Have you ever been stuck on public transport next to someone who is reading something that they think is hilarious? For hours you’re stuck there trying not to hear their badly muffles giggles with a few snorts thrown in for good measure. Pain in the neck isn’t it?

I must take this opportunity to apologise to the very nice J1 youngster who thought she was on her way to an adventure in the US of A, but it got off to a sticky start with yours truly trying to stem the chortles for five hours on a plane.

I blame Tina Fey. For it was she who wrote the book that instigated the laughing that (probably) annoyed the 20-something and (maybe) ruined her American adventure. OK, slight exaggeration. She forgot all about me as soon as she put on her state-of-the-art headphones.

This whole scenario turned out to be the perfect situation to read Bossypants, Tina Fey’s debut. It is full of the everyday craziness of life that it suited my situation to a tee. Bossypants is exactly what you think it’s going to be; funny, irreverent, smart, sassy, but it’s also quite moving. Amidst the comments on her geeky, unsexiness as teen and commentary on making her way as a comedian, there is a gorgeously warm chapter about her father.

Fey grew up surrounded by gay men and women and it’s a testament to her parents that they didn’t mind, once she was happy. And happy she was. As a teen, she threw herself into theatre and met all sorts of people. She fell into writing and realised that she had a talent for comedy. Growing up in such an open way, also gave her an interesting view on life. You see all the craziness from the fringes.

There are chapters on dealing with sexism, dealing with nay-sayers and dealing with being a mother. All handled with grace and no lack of wit. Bossypants is a joy and as much as gift to a reader as Fey is to anyone who loves snarky comedy.

Have you ever been stuck on public transport reading a book that is so hilarious, that you try so hard not to laugh out loud, because we all know how annoying it is? Great craic isn’t it?

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