I Can Barely Take Care of Myself: Tales From a Happy Life Without Kids

Published in 2014
224 pages

Jen Kirkman is a national and internationally touring stand-up comedian. She is also a television writer and actress, known for her regular appearances as a round-table panelist on Chelsea Lately, as well as the narrator of many episodes of Comedy Central’s Drunk History. She has a weekly podcast, I Seem Fun: The Diary of Jen Kirkman, which is often in the Top 100 in comedy on iTunes. Her 2015 Netflix Original Comedy Special “I’m Gonna Die Alone (And I Feel Fine)” was named one of the Top 10 comedy specials of 2015 by Time Out New York, New York Magazine, and The Atlantic. Her most recent Netflix Original Comedy Special, “Just Keep Livin’?” came out in 2017.

What is this book about?
In her debut memoir, actress and comedian Jen Kirkman delves into her off-camera life with the same snarky sensitivity and oddball humor she brings to her sold-out standup shows. As a woman of a certain age who has no desire to start a family, Jen often finds herself confronted (by friends, family, and total strangers) about her decision to be “childfree by choice.” I Can Barely Take Care of Myself offers honest and hilarious responses to questions like “Who will take care of you when you get old?” (Servants!) and a peek into the psyche—and weird and wonderful life—of a woman who has always marched to the beat of a different drummer and is pretty sure she’s not gonna change her mind, but thanks for your concern.