Non-fiction Annotation (biography)

Synopsis of Bossypants by Tina Fey

Tina Fey uses humor to write this endearing work about her life. Below the surface of the fame is woman who lived through tragedy, awkward teenage years, and years of hard work to get to where she is today. She does this with comedy and also earnestness
Tina grew up in a middle class family in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania that included her parents and her older brother. She knew she was interested in comedy from a young age. She was introduced to it by her father, who loved sitcoms and comedies from the 50's and 60's and shared this love with Tina and her older brother. By her account, she had a loving family and a great childhood, although part of her childhood was marred by tragedy. When she was 5 years old, a stranger with a knife slashed her face while she played outside her home. Tina does not disclose much information about this event, only to say that it happened and it greatly affected her and her parents.
Going through high school and college, Tina felt that she had awkward experiences with dating and trying to fit in with the crowd. She recounts dating stories that seem terrible, but she relays them in a way that you laugh with her and not at her.
She graduated from college with a degree in Drama. She moved to Chicago and her first job out of college was working for her local YMCA where she met colorful people. She landed a spot with an improv group called Second City, and this led to a job writing for Saturday Night Live. While writing for the show she became a featured player and host of Weekend Update within SNL. From this, she moved on to writing successful TV shows such as 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt as well as movies like Baby Mama. 
While Tina was working for SNL, she met her husband, Jeff Richmond, with whom she has two children. Fey talks candidly about struggling with their decision to have a second child. Besides the discussion of her professional life, she discusses raising two daughters and her hopes for the people they will hopefully become.

Elements of Nonfiction

Appeal: This book would appeal to those that like comedy or gentle reads. Fey's book deals with family relationships, celebrity, women, and identity. Her writing is candid. Knowing this appeal helps to advise potential readers to highlights of the book so they can decide whether or not they want to read it.

Pacing: The book moves quickly through Tina's life but in a way that reader feels as though they are getting a realistic glimpse into her life. Those that are interested in Fey's career might find that the book is an easier read in comparison with those who read it that are not familiar with her work. I agree with Neal Wyatt when she states that a strong narrative hooks the reader and helps them navigate through their reading experience.

Characterization: In this autobiography, of course, Tina is the main focus. Many readers of nonfiction will find that they like reading about real people- as Neal Wyatt says, a sense of reality adds fascination to nonfiction. Since Fey is so candid about her life and experiences, the reader feels as though they know her throughout all the stages of her life. Though she is the main focus of the book, there are secondary people that enrich the story of her life, such as her parents and husband- even those that are part of the not-so-fond memories from childhood and college.

Story Line: Bossypants has a strong narrative. Due to this, Neal Wyatt believes this book would do well for a book club. This book is not fact-based nonfiction and more imaginative, so the book may seem easier to readers. Fey's intent is not to provide facts, but to entertain the reader. This book would be advisable for those who are not looking for something dense or fact-ridden.


Read-alikes:
I Know I Am, but What Are You? by Samantha Bee
Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler
Yes, Please! by Amy Poehler

“1.” The Readers' Advisory Guide to Nonfiction, by Neal Wyatt, American Library Association, 2007.