{"title":"Kal Penn","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to our curated collection of works by Kal Penn, a multifaceted talent whose journey from Hollywood to the White House is as captivating as his writing. Known widely as an actor, producer, and activist, Kal Penn has added the title of author to his impressive résumé, offering readers a glimpse into his extraordinary life and career.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \"You Can't Be Serious,\" Kal Penn shares his personal narrative with humour and honesty, making it an engaging read for fans and newcomers alike. This book falls into the \u003cem\u003eBiography \u0026amp; Memoir\u003c\/em\u003e category, offering insights into his experiences in showbiz, his cultural roots, and his unexpected leap into politics. It’s a tale of perseverance, identity, and the curious twists of fate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn this category, explore Kal Penn's reflections on navigating identity, ambition, and the cultural landscape, all conveyed with his characteristic wit and charm. Whether you're a fan of his work on screen or intrigued by his time serving as an associate director in the White House, this collection will entertain and inspire.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"you-cant-be-serious-by-kal-penn-9781982171391","title":"You Can't Be Serious","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe star of the\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cb\u003eHarold and Kumar\u003c\/b\u003e franchise, \u003ci\u003eHouse\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eDesignated Survivor\u003c\/i\u003e recounts why he rejected the advice of his aunties and guidance counsellors and, instead of becoming a doctor or “something practical,” embarked on a surprising journey that has included confronting racism in Hollywood, meeting his future husband, and working in the Obama administration, in this “incredibly joyful and insightful” (Kiefer Sutherland) memoir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eYou Can’t Be Serious\u003c\/i\u003e is a series of funny, consequential, awkward, and ridiculous stories from Kal Penn’s idiosyncratic life. It’s about being the grandson of Gandhian freedom fighters, and the son of immigrant parents: people who came to this country with very little and went very far—and whose vision of the American dream probably never included their son sliding off an oiled-up naked woman in the raunchy Ryan Reynolds movie \u003ci\u003eVan Wilder\u003c\/i\u003e...or getting a phone call from Air Force One as Kal flew with the country’s first Black president.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e“By turns hilarious, poignant, and inspiring” (David Axelrod, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author), Kal reflects on the most exasperating and rewarding moments from his journey so far. He pulls back the curtain on the nuances of opportunity and racism in the entertainment industry and recounts how he built allies, found encouragement, and dealt with early reminders that he might never fit in. He describes his initially unpromising first date with his now-fiancé Josh, involving an 18-pack of Coors Light and an afternoon of watching NASCAR. And of course, he reveals how, after a decade and a half of fighting for and enjoying successes in Hollywood, he made the terrifying but rewarding decision to take a sabbatical from a fulfilling acting career for an opportunity to serve his country as an Obama White House aide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAbove all, \u003ci\u003eYou Can’t Be Serious\u003c\/i\u003e shows that everyone can have more than one life story. The book “is insightful, funny, and instructive for anyone who’s ever grappled with how they fit into the American dream” (Ronan Farrow, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author), and demonstrates that no matter who you are and where you come from, you have many more choices than those presented to you. And okay, yes, it’s also about how Kal accidentally (and very stupidly) accepted an invitation to take the entire White House Office of Public Engagement to a strip club—because, let’s be honest, that’s the kind of stuff you really want to hear about.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46847376490732,"sku":"9781982171391","price":52.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781982171391.jpg?v=1758964080"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/kal-penn.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}