Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
I love the discussion about mental health and her personal journey.
3.5 stars
I tend to have high hopes for celebrity memoirs, but they usually let me down. Sometimes they keep all the gossip to themselves (looking at you, Judy Greer) or they include the "I have to write a book but I don't know how" chapter (many, many celebrities, but Amy Poehler comes to the surface). Acting doesn't always translate to storytelling.
I am not a fan of Mara Wilson's childhood films, nor do I follow her in the public sphere. But I do like to read about people who have "been through something" - generally, those are travel or survival memoirs. However, I think going from being a top-billed child actor to, well, not that, counts as "something."
Mara does identify right away that she loves storytelling most of all, and I think it shows. I wouldn't say she is outstanding, but I think she's above average for a celebrity memoirist. She's willing to talk about sex and depression and she names drops a few people and sheds a little light on what child celebrities were really like.
The end gets a little dry, and that's where she's a full-fledged normal person again talking about her normal life - and that's where it's clear she's not exactly a David Sedaris. However, as I said before, I'd say this swings more into a worth-your-time category instead of a waste-of-time that some memoirs have left me feeling.
I tend to have high hopes for celebrity memoirs, but they usually let me down. Sometimes they keep all the gossip to themselves (looking at you, Judy Greer) or they include the "I have to write a book but I don't know how" chapter (many, many celebrities, but Amy Poehler comes to the surface). Acting doesn't always translate to storytelling.
I am not a fan of Mara Wilson's childhood films, nor do I follow her in the public sphere. But I do like to read about people who have "been through something" - generally, those are travel or survival memoirs. However, I think going from being a top-billed child actor to, well, not that, counts as "something."
Mara does identify right away that she loves storytelling most of all, and I think it shows. I wouldn't say she is outstanding, but I think she's above average for a celebrity memoirist. She's willing to talk about sex and depression and she names drops a few people and sheds a little light on what child celebrities were really like.
The end gets a little dry, and that's where she's a full-fledged normal person again talking about her normal life - and that's where it's clear she's not exactly a David Sedaris. However, as I said before, I'd say this swings more into a worth-your-time category instead of a waste-of-time that some memoirs have left me feeling.
I started this book at midnight and didn’t stop til I was done (which was about 5:30 in the morning) but it was more relatable than I was expecting. I really enjoyed the chapter where she discussed being diagnosed with OCD and how relieved she was when she found out because everything seemed to click because that’s how I felt when I was officially diagnosed with ADHD (one year ago today!) And I cried reading the chapter about Matilda. It is one of my favorite films from childhood and it’s nice to know she has good memories of it.
Thanks for writing this book, Mara! I’m sure it will be something I read again and again!
Thanks for writing this book, Mara! I’m sure it will be something I read again and again!
Review published in Library Journal: June 15, 2016.
I wish she didn’t switch up from adulthood and then back to her childhood. I wish she would’ve started with her childhood, and then went into adulthood, instead of jumping between both of them out through the whole story. In some parts, the same thing was mentioned more than once But other than it was a really good book, Mara played the sims so cool that’s my favorite game. I love listening to Mara talk about Robin Williams. He was one of the great actors of my childhood. I wish he was still alive because he could’ve made so many more great films. RIP Robin Williams Mara talks about how she failed PE I failed PE in high school because I didn’t do a written project for gym class lol
Loved listening to this book. I was a fan of her movies growing up and had wanted to listen to this for a while, but was skeptical about how I would like audiobooks. The fact that she is reading it makes it very engaging and honest. I definitely cried during the "Letter to Matilda" and "Writing Robin" chapters.
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
I enjoyed reading her life stories and short essays. I laughed, I cried, and it's a quick read. Plus, she's very honest and relatable.
slow-paced
This was one of the most boring audiobooks I have ever listened to. Very disappointing for someone who is supposed to be a writer.
I know more about her and the life she has lived so far, but there were so many run on thoughts. At times, I wouldn't know how I got to the end of the chapter from where we started. It wasn't bad. She can write well. It just took effort to get through.