Reviews

I’ve always liked Jessica Simpson because I happened to stumble upon an interview as a kid where she admitted she was really smart but played up the ditzy and funny because people liked it and she had discovered no one in the music and film industry was interested in her intelligence. So she did what she had to image-wise to make money to help her family. Even as a kid, I thought that was so smart and self-aware. As an adult, I still think that-but now I also recognize it as complete bullshit as far as society goes.

Example: I now know that every time Jessica Simpson sang with her hand at her waist in her hey day, it was because she was made to feel so insecure about her stomach by the record company that she was holding her hand like that to try to hide her stomach. Go watch her music videos! She really does this, and it breaks my heart. I have a lot more to say about this, so check out my coming review at libraryfinesandbrokenbindings.com. (Yes, I’m FINALLY getting back in the book blog saddle, so click and book mark that beotch.)

Anyway, all that being said, I was in my early teens and fell for the manufactured-by-the-media competition of the pop goddesses shoved in our face in the ‘aughts. So, this book by my 2nd favorite of said pop goddesses (sorry, Jess, but Christina Aguilera is from Pittsburgh and has a heck of a set of pipes, so...W. Pa loyalty 4EVA) is really well written. I like the listen to memoirs on Audible if the author is also reading it, because it feels like the subject is personally telling me their story. I did the same with this, and recommend that way of literary consumption in this instance if you do audiobooks ever.

I am loving this re-examining of maligned women of the 90s that the country is going through these days. This books fits in perfectly. Jessica Simpson is a intelligent and warm person, who quietly stands firm in her faith in God without making it seem “too much” like some folks can, which I love. I am pretty far left socially and therefore am a Christian with complicated feelings about the state of Christianity in the US right now, so it was great, having God being such a large and open part of a celebrity’s life WITHOUT said celebrity getting all...well, preachy.

Ms Simpson is a strong writer with a solid sense of self and the ability to self-reflect...now. The strength in her story comes from her evolution from person so insecure she drew abs on herself with contouring makeup and let douchey John Mayer emotionally abuse her for years to the strong person she is now. It is not a pretty evolution, which is what makes it so relatable. The book begins at her lowest point, a time in her life where she began every morning by reaching for her “glitter cup”—her go-to alcohol-disguising drinking vessel. I’ll leave it at that and allow you to take over from here. Go, read!

I have a longer review with more spoilers on my blog above, so...go, read!

macneill___rae's review against another edition

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4.0

At the beginning I wasn't sure if I'd like it but I was pleasantly surprised. Was a very nice read.

katekate_reads_'s review against another edition

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5.0

Highly HIGHLY recommend listening to the audiobook. Jessica Simpson does an amazing job narrating and I think it adds a lot to hear her share her story.

Thank you to Librofm for the free book.

CW: abuse, alcoholism, bullying, death of a family member, diet/body image discussion

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