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ginabyeg's review against another edition
4.0
Kelly Corrigan uses short, personal stories to describe some of what makes life and humanity the messy marvel that it is. Many chapters include stories and memories of people she has lost—to an extent that I wonder if this book was a way to process her grief more than a way to describe important elements of human connection in general. Nevertheless, it was an engaging read.
arisol's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
4.0
In this time of grief in my life, I appreciate the recommendation that brought me to this book and its lessons. The mantras I've picked up have been helpful, even if each grief experience is different in its own right. Somehow both light-hearted and deeply emotional in its voice, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this work.
aileenkodiak's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
katie_chandler's review against another edition
5.0
This was a perspective altering book. Each new phrase brought different personal, introspective stories that made me want to make more time to be mindful and try communicating or relationshipping differently. Not that this autobiography of sorts describes Corrigan as a perfect example, rather she was vulnerable to show her imperfections and how these phrases have altered her mindset. I didn’t always agree with her take on life, but each story made me think about my own choices.
I legitimately laughed out loud and cried multiple times reading these stories. Corrigan has such a fun way of articulating what’s rolling around in her brain.
Language warning, though. I wouldn’t advise listening to an audiobook version if you don’t want to hear a lot of swearing. Corrigan mentions several times that she had a “sailor’s mouth” and isn’t afraid to include it all verbatim. I know many friends would be uncomfortable even reading, so this sadly won’t make my book club potentials list.
I legitimately laughed out loud and cried multiple times reading these stories. Corrigan has such a fun way of articulating what’s rolling around in her brain.
Language warning, though. I wouldn’t advise listening to an audiobook version if you don’t want to hear a lot of swearing. Corrigan mentions several times that she had a “sailor’s mouth” and isn’t afraid to include it all verbatim. I know many friends would be uncomfortable even reading, so this sadly won’t make my book club potentials list.
mritter93's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
jenniferstringer's review against another edition
3.0
Quick read about a woman struggling with grief and processing what she's learned from life so far. She is a good writer, but no grand insights. I did like her friend's metaphor of the Apollo 13 mission for getting through those early days. Brilliant.
gabipowell's review against another edition
5.0
Unless asked, I tend to keep my reading raves and rants to myself. But once I finished this, I couldn’t stop myself from being its missionary to spread its good word. I recited passages to my parent, screen shotted pages to friends. Everyone has something to gain from this wisdom-drenched collection of essays.
Kelly Corrigan captures the most heart-wrenching of human experiences and somehow makes them palpable.
I cannot overstate how much I loved this book.
Kelly Corrigan captures the most heart-wrenching of human experiences and somehow makes them palpable.
I cannot overstate how much I loved this book.
shadypinesma's review against another edition
3.0
She is an ordinary person with milquetoast experiences (losing a best friend, losing your elderly father, motherhood, marriage), but I love her voice and being in her company.
guk's review against another edition
3.0
This memoir recounts the struggles of raising teens while dealing with a life that includes the death of a father and best friend. It seems that I have read several essay collections in this vein (My Precious Days, Miss Me When I Blink). This one didn’t resonate with me as strongly, probably because I’m well past raising teens and onto the next challenges in life.