Laura Chinn

I simultaneously read a Kindle e-edition and an Axis 360 audio edition read by the author.

Hilarious! I laughed out loud even when reading about truly traumatic and upsetting events. I haven’t laughed while reading a book this much for a very long time and for the most part it’s not even about amusing things. There were also times I didn’t laugh because it was just too sad. A lot of things that happen are heartbreaking.

Even though this author’s life and my life were wildly different in most ways I identified so much with her. The most obvious is growing up part of the time in a parentless house but there are other things too.

I’m happy that she found happiness and acceptance (for self and for others) and gained so much from treatments/work she tried and relieved that she seemed to keep some of her skepticism in some ways. I think some of the more “far out” things she did were actually very psychologically astute and the kinds of things that would happen in good psychotherapy sessions. I appreciate that she doesn’t tell anybody else what to do, including the things she has done.

I think anyone who has had trauma when young will love this book and those that haven’t had trauma probably should read it too.

4-1/2 stars The half star off is for an ending that seems rushed and rosy, though I don’t doubt that it is true.

She is seriously funny and I’m not surprised that she has ended up as a tv comedy writer.

I don’t want to write too many details about her life story. I knew one thing in addition to the acne (but no specifics about it) and I know I enjoyed reading the book more going in not knowing what would be on the pages.

The author’s narration of the audio book is great. If it was another book or the narrator was not the author I’d say there was too much emoting but the author did write it and does read it and she’s telling her own story so for me it worked perfectly.

I loved it.… (altro)