Save Yourself

By: Cameron Esposito

Narrated by: Cameron Esposito

This "hilarious and honest" bestselling memoir from a rising comedy star tackles issues of gender, sexuality, feminism, and the Catholic childhood that prepared her for a career as an outspoken lesbian comedian (Abby Wambach).
Cameron Esposito wanted to be a priest and ended up a stand-up comic. Now she would like to tell the whole queer as hell story. Her story. Not the sidebar to a straight person's rebirth-she doesn't give a makeover or plan a wedding or get a couple back together. This isn't a queer tragedy. She doesn't die at the end of this book, having finally decided to kiss the girl. It's the sexy, honest, bumpy, and triumphant dyke's tale her younger, wasn't-allowed-to-watch-Ellen self needed to read. Because there was a long time when she thought she wouldn't make it. Not as a comic, but as a human.

SAVE YOURSELF is full of funny and insightful recollections about everything from coming out (at a Catholic college where sexual orientation wasn't in the nondiscrimination policy) to how joining the circus can help you become a better comic (so much nudity) to accepting yourself for who you are-even if you're, say, a bowl cut-sporting, bespectacled, gender-nonconforming child with an eye patch (which Cameron was). Packed with heart, humor, and cringeworthy stories anyone who has gone through puberty, fallen in love, started a career, or had period sex in Rome can relate to, Cameron's memoir is for that timid, fenced-in kid in all of us-and the fearless stand-up yearning to break free.

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ONE OF BUSTLE'S MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS OF MARCH

Critic reviews

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ONE OF BUSTLE'S MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS OF MARCH

"In her new memoir, Save Yourself, Esposito writes with her signature deadpan humor, but her story is much more nuanced than your typical celebrity memoir."—The Seattle Times

"Resisting the tropes that often serve only to further marginalize LGBTQ+ characters in literature, Esposito's book tells her own, unapologetically queer story, no holds barred."—Bustle

"In Save Yourself, Esposito brings her signature sharp-as-nails humor and deeply resonant insight into a memoir about growing up Catholic, and how that helped her be gay. (Well, sort of.)"—Electric Literature

"Looking for a more aggressively raucous personal account of reconciling faith with sexuality? Acclaimed comic Cameron Esposito is your source. Save Yourself charts the good, the bad, and the messy of Esposito's personal journey, from joining the circus to having period sex in Rome."—Harper's Bazaar

"Cameron Esposito's Save Yourself is an insightful and often hilarious memoir of gender, identity, and much more."—Largehearted Boy

"[A] read that's both heart-breaking and heart-warming, with a heavy dose of laugh out loud humor."—Chicago Reader

"A laugh-out-loud collection of cringeworthy stories covering everything from coming out in yours 20s-at a Catholic women's college, nonetheless-to accepting yourself for who truly are-even if you're "'a bowl cut-sporting, bespectacled, gender-nonconforming child with an eye patch.'"—Queerty

"Save Yourself digs deep into the pitfalls of growing up gay and Catholic-a very human, very relatable tug-of-war Esposito experienced firsthand and is finally ready to talk about. Esposito hive, rest assured: She does so with honesty, humility, and plenty of laughs."—New Now Next

"In [Save Yourself], Esposito explores her coming out process and writes the queer coming-of-age story she wishes she heard as a young person. From being an awkward tween with an eyepatch to worrying God cursed her with ringworm after her first gay kiss, this memoir will make you laugh, cry, and feel a little bit gayer."—Book Riot

"Esposito brings her distinctive and queer-focused brand of humor to the memoir, combining laugh-out-loud moments with somber reflections on gender, sexuality, religion, social power dynamics, and how to start saving yourself."—Booklist

"Save Yourself details [Esposito's] funny, cringeworthy, and insight recollections, from joining the circus to become a better comedian, to coming out at a Catholic college and having period sex in Rome."—Xtra

A funny, heartfelt, and incredible read

I first heard about Cameron Esposito when listening to her podcast, Queery, and being able to listen to her tell her story was just incredible. She is a role model, and wove together a unique story that is also relatable and packed with all the right humor. One of my top books of 2020!

Real. Relatable. Hilarious. Human.

I have been a fan of Cameron Esposito since I first saw her standup in videos years before I had my own queer lightbulb. It was a pleasure to hear her story. Sending Love and thanks to the author. From a fellow queer Catholic. Thank you for being a sight into a community I needed before I knew myself.

Excellent book, and Dreamy Voice!

First of all I need to admit that I have never listened to a full audiobook before. The ones that I've tried have off-putting voices, or I couldn't track the story well enough when listening. This book has quite literally changed the way I think about audio books. I just realized I needed to listen to an audiobook done right! Cameron's voice is smooth and comforting, and I enjoyed the entire book from beginning to end. I snort laughed multiple times, lightly cried, and full-blown ugly cried. It was phenomenal!

I also ordered the book from my local, independent bookseller, but for to COVID-19, the timing is longer than normal. can't wait to receive it and take it in in a couple while new way.

Great job, Cameron!

Excellent

Honest. Thoughtful. Poignant. Witty. Hilarious. I highly recommend the audible version because Cameron’s delivery makes all the difference.

Wow! What a great book.

As a fellow queer ex-catholic, just a few years older than Cameron, this book really spoke to me. I listen to a lot of autobiographies, especially by non-male comedians, and this one really stands out. It has a beautiful combination of earnest self reflection, aspirational writing and was really entertaining to boot. Great!