Fervent Bookshelf: The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish
As one of my (many) New Year's resolutions, I established a goal of reading 3 books per month. Yes, it's a lofty goal but I love reading and I let a ridiculously busy schedule last year deter me from my passion. So I made an Amazon Wish List of books I want to read as well as a few on my bookshelf that I neglected to read last year.
The first book I read to bring in the new year is The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish. If her name doesn't ring a bell, you might be living under a rock the past year! Tiffany (yes, we are on a first name basis because she is a sister-friend in my head) was the breakout star in Girls Trip, a record-shattering 2017 comedy starring Queen Latifah, Regina Hall and Jada Pinkett-Smith about...you guessed it a girls trip to Essence Fest in New Orleans. The movie is much more than documenting the debauchery of a crazy trip but more about friendship, relationships woes, and finding your strength.
You might have seen Tiffany in movies like Keanu and hosting Saturday Night Live. Also, she is ridiculously funny in The Carmichael Show. I could go on and on about her career but back to the book...
A few of the antedotes in the book, I had heard when she was doing the talk show circuit promoting The Last Black Unicorn. So I was familiar with aspects of her life like her relationship with Roscoe, the Groupon with Will and Jada Smith, and being a foster child. The clip below from The Daily Show with Trevor Noah is a great peek into the book and the comic hilarity that is Tiffany:
However, there were many trials and tribulations I didn't know about her life. She grew up in South Central Los Angeles and found comedy to help her get through bullying and an abusive childhood.
Nonetheless, reading it in print and hearing her hilarious voice in my mind was still fulfilling. There were times I was near tears and other times, I was laughing so hard until my face hurt. I also nodded heartily in agreement in a few spots because she went through a lot of relatable moments like having to working hard for almost two decades to finally break out and realizing her worth as a performer. So many of us short-change ourselves and perform our work and services at a discount. Her story is a true testimony of knowing your worth and not compromising.
No matter how bad things go, no matter how dark your life is, there is a reason for it. You can find beauty in it, and you can get better. I know, because I've done it.
- Tiffany Haddish
If you want an honest, hysterical, and quick read, pick up The Last Black Unicorn. Tiffany's journey to success is inspiring and her candor is refreshing. On-screen she is so funny, personable, and REAL and it translates in the pages of her book. The Last Black Unicorn isn't for the faint of heart and you may be left clutching your pearls (for a second) but every page is worth it.