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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
Imagine your mother dies when you are 11.
Now imagine you're the one who finds her dead in your home.
Now imagine that a judge rules you cannot live with your dad, but must instead live with your birth father (who you never knew existed) who immediately takes you to a foster home where you are physically and emotionally abused. Imagine running away and living on the streets, surviving on turning tricks and stealing. Remember, you're still 11. Oh, and don't forget the pot and booze. Or being raped by your foster mother's nephew.
Imagine joining a gang in South Central LA. Imagine seeing your homies shot and killed. Imagine taking part in a drive-by of a rival gang - you're firing one of the guns.
Think this is crazy? Imagine being addicted to not only pot and booze but crack, cocaine, pills, heroin, anything that's free. Imagine stealing and lying to pay your rent in a rat-infested apartment you share with your abusive husband. Don't remember getting married? That's because you blacked out.
Sounds crazy, right? But here's where things really get interesting.
Imagine finally realizing you have a problem and, after living behind a dumpster for days, telling your boss that you are an addict and need help. Imagine going to rehab and starting a 12-step recovery program. Imagine facing your feelings - fears, thoughts, hopes, dreams, insecurities - for the first time in over 10 years. Imagine going back to college in your late 20s and then being accepted into law school. Not only that, but you graduate near the top of your class in law school and practice at a major firm. All the while you've been sober, happy, and alive.
Sounds crazy, right? But that's Cupcake Brown's life.
I was so absorbed in this memoir - Brown's writing is so detailed and really sucks you into her story and her life. At points this memoir seems almost unrealistic because the thought of someone turning to prostitution and credit card fraud seems so insane (let alone all the other crimes and horrific situations told in this book). Could a person really resort to these means of survival? But when you're so addled on drugs and so far removed from what a life of respect from yourself and others could be like... well, yes. But that's where humanity, trust in God and belief in yourself can lift you into a better place and a place of self-respect and love.
This was such an interesting, eye-opening and inspiring memoir that shows how any situation can be overcome if you just have faith in yourself and others and believe in your capabilities. A truly inspiring read, and an intensely interesting memoir.
Now imagine you're the one who finds her dead in your home.
Now imagine that a judge rules you cannot live with your dad, but must instead live with your birth father (who you never knew existed) who immediately takes you to a foster home where you are physically and emotionally abused. Imagine running away and living on the streets, surviving on turning tricks and stealing. Remember, you're still 11. Oh, and don't forget the pot and booze. Or being raped by your foster mother's nephew.
Imagine joining a gang in South Central LA. Imagine seeing your homies shot and killed. Imagine taking part in a drive-by of a rival gang - you're firing one of the guns.
Think this is crazy? Imagine being addicted to not only pot and booze but crack, cocaine, pills, heroin, anything that's free. Imagine stealing and lying to pay your rent in a rat-infested apartment you share with your abusive husband. Don't remember getting married? That's because you blacked out.
Sounds crazy, right? But here's where things really get interesting.
Imagine finally realizing you have a problem and, after living behind a dumpster for days, telling your boss that you are an addict and need help. Imagine going to rehab and starting a 12-step recovery program. Imagine facing your feelings - fears, thoughts, hopes, dreams, insecurities - for the first time in over 10 years. Imagine going back to college in your late 20s and then being accepted into law school. Not only that, but you graduate near the top of your class in law school and practice at a major firm. All the while you've been sober, happy, and alive.
Sounds crazy, right? But that's Cupcake Brown's life.
I was so absorbed in this memoir - Brown's writing is so detailed and really sucks you into her story and her life. At points this memoir seems almost unrealistic because the thought of someone turning to prostitution and credit card fraud seems so insane (let alone all the other crimes and horrific situations told in this book). Could a person really resort to these means of survival? But when you're so addled on drugs and so far removed from what a life of respect from yourself and others could be like... well, yes. But that's where humanity, trust in God and belief in yourself can lift you into a better place and a place of self-respect and love.
This was such an interesting, eye-opening and inspiring memoir that shows how any situation can be overcome if you just have faith in yourself and others and believe in your capabilities. A truly inspiring read, and an intensely interesting memoir.
dark
emotional
sad
I don’t typically rate memoirs but this one deserves it! Cupcake Brown and her story is a major inspiration. Highly recommend.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
One of the most gut wrenching and inspirational memoirs I’ve ever read. I’m in tears at the end. A must read.
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Cupcake Brown endured a lot to tell her story in all its ups and downs. I, for one, am glad she did.
I am forever changed by the story that is Cupcake Brown’s life. As heart-wrenching as her memoir began, it really warmed my heart to see the trajectory of how her life turned around. I haven’t had a book make me experience such a wide range of deep emotions in such a long time. 5 Stars!!!
Very tough read. Quite a journey. I highly recommend but be aware it has graphic accounts of gang violence, sex, and drug use. Not for the faint of heart.
This book was ik duly fascinating and sad and uplol at the same time. I had to reminds myself many times that this is the story of one woman and what she went through. This is the story of preserving and divine intervention. This woman is a walking testimony and really proves that when you settle in your boundaries and the things you desire, you will make it far beyond the things you’ve dreamed. Despite the many hells she had to endure, she made it out alive and on top! I just want to say I’m so proud of her, I don’t know her personally ( though I know her story now) but her story has really allowed me to understand some of the hardships that you can be thrown into in the blink of an eye. Man this story was scary and it felt sometimes never ending. Like she’d never make it out of the ugly she had been shoved into. But there were people who came into her life and meant it when they said they loved her. They meant it when they said they believed in her. And they made her believe in living for something again. They made her believe in herself again! Man I love that for her. She deserves all the praise and recognition. We should all remember this story as the many ways that life can wrong you but also the many ways that you can come back from anything. Whewwwww!
Read this shit period!
Read this shit period!