We often see celebrities as polished, perfect figures who live on a different planet than the rest of us. They walk red carpets, win awards, and seem to have everything figured out. But the best celebrity memoirs peel back that glossy layer to reveal the messy, awkward, and hilarious humans underneath. There is something incredibly comforting about finding out that your favorite comedian was also a weird kid in middle school, or that a famous actor has failed spectacularly more times than they have succeeded. Funny memoirs are like a breath of fresh air. They don't just make you laugh; they make you feel less alone in your own embarrassing moments. Whether you need a good distraction from a stressful week or just want to giggle while drinking your coffee, a humorous autobiography is the perfect escape. These books are like long, entertaining conversations with the funniest friend you wish you had. They are packed with wild stories, self-deprecating jokes, and surprising amounts of heart. If you are ready to laugh out loud—sometimes in public places where people might stare at you—here are some top-tier funny memoirs that absolutely deserve a spot on your bookshelf.

Bossypants by Tina Fey

If there is a gold standard for modern comedy memoirs, Bossypants is probably it. Tina Fey, the genius behind 30 Rock and countless Saturday Night Live sketches, writes with a voice that is sharp, smart, and incredibly relatable. She takes you through her journey from a nerdy kid in Pennsylvania to becoming the first female head writer at SNL. What makes this book so special is that Fey doesn't try to make herself look cool. In fact, she does the exact opposite.

She shares stories about her awkward adolescence, her questionable fashion choices, and the grueling (but funny) reality of working in television. One of the best parts of the book is her perspective on beauty standards and body image. She tackles these heavy topics with a light touch, making you laugh while secretly making a really good point. She also gives great advice on leadership (hence the title Bossypants) and how to deal with difficult people. Fey teaches us that you don't have to be mean to be the boss; you just have to be capable and maybe a little bit stubborn. Her writing feels like she is talking directly to you, cracking jokes that feel like inside secrets. It’s a quick read that packs a punch, leaving you with a newfound appreciation for the hard work that goes into being funny.

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling

Mindy Kaling has a unique talent for voicing the exact insecurities and random thoughts that run through our heads. In Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, she invites you into her brain, and it is a delightful place to be. Kaling, known for her work on The Office and The Mindy Project, writes about her life with the enthusiasm of a best friend sharing gossip at a sleepover.

The book covers everything from her childhood as the obedient child of immigrants to her early days of struggling in New York City. She talks about the weirdness of fame, her obsession with romantic comedies, and her deep, abiding love for her friends. Kaling is honest about wanting people to like her, which is refreshing in a world where everyone pretends not to care. She has hilarious takes on strict parents, body image in Hollywood, and why men should actually wear pea coats. Reading this book feels less like reading a biography and more like hanging out with someone who is effortlessly funny and totally unpretentious. She captures the specific anxiety of feeling like you are missing out on something cool, and by the end of the book, you realize that hanging out with her (via her book) was the cool thing to do all along.

Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah

While Trevor Noah is famous for making people laugh on The Daily Show, his memoir Born a Crime is funny in a way that is deeply tied to survival. Noah grew up in South Africa during apartheid, a time when laws strictly separated people by race. Because his father was white and his mother was Black, his very existence was illegal. That sounds like a heavy premise for a funny book, and it is, but Noah manages to weave humor through even the darkest situations.

The star of the book is arguably his mother, a fierce, religious, and hilarious woman who did whatever it took to raise her son right in a crazy world. Noah tells stories about jumping out of moving cars, being the fastest runner in his neighborhood (out of necessity), and his awkward attempts at dating. He uses comedy to process the absurdity of racism and the challenges of poverty. His voice is unique because he is an outsider in almost every group, which gives him a sharp observational wit. You will laugh at his descriptions of his childhood hustles, like selling bootleg CDs, but you will also be moved by the incredible bond between him and his mother. It’s a masterful balance of comedy and tragedy that shows how humor can be a shield and a bridge.

Yes Please by Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler is a powerhouse of comedy, and Yes Please is a chaotic, colorful, and wise collection of stories from her life. Unlike some memoirs that follow a straight line from birth to fame, this book bounces around like a good improv scene. It includes lists, haikus, photos, and guest chapters from her parents. It feels messy in the best way possible, reflecting the energy of someone who is always doing ten things at once.

Poehler writes about her time in the improv scene in Chicago, her years on Saturday Night Live, and her experience creating the beloved character Leslie Knope on Parks and Recreation. She is very honest about the difficulties of balancing a career and motherhood, admitting that "balance" is basically a myth. She also writes candidly about divorce and the hard parts of life that don't usually make it into the tabloids. One of the strongest themes in the book is the idea of support. She talks a lot about her female friendships and how crucial they have been to her success. The title, Yes Please, is about being open to opportunities and asking for what you want. It’s a book that encourages you to be loud, take up space, and not apologize for being ambitious or funny.

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

No list of funny memoirs is complete without David Sedaris. He is a master of the humorous essay, capable of turning the most mundane event into a laugh-out-loud story. Me Talk Pretty One Day is arguably his most famous collection, split into two parts: his childhood in North Carolina and his time living in France.

In the first half, Sedaris introduces us to his eccentric family. His father, Lou, is a man obsessed with saving money and hoarding food, while his brother, Paul (often called "The Rooster"), speaks in a language entirely his own. Sedaris has a gift for exaggeration that feels emotionally true even if the details are heightened for effect. The second half of the book details his move to Paris and his struggles to learn the French language. His description of his terrifying French teacher, who humiliates students for their poor grammar, is comedic gold. Anyone who has ever tried to learn a second language will relate to his feelings of confusion and inadequacy. Sedaris is self-deprecating to the extreme, always painting himself as the outsider or the fool, which makes his observations about human nature even sharper. His writing is dry, witty, and perfectly timed.

The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl by Issa Rae

Before she was the star of HBO's Insecure, Issa Rae created a web series called The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl. Her memoir of the same name dives deeper into the themes of that show, exploring what it means to be an introvert in a world that rewards loud people. Rae challenges the stereotype that Black women always have to be strong, sassy, and cool. She proudly claims the label of "awkward" and explores the many ways she doesn't fit the mold.

She tells hilarious stories about cybersex in the early days of the internet, her inability to dance, and the specific social anxiety of not knowing when to greet someone with a handshake or a hug. Rae writes with a voice that is fresh and distinctive. She includes guides for other awkward people, like how to navigate office politics or how to eat alone in public without looking sad. It’s a book for anyone who has ever felt like they were faking it in social situations. Rae proves that your quirks and your awkwardness are actually your superpowers. By embracing the things that make her different, she found her voice and her success.