Scan barcode
angechen's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment
skillwithaquill's review against another edition
4.0
There’s so many stories in this book about men and boyfriends and breakups that I rarely if ever seek out in media. I can’t relate to the pressure of “always having a boyfriend since [she] was a teenager” and constantly struggling to make relationships work. That’s never been my experience and sometimes I disconnect with memoirs that are so driven by overwrought romantic entanglements.
But this book deftly weaves poetic themes, imagery, and insight into those relationship stories. They don’t feel trite or boring or too self-indulgent. I did have trouble keeping all the different boyfriends’ names straight by the end of the book, but that’s my fault and not the author’s.
The very uniquely female fear of being labeled and dismissed as “difficult” is interwoven expertly throughout her stories. Even in childhood, girls & AFAB folks are punished for standing up for themselves with ostracism and harsh criticism. It’s a never-ending battle.
I’d rather be a difficult bitch than a push-over or a pick-me any day. But I still have sympathy for those who think they must be push-overs or pick-mes to be accepted and loved. I think this memoir has sympathy for that phenomenon too.
The book gave me more to think about than I expected, which is always a nice surprise.
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment
Other possible triggers: descriptions of cyber bullying and internet-specific harassmentamandas_bookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Pregnancy
mpurdy's review against another edition
4.0
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Suicide attempt
Minor: Body shaming, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
btwnprintedpgs's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Racism, Rape, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment