I Might Regret This

October 15, 2018
In this often hilarious collection of personal essays, Jacobson, who stars in Comedy Central’s Broad City, provides witty, self-deprecating recollections of her life as she drives cross-country from New York City to Los Angeles. Alongside her travels, Jacobson recounts events in her life: as she begins her trip in New York City, she recalls her first relationship and subsequent breakup with a woman; relaxing in Santa Fe, she contemplates her path to success, from an improv member of the Upright Citizens Brigade to creator of Broad City. Jacobson toggles between thoughtful reflection (“Why does the sight of the person you’re in love with, wearing your clothes, feel so deeply good?” she wonders while driving to Memphis) and lighthearted asides (“At what point are ankles considered cankles? Is there a chart to reference?”). Those familiar with Jacobson will appreciate the details that link her real life to her character on the screen, including her affinity for Bed Bath & Beyond coupons and her frequent FaceTime calls with friend and costar Ilana Glazer. However, readers less familiar with her TV work may feel that the narrative rambles. Fans will delight in the peek into Jacobson’s creative process and be touched by the strikingly raw emotions she shares throughout.

June 1, 2019

The Broad City cocreator embarks upon a cross-country solo road trip to clear her head after a breakup and takes the opportunity to ruminate on relationships, family, loss, and work. It's an exercise in purposeful vulnerability, as Jacobson puts all her insecurities front and center and invites the reader along as she examines them in meticulous but loving detail. (The story is punctuated by "sleep studies" as the author attempts to fall asleep in hotel rooms nationwide, invaded by a parade of intrusive non sequiturs.) A mid-book exploration of Jacobson's origin story as a comedy writer and performer, and the tale of her partnership with Ilana Glazer and the start of Broad City will be highlights for fans of the show. It's hard to imagine a narrator besides Jacobson reading this very personal audio title; she gives the material the intimate and idiosyncratic narration it needs. VERDICT Recommended for fans of comedic memoirs such as Jenny Lawson's Let's Pretend This Never Happened or H. Jon Benjamin's Failure Is an Option.--Jason Puckett, Georgia State Univ. Lib., Atlanta

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