zabacitanovine's review
5.0
This might not be a literary wonder, but it came just when I needed it.
Raw and painful and emotional to the maximum. Maybe a little repetitive. Actually, definitelly quite a bit repetitive and the timeline was off, but if I look at it as a collection of essays, I don't mind.
And the voice was something that suited me so well. It almost explained my emotions to me, put into words what I was feeling when it was too painful to turn those feelings into words myself. I felt not alone reading it.
Raw and painful and emotional to the maximum. Maybe a little repetitive. Actually, definitelly quite a bit repetitive and the timeline was off, but if I look at it as a collection of essays, I don't mind.
And the voice was something that suited me so well. It almost explained my emotions to me, put into words what I was feeling when it was too painful to turn those feelings into words myself. I felt not alone reading it.
juliakoko's review
4.0
Even the second time around, the ability to make my heart ache on one page and then to make me laugh the next is why I rate this book a 4.5 star. I felt Nora in these words. I hurt with her and I celebrated alongside her. It's raw, honest, and relatable. I just wish it flowed like a memoir better instead of jumping around. But the fact that this book wasn't perfect just added to the story-it felt human.
(4.5/5)
(4.5/5)
kidsleepy's review
5.0
I first discovered Nora McInerny Purmot not from her husband's viral obituary, but from this article: http://www.elle.com/life-love/news/a34516/oh-shit-am-i-a-mom/
This is the section that made me Team Nora For Life:
"Before I had Ralph, I was Aaron's wife. Before that, I was so-and-so's girlfriend and so-and-so's "girlfriend." I was Meghan's sister and Madge and Steve's daughter.
I was defined, aside from being a foot taller than everyone else in the room, in relation to another person, always.
And now, I am Ralph's mom.
Except, I'm not. I mean, I am, trust me and my vagina, we were there, we know what happened and we shall never speak of it again.
What I mean is that I am not just Ralph's mom. What I mean is that he has been a wonderful and amazing addition to my world, but he is not my entire world. "
I was elated to find out she had written a memoir. It was funny and of course sad, but it was also just straight-up honest. I think we are best friends now. I think I need to read it again immediately.
This is the section that made me Team Nora For Life:
"Before I had Ralph, I was Aaron's wife. Before that, I was so-and-so's girlfriend and so-and-so's "girlfriend." I was Meghan's sister and Madge and Steve's daughter.
I was defined, aside from being a foot taller than everyone else in the room, in relation to another person, always.
And now, I am Ralph's mom.
Except, I'm not. I mean, I am, trust me and my vagina, we were there, we know what happened and we shall never speak of it again.
What I mean is that I am not just Ralph's mom. What I mean is that he has been a wonderful and amazing addition to my world, but he is not my entire world. "
I was elated to find out she had written a memoir. It was funny and of course sad, but it was also just straight-up honest. I think we are best friends now. I think I need to read it again immediately.
malak_7's review
4.0
no matter who you are you will experience loss at some point in your life, Nora puts a funny twist to it in this book.
canuckmum's review
5.0
If you love Terrible, Thanks for Asking podcast, then you will adore this book by the host. Wry, witty, authentic and touching.
grapestakes's review against another edition
5.0
My very first audiobook! This book was like an extension of Nora’s podcast in the best way possible, and like the the podcast, I binged it real hard. Beyond the gut wrenching tragedy, balanced with her genuine humor, Nora is so incredibly relatable in her experiences and references (particularly to midwestern millennial women... like me). From boasting a true love/hate fascination with Tay Swift while still fostering an early-00s emo heart, to her post-grad years in New York, and an adolescence being terrified of pregnancy despite it being scientifically impossible for her to be so... this felt like one of my best friends in my ears. I strongly recommend this as an audiobook - no one can tell Nora’s story better than her. I listed to this book borrowed on Libby (best app ever) and immediately downloaded audible after finishing in order to purchase it.
mamaorgana80's review
5.0
Did I read two books by one author in one day? Yes, I did. Even though both books covered a lot of the same material, this still felt new because she’s such a good storyteller.
booksandchow's review
5.0
Holy crap this book is upsetting. I cry every time I read it... but I also laugh. She does a really good job of putting my feelings about widowhood into words. Makes me even more proud to wear my Hot Young Widows Club gear. :)
larisajane's review
5.0
“Grief strips you skinless. Skin is important not just for looks, but because without it, you are just a walking pile of exposed nerve endings.”
I have a real life friend currently dying of a grade IV glioblastoma. i read this book with tears in my entire the entire time as i thought of him and his family and how completely, stupidly unfair life really is.
I have a real life friend currently dying of a grade IV glioblastoma. i read this book with tears in my entire the entire time as i thought of him and his family and how completely, stupidly unfair life really is.
jess_mccoy's review
2.0
Meh. This was kind of a pumpkin spice latte of a memoir. It was super blog-ish and that probably doesn't lend itself very well to a book. Nora seems like a nice enough girl, and maybe a decent enough blogger, but it's so very jokey just another "youngish white woman who had a pretty charmed life" until she didn't.