Who among us doesn’t love Tina Fey?
Her quick wit and intelligent humor, not to mention her immense success in an industry dominated by men, is something to be admired. Not only that, but out of all of the women in the spotlight, she seems very real. She is never anything other than herself, which is completely refreshing after seeing so many other women conform to the ideals expected of them.
However, Tina was always honest. She wasn’t afraid to step on toes. If someone didn’t like what she had to say, she shrugged it off. The amount of flack she received for her representation of Sarah Palin on SNL was enough to make anyone cringe, and yet she kept smiling and just being herself. 30 Rock was never the most successful show on the network, but she kept at it because she loved it.
After reading Bossypants, it becomes even easier to understand more about where she came from…and truth be told, there is a huge realization for the young, female reader: she was just like us. She started out an average girl with a dream. She had her insecurities. She had her imperfections, and her failures. In her early 20s, she was working at a YMCA. Now, if that doesn’t scream “normal,” what does?
And yet…somehow, against all odds, she ended up making it as a stand-up comedian. At the time, very few women were in the industry. You learn about her struggles to get to where she is today, not to mention the amount of incredulity she faces by being a “woman boss.” She broke out of the mould that society tried to place her into, and she paved the path for the likes of Kristin Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and Kate McKinnon.
Reading her book is like reading a guide to life; she reveals truths only a truly self-aware woman ever could, often delivered in a humorous anecdote. If you’re looking for some light reading, some good laughs, and some empowering wisdom, Bossypants is next on your list.