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Challenge Accepted!: The hilarious bestselling memoir and guide to life from the Australian comedy sensation, for fans of Toni Lodge and Tina Fey
Funny woman, Instagram star, international comedy sensation and now bestselling author, Celeste Barber's Challenge Accepted! is a hilarious and outspoken guide to life, unwanted gas and how to rock a sexy scar. It's real, like totally, really real.
Actor, writer and comedian, Celeste Barber is one very funny woman - not to mention a global social media comedy phenomenon. Amassing over 3.8 million followers in three years with her hilarious #celestechallengeaccepted pics, she has been dubbed 'Australian Comedy Queen' by ABC Online; voted The Funniest Lady on Instagram; gone on sold-out comedy tours of the US; and won herself fans ranging from Tom Ford and Ruby Rose to Amy Schumer and Dawn French.
In the tradition of Tina Fey's Bossypants, Challenge Accepted! is part memoir, part comedy routine, part advice manual. Calling out our ridiculous obsession with celebrity Instagram culture, Celeste reveals all, including her thoughts on keeping it real, the secrets to love, friendship, family and marriage (oh hai, #hothusband), and how to deal with life's many challenges, like, motherhood, and what to do when your local bottleshop owner can't remember your name.
Celeste is raucous, real and hilarious. Bring it on.
Actor, writer and comedian, Celeste Barber is one very funny woman - not to mention a global social media comedy phenomenon. Amassing over 3.8 million followers in three years with her hilarious #celestechallengeaccepted pics, she has been dubbed 'Australian Comedy Queen' by ABC Online; voted The Funniest Lady on Instagram; gone on sold-out comedy tours of the US; and won herself fans ranging from Tom Ford and Ruby Rose to Amy Schumer and Dawn French.
In the tradition of Tina Fey's Bossypants, Challenge Accepted! is part memoir, part comedy routine, part advice manual. Calling out our ridiculous obsession with celebrity Instagram culture, Celeste reveals all, including her thoughts on keeping it real, the secrets to love, friendship, family and marriage (oh hai, #hothusband), and how to deal with life's many challenges, like, motherhood, and what to do when your local bottleshop owner can't remember your name.
Celeste is raucous, real and hilarious. Bring it on.
307 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2018
908 people are currently reading
5809 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 735 reviews
June 23, 2020
I'm in love with Celeste Barber, and I check her Instagram feed every day. Honestly, she deserves to earn $1,000,000 just for posting the stuff that she does, shining a light on the hilarity of celebrity culture, in a light, accessible way. Her social media is GOLD.
However, and I say this time and time again, a funny person does not make a funny book. Or even an interesting book, for that matter...
Look, it just isn't captivating to read about someone from a loving home who used to take dance lessons and has ADHD. I can literally point you to 100 people I know with the same exact story. You have to be an INSANELY skilled writer to make that stuff interesting. Celeste Barber just... isn't.
I wanted more insight on her social media posts, her interactions with celebrities, and basically all the gossip that separates her from just listening to patients talk about their school life while I work. I listen to that other stuff every day. This was supposed to be interesting.
There are not going to be any books written about my fascinating life (*snorts*), so I guess I'm not one to talk, but Celeste Barber truly doesn't have enough content to fill a whole book. And I'm saying that from a loving, honest place.
goodreads|instagram|twitter|blog
August 2, 2018
I can't count the number of times I snorted laughing while reading this book (actually, I lost some coffee through my nose before I decided not to drink anything while reading the rest). It isn't just funny, it's hilarious. Celeste has such an incredible authorial voice and that comes through these pages from start to finish. It's easy to read and you can practically hear her narrating the whole thing.
But the thing that really sealed this book for me is that it isn't just jokes. There were some really heart-wrenching moments, and some passages I can hardly bear to read a second time - some parts that made me feel truly uncomfortable or clutch my chest in empathy. And that's a good thing. Because this book will have you laughing along right up to the point where it nails you right in the feels.
But the thing that really sealed this book for me is that it isn't just jokes. There were some really heart-wrenching moments, and some passages I can hardly bear to read a second time - some parts that made me feel truly uncomfortable or clutch my chest in empathy. And that's a good thing. Because this book will have you laughing along right up to the point where it nails you right in the feels.
October 31, 2018
I was a bit disappointed when reading this. I laugh so hard of most of her instagram posts, and I was expecting to be laughing more when reading the book.
It seems like she wants to many things and the book becomes a bit shallow. It’s funny in parts, serious in parts and really sad in parts. Celeste has got some really good points and fab views on life, but the book lacked a bit.
It seems like she wants to many things and the book becomes a bit shallow. It’s funny in parts, serious in parts and really sad in parts. Celeste has got some really good points and fab views on life, but the book lacked a bit.
November 1, 2023
A tiny glimpse into a stage show that was in New York at some stage. My audio Hoopla version did not state that it was abridged, but it must have been, or it is not this book at all.
I have just checked - this is the abridged but the silly Hoopla app does not state this..
I heard some jokes, some references to her paradies, just a quick stage show. She gets excited and kind of yells out to the crowd. Talks about liking the drunk mums, gave a shout out to them. 'Me like me some drunk mums'.
As a comedian (I never go to comedy shows) she's relatable and real, I think I'll listen to the full version on BorrowBox when I get the urge for a laugh.
One more quick side comment. I miss her on Audible as the girl in the ad! It's now a boring looking dude in an orange t-shirt. Eew.
I have just checked - this is the abridged but the silly Hoopla app does not state this..
I heard some jokes, some references to her paradies, just a quick stage show. She gets excited and kind of yells out to the crowd. Talks about liking the drunk mums, gave a shout out to them. 'Me like me some drunk mums'.
As a comedian (I never go to comedy shows) she's relatable and real, I think I'll listen to the full version on BorrowBox when I get the urge for a laugh.
One more quick side comment. I miss her on Audible as the girl in the ad! It's now a boring looking dude in an orange t-shirt. Eew.
March 22, 2020
WHAT A QUEEN.
She's a funny lady, sure, but this book also shows that she's down to earth, genuine, honest and just trying to give life her best shot, like the rest of us.
I loved it. I loved the honesty, but also that - and bear with me on this - it's not a book that's trying too hard to be funny?
She's a comedian, sure, but this is a biography - not a sketch. It's her life, and it's told with honesty. Of course there's her own brand of humour lacing the stories to make them more fun, but it's not over the top outrageous; instead it's dialled back so that her story can actually be told.
It was the more honest moments that I think I enjoyed the most - her blunt delivery of her own #metoo stories, and her opinion on feminism, and women supporting women. How her Instagram started, and of course the dirty deets on her relationship with #hothusband.
I think part of the reason she is loved by so many is because she's just an average Aussie lady. That doesn't mean she isn't wonderful, or achieving amazing things, etc. Rather, it means that every other person who considers themselves average can be inspired to be wonderful and achieve amazing things.
This is the story of a woman with a dream, who set out to achieve it and never let anyone stand in her way. She backed herself, stood up for what she believed in, and blocked out the negativity trying to bring her down. She found her own light and now it's a gift that lights the world.
It's not bellyache-from-laughing funny, but it is witty, insightful and enlightening. A truly enjoyable read that I would recommend to people looking for inspiration with a good dose of humour.
She's a funny lady, sure, but this book also shows that she's down to earth, genuine, honest and just trying to give life her best shot, like the rest of us.
I loved it. I loved the honesty, but also that - and bear with me on this - it's not a book that's trying too hard to be funny?
She's a comedian, sure, but this is a biography - not a sketch. It's her life, and it's told with honesty. Of course there's her own brand of humour lacing the stories to make them more fun, but it's not over the top outrageous; instead it's dialled back so that her story can actually be told.
It was the more honest moments that I think I enjoyed the most - her blunt delivery of her own #metoo stories, and her opinion on feminism, and women supporting women. How her Instagram started, and of course the dirty deets on her relationship with #hothusband.
I think part of the reason she is loved by so many is because she's just an average Aussie lady. That doesn't mean she isn't wonderful, or achieving amazing things, etc. Rather, it means that every other person who considers themselves average can be inspired to be wonderful and achieve amazing things.
This is the story of a woman with a dream, who set out to achieve it and never let anyone stand in her way. She backed herself, stood up for what she believed in, and blocked out the negativity trying to bring her down. She found her own light and now it's a gift that lights the world.
It's not bellyache-from-laughing funny, but it is witty, insightful and enlightening. A truly enjoyable read that I would recommend to people looking for inspiration with a good dose of humour.
January 1, 2019
I read this book pretty quickly as it’s quite an easy read, funny and engaging. But since finishing I keep coming back to the same thought ‘what was this book even about and why was it written?’ And I can’t come up with an answer. I enjoy the Instagram page and got caught up with the buzz of the book but I can’t help but wonder was it even needed? The book isn’t your typical autobiography in that there’s not some life challenge that has been overcome it just seems a bit soon to have written a book when the skill that propelled her into the spotlight only occurred 2 years ago.
Maybe I am conflicted because I followed this book with Dylan Alcott’s Able an inspirational and amazing story of what can be achieved even when the odds aren’t in your favour and there’s not really any comparison between the two?
Maybe I am conflicted because I followed this book with Dylan Alcott’s Able an inspirational and amazing story of what can be achieved even when the odds aren’t in your favour and there’s not really any comparison between the two?
October 4, 2018
The book is Celeste’s memoir. I got this book through #borrowbox and choose the audio book version and the best thing was Celeste narrated the book. Celeste is the funniest woman on Instagram, her #challengeaccepted are hilarious. She doesn’t take herself seriously and has amassed over 4 million followers with her funny impressions of celebrities. This book was laugh out loud funny and the way she describes child birth was eye watering. I absolutely loved this book.
June 19, 2019
I really like Celeste, and this book hasn't changed that however it sort of fell a bit flat for me. I'm not sure what I walked into this book expecting to happen, but I don't feel like I got what I went in for. Her humour still shines through the pages but I didn't connect with her through this book.
June 28, 2019
Oh my word, why was this woman not introduced to my life earlier?? Honestly, she's so aspiring that I don't know how to handle it.
Like most of the books I've been reading lately, when I first picked this one up, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it. I didn't really get the Aussie humor, she started the book off with the birth of her son, and I have a lot of mixed feelings about kids right now. I wasn't sure if Celeste and I were going to click. But, like most books I've been reading lately, I stuck with it and was extremely pleased with the rest of the book. Barber is very witty, one might even say cheeky, and makes you feel like you're listening to your new best friend telling you about her life over drinks on your couch while in your pjs.
I liked how honest Barber is. She admits right off the bat that she might not be the smartest person, or the best writer, but she has a story to tell and something to say. And if that isn't the most humbling thing I've ever seen a writer put in their book, I don't know what is. Barber says what she believes with such conviction that you can't help but think, "Yeah, I totally agree," while she talks to you about the dangers of diet culture or feminism.
I definitely, definitely recommend this book because like Barber says in her book, we should support other women who we think do cool stuff. And she definitely does cool stuff. Also, if you're interested in reading about women doing inspiring things or having inspiring ideas, pick up this book and be inspired yourself!
Like most of the books I've been reading lately, when I first picked this one up, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it. I didn't really get the Aussie humor, she started the book off with the birth of her son, and I have a lot of mixed feelings about kids right now. I wasn't sure if Celeste and I were going to click. But, like most books I've been reading lately, I stuck with it and was extremely pleased with the rest of the book. Barber is very witty, one might even say cheeky, and makes you feel like you're listening to your new best friend telling you about her life over drinks on your couch while in your pjs.
I liked how honest Barber is. She admits right off the bat that she might not be the smartest person, or the best writer, but she has a story to tell and something to say. And if that isn't the most humbling thing I've ever seen a writer put in their book, I don't know what is. Barber says what she believes with such conviction that you can't help but think, "Yeah, I totally agree," while she talks to you about the dangers of diet culture or feminism.
I definitely, definitely recommend this book because like Barber says in her book, we should support other women who we think do cool stuff. And she definitely does cool stuff. Also, if you're interested in reading about women doing inspiring things or having inspiring ideas, pick up this book and be inspired yourself!
December 11, 2018
DNF
It took nearly 4 weeks to read 70% I just couldn’t do it, felt like a chore.
It felt t was quite self indulgent for a complete historical memoir, a lot of it would only be
Meaningful to people who know her. I picked the book because of her insta posts hoping there would be much more emphasis on why she started the posts, the feedback she got, where to from here. And she might have explored that but after 70% read I was too bored to find out. I find her insta posts really funny and for me the book just didn’t translate like this.
I gave it’s two stars though because I do think she has a strong message regarding bullying, modern feminism etc. I hope she hones her writing craft if she writes again.
It took nearly 4 weeks to read 70% I just couldn’t do it, felt like a chore.
It felt t was quite self indulgent for a complete historical memoir, a lot of it would only be
Meaningful to people who know her. I picked the book because of her insta posts hoping there would be much more emphasis on why she started the posts, the feedback she got, where to from here. And she might have explored that but after 70% read I was too bored to find out. I find her insta posts really funny and for me the book just didn’t translate like this.
I gave it’s two stars though because I do think she has a strong message regarding bullying, modern feminism etc. I hope she hones her writing craft if she writes again.
September 18, 2019
A bit of fun really, Celeste is great to follow on Instagram, her sense of humour really appeals to me and her bluntness is totally refreshing. This is her life up to now, her trials with health problems, meeting the love of her life, finding herself suddenly famous and musings on how she thinks and acts in the world.
It is a bunch of hilarious at times, funny fluff. If you like Celeste you'll know what you are getting and you'll love this book.
It is a bunch of hilarious at times, funny fluff. If you like Celeste you'll know what you are getting and you'll love this book.
February 25, 2020
Pucha que me costó terminar este libro, ¡y eso que me gusta la autora! La sigo en instagram, y me encanta lo natural que es, lo ridículas e inteligentes que son las fotos que pone comparándose con la mayoría de las famosas. Me hace reír mucho y además la encuentro chora.
Y sin embargo, en el libro... se esfuerza demasiado. Es demasiado fuerte su afán de ser simpática, chistosa, creativa. Uno lee sus historias y es como escuchar al típico amigo centro de mesa que acapara todas las reuniones sociales, ése que tiene su gracia, pero que al final igual aburre. Demasiado ímpetu, demasiada necesidad de atención o de complicidad, además de un tipo de graciosidad en que a veces se le pasa la mano y llega a ser hiriente.
Sin embargo, y a favor de Celeste: No es fácil escribir un libro como éste, donde uno un poco "se desnuda" antes su público. Aunque, pensándolo bien, eso no lo hace realmente. La mayoría de sus relatos sigue haciéndolos desde su máscara de comediante, pero por otro lado... por qué tendría que llegar y contarnos sus intimidades, la sociedad es muy morbosa (incluida yo que me compré este libro, jajaja).
En fin, que cuando me di cuenta de que había capítulos insufribles que era mejor saltarse y me di permiso para hacerlo (como los relativos al teatro), lo pasé mucho mejor. Tuve paciencia y amor para llegar a los buenos, que los hay, especialmente los más personales... como cuando habla del papá, la mamá, la hermana... donde es muy dulce y sigue siendo divertida, pero llena además del esplendor de la autenticidad. También es muy bueno (y terrible) el capítulo donde el patudo de la radio trata de sobrepasarse con ella llamándola a trabajar en la estación vacía a medianoche y tratando de meterse con ella AL BAÑO DE MUJERES. Desgraciadamente, esas cosas sí nos pasan a nosotras. Aquí, allí y en la quebrada del ají.
Dos estrellas porque aunque hay algunas partes que me gustaron, igual creo que no vale tanto la pena. Es mucho mejor seguirla en instagram, donde sí es un aporte, y en donde es bacán. Además allí no solo hace buena sátira social, sino que también ocasionalmente cosas como juntar fondos para luchar contra los incendios de Australia que aparecieron este verano. Alcanzó a juntar ¡millones de dólares! (literalmente).
Un par de citas que destaqué:
1. Esto lo puso luego de terminar de contar la historia del manoseador de la radio. Lo encontré bastante acertado.
"
Even in the telling of this story, I have realized that women need to be careful. It's so common for it to seem as if we are telling our stories to defame men or profit from the stories financially, because God forbids that women would just want to be heard. Not naming the perpretators shows that it's not just individuals to blame but a sick culture that needs to be disarmed. And just for the record, I don't give two shits about what these stories do to certain men's careers or reputations, especially if they are lucky enough to have a career that they didn't have to fuck someone to get. For so long women have had to put up with a strong culture of intimidation, threats, and men just being fucking gross. But not anymore. #timesup.
2. Sobre el marido, a quien llama #hothusband. Awww.
"
Fourteen years together and he's just getting hotter. It's really annoying. Sometimes I set my alarm for the middle of the night just to wake up and look at him, not because I'm a hopeless romantic, but more because I want to catch him off guard. I hope to roll over at 3:00 am, and see that he's actually one of those people who sleep with their eyes half-open, sporting a double chin, and has a nose covered in whiteheads along with uneven jawline.
But no, he's divine. He sleeps with his eyes closed, there are no secret nightime pimples, and he even has a small smile on his sleeping face. We don't need to leave a light on the house at night for the kids, because my husband is a constant ray of fucking sunshine and he glows in his goddamned sleep."
3. Al final del libro, cuando hay que hacer una breve reseña sobre el autor. Yo me reí, jajaja.
"
About the Author. Celeste (actor, writer, comedian) has put all the words she has ever learned into this book, yet her publishers still want an author bio (exhausted face emoji).
(I wrote a whole book on who I am and you can basically see my whole life on Instagram! What more do you people want from me!?)."
Y sin embargo, en el libro... se esfuerza demasiado. Es demasiado fuerte su afán de ser simpática, chistosa, creativa. Uno lee sus historias y es como escuchar al típico amigo centro de mesa que acapara todas las reuniones sociales, ése que tiene su gracia, pero que al final igual aburre. Demasiado ímpetu, demasiada necesidad de atención o de complicidad, además de un tipo de graciosidad en que a veces se le pasa la mano y llega a ser hiriente.
Sin embargo, y a favor de Celeste: No es fácil escribir un libro como éste, donde uno un poco "se desnuda" antes su público. Aunque, pensándolo bien, eso no lo hace realmente. La mayoría de sus relatos sigue haciéndolos desde su máscara de comediante, pero por otro lado... por qué tendría que llegar y contarnos sus intimidades, la sociedad es muy morbosa (incluida yo que me compré este libro, jajaja).
En fin, que cuando me di cuenta de que había capítulos insufribles que era mejor saltarse y me di permiso para hacerlo (como los relativos al teatro), lo pasé mucho mejor. Tuve paciencia y amor para llegar a los buenos, que los hay, especialmente los más personales... como cuando habla del papá, la mamá, la hermana... donde es muy dulce y sigue siendo divertida, pero llena además del esplendor de la autenticidad. También es muy bueno (y terrible) el capítulo donde el patudo de la radio trata de sobrepasarse con ella llamándola a trabajar en la estación vacía a medianoche y tratando de meterse con ella AL BAÑO DE MUJERES. Desgraciadamente, esas cosas sí nos pasan a nosotras. Aquí, allí y en la quebrada del ají.
Dos estrellas porque aunque hay algunas partes que me gustaron, igual creo que no vale tanto la pena. Es mucho mejor seguirla en instagram, donde sí es un aporte, y en donde es bacán. Además allí no solo hace buena sátira social, sino que también ocasionalmente cosas como juntar fondos para luchar contra los incendios de Australia que aparecieron este verano. Alcanzó a juntar ¡millones de dólares! (literalmente).
Un par de citas que destaqué:
1. Esto lo puso luego de terminar de contar la historia del manoseador de la radio. Lo encontré bastante acertado.
"
Even in the telling of this story, I have realized that women need to be careful. It's so common for it to seem as if we are telling our stories to defame men or profit from the stories financially, because God forbids that women would just want to be heard. Not naming the perpretators shows that it's not just individuals to blame but a sick culture that needs to be disarmed. And just for the record, I don't give two shits about what these stories do to certain men's careers or reputations, especially if they are lucky enough to have a career that they didn't have to fuck someone to get. For so long women have had to put up with a strong culture of intimidation, threats, and men just being fucking gross. But not anymore. #timesup.
2. Sobre el marido, a quien llama #hothusband. Awww.
"
Fourteen years together and he's just getting hotter. It's really annoying. Sometimes I set my alarm for the middle of the night just to wake up and look at him, not because I'm a hopeless romantic, but more because I want to catch him off guard. I hope to roll over at 3:00 am, and see that he's actually one of those people who sleep with their eyes half-open, sporting a double chin, and has a nose covered in whiteheads along with uneven jawline.
But no, he's divine. He sleeps with his eyes closed, there are no secret nightime pimples, and he even has a small smile on his sleeping face. We don't need to leave a light on the house at night for the kids, because my husband is a constant ray of fucking sunshine and he glows in his goddamned sleep."
3. Al final del libro, cuando hay que hacer una breve reseña sobre el autor. Yo me reí, jajaja.
"
About the Author. Celeste (actor, writer, comedian) has put all the words she has ever learned into this book, yet her publishers still want an author bio (exhausted face emoji).
(I wrote a whole book on who I am and you can basically see my whole life on Instagram! What more do you people want from me!?)."
December 1, 2018
I had thought this would be more Jenny Lawson or David Sedaris rather than Tina Fey, Amy Fowler or Anna Kendrick. I didn't like the books by these last three either. The problem is that these ladies have grown up in white middle class (normal) families, with nothing much interesting happening while they were growing up. So what they talk about are their boring lives, and about the acting classes they took, and how they got into the 'biz'. Makes for boring reading/listening.
I do have to say that this book does have some good moments, but for the most part it feels as though she's used this platform as a dumping ground for all the things she's not been able to say before. Imagine you encounter something that makes you mad, and you come up with all these thoughts in your head - things you would say to those people. That's what most of this book is. While these thoughts might be fun in your head, they're not necessarily that great on paper.
Celeste added humour to everything. While it fit nicely in some places, like maybe during her labour, I thought it felt wrong in other places, it reduced the impact of the story. I cared a lot less about most of the book because she make a joke about every single thing.
She tends to jump about stories as well. She'll be talking about one thing when all of a sudden she'll slip in a mini story inbetween. It may or may not relate to the main story.
She talks a lot about body image and how people shouldn't be judged by their looks/bodies, yet she goes on and on about her husband's looks and calls him hothusband.
A few times it's as though she trying to point out that she's politically correct. The section about gays, and how she's ok with them and so on. That's great but that section made me cringe. It's as though she's trying to hard.
A lot of the stories were about people or incidents that would only be of interest to those involved or know those people involved. It would have been great if she had left those out and had more fun stuff like the friends called Wine and Hangover. And more serious stuff that is not weakened by jokes.
This is a weak first attempt and needs more editorial guidance, which hopefully she'll get in the future.
Audiobook - Celeste narrated her own book. While she's got a lovely voice when it's normal, she does tend to screech a bit when making a joke, which unfortunately is most of the time. The high pitch, mixed with an Australian accent is not a good combination.
I think this book would be best listened to in small doses. Both for the content and the narration. It'll definitely be better appreciated that way.
I do have to say that this book does have some good moments, but for the most part it feels as though she's used this platform as a dumping ground for all the things she's not been able to say before. Imagine you encounter something that makes you mad, and you come up with all these thoughts in your head - things you would say to those people. That's what most of this book is. While these thoughts might be fun in your head, they're not necessarily that great on paper.
Celeste added humour to everything. While it fit nicely in some places, like maybe during her labour, I thought it felt wrong in other places, it reduced the impact of the story. I cared a lot less about most of the book because she make a joke about every single thing.
She tends to jump about stories as well. She'll be talking about one thing when all of a sudden she'll slip in a mini story inbetween. It may or may not relate to the main story.
She talks a lot about body image and how people shouldn't be judged by their looks/bodies, yet she goes on and on about her husband's looks and calls him hothusband.
A few times it's as though she trying to point out that she's politically correct. The section about gays, and how she's ok with them and so on. That's great but that section made me cringe. It's as though she's trying to hard.
A lot of the stories were about people or incidents that would only be of interest to those involved or know those people involved. It would have been great if she had left those out and had more fun stuff like the friends called Wine and Hangover. And more serious stuff that is not weakened by jokes.
This is a weak first attempt and needs more editorial guidance, which hopefully she'll get in the future.
Audiobook - Celeste narrated her own book. While she's got a lovely voice when it's normal, she does tend to screech a bit when making a joke, which unfortunately is most of the time. The high pitch, mixed with an Australian accent is not a good combination.
I think this book would be best listened to in small doses. Both for the content and the narration. It'll definitely be better appreciated that way.
September 24, 2018
Já mám Celeste fakt ráda, na Instáči válí a její stories nikdy nepřeskakuju. Pokud ji znáte, tak od její knihy očekáváte dost podobný styl. Říkám si, je to stand-up komička, tohle bude LOL od začátku do konce. No a není. Kniha má slibný start a dobrý konec, to mezi tím je ale buď nezajimavé, příliš na vážno, přitažené za vlasy... Miluju Celestin humor a přístup k životu, ale asi nepotřebuju číst o tom, jak jí operovali srdce. Sorry.
December 7, 2018
This book was hilarious. It had so many lol moments but also some deep moments. I love Celeste Barber and love that she knows who she is and will stand up for what she believes in
June 20, 2019
Loved it just as much as I thought I would!
February 13, 2020
Instagram is a social network I never “got.” I made an account a few years ago, posted a few pictures, and never signed on again. I care much more about words than I do about pictures, apparently. I am not interested in following people’s lives visually. Oddly enough, I was familiar with the work of Celeste Barber from Facebook – pretty sure one of my friends shared a compilation of funny Celeste pictures. I didn’t even realize this book was by that person when I picked it up, I just thought it might be a funny memoir and it was an Audible daily deal and for $2.95 I will listen to almost anything.
It started off rough – a detailed story of Celeste giving birth to her first born. You don’t know me, but this is NOT the way to win me over. I’m fine with other people’s children if they Stay Over There and I Don’t Have to Deal with Them. This is not calling you out if you have children or whatever, really, it is fine and your choice, I just have zero interest in children as like, a concept. Starting out with that concept made me think I was listening to the wrong book. And come to find out, I kind of was listening to the wrong book. Babies, “#hothusband,” obsessions with famous people, recounting of school bullies and #metoo moments.
I don’t know what I was expecting. Instead of deconstructing social media it highlighted how awesome celebrities are. While talking about her #metoo moments she also constantly referred to her husband as #hothusband and called him hot more than she used his name. As far as I can tell he has no personality. I wasn’t reading it for him, obviously, but I am not interested in your Fabio romance cover husband because he is “hot,” and you don’t see any issues with referring to him as hot over and over again? Really?
It started off rough – a detailed story of Celeste giving birth to her first born. You don’t know me, but this is NOT the way to win me over. I’m fine with other people’s children if they Stay Over There and I Don’t Have to Deal with Them. This is not calling you out if you have children or whatever, really, it is fine and your choice, I just have zero interest in children as like, a concept. Starting out with that concept made me think I was listening to the wrong book. And come to find out, I kind of was listening to the wrong book. Babies, “#hothusband,” obsessions with famous people, recounting of school bullies and #metoo moments.
I don’t know what I was expecting. Instead of deconstructing social media it highlighted how awesome celebrities are. While talking about her #metoo moments she also constantly referred to her husband as #hothusband and called him hot more than she used his name. As far as I can tell he has no personality. I wasn’t reading it for him, obviously, but I am not interested in your Fabio romance cover husband because he is “hot,” and you don’t see any issues with referring to him as hot over and over again? Really?
August 30, 2019
Celeste isn’t a writer and it shows. Her medium is visual. She does that incredibly well.
This book is a collection of mostly disjointed life stories ranging from childhood memories, family, friends, health, and career steps. Some were funny, some cringeworthy and some very serious. (The chapter about the late night radio station was scary and awful. I really felt for her and the shitty situation she found herself in.)
I think the content of this book would have been better delivered as an in-depth magazine article or interview. It didn’t really merit an entire book. I suspect she got offered a book deal to cash in on her popularity while it lasted.
This book is a collection of mostly disjointed life stories ranging from childhood memories, family, friends, health, and career steps. Some were funny, some cringeworthy and some very serious. (The chapter about the late night radio station was scary and awful. I really felt for her and the shitty situation she found herself in.)
I think the content of this book would have been better delivered as an in-depth magazine article or interview. It didn’t really merit an entire book. I suspect she got offered a book deal to cash in on her popularity while it lasted.
August 23, 2019
Well, I may be late to the Celeste Barber party, but now that I'm here I don't think I will ever leave. Especially because she is my new best friend and we're going to drink wine together and make each other snork laughing at inappropriate things.
January 22, 2020
This was an audible daily deal and well worth the price. Barber is a hoot and this was a laugh- out -loud experience. I don’t think I had ever heard of Celeste Barber before, but after listening to this, I’m now a big fan.
Recommended for those who enjoy humor with their memoirs. Great listening for a car trip. I really wish I had an Australian accent!
Recommended for those who enjoy humor with their memoirs. Great listening for a car trip. I really wish I had an Australian accent!
Read
October 28, 2018– Sharing laughs, love, and life advice – Challenge Accepted! –
You know when all you want to do is wear your PJs all day and watch Friends reruns with your bestie? Well, Celeste Barber had my back. I could tell that if she could, she’d be right there with me, cracking wicked jokes, eating all the chips, and making me laugh.
Challenge Accepted! is littered memoir-style with stories and anecdotes of Barber’s life. An accomplished actor and comedian, she is famous specifically for her celebrity parody photos on Instagram that went viral in 2015. She admits that the stories she shares are not entirely chronological, they might be embellished slightly, and that doesn’t know how to go about writing a memoir. So she starts with her favorite story, the birth of her first child. It’s a rollicking beginning. In between chapters are some of the snaps from her Instagram page of the highly entertaining celebrity parodies. Barber aims to please, all she wants to do is make people laugh, and she nails it every time
These parodies were the origin of Challenge Accepted! – pictures sent as challenges between Barber and her sister Olivia making fun of themselves, trying to mimic crazy poses of celebrities. They’re fantastic gems that evoke a massive grin at the very least, but more often cackling. She has no shame, and I am so thankful for it.
While I was getting my giggle on, she was sharing some sweet stories about her family that brought a happy tear to my eye. Her relationships with her parents, sister, husband, children, and besties, feel true, solid, and beautiful. There is such a lovely, down to earth note to each interaction. I especially enjoyed the chapter about her Dad. Their relationship made me nostalgic, reminding me of my Dad. Barber’s writing highlighted to me how important my family is in supporting me.
It’s not all jockeying for a laugh though. There are struggles. Barber discusses her learning difficulties, mental health issues, losing loved ones, sexism, and harassment. There is also a fair bit on body-shaming, bullying, and equality. Did I mention she’s had emergency open heart surgery? Yep. She’s funny, clever, industrious, honest, and a survivor.
Celeste Barber is the real deal people. I just want to hug her. I loved Challenge Accepted! It was an easy read at a super busy time for me. It was just what I needed.
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This review was first published on Narrative Muse, https://www.narrativemuse.co/books/ch..., and was written Yvette Cooke. Narrative Muse curates the best books and movies by and about women and non-binary folk on our website http://www.narrativemuse.co and our social media channels.
You know when all you want to do is wear your PJs all day and watch Friends reruns with your bestie? Well, Celeste Barber had my back. I could tell that if she could, she’d be right there with me, cracking wicked jokes, eating all the chips, and making me laugh.
Challenge Accepted! is littered memoir-style with stories and anecdotes of Barber’s life. An accomplished actor and comedian, she is famous specifically for her celebrity parody photos on Instagram that went viral in 2015. She admits that the stories she shares are not entirely chronological, they might be embellished slightly, and that doesn’t know how to go about writing a memoir. So she starts with her favorite story, the birth of her first child. It’s a rollicking beginning. In between chapters are some of the snaps from her Instagram page of the highly entertaining celebrity parodies. Barber aims to please, all she wants to do is make people laugh, and she nails it every time
These parodies were the origin of Challenge Accepted! – pictures sent as challenges between Barber and her sister Olivia making fun of themselves, trying to mimic crazy poses of celebrities. They’re fantastic gems that evoke a massive grin at the very least, but more often cackling. She has no shame, and I am so thankful for it.
While I was getting my giggle on, she was sharing some sweet stories about her family that brought a happy tear to my eye. Her relationships with her parents, sister, husband, children, and besties, feel true, solid, and beautiful. There is such a lovely, down to earth note to each interaction. I especially enjoyed the chapter about her Dad. Their relationship made me nostalgic, reminding me of my Dad. Barber’s writing highlighted to me how important my family is in supporting me.
It’s not all jockeying for a laugh though. There are struggles. Barber discusses her learning difficulties, mental health issues, losing loved ones, sexism, and harassment. There is also a fair bit on body-shaming, bullying, and equality. Did I mention she’s had emergency open heart surgery? Yep. She’s funny, clever, industrious, honest, and a survivor.
Celeste Barber is the real deal people. I just want to hug her. I loved Challenge Accepted! It was an easy read at a super busy time for me. It was just what I needed.
----------
This review was first published on Narrative Muse, https://www.narrativemuse.co/books/ch..., and was written Yvette Cooke. Narrative Muse curates the best books and movies by and about women and non-binary folk on our website http://www.narrativemuse.co and our social media channels.
October 6, 2018
I have not read as much as I would have liked to these holidays (tending to 3 kids is kind of a reading kill-joy). However, I did manage to polish this baby off in a day or two.
Celeste Barber is funny. I follow her on Insta, along with 5 million others and her piss-takes of ridic celeb photos are great. Book worthy though? Nah, not yet. This is an EASY read, but her life has been pretty straight and boring (not a bad thing at all, just doesn’t make for a great read!). I did get a bit teary when she wrote about her struggles with breast feeding as it was all too familiar.
Other than that- she’s fun, I’d love to have a wine and dinner with her and #hothusband but it’s not an amazing life journey by any means.
Celeste Barber is funny. I follow her on Insta, along with 5 million others and her piss-takes of ridic celeb photos are great. Book worthy though? Nah, not yet. This is an EASY read, but her life has been pretty straight and boring (not a bad thing at all, just doesn’t make for a great read!). I did get a bit teary when she wrote about her struggles with breast feeding as it was all too familiar.
Other than that- she’s fun, I’d love to have a wine and dinner with her and #hothusband but it’s not an amazing life journey by any means.
March 6, 2020
It wasn’t necessarily awful, but it 1) made no sense, 2) had no structure and 3) had no point.
November 9, 2019
Celeste Barber cracks me up. She is hilarious and honest and a breath of fresh air in this fucked up, flat-tummy tea and Instagram influencer era. I love that she’s just so very much herself. That’s so rare. Especially for women, we’re taught from day one to hate everything about ourselves, and to do everything humanly (and inhumanly) possible to make ourselves into something other than what we are. It’s so insidious and so engrained in most of us that when we see someone like Celeste Barber, it’s literally shocking… but in the best way possible. Like, it’s okay to not be a size zero. It’s okay to be loud and take up space. It’s okay to have fun and enjoy life, regardless of what our bodies look like.
Revolutionary, right?
Revolutionary, right?
January 14, 2020
I’ve been following Celeste on Instagram and Facebook for a couple of years now and saw her stand up act in-person last year , she’s FANTASTIC in all these outlets. Funny, relatable and new kind of confidence I admire. So I was so stoked about her book that I pre-ordered it the first day it was allowed and waited the few months it took for the release. Unfortunately I’m so disappointed by the book, other than the occasional smile her humour just didn’t translate well for me into book form. And while I feel terrible saying it the book is boring and didn’t keep my attention.
I’m giving 3 stars only because I love her everywhere else besides her book, the actual book I’d give 2 stars. I wanted to write this review so other Celeste fans aren’t as disappointed as me when it comes to reading her book.
I’m giving 3 stars only because I love her everywhere else besides her book, the actual book I’d give 2 stars. I wanted to write this review so other Celeste fans aren’t as disappointed as me when it comes to reading her book.
January 15, 2019
For some time I am following Celeste on social media and she is making my day with her Challenge Accepted photos, so when I saw her book, I just had to see who is Celeste behind the photo lenses. Thank you for that opportunity and I glad that I know her and people around her. Her way of telling her stories is easy, just like she is talking with the reader. Even this biography books are not my cup of tea I enjoyed reading this one
July 27, 2025
DNF ~ I love Celeste, but I just couldn’t find the willpower to finish this one.
My first offical DNF (and yes I’m only admitting it 3 years later because I normally pride myself on giving everything the chance to be read completely).
My first offical DNF (and yes I’m only admitting it 3 years later because I normally pride myself on giving everything the chance to be read completely).
September 23, 2019
Disappointed in this one but honestly still adore her! Follow her on Instagram and you'll be set with all your Celeste Barber needs.
August 27, 2019
This was a fun end of summer book! I love her Instagram page and how she doesn't take herself seriously. I liked reading her book and was amused by her stories. No book, though, has made me laugh out loud like Tina Fey's book.
March 22, 2021
REVIEW: Challenge Accepted by @celestebarber
I’m sure that many of you are no stranger to Celeste Barber’s #challengeaccepted. I have followed her Instagram page for quite some time and have had many laugh out loud moments looking at her photos and watching her videos. When I saw that Celeste had written a book, I knew I had to read it - and what better way than via the audiobook read by Celeste herself.
Celeste writes about her life - growing up, dancing, getting into acting, meeting #hothusband , comedy. She also touches on serious topics such as being a female in the entertainment industry and her views on social media.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it incredibly insightful, as well as containing so many lol moments throughout. I highly recommend giving this one a go!
I’m sure that many of you are no stranger to Celeste Barber’s #challengeaccepted. I have followed her Instagram page for quite some time and have had many laugh out loud moments looking at her photos and watching her videos. When I saw that Celeste had written a book, I knew I had to read it - and what better way than via the audiobook read by Celeste herself.
Celeste writes about her life - growing up, dancing, getting into acting, meeting #hothusband , comedy. She also touches on serious topics such as being a female in the entertainment industry and her views on social media.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it incredibly insightful, as well as containing so many lol moments throughout. I highly recommend giving this one a go!
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