Self-Inflicted Wounds

Heartwarming Tales of Epic Humiliation

By: Aisha Tyler

Narrated by: Aisha Tyler

Length: 6 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

self-inflicted wound (n): a spectacularly humiliating, and often hilarious, incident entirely of one's own making. see also: you did it to yourself.

Have you ever made a decision you instantly regretted? Humiliated yourself in a room of your peers, or shamed yourself in front of your massive crush? Ever blown a job interview, frozen during a presentation, acted like a total idiot on a date? Ever said the wrong thing at the wrong time, unable to keep your tongue from flapping out the stupidest words you've ever said in your life, ever? If you are a human being, the answer, of course, is yes. Take heart. You're not alone. This is known as the self-inflicted wound, and every one of us bears a scar. Or several.

Here, Aisha Tyler, comedian, actress, cohost of CBS's The Talk, star of Archer, and creator of the top-ranked podcast Girl on Guy, serves up a spectacular collection of her own self-inflicted wounds. From almost setting herself on fire, to vomiting on a boy she liked, to getting drunk and sleeping through the SATs, to going into crushing debt to pay for college and then throwing away her degree to become a comedian, Aisha's life has been a series of spectacularly epic fails. And she's got the scars to prove it. Literally.

Through it all, Aisha's triumphs haven't come in spite of the failures, but because of them. Because with every failure comes a lesson learned, a strength revealed, a fear overcome, or an adventure braved. Self-Inflicted Wounds isn't just about surviving failure. It's about embracing failure - pursuing it, even - on the winding path to success. And after you've failed a time or three, hopefully you'll have learned something. Or at the very least have a really killer story. Because to err is human, but to fail epically is hilarious.

©2013 Aisha Tyler (P)2013 HarperCollinsPublishers

Love it - weightier than you might think

What made the experience of listening to Self-Inflicted Wounds the most enjoyable?

This is a woman accustomed to saying her own words out loud. Many writers suck at presenting their work orally. Not Aisha Tyler. It's her job. So her natural brilliance shines forth. You might not want to try to listen to the whole thing straight through, like on a long road trip. It's work that can bear thinking about in quiet. Listen to a bit of her story, then think about a bit about your own story, then repeat.

Who was your favorite character and why?

No favorite character, but favorite chapters. I believe they were chapters 22 & 23. A story then a right between the eyes point. Nice.

Have you listened to any of Aisha Tyler’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Just mainly on Archer. Like apples and oranges. But she's good in both.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The part about failing at comedy then getting back up and doing it again - and again - and again. The point isn't the failing, it's the getting back up. And you can't get back up unless you need to get back up - unless you fail.

Not Really a Biography

This is more of a self-help, or advice book, than a bio. I love her performance, but the content wasn't what I had hoped for.

pretty decent

I liked it, a bit slow in areas but over all a good listen. I would recommend this book.

Good listen!

Aisha Tyler is great. I love her personality and brand of humor. I'm a biography junkie though, so this didn't quench my thirst for that aspect of her life - though to be fair she made it clear in the first 5 minutes that it wasn't a biography. So if you like Aisha and appreciate humorous anecdotes about her making a fool of herself, then this is a great "read"!

Aisha Tyler rocks!

this book was so great and funny! aisha tyler is remarkable and a great storyteller!

Absolutely Amazing

Any additional comments?

I wasn't very familiar with Tyler's work before this book, but I like funny memoirs by funny women, and this was highly rated (and deservedly so). She melted my heart and made me gigglesnort on the train. Simultaneously. You will extra love this book if you live (or have ever lived) in San Francisco or Oakland. Buy it. Love it. Thank me later.

Fantastic Stories

Incredibly honest and well delivered. Highly recommend. She is always refreshing to hear talk about all the things she's learned and how well she uses it to inspire others.

Loved this sooo much!

I must preface what I'm about to say with this: I am and have been a HUGE Aisha Tyler fan for several years now, ever since I discovered her Girl On Guy Podcast. However, even with prior knowledge of some of her work, I was still astounded by the depth, wit, and self deprecating humor of this book. This book is so delightfully witty and even moreso on audiobook because hearing Aisha herself regale me with her triumphs and (more often) stumbles adds a greater personal touch to the stories. I absolutely loved everything about it.

Very inspired!!🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠. 10 stars!

Could not stop listening. Love when the author's read there book's. I feel like you get every feeling and laugh that your supposed to. Was very eloquently read. A must for any fan of comedy!!!

Good Life Navigation: True North is Failure

Tyler talks about getting out of her own way... after she trips over herself, falls into a plate glass window, rolls into a Japanese Hornet's nest and gets them off by jumping into wading pool of HCL... really...she's fine... the chemically-induced alopecia won't kick in till later and she can always snag a cameo on Star Trek🤪