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Uncle of the Year: & Other Debatable Triumphs
Candid, hilarious essays from the star of The Book of Mormon, Girls, and Big Mouth on anxiety, ambition, and the uncertain path to adulthood, which ask, how will we know when we get there?
In Uncle of the Year, Andrew Rannells If he, now in his early forties, has everything he’s supposed to need to be a true adult–a career, property, a well-tailored suit–why does he still feel like an anxious twenty-year-old climbing his way toward security? Is it because he hasn’t won a Tony, or found a husband, or had a child? And what if he doesn’t want those things? (A husband and a child, that is. He wants a Tony.)
In essays drawn from his life and career, Rannells argues that we all pretend we are constantly winning. And with each success, we act like we’ve reached the pinnacle of happiness (for our parents), maturity (for our friends), success (for our bosses), and devotion (for our partners). But if “adulting” is just a pantomime that’s leaving us unmoored, then we need new markers of time, new milestones, new expectations of what adulthood is–and can be.
Along the way, Rannells looks back, reevaluating whether his triumphs were actually failures–and his failures, triumphs–and exploring what it will take to ever, ever feel like he has enough. In essays like “Uncle of the Year,” he explores the role that children play in his life, as a man who never thought having kids was necessary or even possible—until his siblings have kids and he falls in love with a man with two of his own. “It’s an Honor to Be Eligible” reveals the thrills and absurdities of the awards circuit (and the desire to be recognized for your work). And in “Horses, Not Zebras,” he shares the piece of wisdom that helped him finally come to terms with crippling anxiety and perfectionism.
Filled with witty and honest insights, and a sharp sense of humor, Uncle of the Year challenges us to take a long look at who we're pretending to be, who we know we are, and who we want to become.
In Uncle of the Year, Andrew Rannells If he, now in his early forties, has everything he’s supposed to need to be a true adult–a career, property, a well-tailored suit–why does he still feel like an anxious twenty-year-old climbing his way toward security? Is it because he hasn’t won a Tony, or found a husband, or had a child? And what if he doesn’t want those things? (A husband and a child, that is. He wants a Tony.)
In essays drawn from his life and career, Rannells argues that we all pretend we are constantly winning. And with each success, we act like we’ve reached the pinnacle of happiness (for our parents), maturity (for our friends), success (for our bosses), and devotion (for our partners). But if “adulting” is just a pantomime that’s leaving us unmoored, then we need new markers of time, new milestones, new expectations of what adulthood is–and can be.
Along the way, Rannells looks back, reevaluating whether his triumphs were actually failures–and his failures, triumphs–and exploring what it will take to ever, ever feel like he has enough. In essays like “Uncle of the Year,” he explores the role that children play in his life, as a man who never thought having kids was necessary or even possible—until his siblings have kids and he falls in love with a man with two of his own. “It’s an Honor to Be Eligible” reveals the thrills and absurdities of the awards circuit (and the desire to be recognized for your work). And in “Horses, Not Zebras,” he shares the piece of wisdom that helped him finally come to terms with crippling anxiety and perfectionism.
Filled with witty and honest insights, and a sharp sense of humor, Uncle of the Year challenges us to take a long look at who we're pretending to be, who we know we are, and who we want to become.
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 16, 2023
97 people are currently reading
8125 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Rannells
2 books347 followersAndrew Rannells is an actor, singer, and performer best known for originating the role of Elder Price in The Book of Mormon and playing Elijah Krantz in HBO's Girls. A Tony and Drama Desk nominee and Grammy winner, he has also played Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, King George III in Hamilton, and Whizzer in Falsettos, and is currently starring in the 2018 Broadway revival of The Boys in The Band. On the small screen, he has appeared in Girls, The New Normal, and The Knick, the upcoming series The Romanoffs for Amazon, and Black Monday for Showtime. Rannells's film credits include Why Him?, The Intern, Bachelorette, and A Simple Favor. His writing has been published in the New York Times "Modern Love" column. Too Much Is Not Enough is his first book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 428 reviews
May 18, 2023
I read quite a few celebrity memoirs, and I have to say, they are rarely as funny or as entertaining as I hope they will be. However, Andrew Rannells really managed to make Uncle of the Year: And Other Debatable Triumphs an extremely engaging read.
I was planning on this book being my "filler book" while I read other things, like an in-between read for when I don't have enough attention to focus on my longer books. However, once I picked up Uncle of the Year: And Other Debatable Triumphs, I actually had a hard time putting it down. Each story is amusing and instantly relatable, even to a middle-aged-ish suburban mom like me. I'm not a Broadway superfan (though I actually saw Andrew Rannells in The Book of Mormon), but I still was obsessed with his personal journey told in little bits and pieces throughout the book.
Andrew Rannells is a talented writer and instantly likeable, which made this book both fun to read and also thought provoking. I think this book would be even better in audio (I might get that also) because of how personal and engaging Andrew came across in the book.
Enjoyable from start to finish, Andrew Rannells wrote a very satisfying memoir for his fans and casual readers alike.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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I was planning on this book being my "filler book" while I read other things, like an in-between read for when I don't have enough attention to focus on my longer books. However, once I picked up Uncle of the Year: And Other Debatable Triumphs, I actually had a hard time putting it down. Each story is amusing and instantly relatable, even to a middle-aged-ish suburban mom like me. I'm not a Broadway superfan (though I actually saw Andrew Rannells in The Book of Mormon), but I still was obsessed with his personal journey told in little bits and pieces throughout the book.
Andrew Rannells is a talented writer and instantly likeable, which made this book both fun to read and also thought provoking. I think this book would be even better in audio (I might get that also) because of how personal and engaging Andrew came across in the book.
Enjoyable from start to finish, Andrew Rannells wrote a very satisfying memoir for his fans and casual readers alike.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
goodreads|instagram|twitter|tiktok
June 30, 2023
I hope Andrew Rannells keeps writing books. His voice and his stories are so funny. His first didn’t cover the period of his career after he got to debut on Broadway, so this one finally talks about Hairspray, The Book of Mormon, and more. There’s a great mix of wildly funny stories and also more introspective moments. He talks about therapy, experiences during the pandemic, ups and downs of relationships, and career struggles. I didn’t love this one quite as much as Too Much Is Not Enough, but I’d still love for him to write a bunch more. There are so many shows or experiences that he mentions in passing without going into great detail. Definitely check this one out if you enjoyed his first book. It’s a great example of a celebrity memoir that has a distinct voice and shares interesting stories.
May 21, 2023
4.5 stars. My only frustration with Mr. Rannells' first book is that it stopped on the cusp of his Broadway success. Now I have no criticism at all.
Well, I guess I should mention that this is an essay collection, not a memoir. Various essays talk about, say, auditioning or taking meetings in Hollywood or attending awards shows, and within the context of those essays we learn quite a bit about his career. Other essays focus more on his personal life, such as the title essay and other pieces that focus on family and friends.
As is often the case, I listened to the audiobook, which Mr. Rannells' reads. This was an absolute pleasure! Firstly, no one is better at telling a life story than the author, especially if the author is a gifted actor. Also, much of this book is hilarious, and literally no one could milk this material for more laughs.
These are mostly light stories, but occasionally the material is a bit darker and more introspective, such as the time he had a drunken indiscretion with a very religious, deeply closeted, and married cast member. Obviously, this is not a happy story, and is not something he is proud of. And it is these occasional admissions that give the collection just enough heft to become substantive. I mean, it's nice to know that Hugh Jackman is always ready with a well-timed hug (And didn't you already know that intuitively?), but by the end, there is the feeling that Mr. Rannells has shared a bit of himself. And even in the entertaining but fluffy segments, there is still a feeling of genuine candor throughout.
I don't know how many of these collections Mr. Rannells has in him, but I will definitely be reading them as long as he is writing them!
Well, I guess I should mention that this is an essay collection, not a memoir. Various essays talk about, say, auditioning or taking meetings in Hollywood or attending awards shows, and within the context of those essays we learn quite a bit about his career. Other essays focus more on his personal life, such as the title essay and other pieces that focus on family and friends.
As is often the case, I listened to the audiobook, which Mr. Rannells' reads. This was an absolute pleasure! Firstly, no one is better at telling a life story than the author, especially if the author is a gifted actor. Also, much of this book is hilarious, and literally no one could milk this material for more laughs.
These are mostly light stories, but occasionally the material is a bit darker and more introspective, such as the time he had a drunken indiscretion with a very religious, deeply closeted, and married cast member. Obviously, this is not a happy story, and is not something he is proud of. And it is these occasional admissions that give the collection just enough heft to become substantive. I mean, it's nice to know that Hugh Jackman is always ready with a well-timed hug (And didn't you already know that intuitively?), but by the end, there is the feeling that Mr. Rannells has shared a bit of himself. And even in the entertaining but fluffy segments, there is still a feeling of genuine candor throughout.
I don't know how many of these collections Mr. Rannells has in him, but I will definitely be reading them as long as he is writing them!
August 23, 2025
Having finished Rannells' first volume of memoirs back in 2019, I complained that the only thing lacking was that it ended right before he attained fame and fortune via a little Broadway show called 'The Book of Mormon', and we needed a second volume ASAP. Well, lucky for us, the pandemic gave the actor plenty of down time, and he's now graced us with that coveted sequel.
It basically picks up where we left off, though Rannells eschews a strict chronological telling of his story (which a few times gets a mite confusing - he's a huge success in Mormon, and then we backtrack to when he was a chorus boy) in favor of thematic coherence. Thus, we get chapters on auditioning, on awards shows, on therapy, on being on Cameo during the pandemic, on being an uncle and stepdad, etc.
These are all amusing and fun, with a few pithy and trenchant observations thrown in for good measure. As in that first book, the things NOT mentioned are sometimes seemingly more interesting than what's included: we get the back story of Andy taking a meeting with uber-producer Ryan Murphy and pitching himself as the lead for what would become his failed gay family sit-com, 'The New Normal' - but not a word on the actual production of the show itself.
One brief anecdote on working on the film version of 'The Prom' - but I'm sure there was much more to tell. His Broadway shows 'Falsettos' and the revival of 'Boys in the Band' also get short shrift, as does his London stint in 'Tammy Faye'. But we do get a hilarious chapter going into great detail on the six weeks he played the male lead in 'Miss Saigon' in upstate New York - something I think only his most rabid fans would even know about.
And also rather oddly, he's been in a relationship with fellow actor Tuc Watkins for over five years - who makes only a very brief cameo in the final chapter. We do, however, get some lovely gossipy tales about various other famous folk - Mark Ruffalo, Lena Dunham and Hugh Jackman all come in for some huzzahs; Aaron Tveit and Sienna Miller for some boos!
So ultimately, let's just hope Rannells continues to give us more of the same in a third volume - but perhaps be a little more personally forthcoming next time!
It basically picks up where we left off, though Rannells eschews a strict chronological telling of his story (which a few times gets a mite confusing - he's a huge success in Mormon, and then we backtrack to when he was a chorus boy) in favor of thematic coherence. Thus, we get chapters on auditioning, on awards shows, on therapy, on being on Cameo during the pandemic, on being an uncle and stepdad, etc.
These are all amusing and fun, with a few pithy and trenchant observations thrown in for good measure. As in that first book, the things NOT mentioned are sometimes seemingly more interesting than what's included: we get the back story of Andy taking a meeting with uber-producer Ryan Murphy and pitching himself as the lead for what would become his failed gay family sit-com, 'The New Normal' - but not a word on the actual production of the show itself.
One brief anecdote on working on the film version of 'The Prom' - but I'm sure there was much more to tell. His Broadway shows 'Falsettos' and the revival of 'Boys in the Band' also get short shrift, as does his London stint in 'Tammy Faye'. But we do get a hilarious chapter going into great detail on the six weeks he played the male lead in 'Miss Saigon' in upstate New York - something I think only his most rabid fans would even know about.
And also rather oddly, he's been in a relationship with fellow actor Tuc Watkins for over five years - who makes only a very brief cameo in the final chapter. We do, however, get some lovely gossipy tales about various other famous folk - Mark Ruffalo, Lena Dunham and Hugh Jackman all come in for some huzzahs; Aaron Tveit and Sienna Miller for some boos!
So ultimately, let's just hope Rannells continues to give us more of the same in a third volume - but perhaps be a little more personally forthcoming next time!
January 9, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2, rounded up.
Uncle of the Year: & Other Debatable Triumphs is stage, screen, and voice actor Andrew Rannells’ second memoir. I feel the need to preface my review of this book with an admission that before reading it, I knew very little of his personal life and personality. I hadn’t picked up his first memoir, which covers his childhood and the years leading up to his Broadway debut. I don’t believe I’ve read or watched any of his promotional interviews. But I did catch him in The Book of Mormon many years ago and I’ve seen some of his screen performances since then, so I knew he was a talented and successful actor. And I love a good celebrity memoir, so I gave this a try.
I am happy to report that Uncle of the Year is pretty delightful. There are some celebrity memoirs that read like a laundry list of events and achievements or barely organized pages of name-dropping and laundry-airing. Rannells’ book is neither of those things. (Though there are some nice mentions of Paul Rudd, Mark Ruffalo, and Hugh Jackman. Some of his theater colleagues and Girls co-stars also get shout-outs. And I learned his best friend is Zuzanna Szadkowski, arguably the best part of Gossip Girl. Dorota!)
In a series of essays that are often witty and sometimes introspective, Rannells reflects on his life and what he thinks the markers of his adulthood have been. The themes of his anecdotes include, but are not limited to, the highs and lows of being in show business, dealing with anxiety and therapy, the messiness of dating and relationships, and—of course—being an uncle or grown-up-type figure. His tone is conversational and candid, and I genuinely laughed out loud many times throughout the memoir.
I would definitely recommend Uncle of the Year if you’re looking for a well-written, entertaining read that successfully balances humor and self-reflection. Thank you to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Uncle of the Year: & Other Debatable Triumphs is stage, screen, and voice actor Andrew Rannells’ second memoir. I feel the need to preface my review of this book with an admission that before reading it, I knew very little of his personal life and personality. I hadn’t picked up his first memoir, which covers his childhood and the years leading up to his Broadway debut. I don’t believe I’ve read or watched any of his promotional interviews. But I did catch him in The Book of Mormon many years ago and I’ve seen some of his screen performances since then, so I knew he was a talented and successful actor. And I love a good celebrity memoir, so I gave this a try.
I am happy to report that Uncle of the Year is pretty delightful. There are some celebrity memoirs that read like a laundry list of events and achievements or barely organized pages of name-dropping and laundry-airing. Rannells’ book is neither of those things. (Though there are some nice mentions of Paul Rudd, Mark Ruffalo, and Hugh Jackman. Some of his theater colleagues and Girls co-stars also get shout-outs. And I learned his best friend is Zuzanna Szadkowski, arguably the best part of Gossip Girl. Dorota!)
In a series of essays that are often witty and sometimes introspective, Rannells reflects on his life and what he thinks the markers of his adulthood have been. The themes of his anecdotes include, but are not limited to, the highs and lows of being in show business, dealing with anxiety and therapy, the messiness of dating and relationships, and—of course—being an uncle or grown-up-type figure. His tone is conversational and candid, and I genuinely laughed out loud many times throughout the memoir.
I would definitely recommend Uncle of the Year if you’re looking for a well-written, entertaining read that successfully balances humor and self-reflection. Thank you to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 3, 2023
My familiarity with Andrew Rannells is limited to knowing he is Broadway actor who has gone on to further success on tv and film. I was expecting more of a biography and not a collection of essays about his life. The book is very readable but covers things experiences from his life like auditioning for Book of Mormon, being nominated and performing at the Tony’s and taking meetings in Hollywood. He writes with familiarity making it sound like a conversation as shares his experiences. The book isn’t written chronologically, and the chapters or essays are topically driven. I love theater and have seen most of the shows he mentions playing in or auditioning for although I’ve never seen him. I wasn’t aware until writing this review that he has a previously published memoir. I enjoyed reading the book and probably would love to hear him read it if does the audible.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review. (3.5 Stars)
Thank you to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review. (3.5 Stars)
July 11, 2023
I wasn't expecting this to be 5 stars, but I laughed out loud, loved all the theater references, loved Andrew's narration, and even did some self reflection! So good
June 5, 2023
This was a funny collection of personal essays about Andrew Rannells's rise to fame, various standout acting roles (Girls, The Book of Mormon, etc) and his life breaking out of the token 'Gay best friend' or 'Guncle' roles. Great on audio read by the author and recommended if you were a fan of any of his acting roles or just want a good laugh. Many thanks to @prhaudio for the complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
July 22, 2023
4.25* I just feel like Andrew and I would be besties, ya know?
January 1, 2025
I like my silly little Broadway memoirs
August 19, 2024
I heart Andrew Rannells forever and ever. I think I enjoyed this even more than I did his first book. I love a celeb bio with lots of behind the scenes tidbits, and this hit all the spots I wanted it to. Funny and entertaining and so damn gay. I love it.
May 24, 2023
Such a funny and beautiful collection of stories!
July 7, 2023
He is funny and endearing and surprisingly relatable, serious about serious stuff when he needs to be
March 12, 2025
This was quite entertaining
August 18, 2025
So this is it i guess. I can physically never read a funnier autobiography. I… Yes. Just yes.
1000000⭐️s
1000000⭐️s
October 14, 2023
4.5. I really love Andrew Rannells and his first book was a delight. While this one has the occasional odd filler essay, this was so fucking funny and I loved learning about his time on Broadway. I even teared up a couple of times. The audiobook is truly a must.
August 1, 2025
another banger by my friend andrew!
November 1, 2023
If you like Andrew, then you will like this book. It is witty, funny, interesting and honest. I listened to the audiobook and he read every story perfectly. I didn’t think I could like him any more, but I do. I loved this book … except for two chapters. Now I’m going to listen to his first book.
Read
May 13, 2024Andrew Rannells is unendingly talented. Hilarious and moving (Do I sound like a critic?).
July 30, 2025
5/5 ⭐️; that’s bestie FRFR……. also need to visit sconiture so bad
June 6, 2023
Loved the audiobook.
June 14, 2024
Andrew Rannells is an incredibly entertaining narrator. His stories about his journey to New York and through his career on Broadway and in Hollywood are full of humor and a fun energy, elements he embodies so well as an actor. That’s all great. But - and this is a big but for me - the title/cover are nothing short of false advertising! I thought we were gonna get a memoir version of The Guncle with this book, but no ma’am. Because if you’re looking for a book of stories and adventures about Rannells as a gay uncle, you’re not going to find that here. In fact, he only really talks about being an uncle in the last 25 minutes of a nearly 6 hour audiobook. They should have just labeled this book simply Adult of the Year instead. So misleading.
May 11, 2023
My life is in no way comparable to Andrew’s, and yet somehow his writing is highly relatable and touching. This second memoir has a very different feel from his first, but it retains the ability to encourage consideration of one’s own perspectives, life choices, and relationships, and is an endlessly pleasant read.
April 15, 2024
Andrew Rannells isn’t the world’s most elegant writer, but in terms of celebrity memoirists, his books are definitely the first that springs to mind when it comes to ‘books by people who seem like they would be fun to just get a drink and shoot the shit with’. This one isn’t quite as good as Too Much is Not Enough, but the chapter in letters on disastrous summer stock theatre had me silently cry-laughing in the library when I was supposed to be doing dissertation work.
January 14, 2023
as an andrew rannells mega fan i enjoyed this ALOT. a near encyclopedic knowledge of broadway made this hilarious. the subtle aaron tveit diss made me chuckle.
1.7 hours
1.7 hours
May 13, 2023
4.25 stars!
Most people might know Andrew Rannells from his starring role in a little broadway show called The Book of Mormon. (Or when he temporarily played King George III in Hamilton.) I was first introduced to Rannells when he played on the hit HBO show Girls. He was one of my favorite characters, despite originally only having a smaller part. In Uncle of the Year, a collection of short essays, Rannells’ shares snippets from his life, covering subjects from how he feels about his birthday to performing his solo song from Mormon on the Tonys to how strange life got during the pandemic. And, of course, how he feels about being an uncle. Witty and charming, this collection kept drawing me back, oddly comforting when I needed an escape from reality.
Despite reading this in ebook form, I could “hear” Rannells’ distinctive voice throughout the pages. I can only imagine the audiobook form of this collection read from Rannells’ own lips would be even better. Uncle of the Year is Rannells second book. From what I understand, his first book Too Much is Not Enough is more of a traditional memoir, covering his childhood up to being cast in The Book of Mormon. It’s not one I have read yet. So maybe Uncle of the Year picks up where that one left off, although he does include events from that time period, as well, in Uncle of the Year. He also includes a story he left out of his first book about appearing on the Ricki Lake show when he was 18, which was quite memorable.
Some of my other favorite essays in the book:
“Saigon in the Finger Lakes” – Rannells shares his experience performing the lead male role in Miss Saigon over five weeks in the Finger Lakes region of New York by sharing his email correspondence with his best friend during the time. I smiled so much throughout this chapter. Only with our best friends can we be so frank and comfortable.
“Happy Birthday” – He discusses his complicated relationship with his birthday: his favorite birthday when he was five, the birthdays that slipped quietly by when he was working, and how he spent his last birthday sitting at the oncologist with his mother. I think I identified with this chapter because I’ve always had similar feelings about my own birthday. Rannells concludes that because his birthday always fell during the first week of school when he was a child, he never got to really celebrate it the way other kids did, which had me thinking about my own birthday which falls very near Valentine’s Day and how my experience was somewhat similar. Maybe there’s something to his theory?
“What Words Can I Give You That Will Comfort Me?” – During the pandemic, Rannells decided to join the Cameo app to raise money for the Actors Fund. Cameo allowed fans of public figures to reach out directly and request a short video for a fee. Many people requested birthday or anniversary wishes, but Rannells was surprised and understandably nervous about some of the requests, which varied from words of comfort to bordering on therapy sessions by repeat clients. I remember hearing about Cameo during the pandemic, but I never used it. It was intriguing to get a glimpse into the experience from the perspective of a celebrity who was also struggling through the pandemic.
If you’re a fan of Andrew Rannells or The Book of Mormon or actors’ experiences behind the scenes—or even if you’re an adult who has no desire for their own children—you’ll enjoy Uncle of the Year. Told in quick, short essays, this is a collection that can be read slowly—or you might find yourself unable to set it aside, like me!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Crown and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy.
Check out my reviews and playlists at A Book Wanderer
#popsugarreadingchallenge2023 (prompt #8 - A celebrity memoir)
Most people might know Andrew Rannells from his starring role in a little broadway show called The Book of Mormon. (Or when he temporarily played King George III in Hamilton.) I was first introduced to Rannells when he played on the hit HBO show Girls. He was one of my favorite characters, despite originally only having a smaller part. In Uncle of the Year, a collection of short essays, Rannells’ shares snippets from his life, covering subjects from how he feels about his birthday to performing his solo song from Mormon on the Tonys to how strange life got during the pandemic. And, of course, how he feels about being an uncle. Witty and charming, this collection kept drawing me back, oddly comforting when I needed an escape from reality.
Despite reading this in ebook form, I could “hear” Rannells’ distinctive voice throughout the pages. I can only imagine the audiobook form of this collection read from Rannells’ own lips would be even better. Uncle of the Year is Rannells second book. From what I understand, his first book Too Much is Not Enough is more of a traditional memoir, covering his childhood up to being cast in The Book of Mormon. It’s not one I have read yet. So maybe Uncle of the Year picks up where that one left off, although he does include events from that time period, as well, in Uncle of the Year. He also includes a story he left out of his first book about appearing on the Ricki Lake show when he was 18, which was quite memorable.
Some of my other favorite essays in the book:
“Saigon in the Finger Lakes” – Rannells shares his experience performing the lead male role in Miss Saigon over five weeks in the Finger Lakes region of New York by sharing his email correspondence with his best friend during the time. I smiled so much throughout this chapter. Only with our best friends can we be so frank and comfortable.
“Happy Birthday” – He discusses his complicated relationship with his birthday: his favorite birthday when he was five, the birthdays that slipped quietly by when he was working, and how he spent his last birthday sitting at the oncologist with his mother. I think I identified with this chapter because I’ve always had similar feelings about my own birthday. Rannells concludes that because his birthday always fell during the first week of school when he was a child, he never got to really celebrate it the way other kids did, which had me thinking about my own birthday which falls very near Valentine’s Day and how my experience was somewhat similar. Maybe there’s something to his theory?
“What Words Can I Give You That Will Comfort Me?” – During the pandemic, Rannells decided to join the Cameo app to raise money for the Actors Fund. Cameo allowed fans of public figures to reach out directly and request a short video for a fee. Many people requested birthday or anniversary wishes, but Rannells was surprised and understandably nervous about some of the requests, which varied from words of comfort to bordering on therapy sessions by repeat clients. I remember hearing about Cameo during the pandemic, but I never used it. It was intriguing to get a glimpse into the experience from the perspective of a celebrity who was also struggling through the pandemic.
If you’re a fan of Andrew Rannells or The Book of Mormon or actors’ experiences behind the scenes—or even if you’re an adult who has no desire for their own children—you’ll enjoy Uncle of the Year. Told in quick, short essays, this is a collection that can be read slowly—or you might find yourself unable to set it aside, like me!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Crown and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy.
Check out my reviews and playlists at A Book Wanderer
#popsugarreadingchallenge2023 (prompt #8 - A celebrity memoir)
January 21, 2023
Andrew Rannells second memoir is highly relatable, interesting, insightful and comical. I gained insight into his life and the struggles that he has been through. I also have a very strong desire to go watch him on Broadway right this minute. I had seen him in the show Girls on HBO, but I have never seen him perform in musical theater. Before I started this book I knew very little about him. After reading this book I feel connected and would love to watch more of the productions he is in. I also would like to read his first memoir.
The book starts out with an introspective on when he felt he became an adult. I found out that we are exactly the same age born only one month apart, so I could relate with so many of the different cultural aspects he discussed. Many times during this book I laughed out loud at the different stories he told. My absolute favorite though was his time at the Auburn theater in the Finger Lakes. I am also from the Finger Lakes and my sister-in-law is from Auburn. I could not stop laughing as he described the region and the people he met. Rannells also discussed the pandemic and his personal experience trying to navigate this difficult time. He was very open about his struggles. This was very refreshing as this was such a difficult time for so many of us. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to read a fresh and witty memoir. Even if you don't know much about him, I think you will enjoy this. This book even gave me a little perspective on my own life.
Thank you to Crown Publishing for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The book starts out with an introspective on when he felt he became an adult. I found out that we are exactly the same age born only one month apart, so I could relate with so many of the different cultural aspects he discussed. Many times during this book I laughed out loud at the different stories he told. My absolute favorite though was his time at the Auburn theater in the Finger Lakes. I am also from the Finger Lakes and my sister-in-law is from Auburn. I could not stop laughing as he described the region and the people he met. Rannells also discussed the pandemic and his personal experience trying to navigate this difficult time. He was very open about his struggles. This was very refreshing as this was such a difficult time for so many of us. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to read a fresh and witty memoir. Even if you don't know much about him, I think you will enjoy this. This book even gave me a little perspective on my own life.
Thank you to Crown Publishing for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 27, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for the Digital ARC of this lovely book!
I've been a longtime fan of Andrew Rannells, ever since I first listened to the Book of Mormon soundtrack in 2015. I read his other memoir, "Too Much Is Not Enough", and loved it, and I'm happy to report that "Uncle of the Year" hit the spot as well! Equal parts hilarious and emotionally reflective, Rannells lays it all out on the line once again in a variety of heartfelt and touching essays that never lack his signature flair. As a giant musical theatre fan I of course loved the Broadway centric chapters, but his more personal entries, like the one on his experience with Therapy, hit just as hard. I would read anything this man writes!
I've been a longtime fan of Andrew Rannells, ever since I first listened to the Book of Mormon soundtrack in 2015. I read his other memoir, "Too Much Is Not Enough", and loved it, and I'm happy to report that "Uncle of the Year" hit the spot as well! Equal parts hilarious and emotionally reflective, Rannells lays it all out on the line once again in a variety of heartfelt and touching essays that never lack his signature flair. As a giant musical theatre fan I of course loved the Broadway centric chapters, but his more personal entries, like the one on his experience with Therapy, hit just as hard. I would read anything this man writes!
January 8, 2024
Really enjoyed this audiobook. It is narrated by the author, Andrew Rannells, and he had me laughing out loud throughout. The book also had a lot of touching and thought provoking moments as well. Like his insights on sometimes it being not your time, despite you being great at something. Or worrying about things being a dazzle of zebras when they are only just horses. (I love that word “dazzle” too.)
And because Andrew is a broadway star, I enjoyed hearing about many of the shows he’s been in, like Hairspray and Book of Mormon. One of the backstage tips Andrew passed along was about the Tony awards. I never realized until this book how the Tony awards work with casts from different shows getting dressed and waiting in their own theaters before it is time for them to perform at the Tony’s at Radio City Music Hall. That was a fun fact.
I highly recommend this book, especially the audiobook version.
And because Andrew is a broadway star, I enjoyed hearing about many of the shows he’s been in, like Hairspray and Book of Mormon. One of the backstage tips Andrew passed along was about the Tony awards. I never realized until this book how the Tony awards work with casts from different shows getting dressed and waiting in their own theaters before it is time for them to perform at the Tony’s at Radio City Music Hall. That was a fun fact.
I highly recommend this book, especially the audiobook version.
April 25, 2023
I've been familiar with Andrew Rannells' work as an actor for years. He has a very distinctive, witty voice that is showcased throughout this essay collection. I'm probably a key demographic for this book, being a few years younger than him. The stories are really funny and captivating and I loved learning about his professional life as a young theater actor and tales about working on Broadway and TV. The tone is light-hearted and clever, with many laugh out loud moments. This would make a fantastic vacation read.
Thank you Crown Publishing and NetGalley for providing this ARC. All thoughts are my own.
Thank you Crown Publishing and NetGalley for providing this ARC. All thoughts are my own.
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