REVIEW: Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography

Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris

Genres: Memoir, Autobiography

Published: October 2014 by Crown Archetype and Harper Audio

Pages: 304

Format: Hardcover and Audiobook

Rating: 10/10

Description: Tired of memoirs that only tell you what really happened? Sick of deeply personal accounts written in the first person? Seeking an exciting, interactive read that puts the “u” back in “aUtobiography”? Then look no further than Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography! You will decide whether to try out for Doogie Howser, M.D. You will decide whether to spend years struggling with your sexuality. You will decide what kind of caviar you want to eat on board Elton John’s yacht. Choose correctly and you’ll find fame, fortune, and true love. Choose incorrectly and you’ll find misery, heartbreak, and a hideous death by piranhas. All this, plus magic tricks, cocktail recipes, embarrassing pictures from your time as a child actor, and even a closing song. Yes, if you buy one book this year, congratulations on being above the American average, but make that book Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography!

So far, NPH has definitely been my favorite audio book of the year. It was a grand slam. He crafted his memoir with the bravado and artistry and one can only expect from such a man. He provided the reader with outlandish adventures in which you, the reader, is Neil Patrick Harris and must decide your biggest life decisions. Being an audio book (and not being able to flip back and forth between pages like a traditional Choose-Your-Own-Adventure book), it was very well structured. It took us from NPH's days a little toddlin' magician, to his days on Doogie, to his Broadway debut, and beyond! It was a wonderful, amazing trip.         

He provided great and kind of creepily awesome magic tricks (yes. He performs magic through the pages, using you as a puppet. It was magnificent). 

I especially loved the bits where NPH would discuss little details about his projects as an actor or performer. Sometimes, he will perform a little diddy which is always a pleasant surprise. When he started doing the tongue twister bit from “Dr. Horrible”, I almost cried. Other bits he performed included excerpts from his legendary Tony performances. 

I'm not sure how, but NPH has discovered a way to share his experiences chilling with Elton John, being a super gorgeous and charming heart throb, and winning a Tony, without sounding like an utter tool. He didn't come off as condescending or cocky or anything. He is such a stand-up guy and I love him and I loved his memoir. The best memoir I've listened to so far. Who DOESN'T loved Neil Patrick Harris? Real talk.

Also, a week after I listened to this book, I had a dream that I was Neil Patrick Harris dressed up in full drag as Hedwig. So, beware! *spooky music starts*