An NPR Best Book of 2020 - An O, The Oprah Magazine Best LGBTQ Book of 2020 - An Electric Literature Favorite Nonfiction Book of 2020 - A Largehearted Boy Favorite Nonfiction Book of 2020 - A 2020 Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Best Humor - One of Lambda Literary's "Most Anticipated LGBTQ Books of August 2020" - One of BuzzFeed's "15 Books From Smaller Presses You Won't Be Able to Put Down" - A Shondaland 15 Hot Books for Summer
In this unique and hilarious debut memoir, writer and comedian Greg Mania chronicles life as a "pariah prodigy." From inadvertently coming out to his Polish immigrant parents, to immersing himself in the world of New York City nightlife, and finding himself and his voice in comedy. Born to Be Public is a vulnerable and poignant exploration of identity (and the rediscovery of it), mental health, sex and relationships, all while pursuing a passion with victories and tragicomic blunders. At once raw and relatable, Mania's one-of-a-kind voice will make you shed tears from laughter and find its way into your heart.
PRAISE FOR BORN TO BE PUBLIC
"This is a gift of a book from a young writer who seems likely to become a comedy star."
- NPR
"Comedic gold."
- O, The Oprah Magazine
"There's a lot of humanity in these pages, and it's a humanity that Mania renders with both tenderness and hilarity."
- BuzzFeed
"An impressive humorist with a voice all his own."
- Kirkus Reviews
"Greg Mania is one of the funniest up-and-coming writers cranking out work and he is finally releasing his laugh-out-loud memoir....Come for the laughs, stay for the heartwarming story of coming out in the most millennial way possible."
- Electric Literature
"Unafraid to tell the messy truths about identity, sex, mental health, and ambition, Mania's memoir is relatable and fun to read at the same time that it is heartfelt and honest. It even has photos, which are pure gold."
- Shondaland
"A smashing debut."
- Lambda Literary
"Greg Mania is the Cheesecake Factory of writers, and I say that with the utmost reverence: extravagant, unapologetic, hilarious, and f*cking good."
- Lindy West, author of Shrill and The Witches Are Coming
"This book is a hilarious wonder. Not only does it prove that Greg Mania was, indeed, born to be a public (and beloved) icon, but also that he was born to be a celebrated writer. It's sheer delight."
- Alissa Nutting, author of Tampa and Made for Love