Advice No One Asked For: Essays

by Jenny Hagel

From the Emmy–nominated comedian who created “the best segment in late night” (Vulture) comes this hilarious and practical collection of advice for how to live your best life in love, at work, and in comedy. You’d think with a résumé like Jenny Hagel’s—being a writer/performer for Late Night with Seth Meyers, and head writer/EP of The Amber Ruffin Show—she would describe her greatest accomplishment as something like sharing the stage with Hillary Clinton, or the six times she was nominated for an Emmy. Yet, for Jenny, landing a joke or going to a fancy award show pales in comparison to her true giving people advice. Jenny is so obsessed with (addicted to?) offering unsolicited wisdom that she runs a sold-out live show in New York City called, appropriately, Jenny Hagel Gives Advice. With her debut essay collection, Jenny sets out to backseat drive for as many unwitting strangers as possible. The result is a heartfelt and funny journey through a list of life-changing recommendations, wear black when you travel, buy an analog watch, and just because you can go into the monkey enclosure while visiting Honduras doesn’t mean that you should.

Genres: Nonfiction, Essays, Humor, Memoir, Comedy, Audiobook, LGBT

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 2, 2026

Reviews

[Lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I expected funny, but I didn’t expect how heartfelt these essays were. I found myself snort-laughing and feeling seen throughout each topic. While not all of them applied to me, I still found the essays on these topics interesting and poignant.

I also wasn’t expecting the educational aspect to some of these. I found “Are You Funny” especially interesting with its gender and status lens. I found myself learning a lot about the art of comedy and the work that goes into it. While I’ve always appreciated comedy, I always thought comedians were just naturally funny because they made the jokes look effortless. Lots of trashed jokes happened before I ever saw/heard/enjoyed the jokes and that was so remarkable to me.

Seriously, check out this collection for practical advice on many topics that…you didn’t ask for.

Book recommendation for fans of:
🗒️ funny and tender essays
🗒️ getting advice you didn’t ask for
🗒️ learning and laughing

[Cari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I could not put it down. Hagel was a writer for Seth Meyers and Amber Ruffin, and these essays are hilarious. In addition to giving us the advice we didn't ask for (pro tip - if you have cats, don't invite people over until you know they're not allergic), Hagel reminisces about realizing she was gay, her marriage and how it ended, and her journey with IVF. My favorite essay was the one about procrastination - how Hagel realized she lost so much time by not admitting to herself she was attracted to women, and then how she realized she could have had her son so much sooner if she hadn't waited so long to have him. Hagel also writes about comedy and how certain jokes will land depending on the temperature, time of day, and/or composition of the joke itself. It's a great read.

I got a complimentary review copy from Edelweiss. I promise I didn't pirate this book.

[ScarlettAnomalyReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to read things like this all the time as a teen and a older young adult, but it's been awhile. However seeing this one, I felt that old urge to dive back into something similar but that had gotten older like I had, this hit the spot.

I loved these essays, it wasn't just some funny haha comedian stuff, this was actually thoughtful and well done, heartfelt and I felt my eyes prickle on a few of these.

The little tid-bits of wisdom dropped through here go from funny to serious as she talks about her marriage, her struggles and figuring out herself and sexuality.

I really enjoyed this, not everything applied to me, I'm not a mom or comedian but these were such real little looks into life that I enjoyed it anyway and learned some things I hadn't thought about previously.

Thanks Gallery, this was good.

[Bailey Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Advice No One Asked for by @gallerybooks #partner & @jennyhagel is a hysterical, advice-packed book that made me laugh, made me smile, and most of all, enriched my life! I walked away with multiple pieces of practical advice to use in so many different scenarios. I simply loved it and you have to experience it for yourself. I'll be using the advice from this book and it's the most pleasant, easy read!

#gifted Thank you @gallerybooks for the free book

[Lynn Mandaville · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read written by one of the humor writers for Late Night With Seth Meyers, one of my favorite late night shows.

Hegel's humor is light, slightly off-color, and very relatable. Some of her observations come from her viewpoint as a single, gay mother, but this doesn't remove the humor from everyday lives of all people, whether gay or straight, single or married, Democrat or Republican.

I guess this is what some might consider my version of a summer beach read, because it's light fare, broken up into sections that can be ingested in a single, short sitting.

Though Jenny is quite a bit younger than me, I found her observations on being a mother and on being female to be things I have pondered myself and come to the same conclusions, meaning I could have offered some of Hegel's advice on my own!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Jenny's advice and her great sense of humor, this is one I'll add to my bookcase and refer back to when I need a boost OR sensible advice.
Thanks Jenny!

[Macy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, funny, actually some good advice

[Rachel Hutchins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It is uniquely funny, warm, vulnerable, wise, thoughtful, and very fun to read! The essays blend comedic memoir with real, actionable advice. Highly recommend!

[Paola Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my very first essay collection, and I absolutely loved it!

Honestly, it wasn’t what I expected at all — in the best possible way. One of my favorite things was how many times Puerto Rico was mentioned throughout the book.

I was laughing from the very first pages, but I also found so much food for thought and a lot of advice that really resonated with me.

I couldn’t stop tabbing advices throughout the book!

A really enjoyable, engaging, and thoughtful read.

[Lisa Eggershausen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great storytelling, especially in Jenny's own voice in the audiobook. So funny, and also interesting and warm and encouraging.

"at some point in everyone's life, they're gonna have two Wednesdays in a row. And when they do, if you want to be there for them, you don't have to do something perfect. Just do something."

An example of just doing something:

"I'm so sorry your dog died. In his honor, I will spend all day licking peanut butter off a spoon."

🥰

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Legitimately really heartfelt and helpful advice that I have actually applied in real life! I was expecting a straight “comedy” book for the laughs but found much more - laughs yes, but also warmth, caring, gratitude and joy. I highly recommend it.

[Holly Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a delight to read.

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Advice No One Asked For • Jenny Hagel

One phrase: unsolicited advice, but make it funny 🗒️😂

I expected this to be funny, but I did not expect it to be so heartfelt too.

Advice No One Asked For is a collection of essays from Jenny Hagel, a comedy writer and performer who fully admits she loves giving advice whether anyone asked for it or not. And honestly? I was here for it.

This book covers everything from friendship, procrastination, language learning, motherhood, comedy, identity, aging, and all the random life lessons that somehow become both hilarious and weirdly useful.

Not every essay applied directly to me, but I still found myself entertained, charmed, and occasionally feeling very called out. Hagel writes with so much wit, honesty, and warmth that even when the advice was not technically for me, I still wanted to keep listening.

What surprised me most was how much I learned, especially in the essays about comedy. “Are You Funny?” was such a standout for me. I loved the way it explored humor through gender, status, timing, and the actual work behind making something look effortless.

Because apparently comedians do not just magically appear fully formed and hilarious?

Rude. I wanted to believe in the magic.

But learning how many jokes get trashed before the good ones ever reach an audience made me appreciate comedy even more.

This collection made me snort laugh, think, and feel seen in little unexpected ways. It is practical, personal, and full of advice I absolutely did not ask for but was happy to receive.

✨ Tropes and vibes:
🗒️ funny essays
😂 snort laugh moments
💛 heartfelt reflections
🎤 comedy behind the scenes
🧠 practical life advice
👀 unsolicited wisdom
📚 memoir style storytelling
✨ learning while laughing
💬 candid voice
🥹 charming anecdotes

📚 Read this if you like:
Funny essay collections, memoir adjacent nonfiction, comedy writing, heartfelt life advice, honest storytelling, and books that make you laugh while casually teaching you something.

This was witty, warm, thoughtful, and proof that sometimes the best advice really is the advice no one asked for.

#AdviceNoOneAskedFor #JennyHagel #EssayCollection #NonfictionBooks #BookReview @Gallery

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Gallery Books, for the gifted ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Get it and read it! I didn’t know what to expect because I honestly didn’t know who Jenny Hagel was (I’m so sorry). I do now, though! I loved the title and requested it from that alone. Let me tell you, this was a ride, and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Jenny Hagel is a comedian and writer for some famous shows (Late Night with Seth Meyers and The Amber Ruffin Show). She had a brilliant way of weaving stories about her life with advice. It’s smart and funny. Something I didn’t expect was how heartfelt these essays would be. She made me laugh out loud, tear up, think about life, and taught me interesting things about her life. This book has the perfect balance of making you laugh one minute and making you think the next. There are several things that I related to, and I will be taking some of her advice on many things.

When I tell you that this is packed full of advice, it is! There are so many practical things that I took away to make life a bit easier. Towards the end, she has a chapter about being 40 that everyone needs to read. I’m nearly there, and it’s very relatable, but there’s a lot of good advice even if you are 20. I had the best time with this book. I highly recommend it if you want a good laugh with some very heartfelt and thoughtful moments thrown in.

One more thing… Please, please stop telling people with cat allergies that your cat is hypoallergenic. It’s not a real thing; we are still allergic.

[Jeimy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of Jenny Hagel's comedy, I had been looking forward to this one, and it did not disappoint. Equal parts memoir and advice book, it feels less like a collection of essays and more like spending an afternoon with a hilarious friend who makes a point to pause and reflect on what she's learned.

One of the things I appreciated most was Hagel's approach to giving advice. She never comes across as preachy or convinced that her way is the only way. Instead, each essay grows naturally out of her own experiences, and the advice feels like a natural part of the stories she's telling. Whether she's writing about relationships, work, travel, or comedy, her observations stem from vulnerability as much as humor.

Listening to the audiobook, narrated by Hagel herself, only heightened that feeling. Her comedic timing is impeccable, and because these essays are so personal, hearing them in her own voice makes them feel even more conversational and intimate. It is easy to imagine her telling these stories over dinner, pausing just long enough for the punchlines to land before launching into the next piece of hard-earned wisdom.

One word of warning: if you choose the audiobook, be prepared to laugh. Out loud. Frequently. I lost count of how many times I laughed, snorted, or otherwise embarrassed myself while listening. Consider yourself warned if you're planning to enjoy it in a quiet public place.

[Rae | The Finer Things Club CA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenny Hagel—a comedy writer and performer who has toured with Second City and worked on 𝘓𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘕𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘚𝘦𝘵𝘩 𝘔𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘳𝘴 and 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘙𝘶𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘯 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘸—loves giving advice. She admits she is not qualified to do so, but it is her pleasure and her addiction. Her book 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘕𝘰 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘈𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘍𝘰𝘳 is a collection of essays in which she provides suggestions on a variety of subjects while also sharing snippets of her life story. Topics include, but are not limited to: learning another language, giving birth, overcoming procrastination, making and keeping friends, constructing and delivering jokes, and appreciating your 40s. Since she is writing from the unique viewpoint of a gay, Gen X, and half-Puerto Rican/half-white entertainer and mom of a middle-schooler, occasionally the advice will be irrelevant for some readers, but Hagel writes with such wit, candor, and unpretentiousness that you will at the very least be amused and charmed by her anecdotes.

4.5 stars rounded up. I recommend 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘕𝘰 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘈𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘍𝘰𝘳 for fans of humorous non-fiction, especially those who enjoyed the comedic memoirs of Amber Ruffin, Mindy Kaling, and Tina Fey. Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I grew up Catholic, and Catholic people push their feelings down. They push them farther and farther, until their feelings calcify into small, hard discs, and that's where communion wafers come from."

Hagel's musings cover such topics as learning one's sexuality at a later age, IVF and childbirth, raising a son, and the difficulty of making friends after 40. She relates both good advice (Don't tell jokes during wedding toasts.), and shares life experiences both happy and sad.

"Every time I've been faced with a terrible life event, I've felt like there's no way I could possibly make it through. But every time, I have. And every time, once the dust has settled, I have evolved, like a Pokemon, into a stronger version of myself. A version with the minimum HP of 310 and the ability to shoot thunderbolts. Just kidding. I fucking wish."

There's funny, and occasionally helpful, inspirational stuff here. I might make the banana ice cream. And Jenny, I wanna be your new "street friend." Thanks for withholding material from Seth Meyers, and putting it in your own book, future girlfriend.
That boy takes W-A-Y too many vacations.

[Crystal Smith-Connelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a fan of Jenny Hagel for years because of her work on Late Night with Seth Meyers and The Amber Ruffin Show, so I was thrilled when I saw her new book listed on NetGalley. Advice No One Asked For is a fun, hilarious, and heartfelt read, and it's full of helpful advice for all kinds of situations. The book kept me entertained from the first page to the last, and I enjoyed learning more about Jenny's life. Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this amazing book! : )

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A light and actually helpful and funny advice book. As a fellow procrastinator, she did have some great tips. Some I have used in the past, and a few I will try. And some really great life tips like, call your mom/parent, take chances, show up on time and embrace turning 40.. I did that some time ago. And carry on only - yes!!

I used the timer trick today! Twice. And I've been meaning to send those cards out, I even have stamps.. I might get a card out soon. Really!

[Judi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very humorous book which is so unusual since the author is a comedy writer for a late night talk show. I find most comedians cannot write a funny book. There were lots of laughs and plenty of good advice.
The book is comprised of essays about the personal and work life of the author, Jenny Hagel. Each essay has advice related to the subject of the essay. It’s part memoir, part advice and part comedy.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4.5 stars)

Thanks to Gallery Books for my gifted physical ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I first encountered Jenny Hagel on Seth Meyers’s show, doing the “Jokes Seth Can’t Tell” segment with him and Amber Ruffin. I jumped at the chance to read Jenny’s book and I am so glad I did! While the title does contain the word “advice,” this is much more of a memoir-in-essays than a self-help book. Jenny is of course funny, she’s relatable, and the book covers both silly and serious topics in an enjoyable, conversational tone. I had a great time learning more about Jenny and her background, and I especially recommend this book to readers who are already fans of hers, or of comedy in general.

Audio thoughts: I loved this as an audiobook and highly recommend that format! The only drawback is that there are visual gags and charts in the book, but Jenny does describe them to the reader in the audio version. Still, it was fun to refer to my physical copy to see what she was talking about.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, my therapist suggested I write reviews of the books I read because I said I felt isolated when I go through my reading binges. Fair enough.

Jenny Hagel gives legitimately good advice, even if it boils down to "don't be a jerk", which is unfortunately not obvious to everyone.

I loved the seemingly random "Hackensack" by Fountains of Wayne shoutout.

[Sondra Yu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful, easy to read, and made me giggle out loud.

The main story that resonated with me was about her creative practice writing jokes, and how bombing and trying different jokes on stage as part of second sky’s touring group has made her the Emmy winning comic and writer today.

I highly recommend listening to the audiobook as the author Hagel narrates it herself.

[Dorrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This been genuinely made me laugh out loud. Highly recommend the audio book for this reason. It’s real advice that is practical and it’s a good reminder of some stuff you may know but need to be reminded of.

[Casey Marquette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot say that I will take every piece of advice in this book, but I was definitely entertained. The author’s sense of humour paired with the writing style was a killer combo. I am eager to read whatever she puts out next.

[Kiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining, but also actually includes helpful advice! I might even reference her bit about "I'll think about it and get back to you." if I add a bonus lecture to my career prep class about getting a job offer as her explanation is spot on, but in a more engaging message than I could provide!

[Tiffany McNeil · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s hard to say why exactly, but this book is so kind. It was a warm, playful, fun place to spend some time in a world that can be a little too intense. Jenny is sharp, clever, silly, and heartfelt. I really enjoyed it. Also…now I know what pen to buy.

[Cwelshhans · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific mix of funny and heartfelt, much like Jenny herself, which makes the writing authentic

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Libby

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely little book if you're looking for something light and entertaining.