In this memoir full of humor and heart, comedian, writer, and producer Cristela Alonzo shares personal stories of growing up as a first-generation Mexican-American in Texas and following her dreams to pursue a career in comedy.

When Cristela Alonzo and her family lived as squatters in an abandoned diner, they only had two luxuries: a television and a radio, which became her pop cultural touchstone and a guiding light.
Cristela shares her experiences and struggles of being a first-generation American, her dreams of becoming a comedian, and how it feels to be a creator in a world that often minimizes people of color and women. Her stories range from the ridiculous—like the time she made her own tap shoes out of bottle caps or how the theme song of The Golden Girls landed her in the principal’s office—to the sobering moments, like how she turned to stand-up comedy to grieve the heartbreaking loss of her mother and how, years later, she’s committed to giving back to the community that helped make her.
Each significant moment of the book relates to a song, and the resulting playlist is deeply moving, resonant, and unforgettable. Music to My Years will make you laugh, cry, and even inspire you to make a playlist of your own.

Cristela Alonzo is a comedian, actor, and producer. She was the first Latina to create, produce, and star in her own network sitcom, Cristela. She became the first Latina lead in a Disney Pixar film, Cars 3. Alonzo’s stand-up special, Lower Classy, can be streamed on Netflix. Cristela is an advisory board member for the nonprofit media and culture organization, Define American, and a board member for La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), founded by Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta. She lives in Los Angeles.

Cristela Alonzo's profile page