Step into my time machine, will ya? We’re going back to 2007-2008, when a young Stephanie was a college freshman. Youtube was still pretty new, so we watched the same videos over and over again since there weren’t enough posted to really go down a rabbit hole. Young Stephanie and her dorm mates were obsessed with one starring a character named Bon Qui Qui, and we could quote the whole dang video for you.

Those quotes continued with young Stephanie to her first full-time job, where she and another producer would quote Bon Qui Qui pretty much daily. Okay, it was multiple times a day, mostly when the TV station security guard would walk through the news room and we would yell “sah-currity!” at him. Original, we know.

I say all that to illustrate that I am a LONG TIME fan of Anjelah Johnson-Reyes‘ work. She is hilarious and that bit in her stand-up about ‘I love Jesus, but I will cut a ho’ (That is a chapter name, btw) is 100% me. When she announced that a book was on the way, you know I was all the way in…. and immediately started asking for a review copy and/or an interview. Welp, the review copy came about two days before the release and allegedly I will get to talk to her soon, so I am pumped!

I am also pumped for you to read Who Do I Think I Am?: Stories of Chola Wishes and Caviar Dreams. If you’ve ever seen an Anjelah Johnson comedy special, then you will hear her voice in your head as your read the book. There are so many places you just know exactly what kind of cadence she would deliver the line with if she was telling you in person. It makes this book feel so authentic and I am so here for it. There were many smiles as she shared her journey from childhood to becoming “medium famous”.

A big part of Anjelah’s life is her faith, and that shows in this book. If you don’t like Christianese, then this is for you. Anjelah doesn’t rely on those $5 church words to share about God. It’s so refreshing that she is truly herself and shares about her faith and doubts in an honest and vulnerable way. It’s not easy to share your faith nowadays in the first place, but to do it as a comedian is incredibly difficult. Putting it on a page is an even bigger step and I’m so proud of her for sticking to her truth.

That being said, I’m sure there are a lot of Christians who won’t like this book. Anjelah doesn’t shy away from tough topics or questions, which I honestly appreciate. We need more of that level of transparency and willingness to admit we don’t have all the answers, instead of the holier-than-thou and legalistic vibes we are seeing in many religious circles today.

Anyways, I freaking loved Who Do I Think I Am?. It’s a quick and easy read, which I found to be enjoyable, funny, and full of celebrity encounters one could only wish to have. I still feel like we’d be besties if only I didn’t leave Nashville as she was moving there. Sigh.

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