About the Book
Seriously...I'm Kidding is Ellen DeGeneres's humor book, originally published in 2011 with this miniature edition released in 2013. It's a loose, essay-style collection of observations, jokes, and advice on topics ranging from fame and lifestyle to broader life philosophy, all delivered in her signature self-deprecating, conversational tone.
The book doesn't follow a tight narrative arc. It reads more like a long standup set broken into short chapters, each one fairly self-contained. Topics jump around: celebrity, wellness culture, relationships, happiness, the entertainment industry. The connective tissue is Ellen's voice and comedic sensibility rather than any sustained argument or story.
If you're already a fan of her TV persona, the book will feel familiar. If you're not, it may read as lighter than you expected, this is squarely in the casual humor category, not memoir or commentary with much depth beneath the jokes.
Narration & Audio Performance
Ellen narrates this herself, and that matters more here than it does for most author-narrated books. Her comedic timing is her entire brand, and in audio form you get the pauses, the dry delivery, and the inflection that make the jokes land. Reading the same lines on a page would lose a meaningful amount of what makes her humor work.
Her narration style is relaxed and conversational, it sounds less like someone reading a book and more like someone talking at you, which suits the material well. There's no dramatic voice work or character differentiation required given the format, so the main thing being assessed is whether her delivery sustains interest across the full runtime. For listeners who enjoy her talk show cadence, it does. For listeners who find that style grating, the audio version won't help.
Production quality is in line with standard audiobook releases from Running Press. No music or sound effects, just the narration. Given the runtime information isn't confirmed here, checking the Audible sample is worth doing to gauge whether the pacing holds up for you personally.
The Audible Verdict
The author narration genuinely adds value here, Ellen's comedic timing is a real asset in audio form and the book is better heard than read. That said, the content itself is light and the humor is hit-or-miss depending on your tolerance for her particular style. This is a solid free trial credit choice, but the material probably doesn't justify spending a paid credit unless you're an enthusiastic fan.
Listen on AudibleIs This Book a Good Fit for Audio?
This book is a good fit for audio. It's structured as short, self-contained humor pieces with no charts, diagrams, or visual elements. Nothing about the format requires you to flip back, reference earlier sections, or track complex information. You can listen passively and follow everything.
More importantly, the humor is performance-dependent in a way that genuinely benefits from audio. Jokes that rely on timing and delivery land differently when narrated by the person who wrote them with a specific cadence in mind. This is one of those cases where the audio version is arguably the intended experience.
It works well for commutes, light household tasks, or any low-stakes listening session where you want something easy that doesn't demand sustained attention.
Popular Listener Questions
Is this audiobook narrated by Ellen DeGeneres herself?
Yes, Ellen DeGeneres narrates the audiobook. This is worth noting because her comedic delivery is central to how the humor lands.
What kind of humor is in the book?
It's observational and self-deprecating, covering topics like fame, wellness, relationships, and everyday life. The tone is light and conversational, closer to talk show banter than sharp satire.
Is this a good choice if I haven't read Ellen's other books?
Yes, it stands on its own. There's no prior context needed, each section is self-contained.
Is this the same as the full-length edition of Seriously...I'm Kidding?
This is listed as the Miniature Edition, published by Running Press in 2013. The original book was published in 2011. Whether the audio content differs from the standard edition isn't confirmed, so checking the Audible listing directly is advisable if that matters to you.
Similar Audiobooks
Tina Fey's humor memoir is also author-narrated and similarly benefits from the comedian's own delivery. If you enjoyed Ellen's audio version, this is the next logical listen.
Amy Poehler's book follows a similar structure, loosely connected essays and anecdotes narrated by the author. Same casual, comedian-narrates-her-own-life energy.
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)
Mindy Kaling's debut humor essay collection covers similar territory, celebrity, relationships, and self-observation, in a comparably light, conversational tone.
The Longest Shortest Time
For listeners who want something in the same accessible, low-stakes non-fiction space but with more personal depth, this offers a different angle on the humor-meets-memoir format.
My Squirrel Days
Ellie Kemper's humor memoir is similarly light and self-deprecating, and works well in audio form for the same reasons Ellen's does.
Audiobook Details
| Title | Seriously...I'm Kidding (Miniature Edition) |
|---|---|
| Author | Ellen DeGeneres |
| Narrator | Ellen DeGeneres |
| Genre | Humor |
| Year | 2013 |
| Publisher | Running Press |
| Abridged | Unabridged |
| Cast | Single narrator |
| Author-narrated | Yes |
Ready to listen?
This audiobook is available on Audible and is a reasonable choice for a free trial credit, particularly if you prefer to hear the jokes the way Ellen intended them.
Open on Audible