Member Reviews
*I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own*.
This book was published in October 2019, so I am still catching up with reviews, but am getting closer!
I am a fan of Ali Wong's stand up, and have seen both of her Netflix specials. Haven't seen her movie yet, but I'm working on it. With that being said, it made me enjoy this book because I knew what type of humor to expect. Ali is a bit on the vulgar side, has no issues talking intimate details about her sex life, giving birth, etc. If that's not your cup of tea, you're gonna have a hard time reading this book.
I think she did a good job mixing motherly advice with her normal comedy. I grew up in a fairly prudish household. I'm almost 30 and my mom and I have never had the sex talk-- my best friend's mom gave it to us! I would like to be a healthy mix of both ends of the spectrum with my own daughter. I want her to know that she can ask me whatever embarrassing thing pops into her head, but shouldn't expect me to give her all the dirty details of my own life. There's just some things she doesn't need to know!
With that being said, this was a quick read, because it entertained me so much that I couldn't put it down. If you're a fan of Wong's (or raunchy female comedy in general) feel free to check this one out!
Ali Wong is a true queen of comedy. Her collection of letters addressed to her daughters somehow manages to be utterly hilarious, completely vulgar, and yet, refreshingly honest and relatable. Reading this was pure joy and I will definitely read it again during my next book slump.
Thank you so much for the chance to review my ARC of this book.
I love Ali Wong! This book surpassed all my expectations. It was funny and raw and touching all at the same time. I love that she chose to write a book for her daughters to refer to in the future. I laughed so hard that I almost peed myself during the part when she is discussing dating before she met her husband. I made my college aged daughter read this just so we could discuss it lol! Ali is such an amazing talent. Everyone should read this book!
This book was hilarious and informative. Specially the bits about pregnancy/afterbirth, as I don’t have any kids, that part was particularity scary for me.
Dear Girls is a series of letters dedicated to Ali’s daughters. Because I’m younger, I just imagined I was one of them.
Ali was able to tell her story in a heartfelt and funny way. I had no idea how hard it was to be a FEMALE stand-up comedian. Especially when you are a minority.
Granted, she is no literary master. This is not a book for the years to come. It’s a book for our now. That’s why I can’t stop recommending it.
Ali, lets be friends. Take me to a leggit Vietnamese place, I promise to try everything.
I very much enjoyed this "memoir" by Ali Wong. I was familiar with her stand-up prior to reading this book and my opinion of her was already quite high. I loved hearing the stories of her and her husband and my favorite part of "Dear Girls" wasn't even written by Ali Wong. I very much enjoyed the ending that her husband wrote to their girls. It put a cherry on top of a lovely ode to their children.
This book is hilarious and wrong and definitely not safe for kids. It is written as letters to her daughters which i assume they should never actually read. Ali Wong is just one of the funniest women out there, and she leaves nothing out as she chronicles her life and her rise to fame. She does not sugar coat anything, she fought her way to the top of the pack through hard work, dedication and tough trade-offs. Definitely not safe for work.
I'm a big fan of Wong's - both her stand up and her movie, Always Be My Maybe (which I've watched twice and I NEVER watch movies twice). So needless to say, I was pretty pumped to read her book.
Dear Girls is Wong's "life lessons" to her two very young daughters (although she makes it clear they aren't allowed to read it until they are adults). Thank god for that because if you know Ali, you know she has no filter and no topic is off limits. That being said, I don't think I could ever read a book like this that was written by my own mother lol. TMI.
BUT, from a non-daughter audience, this book was exactly what I expected from Wong: vulgar truths riddled with sarcasm and wit. I found myself laughing out loud several times and I wish I had listened to this on audio because I LOVE Wong's delivery. Although, it was written exactly how she speaks so I did hear her voice reading it to me the entire time. I also really enjoyed the last part written by her husband.
Big thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
I loved this book. You could really hear Ali Wong's voice throughout it, and it felt just like I was watching one of her comedy specials.
She writes Dear Girls as if it is a letter to her daughters, but it's also full of things you might not want your daughters to know about you. Wong is really honest and well-written. Her voice is incredible and unique.
The advice, and letter format is really clever and a fun way to read about Wong's experiences and the life advice she has to give (while comedic). Of course, as with all comedy, Wong's style isn't for everyone, and if you aren't a fan of crude comedy, you probably won't want to read this one. That being said, this was such a fun read.
I received a reviewer copy of Dear Girls by Ali Wong from the publisher Random House in exchange for an honest review.
What It’s About: Ali Wong writes letters to her daughters to read when they turn 21 so they can gain insight into her thought process and life. These letters detail her crazy exploits, growing up, meeting her partner, becoming a mother, and working in a field that normally pushes women down. This book offers insight, humor, and advice.
What I Loved: Ali's letters are hilarious and laugh out loud, she admits mistakes and talks about topics that are uncomfortable. It doesn't sound like she's lecturing you at all but at the same time she's helping you push yourself and be brave. These letters make you laugh, cringe, smile, and you can see the love that Ali has for the ones around her.
What I didn’t like so much: I sometimes felt like the letters went on a little long and got rambling.
Who Should Read It: People who love stand-up comedy. People who love Ali Wong. People who love success stories. People who love dirty humor.
General Summary: A series of letters that tell hilarious tales and provide insight into success and advice.
Ali Wong is just as fantastic in this book as she is during her stand-up sets, which I also highly recommend. If you thought her jokes were very intimate, you'll be surprised at how much of her life she shares with all of us in ways that all of us can relate. She might be speaking to her daughters, but these stories are for all of us.
I liked the organization of this book and I laughed a few times out loud. But overall, I thought it was a bit forgettable. I enjoyed it while I was reading it, but probably won’t remember much about it in a few months.
I was able to read Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets, & Advice for Living Your Best Life for free from Netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The book is written as a letter to her two daughters, a unique and fun way to setup stories in Ali's life. It is well written, funny and vulgar.
I enjoyed this book. I can't imagine writing something like this for my kid to read someday, but I bet they will love it when they are much, much older. If you enjoy her stand-up you will laugh out loud to this book.
Unapologetically raunchy and laugh out loud funny, Ali Wong's Dear Girls is such a fun read. Framed as letters written to her daughters, Wong describes everything from her start in comedy, her childhood, her past relationships and her travel, plus her descriptions of food with leave you hungry. I have been a fan of her comedy specials for a while now, and this book did not disappoint.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley..
Ali Wong is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. I adore her stand-up.. so I could NOT wait to read this book. I was not disappointed in the least bit. This book was hilarious and so much fun. Get it!
I loved this book. It was funny, educational, honest, and I really enjoyed it. Ali is just so blunt and it’s refreshing.
Dear Girls is a compilation of the letters written by an American actress, stand-up comedian, and writer Ali Wong to her young daughters Mari and Nikki. Her letters are about her life as a child and a teenager, her struggles as an aspiring stand-up comedian, advice for living best life, confessions, food, dating, education, family, how she met her husband and how much she is proud of her Vietnamese and Chinese heritage and hence requested her girls to read this book only when they turn 21 years old.
Before Ali’s father passed away after battling cancer and depression he left a note in a sealed envelope for her which began with “Dear Alexandra”. She is very grateful for the letter her dad left but wished he had written more about himself. Hence she came up with an idea to write these letters for her daughters so that they will understand and know her better.
All in all this book is hilarious, heartfelt, uncensored in most of the places and Ali Wong has fearlessly written everything about her life. You do not have to know her to read this book and you will become her admirer once you finish this one. I knew very little about her before I started reading this book and now I am her fan. This book is a must-have and is like her classic stand up comedy in written form which is the best laughter remedy for difficult days and will instantly elevate your mood.
I recommend that every guy must read the last letter (chapter) of this book written by Ali Wong’s husband. It is so inspiring to see a person supporting his partner so selflessly. Here I am not saying that everyone should stop pursuing there career goals and it is not possible for everyone but supporting a little in our own way and as much as we can is so important in a relationship.
Thank you Netgalley for the advance copy.
I loved this book. It was a quick read. I’m buying some to give as gifts! I would recommend for sure!
I started this book with high hopes, but ultimately it didn't work for me mainly because of the vulgar humor and repeated inappropriate comments. I did like the moments where she shared vulnerably of what it's like to be a mother, female comedian, and Asian-American woman. I enjoyed digging through the references to her pussy for the moments where I could relate to her and learn about her experiences. I love Ali's stand up and movies, I think she's hilarious, I don't find myself to normally be sensitive to content whether it's sexual or language, but this humor just didn't translate for me, which I was sad about. This book just wasn't my favorite, but I know a lot of people who have loved her comedy and really enjoyed it. Still love her though
This book was ridiculously hilarious! It's a novel made up of the author writing letters (chapters) to her young daughters. She is frank, candid & even vulgar sometimes but always hilariously real.