With wry wit and poignant humor, Louie Anderson, New York Times bestselling author and Emmy Award–winning comedian currently starring in Zach Galifianakis’s Baskets, stocks his trip of turning life’s challenges into joy, as well as plenty of wisdom he’s still discovering from his late mother.

Louie Anderson has channeled his beloved mom in his stand-up schedule for many years, but she died before seeing him reach his greatest heights, culminating in his breakout Television role seeing that Christine Baskets, about Hey Mom the mesmerizing character inspired by his mother, Ora Zella Anderson. This book is Louie’s method of catching her through to his triumphs, disappointments, and continuing challenges. There is certainly heartache, but also great wish. You can find also—given Louie’s inimitable voice—laugh-out-loud tales and observations on existence’s absurdities, the kind only he could make.

“I started out writing these characters to my mom, but a few friends said I should write a publication. I said okay because next to ‘we’ll observe,’ ‘alright’ is as noncommittal as you may get. But in some way I stuck with it. I am hoping you prefer it. I am hoping that after you examine it, you’ll create or call your own mother—and father, sister, sibling, cousin, nephew. Or have lunch time with them. Or breakfast. It doesn’t have to be lunchtime. But do it. Don’t wait around like I did so.” —Louie