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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
2.5 stars. Well. Not really sure what to say about this one. At first I listened (to the audiobook) raptly as the author described her experiences in group therapy. Her honesty in sharing her story was admirable … but then it got to be a bit much for me. Some of the therapy techniques appalled me, her behaviour was hard to feel sympathy for, and I couldn’t help wondering how her childhood friend would feel listening to the description of their shared trauma … it seemed as though it wasn’t the author’s story to tell, and it made me uncomfortable. It’s always hard to review a memoir, because it sounds like she is much happier now, and it takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there like that … but I can’t really recommend this - it just left me feeling a little uneasy.
3.5 stars rounded up. While I found some of the authors incessant desires to be coupled and for her therapist to "fix her" to annoy me at times and lack critical analysis on why marriage and family were such a superior lifestyle in her eyes (and a kind of sense of entitlement sprinkled throughout), overall there were relatable struggles of intimacy and dating, learning how to be angry and express one's needs and battles with eating disorders, where author is very vulnerable and honest and I appreciated her story.
Well that was an incredibly unethical page turner. +1 star because the writing is addictive & witty & heartfelt & well paced. -4 stars because the content is alarming misinformation about therapy & life threatening illnesses.
There are mixed reasons for my four-star rating. I was originally leaning toward three stars, but bumped it up to four because of the importance of the topic. Too often mental illness is not addressed or efforts to get help are belittled ("Just make up your mind to be happier", "you have no reason to feel like that", "bad things happen to everyone, just move on" etc). I do admire the author's willingness to share her experiences in hopes of encouraging others to take the needed steps to ensure their mental health.
Many people appear to have it all together, especially when most people just show the world the Instagram-perfect side of their lives. The author was a high-achieving law student on the verge of a promising legal career. Yet she struggled with maintaining healthy romantic relationships, disordered eating, family relationships, and the aftermath of a tragic accident during her teen years.
Her time in group therapy clearly helped her lead a happier and more fulfilling life. However, I question the methods used by her therapist specifically the lack of confidentiality. When I family member was in therapy, I attended the support group and confidentially was always stressed. Even in non-clinical environments like Bible study, retreat small groups or book groups, the mantra is always "what happens here, stays here".
I was also surprised by her level of oversharing. I guess to get a full understanding of her life experience she needed to include details, but the information about her sex life was a bit TMI. However, the motto of her group is no secrets, so I guess she followed through.
Many people appear to have it all together, especially when most people just show the world the Instagram-perfect side of their lives. The author was a high-achieving law student on the verge of a promising legal career. Yet she struggled with maintaining healthy romantic relationships, disordered eating, family relationships, and the aftermath of a tragic accident during her teen years.
Her time in group therapy clearly helped her lead a happier and more fulfilling life. However, I question the methods used by her therapist specifically the lack of confidentiality. When I family member was in therapy, I attended the support group and confidentially was always stressed. Even in non-clinical environments like Bible study, retreat small groups or book groups, the mantra is always "what happens here, stays here".
I was also surprised by her level of oversharing. I guess to get a full understanding of her life experience she needed to include details, but the information about her sex life was a bit TMI. However, the motto of her group is no secrets, so I guess she followed through.
This may have been the strangest and most odd book I've ever read. I was very intrigued!
I found it difficult to remember this isn't fiction. It really annoyed me that the author turned 34 twice, once in chapter 32 and once in chapter 39, in relationships with different men at each 34th birthday. Poor editing or poor memory on the author's part, but either way it should have been caught. I think that reading it like fiction made it better.
This memoir was a bit different than I expected. I’m happy for the author in that her group therapy helped her heal and grow in the ways she wanted. I think the listen just wasn’t as insightful as I expected?
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
I don't rate memoirs unless they are 5 stars. Loved this book and couldn't put it down. Relatable and all the feels.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced