Have you ever read a book and instantly thought to yourself "I'd like to meet this author?"

That's kind of the experience with Leanne Morgan's "What in the World? A Southern Woman's Guide to Laughing at Life's Unexpected Curveballs and Beautiful Blessings."

"What in the World?" exists squarely within the realm of memoir meets humor, a sort of autobiography sub-genre that seems to invite participation by those in the comedy world. Indeed, that's the case here with Morgan, a late 50's comic who has found her success later in life with her familiar and relatable tales on everything from rebelling against the latest diet trends to dealing with being perimenopausal mean girls to attending rock concerts in her middle age and her lovely yet polar opposite second husband named Chuck.

Morgan isn't quite what we'd consider an "overnight" success, though her early attraction to the lure of Hollywood gave way to the realities of being a sheltered country girl. A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Morgan did the family thing - getting married, moving to Bean Station, TN (really in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains not far from where my father's own family lived), and started raising a family.

It was when she started selling jewelry out of her own home that Morgan began to really develop her comedy voice. These sales gatherings became popular events, Morgan often using the parties to wax humorously about breastfeeding, hemorrhoids, and other maternal tales. When someone laughed to the point of peeing on the couch, Morgan finally figured out she may be on to something.

Indeed, she was.

We discover that relatable and funny "something" in "What in the World?" It's a collection that will tell some familiar stories for Morgan fans while serving as a solid introduction for those less familiar with her internet and stand-up presence. With a 100+ city tour in 2022, The Big Panty Tour, and a 2023 Netflix special, Morgan is defying the odds by becoming a comedy sensation in her 50s with the kids grown and Tennessee still a presence in her life.

"What in the World?" will resonate most completely with those who connect with her "Southern woman" humor and her relatable tales, however, Morgan writes in such a relaxed and comfortable way that she's the kind of author you'll end up wishing you could meet in real life. She's funny, kind, warm, caring, lives in a world in which many of us can identify. While it may sound like she'll primarily appeal to women, and many of her stories will be more relatable for women, Morgan's world is a universal world that should have everyone laughing and everyone completely charmed by one of comedy's rising stars.

I really don’t get how people can give anything below a five star for a book about someone’s experiences. It’s a five for me for two reasons: the first, I feel like I understand my mother a whole lot better. The second, I knew nothing about Leanne Morgan and I am happy I came across this book. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC copy of the book.

Leanne Morgan's book is an absolute riot, delivering the same level of side-splitting humor you'd expect from her on stage. I laughed until tears streamed down my face numerous times throughout the read. It's like having Leanne herself narrate the book in your head!

What makes this book truly special is the peek into Leanne's life and how she got her start into the world of comedy. Her journey through motherhood is incredibly relatable, hitting close to home for anyone who's navigated the joys and chaos of parenting.

With its perfect blend of humor and heart, this book is more than just entertainment—it's a heartfelt gift waiting to be shared. Whether it's your mom, mother-in-law, or bestie who loves a good laugh, they're sure to adore this hilarious journey through the ups and downs of motherhood. So grab a copy, settle in, and get ready to laugh your socks off!

I coincidentally was approved for this book the night before I got to see Leanne Morgan give the keynote at the Texas Library Association's annual conference. The keynote and the book are hilarious, relatable, and a quick read. The cover is gorgeous and the content will have you chuckling until the end.

WHAT IN THE WORLD?! I don’t like to give ratings for memoirs. But, I will say I really enjoyed this quick read by Leanne Morgan. I listened to her on a podcast before, and found her comedy really relatable, charming and just fucking funny.
As a mom, wife, and someone always trying to fill a void of what’s next, I found this book really refreshing. Her story will make you laugh with her wit. A quick read that will put family and the simple things into perspective. I really enjoyed it!

I received a free copy of, What in the World?!, by Leanne Morgan, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I have never heard of Leanne Morgan, before I read her book. Leanne keeps it real, and tells it to you straight. I enjoyed reading about Mrs. Morgan.

You may know who Leanne Morgan or you may not but I'm sure you seen some of her YouTube clips talking about her family. She draws humor from the everyday minutia of family life. And she holds nothing back. She talks about her body in a way that many women of a certain age can relate to and even laugh about. She raised her family and collected many stories to share. She grew up in a rural area of Tennessee to hard working parents. She shares stories from her youth and even shared many of the mistakes she made along the way. She loves her husband Chuck even though there are days she would love to kill him. Who can't relate to that. She raised three kids but her love for her grandchildren rises above the love of her children. Read this book. You will laugh, yes you might even shed a tear or two but you will defiantly will be able to relate to the stories she shares.

Love Leanne Morgan. Knew I’d love her book. Excellent.
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

What in the World?! is just as precious, darling and yummy as Leanne Morgan herself! Loved it. Leanne Morgan shares her life story, with all its flaws, in a humorous and loving way.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC for an honest review.

Thank you #Netgalley for this advanced copy!

I was recently introduced to Leanne's comedy via the Jeff Lewis Live sirius XM show and thought she and her daughter were so funny! The book provides us insight into her coming of age story and how she got to where she is now. I was laughing out loud when she would talk about her parents and their butchering company on their property and how she smelled like meat at school. There were so many laugh out loud moments. Happy to really see her out there more after all the struggles and covid pausing things, great read! Next time I would recommend reading via audiobook as I am sure it would hilarious hearing it straight from her voice.

This book is as warm and friendly as you would want Leanne Morgan to be. The comedian details her life story and if you, like me, love her stand up, you'll recognize some of them. (My favorite is the one about going to a rock concert.) The book is enjoyable with some life lessons thrown in, and you're sure to choke up when you read the story of the Christmas star. The book is a must-read for the millions of Morgan's fans. I read a digital copy of the book, but I'll bet the audiobook will be even better with Morgan's delivery and her distinctive accent. That just means that I'll get to experience the book all over again when I get the audio.

What in the World?! by Leanne Morgan was a shot in the dark for me as, admittedly, I had never heard of the author, nor was I familiar with her comedy. But only a few pages in, I could sense that Leanne is someone who is sharp, witty, and immensely relatable. The style of her narrative is conversational, and almost immediately you feel as if you are chatting with a close friend who has warmly taken you into her confidence. Ms Morgan's current success seems well-deserved, and I am currently seeking out her Netflix comedy special. Whether you are familiar with Leanne or, like me, have been living under a rock, this one is definitely worth picking up. It will leave you smiling.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Convergent Books for an ARC.

Just finished the advanced copy of Leanne Morgan’s book, WHAT IN THE WORLD?! She is just so genuine and funny. She’s also “clean” funny, which kept her out of certain comedy clubs during her career, but I’m glad that she stayed true to herself and God has blessed her because of it. In this book she talks about her faith and how things didn’t work out early in her career but social media helped her blow up at just the right time - right after her kids left home. If you have an opportunity to see her live, you have to go!

I didn't realize I was familiar with Leanne Morgan until I looked for her on Dry Bar and realized I'd enjoyed her sketches many times! It was even more interesting, however, to read the stories behind the comedy. After reading, and laughing my way through, this book, I had to go back and rewatch the full episodes, and they were so much richer! Not just for southern women, she connects with moms from all over the country....all the rough patches, the hard times, the midnight struggles, and the joys, too. But the comedy resides within those dark moments that we survive and overcome, joining a motherhood sorority. This would make a fantastic book club read!

If you are not yet familiar with Leanne Morgan, scurry your precious little thumbs over to any social media platform and watch her. But definitely do it on a thoroughly empty bladder and take off your mascara, because it will be streaking across your darling little face, anyway. Also, I recommend watching in the privacy of your own home, because people tend to look at you askance when you snort laugh in public. Or do it in public because you are middle aged and have figured out God and your husband are the only ones whose judgement matters. That is just how I roll.

Now, I could have suggested you go straight into the book, but I cannot even imagine tackling it without having her Appalachian drawl in my head the whole time. I have read this book cover to cover and, so help me, I will snatch up the audiobook like a deviant possum if she narrates it. (The deviant possum is a real story from my own life. You can ask my momma.) I have no love for memoirs, but Leanne tells her life story with her signature wit, from growing up with her loving and hardworking family in small town East Tennessee to the less than stellar decisions of young adulthood. We tromp alongside as she says yes to Chuck, who we’ve heard stories on for years, and raises their three children while trying to find herself. And giving God the glory. Plan ahead and bring the tissues, because I snort laughed and ugly cried all the way from cover to cover. I personally recommend reading this one with your book club. That way you can snort laugh and ugly cry all over again when you discuss it with your people.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine.

Prepare to fall in love with wonderfully witty Leanne Morgan. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed her Netflix special and online stand up clips laughing so hard tears streamed down my face. This heartfelt memoir gave me a glimpse of her sweet soul full of love for her family and life. I’ll probably never get to meet her in real life, but after reading her memoir she feels like a friend. I sure hope lots of readers pick up this book and make it a bestseller. NetGalley allowed me to read this advanced copy, but I look forward to listening to her audio version when it’s published. Leanne has one of the best Southern accents I’ve ever heard!

Thanks to NetGalley and Convergent Books for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of What in the World?! by Leanne Morgan due to be published September 24, 2024.
Leanne Morgan grew up the daughter of a butcher in Adams, Tennessee, where at the early age of five entertained customers who came in the store with her wit. What in the World tells Leanne’s story of growing up, marrying, selling jewelry at house parties, and how she came to be a stand-up comedian defying the odds.
I found Leanne Morgan on Facebook first then watched her Netflix special. She is every woman’s woman. Her humor hits home with any woman who has ever gone through menopause, married, had kids, or worn “big girl panties”.
Leanne is so down to earth that all women (my husband likes her, too) can relate to her and her humor. All she has to do is tell stories of her life in her cute Tennessee accent and she makes us laugh.
I was so glad to learn more about the woman that made me love her even more. If you laughed out loud at her TV special – her book will do that, too! I absolutely LOVED it!
#NetGalley #LeanneMorgan #ConvergentBooks #WhatInTheWorld

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This was a cute, funny, and charming book, I kinda wanna be Leanne's best friend now.

This was such a fun, cute reading experience. I love Leanne's standup, and it felt like she was just performing a show the whole time I was reading. I enjoyed this as I find her storytelling so funny and engaging. If you just want a funny, feel good reading escape for a little bit I recommend this one.