I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

I'm normally not a huge fan of memoirs and the like, but I do enjoy Colin Jost's work on SNL.. so I figured why not.

In this book, Colin tells some interesting stories about not only himself and his life, but also some of his castmates on SNL. The book was engaging and easy to read. I really did enjoy this book, and I would definitely recommend it to others.

This was fantastic, and has made its way to the top of my favorite celebrity memoir list. Collin Jost is hilarious and brilliant, and his carefully chosen stories showcase his mastery of the craft. I really enjoyed all of the cameos that his fellow comedians made in this book, especially when they were also just starting out. This book would be enjoyable for anyone who enjoys a good laugh, even if they’re not huge SNL fans.

I was really pleased to be granted this book, as I’m a fan of Colin Jost from his work on Saturday Night Live. I was impressed by the quality of writing, and found this to be a very good and entertaining celebrity memoir.

Even those who aren't fans of Saturday Night Live will enjoy this memoir, told in Colin Jost's signature calm and self-deprecating style. Jost blends serious recollections from his life with humorous observations and admissions, which makes A Very Punchable Face both enjoyable and relatable.

I listened to this book on audio and it was so fun to hear the author read his own book and emphasis the jokes and stories in his own way. I dip in and out of watching SNL, but I always catch the Weekend Update on youtube, so I was aware of Colin Jost, but had no idea of his tenure on the show and the other things he is known for - I loved learning more about him through this book.

Celebrity memoirs are my favorite to read, especially on audio!

So, I definitely have so much more respect for Colin Jost. This book was so very funny and I had NO idea he was a writer on SNL for as long as he has been. If you are a fan of SNL or just good writing, this is one is for you!

What an enjoyable book! I was laughing throughout the whole read. I mean a big laugh out loud thing. I enjoyed his stories of SNL, I think that's what most of us want to know about, but his stories of his past were hilarious. There is also a chapter that will bring you to tears. I am glad that I picked this one up to read this week because it was just what the doctor ordered.

Thanks to Netgalley and Crown Publishing for a copy of this book.

I was able to read an arc of this book thanks to Netgalley. An interesting memoir. Snapshots of his memories over his life since he was in grade school. His youth spent in or around New York City/Staten Island was cool because I’ve always wondered what that would be like. I often found myself doing lots of chortling. The book did change my perception of Jost, where before I figured he was pretentious, and now I see him through more empathetic eyes. I’ll also admit I only wanted to read about the SNL stuff because I’m obsessed with the show. I didn’t know that he’s been with SNL for 15 years. I’ve only known about him since he went on Weekend Update.

This memoir is a nice diversion, like a beach read. Cute. Not too heavy (emotionally).

A great read! Jost is honest and open about his life and career while dropping some truth. You will totally laugh out loud, and ponder deeply your own life.

In times like this, I think we all could use some good "I pooped my pants" stories, amirite?

And oh boy, does Colin Jost deliver.

I love SNL. I've loved it from the time I first saw it in the 80s... and I still love it now. Every cast brings their own kinda funny and I need ALL the funny these days.

From early childhood stories of hilarity, to backstage peeks at "making it" as a comedian, and all the inside dirt on SNL you could want... this book is SO FUNNY. And it makes sense, because Colin had been a writer on SNL for almost 10 years before we ever saw his punchable face on screen.

I promise you if you need some NYC love, Harvard Lampoon scoop, celebrity hilarity, hysterical edibles and drinking stories, and yes - poopy pants in your life right now - this book is it. Colin is all heart, all laughs, and zero ego - and it's one of the best celeb memoirs I've ever read.

Oftentimes we think of memoirs as something to be written by a person who has lived through much in their life, both in years and in substance. This book is a reminder that you can have a lot to talk about even if you haven’t yet reached middle age. Jost has a lot to tell us about his life lived so far, and manages to put a humorous spin on most of it. We get a fun behind the scenes look at his time on SNL as well, and ponderings about what his future may being him. Thanks to Netgalley and Crown Publishing for the chance to read this book.

4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars!

I have read a LOT of memoirs and a fair number of them have been memoirs written by comedians - and real honestly, many of them are kind of ‘meh’ and I just kind of slog through them. Well, I had the complete opposite experience with this one. I was hooked from the very beginning & I had a hard time putting it down each time I picked it up (which is why I ended up reading it so quickly)!

Colin’s memoir is hands-down one of the the funniest memoirs I’ve read - it’s up there with Trevor Noah’s (and Trevor’s is amazing, so that says something) in terms of hilarious storytelling. Usually the beginnings of memoirs (about childhood/young adulthood) are the most boring parts, but Colin’s was far from - honestly, it was just straight up hilarious. At times, it felt like I was reading Weekend Update scripts! I don’t remember the last time I actually laughed out loud when reading a book, but I did MANY times throughout this one.

I love how real Colin Jost is - he seems even more “normal” to me after reading this and I like him even more! (And I already loved Colin! I saw and met him on tour a couple years ago in Minneapolis and he was great!) If you’re looking for a great comedic autobiography, this is a solid choice!

Thank you to Colin Jost, NetGalley, and Crown Publishing (Penguin Random House) for providing me with a copy of the ebook - as well as a hard copy ARC via GoodReads - in exchange for an honest review!

I had high expectations for this one. Collin Jost's stories were funny and fit well together. I do feel like this would be most successful as an audiobook, since there are lots of little interjections and footnotes.

I like funny books (I'm very unique, I know) but don't generally love books from comedians as it often feels like they're trying too hard. Say what you will about Jost, but he was clearly not trying much at all in this book.

And it paid off! I woke up my husband more than once laughing at this absurd book.

Definitely needed a stronger stomach than I expected, but overall this is a strong memoir! Points of hilarity and also some poignant emotions. I honestly didn’t know anything about Colin going into this, especially that he had been with SNL for 15 years! I enjoyed reading about his exploits and misadventures.

Colin Jost is one of my favorite comedians and his memoir was fantastic. It was funny without trying too hard. I was very happy this one lived up to my expectations!

Celebrity memoirs are generally a tough sell for me. The notion that a famous person is going to tell me anything of substance about themselves – particularly in a book – seems unlikely. So often, these books are baldly self-celebratory with nary a hint of genuine introspection.

Colin Jost’s “A Very Punchable Face” isn’t the worst celebrity autobiography you’ll find. Jost, a longtime writer and “Weekend Update” host for “Saturday Night Live,” knows how to write and is unafraid to look foolish – a solid combination for someone presenting a book about their own life. While it might not be as thoughtful or reflective as you might like, Jost does pull back the curtain a little bit, particularly when it comes to his family and his Staten Island roots.

Again, it’s not some sort of soul search, but nor is it merely a wad of rehashed “SNL” backstage anecdotes (though it’s closer to the latter). Instead, we get a pleasant, perfectly cromulent memoir – one that focuses largely on the goofy stories, but still leaves room to talk a little bit about the stuff that matters.

Jost grew up on Staten Island, son of a teacher and a doctor in an Irish Catholic family, part of an extended clan that all lived in the immediate vicinity – many on the same block. He was a bookish kid, ultimately getting a spot at Regis, an elite NYC public high school. His work there led to his acceptance to Harvard, which was where he discovered his passion for comedy writing thanks to a stint at the famed Harvard Lampoon.

Following graduation, we watch Jost’s earnest and painfully naïve attempt to make inroads into the world of television writing (although the truth is that his journey more than made up for its naivete in its brevity – he was still in his early 20s when he first landed at “SNL”). From there, we get an engaging, if surface-level, look behind the scenes at the legendary sketch show; it’s a chance to see at least a little bit of how the sausage is made.

Bouncing back and forth between personal and professional anecdotes, Jost takes a look back, walking us along the path that led him to where he stands now – “SNL” head writer, “Weekend Update” co-anchor, Scarlett Johansson fiancé … and insecure Staten Island kid. These stories paint a picture of the man – a picture that, if we’re honest, in many ways validates the self-deprecating title of the book. His has been a largely charmed existence, but at least he’s somewhat forthcoming about acknowledging it.

“A Very Punchable Face” is a solid read. There are some funny stories, to be sure; hell, there’s an entire chapter devoted to Jost pooping his pants as an adult. How many times? Here’s a hint: More than once! Ask him about hosting the Emmys or his blood feud with Aidy Bryant. Jost does well in capturing some of the day-to-day reality of life as an “SNL” writer; the behind-the-scenes writers’ room stuff is interesting, albeit with a familiar flavor – other books have gone deeper.

And that’s ultimately the biggest issue with the book. It’s not superficiality, per se, but Jost never quite manages to get over the hump and truly let the reader in. There’s a glib remove to it all that undermines its sincerity. Of course, that remove is a foundational part of Jost’s whole comedic sensibility – again, look at the title of the book – so its presence is to be expected. The arms-length detachment is unsurprising, but it would have been nice to get more of a look at the person behind the persona.

That said, the book is actually at its best when Jost steps away from 30 Rockefeller Center. The strength of his connection to his family – and Staten Island in general – is obvious, as is his affection for them (though those hoping for some juicy ScarJo dish will likely walk away disappointed – there’s not much here about Jost’s far more famous fiancée). But even these stories seem to come from a place of wry observation, which occasionally results in a ring of disingenuousness that the stories themselves neither warrant nor deserve.

“A Very Punchable Face” isn’t going to change the celebrity memoir landscape. Jost’s book spends more time skimming the surface than we might like, rarely wading beyond waist-deep waters, but it’s an entertaining enough reading experience. If you’re a fan of Jost or “SNL,” you’ll enjoy yourself; if not, feel free to find someone else whose face you’d like to punch.

A must-read for any SNL lover! Or comedy lover! I am a lifelong SNL fan, and I have always been so interested in and intrigued by the world of comedy, so this was right up my alley! It’s rare for a memoir to make me actually laugh out loud, but Colin Host’s did exactly that. His writing is so smart and so fresh and so hilarious, and his personality leapt off the page. I loved learning about his childhood, his time at Harvard, and the ins and outs of his SNL career, and I laughed so hard at so many of the stories he shared. But where this memoir really shines is in his chapter about his mom and her vital role and general badassery on 9/11. He tells her story with such sincere love and admiration that I found myself tearing up over his words. Such a remarkable woman. This is an brilliantly entertaining memoir that I recommend to anyone who loves SNL or just loves to laugh!

Five Freaking Hilarious Stars *****

This book is funny, ok not just funny but totally hilarious!. I now understand why Colin Jost has been a major contributor to SNL for so long. I loved his sharp wit and snarky humor and you have to admire a guy that isn't afraid to make fun of himself. Colin is intelligent and driven from his apparent humble beginnings at Harvard to his success as head writer for one of the top television shows in history. I appreciated the fact he was and by all accounts is still a major nerd and appears dam proud of this accomplishment. Said nerd has come a long way and we are not just talking about his career. Hello, he is engaged to The Black Widow!

His description of family life and growing up in Staten Island with a predominately Italian population sounded similar to my Italian family. Colin had a strong bond with his family and community and that section of his story was a joy to learn about.

Colin also deeply moved me with his one chapter entitled "Why I Love My Mom". She was the chief medical officer for the entire New York City Fire Department and was there during 9/11. If you only read this one touching and at times heartbreaking section about his mother;s heroism you will have gotten your money's worth on this book purchase. I was crying from Colin's description of her selflessness when faced with almost certain death. This wasn't something I thought I would be reading in book that I thought was going to be solely humorous but it was so incredible and humbling. Thank you Colin for sharing what has to be one of the most traumatic moments of your life.

So if you are wondering, that chapter on his mom is the most sobering part of the story. Be prepared to laugh out loud so hard you will look around to see if anyone is staring at you kind of strange. After binging on this craze fest of all things Colin, I can easily see why SNL has excelled throughout the years. It was so much fun to get a feel of the gargantuan task of putting this show together week after week and the amount of dedication and possible insanity that is required from their writers and actors. Happy Reading and Laughing!

A thoroughly enjoyable book that I absolutely encourage you to read, We all need a laugh these days and I promise this book will deliver. Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. My review was not a requirement. Reviews left with Amazon, Good reads, Book-bub, Barnes and Noble and KOBO.

I love Colin, I love SNL, so of course I loved this book. Colin has a way of feeling so relatable even though zero things about Colin are actually relatable to me. He's funny and has a great voice and the audio experience was perfect.

I have a soft spot for comedian books, but besides that, it was so interesting to learn about Colin's family and his experiences in Staten Island and at Harvard and at SNL.

I will say, the stand out chapter has to be the one about his mom and 9/11. It was not about Colin at all and it had me in tears. I mean, I admire Colin's mom and all I know about her is that one chapter. That has to be the one chapter I won't forget any time soon.