My Shorts: Brief Scenes from My Early Life contains Brian Kagan's stories about growing up as a fat and mischievous child in a Jewish home. Follow Brian's hilarious and heartwarming exploits as he set his father's shed on fire, discovered becoming a man doesn't mean being allowed to have casual sex as a Jewish male, risked getting caught by the father of a girl while he was with her, and much more. Brian Kagan chooses to look back at his life from a comical perspective as he retells his experiences with his shockingly amusing mother, who wanted him to marry a Jewish woman; his fierce and gentle father, who did not spare the rod; and his much-respected athletic older brother, who had a big secret.

From a candid portrayal of Jewish culture to key lessons from an experienced marketing specialist and exploits showing the influence of old western movies on one mischievous American child, My Shorts takes readers on a wild and unpredictable ride rife with culture, excitement, and important life lessons. Several experiences stand out in the book, making it hard to forget. I chuckle every time I remember how the author's mother and a nurse tried to convince him that his medication was sugar. The vivid descriptions put me right in front of the scenes; it was easy to picture the "jet-black, slicked-back hair" of his father and the other picturesque characters and scenes. My Shorts cheered me up instantly and got me to love its characters while revealing the good and bad experiences of an individual and his family through the decades.

The audiobook, which is narrated by the author himself, starts and ends with an upbeat sound that matches the lively mood of the book. Brian Kagan changes his voice to match each character, giving them a unique and identifiable voice. I could recognize who the narrator was trying to portray with each voice change. Brian did a great job in depicting the animated character of himself as a child and the feminine elements of his mother's voice. I liked that the pace of the narration is not too slow or fast. Listening to the clear audio was a calming and therapeutic experience, though I felt the quality was a bit low. In summary, the author's brilliant performance while narrating My Shorts added to why I enjoyed the book.

My Shorts: Brief Scenes from My Early Life by Brian Kagan is a hilarious collection of true stories starring a chubby, Cheetos-loving Jewish middle child with overactive sweat glands and an abundant imagination. Brian's troublemaking tendencies and habit of twisting the truth further complicates grappling with issues in childhood, family, relationships, sexuality, and a desire to be accepted. From lusting for a BB gun to accidentally setting the family shed on fire, each of Brian’s stories will make you giggle and feel the nostalgic joy of the messy, hilarious, and poignant journey that we call life. Giving a glimpse of life back in the '50s and '60s, this book perfectly blends American culture and humor while delivering life lessons that will stick with you forever.

As the eldest of two children, I can testify that sibling shenanigans can make you laugh or tear your hair out in frustration. Brian Kagan conveys the frustration of being the chubby middle child with an athletic elder brother and a little sister who can do no wrong. My Shorts paints a lovely picture of a loving family. By reading this book, I felt like I knew Brian's family personally and fell in love with his flamboyant mother's antics. While each story is hilarious on its own, the entire collection comes together with its strong ties to familial bonds. Brian Kagan doubles as the narrator of his book, My Shorts. His impressive recollection allows him to perfectly imitate his younger self, as well as his family. The different uses of voice, tone, and depth made this a great audiobook.