I Want to Be Where the Normal People Are

By: Rachel Bloom

Narrated by: Rachel Bloom

From the charming and wickedly funny co-creator and star of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, a collection of hilarious personal essays, poems and even amusement park maps on the subjects of insecurity, fame, anxiety, and much more.
Rachel Bloom has felt abnormal and out of place her whole life. In this exploration of what she thinks makes her "different," she's come to realize that a lot of people also feel this way; even people who she otherwise thought were "normal."
In a collection of laugh-out-loud funny essays, all told in the unique voice (sometimes singing voice) that made her a star; Rachel writes about everything from her love of Disney, OCD and depression, weirdness, and Spanx to the story of how she didn't poop in the toilet until she was four years old; Rachel's pieces are hilarious, smart, and infinitely relatable (except for the pooping thing).

Critic reviews

"The stories have everything: Harry Potter fanfiction, deep thoughts about pooping, blow-by-blow accounts of fights with S&P during Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. I cracked up throughout, but what made it stick with me was her articulation of her anxieties. It was easy to see where and how in her life the beginnings of her work formed, and why certain experiences loomed large. All that, plus lyrics to songs she wrote about her former roommates! I'm telling you: It's good weird."—Mashable

"Whipsmart candor and disarming energy...Fans of her show and former and current nerds of all stripes will see themselves in Bloom's story. The end of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend has not dulled its fans' enthusiasm, and, really, anyone who made it out of adolescence alive will appreciate Bloom's insights."—Booklist

"If you loved Tina Fey and Amy Pohler's memoirs, don't sleep on this one from the creator and star of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Bloom's signature wit and honest voice shine through every word of this quirky, laugh-out-loud book that I read in one gut-busting sitting."—Good Housekeeping

"It's nice to know someone as talented as Rachel is also pretty weird. If you're like me and love Rachel Bloom, this hilarious, personal book will make you love her even more." —Mindy Kaling

"Rachel is one of the funniest bravest people of our generation and this book blew me away."—Amy Schumer

"Painfully funny (and funnily painful)."—B.J. Novak

"Rachel Bloom looks at our 'normal' world through the point of view of a confused, hopeful alien with a huge heart and a raging, quirky creativity. I will never look at amusement park maps the same way."—Patton Oswalt

"There's something I love a lot that people don't acknowledge as a thing and it's heartbreaking comedy. This book is that. Read it. You will laugh while you're crying and cry while you're laughing. Treat yourself to the heartbreaking comedy that is the life of Rachel Bloom."—Sarah Silverman

"Rachel Bloom is just that a person who has whole-y bloomed into a fiercely funny talent performer and now writer. Was that a corny sentence? Yes. Is this book corny? No. It's wild to read or think about people wanting so desperately to be normal. I'm so thankful Rachel never got to where the normal people are because we wouldn't be enriched with the art she has shared with the world. The book is f*cking funny and a breezy read and you're goofy as f*ck if you don't buy it."—Nicole Byer, author of #VERYFAT #VERYBRAVE

"My podcast made Rachel Bloom cum and it'll make you cum too."—Dan Savage

"(Rachel has) a legendarily active imagination with a predisposition for anxiety. Uh, sure you can put this quote on the back of your book I guess?"—Rachel's Psychiatrist

The book is great! Hearing Rachel Bloom read it herself is even better!!

This book is a must-read for any theatre person. Absolutely incredible! Rachel Bloom is somehow able to be incredibly funny while also courageous enough to talk about her many real struggles with mental health. This book would be a complete bummer in less skilled hands. Instead it is a funny, thought provoking read/listen!

As terrific as I hoped it would be

Damn, she’s great. For those of us who’ve been missing CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND, this is such a treat.

Phenomenal All-Around

An emotional rollercoaster! Rachel speaks to my soul. F**k being normal. F**k McElroy. Thank you for helping me understand myself growing up. I laughed, cried and pooped heartily during this all-too-relatable piece of art. The way Rachel is able to connect with her readers- I can't say enough. I feel seen. Thank you.

funny adorable just like the author

I'm a truck driver and finished this book in two days where it normally takes a couple weeks for other books but this laugh out loud never hit pause audio book had me swerving off the road. (not literally as that would be super dangerous and i might kill someone)

Audio > Book

I want to start off by stating I have not read or even seen the actual book. By listening to the audio though, I know that you will be missing out on some great entertainment and show tunes that you possibly cannot get from the hard copy. I enjoyed it so much, I hope to one day also buy the book as well. Rachel Bloom, you are amazing! I now am in need of you to narrate any farther audiobooks I listen to from this day on!!