Better live

Would you try another book from Ellen DeGeneres and/or Ellen DeGeneres?

I love Ellen! But no.

What was most disappointing about Ellen DeGeneres’s story?

The book feel flat for me, I just did not find it funny or engaging in strictly audio form and did not finish. Part of the joy of Ellen is how she interacts with others and her audience, that was definitely missing. The type of material that Ellen does best just doesn't work the same without interactions with others and the visual effects of Ellen's facial expressions and body language.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Ellen DeGeneres?

No one, she is the best at doing her own material.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I still love Ellen.

8 people found this helpful

couldn't get through it

I really enjoy Ellen, but the book was lame. I felt like she spent hours complaining about having to a write a book because she told to.

6 people found this helpful

Love her voice, but expected more insight

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The depth of her stories. I wanted to get to know her better. I bought this book because as a person I find her so appealing. But the book left me wanting more. I felt like listening to Ellen's wonderful voice but a scrpt from Seinfield.

Has Seriously...I'm Kidding turned you off from other books in this genre?

I heard Tina Fey Bossy Pants before and expected a similar experience. The book left me dissapointed. I am now listening to other genre, but it is partly before, aside from Tina and Ellen, none of the other female comediants of my generation appeal me as much as these two. I would listen to another book by Ellen, hopefully deeper and just as funny.

What about Ellen DeGeneres’s performance did you like?

She has a unique voice. Just listening to her voice made me smile.

Do you think Seriously...I'm Kidding needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

YES. But not to follow-up, but to show the real potential of Ellen as a writter. It left me feeling like this was not the best she could do.

40 people found this helpful

Exactly what you would expect from Ellen

Where does Seriously...I'm Kidding rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book is light and funny and I couldn't really tell what the story was. Probably because she's a comedian and her point is to be entertaining. Not a serious book. It's perfect if you are looking for a light, easy, quick read that will make you smile.

What about Ellen DeGeneres’s performance did you like?

She's funny! She speaks funny and writes funny. When you get to hear both at once...it's even better!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Rambling...

35 people found this helpful

Does Audible give refunds?

Any additional comments?

Let me preface: I'm a BIG fan of Ellen. This book, however, was horrible. It was filled with non-sense and ramblings. I skipped entire chapters, multiple times. I do not need to hear Ellen's random thoughts as she sits on a beach. I can do that myself. For free. And I definitely don't want to hear it as I'm on a crowded bus, during my commute.

I thought this would be more thought-provoking, laugh-out-loud funny. Instead it was Ellen digressing in these tangents that annoyed me and didn't even make sense. Have a good listen to the sample first. It doesn't get any better than this, trust me.

I'm disappointed I spent my Audible credit on this. I want my money back.

43 people found this helpful

really like ellen but felt like a waste of my time

Would you try another book from Ellen DeGeneres and/or Ellen DeGeneres?

i might reluctantly try another, however only after many many consistently elated reviews

Would you ever listen to anything by Ellen DeGeneres again?

see above

Have you listened to any of Ellen DeGeneres’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

On balance, this book is positive, light and even plainly silly. In all, these three hours go by well, fast! So that's why I give 5 stars for performance. Ellen maintains the momentum well. She is an engaging speaker.

Any additional comments?

perhaps the title says it all, seriously i'm kidding - that is that there were some funny moments more towards the beginning. The middle just seemed downright page filler. In the absence of more hilariousness, the redeeming factor might have been some somewhat more serious insight into her life and her thoughts and feelings etc. This was my first book by Ellen so I really knew nothing about her before today. I now know that she is neat, punctual, hard working, persistent, affable, did not go to college, thick skinned, positive, good, kind, honest, does not cook, does not clean, loves her wife etc. I didn't get much sense of depth. Sometimes I thought she was going to say something meaningful but I couldn't be sure whether she was serious or not?!! In the middle of the book she really lets you into her stream of thought consciousness. Although I don't know that I'd call it a stream. It is a whirlwind of anecdotal thoughts organized into brief chapters. Average chapter length might be 2-3 minutes. Some 'chapters' are 1-2 sentences. And, then it's over and I'm just like, huh. I like Ellen a lot from what I've seen. She is very positive and more than a bit silly and I wish her well with her show and as an author and modeling etc.
I never much liked seinfeld or family guy or simpsons... maybe you should just wait for more reviews to decide, if you are on the fence. since I don't watch her show, if you do and you love it maybe then you will also appreciate this book. It just wasn't so great for me.

34 people found this helpful

Not so much.

I LOVE Ellen...but this book is just boring. About what you would expect to get if someone sat down behind a mic without a script and wanted to kill 3 hours. A few funny parts, but mostly blah. Disappointed!

62 people found this helpful

Wow, I made it through but it was tough!

I guess this was just not what I was expecting. I didn't read her first two books (and I never will) but this was a long stand up performance. I've read other books by comedians that were funny and told about the author's life like David Sedaris. His books are funny, try one and avoid Ellen, whom I really like. Sorry Ellen this book was yucky.

2 people found this helpful

DeGeneres leaves you laughing

I've been a fan of Ellen's writing since picking up her first book "My Point... And I Do Have One" back in high school. She's funny, witty, relatable and honest. Plus, she's optimistic and positive.

This book combines her random thought conversation style and throws in bits and pieces from her own life. I think her willingness to be honest and share things from her experience is one of the main reasons she connects so well with her readers/audience. Another reason is that even though she is relentless in encouraging people to be positive, look for the joys in life and appreciate every day, she never comes across as pushy or preachy.

I laughed a lot while reading this, and when I was done, I felt really good about my life and how lucky I am for what I have. I recommend you read this book. I think you'll be glad you did.

5 people found this helpful

Never had so much fun in reading a book

Ellen literally makes the best narrator for a book. The amount of randomness in this book totally suits Ellen' style and is just so enjoyable.

7 people found this helpful