Some people enjoy digging into deep, classic literature for summer reading, either revisiting a beloved book, or finally taking on a difficult read. I can get that—it is appealing to re-read Pride and Prejudice for the umpteenth time, or finally work my way through all seven volumes of Proust’s In Search of Lost Time (family joke—I’ve tried at least four times, it’s a real bucket list challenge for me.) But my idea of a fun, relaxing summer read takes two forms; either a good murder mystery, or a truly funny book. I just reviewed Please See Us, which had the double shot of murder mystery AND featuring the town of my youth, an unusual treat. Now I can offer up to you a truly funny, honest book, Ali Wong’s Dear Girls, a self-revelatory series of letters to her two little daughters, who are forbidden to read it until they turn twenty-one years old.

And rightfully so! I should advise you to first watch Wong’s two Netflix specials Baby Cobra and Hard Knock Wife, just so you can see what you are getting yourself into. Wong is SO raunchy, and SO honest, it is painful and hilarious. As a white woman, for me it was a window into Wong’s experience as an Asian American, a very important perspective to have. As one of her recommendations to her daughters, she tells them to spend some real time living in a different culture, in a different country, a useful experience to learn how others live, to learn more about yourself, and to broaden your own perspective on life. Reading Wong’s advice was enlightening, to learn what it feels like to be in a racial minority as a child, at school, viewing pop culture, etc. I really got how important it is for children to see themselves reflected in their books, movies, etc., that it teaches them that anything is possible, and they can pursue whatever passion they have.

Not to be a negative Nancy, but I’ve read a couple of humorous memoir that really fell flat for me (Tina Fey’s Bossypants, and Amy Poehler’s Yes Please.) My absolute favorite humorous writer is David Sedaris, and I’ve read several of his books at part of my summer reading list for the past few years. So I had some reluctance picking up Ali Wong’s book, thinking, oh here’s another comedian trying to write a book—not like a humorous writer, clearly a different skill set. I am very happy to be proven wrong, and see that the transition from stand up writing to book writing is indeed possible. You have to follow two rules; be true to yourself, and make sure you have something to say. Fortunately, Wong is entirely herself, I think she is incapable of fakery. Secondly, when framed as lessons learned for her children, she has oh so much to impart—I hope they can dodge half the bad choices she has made! Of course, I’m not being judgy, Ali, if you ever read this—I can unfortunately give you a serious bit of competition in the young and stupid category.

Covering many topics including meeting their dad, to dating experiences, college in the U.S. and abroad, life with a Chinese father and Vietnamese mother, crazy siblings, body image issues, and courageously pursuing standup as an Asian American female amidst a sea of white guys, Wong has done more than recount her past, she has found meaning in so much of it, and is still very funny. I look forward to reading and watching her work, knowing that it comes from a place of deep honesty, and a sideways view on our culture, and life in general, that will be so true, freshly original, and so hysterically funny. Add this one to your summer reading list.