Survival of the Thickest

Bookseller recommendation

“I had seen Michelle's stand up on Netflix and her special had become one of my favorites. When I saw she had written a collection of essays, I couldn't wait to begin reading. I couldn't be happier that I choose the audio version! Buteau reads with such emotion and enthusiasm it doesn't feel like a book at all but rather a podcast or long stand up set. I found myself deep belly laughing or heaving gut wrenching sobs through a variety of relatable topics. An absolute delight!”

— Leslie • A Likely Story

Bookseller recommendation

“I listened to this on my commute and it felt like, hilarious comedian, Michelle Buteau was hanging out with me in my passenger seat. What I liked was that, like everyone, she has insecurities (especially as a mixed-race plus-size woman in our society) but she doesn't dwell on them and then fully embodies confidence, not cockiness and not in a ra-ra-bumper-sticker way. If you need a good laugh, if you need something relatable that easily switches to unrelatable in the best way possible, if you need a friend, listen to this audiobook. Essays range from her early years in comedy to bumbling hookups that led to her Dutch husband to 9/11 and trying to get pregnant via IVF. I always prefer listening to comedians because their personalities really come through and Buteau has personality in spades.”

— Emily • Third Place Books