Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography

Harris, N.P. (2014). Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography. NY: Crown Archetype.

Adult / Memoir / Humor

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars

At just forty-one years old, Neil Patrick Harris (NPH) has already lived an amazing and awe-inspiring life. If he continues at this pace, I hope we can look forward to a sequel memoir that covers the next forty years! There is certainly no indication that he plans to slow down or get any less interesting as he transitions into fatherhood and new opportunities in the acting world.

Click here to see Crown Publishing's book trailer featuring, you guessed it, NPH! It will give you a nice idea of what you're in for. 

Rule follower that I am, I read this through the first time following the intended (or was it?) "choose your own story" format. I was finished quickly and definitely wanted more, so I read the whole book in order and found it much more satisfying. Admittedly, I wasn't riveted so much that I couldn't put it down, but I think that also was a plus. Each chapter was an amusing little piece of NPH's life -- or a complete creative lie -- and I could read a chapter or two and have a few giggles and then not return to the book for several days, without missing a beat.

I have seen a few episodes of How I Met Your Mother, but other than that, I am not sure I have ever seen NPH perform. Nonetheless, my impression of him has always been that he's funny, talented (his character on HIMYM was brilliantly acted), and that he is really a good guy. All this comes through in his memoir, but what is most refreshing is that he is grateful. His gratitude shines again and again, and I love that he fully credits the people in his life who have sacrificed and boosted him so that he could attain what he has attained.

Readers will be treated to NPH's magic tricks, cocktail recipes, sex, lies, and videotapes (see Penn Teller chapter) all shared with humor and straight from the heart.  It is definitely an adult book given Harris's honesty about sex and drugs, but it's probably okay for mature young adults and could be helpful/hopeful/inspirational to those struggling with their sexuality -- NPH even gives a couple of shoutouts to Dan Savage and the It Gets Better campaign, and how it impacted Harris.

I received a free print copy of this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for my honest review -- the only kind I give.

Click here to buy this book from the publisher or to learn more about the author.