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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
I read this in under a week and I have been very busy this week to boot! This was a really in-depth story of Leah Remini's life as a Scientologist and in ultimately leaving the faith. Truly eye-opening and scary. She also really dished on some celebrities and claimed she held back; my god if so, what else is there left? LOL She doesn't leave many stones unturned, which is what I like from any memoir. She is a very brave woman to have been so open about her life. I HIGHLY recommend this very fast read (approx. 220 pages).
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Easy to read, informative, funny, and brutally honest! Leah's book pulls back the curtain of Scientology and reveals many of the shady practices and downright abuses of the "church." In addition to talking about general practices, she describes in detail the treatment she received from the "church;" which, while it pales in comparison to the stories of abuse mentioned in the book and on her A&E miniseries, is still a stunning example of the brainwashing and gaslighting the "church" is capable of.
In addition, Leah describes her rise to fame, how she had to reconcile being her loud-mouthed self with playing by the rules to get acting jobs, and how Scientology impacted her life through all this. She also discusses quite a few celebrities with whom she's interacted over the years, both Scientologists and non-Scientologists, so the reader gains insight into the personalities of Tom Cruise, Kirstie Alley, Sharon Osborne, Kevin James, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Aniston, and others.
Playing up many things for laughs, being honest about her mistakes, and even being down-right self-depreciating at times, Leah comes across as very authentic in her book. I feel like I know her personally as the woman "with a smart mouth, a sense of humor, a New York accent, and a heart of gold" (p. 60) that described her first major role, which was so very HER.
In addition, Leah describes her rise to fame, how she had to reconcile being her loud-mouthed self with playing by the rules to get acting jobs, and how Scientology impacted her life through all this. She also discusses quite a few celebrities with whom she's interacted over the years, both Scientologists and non-Scientologists, so the reader gains insight into the personalities of Tom Cruise, Kirstie Alley, Sharon Osborne, Kevin James, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Aniston, and others.
Playing up many things for laughs, being honest about her mistakes, and even being down-right self-depreciating at times, Leah comes across as very authentic in her book. I feel like I know her personally as the woman "with a smart mouth, a sense of humor, a New York accent, and a heart of gold" (p. 60) that described her first major role, which was so very HER.
I caught an episode of Leah's show one night and the content left me interested in learning more about her experience.
This book has me absolutely blown away. I love the details she goes into about the harsh conditions for the working members, the details about the beliefs of the Church, and the way it really has affected her after leaving, and the way some people who leave aren't as lucky since their family completely disowns them. I had NO IDEA about scientology before this, other than most people I knew or TV shows would make it into a joke and it was expensive to be a member.
This book has me absolutely blown away. I love the details she goes into about the harsh conditions for the working members, the details about the beliefs of the Church, and the way it really has affected her after leaving, and the way some people who leave aren't as lucky since their family completely disowns them. I had NO IDEA about scientology before this, other than most people I knew or TV shows would make it into a joke and it was expensive to be a member.
Wow! This well-written account of her journey out of Scientology and all of her experiences in between is a must read. This is the second book I have read about someone leaving this church and the shock and awe never goes away for me. I'm so glad she left that nonsense! Scientologists are straight up crazy!!!
The perfect balance of celebrity memoir (complete with behind the scenes drama and in the tabloid feuds) and scientology expose.
I've always had a soft spot for Leah Remini. For reasons I still can't fully explain, I was completely charmed by her guest spot on Friends (as the pregnant lady Joey hangs out with when Carol gives birth in s1), and even though I never watched King of Queens, she always made me smile when she came into my pop culture orbit.
This book was surprisingly thoughtful, even-handed, and self-aware. Frankly, I'm not in the mood to write a full review right now because biology (courses I mean, not my own...), but I'd recommend it. No, it's not fantastically written, but it's competent (which I mean in a much nicer way than it might seem) and to-the-point. Yeah, I'd recommend it. It's a quick read, anyway. You may not like Remini, but it's hard not to respect her.
This book was surprisingly thoughtful, even-handed, and self-aware. Frankly, I'm not in the mood to write a full review right now because biology (courses I mean, not my own...), but I'd recommend it. No, it's not fantastically written, but it's competent (which I mean in a much nicer way than it might seem) and to-the-point. Yeah, I'd recommend it. It's a quick read, anyway. You may not like Remini, but it's hard not to respect her.
A girl at work lent me this and I crushed through it both because it's super interesting to me and because I hate borrowing stuff from people and I feel bad until I give it back.
Religions are so wacky to me. I listen to religious radio pretty frequently and not because I am devout at all but I just think it's so strange how people can get caught up in certain belief systems and ONLY those beliefs. Also I like being mad. Don't get me wrong I think religion is great for giving people a sense of community and I think when there is outreach and care for other and ALL living beings then religion can be great.
Scientology, which I don't know too much about just instantly screams SCAM to me. I am sad for people who don’t/aren't allowed to question things.
QUESTION EVERYTHING. Good read
Religions are so wacky to me. I listen to religious radio pretty frequently and not because I am devout at all but I just think it's so strange how people can get caught up in certain belief systems and ONLY those beliefs. Also I like being mad. Don't get me wrong I think religion is great for giving people a sense of community and I think when there is outreach and care for other and ALL living beings then religion can be great.
Scientology, which I don't know too much about just instantly screams SCAM to me. I am sad for people who don’t/aren't allowed to question things.
QUESTION EVERYTHING. Good read
Man, if you wold have told me this was a work of fiction, I would have told you it was too over the top and weird to be believable. What a weird, weird story.