ginnikin's review
3.0
Often charming, frequently a mess, this is an entertaining read, especially if you love Havrilesky's current advice column (which I do).
ladyeremite's review
4.0
I sometimes feel like Heather Havrilesky and I are long separated sisters. So much in this memoir spoke to me, even if the particularities did not.
damsorrow's review
2.0
Put it down a third of the way through and double-checked that Dear Polly and this lady were the same person. :( They were. I didn't bother to read the rest of the book, but I DID read the rest of Dear Polly. Not sure what happened. Really uninteresting.
owloutstanding's review
3.0
I admire the strength it took to write this book and see it through until it finished. I do not have such work ethic and fortitude. There are many good lines in the book and there is enough insight to feel connected to and want the best for Havrilesky. Maybe I'm just a hard ass for wanting more from her. For wanting some of the chapters to end without cloying advice or wrapped-up, perfect sentiments about how life is supposed to be imperfect. I feel the exact same book inside of me (and started in a notebook) and I think, "I am so fucking tired of listening to myself." It's one thing to process one's upbringing for oneself. And then there is something else--something that might cut more to the heart of things. (Or I'm totally projecting and sounding like an asshole.)
aespeckh's review
3.0
I loved the section on how being in love with the idea of love (and even more with unrequited love) makes it very difficult to actually love and be loved. Funny and thoughtful.
amandanan's review against another edition
4.0
3.5. Excellent read. While reading it, the author's voice and descriptive storytelling sounded just like Lorelai Gilmore. The last few chapters resonated deeply. I'll probably reread them at some point.
debz57a52's review
3.5
Heather Havilesky has a great deal of stories to tell about her childhood and early adult life, and I was here for it. She wrote just enough to be able to envision things, but not so much that she hammered a dead horse. Many of the stories in her memoir are both funny and sad, or made me both melancholy and angry for her. And I was almost always shocked by the weirdness (ineptitude) of adults when they are around kids. In this way, this book reminds me of other books I've read like this: Educated by Tara Westover, Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson, and even the fictional Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson.
raviwarrier's review against another edition
2.0
Heather's memoirs of her early life in her dysfunctional family with cynical parents is tragic. It's a wonder how she managed to surpass the traumatic experiences to write a book with a humorous outlook to her experiences.
If you want a book that helps you prepare for disasters, this is not it, however, if you want to read something tragic and funny at the same time, pick it up.
If you want a book that helps you prepare for disasters, this is not it, however, if you want to read something tragic and funny at the same time, pick it up.
bookworm_gg's review against another edition
4.0
I am a big fan of Heather Havrilesky’s blog: www.rabbitblog.com, so I was really excited to read this book. She also used to write for Salon.com (her review of the opening ceremonies of the last winter Olympics is the funniest thing I’ve ever read). She is so smart, funny, and cynical. This memoir is also funny, but much more than that as she describes her childhood in the 70s and adolescence in the 80s. The title and the book cover don’t really fit the content, and this great read might be missed.
kristinmarta's review against another edition
3.0
I met Heather Havrilesky at a writing panel and bought this book. This is more a collection of personal essays but I enjoyed the format. It made for a very quick read. Humorous, insightful and relatable. She also just seemed really cool at the panel.