You're Embarrassing Yourself by

Desiree Akhavan, a multi-talented writer, actor, and director, presents a candid and deeply personal collection of essays that delve into her experiences with identity, creativity, and relationships. Her stories, often told with humor and vulnerability, explore the challenges of navigating a career in the arts while maintaining a sense of self. Through her unique voice, Akhavan shares tales that are both relatable and profound, offering readers a glimpse into her life's journey. The essays in 'You’re Embarrassing Yourself' cover a wide range of emotions, from the absurdity of everyday situations to the profound moments of self-discovery. Akhavan’s writing is both witty and heartfelt, making her stories resonate with anyone who has ever felt like they don’t quite fit in. Her ability to balance humor with introspection makes this collection a compelling read for fans of personal essays and memoirs.

Reviews

The Cut · 2024-08-20

insightful 4.50

The memoir is celebrated for its candid exploration of shame and personal growth, with a focus on the author's journey through life's humiliating moments. The reviewer finds the book both hilarious and deeply moving.

The Cut's review delves into how Desiree Akhavan's memoir uses humor to tackle the often painful subject of shame. The reviewer is particularly impressed by Akhavan's ability to make her personal struggles feel universally relatable. The memoir is not just a collection of funny stories; it's a profound exploration of what it means to grow up and find one's place in the world. The reviewer appreciates the raw honesty and the way Akhavan turns her embarrassments into a source of strength and wisdom.

Quick quotes

Akhavan details the mortifying moments that have punctuated her life, from her childhood to her adolescence.

In a new book titled 'You're Embarrassing Yourself: Stories Of Love, Lust, And Movies,' she writes about her ups and downs with humor and the wisdom that comes with age.

The result is a book that captures the pathetic lows and euphoric highs of our youth, and how to survive them, in a voice that is unmistakably, authentically hers.

The Guardian · 2024-08-08

heartfelt 4.00

The memoir is praised for its wit and unflinching honesty, capturing the messy journey of self-discovery with humor and heart. The reviewer appreciates the raw and relatable portrayal of personal growth.

The Guardian's review highlights how Desiree Akhavan's memoir strikes a perfect balance between humor and vulnerability. It's a refreshing take on the typical redemption story, offering a jarring and ambivalent perspective that resonates deeply. The reviewer admires Akhavan's ability to turn her most mortifying moments into something universally relatable, making it a standout read for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider. The memoir's strength lies in its authenticity, which makes the reader feel both seen and comforted.

Quick quotes

The film-maker's memoir is a smart, funny, painfully honest account of a 'loser' finding success.

It is, superficially, a redemption memoir, but it is more jarring and ambivalent than that.

It poses as triumph, as these books must – 'I wrote this book to prove I'm not a mess.'

Goodreads · 2024-08-08

comforting 4.25

The memoir is lauded for its relatable and humorous stories that validate the universal struggle of finding one's purpose in life. The reviewer enjoys the memoir's ability to make the reader feel less alone in their own journey.

Goodreads' review emphasizes the memoir's ability to make the outrageous feel intimate and the intimate feel hilariously doomed. The reviewer appreciates how Akhavan's stories resonate with anyone who has ever felt like they haven't figured out their purpose in life. The memoir is a collection of funny and highly relatable stories that offer comfort and validation. The reviewer finds the book to be a reminder that everyone goes through similar struggles, making it a comforting and enjoyable read.

Quick quotes

Akhavan manages that rare trick of making the outrageous feel intimate, and the intimate feel hilariously doomed.

This memoir consists of funny and highly relatable stories that further validate my belief that we might never figure out what our purpose is in life and that's okay.

I was expecting to be entertained (I was), but I wasn't expecting to feel so seen and understood.

Appears in Lists

The Guardian's Best Biographies and Memoirs of 2024