Firstborn Daughter

by Katherine Ryan

THE HILARIOUS NEW MEMOIR FROM COMEDIAN AND SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR KATHERINE RYAN

'Deeply, unexpectedly moving at points.... and, of course, funny. Shocking, confronting, in all its shameless truths.' The Times

'Super super funny... Katherine is unashamedly authentic', Romesh Ranganathan

'Unsurprisingly excellent, funny and thoughtful,' Aisling Bea

'Very funny but also very thoughtful... the last chapter made me cry,' Joe Lycett

'It's part social commentary, part survival guide for daughters, and 100% written while I was probably carrying a refrigerator up some stairs alone'.

This whip-smart memoir is equal parts stand-up set and group therapy session, Firstborn Daughter runs through motherhood, marriage, fame, beauty, and a very long list of famous women (Beyoncé, Oprah, Hillary Clinton) who never had a choice either.

You'll laugh. You'll recognise your group chat. You'll finally feel diagnosed.

Praise for The Audacity:

'Brilliant!' Aisling Bea
'Witty as hell' Tom Allen
'Wildly readable... tremendous' The Times

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Humor, Memoir

225 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 22, 2026

Reviews

[Natasha Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smiling to myself on the plane

I read this book in true FBD style - on a solo birthday trip paid for and organised by myself. It was fate this book was released the DAY OF said trip and has been great company. I did prefer the Audacity, another one of Katherine's that found me at an airport about to board a flight for a valentines holiday alone after finding out my partner had cheated (also paid for and organised by the FBD). Her books found me at the right time both times and I hope they find you too!

[Corey Williams · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you listen to Katherine's podcast, you don't need to read this book. There is nothing in it that you haven't heard before. It reads like she was given a two book deal, and came up with some loose concept for the second one. Aside from re-telling stories from her podcast, there are a few chapters with a paragraph each about famous women who were first born.

[AlwaysReading · Rating 4 out of 5]

The audiobook includes a great chapter and interview Conversation with Violet Ryan (her then 17 year-old daughter) and also Conversation with Joe Lycett and Aisling Rea.

She mentions reading about how the female brain handles metabolic stress and sleep deprivation. Women should take 10 grams daily especially when estrogen is low. Estrogen is critical for moving creatine into the brain and tissues. When it's low, your body struggles to synthesize its own. Creatine stores fight off memory lapses and and brain fog associated with menopause. Sleep deprived people who took high dose creatine had significant cognitive performance.

From Conversation with Violet Ryan:
"I love not asking anyone's opinion or advice. Making your own decisions also means that you don't have to ask for support... It's a very vulnerable place to be.... People are hugely incompetent. For me, independence... being able to do what you want when you want...

[Melanie Owen · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a classic First Born Daughter myself, this book felt like it was staring straight into my soul. The science behind the FBD experience interwoven with KR’s memoiristic chapters were enlightening and validating. A must-read for any FBD who wants to feel seen.

[Chloe · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

Lists of famous first-borns don’t make a book… but when she writes about her own life it works. TLDR; she needed more than 5 years between memoirs

[Linda a barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

From one fbd to another

Found this book a hugely entertaining read . As an fbd I also recognised myself in its pages ,part therapy ,part humour a really good read .

[Alexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook. The chapters about famous FBDs in various fields were not very interesting to me and I also didn't need or enjoy the chapters with her daughter or friends. It felt a lot like fillers. That said, I love Katherine's anecdotes and insight into her life.

[Angela Richmond · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Katherine Ryan, but this contains A LOT of filler. Most of the FBD content is very clearly word count fodder. If you listen to her podcast and other output, you will probably already be familiar with the comedy memoir parts . A victim of her own success, in this respect.

[Kiki]

(read for work)

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

So relatable and an easy read. Very interesting too.

[Katie W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent background listening if you need to get some FBD shit done, e.g. put your entire wardrobe on Vinted. Lots of filler stuff but it’s all good fun.

[Rachel Morton · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

if you’ve listened to the podcast, you’ve essentially read the book. didn’t love the filler chapters of FBD’s but it is what it is

[Bethan Latham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Katherine Ryan. No notes.

[Katie Mahon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could listen to Katherine Ryan yap all day long