418: Canceled Celebrity Book Club
Holiday Gift Fails and the Birth of the Canceled Celebrity Book Club
This week, I sit down with my lifelong friend Mike to reflect on the holidays, gift-giving mishaps, and a hilarious dive into canceled celebrities. If you missed the podcast, click here to listen to the full episode.
Let me take you through the highlights and books that shaped this unforgettable holiday season and inspired the birth of a new segment: the Canceled Celebrity Book Club.
Awkward Holiday Gift-Giving
Every year, I try to be the perfect uncle, buying thoughtful gifts for my nieces and nephews. This year, I decided to embrace being “Book Uncle,” picking out unique books for everyone. Here are the hits and, well, the misses:
Books I Purchased:
- How to Survive Any Disaster – A practical survival guide that’s great for adventurous spirits and coffee tables alike.
- The Cancel Culture Dictionary by Jimmy Failla – A satirical take on modern cancel culture.
- I Hate My Selfie: A Collection of Essays by Shane Dawson – An awkward pick for my niece that caused quite a stir.
- Yes Please by Amy Poehler – A funny and empowering memoir that inadvertently created family reading awkwardness.
The standout moment? Giving a canceled Shane Dawson book to my niece and only realizing the controversy after seeing the awkward silence at the family table. Lesson learned: Google before gifting.
Introducing the Canceled Celebrity Book Club
This holiday fiasco gave birth to an idea: the Canceled Celebrity Book Club. It’s a tongue-in-cheek exploration of books written by or associated with controversial figures. Here’s the initial lineup:
Proposed Book Club Selections:
- Fatherhood by Bill Cosby – A comedic parenting guide that’s awkwardly ironic now.
- Love and Marriage by Bill Cosby – Another Cosby classic that hasn’t aged well.
- Soulacoaster: The Diary of Me by R. Kelly – An autobiographical look at the now-convicted musician.
- Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling – A timeless fantasy series caught in modern controversy.
- Official Book Club Selection by Kathy Griffin – A memoir from the comedian who’s bounced in and out of controversy.
- Revolution by Russell Brand – A philosophical take on systemic change from a polarizing figure.
