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teresabonifacio's review against another edition
4.0
I knew almost nothing about about Selma Blair. I know her from Cruel Intentions and that she had MS. Hearing her story from her voice is so different. She's a strong woman who had to deal with a (at the beginning at least) almost invisible disease. I think she's a great example for people with MS.
catsushi's review against another edition
4.0
This was one of the best memoirs I've read in the sense that I flew through this book! I listened to 50% of the book yesterday then finished the last half right now. I know nothing of Selma Blair other than her role in Legally Blonde, but this book made me love her as a person. I loved how genuine she was and honest. She gave us the good, bad, and ugly and I ate it up! I definitely related to her in certain areas in her life. Her writing was also so genuine. I felt like I was listening to a friend talking to me about her life. I loved her voice and I definitely felt for her. I am so happy I picked up!
gallagherjill's review against another edition
4.0
This book is an absolute wild ride. Definitely worth a read, but sometimes it feels very much like she is just the main character in a story instead or her as a real person. It is also very name drop-y, but I think that is just very much her life.
ashley_taylor's review against another edition
4.0
Great audiobook read by the author. My only complaint is her crying which seemed to turn on and off very unnaturally. Lots of name-dropping, but I enjoy that kind of thing!
awesomebrandi's review against another edition
4.0
Listened to the audiobook, read by the author.
CN: Alcoholism (a lot), disordered eating, sexual abuse/rape, child health scares.
I honestly never knew much about Selma Blair, and apparently missed all of her 'drama' that got captured during her difficult times. Once I saw her coming out publicly about her disability, I really respected that, and was excited to read (listen to) her book.
This is an autobiography about Selma Blair, from her childhood through now, including various childhood quirks, her long time (20+ years) battle to finding a diagnosis to her MS, and a bit about parenting her child (who also has a condition she talks about). It was definitely very 'quirky', but I enjoyed listening to her and her emotions. I think some of it is hard to tell if she's being tongue in cheek, the way she presents it. On one hand, the celebrity 'name dropping' (she's very nice about everyone) got a little tiresome, but perhaps that's unfair.. as she is also a celebrity. Birds of a feather and all.
I definitely cried in relatability with her talking about her battle to get diagnosed and how much she was dismissed and told that her problems were in her head. Even a famous white woman struggles to get proper medical care, and that's just another horrifying glance into our broken medical system. I think her attitude toward her MS is refreshing, she neither sugar coats it or bemoans it. She does address the privileges she has, acknowledging that not everyone with chronic illness can rest like she can.
One of my favorite bits was probably her relationship with Carrie Fisher! That was an unexpected, but very cool bit. Oh, to be a fly on the wall with those moments..
All in all, a quick and engaging listen/read. I would especially recommend to those who have dealt with chronic illness.
CN: Alcoholism (a lot), disordered eating, sexual abuse/rape, child health scares.
I honestly never knew much about Selma Blair, and apparently missed all of her 'drama' that got captured during her difficult times. Once I saw her coming out publicly about her disability, I really respected that, and was excited to read (listen to) her book.
This is an autobiography about Selma Blair, from her childhood through now, including various childhood quirks, her long time (20+ years) battle to finding a diagnosis to her MS, and a bit about parenting her child (who also has a condition she talks about). It was definitely very 'quirky', but I enjoyed listening to her and her emotions. I think some of it is hard to tell if she's being tongue in cheek, the way she presents it. On one hand, the celebrity 'name dropping' (she's very nice about everyone) got a little tiresome, but perhaps that's unfair.. as she is also a celebrity. Birds of a feather and all.
I definitely cried in relatability with her talking about her battle to get diagnosed and how much she was dismissed and told that her problems were in her head. Even a famous white woman struggles to get proper medical care, and that's just another horrifying glance into our broken medical system. I think her attitude toward her MS is refreshing, she neither sugar coats it or bemoans it. She does address the privileges she has, acknowledging that not everyone with chronic illness can rest like she can.
One of my favorite bits was probably her relationship with Carrie Fisher! That was an unexpected, but very cool bit. Oh, to be a fly on the wall with those moments..
All in all, a quick and engaging listen/read. I would especially recommend to those who have dealt with chronic illness.
silentnpale's review against another edition
5.0
It must have taken so much strength to write this book. It is raw and gritty without being whiny or preachy. Definitely lived up to the hype.
fettup77's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0