This was the first time in a long time I almost gave up on a book.

I was so stoked for this book and when it hit, it really nailed it. But when it didn’t, it really, really, really didn’t.

Quick Synopsis

“Have you ever made a decision you instantly regretted? Humiliated yourself in a room of your peers, or shamed yourself in front of your massive crush? Ever blown a job interview, frozen during a presentation, acted like a total idiot on a date? Ever said the wrong thing at the wrong time, unable to keep your tongue from flapping out the stupidest words you’ve ever said in your life, ever? If you are a human being, the answer, of course, is yes. Take heart. You’re not alone. This is known as the Self-Inflicted Wound, and every one of us bears a scar. Or several.

Here, Aisha Tyler…serves up a spectacular collection of her own self-inflicted wounds. From almost setting herself on fire, to vomiting on a boy she liked, to getting drunk and sleeping through the SATs, to going into crushing debt to pay for college and then throwing away her degree to become a comedian, Aisha’s life has been a series of spectacularly epic fails. And she’s got the scars to prove it. Literally.”

via back cover

My Review

Let me start by saying I love Aisha Tyler. I love her podcast. I love her comedy. I love her on Archer. Hell, I even love Ghost Whisperer because of her! I think she is one of the hardest working women period (she has like, a million damn jobs!) I appreciated this book for what it was, humiliating stories from her life and how failures shaped her into the successful woman she is today. I love the way she wrote which was something between an AP English essay and nerd rant. But the reason I gave this book so few stars, was because, only a third of the book was as promised, “heartwarming tales of epic humiliation”. The rest was just long-form jokes that never really landed. I think if the book was half as long it would have been twice as good because of the content of the stories would have been stronger. Take for instance the story of her “killing” a hobo. It is less a story of what actually happened, and more the ride your imagination takes you on when you can’t fall asleep at 3 a.m. but so desperately want to. (Un)Fortunately, around chapter 14 I could tell which stories we’re going to be the good ones and I could skim the first few paragraphs to tell if it was worth it or not to slow down and read, or just turn the page.

My Rating (stars out of 5):