"I learned a valuable lesson that stays with me to this day and plays on a loop in my head any time I have a big audition. It goes a little something like this: "Bitch, stop wasting time fearing the worst! Living through the worst is never as hard as fearing it. Fight the fear and go do what you gotta do. That's what you came here for."

Retta

So Close to Being the Sh*t, Y'all Don't Even Know by Retta is the book I needed. It is narrated by the author. Before she graced us with her presence with Parks and Rec, Retta was Marietta from New Jersey. She grew up in a crowded home, but a loving home with supportive parents. She was on the road to being a neurosurgeon and attending Duke University when she decided she wanted to be a sitcom star. While I am sure she would have been an amazing neurosurgeon (or still might be!) I am glad that she chose sitcoms because Donna from Parks and Rec is probably one of my favorite characters of all time.

If you don't know Retta or know her shows then this book is not for you. Especially if you are a Swiftie. When I was looking at reviews, I saw many referring to name-dropping and it is obvious they were not a fan of what Retta had to say. For me, Retta is the Queen so when she speaks, I listen.

One of the things that I really enjoyed about this book is its honesty. She talks about her anxieties about fitting in and being successful. She also discusses her issues with body image and how she learned to love herself. These are something that everyone can relate to.

But, I am not gonna lie, I was in it for all the stories. She is a comedian which means her delivery is everything. I loved the Parks and Rec stories! I loved her devotion and love for the cast and crew. When Amy Poehler stood up for her multiple times, it warmed my heart. And then there is an entire chapter devoted to her love for Hamilton. I thought, why can't she be my best friend? Overall, I loved this book and I can't wait to see what she does next! I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.

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