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The Daddy Diaries: The Year I Grew Up
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New York Times bestselling author Andy Cohen goes from bottle service to baby bottles in a hilarious, heartwarming, and name-dropping account of the most important year of his life.
Andy Cohen has taken on the most important job of his life—father— and boy (and girl!) does he have a lot to say about it!
One of Andy Cohen’s most momentous years starts off with a hangover the morning after an epic New Year’s Eve broadcast. But Andy doesn’t have time to dwell on the drama, as his role as media mogul is now matched with the responsibilities, joys, and growing pains of parenthood.
This fast-paced, mile-a-minute look behind the scenes of living the so-called glamorous life in Manhattan now takes firm aim at life at home. With a three-year-old son, Ben, and a daughter, Lucy, born in May, stories of late-night parties are replaced by early mornings with Ben, drama at the play-ground, and the musings of a single dad trying to navigate having it all. All this is set against the backdrop of constant Housewives drama, hijinks behind the scenes at Watch What Happens Live, a revolving door of famous faces, and a worried mother (and newly minted grandmother) in St. Louis.
Buckle up, bottle up, and get ready for a laugh-out-loud and surprisingly poignant look at the ways in which family changes everything and the superficial gets very real. Watch what happens!
New York Times bestselling author Andy Cohen goes from bottle service to baby bottles in a hilarious, heartwarming, and name-dropping account of the most important year of his life.
Andy Cohen has taken on the most important job of his life—father— and boy (and girl!) does he have a lot to say about it!
One of Andy Cohen’s most momentous years starts off with a hangover the morning after an epic New Year’s Eve broadcast. But Andy doesn’t have time to dwell on the drama, as his role as media mogul is now matched with the responsibilities, joys, and growing pains of parenthood.
This fast-paced, mile-a-minute look behind the scenes of living the so-called glamorous life in Manhattan now takes firm aim at life at home. With a three-year-old son, Ben, and a daughter, Lucy, born in May, stories of late-night parties are replaced by early mornings with Ben, drama at the play-ground, and the musings of a single dad trying to navigate having it all. All this is set against the backdrop of constant Housewives drama, hijinks behind the scenes at Watch What Happens Live, a revolving door of famous faces, and a worried mother (and newly minted grandmother) in St. Louis.
Buckle up, bottle up, and get ready for a laugh-out-loud and surprisingly poignant look at the ways in which family changes everything and the superficial gets very real. Watch what happens!
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 9, 2023
About the author
Andy Cohen
31 books770 followersAndy Cohen is an American television executive, host, and author. As of 2012, he is the Executive Vice President of Development and Talent at the Bravo cable television network, a subsidiary of NBC Universal. He is also the host of the network's nightly live talk show Watch What Happens Live and the author of a memoir, Most Talkative: Stories from the Front Lines of Pop Culture. He is the first openly gay host of an American late night talk show.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 974 reviews
May 30, 2023
As a reader, I was pleasantly surprised by the depth and authenticity that Cohen brings to his storytelling. From the very beginning, Cohen's candidness drew me in. The link to the audiobook can be found here
The Daddy Diaries: The Year I Grew Up
. His willingness to share the highs and lows of his personal journey into parenthood made the book relatable and incredibly engaging. I felt like I was right there with him, navigating the challenges and celebrating the triumphs.
What truly sets this memoir apart is Cohen's unique voice. He weaves humor and vulnerability seamlessly, creating a narrative that is both heartwarming and genuinely funny. I found myself laughing out loud at his witty observations and nodding in agreement at the raw, emotional moments.
Cohen's growth throughout the year is palpable. "The Daddy Diaries" is not just a chronicle of his experiences as a single father; it's a testament to personal transformation. His reflections on the lessons learned and the self-discovery that comes with parenthood resonated with me on a profound level.
The exploration of the father-son relationship is beautifully portrayed. Cohen's love for his son shines through every page, and it's heartening to witness the bond that develops between them. The book is a celebration of the messy, imperfect, and incredibly rewarding journey of being a parent.
Beyond the personal anecdotes, Cohen touches on broader topics such as modern family dynamics, societal expectations, and the evolving definition of fatherhood. It adds a layer of depth to the narrative, making it not just a memoir but a reflection on the changing landscape of family life.
What truly sets this memoir apart is Cohen's unique voice. He weaves humor and vulnerability seamlessly, creating a narrative that is both heartwarming and genuinely funny. I found myself laughing out loud at his witty observations and nodding in agreement at the raw, emotional moments.
Cohen's growth throughout the year is palpable. "The Daddy Diaries" is not just a chronicle of his experiences as a single father; it's a testament to personal transformation. His reflections on the lessons learned and the self-discovery that comes with parenthood resonated with me on a profound level.
The exploration of the father-son relationship is beautifully portrayed. Cohen's love for his son shines through every page, and it's heartening to witness the bond that develops between them. The book is a celebration of the messy, imperfect, and incredibly rewarding journey of being a parent.
Beyond the personal anecdotes, Cohen touches on broader topics such as modern family dynamics, societal expectations, and the evolving definition of fatherhood. It adds a layer of depth to the narrative, making it not just a memoir but a reflection on the changing landscape of family life.
June 11, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 Nonfiction)
I had a lot of fun reading this dishy diary! I am an Andy Cohen fan, which I think is critical for enjoying this book. Modeled after the Warhol Diaries, this book captures 365 days in Andy's life starting on January 1, 2022. Maybe a bit repetitive at times (who can blame him! 365 days, you're bound to have repeats!), but I still had a ball gobbling up this story. I wouldn't go into this book if you're purely looking for some behind-the-scenes scoop on The Housewives (although there is some of that); if that is what you're going for, I'd recommend Not All Diamonds and Rosé by Dave Quinn. Andy has a fabulously big life filled with endless celebrity encounters, meals at the hottest NYC restaurants, and a demanding yet glamorous work life. What surprised me most about this book was how parenting humbles EVERYONE. Sure, he's hosting New Year's Eve, but he's also googling sleep training tips for his 5-month-old daughter. I found it so fun and relatable. I thought getting a first-hand account of his day-to-day was a total treat. I find him likable, self-deprecating, and very funny. I had a great time reading this story.
Things I want to do since reading this book:
1. Install a disco ball somewhere in my house.
2. Host more nightcaps! Why are my friends not stopping over regularly to close out the night with a drink? Is it because I live in the suburbs? Is it because we all have kids? Who knows, but I am going to RECTIFY THIS.
3. Keep my own diary. I love the format of these diary entries (short and funny vs. long and angsty), so I am going to try to keep my own little diary! I started yesterday because I thought, what's a better day to start than the first day of my 31st year!? This will probably last 3 days, and then I will completely forget about it.
On Wednesday night, Andy said on his Instagram that the Negroni is the chic drink of the moment, so of course, we are pairing this book with a Negroni. We’re doing an Aperol Negroni in honor of summer! Swipe for the recipe! Cheers!
I had a lot of fun reading this dishy diary! I am an Andy Cohen fan, which I think is critical for enjoying this book. Modeled after the Warhol Diaries, this book captures 365 days in Andy's life starting on January 1, 2022. Maybe a bit repetitive at times (who can blame him! 365 days, you're bound to have repeats!), but I still had a ball gobbling up this story. I wouldn't go into this book if you're purely looking for some behind-the-scenes scoop on The Housewives (although there is some of that); if that is what you're going for, I'd recommend Not All Diamonds and Rosé by Dave Quinn. Andy has a fabulously big life filled with endless celebrity encounters, meals at the hottest NYC restaurants, and a demanding yet glamorous work life. What surprised me most about this book was how parenting humbles EVERYONE. Sure, he's hosting New Year's Eve, but he's also googling sleep training tips for his 5-month-old daughter. I found it so fun and relatable. I thought getting a first-hand account of his day-to-day was a total treat. I find him likable, self-deprecating, and very funny. I had a great time reading this story.
Things I want to do since reading this book:
1. Install a disco ball somewhere in my house.
2. Host more nightcaps! Why are my friends not stopping over regularly to close out the night with a drink? Is it because I live in the suburbs? Is it because we all have kids? Who knows, but I am going to RECTIFY THIS.
3. Keep my own diary. I love the format of these diary entries (short and funny vs. long and angsty), so I am going to try to keep my own little diary! I started yesterday because I thought, what's a better day to start than the first day of my 31st year!? This will probably last 3 days, and then I will completely forget about it.
On Wednesday night, Andy said on his Instagram that the Negroni is the chic drink of the moment, so of course, we are pairing this book with a Negroni. We’re doing an Aperol Negroni in honor of summer! Swipe for the recipe! Cheers!
May 16, 2023
What did I read? But more importantly, why couldn’t I stop reading it? I’m so confused. To be fair I’m coming in cold - I’ve never read any of his other books, I am not a Bravo aficionado, I know Andy Cohen only from his NYE hosting and have no previous biases for or against him. I grabbed the book because the cover was cute and I usually love biographical books by funny parents. Wow was I in for a shift in gear.
This is a day by day diary of Cohen’s life in 2022 where he writes down the most noteworthy events of the day and his thoughts about it. There’s some reporting, some gossip, some introspection.
I wasn’t expecting this layout and I didn’t relate to much of the material in here. I didn’t know half the people and his parent tidbits were nothing new to any parent out there. Both his whining and his glowing about being a parent felt performative and there was no real insight or even humor about that part of his life. However, I couldn’t get myself to stop reading and just put it away either and I honestly can’t tell you why. It’s not a riveting read but by the end I think I just liked him more as a person enough to want to know how his year ended? Maybe? I don’t know. So 2.5 rounded up to 3.
This is a day by day diary of Cohen’s life in 2022 where he writes down the most noteworthy events of the day and his thoughts about it. There’s some reporting, some gossip, some introspection.
I wasn’t expecting this layout and I didn’t relate to much of the material in here. I didn’t know half the people and his parent tidbits were nothing new to any parent out there. Both his whining and his glowing about being a parent felt performative and there was no real insight or even humor about that part of his life. However, I couldn’t get myself to stop reading and just put it away either and I honestly can’t tell you why. It’s not a riveting read but by the end I think I just liked him more as a person enough to want to know how his year ended? Maybe? I don’t know. So 2.5 rounded up to 3.
May 23, 2023
Always 5/5 🪩for Andy Cohen
June 14, 2023
I had the time of my life. I love celebrities and New York City baby!
July 14, 2023
Andy Cohen certainly had to grow up and FAST in this comical continuation of his diary series! With one toddler, Ben, he seemed to be able to handle most of his many jobs and friends and parties, but when his second child Lucy was born via surrogate, making two children under 3, on top of building his dream house in the Hamptons, renovating his apartment, working on his Watch What Happens Live show, Sirius Radio show, hosting New Year’s Eve on CNN with bestie Anderson Cooper, and dealing with temperamental housewives, well, I’m exhausted from just writing the above!
It was his year of reflection, informing the reader he realized he had overshared in his previous diary and promised his friends he would do better. This, I was not too happy about, but he does sometimes give clues as to whose name he is NOT dropping. He also begins to understand that being a single parent, even with all the help he has can be exhausting. Being a single gay dad with a son in preschool can also be a bit lonely.
The diary is a day by day of his non-stop life. His days include Teresa drama, The Housewives of Beverly Hills reunion drama, buying a toddler bed for Ben who takes full advantage of not being in a crib anymore and Cohen trying (begging) him to please stay in his room when he wakes up! And planning a Thanksgiving dinner in which his mother feels is more a party for his friends.
He relents about his parents, especially his mother and how no matter what he does she’s not happy. He tells a very funny story about getting his father a winter coat, which his father is perplexed at, and Andy having to tell him it’s because you live in St. Louis and it’s cold in the winter? But he also knows they are proud of him as they all gather to see him get his star on The Walk of Fame in Hollywood.
The name droppings are everything! We have SJP of course, Amy Sedaris, John Hickey, Anderson Cooper and John Mayer. So many more! Some who drop in for “night nightcaps” which is a thing in his world, but perhaps not in too many other places?
How he juggles it all is amazingly exhausting! But organized. Although he still goes out sometimes after shooting Watch What Happens, it is not as regular, and he certainly cannot stay out very late. Especially with Ben in that stupid toddler bed!
He charts for us his progress, and failures at trying to lose the extra weight he put on during Covid because he’s too cheap to go buy new clothes! And by the way, his favorite food is French Onion Soup which makes an appearance sometimes more than some celebrities!
But, all in all, for anyone who enjoys Andy Cohen and I do find him very funny in the I think of him as a friend in my head kind of way, you will certainly enjoy his latest amusing, sarcastic, embarrassing and warm stories.
It was his year of reflection, informing the reader he realized he had overshared in his previous diary and promised his friends he would do better. This, I was not too happy about, but he does sometimes give clues as to whose name he is NOT dropping. He also begins to understand that being a single parent, even with all the help he has can be exhausting. Being a single gay dad with a son in preschool can also be a bit lonely.
The diary is a day by day of his non-stop life. His days include Teresa drama, The Housewives of Beverly Hills reunion drama, buying a toddler bed for Ben who takes full advantage of not being in a crib anymore and Cohen trying (begging) him to please stay in his room when he wakes up! And planning a Thanksgiving dinner in which his mother feels is more a party for his friends.
He relents about his parents, especially his mother and how no matter what he does she’s not happy. He tells a very funny story about getting his father a winter coat, which his father is perplexed at, and Andy having to tell him it’s because you live in St. Louis and it’s cold in the winter? But he also knows they are proud of him as they all gather to see him get his star on The Walk of Fame in Hollywood.
The name droppings are everything! We have SJP of course, Amy Sedaris, John Hickey, Anderson Cooper and John Mayer. So many more! Some who drop in for “night nightcaps” which is a thing in his world, but perhaps not in too many other places?
How he juggles it all is amazingly exhausting! But organized. Although he still goes out sometimes after shooting Watch What Happens, it is not as regular, and he certainly cannot stay out very late. Especially with Ben in that stupid toddler bed!
He charts for us his progress, and failures at trying to lose the extra weight he put on during Covid because he’s too cheap to go buy new clothes! And by the way, his favorite food is French Onion Soup which makes an appearance sometimes more than some celebrities!
But, all in all, for anyone who enjoys Andy Cohen and I do find him very funny in the I think of him as a friend in my head kind of way, you will certainly enjoy his latest amusing, sarcastic, embarrassing and warm stories.
June 7, 2023
3 ⭐️ I do enjoy reading the housewives/stars Andy spends his time with however I don’t need to read 365 diary entries of it. It’s a me problem 🤦🏻♀️
May 29, 2023
Fun name dropping but a little dramatic for someone who has 2 full time nannies and an overnight nurse for 6 months to talk about how hard parenting is.
He still seemed to go out most nights and go away without the kids more often than not. Not the winner I was hoping for. Definitely didn’t do a good job convincing me to have kids…
He still seemed to go out most nights and go away without the kids more often than not. Not the winner I was hoping for. Definitely didn’t do a good job convincing me to have kids…
May 17, 2023
Love Andy and his commentary on life. Very funny! Any Bravo fan would love! Fast read
May 22, 2023
I listened to this on audible; it was so delightful! Andy’s life is so full and lively. I loved hearing Bravo gossip and the stories about his kids. Can’t wait to go back and listen to his old books!
May 23, 2023
I always enjoy these books - there is something so soothing about reading diary entries full of the “little things.” Special!
July 16, 2023
As a devoted Bravo fanatic, I honestly didn’t think there was any chance I could adore Andy Cohen more than I already did. This book changed my mind. When answering that age old question, “What person would you want to have dinner with if you could, dead or alive?”, this book solidified my answer. A true legend.
July 19, 2023
I am a Bravoholic, and this was a completely brainless listen. I expected slightly more depth given the title including “the year I grew up”, but this was extremely shallow. Still spends his nights eating edibles and doing drugs. Not much going on and not enough juicy housewives gossip to increase the rating on this for me, unfortunately.
May 23, 2023
Feels like you’re hanging out with your best friend hearing their stories. Loved hearing about his son being that mine is the same age now that his was at the time of the book. If you’re an Andy fan you’ll get it and if not, you wont like it.
July 13, 2023
Sure people are gonna say “well he has so much help with the kids..” but my biggest takeaway is “holy shit he must spend so much money on dining out!”
Absorbed this book very quickly (bc I actually bought it as a gift for someone lol)- especially fun to see his POV on BravoCon!
Absorbed this book very quickly (bc I actually bought it as a gift for someone lol)- especially fun to see his POV on BravoCon!
June 20, 2023
Not for everyone, but if you love Andy and Bravo it’s great!
July 12, 2023
Before this, I was a person who only vaguely knew who Andy Cohen was. I wish I could be that person again.
November 21, 2023
Thanks to ChatOn AI for this.
I am listening to an audible book written by Andy Cohen, and I have no idea who he is so maybe you can help me to fill me in on who this guy is?
Certainly! Andy Cohen is a well-known American television personality, producer, and author. He gained popularity as the host of the late-night talk show "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen" on Bravo. He is also the executive producer of the popular reality TV franchise "The Real Housewives" series. Cohen is known for his charismatic and engaging interview style, as well as his ability to create entertaining and dramatic television content. In addition to his television work, he has written several books, including his memoir "Most Talkative" and "Superficial: More Adventures from the Andy Cohen Diaries." He is considered a significant figure in the world of reality television and has made a significant impact on the industry.
And he is gay and has may be a couple of kids via a surrogate?
Yes, that's correct. Andy Cohen is openly gay and has become a prominent LGBTQ+ figure in the media. In February 2019, he announced the birth of his son, Benjamin Allen Cohen, who was born via a surrogate. Cohen is known for sharing his experiences as a father and the joy he finds in raising his child. His candidness about his journey to parenthood has resonated with many people and has helped promote conversations around surrogacy and LGBTQ+ parenting.
I hardly have any DNF books. Did not finish but this book just did not appeal to me. I am pretty sure that I am not homophobic, but I am apparently not tuned in to gay celebrities with a story such as this fellow.
I am listening to an audible book written by Andy Cohen, and I have no idea who he is so maybe you can help me to fill me in on who this guy is?
Certainly! Andy Cohen is a well-known American television personality, producer, and author. He gained popularity as the host of the late-night talk show "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen" on Bravo. He is also the executive producer of the popular reality TV franchise "The Real Housewives" series. Cohen is known for his charismatic and engaging interview style, as well as his ability to create entertaining and dramatic television content. In addition to his television work, he has written several books, including his memoir "Most Talkative" and "Superficial: More Adventures from the Andy Cohen Diaries." He is considered a significant figure in the world of reality television and has made a significant impact on the industry.
And he is gay and has may be a couple of kids via a surrogate?
Yes, that's correct. Andy Cohen is openly gay and has become a prominent LGBTQ+ figure in the media. In February 2019, he announced the birth of his son, Benjamin Allen Cohen, who was born via a surrogate. Cohen is known for sharing his experiences as a father and the joy he finds in raising his child. His candidness about his journey to parenthood has resonated with many people and has helped promote conversations around surrogacy and LGBTQ+ parenting.
I hardly have any DNF books. Did not finish but this book just did not appeal to me. I am pretty sure that I am not homophobic, but I am apparently not tuned in to gay celebrities with a story such as this fellow.
January 26, 2024
3.5⭐️. This was a super easy listen, especially if you love Andy, Bravo and/or hearing about random celebs. Definitely made me giggle a couple times! I don’t know that I would’ve loved reading it, but it was great to listen to while multitasking.
June 24, 2023
4 stars and funny, just like his previous books! I think this diary format and little tidbit sharing is a great way to write a little celeb story - plus he has such funny little stories about nothing...but will resonate because so many of us have everyday one liners and people in our lives, and wow moments that aren't a huge deal in the grand scheme - they are just funny or a bit poignant! I love when he throws in stuff about his parents and obviously the audio is the best route because he narrates it and it makes it 50x more personal with all his voices! If you don't watch bravo, his show or housewives I don't know why you would read this.
July 7, 2023
I don’t know what I was expecting as I had not read his previous books, but absolutely loved this behind the scenes look into Andy’s life with a new baby, another young child, house renovations, and his uncensored thoughts and feels about all things Bravo.
March 30, 2026
How did I have no idea until now that AC wrote 2 memoirs?!
June 25, 2023
So I wouldn’t choose to read cohen’s books but they appear near me…so I do.
There not much here. A bit like Alan Rickman’s diary in that the work is a litany of the famous, the food, and the cat fights.
I question why Cohen needed to surrogate a second child when as a single parent who works a ton, and socializes a ton his free time is heavily circumscribed.
Probably the only revealing moment is when Cohen is MCing some event and he recognizes one casually insensitive racial remark and he’s done…what a sad commentary on the state of American society.
There not much here. A bit like Alan Rickman’s diary in that the work is a litany of the famous, the food, and the cat fights.
I question why Cohen needed to surrogate a second child when as a single parent who works a ton, and socializes a ton his free time is heavily circumscribed.
Probably the only revealing moment is when Cohen is MCing some event and he recognizes one casually insensitive racial remark and he’s done…what a sad commentary on the state of American society.
May 14, 2023
Oh, Andy. a million stars. Andy as a parent is killing it. So impressed - love everything about him.
November 15, 2023
I love Andy’s diaries. A good reminder that so much fun (and funny) can be found in the monotony of the every day. Dragged a little at times and I loved his last diary so much that this was never going to live up to that. A very different look at his life with kids now and an enjoyable reminder that his besties are Anderson cooper and SJP.
June 27, 2023
I liked the style of the book and Andy’s narration, but it was a little boring. There’s a few interesting tidbits about Housewives, the shows, and other celebs, but there’s a lot of boring every day stuff.
May 18, 2023
Why do I keep trying to like Andy? This book just proves once again he’s self absorbed and definitely did not grow up since he has become a dad.
July 24, 2023
It was such an easy read. Felt like I was just hanging out with my gay bestie. However I expected for more tea to be spilled and for Andy to be WAY more messy.
September 28, 2023
I learned that, if you have enough money, absolutely nothing about your lifestyle needs to change when you have kids.
August 2, 2023
I didn't want it to end! I thought The Daddy Diaries was fun, engaging, and even inspiring - Andy relays very little shame about his "LiFeSTyle": rich, single gay dad, who works hard and plays harder. Andy is a pioneer, ignoring a lot of of heteronormative expectations as he walks on: living and parenting his way, and I love that.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 974 reviews