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Joyful Recollections of Trauma
From award-winning actor and comedian Paul Scheer, a candid and humorous memoir-in-essays on coming to terms with childhood trauma and finding the joy in embracing your authentic self.
Paul Scheer has entertained countless fans and podcast listeners with stories about the odd, wild, and absurd details of his life. Yet these tales have pointed to deeper, difficult truths that the actor and comedian has kept to himself. Now, Paul is finally ready to share those truths for the first time.
Blending the confident, affable humor that has won him a dedicated following with a refreshing level of candor, Joyful Recollections of Trauma chronicles Paul’s often shocking, admittedly messed-up childhood, and how the experiences of his youth have reverberated throughout his life. In his comedy, Paul has always been unafraid to “go there,” to play naïve, cringeworthy characters, imbuing them with disarming charm and humanity. That daring openness is on display in the pages of this memoir. Nothing is off from reckoning with his stepfather’s alcoholism to finding self-acceptance to becoming a good father himself.
Joining bestselling celebrity authors Casey Wilson, Colin Jost, Seth Rogen, Molly Shannon, and Bob Odenkirk, Paul Scheer demonstrates once again that the truth is often stranger—and funnier—than fiction. Joyful Recollections of Trauma offers a unique perspective on universal growing up, working through a challenging childhood, staying true to oneself, and finding success, fulfillment, and happiness in often strange and difficult circumstances. Paul shares both hard-fought lessons and laughter that can be found in the darkest parts of life, and reminds us that what matters is not what you’ve been through but who you are becoming.
Joyful Recollections of Trauma includes a 16-page color photo insert.
Paul Scheer has entertained countless fans and podcast listeners with stories about the odd, wild, and absurd details of his life. Yet these tales have pointed to deeper, difficult truths that the actor and comedian has kept to himself. Now, Paul is finally ready to share those truths for the first time.
Blending the confident, affable humor that has won him a dedicated following with a refreshing level of candor, Joyful Recollections of Trauma chronicles Paul’s often shocking, admittedly messed-up childhood, and how the experiences of his youth have reverberated throughout his life. In his comedy, Paul has always been unafraid to “go there,” to play naïve, cringeworthy characters, imbuing them with disarming charm and humanity. That daring openness is on display in the pages of this memoir. Nothing is off from reckoning with his stepfather’s alcoholism to finding self-acceptance to becoming a good father himself.
Joining bestselling celebrity authors Casey Wilson, Colin Jost, Seth Rogen, Molly Shannon, and Bob Odenkirk, Paul Scheer demonstrates once again that the truth is often stranger—and funnier—than fiction. Joyful Recollections of Trauma offers a unique perspective on universal growing up, working through a challenging childhood, staying true to oneself, and finding success, fulfillment, and happiness in often strange and difficult circumstances. Paul shares both hard-fought lessons and laughter that can be found in the darkest parts of life, and reminds us that what matters is not what you’ve been through but who you are becoming.
Joyful Recollections of Trauma includes a 16-page color photo insert.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published May 21, 2024
340 people are currently reading
9686 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 881 reviews
May 8, 2024
Anyone who listens to HDTGM knows Paul Scheer should have written this a long time ago. Scheer is a great storyteller, so I knew this book was going to be great, but I was truly blown away by how great the book is.
Even those who aren't acquainted with Scheer will enjoy this memoir, though the last half may only be for the die-hard fans.
Even those who aren't acquainted with Scheer will enjoy this memoir, though the last half may only be for the die-hard fans.
April 22, 2024
Some of these stories are funny, some are sad, some are horrifying, but they all feel very honest.
It is important that we remember we are all just people trying to figure it out and reading other people stories is a crucial way we can do that. Thanks for sharing your story.
It is important that we remember we are all just people trying to figure it out and reading other people stories is a crucial way we can do that. Thanks for sharing your story.
May 25, 2024
Not to be dramatic but I would die for Paul and June!!! ❤️💙
If you listen to HTDGM you absolutely will love this.
The audiobook is most excellent!
GEEOOOOSTORM 🌊🌊
If you listen to HTDGM you absolutely will love this.
The audiobook is most excellent!
GEEOOOOSTORM 🌊🌊
May 26, 2024
Format: audiobook
I was pottering around in the laundry, trying to use the weekend productively. Through my clunky, white headphones was the voice of Paul Scheer reading his memoir, "Joyful Recollections of Trauma."
Scheer was sharing how, in a moment of triumph, he overheard someone gossiping about him, and they were standing in the only escape route from the spot he then stood, frozen in place. Scheer eventually talks himself into leaving, passing the offender, and going out into the night to enjoy people better than this mean-spirited man, who Paul realised did not have to have this power over him.
I burst into tears. Not because I was sad, exactly, but because I have hidden in more bathrooms and small spaces than I could count, and now, I was also in a place of healing from inner and outer terrors. In a place where I recognised the power of community and had the ability and freedom to seek those people out.
Even though Scheer and I live worlds apart, literally and figuratively, I felt a kinship. I had always admired him and found him kind, funny, and approachable, and not just because he reminds me of my wonderful brother-in-law.
I found Scheer's body of work in a roundabout way. See, I had always loved Star Trek: Voyager. Partly because there was a woman captain in an impossible situation who chose to keep going for the sake of her crew. I always escaped into film and television, and it also taught me how to socialise, for better and for worse.
One day, I was looking up my captain, Kate Mulgrew, and saw she was in a satirical crime comedy. I watched the few short clips, and I was *hooked.* Being in Australia, I can guarantee I obtained the rest of the show by illegal means (sorry, Paul). It was fun, silly, and piqued my curiosity. "Wait, two of the leads are married?!" I exclaimed, "and they have a MOVIE PODCAST?"
Since then, my life has been a constant rotation of Paul's movie podcasts, and him showing up as a guest role in all my favourite shows.
When I heard through the podcast he was writing a book about joy and trauma, I genuinely did not know what to expect. I had heard some of the funny stories of his childhood and wondered, is this tongue in cheek trauma? Or is this perhaps going to be full of toxic positivity and unrelatable anecdotes that will knot up my stomach, like so many celebrity penned works do? The answer to both, I'm happy to report, was a resounding no.
Joyful Recollections of Trauma is a surprisingly vulnerable and brave journey that was far more personal and relatable to me than I could have imagined. In editing notes, he was told to "go deeper," and boy... he delivered.
Yet, a hopeful tone remains throughout the scary, painful social interactions, the physical abuse (yes, that happened), the grown adults giving chase to a child and another trying to break into his home (yes, that happened), and the fire he started while innocently acting out his own movie scene behind a holiday cabin (yes, that happened).
This tone is not just because it is cushioned with soft and funny vignettes, which are sometimes clips from the podcast that tie in nicely to the chaper, but because it gets to the root of healing and self-acceptance in a realistic manner. In a way that does not lay blame the hurt on the traumatised child in any of us, but gently reiterating the power of safe and caring blood/chosen family, therapy, gentle self insight and correction, and a desire to break unhealthy cycles: turning toward personal values and away from unhelpful actions and people who wish harm.
Particularly touching is the struggle of even sharing such a story. For generations, families have been more comfortable in hiding trauma under rocks and in tightly locked drawers, with many events plainly and eloquently expressed in this memoir being no exception. Scheer grapples with the idea of things not "being his business," even those things shaped and changed him in ways that ran deep into his very veins and neurons. While he clearly loves those who would rather keep these tales hidden, there is something particularly powerful in Paul standing up, reclaiming that trauma, and making it his business to share them with the world.
How was he to know that by doing so, he would gain more community than ever before and remind that community just how far they have come together? Perhaps, even help those who are early in their own journey.
That little girl in the southern regions of Australia, undiagnosed neurodivergent, weird, isolated, and hurt: she needed to hear it. That girl who escaped into creativity and films, who spent hours acting out her own movie scenes in lonely gardens and hillsides: she needed to hear it. That girl who had to be resilient and eventually got help after feeling like everything should have been obvious to the powerful grown-ups around her well before that point: she needed to hear it.
She's still in there sometimes, and with books like this one, she will never feel fully alone again.
I was pottering around in the laundry, trying to use the weekend productively. Through my clunky, white headphones was the voice of Paul Scheer reading his memoir, "Joyful Recollections of Trauma."
Scheer was sharing how, in a moment of triumph, he overheard someone gossiping about him, and they were standing in the only escape route from the spot he then stood, frozen in place. Scheer eventually talks himself into leaving, passing the offender, and going out into the night to enjoy people better than this mean-spirited man, who Paul realised did not have to have this power over him.
I burst into tears. Not because I was sad, exactly, but because I have hidden in more bathrooms and small spaces than I could count, and now, I was also in a place of healing from inner and outer terrors. In a place where I recognised the power of community and had the ability and freedom to seek those people out.
Even though Scheer and I live worlds apart, literally and figuratively, I felt a kinship. I had always admired him and found him kind, funny, and approachable, and not just because he reminds me of my wonderful brother-in-law.
I found Scheer's body of work in a roundabout way. See, I had always loved Star Trek: Voyager. Partly because there was a woman captain in an impossible situation who chose to keep going for the sake of her crew. I always escaped into film and television, and it also taught me how to socialise, for better and for worse.
One day, I was looking up my captain, Kate Mulgrew, and saw she was in a satirical crime comedy. I watched the few short clips, and I was *hooked.* Being in Australia, I can guarantee I obtained the rest of the show by illegal means (sorry, Paul). It was fun, silly, and piqued my curiosity. "Wait, two of the leads are married?!" I exclaimed, "and they have a MOVIE PODCAST?"
Since then, my life has been a constant rotation of Paul's movie podcasts, and him showing up as a guest role in all my favourite shows.
When I heard through the podcast he was writing a book about joy and trauma, I genuinely did not know what to expect. I had heard some of the funny stories of his childhood and wondered, is this tongue in cheek trauma? Or is this perhaps going to be full of toxic positivity and unrelatable anecdotes that will knot up my stomach, like so many celebrity penned works do? The answer to both, I'm happy to report, was a resounding no.
Joyful Recollections of Trauma is a surprisingly vulnerable and brave journey that was far more personal and relatable to me than I could have imagined. In editing notes, he was told to "go deeper," and boy... he delivered.
Yet, a hopeful tone remains throughout the scary, painful social interactions, the physical abuse (yes, that happened), the grown adults giving chase to a child and another trying to break into his home (yes, that happened), and the fire he started while innocently acting out his own movie scene behind a holiday cabin (yes, that happened).
This tone is not just because it is cushioned with soft and funny vignettes, which are sometimes clips from the podcast that tie in nicely to the chaper, but because it gets to the root of healing and self-acceptance in a realistic manner. In a way that does not lay blame the hurt on the traumatised child in any of us, but gently reiterating the power of safe and caring blood/chosen family, therapy, gentle self insight and correction, and a desire to break unhealthy cycles: turning toward personal values and away from unhelpful actions and people who wish harm.
Particularly touching is the struggle of even sharing such a story. For generations, families have been more comfortable in hiding trauma under rocks and in tightly locked drawers, with many events plainly and eloquently expressed in this memoir being no exception. Scheer grapples with the idea of things not "being his business," even those things shaped and changed him in ways that ran deep into his very veins and neurons. While he clearly loves those who would rather keep these tales hidden, there is something particularly powerful in Paul standing up, reclaiming that trauma, and making it his business to share them with the world.
How was he to know that by doing so, he would gain more community than ever before and remind that community just how far they have come together? Perhaps, even help those who are early in their own journey.
That little girl in the southern regions of Australia, undiagnosed neurodivergent, weird, isolated, and hurt: she needed to hear it. That girl who escaped into creativity and films, who spent hours acting out her own movie scenes in lonely gardens and hillsides: she needed to hear it. That girl who had to be resilient and eventually got help after feeling like everything should have been obvious to the powerful grown-ups around her well before that point: she needed to hear it.
She's still in there sometimes, and with books like this one, she will never feel fully alone again.
July 16, 2024
I adore Paul Scheer. I'm getting that out of the way up top. I think he is a brilliant person. I've been a huge fan of his podcast "How Did This Get Made" for years now and I'm frankly in awe of the sheer (ha ha ha) amount of work the man produces. He's also an absolute genius when it comes to all things film related. Listening to him discuss movies you just know you're in the prescence of someone who reveers film as an art form. He feels movies on an almost visceral level. Like the way someone appreciates Da Vinci or Van Gogh, that's how he feels about the art of film. That sincere appreciation and passion just resonates through him and its infectious and wonderful.
Having now read this, at times delightful but almost overwhelmingly horrifying account of a youth spent being abused by a violent, genuinely terrifying stepfather and divorced parents who knew full well what was happening to their son and did essentially nothing to stop it, I am left with both a pit in my stomach and a deep desire to find Mr. Scheer, hug him and say,
"Dude, more therapy STAT!"
There is much to love in this book. Scheer has clearly come so far from the days he spent trapped with a monster of a man who spent years abusing and humiliating him and his mother before they were able to escape. In between utterly heart wrenching essays detailing the terrible trauma inflicted by this man, there's a particular scene where a young Paul is brutally spanked in front of all his friends at his own birthday that has haunted my nightmares for weeks, there are the usual things you'd expect to find in a celebrity memoir; charming tales of meeting his equally awesome wife June Diane Raphael and their early relationship, sweet stories about celebrity spotting with his dad on their frequent trips to Hollywood, hilarious annecdotes about his time working at Blockbuster video but there's always the spector of this terrible trauma haunting the background. Its impossible to escape and its clear Scheer still has a great deal of unresolved feelings about it.
Which of course he should! The horrors he endured and the equally horrifying lack of support he received from the staggering number of adults who knew exactly what was going on would be enough to scar anyone for the rest of their lives.
The problem, for me anyway, is that there's an air of "well it was a long time ago and we've all grown since then" that just doesn't sit well with me. Scheer maintains a relationship with both his parents and though he's halfheartedly attempted to talk to them about everything he endured neither seems especially interested in helping work through what happened or taking accountability for their roles. The fact that I pulled that from the narrative suggests Scheer himself is also well aware.
There's something unfinished about this book. Like its been written at the halfway point in a long therapeutic journey to recovering from or at least dealing with deep, deep trauma. I became overwhlemed with the idea that no one has ever once said "I'm sorry" to Scheer and how that must weigh on him regardless of the "we're all at peace with things" sentiment that the book chooses to end on.
Scheer describes the abuse he endured with startling accuracy and detail and I kept imagining that those moments must play out in his mind over and over again. But the unresolved state of things in his life feels like just that, unresolved. You don't get the sense so much that he's at peace, more that he thinks he should be because his life is so nice right now.
Everyone experiences and processes trauma differently. No one's journey is every going to be the same as someone elses. This was a hard read for me because I wanted more of a sense of completion and understanding for Scheer than I got. This felt like the middle of the story with a lot of conflict and pain and forgiveness still needed before happily ever after.
Having now read this, at times delightful but almost overwhelmingly horrifying account of a youth spent being abused by a violent, genuinely terrifying stepfather and divorced parents who knew full well what was happening to their son and did essentially nothing to stop it, I am left with both a pit in my stomach and a deep desire to find Mr. Scheer, hug him and say,
"Dude, more therapy STAT!"
There is much to love in this book. Scheer has clearly come so far from the days he spent trapped with a monster of a man who spent years abusing and humiliating him and his mother before they were able to escape. In between utterly heart wrenching essays detailing the terrible trauma inflicted by this man, there's a particular scene where a young Paul is brutally spanked in front of all his friends at his own birthday that has haunted my nightmares for weeks, there are the usual things you'd expect to find in a celebrity memoir; charming tales of meeting his equally awesome wife June Diane Raphael and their early relationship, sweet stories about celebrity spotting with his dad on their frequent trips to Hollywood, hilarious annecdotes about his time working at Blockbuster video but there's always the spector of this terrible trauma haunting the background. Its impossible to escape and its clear Scheer still has a great deal of unresolved feelings about it.
Which of course he should! The horrors he endured and the equally horrifying lack of support he received from the staggering number of adults who knew exactly what was going on would be enough to scar anyone for the rest of their lives.
The problem, for me anyway, is that there's an air of "well it was a long time ago and we've all grown since then" that just doesn't sit well with me. Scheer maintains a relationship with both his parents and though he's halfheartedly attempted to talk to them about everything he endured neither seems especially interested in helping work through what happened or taking accountability for their roles. The fact that I pulled that from the narrative suggests Scheer himself is also well aware.
There's something unfinished about this book. Like its been written at the halfway point in a long therapeutic journey to recovering from or at least dealing with deep, deep trauma. I became overwhlemed with the idea that no one has ever once said "I'm sorry" to Scheer and how that must weigh on him regardless of the "we're all at peace with things" sentiment that the book chooses to end on.
Scheer describes the abuse he endured with startling accuracy and detail and I kept imagining that those moments must play out in his mind over and over again. But the unresolved state of things in his life feels like just that, unresolved. You don't get the sense so much that he's at peace, more that he thinks he should be because his life is so nice right now.
Everyone experiences and processes trauma differently. No one's journey is every going to be the same as someone elses. This was a hard read for me because I wanted more of a sense of completion and understanding for Scheer than I got. This felt like the middle of the story with a lot of conflict and pain and forgiveness still needed before happily ever after.
June 24, 2024
I'm a big fan of Paul's podcast How Did This Get Made? and have seen a lot of Paul's other TV/film work. I felt like this book really validated my parasocial relationship with him-it includes/expands on some stories about his life that he's told on the podcast with some added, well, trauma. Like some MAJ YIKES childhood moments. (I loved the cameos from June in this, like he mentions telling her one of these stories and she said something like "I'm so upset I have to leave the room". Juuuuune!) ANyway it's just a very funny and endearing book and has some really relatable moments for people who are fans of stuff-I loved reading about his childhood fandom energies. You can tell he's a person who loves comedy and is aware that he's living his dream.
I wouldn't necessarily say you should go out of your way to read this if you aren't already a fan of Paul's, but if you're even a little interested in checking out his book I'd definitely recommend it.
I wouldn't necessarily say you should go out of your way to read this if you aren't already a fan of Paul's, but if you're even a little interested in checking out his book I'd definitely recommend it.
June 6, 2024
He’s still very entertaining and has a poignant life story
July 27, 2024
“I wish I hadn’t spent so much time pretending to be someone I wasn’t just to make others happy or equating vulnerability with weakness. These were survival mechanisms, and as much as I regret that, I’m thankful I’m getting a chance to course correct.”
————————
This is a book that demonstrates through the incredibly strong and self-aware voice of Scheer that he has done an immense amount of work to not let his past define his present and future.
I loved that part one gave room to acknowledge the child that suffered so much harm. Scheer brought the perspective he has gained today to those moments, while also holding how deeply complex the emotional and lived experience is around childhood trauma, both in the moment and as an adult.
I appreciate it that part two was a kind of promise and reflection on what life can become, and how beautiful it can be, when you deal with the things that make you hide in self-loathing. He conveyed deep intention to do better and be better with his sons today, and stop the cycle of trauma that too often repeats when parents don’t address their own histories. I respected the way he addressed his behavior in relationships, and how that was sparked by his childhood.
This is a beautiful, funny and poignant book.
————————
This is a book that demonstrates through the incredibly strong and self-aware voice of Scheer that he has done an immense amount of work to not let his past define his present and future.
I loved that part one gave room to acknowledge the child that suffered so much harm. Scheer brought the perspective he has gained today to those moments, while also holding how deeply complex the emotional and lived experience is around childhood trauma, both in the moment and as an adult.
I appreciate it that part two was a kind of promise and reflection on what life can become, and how beautiful it can be, when you deal with the things that make you hide in self-loathing. He conveyed deep intention to do better and be better with his sons today, and stop the cycle of trauma that too often repeats when parents don’t address their own histories. I respected the way he addressed his behavior in relationships, and how that was sparked by his childhood.
This is a beautiful, funny and poignant book.
May 3, 2024
Received a digital ARC through NetGalley / HarperOne
4.5 stars, rounded up
I was hyped for this book since Paul announced it on the How Did This Get Made? podcast. As one of the many listeners that has always enjoyed hearing stories of Paul’s childhood, it was great to read them in long form. I appreciated the vulnerability in the storytelling, and there really is a lot of joy that comes through despite the trauma he’s experienced. Reading the book felt like having a great conversation with a friend.
4.5 stars, rounded up
I was hyped for this book since Paul announced it on the How Did This Get Made? podcast. As one of the many listeners that has always enjoyed hearing stories of Paul’s childhood, it was great to read them in long form. I appreciated the vulnerability in the storytelling, and there really is a lot of joy that comes through despite the trauma he’s experienced. Reading the book felt like having a great conversation with a friend.
May 26, 2024
“I didn’t need a girlfriend when I had Blockbuster.”
Paul Scheer is a very funny guy, and he also comes across as genuine and likable in whatever he does. My favorite podcast is “How Did This Get Made,” on which amidst the analysis of bad movies Paul will occasionally bring up a horrific childhood memory but talk about it in a bright and entertaining way, while his best friend and his wife listen in horror. That’s what this book is: a brief but substantial collection of those stories with some surprisingly touching commentary.
He chose only the stories worth telling, some of the most interesting, meaningful and noteworthy parts of his life. Unlike so many other memoirs that detail every single thing that has ever happened to the author, this one never overstays its welcome. Every page was worth reading. It was actually a pretty short book and I wouldn’t have minded if it was a lot longer.
Scheer details stories of horrific abuse in his childhood at the hands of his stepfather. I was surprised by just how dark these sections got, but even then he was able to infuse some humor into the situation and lighten the mood somewhat. (Comedy is truly a gift.) He wasn’t afraid to share very personal and painful memories with his audience and the book is more powerful because of it.
I especially loved the stories that involved his lovely and amazing wife June and the unbelievably uncomfortable celebrity encounters. To borrow a phrase from Jason Mantzoukas, some of this stuff was “next level bonkers.”
Truthfully, I always got good vibes about Paul when listening to the podcast, but this book made me appreciate him even more. He just seems like a genuine guy who was a sweet kid in a very bad situation and then grew into a funny and kind adult. I highly recommend this one to anyone who appreciates dark humor or always tries to look for the laughter in a bad situation.
TW: Domestic Abuse, Brief references to SA
Paul Scheer is a very funny guy, and he also comes across as genuine and likable in whatever he does. My favorite podcast is “How Did This Get Made,” on which amidst the analysis of bad movies Paul will occasionally bring up a horrific childhood memory but talk about it in a bright and entertaining way, while his best friend and his wife listen in horror. That’s what this book is: a brief but substantial collection of those stories with some surprisingly touching commentary.
He chose only the stories worth telling, some of the most interesting, meaningful and noteworthy parts of his life. Unlike so many other memoirs that detail every single thing that has ever happened to the author, this one never overstays its welcome. Every page was worth reading. It was actually a pretty short book and I wouldn’t have minded if it was a lot longer.
Scheer details stories of horrific abuse in his childhood at the hands of his stepfather. I was surprised by just how dark these sections got, but even then he was able to infuse some humor into the situation and lighten the mood somewhat. (Comedy is truly a gift.) He wasn’t afraid to share very personal and painful memories with his audience and the book is more powerful because of it.
I especially loved the stories that involved his lovely and amazing wife June and the unbelievably uncomfortable celebrity encounters. To borrow a phrase from Jason Mantzoukas, some of this stuff was “next level bonkers.”
Truthfully, I always got good vibes about Paul when listening to the podcast, but this book made me appreciate him even more. He just seems like a genuine guy who was a sweet kid in a very bad situation and then grew into a funny and kind adult. I highly recommend this one to anyone who appreciates dark humor or always tries to look for the laughter in a bad situation.
TW: Domestic Abuse, Brief references to SA
June 7, 2024
I couldn't get into this book. Maybe it's because I just got done with Brittney Griner's book [Coming Home] -- so Joyful Recollections of Trauma one felt too irreverent. Or too difficult to understand. How can we joyfully recollect childhood traumas? And then the unbelievable stories, paired with his step father's abuse ... I just didn't get it. I am not a huge Paul Scheer fan and maybe that's the problem. His humor isn't mine.
June 23, 2024
Trauma, present. Funny, not so much.
June 17, 2024
Really wonderful memoir! So relatable as a person who has a traumatic childhood that they still remember with pockets of triumph and joy, and as a person with a late in life ADHD diagnosis. I wish there was more about his career because I really wanted to hear about his time on Human Giant. But, this book wasn’t intended to be about his career, and the stories included made me genuinely laugh and feel with him. So, I’m willing to wait for a second or third memoir to get into the career stuff if need be. As far as celebrity memoirs go, this one is full of heart, kindness, humor and a sense of authenticity that many don’t manage to have.
June 3, 2024
Memoirs aren’t my thing in general… and they’re very hard to rate… this was fine. I love Paul and his bonkers childhood memories have been some of the highlights of How Did This Get Made? for me. But they’re probably best in smaller doses, verbally, and with Jason, June, and other comedians joining in. Nothing super noteworthy here. Sorry your life wasn’t that interesting to me but love the podcast!
May 25, 2025
2.9 - I listened to the audio and I don’t think this book would have been all that enjoyable if I hadn’t listened to him telling his own stories
It was amusing because he’s a good story teller and his anecdotes are quirky, but there was no jaw-dropping information or anything overly scandalous about his life in this book.
It was amusing because he’s a good story teller and his anecdotes are quirky, but there was no jaw-dropping information or anything overly scandalous about his life in this book.
August 21, 2024
Annoying listenings of a smug man. Rarely funny. The life lessons were obvious and not unique. He’s a funny guy however this missed the mark.
May 25, 2024
4/5 ⭐️
Short, funny, and devastating at times listening to this (Paul reads it, so the audiobook is great). I'm a huge fan of the HDTGM podcast and have heard Paul share some of the stories he elaborates on in this book. He goes deeper into some of the childhood trauma he faced in the first half of the book, which was powerful and meaningful. The second half was good but was a bit more random. It detailed his working life as a comedian and actor and his relationship with June but wasn't as focused as the first half.
If you like Paul and HDTGM then I recommend it, otherwise I'm not sure what you would get out of it.
Short, funny, and devastating at times listening to this (Paul reads it, so the audiobook is great). I'm a huge fan of the HDTGM podcast and have heard Paul share some of the stories he elaborates on in this book. He goes deeper into some of the childhood trauma he faced in the first half of the book, which was powerful and meaningful. The second half was good but was a bit more random. It detailed his working life as a comedian and actor and his relationship with June but wasn't as focused as the first half.
If you like Paul and HDTGM then I recommend it, otherwise I'm not sure what you would get out of it.
May 28, 2024
I forgot who first said that the most personal is often the most universal. Reading Joyful Recollections of Trauma was a recall of so many similar situations I had experienced as a kid. Paul brings a funny and sincere perspective to guided forays into his memories both heartbreaking and hysterical. Between listening to every episode of How Did This Get Made, Paul’s funny “bad movie” review podcast and most episodes of Unspooled, Paul’s “good movie” podcast. This was a great companion piece. For those who just want a glimpse into the life of a comedian and improv legend. It’s a quick and easy read. I cannot recommend enough.
July 8, 2024
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this because Paul is very funny so I wasn’t sure how serious it would be. What it was was a beautiful collection of memories from truly heartbreaking to hilarious and relatable. He’s gone through enough for multiple lifetimes and still turned out to be a wonderful, funny human. I highly recommend the audiobook, they added clips from HTGM in between chapters that had me cackling
February 25, 2025
4/5
As someone who loves Paul and his comedic work and his podcasting, I was excited to finally check out his new memoir and boy did it not disappoint. Like many, I had no idea how difficult of a childhood and upbringing he went through and it brings a lot of insight to his viewpoints on life, family, and comedy. Totally recommend for any fan of memoirs, comedy, podcasts, or all things Paul Scheer.
As someone who loves Paul and his comedic work and his podcasting, I was excited to finally check out his new memoir and boy did it not disappoint. Like many, I had no idea how difficult of a childhood and upbringing he went through and it brings a lot of insight to his viewpoints on life, family, and comedy. Totally recommend for any fan of memoirs, comedy, podcasts, or all things Paul Scheer.
June 29, 2024
5 stars
As an incoming fan of Paul Scheer’s (and his entire circle - especially JDR!), I was excited but nervous to read about the titular traumas but optimistic based on the “joyful” part. This is such an interesting memoir because it really does include the broad range of feelings that the title suggests.
For me, this was an unexpectedly informative and enjoyable read. I very much recommend the audio.
As an incoming fan of Paul Scheer’s (and his entire circle - especially JDR!), I was excited but nervous to read about the titular traumas but optimistic based on the “joyful” part. This is such an interesting memoir because it really does include the broad range of feelings that the title suggests.
For me, this was an unexpectedly informative and enjoyable read. I very much recommend the audio.
November 26, 2024
I absolutely love this book. I wish I bought it instead of getting it from the library. A lot of good life lessons about growing up, career, having kids in marriage. I first got this book as an e-book, but had to switch over to audio. If you’re a fan of his podcast – the audiobook will be second nature to you.
September 24, 2024
The title really fits. Trauma and hard times recounted with humour in the place of poignancy.
April 30, 2025
This was a really enjoyable read, very funny but also heartfelt and touching
June 4, 2024
*listened to not read* it’s a fun, quick listen! Hearing Paul tell the stories makes it more special. Truly enjoyed and was most profoundly impacted by Paul’s self awareness and honesty!
June 10, 2024
Very sweet, funny, and honest. I laughed and cried in equal measure.
August 19, 2024
I listened to this one as an audiobook over a few months, and I really enjoyed it! It was great to hear the stories directly from him about his life.
December 23, 2024
Great little nugget. Don’t let the title fool there’s so much laughter that’s been mined from Paul’s life, the good, bad, and ugly.
The section on mental health stigma and overcoming it to live authentically is especially enjoyable.
The section on mental health stigma and overcoming it to live authentically is especially enjoyable.
June 9, 2025
Being a HDTGM fan... I knew Scheer had stories. I’m surprised it took as long as it did for him to realize that he had a book in him. This was a fun, quick, enjoyable read.
August 18, 2025
Super quick and funny read. Well worth it if you have enjoyed anything Scheer has ever done.
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