What I'm Reading: 'Modern Love' by Aziz Ansari

I expected to love this book as much as I already love Aziz Ansari -- I've watched every episode of 'Parks and Rec' multiple times and I've seen all his stand-up specials. But this just hasn't done anything for me. Maybe it's because I'm married and didn't have much of a dating life before I got married, so in many ways the entire concept of the book is antithetical to my lifestyle? Frankly, it just wasn't what I expected -- at all. It doesn't come across as a humor book written by a talented comedian, which is something we've all come to know and love in the past few years (see: Mindy Kaling, Judy Greer, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, etc, etc etc). Ansari works with another writer/researcher and the first chapter is a long list of research notes, as if he actually set out to write about modern love as a sociological concept. There are many charts and graphs and so forth, and not that many jokes. It's not a terrible book, or even a bad book -- it's just a confusing and maybe slightly disappointing book.

#ReadWomen2014 Non-Fiction: 'Science...For Her" by Megan Amram

I put off writing about this for several weeks (it was published back in  November) because I still haven't been able to get my hands on a copy. My own library doesn't have it yet and for the first time in history, the Michigan Electronic Library system has abandoned me. I am in an endless loop of requests, followed by fulfillment notices, followed by weird e-mails regarding its current "non-circulating" status. I may just break down and buy it at this point, and then donate it to the library anyway so that no other woman has to feel my pain.

Anyway, for those not in the know, Megan Amram is a hilarious and talented writer on NBC's 'Parks and Recreation,' and has a pretty devoted following on Twitter. 'Science...For Her!' is her first book and functions as a bit of an absurdist textbook/Cosmo mash-up/parody. It is difficult to describe, but all you need to know is that she's very funny and a feminist and works with Amy Poehler. That should be more than enough to motivate you to check this out.

#ReadWomen2014 Non-Fiction: 'Yes, Please' by Amy Poehler

I don't think this needs any endorsement or stamp of approval from me; you know you want to read this, and you're going to. I had the audiobook pre-ordered on Audible, and the narration credits include Amy Poehler, Seth Myers, Carol Burnett, Kathleen Turner and Patrick Stewart; this is one instance in which I will very strongly recommend the audio book version, because Poehler uses the medium very thoughtfully with very funny results. It's also going to be the best way to get your Amy Poehler fix while we wait a few more months for 'Parks and Rec' to return to NBC.

Books by Funny Women

Lena Dunham's memoir Not That Kind of Girl follows in a long and illustrious (albeit recent) tradition of famous, funny women publishing essays and memoirs. Part of the reason she received such a publicized advance on the book was because of the incredible (and somewhat surprising) successes of her predecessors. Below are some of my favorite funny lady books, including some titles to watch for in the coming months.

Bossypants by Tina Fey -- The O.G. of books by funny ladies in the modern era. I like how seamlessly she blends autobiographical stuff with funny essays, and then somehow manages to give you really profound advice about feminism without your realizing what just happened.

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling -- Another classic, which you've likely already read. If not, got on that, and also watch her show on Fox, 'The Mindy Project,' and then join me in anxiously awaiting her second memoir, which she's currently working on.

I Don't Know What You Know Me From by Judy Greer -- I cannot abide this one because she claims to be from Detroit and then reveals she actually grew up in Livonia. This is simply too much for me, but I still love her in everything, but mostly 'Arrested Development.'

 I Hate My Neck by Nora Ephron -- She's an incredible wit, a strident feminist, and a very sweet lady, whose personal voice as a writer is probably the strongest of this group. When you read her essays, you feel like you're reading something written by a friend or a very hilarious mother. This particular volume is focused on aging and womanhood, but all her writing is excellent.

Yes, Please by Amy Poehler -- Forthcoming in October! She earns the very high praise of being worth saving my next Audible credit for, as I'm hopeful she'll be the reader in her own audio book version. She's talented and funny and if her presence in Bossypants is any indication, she has plenty of sage feminist wisdom to dispense with as well. Additionally, if you're not already enjoying her incredible media empire that is 'Smart Girls at the Party,' go remedy that.