I was introduced to Danny through Bravo and he seems like such a funny, likeable guy. That definitely comes through in this book, a lighthearted read with short stories. His Kohl’s cash reference really made me giggle. This would be a good book to squeeze in after a heavy read!

Wow, WOW, this is such a gem. I absolutely enjoyed every chapter of this book, Danny has a way of writing that makes you laugh out loud while reading. The way he tells stories makes you feel like you are there and seeing it happen. His way of mixing in pop culture to literally every story made me think to myself multiple times “Who thinks of stuff like this?” He is top tier hilarious and will have you laughing the whole time. Before reading this book I would say I was a light fan, I knew who he was and thought the clips of his podcast I’ve seen were funny, but hadn’t followed him too closely. Well now I can say I’m pretty much in love with him (platonically) and will be auto buying any book he ever writes in the future. I am also going to start listening to his podcast as far back as I can. Danny is sensitive and real, but also unbelievably funny. I recommend this book to everyone, it will have you laughing from the intro all the way to the acknowledgments.

I enjoyed this funny collection of short essays. It was a nice read before bed. I wasn't familiar with Pellegrino's podcast prior to reading, but after enjoying this I will probably check out the podcast.

This book was a joy to read. Riotous, amusing, heartfelt, honest, poignant and so much more. This is a series of short stories in which we get an insiders view of the authors life experience thus far. This book is a gift to any and everyone who has felt unheard, unloved, uncomfortable in their own skin, home, community or life. Following along with his evolution from boyhood to the tremendously smart, gifted man he has become and is still doing was a fantastic experience. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to this book. Its eye opening and written with so much heart. There isa part of me that thinks that people who do not support the LGBTQ+ community might gain the most from this book. To read the impact that their hatred and bigotry impacts a real person and just just the concept of one might open just one heart.

This was so funny. I love Danny Pellegrino and this book proves why. He is too funny and I actually think he is an excellent writer!!

I had never listened with any regularity to Pellegrino's podcast, but after reading this I will. I found this memoir an easy and enjoyable romp through the life of Danny Pellegrino. His stories of his childhood in Ohio resonated with me, growing up in Upstate New York. I found the memoir relatable, and the narrator empathetic and fully realized. I enjoyed his pop culture references that really helped to take me back to the time of his writing. I would recommend this to anyone looking for an enjoyable and quick read. You don't have to know anything about Pellegrino before reading this. His voice comes through loud and clear in this memoir!

I loved this memoir! Danny was real, funny, and charming in his writing. I loved the way he jumped around with timelines, not starting with all childhood but interspersed his older ages with his childhood times. His family stories were especially funny and it was also heartwarming yet sad to read his middle school and high school times when he was teased by other kids. Great writing, great stories

I've been a huge fan of Pellegrino's for a while now - his Instagram and appearances on Bravo's "Watch What Happens Live" are everything! This book is definitely a reflection of his wonderful humor and his devotion to QILs (Queens, Icons, Legends).

I absolutely adored the many pop culture references and specific diatribes to some of Pellegrino's favorite people (everyone from Judy Garland to Jessica Simpson). My fave chapter (and one I hilariously related to) was when the movie "Judy" came out and Pellegrino's boyfriend bet him he couldn't pass one night without bringing it up. Of course, I love any true JG devotee, and the retelling of this night was too funny.

Pellegrino also shares a lot of his childhood memories growing up in Ohio. I loved a lot of the TV/movie/music references because we're the same age, and I thought it was great that he was able to include some of his experiences growing up closeted and insecure. I also have to commend him for including a section of the book about his struggles with depression and anxiety (also something I can unfortunately relate to). But, out of all the topics, I think this book really came alive when Pellegrino could expound on his favorite entertainment topics and really show off his knowledge/obsessions - I would read another book of his solely on these subjects.

The book didn't 100 percent capture his voice for me - since watching/listening to him often has me LOLing. But I was happy to be able to take a trip inside his zany, brilliant mind for a bit!

This book by Danny Pellegrino gave me David Sedaris vibes and I’m not sure what compliment could be greater than that. I’m a big fan of Danny’s podcast, Everything Iconic, especially when he throws in personal tidbits from his life, so having a whole book full of them was a delightful read.

Each chapter is a mini story in itself. One of my favorites focuses on adolescent sleepovers and how Danny would always be the one hanging with the moms, lending an ear. Also really enjoyed how he injected a dose of seriousness here and there. I thought it was very brave for him to so vividly describe his depression and how it ebbs and flows, something anyone with depression can relate to and take comfort in, knowing someone else is having a similar experience.

A great read. Super thankful to have been given a galley of this one. Can’t wait for his next!

This was profound book. The range of emotions I went through reading this. Sadness, happy, angry. Danny had a knack of going from something cheeky and fun to something serious and heartbreaking. I kept reading out parts to my fiancé and saying how profound it was. Oh gosh the nostalgia in this book! Danny spoke about bands I loved, films and sex and the city. He even mentioned a film I’d just that night finished watching - what’s the chances? I loved this book. It had me laughing out loud, giggling to myself. Then moments I wanted to reach out and take his pain away. This deserves the 5 stars and more. Hope there’s more books to come from Danny.

Thanks goes to the author for writing the book. And net galley and the publishers for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

The tone of How Do I Un-Remember This is comedic and hopeful, giving me a lot of good vibes. The stories were bizarre, funny, and painful to read. I enjoy reading memoirs because they give insights into other people's lives in a way that nothing else does.

Unfortunately, most of the references went over my head. I got some of the pop culture references that are widely known on the internet, but I could tell that I was reading about someone older than me and interested in very different shows than I am. I'm sure there are a great many people out there who will totally understand, I'm just not one of them.

It was difficult to navigate all the "tangent" sections. I had to skip a few, or else I wouldn't have gotten to the end. I understand why they are there, but my ADHD couldn't handle being sidetracked.

It was an enjoyable memoir with good messages. I felt warm and happy afterwards. I hope that the people that will be entertained by this memoir find it and enjoy it! It was worth the read.

I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of this gem and to say I was fangirling was an understatement. I was introduced to Mr. Danny Pellegrino by my fellow Bravo obsessed cousin who told me I just had to listen to his podcast. I was immediately hooked. When he mentioned he was releasing a book I was so excited. Being a fan of his podcast, Everything Iconic, where we are constantly laughing and getting glimpses into his life this book takes you on a deeper journey into who he is and how this version of him that we know and love came into existence. After reading I am even more a fan of Mr. Pellegrino. He made me laugh and at times cry reading the stories he shares with us of his childhood. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with us. This is an absolute must read!!

“How Do I U-Remember This?: Unfortunately True Stories” (2022) is a zany entertaining mix of memoir and pop culture by author/comedian Danny Pellegrino, the podcast host of “Everything Iconic With Danny Pellegrino”—who has interviewed numerous celebrities from Katie Couric, Andy Cohen, Daniel Levy, to Cameron Diaz, Rosie O’Donnell and the spectacular Miss Piggy! Danny is from Salon Ohio, and is a graduate from Kent State University. This is his third book.

When the family vacation and quest for excitement extended beyond small town Ohio to Florida, the Pellegrino’s took full advantage of an Orlando area Time Share presentation offered from an assisted living facility. The comp tickets given funded the family trip to Disney World. Danny always related to music, movies, and magazines to help him find acceptance, meaning, and understanding as a gay teen. The first time he was outed was in the bedroom of one of his childhood friends. When her father expressed disapproval of her having a boy in her room, she told him that it was totally ok—because, well, “Danny was gay!” Danny immediately fled the scene in tears on his bicycle, and went home.
As huge fan of Reality TV, Danny loved the Newlyweds Nick and Jessica (2003-05) and the couple seemed “like a match made in heaven”. Despite evidence to the contrary, Danny was convinced that the man he saw breaking into his car from the passenger side was trying to steal his yellow “Jessica Simpson shawl” even his boyfriend could not dissuade him from his line of reasoning. Danny loved 1990’s-2000’s pop culture, the music of Boyz II Men, the Back Street Boys, the Pussycat Dolls, to the fun and glamour of the girl group type music of “Queen” Jessica Simpson, Britney Spears, Mandy Moore, Kelly Clarkson etc. A special chapter was included on Martin Short “Franck Eggelhoffer” and his love for Fran Drescher’s “The Nanny” and so much more.

This is really a fun read, as readers see Danny evolve into his celebrity. Danny also admitted he found both romance and sexuality (somewhat) “loathsome” though with the legality of gay marriage on June 25, 2015, he and his boyfriend remain in a committed relationship and have exchanged rings. Danny also writes candidly about how much easier it is today for LGBTQ people to come out of the closet than it was when he was younger, and the challenges he faced with anxiety, panic attacks, and depressive symptoms; though it is clear for him at least, that comedy and laughter might be the best medicine.
**With thanks to Sourcebooks via NetGalley for the DDC for the purpose of review.

Thank you to the author, Sourcebooks and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Since I had no idea what Danny Pellegrino's claim to fame was, and I don't watch reality TV - nor am I particularly conversant with 90s pop culture - this book was not a good fit for me. So why on earth did I request an ARC? I enjoy reading memoirs, and grew up in the midwest USA and escaped too (just not to Hollywood), so parts of Danny's story resonated, and he writes with warmth and humor. However, much of the book was so far off my radar that reading it was a chore. However, I am sure readers that enjoy reality and talk TV, and pop culture, will like this book.

I’m such a big fan of Danny Pellegrino’s podcast, Everything Iconic! Not a week goes by that I don’t listen to his take on my favorite Bravo shows, my most non-guilty pleasure! Danny has such a fun way of telling stories and I always relate to him in some way. We both grew up in small towns back east so when he references his childhood or teens, I can put myself back in NJ. We are also both writers who live in southern California so we are basically twins. He’s also got a great sense of humor and will get sidetracked with memories from the 80s/90s which always make me laugh.

I was super excited to get an advanced copy of How Do I Un-Remember This? This was a humorous read, filled with stories that make you laugh and /or cringe! Some of the stories I remember from the podcast, some were new. This was a super quick read for me, it flowed well and was so entertaining! I loved it.

SYNOPSIS:

Think of the most embarrassing thing that’s every happened to you. Was it the time your high school cheer squad taunted you in front of the entire town? Was it the time your best friend’s mom caught you streaking in all your naked, self-conscious glory? What about the time you accidentally threw a tooth at your dry cleaner or took an urn into Kohl’s for some holiday shopping?

For Danny Pellegrino, the answer is all of the above.

Growing up as a closeted gay kid in small-town Ohio wasn’t easy, and Danny has the stories to prove it. But coming of age in the 90s still meant something magical to Danny. The music, film, and celebrity moments of his youth were truly iconic, and his love for all things pop culture connected him to a world larger than the one he knew in the suburban Midwest. And through all the pains of growing up, Danny could always look to that world for hope—whether that meant bingeing The Nanny until he had the confidence of Fran Fine, belting out Brandy songs until his heartaches were healed, or watching semi-clothed Ryan Phillippe scenes until his cheeks burned from blushing.

I think I'd have enjoyed this a lot more if I knew who Pelegrino was because whilst I liked this I felt like I was missing something.
This was entertaining and interesting and a fun quick read. The stories were fun and somehow relatable.
I'm definitely checking his work as a comedian afterwards.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

A delight of a book :) Danny is one of my favorite podcasters ever, and I was so excited to get my hands on his debut collection of essays. As you would expect if you've ever listened to or watched one of his podcast episodes, this book was filled to the brim with humor and pop culture references. Danny is probably the only person I know who could dedicate a whole chapter to Jessica Simpson's yellow shawl from Newlyweds.

What separates the book from his podcast is that he also touches on some more serious topics as well. Interspersed with many very funny stories, Danny addresses his coming out journey, struggling to fit in growing up, death of a beloved grandparent, his experience being in Las Vegas during the horrifying mass shooting in 2017 (chapter titled "Magic Mike"), and his own mental health struggles --particularly zeroing in on when he was at his lowest point (chapter titled "Sun Will Rise").

My favorite quote from the book: "It's hard to un-remember the bad in life, but the sun will always rise to remind us that new memories start with the shine of the morning rays and continue through the dusk."

Thank you to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the advance copy! <3 How Do I Un-Remember This? will be released on March 8, 2022.

A quick, fun read! Fans of Bravo shows and 90s rom-coms will enjoy this book. The fact that Danny sent a gif of Teresa Giudice’s infamous table flip after a horrible date made me love him more than I already did!

Thank you NetGalley, Sourcebooks, and Danny Pellegrino for my gifted advanced digital copy of How Do I Un-Remember This? Unfortunately True Stories. I was thrilled to get my eyes on this book (and share my honest review) before my pre-ordered hard copy arrives on publication day.

Danny Pellegrino's personal essay collection is pure joy for readers who love 90s/00s pop culture nostalgia. Obscure blast-from-the-past references abound, ranging from Coyote Ugly and Netscape Navigator to Lady Marmalade and Jessica Simpson's iconic yellow knit shawl. The mention of these inane shared cultural touchstones kept me laughing while I learned about Danny's upbringing as a closeted gay kid in Ohio, The stories are all heartfelt, touching on themes of family, friendship, grief, mental health, coming of age, coming out of the closet, and so much more, Whether or not you listen to the author's hit podcast Everything Iconic, you can easily hear his humor and charm shining through every sentence on the page. I'm sure the audiobook will be great, too. Danny's trademark "Detours" are so funny and touching. These are the times he hits pause on the main narrative and takes the reader on a little journey through a (usually) silly tangent before veering back to what he was originally saying. My favorite chapters are about his wacky family road trip to Disney World and his brave, frank examination of a severe depressive episode that he thankfully survived. That's the magic of this book and Danny Pellegrino - he can go deep, light, around a corner and back again, all with a confident, cohesive voice that could only belong to him.

Thank you so much NetGalley, Danny Pellegrino & Sourcebook for an advance copy of this!

I have been a fan of Danny Pellegrino for many years. I actually was planning on seeing & meeting him on his "Everything Iconic" Tour when it came through Philadelphia in of March 2020. My date was March 25th and as you know approx 10 days prior the world shut down. So I hope to one day get to see him again when it is safe to do so.

He always unlocks memories from my childhood in his posts and his Bravo related memes just always make me laugh. Then listening to him on his podcast, I felt so connected with him and his stories so when he announced that he was writing a book, it felt like the perfect match.

My husband can attest to this that I would be reading this book at night in bed and I would have tears in my eyes from laughing so hard at the stories.

The collection of short stories range from pop culture moments (the chapter on Jessica Simpson's yellow shawl had me in tears) to personal stories involving his family members (including memorable trip to Disney World and Kohls).

One of the stories was likely Danny's most personal item to write - in "Sun Will Rise" he documents the time when he was at his lowest point and was severely depressed. He had gone to Disneyland and in the photos; you could not tell that he was broken inside. I am so thankful that he is still here and shared his story.
The chapter that I resonated with on a person level fell under "A Star Is...in the Theater?" After sharing a story where he thought his boyfriend surprised him with a happy birthday greeting from celebs, he went on to talk about feeling if he has done enough with his life. I am approaching 35 which some could say is "midlife" and I question many things. I am not near where I thought I would be by now and with social media it is hard not to compare where you are to where someone else you know is. This is a rather long quote but it really was poignant to me:

"I spend the days and week before wondering if I’m metaphorically behind in life. Did I accomplish all the things I wanted to by the age I’m at? No. Is my life set up the way I hoped it would be by this age? Never. Sometimes I feel like Super Mario in one of the water levels, frantically paddling through, dodging the devil fish and occasionally gasping for air. I’m sure everyone feels this way, but looking around in your thirties and seeing old friends and family on social media with their fancy houses and babies, it’s hard not to feel less than. Less than because I don’t own a house, less than because I have no kids, and less than because I don’t have abs. I feel judged by my peers, and all the while I’m scrolling IG and judging the celebrities on my feed with a leftover Roadside Slider from the Cheesecake Factory in my free hand. It’s a vicious circle of judgement."
I just loved everything about this book & I have not laughed this hard in so long and especially have never read anything so funny. So thank you Danny for the belly laughs.

I am so proud to be a fan of Danny's and I cannot wait to see what other goals he crosses off his list.
Also how can you not be mad when he had a whole acknowledgment section dedicated to his favorite day time hosts including STICK STICKLEY! What an icon!