In 2010, Gary Dell’Abate, long time producer of the Howard Stern show and known to millions as Baba Booey, released a memoir about growing up with a mentally ill mother.  Thanks to a recent price reduction on the Kindle store, I was finally able to pick it up and reintroduce myself to a world I had abandoned a few years back.  Gary details growing up with his mother’s mental illness, the death of his brother due to HIV, and the beginnings of his tenure on what would become the biggest radio show in the world.

Mental illness seems to be a theme for me lately.  Thankfully, Gary doesn’t go too deep in to his mother’s illness, instead focusing on its effects on him growing up.  I had a much easier time getting through that then I did the story of his brother’s illness and subsequent death.  This happened well before I started listening to the Stern show, so, while I knew it had happened, the details were not something I was familiar with.

Of all the people on the show, Gary always seemed the most well-adjusted.  You’d almost have to be to put up with the abuse he does on a daily basis and still be able to come back for more.  This book gives a good insight into his background and how he became the Baba Booey we all know and love today.