kellyhitchcock's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
4.5
My TikTok review: https://www.tiktok.com/@kellyhitchcockpairings/video/7244349861259201838
maraofmars's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
revdavidstippick's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
jilliebeanreads's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. “Handsome” took me on a roller coaster of emotions. Just as soon as I was laughing my ass off, I went down to a darker place, and then back up again. Author Holly Lorka’s twists and turns were impeccably timed. And she kept me glued to my itty bitty Kindle phone app from start to finish. I couldn’t put it down.
This is a full-on complicated adventure, and I was down for the 3-hour ride.
Nurse by day, comedian by night, Holly’s humorous mini-memoir essays are about all the complicated things in life. She gets real about sex, shame, sadness, feeling “other” and wanting more. And she’ll educate you on what it’s like to grow up with gender dysmorphia. Plus, all of the issues one must face in the quest to become their true selves. It was heartbreaking to witness parts of Holly’s journey, but liberating to read her happy-ever-after ending.
Basically I loved everything about her stories about being an awkward girl boy. I especially love her self-deprecating references about growing up in the 1970s and 80s. She had me rolling on the floor as she was talking about humping her giant Barbie and finding her vagina. Then I felt for her as she was humiliated and bullied on the bus. And then I was shocked a few times and wanted to look away (hello, harvesting eyeballs and buying strap-on black penises).
Speaking of sex toys… This is a fair warning to the prudes and tender-hearted. “Handsome” will make you blush, and it will make you think. If you are uptight or unaccepting in any way, then this is a hard pass.
As you can likely tell, I’m a fan. This is an especially poignant read for the LGBTQI community as well as friends and supporters. If you’re like me and haven’t been exposed to many people who are transgender or who have gender dysmorphia, this is a beautiful, brilliant start.
We are all just wandering around this planet, looking for a way to belong, to fit in. It starts by truly knowing ourselves. And then sharing our deepest secrets, and admitting to others who we really are.
Special thanks to She Writes Press, via NetGalley, for a gifted electronic copy in exchange for my honest review.
This is a full-on complicated adventure, and I was down for the 3-hour ride.
Nurse by day, comedian by night, Holly’s humorous mini-memoir essays are about all the complicated things in life. She gets real about sex, shame, sadness, feeling “other” and wanting more. And she’ll educate you on what it’s like to grow up with gender dysmorphia. Plus, all of the issues one must face in the quest to become their true selves. It was heartbreaking to witness parts of Holly’s journey, but liberating to read her happy-ever-after ending.
Basically I loved everything about her stories about being an awkward girl boy. I especially love her self-deprecating references about growing up in the 1970s and 80s. She had me rolling on the floor as she was talking about humping her giant Barbie and finding her vagina. Then I felt for her as she was humiliated and bullied on the bus. And then I was shocked a few times and wanted to look away (hello, harvesting eyeballs and buying strap-on black penises).
Speaking of sex toys… This is a fair warning to the prudes and tender-hearted. “Handsome” will make you blush, and it will make you think. If you are uptight or unaccepting in any way, then this is a hard pass.
As you can likely tell, I’m a fan. This is an especially poignant read for the LGBTQI community as well as friends and supporters. If you’re like me and haven’t been exposed to many people who are transgender or who have gender dysmorphia, this is a beautiful, brilliant start.
We are all just wandering around this planet, looking for a way to belong, to fit in. It starts by truly knowing ourselves. And then sharing our deepest secrets, and admitting to others who we really are.
Special thanks to She Writes Press, via NetGalley, for a gifted electronic copy in exchange for my honest review.
quirkybibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
Thoughts and Themes: I really enjoy reading memoirs and especially LGBTQ+ memoirs because I get to see different people’s lived experience. I like seeing that there are people with similar identities to me but they come to that conclusion differently and they all have a different way of viewing themselves.
There were so many times in this story that I was laughing out loud because of something said of because of the cleaver titles of the chapters. I do need to let you all know that this book is sexually explicit which some may find hard to read. I found those moments funny and liked to see how those moments helped Holly figure out her sexuality and gender identity.
I really enjoyed the honesty that you get from Holly throughout this book and how vulnerable the author is in these moments. I think that getting a chance to read these essays/short stories really gives you another perspective on who the author is. I would love to hear some of these pieces on audio because I think that they would be even better heard out loud.
Writing Style: This memoir is told through multiple short essays that have some humor mixed into each chapter. I really liked the variation in length of each of these short essays and how they are not always in chronological order. I liked that sometimes the essays went back in time to connect some of Holly’s past to her present.
There were so many times in this story that I was laughing out loud because of something said of because of the cleaver titles of the chapters. I do need to let you all know that this book is sexually explicit which some may find hard to read. I found those moments funny and liked to see how those moments helped Holly figure out her sexuality and gender identity.
I really enjoyed the honesty that you get from Holly throughout this book and how vulnerable the author is in these moments. I think that getting a chance to read these essays/short stories really gives you another perspective on who the author is. I would love to hear some of these pieces on audio because I think that they would be even better heard out loud.
Writing Style: This memoir is told through multiple short essays that have some humor mixed into each chapter. I really liked the variation in length of each of these short essays and how they are not always in chronological order. I liked that sometimes the essays went back in time to connect some of Holly’s past to her present.
corncobwebs's review against another edition
That's the secret, isn't it? We are put here to be ourselves, to bumble and shine like the tenderhearted fools that we all are. My mom would tell you now if she could: don't hide yourself away. Even if your ship is a little ridiculous, you better learn to sail the s[--]t out of it, because if you do, it will eventually carry you somewhere beautiful.
zombiecakes's review against another edition
5.0
Disclaimer - This book is geared more toward an older audience. But the topics discussed are the most important thing by far.
Firstly I'm.thankfuk to be able to receive this advanced copy. I love a good memoir especially when they can make me laugh and this one did exactly that. It was like a coaster ride or watching a movie. One moment I was laughing close to tears and next I was crying because of how sad it was. Then next I'm clapping because of the things Holly accomplished. This book shows a understanding of the true self, accepting who you are not what other want you to be. And doing your best at life.
Firstly I'm.thankfuk to be able to receive this advanced copy. I love a good memoir especially when they can make me laugh and this one did exactly that. It was like a coaster ride or watching a movie. One moment I was laughing close to tears and next I was crying because of how sad it was. Then next I'm clapping because of the things Holly accomplished. This book shows a understanding of the true self, accepting who you are not what other want you to be. And doing your best at life.
jlbrown's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
bravokidroxy's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Adding this to my shelf of books that make me feel seen. There’s honest discussion about the intersection of sexuality, gender, family relation and getting older but growing up, in a way that is so absolutely what I needed to hear. There’s a lot about shame and how the people who live us hurt us because they don’t know any better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Medical content
Moderate: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Transphobia
kk0sanda's review against another edition
5.0
Thanks to Lorka's memoir, I know now that *at least* four Austinites (including my wife and I) dislike Mumford and Sons. Thank goodness.
Lorka's memoir was very relatable to this queer person. I laughed at the funny parts, gravely contemplated the serious parts, and squirmed uncomfortably at the frank truths within. (Like..."Fourth grade is easy for no one". Being raised Catholic and not understanding why you feel more tender toward girls than boys? So awkward.)
I largely connected with the geographic similarities (Woo, Austin!) between the author and I, as well as Lorka's raw admission of self-hatred and confusion during "2012 Bedpost Confessions". I actually wondered why that story wasn't at the end until I made it to the end. Very powerful.
On a lighter note, who but a Texan (native or transplant) understands how AWFUL it is to have your scooting (or skating) impeded by Texas Live Oak acorns??
Lastly, Lorka's story about the stuffed animal sorta broke my heart in a good way.
This is a beautiful and fulfilling book, one definitely worth reading!
Lorka's memoir was very relatable to this queer person. I laughed at the funny parts, gravely contemplated the serious parts, and squirmed uncomfortably at the frank truths within. (Like..."Fourth grade is easy for no one". Being raised Catholic and not understanding why you feel more tender toward girls than boys? So awkward.)
I largely connected with the geographic similarities (Woo, Austin!) between the author and I, as well as Lorka's raw admission of self-hatred and confusion during "2012 Bedpost Confessions". I actually wondered why that story wasn't at the end until I made it to the end. Very powerful.
On a lighter note, who but a Texan (native or transplant) understands how AWFUL it is to have your scooting (or skating) impeded by Texas Live Oak acorns??
Lastly, Lorka's story about the stuffed animal sorta broke my heart in a good way.
This is a beautiful and fulfilling book, one definitely worth reading!