I've Tried Being Nice: Essays BY Ann Leary

In The People Pleaser’s Guide to Life by Ann Leary, the New York Times bestselling author delivers a witty and candid exploration of her journey through life as a recovering people pleaser. From the vantage of her prime years, Leary looks back with humor and insight on her quest to be nice, often with mixed results.

Leary's essays are a delightful blend of hilarity and honesty, capturing moments of domestic chaos like bat invasions, her fixation with online personality tests, and the awkwardness of ballroom dancing with her actor husband. She also shares amusing anecdotes from her experiences on the red carpet and reflections on the complexities of fame.

Beyond the laughs, Leary touches on deeper themes such as her struggle with alcoholism, her profound love for her family and dogs, and other personal battles. This collection of essays offers a rich tapestry of humor, heartache, and self-discovery, inviting readers to laugh, cry, and cringe along with her as she navigates the unpredictable and often absurd realities of life.