I Want to Be Where the Normal People Are

I love, love, love Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, but I have to admit that this book is just....meh. I enjoyed the chapters about Bloom's very awkward childhood, adolescence and early professional life, and appreciated the creative way some of them were presented. I also appreciate Bloom's complete honesty about herself, including some very cringe-worthy memories, and her ongoing struggle with OCD and depression. But the funny parts just aren't very funny; a Harry Potter fan-fic story, and suggestions for an adult amusement park land with a thud. Maybe Bloom's humor has to be seen or combined with music, to be, er, in full bloom.

I wish there were more chapters devoted to CXGF, as I miss the show terribly and mourn the loss of the late great Adam Schlesinger (who co-wrote most of the songs). But anyone hoping to find a comedic high on par with “A Diagnosis” or “California Christmastime” will be disappointed (although the chapter detailing how Bloom tried to get various X-rated lyrics past the network censor is probably my favorite part of the book).

I look forward to seeing what Rachel Bloom does next, and even if she retired today I'd love her forever for creating the unforgettable Rebecca Bunch. But I don't think her genius is best experienced through the written page.