Ten Best Books Authored By a Comedian in 2020!
Comedians cover all forms of media in the 2010s. Everyone has a podcast now, and everyone has an album. If you want to stand out from the crowd now, you gotta go next level by putting out a book. Comedians write memoirs, they author gift books, they sometimes tackle politics, or illustrate. . Sometimes the books are deeply introspective, sometimes anecdotal, but they’re always funny even when they’re dark. .
After two years without a major autobiography in comedy, this year brings us four memoirs, quite a few social commentary books, and then a couple that attempt to give us a break from serious talk. We picked ten of the best books of the year to highlight, and now we need you to vote on who gets the top spot.
Honorable mention to a book that admittedly, we missed. But it is going on our reading list for Christmas. The very talented Denver based comedian Sam Tallent wrote a novel this year, called Running the Light. It’s been getting high praise and great reviews from people who we trust. Our list is closed but there is a write in option once the voting begins on 12.30.
So let’s look back at our past winners. In 2014, you voted Joan Rivers ,”Diary of a Mad Diva” as the best book authored by a comedian and in 2015 Colin Quinn’s “The Coloring Book” grabbed top honors. Doug Stanhope won the prize in 2016 for “Digging Up Mother: A Love Story” and pulled a repeat win in 2017 for “This is Not Fame. ” In 2018 you gave Jim Florentine the best book of the year award for “Everybody is Awful (Except You)”. Last year, Judd Apatow’s loving tribute to Garry Shandling, “It’s Garry Shandling’s Book” took the prize.
And now its time to name the ten best books, all must reads, that came out in 2020. Voting opens December 30.
Also don’t forget to vote on the best of everything in comedy this year– books, albums, specials, stand up of the year and more! And read all of our 2020 year in comedy coverage here.
Colin Quinn’s Overstated: A Coast-To-Coast Roast of the 50 States is jam packed with all the brilliance we’ve come to expect from Quinn. The book is an outgrowth of Quinn’s outstanding 2019 one man show, “Red State, Blue State”, and you will not, and can not regret grabbing a copy. It doesn’t matter if you’re pro-thisguy, or pro-thatguy in politics. Quinn’s hilarious take on the state of our states is political-party-neutral and will appeal to everyone. His insight into our country’s history (and our present) has always been thought provoking and even thrilling because his commentary is always a total surprise, and yet now that you’ve heard it, it’s so logical, sensible and simple. he’s got a firm grasp on the state of the republic. In the book, Quinn he not only points out each state’s weaknesses, he also accepts them. Colin shows us how all these faults and peculiarities of our fifty states, work for the United States as a whole. There’s funny, and there’s insightful, but nobody is as funny and insightful as Colin Quinn.
Cameron Esposito’s Save Yourself is a best seller that tells a unique story, in her own style. Honest, adorable, sexy and inspirational, SAVE YOURSELF is full of great coming of age and coming out stories that are relatable to all but especially those whose choices lean toward non-conformist. Cameron’s story starts in the early days as an adorable LGK (little gay kid) growing up in a very catholic family in a very small town. Cami may not know she’s gay, but she’s very aware that she has a different relationship with her gender identity than others. Halloween choices are definitely a sign. Those who have faced similar self-discovery obstacles, will enjoy reading Cameron’s fantastic takes on these stories about growing up and growing out. If you haven’t faced those obstacles yourself, then the insight into the life of someone who has experienced and survived them is fascinating. Save Yourself is also a great story about a charming, unique and thoroughly entertaining person and its a great read, or listen via audible. Hilarious, heartwarming and fascinating from cover to cover.
Doug Stanhope’s NO ENCORE FOR THE DONKEY–his third memoir in less than five years is another page turner, or it would be if there were any pages to turn. But there aren’t, because “No Encore for the Donkey” was written specifically for Audible. Undoubtably this is a reaction to Stanhope’s frustration while recording prior audio versions of traditional books- feeling like the language was too formal. Stanhope’s first two memoirs were both award winners, and book #3 is just as engaging as the first two- maybe more because book 3 is about disaster, loss and downfall- always compelling subjects. Here’s the set up, it’s 2016 and Stanhope has so much to look forward to. His first book is about to come out, he’s working on a pilot with his great friend Johnny Depp, he’s got a banger of a special in the can. Roses. There are still many dark moments. Like when he catches a ride on the Impractical Jokers cruise and cheats on his wife under particularly shitty conditions, but at this point, things are still on the upswing. Both the book and Stanhope’s life takes a dark dark turn in November, making his breakup and some prior professional lowlights seem like a walk through a field of daisies. The darkest hours come after Stanhope’s wife, Bingo, takes a hard fall at her own Birthday party and ends up in a coma and nobody knows if she’ll recover. This sends Bingo and Stanhope and their extended families into some pretty rough waters and Doug’s rather unique navigation of those waters provides the basis for a riveting story. Stanhope recounts these events of 2016 with all the candor you’ve come to expect from him. His first book walked you through an open wound and an impossibly painful situation. His second walked you through hilarious holy shit stories about his wild life of excesses and risky behavior. Book three is introspective and self-critical, and absolutely compelling. If you find yourself an armchair analyst, you’ll really love “No Encore for the Donkey” which provides endless opportunities to try to understand Stanhope’s unorthodox choices. You may find him to be a poet, a genius, a crazy person or an asshole, but wherever you land, its a ride you won’t regret taking.
Merrill Markoe, WE SAW SCENERY. Everyone who really knows comedy knows the name Merrill Markoe, but a great many of her biggest fans are wholly unaware of her existence. Markoe’s work in comedy has influenced virtually ever single great comedian and writer of the last fifty years. She is a co-creator and the original head writer of the groundbreaking, game-changing Late Night with David Letterman show, and its predecessor, The David Letterman Show. So if you are a fan of Letterman, or you are a fan of someone who was inspired by Letterman, then you are a fan of Merrill Markoe. Her new memoir, WE SAW SCENERY: THE EARLY DIARIES OF MERRILL MARKOE is as creative and unique as she is, and it comes in an unexpected format- a graphic novel. The content for the new memoir comes from Markoe’s childhood diaries, illustrating her preteen and teenage years, Markoe takes readers back through her time as a Girl Scout, where she learned that “scouting” was really more about learning housewifery skills, to her earliest crushes on uniquely awful boys and her growing obsession with television. The book works on multiple levels. At its simplest level, its the laugh out loud story of a girl with some unusual perspectives, and that reminds of us of own childhoods, and awkward periods. On a second level, these diaries track the development of a deeply creative artist who. And then on a third level, We Saw Scenery is a look at a particularly interesting moment in time through the eyes of someone experiencing it live. Merrill was there for some of the most stunning cultural shifts in modern history. Markoe wrote and illustrated the book herself, and that’s pretty damn cool. It’s a A great read and a fantastic holiday gift.
Many of the books on our top ten list take on serious subjects. You will not find any such seriousness here in Desus & Mero’s GOD LEVEL KNOWLEDGE DARTS: LIFE LESSONS FROM THE BRONX. This new book is escapism at its best, but it’s still smart enough that NPR named it one of their favorite books of the year. It’s a life manual perfect for comedy fans helping you navigate all the tough questions of modern life. How do I talk to my kids about drugs if I do them, too? What are the ethics of ghosting in a relationship? How do I bet on sports? How should I behave in jail? How much is too much to spend on sneakers? Is porn really that bad for me? Desus would like you to think of this book as “a fat sack of truth nuggets,” while Mero promises it is fucking phenomenal and will be your kids college syllabus for the class titled “identifying with otherness in culture.” They are both right and this book is a home run for yourself, for a friend, or hopefully both.
A WEALTH OF PIGEONS, a collaboration between cartoonist Harry Bliss and Steve Martin has made it onto every best seller list that matters. As Martin explains it, he’s delivered comedy in so many different forms, but the one panel cartoon always eluded him despite all his talents. He sees those who can create in this medium as people who are “actually funny.” Rather than be left out of the single panel cartoon world forever, Steve Martin partnered up with the New Yorker cartoonist Harry Bliss and the result is sublime. A blend of two great talents, you’ll get silly and elegant all wrapped up in one very giftable package.
D.L. Hughley, SURRENDER WHITE PEOPLE. There are only a handful of comedians who can truly be said to have mastered the art of comedic social commentary, and D.L. Hughley is on that shortlist. White people get ready to get roasted. It’s long overdue. Hughley is getting ready for America’s upcoming transition into a majority-minority nation, where white people no longer outnumber the combined plurality of people of color. Hughley takes the nation to task for its long held institutional racism and racist institutions in this book, providing history lessons that most of us have never been taught. The chapter on the global history of reparations alone is worth the price of the book. There’s just so much you don’t know and if you want to be prepared to truly navigate the Black Lives Matter movement and the other movements likely to follow, you should get up to speed. Luckily you don’t have to do research or read a dry history book. Hughley will be your guide to help white people peacefully transition into the new era. If you are sick and tired of hearing about Black People Problems, good. This book was actually written specifically for you. Hughley has terms that will end all that talking about oppression, and discrimination. And it won’t take as much as you’re thinking. Just some humanity and decency- the same consideration we’ve given other groups throughout history. Chapters of this new declaration include reparations, rewriting history books to line up with actual history, and ending oppression. Ambitious? Perhaps. Hilarious? Of course. Hughley’s fourth book is a worthy read and one of the best books of 2020.
Judy Gold’s YES I CAN SAY THAT: WHEN THEY COME FOR THE COMEDIANS WE ARE ALL IN TROUBLE takes on the subject of free unencumbered speech during a time when that right is more complicated than it has been in decades. Gold explores the recent history of comedians whose career has been threatened because of a joke- people like Michelle Wolf, Samantha Bee, Kathy Griffin, Kevin Hart, and Nimesh Patel. Gold systematically eviscerates the logic of censuring any of these comics over jokes, while explaining the concept of an act. She also devotes a terrific chapter to the goddess of no apologies, Joan Rivers. If you’re someone who complains about jokes, Judy can help you recover from your madness. Understanding intent is the first step. Why do people get outraged? Should we care if someone’s feelings are hurt? All of this is explored in YES I CAN SAY THAT, a smart analysis of why culturally, it’s a mistake to punish comedians for telling controversial jokes. It’s an important book for these complicated times.
Tom Papa’s gift for making all those insurmountable problems seem like so much fluff and nonsense is on full display in his new book, YOU’RE DOING GREAT. Tom Papa has always been known for his comedic timing but the timing of releasing a book about self acceptance during an emotionally crushing pandemic, may be the best timing of his entire career. This book is all about finding shit to be happy about., It works prepandemic and it works even more post-pandemic. Papa’s philosophy starts from the point of managing your expectations and easing up the pressure you put on yourself. Lighten up, stop depriving yourself, and stop blaming yourself. Take a dip in the pool now and then, eat cheese, call in sick. It’s oddly zen for not being a spiritual book. Think of it as a Western take on Eastern philosophy. Or just think of it as some lighthearted fun. The book is packed with genuinely solid life advice and lots of laughs. Papa practices what he preaches and its been working great for him, so why wouldn’t it work for you?
It’s hard to believe that Colin Jost- a really attractive, successful, Harvard educated guy who married a movie star, has had a life filled with embarrassing accidents, and a landslide of embarrassment. But it’s true, and A VERY PUNCHABLE FACE is Colin Jost’s offer of proof. Every week on Saturday Night Live Jost uses his comedic skills to take down all the newsmakers who are guilty of embarrassing acts. But how great is it that he’s willing to use that same bag of tricks to roast himself? In his new memoir, Jost bathes in self-deprecation with stories of an awkward childhood and adolescence to crazy to be believed. These stories are laugh out loud funny, because you do laugh out loud at the kind of people who make the mistakes he makes. It’s hard to believe Colin when he said he had a weight problem as a kid but he was willing to share pictures of the chubbiest lifeguard you ever seen. There are near death experiences, and horrible embarrassing accidents. You might think Colin’s lived a charmed life but all of the stories in this book say otherwise. Maybe he shouldn’t have shared them. But we’re glad he did. If you would have told that little roly poly boy that he was going to marry a movie star, who would believe it? Read this if for no other reason than to know that there’s hope for everyone.
