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On a plane somewhere between Nashville, TN and Millville, NJ: I love books. If I read a review of them or get one recommended to me, I will immediately go to Amazon and put them in my cart. Days later, I will receive a brown box in the mail, full of the three latest books I put in my cart.
The only problem is: I don't read them.
I try to, honestly. But it's just that if I have a few minutes to myself, I think about all the other things I could be doing: working on photos, answering a few emails, writing a blog.... I can't help but thinking of reading a book as a project I must complete versus doing it as a relaxing activity.
I even joined a book club in hopes it would give me inspiration to read, but instead, I find myself scrambling at the last minute to skim the pages and bring enough wine to cover the fact that I have no idea what everyone else is discussing.
On my latest personal trip, I had about a 4 hour drive from Asheville to Nashville. I wanted something a little more entertaining than my iPod mixes or NPR shows to keep me company on the solo trip home. Before I left, I decided to download an audio book of my latest book club read, Bossypants by Tina Fey. I had actually already purchased the book but in typical fashion, I had yet to read it.
Within the first few miles of my trip, Tina Fey's voice blaring through my Scion speakers, I already knew what was happening.
I
was
hooked.
It's not that it's just a funny book. It's that hearing Tina Fey read the funny parts - in her own voice - makes it come to life in a way that my own imagination (had I actually read it) could never do it justice.
In no particular order, here are a few things I love about the audiobook (and Tina Fey, in general):
- she uses numbered lists. I love lists like I love spreadsheets. It gets the information to the reader / listener, in a very organized, succinct manner. Especially while listening to an audiobook, it helps me to mentally see a list in my mind of the points she is covering. I actually write emails that way sometimes and I feel more accomplished than if I were just to write a paragraph blob. (weird, I know, but organized nonetheless.)
- she gets anxiety. It's the comfort of knowing that someone you admire who truly looks like she has her shit together might get a little freaked out in the same way you do every day on occasion. In her words, "My ability to turn good news into anxiety is rivaled only by my ability to turn anxiety into chin acne.” Oh yeah? Well, I'll see your chin acne and raise you grinding teeth, Tina Fey.
- she uses perfect inflection. Again, there's something about hearing the author read her own piece of art that gives such a personal connection. I almost cringed in delight from the sarcastic responses she wrote to rude anti-fans, writing to Perez Hilton to say "The only reason she's celebrated is because she's a woman and an outspoken liberal. She has not a single funny bone in her body." After a mocking agreed response, she added a PS: "You know who does have a funny bone in her body? Your mom every night for a dollar." Hearing her read that line alone was worth the cost of the audiobook alone. ($21.95 on iTunes. And you're welcome, Tina Fey.)
- she talks about Upfronts. I had never heard the term Upfronts until the boss' new TV show got picked up and I heard we were going to New York for them. I'm new to this side of the TV world and figured I'd understand what it was when I got there. (Kind of like realizing a "runner" in the concert world means someone who runs errands for the band and production team and a "showrunner" in the TV world is the main person in charge of the entire show. Big difference to know before you ask the showrunner if he can grab you a skinny chai latte on his next run.) But somewhere around Pigeon Forge, I heard her describe the Upfronts in detail! Literally, she said:
"The announcement of which shows are piked up each year takes place in May at an advertisers' convention called the "Upfronts." Ad buyers from all kinds of companies gather in New York City for a week. Each day one of the networks presents its "new fall lineup" of shows. They talk about which "target demographics" they reach and how many "upscale" viewers they have.
It is sexy, like having-lunch-with-your-parents-after-a-medical-exam sexy."
Thank you for that very specific breakdown of what my current week will consist of, Tina Fey.
- she wears glasses. And glasses make you smart and sexy and funny and talented. Or at least that's what I'm banking on.
I began my trip with Bossypants and literally couldn't stop listening.
*I listened for three of the four hours on my ride home from Asheville to Nashville. (Minus two bathroom breaks, one phone call and a few random songs played to sing with at the top of my lungs. Road trip necessity.)
*I drove immediately to Trader Joes to pick up my new-found & new-loved pre-made salads for the week and I listened on the way home from the grocery store.
*Once home, I put my earbuds in my phone, phone in my pocket and listened while I put groceries away.
*I then did a load of laundry to continue to listen.
*I then went through my mail and separated bills from shredables to continue to listen.
*Hell, I even cleaned my toilet so I could continue to listen. (And also, it really, really needed to be cleaned.)
When I finally finished the entire audiobook, I sat down, took my earbuds out and did the next logical thing you would do after listening to such an awesome piece of work.
I took out the softcover book.
Yeah - so remember how I said I love books, I just never read them? This proves my point. I have owned the book of Bossypants for at least two months, but had just never taken the time to read it. The beauty of having heard the book and now being able to read the book means that I can flip through and look at the pictures she referenced, but not have to weigh myself down with the pressure that I.must.finish.the.book.or.I'm.no.good.
AND as an added bonus to having the book in addition to the audiobook? (You're welcome for the double purchase, Tina Fey.) There's an additional Reading Group Guide in the back of the book that was not talked via iTunes. Under "Tina Fey answers her fans' questions from Twitter:" @NotStephanie asks: Most awkward moment? Her response:
"Getting my period for the first time while wearing white terry cloth shorts in front of all the members of New Kids On The Block at the exact moment I won the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee. Luckily, I'm pretty sure this was just a dream."
Referencing my favorite boy band at the end of your book to make me feel even more inspired by and connected to you?
Well played, Tina Fey. Well played.
