Nonfiction

Who Do I Think I Am?: Stories of Chola Wishes and Caviar Dreams

Who Do I Think I Am?: Stories of Chola Wishes and Caviar Dreams

  • Downloads：1721
  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2022-07-06 14:16:51
  • Update Date：2025-09-23
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Anjelah Johnson-Reyes
  • ISBN：1546000437
  • Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
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Summary

This hilarious and thoughtful memoir from comedy legend Anjelah Johnson-Reyes explores questions of identity， belonging， and her two dreams as a kid: to be an actress and to be a chola。

You may know Anjelah Johnson-Reyes for her viral sketch "Nail Salon" （over 100 million views globally） or her beloved MadTV character Bon Qui Qui， but it's her clean humor and hilarious storytelling that make her one of the most successful stand-up comedians and actresses today。 

With her razor-sharp wit， Anjelah recounts funny stories from her journey—from growing up caught between two worlds （do chips and salsa go with potato salad？） to unexpectedly embracing faith （“I love Jesus， but I will punch a ‘ho”） to her many adventures in dating （she may or may not have accepted dates simply for the food）。 Through it all， Anjelah transforms from a suburban-adjacent kid with Aquanet-drenched hair into a devoted Christian who abstains from drinking and premarital sex， into a mall-famous Oakland Raiders cheerleader， and then an actually famous comedian traveling the world and meeting people from all-walks of life， including Oprah。 No biggie。 （Huge biggie。） As she travels the world， Anjelah has eye-opening experiences， and she morphs from square， rigid Anjelah into “Funjelah，” and learns that she can still ride with Jesus without squashing the other parts of her personality。

Anjelah's stories explore subjects such as navigating your racial identity， finding your place in the world， chasing your crazy dreams， embracing the messiness of an evolving faith， and searching for belonging and meaning。 Through her journey， Anjelah gets closer to discovering her true identity and encourages readers to have the audacity to dream big。

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Reviews

Maria ，

Knowing that Anjelah is what I would consider a hardcore Christian and a clean comic I wasn't sure if I would be able to get into this memoir。Her faith influences all her decisions and is brought up frequently in the book， but it wasn't preachy or judgemental。 It was just like God was her best friend or a beloved family member and He came up all the time because He was right there for a lot of the book。 I also appreciate her critiques on purity culture and the frankness of the impact it had on h Knowing that Anjelah is what I would consider a hardcore Christian and a clean comic I wasn't sure if I would be able to get into this memoir。Her faith influences all her decisions and is brought up frequently in the book， but it wasn't preachy or judgemental。 It was just like God was her best friend or a beloved family member and He came up all the time because He was right there for a lot of the book。 I also appreciate her critiques on purity culture and the frankness of the impact it had on her marriage。 Overall her anecdotes were funny， but I felt that there was some repetition in the book that ruined the flow and some parts dragged a bit。 。。。more

Hillary Marotta ，

Absolutely love her comedy and thrilled to have read her book。 Hilarious and inspiring stories， great messages about finding your own path， not comparing yourself to others， and demonstrating faith in action。 A perfect read for me right now。 Highly recommend。

Liza Ryan ，

I love her， and this book is so inspiring。 She can make you laugh and think in the same breath！

Jaime Vanhoose Steele ，

She’s the kind of girl you want to be besties with。 Though I kept losing interest while reading it was still funny and good。

Cyndi ，

I have been a big fan of Anjelah’s for years。 So when I Heard， she wrote。 Book， I couldn’t wait to read it。 I did end up listening to the audiobook， and I’m glad that I did。 You can’t beat her comedic inflection。 It’s a funny yet beautiful memoir。 It’s filled with stories of believing in yourself and having faith in a greater purpose。 I loved this book and love The comedian even more because of it。 Highly recommend！

Shinae Wyckoff ，

Audiobook read by Anjelah Johnson - yes please！ Lots of fun， for sure。 Loved hearing her life story， though I think the book could have benefited from some editing down here and there。 I didn’t need to know about her cruise with Oprah or her dog psychic。 🤷🏻‍♀️

CCPRDH ，

Funny memoire by a funny lady！

Ashley Dugger ，

I feel like Anjelah and I are best friends after listening to this。 It’s a fun read if you’re a fan of hers。 If not， I’d skip it。

Amber ，

Loved this whole book！ Super funny because it's Anjelah Johnson-Reyes but really makes you think and even though we've never met I feel like we are friends now 😂 Loved this whole book！ Super funny because it's Anjelah Johnson-Reyes but really makes you think and even though we've never met I feel like we are friends now 😂 。。。more

Sharaun ，

Funny and so very relatable。 I laughed， I cried and I have a deeper respect for the grind。

Becky ，

DNF

Jessica ，

Entertaining to read。 I was a fan before， now I’m an even bigger fan of Anjelah！

Lorindar Rangel ，

Really great autobiography！ I really enjoyed reading about her ups and downs and her faith in God。 She made it funny and inspiring and I hope lots of people read her story！

Julie ，

Both inspirational and peaceful。。。。。absolutely a must listen not read

Jennifer Landry ，

I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir narrated by the hilarious author herself。 I can't imagine reading this book any other way。 I learned a lot about Anjelah's journey including the origin of her famous nail salon skit and her MadTV Bon Qui Qui character。 She shares a lot about how her Christian faith played a role in her journey， but as someone who is typically turned off by too。 much religious discussion in a book， she did it in a way that enhanced her story without being a turnoff for me。 Highly I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir narrated by the hilarious author herself。 I can't imagine reading this book any other way。 I learned a lot about Anjelah's journey including the origin of her famous nail salon skit and her MadTV Bon Qui Qui character。 She shares a lot about how her Christian faith played a role in her journey， but as someone who is typically turned off by too。 much religious discussion in a book， she did it in a way that enhanced her story without being a turnoff for me。 Highly recommend！ 。。。more

Dollar Tree Barbie ，

Another famous person trying to make a dollar through a book because America has disposed of Hollywood post covid。 I wonder how it’s working out for all of them？There’s a point in the book where I got the district impression that if you had one takeaway it should be that she was a virgin until she married。 No don’t get me wrong it’s most honorable that she saved herself but it seems that she could’ve covered that in a sentence or two and not throughout the second half of the book。 Definitely cou Another famous person trying to make a dollar through a book because America has disposed of Hollywood post covid。 I wonder how it’s working out for all of them？There’s a point in the book where I got the district impression that if you had one takeaway it should be that she was a virgin until she married。 No don’t get me wrong it’s most honorable that she saved herself but it seems that she could’ve covered that in a sentence or two and not throughout the second half of the book。 Definitely could’ve scratched the section where she drone on about regretting it。 If you’re a fan of her standup you’ll have heard majority of this book already。 I didn’t know she was iconic in the Christian community but it does make sense as to why I like her act。 Ended on a note that suggests she’s in a self discovering turning point in her life。 Curious if that will change her act。 Overall I liked it。 。。。more

Monica ，

I really enjoyed reading this book！ I never give a book 5 stars。 Angelah Johnson-Reyes was vulnerable and shared stories of her upbringing。 Stories that are relatable and helps one understand her journey as a comedian and as a person。 She has clean comedy and cares for her family， checking in to make sure the stories she shares are ok with them。 I appreciated the stories she shared about her marriage and at times it reminded me of my marriage （again she is relatable and very likable）。

Abby S ，

Anjelah was as delightful as ever！ I could hear her voice on every page and her humor shined while not overpowering her stories that she was sharing。

Bree ，

If you are going to read this book， I HIGHLY suggest you listen to the audio。 It is HYSTERICAL。 Regardless- loved it。 I love this lady and loved her sharing her heart and her story。

Joyce ，

Just like almost everyone， I was first introduced to Anjelah Johnson through her nail salon bit but have become a fan over the years。 Behind all that glitz and glamour is an everyday girl who grew up on the "wrong" side of the tracks from where she wanted to be even if it is the "right side"。 As a Raiderette， comedian， Christian， like the rest of us， realizes that you can't please everyone all the time and at the end realize there is no right way， only your own way。 Just like almost everyone， I was first introduced to Anjelah Johnson through her nail salon bit but have become a fan over the years。 Behind all that glitz and glamour is an everyday girl who grew up on the "wrong" side of the tracks from where she wanted to be even if it is the "right side"。 As a Raiderette， comedian， Christian， like the rest of us， realizes that you can't please everyone all the time and at the end realize there is no right way， only your own way。 。。。more

Kristy ，

The audiobook is the only way you should read this because if you are reading this you are probably a fan of hers and her reading of the book is perfect。 Very inspiring on many levels。

Nicole Miller ，

I enjoyed this memoir from an inspiring and funny woman。 I did not relate to her religious journey， but while it wasn't my favorite aspect of her story， I can appreciate that it was real and vulnerable。 I enjoyed this memoir from an inspiring and funny woman。 I did not relate to her religious journey， but while it wasn't my favorite aspect of her story， I can appreciate that it was real and vulnerable。 。。。more

Suzan ，

I am a huge fan of Anjelah's stand-up comedy。 Now I see why。 This book is an inside look to who she is and how she got here。 I laughed through 85% of this book。 I didn't want the book to end。 I love that Anjelah narrated the book as well。 Thank you Anjelah！ I am a huge fan of Anjelah's stand-up comedy。 Now I see why。 This book is an inside look to who she is and how she got here。 I laughed through 85% of this book。 I didn't want the book to end。 I love that Anjelah narrated the book as well。 Thank you Anjelah！ 。。。more

Lydia Presley ，

I first discovered Anjelah Johnson the way I imagine many people did: her Nail Salon sketch on YouTube。 Since then， I have seen her in person， listened to her other sketches， and did a deep dive on Friends episodes seeing where I can spot her。 I have a bit of a girl-crush on her， I'm not gonna lie。I loved listening to this book。 I think， as a recovering evangelical， there were definitely parts that were a bit triggering for me （all the purity talk and， as Anjelah states， the "Chrish" talk）。 Stil I first discovered Anjelah Johnson the way I imagine many people did: her Nail Salon sketch on YouTube。 Since then， I have seen her in person， listened to her other sketches， and did a deep dive on Friends episodes seeing where I can spot her。 I have a bit of a girl-crush on her， I'm not gonna lie。I loved listening to this book。 I think， as a recovering evangelical， there were definitely parts that were a bit triggering for me （all the purity talk and， as Anjelah states， the "Chrish" talk）。 Still， Anjelah's clean comedic stories and timing （and the way she just switches from serious to super cute/funny） kept me going。I found her open honesty， her transparency， and her willingness to just be herself really， really refreshing。 Like Oprah， I give my firm approval to this memoir and will continue to fangirl anytime I see Anjelah's name pop up。 。。。more

Andrew ，

In Who Do I Think I Am， Anjelah Johnson-Reyes has written a personal story about her life。 She is a stand-up comedian and her most famous viral video is of being the nail salon lady。 She also starred on MadTV as Bon Qui Qui and later even released a whole album as that character。 She starred in The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel， Enough Said， Our Family Weddings， and guest starred on Ugly Betty， The Shield， Superstore， and much more。 She was even an extra on Friends。 She was born and raised in San Jo In Who Do I Think I Am， Anjelah Johnson-Reyes has written a personal story about her life。 She is a stand-up comedian and her most famous viral video is of being the nail salon lady。 She also starred on MadTV as Bon Qui Qui and later even released a whole album as that character。 She starred in The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel， Enough Said， Our Family Weddings， and guest starred on Ugly Betty， The Shield， Superstore， and much more。 She was even an extra on Friends。 She was born and raised in San Jose， California。 She begins the book by sharing how she at first wanted to be a lawyer growing up and then she realized she wanted to become an actress。 Throughout the book， she will reveal our journey on become a comedian and an actress。 She also shared stories about Hollywood and the entertainment field。 Another big part of the book was how she became a Christian and grew in her faith。 She shared her dating adventures and how she eventually met her husband， Manny who is a Christian recording artist， Group 1 Crew。 One of my favorite stories was about the topic of stray dogs and how she always wanted to rescue them。 She always wanted a dog of her own and it took her husband a few years to break down and let them get one。 One of her stories involved heavy rain and a wild chase to catch the dog for over four hours。 I loved the humor she added to the story and I can just see her feeding the dog and trying to bribe it and acting like a crazy kidnapper。 I would recommend this awesome book to anyone who is needing a good laugh and they have enjoyed watching her comedian shows。 I remember seeing her nail lady salon video and laughing at it。 I also remember even more her starring as Bon Qui Qui。 This character is hilarious and if you have ever worked in customer service you can very much relate to her。 I was a super MadTV fan growing up and I wish they would have kept her on the show longer。 I also appreciated the chapter on her setbacks and how she didn’t always get the role or the part。 Sometimes it was from her own decision like the time， she passed on Pitch Perfect because she didn’t feel like it would line up with her Christian values and then the movie turned out not to be too raunchy。 She had to live with her regrets or passing on that one。 She revealed how this taught her to keep moving forward and she hopes this will inspire others to keep dreaming and be themselves。 "I received this book free from the publisher， Hachette Book Group/Faithwords for my honest review。” 。。。more

Briana ，

A very surprising and enjoyable read。 Anjelah’s voice comes across as very funny， but also honest and determinedly optimistic。

Adrienne Baugh Donahue ，

I love her as a comedienne; her book was mostly surface level however。 I did find her religious journey interesting and worth reading。

Susie Stangland ，

Loved this book！ I felt like crying in the end。 It was a very freeing book！ It’s funny as I had not followed the author - I had followed her husband - I think he landed in my discover this account so I checked it out and thought ok he’s cool， and I love his enthusiasm for all of life and I remembered her in a Julia Dreyfus movie but it wasn’t like I knew her career。 But something made me buy her book- I think it was wanting to support a hard working， FUN， faith based couple。 I usually give my bo Loved this book！ I felt like crying in the end。 It was a very freeing book！ It’s funny as I had not followed the author - I had followed her husband - I think he landed in my discover this account so I checked it out and thought ok he’s cool， and I love his enthusiasm for all of life and I remembered her in a Julia Dreyfus movie but it wasn’t like I knew her career。 But something made me buy her book- I think it was wanting to support a hard working， FUN， faith based couple。 I usually give my books to my aunt after I read them。 Very few make it to my keeper shelf。 I had a bag by the door ready for this book to join。 And then I finished it just now and thought Wait this is going on my keeper shelf。 I need her words to remind me of a TON of things！！ Thank you Anjelah for writing with such open transparency reminding us all to love each other， ourselves & the JOURNEY！ 。。。more

Katrina ，

I loved getting a bird’s eye view into the life and career of Anjelah Johnson-Reyes。 I knew she was talented， funny and smart and I had fun getting to know her quirks， listening to her processing of insecurities and her hilariously busy love life。 About 12 years ago I was really going through a rough time。 My husband and I were watching comedy and just happened to run across one of her specials。 I want to say thank you， Anjelah for allowing the real you to shine。 That night I laughed hearses tha I loved getting a bird’s eye view into the life and career of Anjelah Johnson-Reyes。 I knew she was talented， funny and smart and I had fun getting to know her quirks， listening to her processing of insecurities and her hilariously busy love life。 About 12 years ago I was really going through a rough time。 My husband and I were watching comedy and just happened to run across one of her specials。 I want to say thank you， Anjelah for allowing the real you to shine。 That night I laughed hearses than I had in months and I knew you were （and still are） my favorite comedian。 This book does not disappoint。 Enjoy the ride！ It is all over the place and will keep you in stitches！ 。。。more

Nicole2112 ，

Love her， love her comedy， loved the book！

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Who Do I Think I Am?: Stories of Chola Wishes and Caviar Dreams

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=Who Do I Think I Am?: Stories of Chola Wishes and Caviar Dreams&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,Who Do I Think I Am?: Stories of Chola Wishes and Caviar Dreams&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0