IN MY LIBRARY
Growing up in The Bronx in the ’50s, Monica Piper always had questions come Christmastime. “Why don’t we have a tree?” she’d ask her parents. “We’re Jewish,” they replied. “Be happy we have a piano!” Nevertheless, the comedy writer recalls, by Christmas morning, there’d be a pile of presents . . . under the piano. Such is the life of someone who considers herself “Not That Jewish,” also the title of Piper’s autobiographical, one-woman show at off-Broadway’s New World Stages. Born May Lee Davis — she renamed herself after the neon sign at California’s Santa Monica Pier, adding a“p” — she’s written for TV shows as varied as “Roseanne” and “Rugrats.” Here are four books that help her embrace that Christmas and Hanukkah spirit. — Barbara Hoffman
A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote
What’s funnier than a story set in rural Alabama during the Depression? But this actually is fun, a beautiful story of an oddball relationship, like a child’s version n of “Harold and Maude.” Buddy and Sook are kindred spirits, and even a marathon session of making fruitcakes together becomes a beautiful adventure.
Auntie Mame by Patrick Dennis
I saw the movie before I read the book, and while I enjoyed the film, I wanted to go deeper. I love anything madcap, and Dennis’ Auntie Mame is one of the great characters in literature. She’s unflappable in her determination to live life to its full- est, even if she has to borrow money to pay the bills. Her optimism feels so American!
Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris
I love David Sedaris, and these stories are delicious. One of them, “The Santaland Diaries,” chronicles his time as an elf at Macy’s, including the hazards of interelf relationships — they can’t date! His work is dark and playful, an irresistible combination.
It’s So Hard to Type with a Gun In My Mouth by Steve Bluestein
Steve’s a friend of mine, but even if he wasn’t, I’d have adored this book anyway. It’s basically a memoir of his 30 years on the road as a comic, but it also deals with his unhappy childhood and struggles. I was reading this at Starbucks, and I laughed so hard, I scared the s--t out of the people sitting next to me. If you can laugh at the dark side, you’re gonna be OK.