sometimes within her own demographic), and she writes honestly about those experiences. However, she has a remarkable capacity for optimism—she believes people can change their minds, and that one of the best ways to change minds is through personal conversation and connection. Her winsome cheerfulness was my favorite part of the book. I have a hard time staying positive in the face of ignorance and bigotry, but Farsad showed me there is a better way to respond to closed-minded people.
Farsad’s humor is in the same vein as Key and Peele, the Comedy Central show starring Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, now in reruns. (If you haven’t watched it, get thee to YouTube!) Her perspective as an outsider to the black/white dichotomy of American culture echoes the sense of alienation that Key and Peele, both biracial, have expressed to hilarious effect in their sketch comedy. I would love to see a collaboration between the three of them—Key and Peele are already creating some sophisticated commentary on race and culture, but with a feminine angle, they’d be unstoppable.
Other highlights: her list of sorority girl names (my favorite: Langley Pleats), her the-lady-doth-protest-too-much insistence that she’s totally over being rejected by Yale, and at the end of the book, an exquisitely timed reference to her enthusiasm for honey mustard.
With regards to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy. On sale May 24!
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
payal_reads_alot's review against another edition
3.0
I only know of Negin Farsad from Wait, Wait, don't tell me on NPR. I hadn't really heard her before and it was shocking to listen to her (knowing she sounded exactly like me). Now, dear goodreads friend, you know what I sound like.
She's funny, she's relevant, and she's all over the place. I mostly enjoyed the book, just didn't really find it as impact full as it was intended.
She's funny, she's relevant, and she's all over the place. I mostly enjoyed the book, just didn't really find it as impact full as it was intended.
spiderfelt's review against another edition
5.0
Alternate titles for this book: “How to be a Decent Human” or “Things That Don’t Need to Be Taught But We Have To Say Out Loud Anyway”