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I Curse You With Joy
Tiffany Haddish is back with her highly anticipated new essay collection, I Curse You With Joy
It’s been a minute since readers last sat down with Tiffany Haddish. Since The Last Black Unicorn, Haddish has catapulted to A-List fame as the breakout star of Girls Trip. She’s walked the Oscars red carpet, released a hit stand-up special with Netflix, and made history as the first black female comedian to host Saturday Night Live and Shark Week.
But it hasn’t been all VIP parties and free diving with apex predators. In these humorous and heartfelt essays, Tiffany gets real about the highs and lows of life. Believe it or not, there was a time when Tiffany didn’t totally know who Tiffany was. Before she found her groove, she was on stage dressed like her snobby airline coworkers telling halfhearted dick jokes. She tanked.
It took a fake penis, some help from friends, and a little encouragement from Bob Saget, but eventually Tiffany figured out Tiffany. I Curse You With Joy celebrates all the lessons she learned along the way—the joy and the pain. Tiffany reckons with the legacy of her childhood trauma, the challenges of being a black woman in the entertainment industry, and her bittersweet reunion with her estranged father after nearly twenty years apart. And don’t worry, she’s got plenty of advice to share, too.
I Curse You With Joy is Tiffany Haddish unfiltered. (We know what you’re thinking...how much more unfiltered can she get?) These essays lay it all bare, bringing readers into Tiffany’s inner circle where joy, honesty, humor, and heart are the order of the day.
It’s been a minute since readers last sat down with Tiffany Haddish. Since The Last Black Unicorn, Haddish has catapulted to A-List fame as the breakout star of Girls Trip. She’s walked the Oscars red carpet, released a hit stand-up special with Netflix, and made history as the first black female comedian to host Saturday Night Live and Shark Week.
But it hasn’t been all VIP parties and free diving with apex predators. In these humorous and heartfelt essays, Tiffany gets real about the highs and lows of life. Believe it or not, there was a time when Tiffany didn’t totally know who Tiffany was. Before she found her groove, she was on stage dressed like her snobby airline coworkers telling halfhearted dick jokes. She tanked.
It took a fake penis, some help from friends, and a little encouragement from Bob Saget, but eventually Tiffany figured out Tiffany. I Curse You With Joy celebrates all the lessons she learned along the way—the joy and the pain. Tiffany reckons with the legacy of her childhood trauma, the challenges of being a black woman in the entertainment industry, and her bittersweet reunion with her estranged father after nearly twenty years apart. And don’t worry, she’s got plenty of advice to share, too.
I Curse You With Joy is Tiffany Haddish unfiltered. (We know what you’re thinking...how much more unfiltered can she get?) These essays lay it all bare, bringing readers into Tiffany’s inner circle where joy, honesty, humor, and heart are the order of the day.
Audiobook
First published September 15, 2025
232 people are currently reading
3191 people want to read
About the author
Tiffany Haddish
11 books1,033 followersTiffany Sarac Haddish is an American comedian and actress. After guest starring on several television series, Haddish gained prominence as Jackie on the first season of the OWN television drama If Loving You Is Wrong from 2014 to 2015.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 290 reviews
April 17, 2024
I really needed a boost today and along came Ms Haddish to curse me with some of her infectious joy and resilience.
This audiobook was everything I wanted it to be and so much more. I feel like I’ve just been through a pep talk, a sex-ed class, a stand-up routine and too many life lessons to count.
“What I was learning was, in its own fucked up way, no feelings was as bad as too many.”
“Representation isn’t just checking off boxes, it’s validating experience.”
“Going through all that, taught me that you get to choose your response when you are afraid. You might not be able to control everything that happens to you but you do get to control how you respond to it.“
I came in hoping for some of the relatable, tell-it-like-it-is, comic relief that Tiffany is known for and came away with all that, plus a heavy dose of inspiration from her words of wisdom, life experience and unique perspective.
PLEASE get the audiobook 🙏🏻 hearing Tiffany’s words straight from her is the way to go. I’m not surprised she was nominated for a Grammy on her last audiobook if this performance was anything to go by. I will be going back to listen to The Last Black Unicorn ASAP. If the audiobook wasn’t already worth it for her incredible narration, it’s worth it for her comedic timing, sound effects and bloopers.
Thank you Dreamscape Media and Tiffany Haddish for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This audiobook was everything I wanted it to be and so much more. I feel like I’ve just been through a pep talk, a sex-ed class, a stand-up routine and too many life lessons to count.
“What I was learning was, in its own fucked up way, no feelings was as bad as too many.”
“Representation isn’t just checking off boxes, it’s validating experience.”
“Going through all that, taught me that you get to choose your response when you are afraid. You might not be able to control everything that happens to you but you do get to control how you respond to it.“
I came in hoping for some of the relatable, tell-it-like-it-is, comic relief that Tiffany is known for and came away with all that, plus a heavy dose of inspiration from her words of wisdom, life experience and unique perspective.
PLEASE get the audiobook 🙏🏻 hearing Tiffany’s words straight from her is the way to go. I’m not surprised she was nominated for a Grammy on her last audiobook if this performance was anything to go by. I will be going back to listen to The Last Black Unicorn ASAP. If the audiobook wasn’t already worth it for her incredible narration, it’s worth it for her comedic timing, sound effects and bloopers.
Thank you Dreamscape Media and Tiffany Haddish for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
May 12, 2024
I enjoyed the second half of this book, but the first half was slightly too crude for me (and I’m not normally a sensitive reader).
April 10, 2024
5 stars
I love Tiffany Haddish, and prospective readers who share this incoming sentiment will also find themselves completely engaged and hanging on every word. Those who are less familiar with Haddish may want to do a little investigating first. She's not going to G-rate or hold back for delicate sensibilities.
This is a compelling essay collection that like all of what Haddish produces somehow manages to include deeply personal and difficult content that is presented in often hilarious and always innovative ways. Haddish covers aspects of her family life and upbringing, her career, and even her health and garden, and it's all so gripping that I listened to it in almost one straight shot. Any breaks I did take were filled with looking forward to getting back to the listen.
The audiobook - as expected - is fantastic. It's no surprise Haddish was nominated for a Grammy for narrating her last book, and I won't be surprised if a repeat performance is on the horizon. Hearing about her life in her voice and with her emphases and inflections adds so much to the experience. I can't recommend the audio enough when and where available.
I thoroughly enjoyed this listen and expect to see it on a lot of "best of" lists this year. That placement will be well deserved.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this alc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I love Tiffany Haddish, and prospective readers who share this incoming sentiment will also find themselves completely engaged and hanging on every word. Those who are less familiar with Haddish may want to do a little investigating first. She's not going to G-rate or hold back for delicate sensibilities.
This is a compelling essay collection that like all of what Haddish produces somehow manages to include deeply personal and difficult content that is presented in often hilarious and always innovative ways. Haddish covers aspects of her family life and upbringing, her career, and even her health and garden, and it's all so gripping that I listened to it in almost one straight shot. Any breaks I did take were filled with looking forward to getting back to the listen.
The audiobook - as expected - is fantastic. It's no surprise Haddish was nominated for a Grammy for narrating her last book, and I won't be surprised if a repeat performance is on the horizon. Hearing about her life in her voice and with her emphases and inflections adds so much to the experience. I can't recommend the audio enough when and where available.
I thoroughly enjoyed this listen and expect to see it on a lot of "best of" lists this year. That placement will be well deserved.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this alc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
June 16, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up. I know this is supposed to be comedic, but I really enjoyed the more vulnerable parts like when she shared about her mother and her miscarriages.
October 22, 2024
3⭐️ Book Review📖 ~ I’ve finally completed 𝐈 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐨𝐲 by Tiffany Haddish. For a minute there, I didn’t think I would ever finish this book. I started reading it on June 11, 2024, and finished it today 🤦🏽♀️. I put it down for months because I simply did not like it. It doesn’t quite live up to the charm I hoped for after her first memoir, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐧. Unfortunately, I didn’t find it engaging. It felt more like a collection of stand-up routines than a fully developed memoir. I liked her first book better.
𝐈 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐨𝐲 picks up where 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐧 left off. It’s a book of short stories, but these stories weren’t as intriguing. She made everything about sex. Now, don’t get me wrong, I can appreciate mature content, but when everything revolves around a body part or a sexual activity, it gets a bit redundant—borderline tasteless.
The storytelling was conversational, and I applaud Tiffany for her unique perspective on life. She made some good points, though at times her life lessons were overshadowed by her coarse delivery. I also felt her over-reliance on punchlines and comedic timing sometimes detracted from the more serious aspects of her story. The result is a memoir that doesn’t quite strike the right balance between humor and heart.
It took me four months to get to the best part of the book. I enjoyed the final chapters. My favorites were “I See You South Central,” “Tea with an OG,” and “Blessings.” She did get more serious here, speaking about George Floyd, the January 6th Capitol riots, suffering multiple miscarriages, and shaving her head bald.
With all this said, I give it 3⭐️s.
𝐈 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐨𝐲 picks up where 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐧 left off. It’s a book of short stories, but these stories weren’t as intriguing. She made everything about sex. Now, don’t get me wrong, I can appreciate mature content, but when everything revolves around a body part or a sexual activity, it gets a bit redundant—borderline tasteless.
The storytelling was conversational, and I applaud Tiffany for her unique perspective on life. She made some good points, though at times her life lessons were overshadowed by her coarse delivery. I also felt her over-reliance on punchlines and comedic timing sometimes detracted from the more serious aspects of her story. The result is a memoir that doesn’t quite strike the right balance between humor and heart.
It took me four months to get to the best part of the book. I enjoyed the final chapters. My favorites were “I See You South Central,” “Tea with an OG,” and “Blessings.” She did get more serious here, speaking about George Floyd, the January 6th Capitol riots, suffering multiple miscarriages, and shaving her head bald.
With all this said, I give it 3⭐️s.
June 18, 2024
I love her, but the book was too raunchy for me.
August 16, 2024
I listened to the audiobook which was also narrated by Tiffany Haddish.
Hilarious! More stories about her life; childhood to adulthood. Learn more about her dad. Some serious moments too where she talks about racial profiling and the Black Lives Matter movement. Excellent and told in only the way she can tell it.
Hilarious! More stories about her life; childhood to adulthood. Learn more about her dad. Some serious moments too where she talks about racial profiling and the Black Lives Matter movement. Excellent and told in only the way she can tell it.
January 28, 2025
Loved this, this is exactly what I needed right now. It was nice to hear more of Tiffany's story and the inspiration/lessons she carries. Definitely worth a read.
June 2, 2024
I've seen a few pretty famous comedians live, but out of all of them, only Joel McHale and Tiffany Haddish have made me laugh so hard that my stomach was in pain and I was physically exhausted (who knew laughing used up so much energy?). I wanted to bring that up because my 3-star rating maybe doesn't reflect my true enjoyment of this book. Rather, I want to emphasize that I think Tiffany Haddish is much funnier unscripted. Some of the anecdotes from The Last Black Unicorn crossed over with her standup routine, but they had me in hysterics when I heard them live, even though I just kind of chuckled when I read the book. So YES, I Curse You with Joy is a great book, but it's not as fun as I know it COULD be.
June 10, 2024
Really good read - each chapter is like its own story. Made me laugh out loud, but also has some really good views and advice on life.
May 9, 2024
I love everything that comes out of Tiffany's mouth. Her delivery is so perfect, and her humor is both in your face and nuanced. Awesome listen.
June 4, 2024
I enjoyed these essays more than the first book. Good job Tiff!
September 23, 2024
I love how she brings awareness to so many health concerns. Her career is clearly expressed and drawn out by her acts of inclusion and altruism. She this is a great autobiography!
February 12, 2025
Tiffany Haddish is unapologetically herself, and I admire her for putting herself out there so openly for the public. She has not had an easy life. In her first book, The Lat Black Unicorn, she opened up about her childhood and struggles at school, with her mentally ill mother, in the foster system, and finding joy. In this book she fills in more of the picture and talks about her father whom she only met at the age of 27 and who passed not long after their reunion. She opens up about her self esteem and confidence and her relationship with herself. She shares a lot of her hurt and pain but also her resilience and positivity. She seems like such a down-to-earth woman, even with her success and continues to be the girl from South-Central LA trying to be her best self. I laughed a lot and recommend the audiobook so you can hear Haddish’s fantastic delivery. Her message of spreading joy is a beautiful one. There are some crude stories that you can skip through if they put you off (although they are so runny) because the overall memoir is inspiring and uplifting.
May 21, 2024
Listening to I Curse You With Joy was like watching a standup special. I haven't really paid a lot of attention to Tiffany Haddish in recent years but I was looking up some new books to order for our library and saw that this one was recently released. It was hilarious. My favorite thing is Tiffany doing sound effects. Please please please pick up the audiobook if you get a chance. Tiffany narrates it herself. There's some tough parts like anyone's life but she also made me laugh until I had tears streaming down my face. I'm off to check out her debut book The Last Black Unicorn.
March 30, 2025
In 2018 I picked up Tiffany Haddish's debut memoir, The Last Black Unicorn. I didn't know who she really was and hadn't seen any of her films but I love learning about new people. And that book made me like her. She was honest and humble. Then I picked up this one, I Curse You with Joy, and I now adore her. Haddish has been through the ringer - a father who abandoned her, a mother who became abusive after a brain injury, homelessness, foster care, and much more. And Tiffany just continues being the kick-ass woman she is. She's funny, caring, and filled with me joy just like her title told me it would. If you enjoy Tiffany Haddish in her films and TV shows or if you just are interested in learning about new people, I Curse You with Joy, is a quick, delightful (yet sometimes tragic) read and worth it.
July 5, 2025
I enjoyed this memoir. I love Tiffany Haddish....she's so funny. She conceals nothing....so keep that in mind when reading her book. I liked how she sees joy in everything and wants everyone to have joy. I like how she talked about she still talks to the crew and hangs out with them in her movies....and gets to know them. That's important to be nice and share joy with everyone. It has helped her tremendously....she knows Girl's Trip would not have happened if she wasn't like that. I can relate to her relationship with her mother. I love how she uses her fame to do good things....like the bees, the grocery store, and living in the area she's from. It shows her humility. Good book!! I need to go back and read her first book. HA.
May 15, 2024
*******May contain spoilers******
I just finished Tiffany Haddish's newest book, and oh my goodness!!!!!!! I cried so much listening to this audiobook as i could relate to the hurt and passion she felt for her mother, along with the missing love from her father because he was absent! But I laughed at the ending because she actually did bloopers to her book like movie credits....lol. I loved her from the start, but I really love her more now!!! I must have this book in my library because I now need to read her words. She is such a beautiful person that has been through so much and yet continues to persevere and see the good in all.
I just finished Tiffany Haddish's newest book, and oh my goodness!!!!!!! I cried so much listening to this audiobook as i could relate to the hurt and passion she felt for her mother, along with the missing love from her father because he was absent! But I laughed at the ending because she actually did bloopers to her book like movie credits....lol. I loved her from the start, but I really love her more now!!! I must have this book in my library because I now need to read her words. She is such a beautiful person that has been through so much and yet continues to persevere and see the good in all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2024
I Curse You with Joy
I Picked Up This Book Because: I’ve liked the author’s previous writing.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: HC Public Library
Dates Read: 6/4/24 - 6/6/24
Rating: 3 Stars
Narrator(s): Tiffany Haddish
The Story:
This one did not grab me like the first book. In fact, there were times I was wishing her stories/advice were shorter. My interest level was very up and down. Overall, I still felt her positivity and her commitment to be real (see the bloopers at the end of the audiobook) despite the craziness of the world.
I Picked Up This Book Because: I’ve liked the author’s previous writing.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: HC Public Library
Dates Read: 6/4/24 - 6/6/24
Rating: 3 Stars
Narrator(s): Tiffany Haddish
The Story:
This one did not grab me like the first book. In fact, there were times I was wishing her stories/advice were shorter. My interest level was very up and down. Overall, I still felt her positivity and her commitment to be real (see the bloopers at the end of the audiobook) despite the craziness of the world.
May 17, 2024
Tiffany Haddish is SO funny and she is a first class audiobook narrator. You can’t help but be 100% engaged when listening to her crazy stories and the way she tells them. I love her “I curse you with joy!” mantra and listening to her really does bring me tons of joy! Yes, she is crude and super inappropriate, but omg everything she says is so honest and hilarious. I liked this book even better than her first.
July 16, 2024
I don’t think I’ve ever seen her stand up comedy and maybe have seen her in one film. Took a chance on her last book when I saw it pop up on the library app and I loved it. This was more of the same. A very honest and funny person telling very entertaining and poignant stories from their pretty remarkable life. Maybe now I should watch Girls Trip.
August 31, 2024
Tiffany is so amazing… her stand-up comedy makes my sides hurt, and I loved reading about the way she has turned a life of hard times and suffering into comedy and kindness. The only thing keeping this from five stars for me was some of the graphic language… and I’m not talking about swearing, I can handle that. Lol
January 17, 2025
I really enjoyed this one. Tiffany Haddish has a fantastic balance of humor and sincerity in her writing, which is why she has been so successful in her career. She is real and honest about her life and what she has been through well also acknowledging some of the luxuries she now has as a celebrity. highly recommend this one!
March 14, 2025
*audiobook* 4.5/5! I loved Tiffany Haddish’s first book and this second one didn’t disappoint either! I read the first and listened to this one, and her voice really comes through in both. I think she’s a really gifted writer and I would be happy to read anything from her in the future. Her voice is so authentic and engaging. Not every story was my favorite but I was happy to listen to them all.
May 26, 2025
I didn’t know Haddish had a second book until I saw her on the Read With Jenna Book Festival lineup next weekend in Nashville! Her personal essays are honest, often hilarious, often vulgar. I just reread Last Black Unicorn, too. Her story is a true testament to perseverance and believing in oneself. Must listen to both on audio!
December 9, 2024
You HAVE to listen to the audiobook version of this! Hearing it in Tiffany Hadish’s own voice absolutely makes it better. I think she’s a brilliant writer and storyteller and I cannot believe I haven’t read her first book. Going to do that now!
March 19, 2025
funny for the most part but the jokes got a bit repetitive, especially since i have read her other book too. too many details about her sex life - there's being open and then there is too much. good narration for the audiobook though, i'd recommend that.
August 2, 2025
I’m a Tiffany Haddish fan, so I enjoyed this book. Some may say the book is too crude but that is to be expected — Tiffany Haddish is known for her direct and raw style of comedy, including sex and drug/alcohol jokes. Not recommended for youth. Adult content.
May 24, 2024
I loved this just as much as the Last Black Unicorn. Tiffany has a way of brining light even in the darkest of stories she tells. I laughed out loud so many times.
May 26, 2024
What a fun listen! Tiffany Haddish is funny, honest and real. And the book was very entertaining. Her perspective on life is so refreshing and bright and real.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 290 reviews