Judy Greer’s New Book Is Great and You Should Totally Read It

Hello, Gigglers! I just finished reading Judy Greer’s new book I Don’t Know What You Know Me From and I feel that it is my duty as a member of this here wonderful online community to let you all know why it deserves a spot on your reading list this summer. Trust me, this book was made for you and me. Now, because I love lists and because Judy Greer also seems to love lists — here’s a handy list of some of the many reasons to read this oh-so-delightful book.

• Judy is hilarious and you feel like you are her new best friend in the first few pages. Which is great, because who doesn’t love a new best friend, but also, as you may recall, Judy Greer is THE ultimate best friend. I like to imagine that when casting offices are holding auditions for the character of “Best Friend” they just tell everyone to get Judy Greer. And what’s even better about Judy Greer is that she knows that she’s the ultimate best friend character, and doesn’t shy away from talking about what it’s like to be just circulating the spotlight.
• On that note, there’s an amazing chapter about what it’s like talking to (and peeing next to!) famous celebrities, because Judy Greer is just as awed by Jennifer Lopez as the rest of us.
• Judy is from Detroit and has lots of pride for the city and she will make you want it to succeed because her anecdotes of growing up are so sweet and endearing and relatable.
• For someone working in such a tough industry — especially one where you are judged mostly on your appearance — Judy really has her head on straight. She has a lot of love for her parents, and a lot of humility for all her success — it’s a refreshing perspective sprinkled with her good sense of humor.
• Judy likes to go to drugstores for no good reason in the middle of the night and this is probably one of the reasons I love her the most (in fact, my friend who sent me her book added a note that said “Stamos, you will love the chapter ‘Drugstore Therapy’ the most” and she was right, I did love it the most). She really nails that feeling of happiness you can get from wandering the aisles of a 24-hour pharmacy.
• None of the chapters are too long, or too short — therefore making this a great beach read. It’s a great beach read for a lot of other reasons, but I like knowing that chapters are a certain length when I’m reading something at the beach or on the subway or in a waiting room and I don’t want to feel like I have to give it my complete focus for the next 50 pages. You can come in and out and read a hundred pages in one sitting (which is what I did with the first hundo) and then spend a week reading the rest in random bits and pieces when you have the time (which is what I did with the next hundo)

• Judy is a nice reminder that sometimes that Us Weekly column “Stars, They’re Just Like Us” is right — because to many people, Judy is as much of a star as Matthew McConuaghey! Okay maybe not quite that level, but she’s been a pretty successful working actress and I know I’d probably get a little over-excited if I ever got to meet her.
• Judy totally gets that the grass is greener on the other side — which means that even with all her insider stories and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the world of an acting in Hollywood — she’s equally awed by people in other professions.
• Judy’s story about meeting and falling in love with her husband is very inspring and a nice reminder that you never know who you’re going to end up with so you might as well stop trying to plan for it. And also that talking on the phone is a really good way to get to know someone before a date, so maybe forgo the hard-to-interpret text messages for an actual conversation.
• Judy is nice. Like really nice. And real. And she has a dog that she loves. She could be me or you or anyone we know and by the end of the book you feel like you really do know Judy Greer.

Now I could go on and on but then I would ruin the book for you, and I definitely don’t want to do that. I want you to go and read it, because it will leave you with a smile on your face, and a little more willing to go out and face the day — whatever it may throw at you. And also if you’re not sure what you know Judy Greer from, don’t worry, just know that you know her and after reading this book you’ll both know and love her.

Image via InStyle