When Life Gives You Pears

August 26, 2019
Comedy writer Gaffigan presents a surprisingly hilarious story about surviving a brain tumor in this debut memoir. Also a producer and mother of five, Gaffigan (who is married to comedian Jim Gaffigan) ignores increasingly annoying symptoms—declining hearing in one ear, balance problems—until a doctor insists she get checked out. The resulting MRI revealed a pear-shaped tumor (the inspiration for the book’s title) crowding Gaffigan’s brain stem—and turned her life, and her family’s, upside down. Throughout a difficult period involving a tracheotomy, feeding tube, and a stay in the intensive care unit, Gaffigan never loses her sense of humor, even when eating has been a struggle for several weeks. She also relays other difficult times in her life—especially an earlier loss of a much-wanted premature baby daughter—with grace and unflinching honesty. Her Catholic faith is evident throughout and her accessible writing style and honest voice create an intoxicating spell as she writes tenderly of learning the importance of living in the moment. Whimsically, Gaffigan thanks her brain tumor in her acknowledgements, for teaming her with outstanding medical providers and for inspiring her loving family. Readers will be uplifted by Gaffigan’s perseverance and outlook.

September 15, 2019
Gaffigan has been, thus far, the somewhat-silent partner to her comedian husband, Jim. Not totally silent: she has produced and cowritten a significant portion of his books, comedy specials, and TV shows over the last 14 years. But now, finally, we can hear her own very funny and unique thoughts on family, faith, her husband, and the pear-shaped brain tumor that almost killed her in 2017. Gaffigan, who spent many post-brain-surgery months in the hospital and then working through in-home recovery, leaned hard on her Catholic faith and big, loving family throughout her saga. And what a wild ride it is: funny, endearing, and filled with glimpses of life pretumor, like how she met Jim and how much she loves the Nolita neighborhood of N.Y.C. Fans of Jim's comedy will feel right at home here, and newcomers will love Gaffigan's optimism, humor, and fascinating fight to reclaim her life. A fun blend of celebrity, mom, and medical memoir rolled into one, with lots of behind-the-scenes photos. Here's hoping she narrates her own audiobook.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)