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jeannine_'s review against another edition
4.0
Acne is, as you might have guessed, a memoir about growing up with bad acne. However, the story is much more than that: there’s her parents divorce; underage smoking, drinking, and drugs; skipping school, cancer, deaths, pretty much all the tough things one can think of.
Laura Chinn is the author of Acne, and in it, she recounts her extraordinarily difficult childhood, but in a humorous way, so it’s not too dark. Her story is one of resilience, of overcoming, of making mistakes, growing up, and of letting go.
I read this book very quickly. The last part of it was not what I was expecting, but I wonder if that was the point.
Laura Chinn is the author of Acne, and in it, she recounts her extraordinarily difficult childhood, but in a humorous way, so it’s not too dark. Her story is one of resilience, of overcoming, of making mistakes, growing up, and of letting go.
I read this book very quickly. The last part of it was not what I was expecting, but I wonder if that was the point.
rochelleweinstein's review
5.0
What a story. Chinn's journey is just remarkable. Funny. Heart-breaking. Honest. I felt every page.
bookgirlielauren's review
5.0
Damn, did Laura go through a lot in her life. A childhood that I can’t imagine and an adult hood that just giving out the punches. I almost felt horrible to laugh out loud at the eventful things that just kept happening but she made it lighthearted and easy to listen to. Was a nice change from my regular memoirs that tend to lean to the deep soul searching reads.
nancyfrydryck's review
This memoir was a wild ride. I listened to the audio version as I love to hear a person tell their story and Chinn’s narration really drew me into her life. This book is so much more about suffering and finding the humor in the darkest moments than it is about acne. I laughed and I cried. This book was so unexpected and heartfelt and I really enjoyed it.
julianairving's review
challenging
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Murder and Racism
A chapter will start off funny and turn sad really fastpickashelf's review
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Drug use, Rape, Misogyny, Car accident, Murder, Racism, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Medical content, Infidelity, Grief, Death, and Ableism
suvancat's review
4.0
I liked it. But I like most memoirs. The more raw and honest the better! Tell me all the things I’d never have the courage to put on paper for the world to judge and I’ll give you AT LEAST 3 stars. I definitely googled the author after the fact.
tx2its's review
4.0
Reading 2022
Book 102: Acne by Laura Chinn
Listened to this book on audio after Katie Colcomb Augustine recommended it.
Synopsis: From the creator and star of Florida Girls comes a hilarious and profound memoir about family, happiness, and really aggressive acne. Despite having dirty-blonde hair and fair skin, Laura Chinn is mixed-race: the daughter of a Black father and a white mother, which on its own makes for some funny and insightful looks at identity. Laura’s parents were both Scientologists and nonconformists in myriad ways. They divorced early in Laura’s childhood, and she spent her teen years ping-ponging back and forth between Clearwater, Florida, and Los Angeles (with an extended stint in Tijuana for good measure).
Review: Very good audiobook narrated by the author. I do enjoy a memoir more when the author narrates. WOW! There is some messed up things happening in Laura’s life. It was reminiscent of Glass Castle and Educated for me. Many of the things are hard to believe, like leaving a kid alone to raise themselves, or the smoking and drinking at an early age. Learned so much about Scientology as well listening to this book. There are some real tragedies that happen in Laura’s life. I did enjoy that she wove acne into the book throughout, even into adulthood. Looking for a new memoir? Definitely pick this one up, good to listen on those commutes to work. My rating 4⭐️.
Book 102: Acne by Laura Chinn
Listened to this book on audio after Katie Colcomb Augustine recommended it.
Synopsis: From the creator and star of Florida Girls comes a hilarious and profound memoir about family, happiness, and really aggressive acne. Despite having dirty-blonde hair and fair skin, Laura Chinn is mixed-race: the daughter of a Black father and a white mother, which on its own makes for some funny and insightful looks at identity. Laura’s parents were both Scientologists and nonconformists in myriad ways. They divorced early in Laura’s childhood, and she spent her teen years ping-ponging back and forth between Clearwater, Florida, and Los Angeles (with an extended stint in Tijuana for good measure).
Review: Very good audiobook narrated by the author. I do enjoy a memoir more when the author narrates. WOW! There is some messed up things happening in Laura’s life. It was reminiscent of Glass Castle and Educated for me. Many of the things are hard to believe, like leaving a kid alone to raise themselves, or the smoking and drinking at an early age. Learned so much about Scientology as well listening to this book. There are some real tragedies that happen in Laura’s life. I did enjoy that she wove acne into the book throughout, even into adulthood. Looking for a new memoir? Definitely pick this one up, good to listen on those commutes to work. My rating 4⭐️.
heather425's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't know what to expect from this memoir. I received it from Netgalley and thought it sounded interesting. It was amazing! Laura Chinn tells her story in her own way and it is so much more than dealing with cystic acne. There are a lot of terrible things that happened to her, but she manages to find humor in life. This was a relatable book and a surprise from what I originally thought. Definitely check it out if you like memoirs.