How to Read Carol Burnett's Books
Carol Burnett has captured the hearts of millions with her physical comedy, signature earlobe tug, and warm vulnerability. Beyond the screen, she has also established herself as an accomplished, bestselling author. Unlike writers of fiction, Burnett’s bibliography consists of deeply personal memoirs, collections of career reflections, and collaborative works.
Because her books focus on different phases of her life and career, you have two primary ways to approach her work depending on your goals as a reader:
- The Chronological Life Path: This order follows her personal timeline, starting with her difficult childhood in San Antonio and Hollywood, transitioning to her rise to fame, and concluding with her reflections on motherhood and her later career.
- The Theme-Based Path: This approach allows you to select books based on what interests you most, whether that is the behind-the-scenes history of variety television, a touching personal memoir about family, or lighthearted career anecdotes.
The Recommended Chronological Reading Order
If you want to experience Carol Burnett's life story in the order it actually unfolded, read her memoirs in this sequence. This path provides the best context for how a young girl from a struggling household became a pioneer of American comedy.
1. One More Time: A Memoir (1986)
First published by Random House in 1986, this is Burnett's first major memoir and the logical place to start her chronological life story. Written as a letter to her three daughters, the book covers her childhood, growing up in a small Hollywood studio apartment with her beloved grandmother (whom she called "Nanny") and her parents' struggles with alcoholism. The memoir follows her journey through UCLA and her early years trying to make it as an actress in New York City, ending just as she is on the precipice of major stardom in the late 1950s.
2. In Such Good Company: Eleven Years of Laughter, Mayhem, and Fun in the Sandbox (2016)
Though published later in 2016 by Crown Archetype, this book acts as the direct professional sequel to One More Time. It documents the golden era of her career: the eleven-year run of The Carol Burnett Show (1967–1978). Burnett shares behind-the-scenes stories about her costars—Harvey Korman, Tim Conway, Vicki Lawrence, and Lyle Waggoner—as well as the incredible roster of guest stars who visited the show. For fans of classic television, this is an essential read that details the mechanics of putting together a weekly variety show.
3. Carrie and Me: A Mother-Daughter Love Story (2013)
Published by Simon & Schuster in 2013, this is Carol Burnett's most intimate and emotional book. It focuses on her relationship with her oldest daughter, Carrie Hamilton, who was an actress, writer, and musician. The first half of the book is Carol's memoir of Carrie's early struggles, her recovery from drug addiction, their creative collaborations, and Carrie's tragic death from cancer in 2002 at the age of 38. The second half of the book features Carrie's own unfinished play, highlighting her voice as a writer. It is a powerful exploration of maternal love and grief.
4. This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection (2010)
Published in 2010 by Crown Archetype, this book is best read as a companion or capstone to her chronological journey. Rather than a linear narrative, it is a collection of essays, anecdotes, and reflections spanning her entire life. It bridges the gap between her childhood struggles and her later-life insights, featuring short stories about meeting stars like Lucille Ball, Jimmy Stewart, and Cary Grant. It offers a warm, conversational look back at a life well-lived.
Early Works and Collaborative Projects
In addition to her core memoirs, Carol Burnett has lent her comedic and creative talents to other print publications. These works can be read at any point as standalone curiosities.
What I Want to Be When I Grow Up (1975)
This early, unique book was co-authored by Carol Burnett, George Mendoza, and Sheldon Secunda, and published by Simon & Schuster in 1975. Created during the height of The Carol Burnett Show, it is a playful, illustrated project. Inspired by the career aspirations of school children, the book features photographs by Sheldon Secunda showing Burnett pantomiming various occupations, from a pizza maker to an astronaut and even the President of the United States. It showcases her physical comedy in a print format.
The Art of Bob Mackie (2021)
Published in 2021 by Frank Vlastnik and Laura Ross (Simon & Schuster), this is a comprehensive retrospective of legendary fashion designer Bob Mackie, who famously designed thousands of costumes for Carol Burnett and her show's cast. Burnett contributed the foreword to this book, celebrating their collaborative relationship and detailing how Mackie's designs helped her find the physical identity of her characters, such as the iconic "Starlett O'Hara" curtain-rod dress.
What to Know Before You Start
Before you dive into Carol Burnett’s bibliography, keep these helpful tips in mind to maximize your enjoyment:
- Audiobooks are Highly Recommended: If you enjoy audiobooks, they are the definitive way to experience Burnett's writing. She narrates her memoirs herself, bringing her signature comedic timing, voices, and warmth to the reading. In fact, her narration for the audiobook of In Such Good Company won the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album in 2017.
- Emotional Contrast: Readers should be prepared for a shift in tone across her works. While In Such Good Company and This Time Together are filled with humor and Hollywood glamour, One More Time details a very impoverished upbringing, and Carrie and Me is a deeply moving look at parental loss and addiction.
- Standalone Readability: None of Carol Burnett’s books have strict narrative cliffhangers. Each book is written to stand on its own, meaning you can easily pick up the one that matches your current interest without feeling lost.