I'm not one to give 5 stars, usually for memoirs. However, this one truly touched me! After laughing, getting choked up with tears and laughing again (millions of times)... Zarna truly stole my heart with this memoir! I feel like I know her so deeply and felt related to the mom level of losing ourselves and getting bored. It was beautiful hearing about how she came to America, but heartbreaking hearing about her hardships as a teen in Mumbai. I loved hearing about her family aspects as her sister and brother truly seem like amazing people! Also, her husband is hilarious. Like they're legit perfect for one another. I love her funny banter. You can just feel her radiance and comedic moments through the words on the page. I giggled so hard while reading this. It made my cheeks hurt! I absolutely loved this! Someday, I hope to see Zarna live, as I know she's even more hilarious during her sets. Thank you for opening the world up to your story and journey. It was beautiful to read! Motivating, uplifting, relatable, and deep moments, but other moments are quite hilarious!

I received this ARC from Random House / Ballantine Books to read/review. All of the statements are my true opinions after fully reading this book.

Zarna Garg is a very funny comedian but someone who tells jokes in front of a live audiance isn't always guaranteed to write a funny memoir. But Zarna is as funny and genuine in print as she is in person. Her life story is incredible and inspiring, suriving the streets of India, finding her way to America, and finding success in the most unexpected way, And boy did she really nail the absurdity of wealthy private schools!

This American Woman: A-One-In-A-Billion Memoir
by Zarna Garg
Pub Date: April 29 2025

One definition of a memoir is “an essay on a learned subject”. This definition fits Zarna Garg’s memoir to a T. She “learned” life through her 50-plus years like no one else.

The need to learn, determination, courage, plus maybe a lot of “grabbing the luck when it crosses your path” frame Zarna’s story as an American Dream come true. Zarna Garg is an everyday Mom transformed from outrageous helicopter parent to star comedian opening for Tina Fey and Amy Poehler and front-lining her own comedy show.

Zarna is brilliantly funny as she holds nothing back in her telling of her days in India, Akron Ohio, New York City, and on the stage. Her life has not been one of a typical Indian woman. She narrowly escapes a badly-matched, arranged marriage by running away to then finding herself living on the streets of Mumbai. Thanks to the kindness of many, she survives to study in the US and becomes an attorney. From there her life takes on many changes that lead her to extreme jobs and crazy career investments to support her family and feed her need to “learn.”

I laughed, I cried and I threw my arms up in victory for Zarna. I am so thrilled that I was asked to read this memoir as I am not sure it would have found its way to my bookshelf. I have recommended it to many friends and my book club. It fed MY need to “learn” in so many ways. I recommend this memoir in celebration of a strong woman fighting for her identify and her right to live her life as she wishes, all while being a near perfect Indian-American Mom.

Five Stars! Available April 29th!

Net Galley and Ballatine Books have provided me with an advanced copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The American Woman: A One-In-A-Billion Memoir by Zarna Garg is hilarious, heart-rending, and honest. (And, I always love a book that will lend itself to using alliteration. You'll hear if you breathe hard when you say honest.) I wasn’t familiar with Zarna—even though she has won awards as a comedienne—but because of the book, I’m now stalking her on social media. If you can make me laugh out loud when I’m reading, then you MUST be even funnier when you’re delivering the material, right? Plus, we have a granddaughter who was born in India, and the culture intrigues me.

I’m always wondering how anyone has enough material to write a memoir. I mean, there are so many memoirs now…Can all these people have lives interesting enough to keep me reading for three hundred pages? Well, I don’t know about all the people, but Zarna does.

You’ll laugh, be inspired by, learn from, root for, be surprised by and admire this middle-aged woman who succeeded by carving out an unconventional and remarkable path.

Thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

I wasn't familiar with who Zarna was before reading this memoir. However, I do enjoy a good memoir and it seemed like one I would enjoy. Zarna's story is one of perseverance, determination, hope and at times just laugh out loud funny. Born in Mumbai, she fled to to the streets at age 14 to avoid being married off by her father. She ultimately finds herself ending up in Akron, Ohio. Her story is extremely inspiring and at times relatable. She's very entertaining and her life story is definitely one that deserves to be shared.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This America Woman by Zarna Garg was a five strar read for me. A memoir of a young woman from Mumbai who. feeling lost after her mother's death, ran away to escape her father's attempts to marry her off to an older man as a young teen. She risked her close sibling relationships and her home only to frequently find herself sleeping on the streets. Sheer determination and her strong outspoken will got her thru, eventually arriving in America to attempt a career as a comedienne This book spoke to me on s0 many levels. Zarna was determined and always spoke her mind. I felt like I was getting some inside info on Indian women's fashion. Her insight into American education was spot on. Maybe we are too soft on our children and that is why so many Asians excel in academics. Her experiences in breaking in to the world of comedy almost felt like a primer that could have been called just be yourself and tell what you know and observe. Zarna could be a role model for many women. Thanks to NetGalley and and Ballantine Books for the opportunity of an Advance Read in return for a review in my own words. #NetGalley

I usually skip memoirs from stand-up comics, but last fall I discovered the author’s hilarious Instagram Reel and couldn't get enough! A few months later, NetGalley offered me an advanced copy of Zarna’s book—how could I resist? Her storytelling feels like a chat between friends. Despite her social media glam, she reveals real struggles with wit that’ll keep you laughing. Whether you're familiar with her or not, this book is sure to brighten your day!

I did not know much about Garg before reading this book and that turned out to be a fine thing. The book gives you a firsthand account of her history and eventual comedy success (down to repeating some of the jokes) so it's easy to follow along.

There is no denying that Garg's story is an outstanding one, from her beginnings in India, to her arrival in American, to some funny stories about being a stay at home mom, and then ending with stories about how she became a stand up. One thing is certain, she knows how to hustle.

The one thing that is weird when stand-ups write memoirs, is (by nature of their profession) people expect their stories to be funny. Honestly, though much of Garg's early history is not funny--more traumatic. She acknowledges this, but doesn't spend too much time sitting in those feelings, instead walking a difficult balance of repeating sad facts, but looking for the funny silver lining in them.

Most of the time, this worked well, but for some stories (like her "spa visit" for her wedding, or some of the stories about her dad or mom) it was a gut punch. I wanted to hug her more than laugh with her since you can see that some of her laughs come from enormous pain.

I'm actually glad I read this book before I'd heard her standup, because ironically, I enjoyed her live a little less than I did on the page (jokes about setting brides on fire will never be funny to me.) But I do acknowledge that she is a force of nature, and I enjoyed her book.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

I had a lovely time reading Zarna Garg's memoir. Her life in India was very interesting to read about. I had the impression that I was reading an excellent work of fiction. It was unbelievable to me how much she endured. Her life in India was also really fascinating to me. Prior to reading this book, I had never heard of Zarna, yet I had already searched social media for her comedic routine before finishing it. What a wonderful woman she is! In my opinion, what truly makes her unique is that she endured a lot, had a family, and didn't discover her calling until she was in her forties. Overall, Zarna's life was fascinating and inspiring, and I look forward to following her career and seeing what she does in the future. This memoir was both entertaining and educational. I learned about schools in New York City and was unaware of the extent of the city's ruthless school system, which I found crazy as a NY state teacher. I also learned about the arranged marriages and Indian marriage ceremonies.

Zarna is hilarious, engaging, and reflective on business and life in this memoir. I loved reading so much about her I didn't know and her perspective (often funny and poignant) on everything from family to growth to business to challenges.

This memoir is fascinating. Zarna Garg tenderly and hilariously tells her story from life as a homeless teen in India to a successful comedian in America. She is funny, smart, and so hardworking. I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it. It feels strange to rate a memoir of somebody’s life, but as far as enjoyment of the writing, I’d give this 4.5 stars.

Thank you to Random House Publishing and Netgalley for the early copy.

Zarna's personal experience is one of perseverance. This is a woman who never gave up. What I liked most was reading about her life and culture growing up in India and her point of view about life in the United States. She was always a person who spoke her mind and did what she wanted to even when it was the harder choice. I was expecting more laughs but most of the humor fell flat for me. I think maybe some of the stand up humor just didn't hit the same when when reading it and perhaps I was not her target audience.

I've been following Zarna for a few years on social and she always always makes me laugh so hard! Her interactions with her kids and her family are hilarious and bring a smile to my face. Her life has been HARD and the way she writes about her family life growing up is moving. She is a big personality and has really come so far from living on the streets in India. I loved this book and would definitely recommend to others!

I started watching Zarna on social media during the pandemic. Her outrageous sense of humor hides the long and difficult journey she's taken to reach this point in her life. Before reading this book, I never knew about her personal struggles from childhood. She deserves every bit of success that comes her way. And I just have to say that Shalabh is the greenest green flag a girl would ever find! You lucked out there, Zarna!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

Thanks for the review copy. This is a very funny comedian. I really enjoyed this memoir. This book is very inspiring.

Zarna Garg is a rising star in the comedy world but has a very unique and super interesting background. We had seen her stand-up routine when she opened for Amy Poehler and Tina Fey and loved her. She is so clever and funny; I would highly recommend reading this book and watching her specials. I would put this book up with the books of those other two ladies and many others I've read. In fact, this book really sets itself apart for being so interested, well-plotted, and well-written. I thought this was fascinating and had a great cover (like, an A+ cover), and I just loved learned about Zarna's life and her personality. This is a fantastic comedy memoir.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy for review.

Zarna is a current day comedian but that is not what she was most of her life. This book follows her from her childhood in India through her journey of motherhood in America to becoming a successful comedian known worldwide. I thought the book was hilarious with Zarnas funny quips throughout. I would definitely recommend.

Zarna Garg's memoir was a really great read. I especially enjoyed reading about her life in India. It felt like I was reading a really good fiction book. I couldn't believe all of the things she went through. I also found her life in India to be incredibly fascinating. I had never heard of Zarna before I read this book and before I finished this book I had already gone on social media to find her comedy routine. She is an incredible woman! What really sets her apart in my mind is that she went through so much, had a family, and did not find her passion until she was in her forties. I find that so inspiring especially because I am in my forties and I can't imagine starting over with my career.

This memoir was entertaining as well as informative. I did not know all that was involved in arranged marriages or India marriage ceremonies. I also learned about schools in New York City. I had no idea just how cutthroat the school system is in the city which was crazy to me because I am a NY state teacher. Overall, Zarna's life was fascinating and inspiring. I look forward to following her career and seeing what she does in the future.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

This book is awesome and I want to buy a physical version once I can as I didn’t realize this had so many images in it. My ereader is a black and white ereader so images do not show up quite the same and it can make it difficult to read novels. I super heavily prefer physical books when there are images in it. That being said, this is an amazing book and I’m incredibly grateful I received a free eARC. This is my honest feedback.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Zarna Garg’s hilarious autobiography, This American Woman. I was lucky enough to see Zarna open for Tina Fey and Amy Poehler on their Restless Leg tour and I was in stitches from the minute that she walked on the stage.

This American Woman tells Zarna’s story from her painful childhood trauma to her present day success story. When Zarna was only fourteen she lost her mother, and her father was ready to arrange a marriage for her immediately afterwards. She protested and her father promptly disowned her, allowing her to live temporarily with friends, family and sometimes on the street. Zarna’s resilience and humor saved her then and continues to save her today.

Her life took a turn for the better when she moved to America with the support and love of her sister and brother in law. With their help, Zarna was able to pursue an education and a career in law. She took out a self-deprecating and hilarious personal ad and met her amazing husband, who may be one of the most incredible spouses in the world. Three brag-worthy kids later, Zarna has earned her place in the world of comedy and deserves every good thing that comes her way.