Still Foolin' Em: Where I've Been, Where I'm Going and Where the Hell Are My Keys? by Billy Crystal

from goodreads

4.5 stars

I like funny things, I like to laugh an not feels so serious about everything.During movies I laugh, out loud, for everyone to hear. If my kids do something funny I laugh, out loud, so they know what they did was funny. When reading something funny I rarely laugh out loud. I will think something is funny and laugh, but usually the most sound I make is a kinda "hmm" type sound. I don't know if that is because reading is a more internal stimuli type of thing and thus any emotional output remains inside. Perhaps I am just a strange duck, which could very well be. When reading something funny do you laugh out loud?

Synopsis

Billy Crystal tells of memories throughout his life and gives us tips of what he has learned along they way. You will laugh, you will cry, you will be in awe of this funny man.


My Thoughts

I loved this book. In fact... I even laughed out loud while reading it. Now I wasn't going completely nuts but a small chortle did escape my lips. Enough that my husband looked up from his baseball game to ask me about it. I'm not sure which is the greater miracle. When I tried to read a passage aloud I had to stop because tears were streaming down my face I was finding it so funny.

I love Billy Crystal. Ever since seeing him play Miracle Max in The Princess Bride when I was seven, I was hooked. He has a distinctive kind of cadence and voice. While reading this book it felt as if Billy Crystal was narrating it to me. I think that was what made it even funnier, knowing exactly how he would be phrasing the ridiculous scenarios he was telling us. In fact, I am tempted to listen to the audio version because Billy Crystal narrates it. It would be a great summer listen.

This book really showed different sides of Billy Crystal. We see is strong devotion to his family. His marvelous and meaningful friendships. You see him at times of insecurities and at times of feeling on top of his game. He comes across very humble and he feels so blessed to be able to do what he loves. This is not just a slapstick comedy book. It is a book of varied emotions and he brings you through the highs and lows of his life and career.

Though he is writing to the "zoomer" generation, I was able to glean much wisdom from his words. He left me looking forward to the next steps I have waiting for me in life and he left me feeling grateful for the time I am living now with my husband and children. I love that he and his wife have married for over forty years. In this day and age that is amazing.

There were times in the book where I felt it to be a bit crass and at times surprisingly sweary. I don't mind swearing or crassness if it adds to a character or what is being said. But, when it is just thrown in for no reason, I don't really see the point.

If you are not a Billy Crystal fan (oh! the horror) or not really into comedic reading I would still recommend this book. There are great life lessons that he teaches and some of his accomplishments are quite interesting. This is definitely a book to be on your reading list.