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Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin [Hardcover]

Kathy Griffin
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (278 customer reviews)


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Book Description

September 8, 2009

Official Book Club Selection is Kathy Griffin unplugged, uncensored, and unafraid to dish about what really happens on the road, away from the cameras, and at the star party after the show. (It's also her big chance to score that coveted book club endorsement she's always wanted. Are you there, Oprah? It's me, Kathy.)

Kathy Griffin has won Emmys for her reality show Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, been nominated for a Grammy, worked and walked every red carpet known to man, and rung in the New Year with Anderson Cooper. But the legions of fans who pack Kathy's sold-out comedy shows have heard only part of her remarkable story. Writing with her trademark wit, the feisty comic settles a few old scores, celebrates the friends and mentors who helped her claw her way to the top, and shares insider gossip about celebrity behavior–the good, the bad, and the very ugly. She recounts the crazy ups and downs of her own career and introduces us to some of the supertalented people she encountered before they got famous (or, in some cases, after fame went to their heads). Word to the wise: If you've ever crossed Kathy Griffin at some point in your life, check the index for your name.

Along the way, Kathy reveals intimate details about her life before and after she made the big time. She opens up about everything from growing up with a dysfunctional family in suburban Illinois to bombing as a young comedian in L.A., from her well-publicized plastic surgery disasters to her highly publicized divorce, and more. Only in this book will you learn how the dinner table is the best training ground for a career in stand-up, how speaking your mind can bite you on the ass and buy you a house, and which people in Kathy's life have taught her the most valuable lessons–both inside and outside the entertainment industry. And as if all that wasn't enough, there are also dozens of exclusive and somewhat embarrassing photos from Kathy's own collection–featuring the diva of the D List herself, with her old nose as well as her new one, plus celebrity friends, foes, frenemies, and hangers-on for you to gawk at.

Refreshingly candid, unflinchingly honest, and full of hilarious "Did she really say that?" moments, Official Book Club Selection will make you laugh until you cry, or just puke up a little bit.


--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.


Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Book Description
Official Book Club Selection is Kathy Griffin unplugged, uncensored, and unafraid to dish about what really happens on the road, away from the cameras, and at the star party after the show. (It’s also her big chance to score that coveted book club endorsement she’s always wanted. Are you there, Oprah? It’s me, Kathy.)

Kathy Griffin has won Emmys for her reality show Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, been nominated for a Grammy, worked and walked every red carpet known to man, and rung in the New Year with Anderson Cooper. But the legions of fans who pack Kathy’s sold-out comedy shows have heard only part of her remarkable story. Writing with her trademark wit, the feisty comic settles a few old scores, celebrates the friends and mentors who helped her claw her way to the top, and shares insider gossip about celebrity behavior—the good, the bad, and the very ugly. She recounts the crazy ups and downs of her own career and introduces us to some of the supertalented people she encountered before they got famous (or, in some cases, after fame went to their heads). Word to the wise: If you’ve ever crossed Kathy Griffin at some point in your life, check the index for your name.

Along the way, Kathy reveals intimate details about her life before and after she made the big time. She opens up about everything from growing up with a dysfunctional family in suburban Illinois to bombing as a young comedian in L.A., from her well-publicized plastic surgery disasters to her highly publicized divorce, and more. Only in this book will you learn how the dinner table is the best training ground for a career in stand-up, how speaking your mind can bite you on the ass and buy you a house, and which people in Kathy’s life have taught her the most valuable lessons—both inside and outside the entertainment industry.

Refreshingly candid, unflinchingly honest, and full of hilarious “Did she really say that?” moments, Official Book Club Selection will make you laugh until you cry, or just puke up a little bit.

Review

"With a foreword begging Oprah to be on her show and a chapter called ''Brooke Shields, Don't Read This,'' Kathy Griffin's autobiography, Official Book Club Selection, is everything you'd expect. What makes it a terrific read, though, is all the stuff you wouldn't expect: binge eating (her own, not Paula Abdul's); her conviction that her late brother was a child molester; and her unflinching accounts of her plastic surgery and her divorce. Whether or not you're a fan, you'll respect her tenacity, work ethic, and loyalty to her parents. And if you are a fan of Griffin's celeb-tastic stand-up, skip to chapter 8, which should be called ''Helen Hunt, Thomas Haden Church, and Ellen DeGeneres, Don't Read This.'' Everyone else, dive in. A–"—Entertainment Weekly

"Funny, honest, and refreshingly unsentimental.  Griffin embraces Michael Corleone's mantra with a vengeance: All business is personal."  - NY POST

"You feel as if Griffin is in the room with you, excitedly gesturing as she recounts a story [and] that's the beauty of Official Book Club Selection—Griffin has been made a fool countless times in her career and her willingness to share those lumps, which, face it, you'll never read in some Oscar-winning A-lister's autobiography, endears her tremendously."—Richmond Times Dispatch

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 368 pages
  • Publisher: Ballantine Books; First Edition edition (September 8, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0345518519
  • ISBN-13: 978-0345518514
  • Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 1.1 x 8.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (278 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #284,412 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kathy Griffin, a multi--Emmy Award--winning and Grammy-nominated comedian and actress, is best known for her Bravo television reality show Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, her multiple stand-up comedy specials on HBO, Comedy Central, and Bravo, and her four-year stint on the NBC sitcom Suddenly Susan. She has hosted several award shows and appeared on numerous talk shows including Late Night with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and The View. She has been nominated for a Grammy for her comedy CD, For Your Consideration, and performs to sold-out audiences at venues worldwide.


Customer Reviews

I'm a huge Kathy Griffin fan, so I expected I would love her book. Saintseattle  |  73 reviewers made a similar statement
The way it was writen is just like the way she talks, it was a easy read and I really got to know her. Cheryl Baumann  |  63 reviewers made a similar statement
I thought the topics were interesting, funny, touching and just very entertaining. Trista  |  59 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
54 of 56 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!!! I bought the book and audio version September 10, 2009
Format:Hardcover
Well, I bought Kathy's book yesterday and I stayed up all night reading it. Yes, I am a big fan of hers and so perhaps I am a little biased but why would you even be looking at this book if you weren't a fan of hers?

She successfully walks the line between serious autobiography and comedic book. Parts of it will rip your heart out while others will make you laugh out loud. I can't say that I love her more now than I did before but I do understand her a bit more. I can't wait to see her live again.

Since she talks so much in her act about her celebrity encounters don't expect any amazing revelations there. There were a few new stories (Steve Martin etc.) but for the most part it really chronicles her entire life and career and shows how hard she worked and the insanity she put up with to get to where she is now. Great stories about her early years with the Groundlings and her friends Phil Hartman, Jon Lovitz, Lisa Kudrow, Julia Sweeney, Jeaneane Garofolo, Margaret Cho and more. You are going to learn where and why she has the work ethic that she does. She never sold out, she did do it all her way.

I loved the book, like I said I read it in about 6 hours cover to cover. My only complaint is that there were no color pictures in the book like most typical biographies.

Also as an ex Los Angelino is was nice to hear her talking about my old stomping in grounds in West Hollywood and her adventures there. I also jumped on the back of a bike at the Carl's Jr on La Brea and Santa Monica OMG!!! Wonder if we banged the same guy!! HAH!!

BUY THE BOOK!!!
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27 of 29 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Good book for fans of KG; Runs out of steam near the end September 21, 2009
Format:Kindle Edition
According to Kathy Griffin, I must be a minority in her fan base, as I'm a straight, married man. Despite this handicap, I've been a fan of My Life on the D List, and Kathy Griffin, since the first season.

Official Book Club Selection is definitely for fans of KG. If you've never seen the show, or are familiar with Kathy, then you'll probably feel lost reading it. But, if you are a fan, there's a lot to like about the book.

One of the things that I admire about Kathy is that she doesn't pull any punches. Her life is out there for all to see, she seems like she'd be fun to hang out with, and she's genuinely funny. The book, (even more than the show), is an inside look at what makes Kathy, uh, Kathy. She writes about growing up Griffin, about the criticisms and closed doors that she faced in Hollywood, about finding, and then losing, love, and about getting the recognition that she has craved, (and deserves), in Hollywood. Hollywood is so full of talent-less, "beautiful people," that it's nice to see someone real make it. And she definitely paid her dues along the way.

The only parts of the book that disappointed me were the last two chapters. One is supposedly re-printing email exchanges with Steve Wozniak, and the other is about Kathy's day with Paris Hilton, and how she's now labeled as having a "bangin' bikini bod." The Wozniak chapter was just lame and the Hilton chapter felt rushed.

To recap, if you're a fan of Kathy Griffin, you'll dig the book. If not, you probably want to skip it and read Oprah's book of the month instead.
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24 of 28 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Better Red(head) than Dead September 23, 2009
Format:Hardcover
For anyone unfamiliar with Kathy Griffin, I say check this book out right now! She has a caustic style of humor that is just raw enough for these stressful, serious times (and she gets bonus points for her socio-political stance). Like a cross between a young Joan Rivers and a chihuahua hopped up on Ritalin, Griffin hammers at everything sacred, cool, or trendy in a way that makes you think long and hard while you laugh out loud. Seriously, this book made me laugh until I peed my pants. I'm putting it on my "favorites" shelf alongside David Sadaris Talk Pretty Me Talk Pretty One Day, the Twilight series, and Chelsea Goldstein's hit new book Hook-up Chronicles Hook-Up Chronicles. I've followed Kathy Griffin since I saw the movie Shakes the Clown Shakes the Clown, and I've been laughing ever since.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars great buy
love kathy griffin! Funny and gives you more insight to who she is! Must read for a kathy fan! Must buy!
Published 4 hours ago by buyerleo
4.0 out of 5 stars worth reading...if you don't have a problem with foul language
I gave this a four star only because it felt good to not show how much I really loved it. I learned from KG to be controversial and giving it 4 stars rather than 5 is out of my... Read more
Published 8 days ago by Harry
4.0 out of 5 stars great read
love love love Kathy. so it was a natural read for me. shes hilarious. nothing to serious always light. Good stuff.
Published 14 days ago by Beth Cook
5.0 out of 5 stars A Funny & Memorable Memoir
If you are a fan of Kathy Griffin, you will love the book. Count me in. I read this cover to cover in one sitting. It is an easy and entertaining read. Read more
Published 21 days ago by ladygodiving
4.0 out of 5 stars Funny but also
I bought this book because she makes me laugh. Kathy Griffin depicts her life with humor and truthfulness about the struggle she encountered in her personal and professional life. Read more
Published 24 days ago by Ralph
4.0 out of 5 stars Lots of Fun!
Kathy's wit and bluntness make her life story as hilarious as ever! She always makes me laugh after a tough day.
Published 29 days ago by Steven K. Murphy
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
I love her and would recommend this to any fan of hers.
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Published 1 month ago by llamaddrama
2.0 out of 5 stars More attention seeking
I used to be a huge Kathy Griffin fan but she's getting desperate. This book is really more of an indication of how far she has fallen. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Andrew Dio Drake
5.0 out of 5 stars Kathy rules
If you love Kathy, get this book. If you are already a fan, you won't hesitate. She tells it like it is, and the laughs don't stop!!!
Published 1 month ago by RobinGK
5.0 out of 5 stars HYSTERICAL AND INSIGHTFUL
LOVE KATHY GRIFFIN SO IF YOU'RE A FAN IT WON'T DISAPPOINT, BUT WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED TO GET SUCH AN INSIGHT INTO HER PERSONAL LIFE. Read more
Published 1 month ago by JOCELYN HENRIQUEZ
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chapters Be the first to reply
Titles of the tracks? Be the first to reply
And Here's the Kicker: Conversations with 21 Top Humor Writers: THE... Be the first to reply
how "abridged" IS it?
It's a pretty good abridgement, when they go in and edit out adverbs rather than just take out chunks. It's 6 1/2 hours and really badly abridged books are like 2 hours. And nothing is left out, just some is condensed. I recommend it highly, well of course I do because I love Kathy. I have the... Read more
Sep 15, 2009 by sophieinwonderland |  See all 11 posts
Is this audio book cd read by Kathy Griffin herself?
Yes, it is.
Sep 12, 2009 by M. Tulp |  See all 3 posts
We do we love Kathy?
Yes...we love her!
She is so funny.
Aug 11, 2009 by swiss miss |  See all 9 posts
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