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jess_mango's review
4.0
Lauren Hough grew up as a part of the infamous cult, The Children of God, where she as a child and teen was expected to do her part to make sure the males in the group were satisfied. As part of the cult she moved around the world. As an adult, she joined the military and dealt with the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy as a lesbian. She's held many jobs such as bouncer and "cable guy" and even did a stint in prison. In this collection of raw, honest essays, Hough shares her experiences reckoning with her life as a child who grew up in a cult and being a working-class lesbian in the south. I found the essays to be engrossing and well-written. I recommend this one to fans of #ownvoices essays, telling the real life experiences of people that are outside main stream America.
I know this book's average rating has experienced some fallout from one of the author's tweets, however I am reviewing this book without taking that into consideration. This doesn't mean I condone that tweet.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy.
I know this book's average rating has experienced some fallout from one of the author's tweets, however I am reviewing this book without taking that into consideration. This doesn't mean I condone that tweet.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy.
okjaaaaa's review against another edition
this is the worst book i've ever read, the writing is dogshit
heybalestoo's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to the audio version and enjoyed hearing the voice of the author as well as Cate Blanchett. Lauren Hough has experienced significant trauma throughout her life and I admire someone who's able to share stories and bring out all kinds of emotions for the reader as well as provide a peek into understanding how those traumas effect individuals and our society.
All the controversy around this book is what made me pick it up. I was dismayed both by the author's tweets regarding reviewers comments and readers offense over it. Seriously. Do you rate books for authors or for other readers? And if it's for other readers -- or yourself, then why do you care what an author (especially one who's been through so much trauma) says? Now that I've read the book, the whole controversy and actions/reactions seem less surprising and sadder since Lauren herself doesn't want to be pigeon-holed. My hope is that we can think twice before we try to make ourselves feel better by "othering" people.
All the controversy around this book is what made me pick it up. I was dismayed both by the author's tweets regarding reviewers comments and readers offense over it. Seriously. Do you rate books for authors or for other readers? And if it's for other readers -- or yourself, then why do you care what an author (especially one who's been through so much trauma) says? Now that I've read the book, the whole controversy and actions/reactions seem less surprising and sadder since Lauren herself doesn't want to be pigeon-holed. My hope is that we can think twice before we try to make ourselves feel better by "othering" people.
richy_qu33r_readzz's review
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
America is a cult, and it’s time to leave
rballenger's review against another edition
3.0
Type of read: Commuter Read.
What made me pick it up: One of the prompts for the Tennessee R.E.A.D.S. challenge for November is to read a book by or about a veteran. I felt like this one had already been on my list for its content and it just made sense to move it from the TBR.
Overall rating: Queue my regular...
...I say it every time I read a memoir, autobiography, biography, or any other book that really draws on personal experience and memories for content, the information within, is how the author experienced that particular time in their life and how they want to and are able to portray it to the world through their writing...
I am continually thankful that people choose to share their lives with us through books like 'Leaving Isn't the Hardest Thing.' I appreciate Hough and their words, experiences, and portrayal of the life they have lived. I did find some of the timeline of 'Leaving Isn't...' was a little difficult to follow, but when I stopped trying to read it like one whole book and started just taking each section as it's own piece, that helped.
Reader's Note: 'Leaving Isn't the Hardest Thing' includes themes of drugs, sex, depression, suicide, cults, and cult activity.
What made me pick it up: One of the prompts for the Tennessee R.E.A.D.S. challenge for November is to read a book by or about a veteran. I felt like this one had already been on my list for its content and it just made sense to move it from the TBR.
Overall rating: Queue my regular...
...I say it every time I read a memoir, autobiography, biography, or any other book that really draws on personal experience and memories for content, the information within, is how the author experienced that particular time in their life and how they want to and are able to portray it to the world through their writing...
I am continually thankful that people choose to share their lives with us through books like 'Leaving Isn't the Hardest Thing.' I appreciate Hough and their words, experiences, and portrayal of the life they have lived. I did find some of the timeline of 'Leaving Isn't...' was a little difficult to follow, but when I stopped trying to read it like one whole book and started just taking each section as it's own piece, that helped.
Reader's Note: 'Leaving Isn't the Hardest Thing' includes themes of drugs, sex, depression, suicide, cults, and cult activity.
amishasharma's review against another edition
5.0
I came to this book from the author’s viral Cable Guy essay, and then her Substack. This is a fantastic collection- raw, unvarnished, brutal and also has moments that are wry and darkly funny. I loved it.