I expected to laugh out loud multiple times while reading this, and Retta didn't disappoint. However, I was dismayed by her use of the word transsexual, which threw me for a book published in 2018. I hope the editors take a closer look.

So Close to Being the Sh*t, Y’all Don’t Even Know by RettaFollowing the path of many famous people, Retta has released her biography. While it seems like this would be my catnip -- written in her own voice, telling the story of a normal person made good -- it just wasn't hitting the spot. I realize that this was a good book and I started getting into it when she started describing her unexpected love affair with hockey.

I think that, if you want to read this book, you should buy the audio. I missed hearing her voice in my ear.



Three stars

This book comes out May 29

I wanted to read this because I loved Parks and Rec, and since I had already read Amy Poehler’s memoir and Aziz Ansari’s book, I knew I would have to read this one as well. And I was not disappointed. I usually prefer to listen to the audiobooks of these comedian memoirs, so in my head the entire book was narrated by Retta herself, and it was fabulous. She talks a little bit about her life growing up as the daughter of immigrants, and how she got from there to her role in Parks and Rec and beyond. My favorite parts were when she talks about (view spoiler) I also enjoyed her talking about her friendship with Jim O’Heir, who plays Jerry/Gary/Larry Gergich on Parks and Rec. There didn’t seem to be an overarching purpose or theme to this memoir, but I enjoyed it nevertheless.

If you're a Retta fan, you'll like this book. I can totally hear it in her voice.
However, if you're not, you probably won't like it.
It's disjointed, sometimes meandering, and seemingly pointless at times, but it is funny. If her humor or personality isn't your cup of tea regularly, it won't be in this book. I liked her stories of how she ended up on her eventual path, but it wasn't amazing. If you enjoy Mindy Kaling's books, you'd probably like this one.
She does cuss.. but if you're a fan you already know that. It's also typed how she talks, which sometimes took me out of her stories.
It was a quick read, and enjoyable.

I love Retta, so I was very excited to get an advance copy of this book. It’s not really a memoir, as much as a book of funny stories. It’s written in Retta’s voice and you can just hear her in your head while reading it. The topics range widely, from hockey to Hamilton, and all are engaging and funny. I highly recommend!

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. As a Parks and Rec fan, I thought I knew a little about Retta, but as a social media novice, I’ve now learned that I didn’t know much at all. Her memoir was laugh out loud funny at times (proven by me laughing out loud, at least twice, on public transportation). She writes like she talks, and I can easily imagine her speaking to me as I read, which is ideal for a celebrity memoir. For someone as uninterested in fashion as me, it says something that even the chapter on purses and designer brands was a delight! Throughout the book, she tends to treat herself (no, not treat yo self) like an outsider rather than a celebrity. But rather than coming across as disingenuous, this is actually quite endearing, and it leads to wonderful retellings of the moments when she first met certain celebrities. The memoir felt a bit too long in the middle, and she spends a chapter that could have been cut defending herself on social media (which, really, she didn’t need to do in the first place). But overall, I found this surprisingly good and definitely worth the read.

I requested an ARC of this book, even though I basically only read YA stuff, because I love Retta. I loved her low key demeanor on "Parks and Rec" and that she's a big girl. I was excited to see what she had to say in print and to learn more about her than "Treat yo'self" and I was not disappointed for the most part. The first chapter was illuminating because I had no idea she was a talented singer as well as comedian. Talented enough to be given the opportunity to audition for "Dreamgirls" which seems pretty amazing! That chapter surprised me, taught me something about Retta, made me laugh, and offered some thoughtful insight into self-perception and opportunities. I wish I could say the same for the rest of the book which instead seemed to take a turn more toward stream of consciousness and fun time without as much introspection. I didn't pick up the book expecting a self-help tome or relying on Retta to tell me who I am, but I wanted more meat than was offered throughout. I'm not sure I know much more about Retta than I did going in. But for something fun and easy to read, it's a winner.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
As a public librarian, I'm not sure that I'm allowed to say the words "I love Parks and Rec"....but i do enjoy watching the show!
When I saw Retta had a book coming out, I was very excited to read it. I was not disappointed! I devoured the book in less than a day and laughed from start to finish.

If you love reading Retta's livetweets of everything from Scandal to an L.A. Kings hockey game, this is the book for you! Warm, funny, and relatable, "So Close to Being the Sh*t...." feels like a real talk life-story from one of your best girlfriends.

Confession: I had absolutely no idea who Retta was and I have never watched one episode of Parks and Recreation. But I like to read something light and So Close to Being the Shit Y'all Don't Even Know once again proved that laughter is the best medicine. This book isn't set to hit stores until June but my very public outbursts of laughing until my sides hurt caused several people in the coffee shop to ask what I was reading. The first few essays were hit and miss especially when Retta retells the tale of spending an insane amount of money on a purse. However, from chapter 6-16 I really enjoyed Retta's Hollywood escapades with different notable names. Or I should say her hilarious way of recreating the scenes for her readers.

When I got my hands on the ARC of this book, I was giddy. I love Retta. Donna was one of the best characters on Parks & Rec and I’ve been a Twitter and instagram follower for years. I remember when Retta was doing the official True Blood Premiere after-party or live tweeting or some such and I wanted to be her.

This book is filled with great anecdotes, sage life lessons and behind the scenes glimpses of how showbiz works. Any Retta fan will be satisfied with this witty book. Just don’t tell her to #treatyoself

Retta is indisputably the sh*t. As a fan of her work and her social media presence, I knew I would enjoy this book, but I realized from the first chapter that it was going to far exceed my expectations. Her voice comes through the text so perfectly that I can hear her say every word. I imagine the audiobook is going to be unforgettable (or unfoRETTAble). From her behind-the-scenes look at Parks and Recreation, to her drunken escapades at awards shows, to her obsession with Hamilton, this book is absolutely delightful. I can't stop talking about it, and I can't wait for it to be released so I can start buying copies as gifts!

This was a fun memoir. Retta did an excellent job of injecting every page with her personality and humor. Being LDS myself, I especially enjoyed her story about performing to an LDS audience in a small town in Utah.

I really like Retta and was excited to get this book! Really funny. A bit too much of name dropping tho. We get it Retta, you know famous people. But overall a funny read.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

I AM IN LOVE WITH RHETTA!
I haven't even seen the show Parks and Recreation BUT I do know the "treat yo self" line! I say it all the time to myself.. when I'm looking at books.

Now I honestly don't know how many nonfiction books I've read before this one.. but I do know that I enjoyed them at one point if not the whole book. Before I dive into this review, let me tell you.. I loved this book. Rhetta is such a funny person and now I really want to watch the Park and Recs show ASAP!

Rhetta is such a real person and knows that she isn't good at everything. Hell, I'm barely perfect at writing, typing, or speaking English most days.. and it's my language! I definitely connect with her on a bunch of her topics throughout the book. She's definitely a role model of mine.. now. I hope that one day I will be as humorous as her or have a super funny one liner. Also, I haven't seen Hamilton.. but after reading her love and fixation on it.. well I've decided.. I should probably get my ass to a Hamilton show real soon.

TREAT MYSELF!

I wish I had time to really dig into this book, and I'll have to come back and spend some quality time with it later. Retta is (no surprise) hilarious, frank, and sensible, and I love hearing what she has to say.

Parks and Recreation's Donna Meagle has got NOTHING on Marietta Sirleaf, better known as Retta. This memoir is so much fun. Retta grew up poor (and a goody-two-shoes!), went to Duke, and finally started landing some seriously good acting gigs - even though her original plan was to become a doctor. (That option is still not off the table for her.) Retta explores her love of luxurious handbags, live-tweeting, and the L.A. Kings, who inadvertently turned her into a hockey fan. It's impossible to read this book and not want to hang out with her for a while - for someone so hilarious and fabulous, she's also very, very down-to-earth.

I did not find this book to be too interesting. It is clear from the very beginning that the author is incredibly smart, but often Retta writes with such informality that it deviates from her story; she seems so informal that it almost becomes boring.

I expected more, but it isn't a terrible read for those that remember her from her TV shows (Parks & Rec).

When I say I choked with laughter with this book, I literally mean it. I had to sit up pound my chest and gulp in air because I was laughing so hard. Not only did this biography have humor but so much heart that left you rooting for the author. Full review to come closer to the publish date.

I wasn't aware of Retta until her new show, Good GIrls. I enjoy her on the show and was happy to see she'd written a book. I liked learning about her life through her humor. I think this book will find the right audience and more will discover the awesome Retta.