I'm a huge fan of memoirs by funny celebrities and was really excited to read Ellie Kemper's "My Squirrel Days" because I love her show "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" so much. However, this one kind of fell short for me. While I found some parts funny, it was a book filled with somewhat average stories. Her stories such as those about 500 SoulCycle classes or not being able to find lentils in her food, were only kind of funny, I think some may find her stories funny, it just wasn't really for me.

Unfortunately, I requested this book, but didn't get to read it before it was archived. I wish I had gotten to it.

Actress memoirs are my guilty pleasure, so of course I had to check this one out! I feel, though, both before and after reading, that Ellie just isn't established enough as an actress yet to warrant a memoir. But I did love the Office and Kimmie Schmidt, and her stories of up-and-coming through the ranks as an actress were filled with the bumbling hilarity you would expect from her. I was delighted to find that she got married the exact same day I did, and that her son is just four months older than mine, so I did relate to her on that level - and I especially related to her chapter on being a new mom lol. And now that Kimmie has drawn to a close I can't wait to see what the future holds for her!

exactly what you'd expect if youre even a little bit familiar with ellie kemper. nothing too hard hitting or surprising, but a good read overall.

Kemper's memoir is filled with hilarious stories of her childhood and what helped her move into an acting career. While I wouldn't necessarily recommend this for someone who isn't a fan of Ellie Kemper, it's going to be a hit for anyone who is.

Ellie is hilarious as an actress and I was hesitant to read her memoir. I was first introduced to her via Netflix and I can say she is still funny but maybe I just didn't connect with the book like others. I don't think its her I think it may be the type of book. I think maybe a little more time then write the book so there is more to say.

*RECEIVED FROM NETGALLEY

DNF

I love the show Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, but reading narratives by this author really did not connect me with her. I thought it was going to be... funny. Once I got to a part where at least a whole page (on my Kindle) was just AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH, I had to stop.

I received this free ARC in exchange for my honest review from NetGalley. While this was not my favorite celebrity memoir, Ellie Kemper’s awkward encounters and relatable storytelling was really entertaining. She had me laughing out loud a few times, but I wish there had been more insight into working on The Office and The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

The moment I saw that Ellie Kemper was writing a book, I knew I had to read it. I've been a big fan of The Office and had watched some of The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. This was a book that I knew I had to pick up the audiobook of. Most of the times actors narrate their books and this ended up being the case. After waiting some time to get the audiobook, I finally read it. I have to say it was super enjoyable.

I really enjoyed how she broke down the chapters. Each chapter giving us more information about the different parts of her life. She goes on to talk about what it's like being a Mom, she talks about her time on The Office, her time on The Unbreakable Kimmy Scmidt, how she gets grumpy when she's hungry and so much more. I really liked seeing all the different parts that made up Ellie Kemper. It an enjoyable experience getting to know her better. I feel she ended up being a little bit more open than some of the other celebrity autobiographies which I read. So I did end up enjoying that a lot.

I also decided to wait to pick this up until I could listen to the audiobook. I have to say it made the experience so much more enjoyable. I felt like I was just hanging out with Ellie and she was sharing all these stories with me. I feel her voice is very enjoyable to listen to. Plus there were plenty of times I found myself out and about and I was trying hard not to laugh. Plenty of times I just gave in, I couldn't help myself. She's very entertaining.

Overall this book ended up being super enjoyable.I got to learn so much about Ellie Kemper. It ended up being such an enjoyable book. If you are a fan of her I would highly recommend picking this book up. Plus if you can get it on audiobook, even better. It really adds to the experience, hearing the story told by Ellie. I really think you'll enjoy this.

*This book was given to me for free on Netgalley by the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.*

I wanted to love this book because I love Ellie Kemper but I just did not. Maybe Ellie's life before acting was just a little too normal.

The stories were cute.

I did not post my review anywhere but here out of respect to Ellie and Scribner.

I adore Ellie Kemper, so this book only made me love her more.
She is almost exactly as I would have guessed. Adorable, a bit quirky, smart, and just generally funny.
I love the little insights into her childhood as well as her life currently.
If you are a fellow fan of Ellie's I would definitely recommend this!

While this book was funny at times, and I am definitely a fan of Ellie Kemper, I didn't love it. In fact, I only sort-of liked it. Her life is just too "normal" for a book. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Most of us prefer to live in an ordinary, and somewhat boring, way, but that doesn't make for a riveting read.

I love Ellie Kemper. I think she's so cute and funny and a good actress. However, her book was a huge disappointment. I was unable to get into it and therefore had to not finish it. I feel bad as I really wanted her to succeed on multiple levels but ultimately this fell way way flat.

Have to agree with Heather K's review... This was a short easy book, but it took a long time to get through, because it was not that compelling. I like Ellie Kemper, as a person and actress. She's outspoken on matters of women's roles in comedy, TV, etc.
I enjoyed the anecdotes about her life, from meeting Lorne Michaels to complaining about food at a restaurant, but the moments in between we're not as fun to read.
Sorry Ellie, can't wait for next season of Kimmy! 😘

Got the book for an honest review from NetGalley

Ellie Kemper is one of my favorite actresses. When I find myself stuck in negative cyclical thinking, I often think, “What would Ellie do?” I really, truly wanted to love this book and was thrilled to receive a copy. However, it was difficult to get through at times. I had to transition to the audio version to make it through the remainder of the book. I LOVED hearing it told in Ellie’s voice and enjoyed it so much more.

This book could not have been published at a better time in my life!!! Thank you SO much to Netgalley, Scribner and Simon & Schuster for approving me to read this e-arc!!! I highly recommend this quirky little memoir to anyone and everyone !! It just came out in October 2018, so what are you waiting for?

First and foremost can I just shout from the rooftops that “ I love youuuuu Erin!!!!” Whoops, I mean Ellie...but I’m sure that she gets that a lot, right? I find it quite amusing that for the past four years my boyfriend, Jeremy, has been desperately trying to convince me to watch the show “ The Office” because he is such a huge fan and he felt that I would love it just as much. I, on the other hand was stalling. I enjoy watching shows like Dexter and Game of Thrones, Grey’s Anatomy or The Walking Dead. Give me drama, show me gore! But....when I logged onto Netgalley and saw Ellie Kemper’s biography arc I devised a little game. ( At this point in time I thought her name in the show was Meredith, and I had no clue what she brought to the show). I told Jeremy that I had requested to read the book and if I was approved, I would binge watch each and every episode of The Office with him, BUT if I was denied to read her arc....he could never ask me to watch it again. Needless to say...I failed because here we are! However, this may be the one and only time in my life that I’m ECSTATIC that I lost.

....And so began my journey watching the show. I wouldn’t allow myself to begin reading the story until I had a feel for Ellie’s character! When she FINALLY joined in at the end of season 5 I was jumping for joy!! “ Thats Ellie! “ I said. My boyfriend looked at me like, “ Duh.”

I found this book SO relatable!
First let me just tell you all of the characteristics that I have found both Ellie and I have in common after reading her book :
1. My cheeks ALSO look like “ they are storing nuts”... it seems my face is very resistant to losing its baby fat. But I’m 33 and still get carded, so who is laughing now?
2. I also used to put on truly AMAZING performances for my family except instead of plays, mine were dance recitals.
3. Hearing the words: tamagotchi , crimper, Skip- It ...IMMEDIATELY brought me back to my childhood days. We must be pretty close in age.
4. Everyone ( and I do mean everyone ) has told me at some point in my life to “ speak more quietly.”
5. I am extremely accident prone and can see myself easily getting stuck in a giant nostril, which also reminds me of how she had to back it out! I also came into this world butt- first Ellie! My mom needed a c- section. ( Sorry ma!)
6. I believe Rose Byrne is gorgeous too!
7. One of my favorite things to do is make lists. My work desk, my school projects, my daily activities, and even quick trips to the drugstore all require lists! I’m lost without them.
8. I can see how children’s names are becoming utterly ridiculous. It all began with Gwenyth Paltrow and her daughter Apple . That’s a girl right? Son...Apple? Not sure, but either way...absurd. I literally
LOL-ed at Cabinet and Morph. Sadly, this is our future.
9. I identify in being “ a natural born shut-in who dreads leaving the house.” It’s so comfy here, just bring me food.
10. I share a love of exclamation points too, and don’t even realize how much I use them at times, until they’ve already been sent to my recipient, Oh well, at least I’m passionate !!!

What I really enjoyed about this book : The pictures, the lists and schedules in her childhood hand-writing, going through the trials and tribulations of what it took Ellie to get where she is today—even working at a cupcake store called “ Crumbs” where she brewed teas, made lattes and couldn’t remember a thing about the damn cupcakes! One little failure though, where is the wedding picture?! Would have loved to see it!! My favorite part of the book is how she stops to address us personally every so often by saying...”Reader...” I don’t know about everyone else but sometimes when I’m reading a book my head starts to go off into la la land imagining who- knows-what , but calling us readers out, getting us to focus and come back to neutral ground was brilliant! Well done!

I find myself trying to picture her early days on the Letterman Show, making pieces of toast with Dave & Paul’s faces on them. Maybe I should google this! I can also imagine her dangling out of a giant nose! Each and every time that I watch the office I wonder what each of those cast members is buying on their computers in the background!

When I put this book down I immediately watched “Bridesmaids” once again and felt the need to yell out —- “ Thats graham crackers, vanilla pudding and whipped cream in her hair!” I was proud, I had behind the scenes information, but no one was impressed. Haha. I was. I also added “ Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt “ to “ My List” on Netflix and died laughing during the first episode! This may be my new show to binge watch, since I am now done watching The Office. I cried like a baby when it ended and I am so grateful to have watched each and every episode in a few short months. I could never attempt to count the amount of times I laughed so hard that I cried!

So, thank you again for approving me for this book. I learned to love Ellie Kemper EVEN more than I already did, and I got to watch a show that I never in a million years thought would become an instant favorite!

4.5 stars ! Well done...and keep kicking ass!

I like Ellie Kemper as an actress. I initially started this one awhile ago but I didn’t connect it with it. I decided to give it a try on audio. She is funny and I enjoy her wit and use of puns; however, I was not that impressed with this book. I read a lot of non-fiction/memoirs so I feel like this one fell a little short. Still a fan of Ellie regardless. Thank you for the chance to review it!

Scribner and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of My Squirrel Days. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

If Ellie Kemper was not an accomplished actress, I doubt that My Squirrel Days would have ever been published. Don't get me wrong, she is a good person who deserves everything that life has handed her, but the book is not all that interesting. Ellie grew up more privileged than most and did not have to struggle through college or in its aftermath. She did not have to struggle as a comedian nor as an actress, receiving opportunities that helped to propel Ellie to success. The series of essays did not really connect to each other and, instead, meander this way and that through Ellie's life. At the end of the day, fans of the actress learn not all that much more about the personal thoughts and feelings of Ellie Kemper than they already knew.

That being said, I will say that it is refreshing to read a celebrity book about a person who is down to earth and, shall I say, wholesome. What you see is what you get with Ellie Kemper and she has worked hard to maintain a good reputation in the business. Readers who are familiar with Ellie's body of work may be interested in how those shows came to be, but may be disappointed to learn that there are really no revelations here. For these reasons, I would be hesitant to recommend My Squirrel Days.

Who knew that Ellie Kemper was a Princeton-educated, UCB-trained, Division-1 college athlete/benchwarmer? I certainly did not. To me, this book was very genuine, not to mention very entertaining. It took a bit for me to warm up to the book, but I knew that if I kept reading, I would not be disappointed and I wasn’t. I always assume most “stars” just fall into rolls and become famous; Ellie has put a lot of time and training into being an actor/comedian. Again, who knew?! I have seen Ellie on the Today Show quite a few times and this is how her voice comes across in the book, she’s herself and not trying to be anyone else. This book is filled with a bunch of funny stories and stories about her life that got her to this point. This was a great read, and I wouldn’t hesitate to read any other book she writes in the future.

Knowing the extent of Ellie Kemper's ivy league education, I was hoping for something a bit more insightful and authentic. This was an easy, upbeat, read - but I feel it's also a waste of an opportunity for Kemper to put forth content more in line with some of the other pieces I've read from her.