• I Know What I'm Doing - and Other Lies I Tell Myself

  • Dispatches from a Life Under Construction
  • By: Jen Kirkman
  • Narrated by: Jen Kirkman
  • Length: 7 hrs and 30 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (653 ratings)

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I Know What I'm Doing - and Other Lies I Tell Myself  By  cover art

I Know What I'm Doing - and Other Lies I Tell Myself

By: Jen Kirkman
Narrated by: Jen Kirkman
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Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling author and stand-up comedian Jen Kirkman delivers a hilarious, candid memoir about marriage, divorce, sex, turning 40, and still not quite having life figured out.

Jen Kirkman wants to be the voice in your head that says, "Hey, you're okay. Even if you sometimes think you aren't! And especially if other people try to tell you you're not." In I Know What I'm Doing - and Other Lies I Tell Myself, Jen offers up all the gory details of a life permanently in progress. She reassures you that it's okay to not have life completely figured out, even when you reach middle age (and find your first gray pubic hair!). She talks about making unusual or unpopular life decisions (such as cultivating a "friend with benefits" or not going home for the holidays) because you don't necessarily want for yourself what everyone else seems to think you should. It's about renting when everyone says you should own, dating around when everyone thinks you should settle down, and traveling alone when everyone pities you for going to Paris without a man.

From marriage to divorce and sex to mental health, I Know What I'm Doing - and Other Lies I Tell Myself is about embracing the fact that life is a bit of a sh*t show, and it's definitely more than okay to stay true to yourself.

©2016 Jen Kirkman (P)2016 Simon & Schuster Audio

Critic reviews

"Standup comedian Jen Kirkman shares stories about her life in a blunt, highly amusing way. She adds intention and purpose to each account of her love life and career with a pleasing, enthusiastic tone. Her sprinkles of sarcasm are delivered with a natural charm that is reminiscent of her standup persona.... The highlight of Kirkman's narration is her hilarious sendups of her mother's loud voice and Waspy accent as she depicts their quirky relationship." ( AudioFile)

What listeners say about I Know What I'm Doing - and Other Lies I Tell Myself

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

3.25 Stars: If You Have Friends, Or A Sister--

You can just hang out with them, and you'll wind up talking about everything Kirkman talks about... without using an entire credit. It's not bad at all, quite amusing and chucklesome actually. But I guess I'm used to thinking that comedians are super intelligent (and Kirkman is!), have penetrating insight, and bring to the fore that which you wouldn't think of yourself. "I Know What I'm Doing--and Other Lies I Tell Myself" is stuff you and your buddies would talk about anyway. There are LOADS of truly amusing observations, but no real and hilarious insights.
It's kind of like "Eat, Pray, Love", only with gray pubic hairs and sad cougar sex. There's a divorce, lots of thinking, and plenty of friends. It's about "coming of middle-age" in a brave new world where, when he doesn't call, you hit his Facebook page, discover reality, and have the courage to Unfriend him. It's about being true to yourself despite your orthodontist's admonishments that you'll someday regret being free, independent, and childless (all that AND you still have to make your co-pay?!?).
There's LOADS of humor here, plenty to make you titter. And I do think Jen Kirkman is a witty, witty woman. It's just that the book kind of is just that: the witty ramblings of a witty woman.
And, sadly, not much more...

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

"Ya don't seem very funny, tell me a joke"

You are a master of words Jan Kirkland, and I'm one of your biggest fans. You were in my town last week but I didn't know you were coming. I wish you had other books or maybe even a podcast or something. I hope you make it big someday.

Well written, well-spoken, lots of laughs, and lots of cringey moments just like this one.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Now that's entertainment

An awesome read that was funny, enjoyable & entertaining with a mix of truth and some hearty felt stories. I love a comedian who gives you a real glimpse into their life and can laugh at the parts that may have not been funny at the time.
I would strongly recommend this book to anyone that lives their life with an open mind and can talk about t it.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Not your normal comedian book

Though the book is humorous, it's also insightful into many things we think only we think and feel. Recommend!

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic story full of humor and insight!

Jen is my hero. So much more cost efficient than hours on a therapist's couch too!

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Not a bad book

Jen Kirkman book is really a full story. hearing of heart break and moments of wtf am I doing.

But I understand where she is coming from. so give it a listen.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • TM
  • 08-14-16

highly entertaining

highly entertaining book from a highly entertaining comedian. Finished at 2.2 speed over a weekend. highly recommended.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Jen is brilliant & hilarious

Big Jen Kirkman fan here, so it was a little tough to adjust to her "reading" voice as opposed to her typical level of energy during her podcast or standup performances.
Great stories - simultaneously funny, insightful, and empowering. "Go girl!"

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

very easy listen

Jen is awesome. always loved her on Chelsey Lately. a good read for us 40 year olds. :)

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1 person found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Not funny

This is a sad and poignant story that the author seems to be trying to pass off as comedy by adding a few jokes here and there.

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