Scrappy Little Nobody

Publisher's Summary

A collection of humorous autobiographical essays by the Academy Award-nominated actress and star of Up in the Air and Pitch Perfect.

"I'm excited to publish my first book, and because I get uncomfortable when people have high expectations, I'd like to use this opportunity to showcase my ineptitude and pettiness and the frequency with which I embarrass myself. And while many of my female inspirations who have become authors are incredibly well educated and accomplished comedy writers, I'm very, very funny on Twitter, according to BuzzFeed and my mom, so I feel like this is a great idea. Quick question: Are run-on sentences still frowned upon? Wait, is ending a sentence with a preposition still frowned upon? I mean, upon frowned? Dammit!" (Anna Kendrick)

Anna Kendrick's autobiographical collection of essays amusingly recounts memorable moments throughout her life, from her middle-class upbringing in New England to the blockbuster movies that have made her one of Hollywood's most popular actresses today. Expanding upon the witty and ironic dispatches for which she is known, Anna Kendrick's essays offer her one-of-a-kind commentary on the absurdities she's experienced on her way to and from the heart of pop culture.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2016 Anna Kendrick (P)2016 Simon & Schuster

Critic Reviews

"Actress Anna Kendrick narrates her wry and witty collection of autobiographical essays about growing up in Portland, Maine.... Her quick pace, sometimes sarcastic tone, and unmistakably familiar voice enhance funny and shrewd reflections on her ordinary girl's life." ( AudioFile)

Anna Kendrick: Scrappy Little... Revelation

Story: Like so many others that have left reviews, I too have thoroughly enjoyed this book. I've only listened to a few other books in this genre (Rob Lowe, Judy Greer, Tina Fey) so I can't compare it to much, but I would consider this a somewhat typical Hollywood memoir. Trying to figure out direction in life, reaching the ah-ha moment, and then experiencing the highs and lows of the journey. I found myself able to relate to some stories and others not, but even if you can or can't, I'm confident that you'll be laughing along the entire way. One thing that makes it interesting is that Miss Kendrick is still a young actress. She has experienced a lot already and we don't even know where she will go from here (how many more books will we get!?).

Performance: The narration was done wonderfully! The audiobook flowed and felt like a conversation with a friend... you know, when a friend tells a really, really long story :) For real, though, this was hilarious and genuine.

Overall: I couldn't find myself giving the overall rating anything other than five stars. This book is light, easy to follow and humorous. I nearly finished it during one drive and didn't tire or need a break at all because it all flowed so well and I was pulled into the performance from the start. Highly recommend this audiobook! To wrap this up, the best way I can describe this audiobook is... absolutely effortless!

50 of 53 people found this review helpful

Anna the author

Anna perfectly put her personality into a book that was fun to read, didn't deel pretensious at all, narration light and easy to follow

21 of 22 people found this review helpful

A much-needed laugh

When I saw that Anna had a book coming out I quickly checked to see if it was going to be Audible and I was relieved. I love listening to memoirs read by the author. Especially if the author is an actor or a comedian. There is something there in the audiobook that you can't get from reading it.

Scrappy Little Nobody was no different. Anna's narration really made this book in my opinion. I'm sure that reading it on your own you could have enjoyed it just as much -- but hearing her actual reactions to things she wrote on top of hearing her tell you stories that were funny and sometimes embarrassing really put this book over the top.

I started this book on a day where I wasn't having a good morning (are there such a thing as a good morning?) And within the first few minutes of my drive I was already laughing and smiling like an idiot during my commute. The rest of the book kept me smiling and laughing.

Anna's story was really well thought out and I'm glad (and a little amazed) that she was able to get as much intimacy onto the page and into the audiobook.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who needs a good laugh, especially if you like a slightly cynical and real celebrity.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Great Autobiography

I have never been able to finish a celebrity autobiography before. Midway through this book I realized that this was something that I would listen to several times over. Anna is brilliant and can effortlessly put herself in the mind of reader in a way that makes it seem like a real conversation. I enjoy that she gets right to the point and doesn't add any fluff to lengthen the story. This book never came off as self absorbed or fake, which is refreshing. All together it is worth a credit.

46 of 52 people found this review helpful

not much substance here

i love the work a.k. does, but in her real life she is (apparently) very normal, mildly funny, and tremendously afraid of offending anyone. she spends as much time apologizing for her stories as telling them. i do really appreciate how honest the book feels, but its very disjointed. i always love when the author reads their own work... you get a better feeling of how she intends certain events to come across.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Humorous and Nicely Performed

Anna Kendrick's performance of her own composition is humorous and compelling. Her delivery exhibits dead pan and dry humor. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a light and honest read.

10 of 11 people found this review helpful

A good performance but.....

The author reads her book very well and her inflections make the book even better but the story didn't go too in depth into her actual acting roles (and her witty take when she does talk about them makes you want her to talk about them more than she ultimately does).

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Amazing!

This book was fantastic! Listening to Anna talk about her life was like having a long conversation with a new friend. Loved it!

21 of 26 people found this review helpful

Not impressed

Seems she's a little young for a memoir. In some spots, she is dishing backstage dirt on stars, and in some spots, she is describing two twenty-somethings who barely know each other having banal sex. She does not seems to know what this book is about. At the end she makes a reference to when she's 70 and can really dish it. I guess we'll have to wait. This book is a yawn overall.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Funny with a Heavy Amount of TMI

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

50/50. At times I was laughing out loud. Other times I was cringing thinking how I wish I hadn't learned that.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Skip the losing the virginity story. No one needs to know that information.

Which character – as performed by Anna Kendrick – was your favorite?

Anna Kendrick because she is hilarious. It is that humor that kept me listening to the end.

What else would you have wanted to know about Anna Kendrick’s life?

I wish I could hear more about what auditions are like before and after Oscar nomination. She mentions that the Oscar nomination was not the immediate professional success everyone said it would be. I want to know if auditions changed for her or if it was back to being one in the heard.

Any additional comments?

I had no idea she came from Broadway and lived in NYC on her own at 12. Very interesting. Also fascinating was everything that went into being nominated for an Oscar.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I wish it had just kept on going.

As one who has always struggled to find a book/audio book entertaining this was something i looked forward to since pre order and i wasn't in any way disappointed, it's funny and very interesting and I 100% recommended it to anyone who is either a fan or is just fancying a new book to read or especially listen to, in the end all i can say is this is really really great and is so worth buying for absolutely anyone 😊😊😊

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Scrappy little nobody

Loved it !! A down to earth person. A good book, she is nice !

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A brilliantly quirky autobiography

Anna Kendrick offers up her collection of anecdotes in a narration unique to her adorkable delivery that will lead you through tales of youthly awkwardness and fun and occasional existential dread that will put you in the moment, leave you amused and make you feel like Anna Kendrick could potentially be your new best friend should the two of you cross paths.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Phenomenal & Hilarious read

I loved every story, every joke, every real life example of which I related to so many. Listening to Anna read the book made it so much more enjoyable, there wasn't a moment I didn't have a smile of her face. She could wrote about anything and I'd read it! Would 100% recommend this to any reader, it's heartwarming and funny in all the right places.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

loved it

Funny, charming and sweet, it inspired me to be a better version of myself.Thank you Anna Kendrick!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Made me laugh non stop

Anna reading this felt like being in a room with a friend telling you hilarious stories. She doesn’t force anything and sounds just natural. If you’re ever feeling low, this book will cheer you up. Anna Kendrick seems like a very friendly, funny down to earth girl. I can’t recommend this audiobook enough. Excellent.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

amazingly relatable

Absolutely brilliant book and so relatable! I found myself laughing when I was walking my dogs. hope theres another one soon!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Hilarious

Amazing book! Great that it’s read by Anna herself. It’s as if she is telling you her story herself in person.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Hilarious and real

An amazingly funny book, I loved listening to Anna and her slightly awkward and loveable stories. A great insight into how people are just people at the end of the day, everyone struggles and has problems. Her voice and the way she puts expression makes the book easy to listen to and on several occasions I laughed out loud, I must have looked like a psycho on my morning cycle to work.....

4 of 6 people found this review helpful

I love Anna

I loved this book. Anna reading said book made it 10 times better than reading it