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So Close to Being the Sh*t, Yall Dont Even Know
So Close to Being the Sh*t, Yall Dont Even Know | Retta
In her hilarious book of essays, Parks and Recreation star Retta shares the stories that led to her success in Hollywood. In So Close to Being the Sh*t, Yall Dont Even Know, Parks and Recreation star Retta takes us on her not-so-meteoric rise from roaches to riches (well, rich enough that she can buy $15,000 designer handbags yet scared enough to know shes always a heartbeat away from ramen with American cheese). Throwing her hard-working Liberian parents for a loop, Retta abandons her plan to attend med school after graduating Duke University to move to Hollywood to star in her own sitcomlike her comedy heroes Lucille Ball and Roseanne. Say what? Word. Turns out Retta might actually be on to something. After winning Comedy Centrals stand-up competition, she should be ready for prime timebut a fear of success derails her biggest dream. Whether reminiscing about her days as a contract chemist at GlaxoSmithKline, telling dirty jokes to Mormons, feeling like the odd man out on Parks, fending off racist trolls on Twitter, flirting with Michael Fassbender, or expertly stalking the cast of "Hamilton," Rettas unique voice and refreshing honesty will make you laugh, cry, and laugh so hard youll cry. Her eponymous sitcom might not have happened yet, but by the end of So Close to Being the Sh*t, youll be rooting for Retta to be the next one-named wonder to take over your television. And she just might inspire you to reach for the stars, too.
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Sparklemn
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Pickpick

I love Parks & Rec, and Retta has some of the best lines. I liked the audiobook. She is a funny, intelligent person. Not sure it would have been as enjoyable in print. Definitely a pick if you're a fan or just enjoy an entertaining memoir. Her essay with the list of examples of her laziness was very relatable...as I sit ignoring my messy house to watch baseball and screw around on my laptop. I accept my failings. 💻 ⚾ 😅

📷 from Tvinsider.com

5feet.of.fury I audiobooked this and loved it too. She‘s hilarious 2y
Susanita I love her on The Ugliest House in America. Her facial expressions are priceless! 2y
37 likes2 comments
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vlwelser
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Pickpick

This is freaking hilarious. I highly recommend it. #audiobook obviously

#BookSpinBingo square 8
@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3y
33 likes1 comment
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5feet.of.fury
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1. How to be Fine, Not a Happy Family
2. Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
3. Tagged book is a favorite from the past year.

#weekendreads

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sarahgreatlove
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Pickpick

I swear, I haven‘t even watched any of parks and recreation - I only know of Retta from her episode of The Home Edit! - but this was THE funniest audiobook narration, ever. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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5feet.of.fury
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Pickpick

I have been on a good run of comedy audiobooks ( #audible ), this is definitely at the top. The performance is HILARIOUS, Retta is so animated. There are poignant moments and words of wisdom interspersed with stories of doing stand up, signing Aisha Tyler‘s fan mail, buying Gucci bags, on set antics, drunkenly meeting Robert Redford and being good at Twitter. And a whole section on TREAT YO SELF. 100% get it if you are a fan of comedy audiobooks.

rather_be_reading love her! 3y
5feet.of.fury @rather_be_reading she‘s awesome! 3y
5 likes2 comments
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Nalbuque
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Mehso-so

Decent busy-body listening. Fine for taking my mind off moving gravel all day, it even gave me a coupla laughs, but I prob wouldn‘t pick this up as a book to read on a nice day and such.

#2021 #BlackAuthors #WomenAuthors #Memoir #Essays

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K.Wielechowski
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Pickpick

I only knew Rhetta from Parks & Rec so it was kind of fun to hear what else she has been involved in. Her last chapter about Hamilton made me hella jealous.

7 likes1 stack add
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rather_be_reading
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Book 8

53 likes3 stack adds
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WorldsOkayestStepMom
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Pickpick

I loved Retta as Donna Meagle in Parks & Rec, but I didn't know anything about her as a person. As soon as I discovered that she had written a memoir, I immediately bought it and devoured it! I learned about Retta and want to be friends with her irl.

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Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick
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#3books that made me laugh.
?I didn't know Retta beyond the "treat yo self" memes but by the end of the book I knew we could hang. Warning: It's a bit of a judgy kind of humor.

?Thir characters in Jane have some of that self-aware, ridiculous narration sort of humor that I thoroughly enjoyed.

? Gert gets trapped in Fairyland & is now a 35 year old woman who is tired of everyone's crap. Fluff off.
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🤣📚🤣 4y
OriginalCyn620 Fluff off 🤣 I‘ll have to use that if my kids are around! 4y
42 likes2 comments
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hike.read.repeat
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Pickpick

A delightful listen/read. I mostly know Retta from Parks & Rec. At this point, I‘ve read all the books written by any of the cast and they‘re always enjoyable.

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Chelleo
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫🎧2020.04.11. Perfect read to lift my spirits. Light, fun and funny. Great narration by Retta. I love her on Good Girls. #blitsy #blacklitsy #blackauthor #bipocauthor #ownvoices #readdiversebooks #memoir

bkwass Ok cutee 5y
91 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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vkois88
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Pickpick

I love this book. Retta has a bigger than life personality with a wonderful sense of humor that literally had me laughing out loud several times. Bonus points for her narration, btw! It was interesting to find out how the person who brought Donna from Parks & Rec and Ruby from Good Girls to life was raised. There‘s something so satisfying about celebs who come from humble beginnings and acknowledge it in their current every day lives. 5⭐️

32 likes1 stack add
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tholmz
Panpan

(Hate this, but love her.)

Mariposa_Bookworm Not the best thing I‘ve ever read, but the audiobook was entertaining. 🤷🏽‍♀️ 5y
tholmz @Mariposa_Bookworm I‘d agree with that — her voice and sense of humor was fun at least! 5y
Mariposa_Bookworm @tholmz I did end up watching Parks and Rec because of it which I thoroughly enjoyed. “Treat yo self” is a new mantra. 5y
tholmz @Mariposa_Bookworm oh if it got you to watch Parks, then yes! That‘s a win! 5y
5 likes4 comments
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Catsandbooks
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Pickpick

4.5/5 ⭐️s Retta is absolutely hilarious! As a big fan of Parks and Rec and that type of comedy, I thoroughly enjoyed this! Unfortunately there was a triggering chapter for me, as someone who has dealt with poor body image and weight issues for most of my life, I had to skip.

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Scochrane26
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Pickpick

I‘m going to forgive Retta for her love of Duke basketball since she gave me an interesting chapter about Parks & Rec. I really wanted the audio version (I wanted to hear Retta!), so I finally had to get a book on CD. Most of the CDs ended at the end of an essay, & it was a great book to listen to while cooking (my only CD player is in my kitchen). Not the best celebrity book I‘ve read, but I love her enthusiasm for what she loves. Treat yo self!

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Scochrane26
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Retta and I were fine until she insulted my alma mater (university of Kentucky) & revealed she was a Duke basketball fan & student during the Christian Laettner years. 🤮 🤮🤮 I know most of you won‘t understand this reference but just had to comment. 😂

Megabooks Go Duke! 😈🔵 Sorry, but I actually went there for the 2001 championship. I have a reason. 5y
Megabooks I was a UK fan growing up and my whole family are UK fans. We don‘t talk about it. 😂 5y
Scochrane26 @megabooks I can‘t be friends with a Duke fan. 🙂That game traumatized me. 5y
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Megabooks To be fair, I wasn‘t a duke fan until 1999. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 5y
Scochrane26 @megabooks I guess I‘ll try to ignore it then. 😂 5y
marleed @Scochrane26 @Megabooks I hope you still love me when you know I rockchalk for the Jayhawks ;) 5y
Scochrane26 @marleed I‘m ok with Kansas until we play them. Louisville & Duke are our main rivals. Duke wouldn‘t be so bad if March Madness didn‘t insist on showing the Laettner shot every year during montages. 5y
marleed @Scochrane26 whew, glad we‘re still friends! ...Actually, I can weirdly only follow one sport/team at a time - it‘s a stress thing. This year I get to follow the Chiefs all the way to the Super Bowl! As it turns out, it‘s been a good year to not get excited early about KU - they displayed about the worst in sportsmanship last Monday. 5y
Scochrane26 @marleed I heard about that & saw part of a video but didn‘t see the whole thing. Def not good sportsmanship. 5y
26 likes9 comments
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BlameJennyJane
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Pickpick

Y‘all coulda guessed this but I‘ve gotta post my official results- a PICK all the way!! Never have I wanted someone to be one of my besties soooo badly! I ❤️ Retta like she ❤️s Hamilton and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Scochrane26 I went to a comic con recently & went to Jim O‘Heir‘s (jerry) q&a. He said at the end of p&r, entertainment weekly wanted to do a cover of the cast but w/out Retta & him on it because they didn‘t have enough room. Amy Poehler told them she wouldn‘t do it if they weren‘t on the cover, too. 5y
audraelizabeth I love her in goog girls. 5y
BlameJennyJane @Scochrane26 she mentions that in the book! WTH?!?! I love Amy too. I love all the p&r crew! 5y
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BlameJennyJane @audraelizabeth I JUST started watching it on Netflix a couple of nights ago. I remember TiVo-ing it but never watching. No clue what was wrong with me back then. I am loving it! 5y
audraelizabeth I have about 5 episodes of season 2 left and season 3 starts soon. 5y
BlameJennyJane @audraelizabeth is it true that it just gets better? I did set the DVR for season 3 and I will be caught up and ready to go by then. I commit to that here and now! Lol 5y
Scochrane26 @BlameJennyJane I know, how could you leave out Jerry & Donna?!!! 5y
audraelizabeth Yes, i watched the pilot when it premiered and didnt like it but then started watching it on netflix and fell in love. 5y
BlameJennyJane @audraelizabeth I remember catching glimpses early on and thinking along the same lines. So glad I revisited once I started this book! 5y
Scochrane26 I‘m frustrated because my library says they have it on hoopla but it‘s not coming up in there. There‘s a physical copy, but I like to listen to these kind of books. 5y
BlameJennyJane @Scochrane26 grrrrr. I used my Audible credit for it but did check out the e-book from Hoopla and I swear I saw the audiobook on there too... cuz I kinda kicked myself for using the credit instead of borrowing both. 5y
Scochrane26 @BlameJennyJane I think the app just isn‘t working right, but I can ask at the library if needed. 5y
BlameJennyJane @Scochrane26 hopefully it‘s just temporarily glitchy! It‘s worth the effort if you have to investigate further though! Lol 5y
61 likes2 stack adds15 comments
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BlameJennyJane
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Today‘s snow day brought to you by Retta! ☕️❄️🔥🎧📖

#Audible #ImmersionReading #Retta

AutumnRLS Love her! 5y
marleed Oh enjoy. It‘s ice in my neck of the woods! My sister took a flight from Montana to Salt Lake this morning only to have the SLC to KC connection cancelled. So now she‘s stuck in the SLC airport and hoping to get here for the Chiefs game on Sunday! 5y
Scochrane26 I need to read this! Didn‘t know she had a book, ❤️ her on parks & rec. 5y
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BlameJennyJane @AutumnRLS now that I‘ve read this book she is at the top of my favorites! 5y
BlameJennyJane @marleed oh your poor sister! What a nightmare. I‘ve heard KC horror stories throughout the day today... and so many trying to get to the game. I hope your sister get there soon and safely! I‘m in Iowa. 5.5 inches today and more tomorrow but we are snug and settled and groceried up! Lol 5y
BlameJennyJane @Scochrane26 I flew through it! It‘s a definite pick for me. Highly recommended! 😊 5y
59 likes6 comments
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monalyisha
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Mehso-so

Is Retta “the shit”? Yeah. I think she probably is. She‘s relatable, & excitable, & just as into partying as she is passionate about how much she loves sitting down. She‘s transparent, & smart, & willing to learn & change her opinions. I‘m sure that those who know her feel #blessed. But tbh, I don‘t care that much about her obsession with handbags, or hockey, or Hamilton. A lot of the content felt like throwaway material. This was just ok for me.

monalyisha I didn‘t realize this would be such an #unpopularopinion! 🤷‍♀️ 5y
SW-T It was so-so for me also. 5y
Kelican17 Same! 5y
55 likes3 comments
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BookwormDownUnder
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🤣😂Laughing so hard!! 😂🤣

TheLorax I love her in Good Girls. I will definitely listen to this. 5y
BookwormDownUnder Definitely listen. It would be half as funny if she wasn‘t reading it! 5y
13 likes2 comments
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stephothebesto
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@Jennick2004 you are too good to me! This is the box that just kept giving! What a range of books (the tagged isn't pictured because I set it aside to start immediately). I'm glad you added your own pick to stretch my reading. The mug and pens and notebook any everything are delightful and THE POPCORN! That Chicago mix 🤤 Thank you so much!

#summersantagoespostal @BookishMarginalia

Jennick2004 Glad you liked everything 💙 5y
monalyisha Wow! Also: cute mug! 5y
23 likes1 stack add2 comments
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S3V3N
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Pickpick

Typical memoir, but her stories were funny. I had the audiobook and listened and laughed in one sitting.

9 likes1 stack add
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RebL
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So grateful to Retta for helping me beautify & shade this ugly as sin & hot as balls area of my desert home.

S3V3N I just downloaded this one. 5y
RebL @BeaG It‘s fun and affirming. I enjoyed it. 5y
S3V3N @RebL I agree. I'm on Chapter 6 already. 5y
monalyisha Ha! I love your image. 5y
19 likes1 stack add4 comments
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arlenefinnigan
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TrishB I nearly did this one 👍🏻 6y
Cinfhen I love this title!!!! 😂 (edited) 6y
RohitSawant Haha, nice! 6y
31 likes1 stack add3 comments
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triplem80
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I have just become the person who reads (a physical book) while they're in a restaurant. And that's cool with me.

2 likes1 stack add
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gradcat
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69 likes1 stack add
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Jules7
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So, I‘m trying to “read” three books at a time...one Audible, one print, and one Kindle. I‘m enjoying this listen (read by the author), and appreciate her no nonsense, no drama approach to life, and that she doesn‘t take herself too seriously. Enjoyable story time!

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LibLib
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Pickpick

OH MY GOODNESS YESSSSS! This audio book read by Retta was absolutely amazing! If you've ever watched Parks and Recreation, she brings every bit of her personality to this book and it is hilarious. She is so down to earth and I definitely feel I'd be a complete fan girl if I ever saw her. The three week wait to listen to this was worth every second. #love #funny #audiobook #shesthebest #treatyoself #favorite #fivestars

25 likes2 stack adds
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lowellette
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Pickpick

Hilarious! Especially her hockey adventures.

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LibraryLovingMommy
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Pickpick

Truly laugh-out-loud funny. Nothing can compare to the audio version! Borrowed the book just to look at the pictures included (worth it) but hearing her words in her voice with her infectious laughter is definitely the way to go. Love that it feels like you are just friends chatting. Includes a few, but not too many, behind-the-scenes Parks & Rec details.

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alvingregorio
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Pickpick

*In Jon Hamm‘s voice* REEEEETTTAAAAA! I liked Retta from Parks and Rec, but knew her only as much as the show let out. This memoir felt so humble, intimate, and so down-to-earth that I feel like she‘s one of my good friends. I listened to the audiobook (recommended) which added another layer of closeness, like we were chatting on the phone.

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elisebarker
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Pickpick

I loved Retta on Parks and Rec, so I had to read this book! It was a pick, but there were some chapters I could have done without... they were just too slow. Otherwise, I learned a lot about her and the show!

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alvingregorio
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...yo self! I'm dying! This is hilarious!

15 likes1 stack add
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LouBeth
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Pickpick

I listened to the audio book but some of this was so good that I had to check out the ebook also just so that I could share it with you guys and my family.

gradcat I absolutely worship Retta! Such a goddess!! (edited) 6y
CatLass007 That‘s great about meeting Idris Elba. I felt the same way when I met Michael Warren of Hill Street Blues. I think I babbled. A lot. 6y
53 likes2 comments
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sammisho
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Pickpick

Retta reminds me of a favorite aunt, the one that gives awesome boy advice, knows the best places to shop, and always has bail money.
This audio was funny, and charming. I loved Retta as Donna on Parks and Rec, but now I adore her as a person.
#treatyoself

35 likes1 stack add
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sammisho
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#audiobaking Friendsgiving Brunch edition. Cinnamon rolls and sour dough french toast casserole.
I hosted my best friends, including @LoverofLit, for our annual Friendsgiving. It is one of my most favorite holiday traditions.

Daisey ❤️ this! 6y
tpixie That looks so delicious 😋 6y
57 likes2 comments
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HeatherBlue
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Day off from school due to power outages calls for a new audiobook!

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ShananigansReads
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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ShananigansReads
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1. Breast Cancer Awareness fundraiser took over my weekend but it was a huge success. We raised almost $1000 between sales and donations. #FightLikeAGirl
2. At work avoiding working.
3. Tagged. So funny.
4. The Dr Pepper you see sitting on my desk (at work 😉)
5. Errrr... food. Lol

#HumpDayPost . @MinDea

MinDea That's awesome! Great job!!!! 6y
13 likes1 comment
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SandraG
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Retta loves to drop F‘ bombs all through this hilarious read! If you can get past that it‘s a funny book!📚💕😂😂

6 likes1 stack add
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ShananigansReads
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#LibraryHaul

I got a lot of reading to do.

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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

Before this book, I knew nothing about Retta but heard about the audiobook on a podcast. Retta is fabulous! She is funny, down to earth, and relatable. I just finished and want to immediately go back to the beginning and listen again, which is something I do not do. She reads the audiobook herself and now I totally want to be friends with her.

67 likes2 stack adds
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Booksnchill
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Pickpick

Yes- If you enjoy Retta‘s work (most well known Parks and Rec) then you know she is fun and charismatic. She reads this work- not full of angst or “tell all my problems” but fun and a great audiobook read by Retta. She is obsessed with handbags, Hockey and Hamilton and her enthusiasm is infectious. Solid fun listen!

bookish_wookish I almost grabbed this one from the library yesterday! I think my next trip i definitely grabbed it! 6y
Loralie This might be the best book title ever! 6y
Booksnchill @Loralie it is worth getting the audio as she adds new information and you just cannot beat her expressions! 6y
See All 10 Comments
Booksnchill @Loralie it fits! 6y
carriepaige I‘m listening to this now and am LOVING it! 6y
Booksnchill @carriepaige for once I was glad of a 2.5 hour drive for work yesterday that let me finish this! 6y
carriepaige @Booksnchill just realized I commented on your last post 🙈. Oops didn‘t realize you were the same person! So glad I‘m doing the audio - you‘re right that listening to her read it adds so much to the experience. 6y
Hooked_on_books I knew nothing about Retta going in but am listening to this now and she‘s fabulous! I‘ve snort-laughed a few times. 😬 6y
Booksnchill @carriepaige enthusiasm is always appropriate! 6y
66 likes1 stack add10 comments
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Booksnchill
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My next commute read- read by the author!

carriepaige I‘m listening to this now too and loving it! 6y
Booksnchill @carriepaige i‘m on disc 2 but looking forward to a long drive tomorrow! 6y
63 likes1 stack add2 comments
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carriepaige
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Thoughts on calling in sick tomorrow so I can stay home and listen to Retta read to me all day? You guys, THIS BOOK! Loved her in Parks and Rec, love her in Good Girls, and am confident she would have killed it in Dreamgirls. Retta is the real deal. Highly recommend the audio for the full hilarity of her storytelling. If I haven‘t sold you already, there‘s a whole bit about coffee and pooping. #nailedit Can we get a girl her sitcom now????

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LA_Mead
Pickpick

Retta‘s new book felt like hanging out with her and having an extra long conversation where Retta dishes on all the good gossip. Since I‘m a huge Retta fan (and I love the sound of her voice) this audiobook was perfect.

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LA_Mead
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OMG I love this audiobook as much as I love Retta! She is so awesome! Buying this audiobook was a bit of a #treatyoself moment—glad I did! 🍭

29 likes1 stack add
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Jana
Pickpick

Funny, smart, honest, and I felt like I was listening to her tell stories rather than reading a book (which I guess if I listened to the audiobook, I would have). I love how she is 100% herself and stays true to that, regardless of how it makes her look. I want her as my new BFF stat. My favorite chapters were the ones on body confidence and her childhood and I want her to be on all the shows.

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razmanda
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Pickpick

Treat yo self to this new book of essays. Not quite a memoir, not quite self-help or tell-all, this collection offers a curated glimpse into how Marietta became Retta. And she reads the audio version which is super-fun.