Reviews tagging 'Drug use'

Leaving Isn't the Hardest Thing: Essays by Lauren Hough

13 reviews

1oddkatreads's review

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

5.0

Really beautifully written by an author you just want to wrap in a massive hug until they break down and let it all out. The author's experiences and the worldview that has developed around them are painful and bleak. I think there was a glimpse of hopefulness sort of woven in there, but it's safely concealed beneath heavy, protective layers of stoic endurance, perseverance, and carefully managed expectations. I loved learning Lauren's story and the engaging way she told it. I wish her heart peace.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Physical abuse, Body shaming, Rape, Self harm, Abortion, Confinement, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Child abuse, Blood, Outing, Cursing, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and Misogyny

spookyfaith's review

dark funny reflective medium-paced

2.75

I hate giving half ratings or quarter ratings but I was truly on the fence with this one. Some parts I was rolling my eyes over and other times I was highlighting the entire page. 
The stories are all captivating and interesting but I wasn’t a fan of her writing style and voice. 
I really wanted to like this more than I did tbh 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Rape, Confinement, Sexual content, Incest, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Toxic relationship, and Child abuse

biscuithead's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

ignore the people who gave it 1 or 2 star reviews they have worms for brains. This is an incredibly nuanced and interesting collection of essays about a lesbian ex-military ex-cult former incarcerated who lived in many countries. My "favorite" bits were about her bouncer and blue collar job days and dealing with her mental health. And hearing her describe her past relationships. I haven't read Stone Butch Blues yet but based on vibes this feels like it's in conversation with that.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia

moxiemin's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Pedophilia, and Child abuse

Moderate: Confinement, Drug use, and Incest

lizzym126's review

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Sexual assault, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, Child abuse, Racism, Emotional abuse, Police brutality, Sexual violence, Confinement, Drug use, Addiction, Alcohol, Lesbophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence

sammipants08's review against another edition

dark emotional informative inspiring sad medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Religious bigotry, Drug use, Lesbophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, and Self harm

karlisimp's review

challenging dark reflective sad tense slow-paced

4.0

This is Basically Hough’s memoir. It’s very strong and understandable. The last essay is my favorite. Very deep and can be emotional.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Mental illness, Rape, Drug use, Sexual violence, and Child abuse

nerdy_yinzer's review

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Confinement, Hate crime, and Child abuse

Moderate: Outing, Abortion, and Blood

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders

pinkpotayto's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

This book is so important and special. Lauren is an amazing writer, with such a genuinely honest voice telling her story. it's not sugar coated and it's not dressed up either. and that's the insane part because the stories she tells are so fucked up and real. We all know that this country isn't to be trusted much less the people running it, but hearing something like this first hand is really enlightening. 
Most of us are just trying to find our own unique (possibly fucked up) ways to survive. That's what her essays have shown me. As a queer woman also struggling to survive, Id like to thank Lauren for sharing her story. All we want to be is heard, and understood, and I believe by sharing something so personal with the world, that might be what she wished for as well.

(I added content warnings, but like, it's someone's life and I don't really think it can be categorized into boxes but I added the ones I think could be genuinely triggering. Just keep an open mind)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Lesbophobia, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, Sexual violence, Pedophilia, Rape, Child abuse, and Sexual content

avisreadsandreads's review

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Gaslighting, Homophobia, and Mental illness

Moderate: Abortion, Child abuse, Police brutality, and Sexual assault