Reviews

Anyone who lives close to the poverty line or has dealt with SSI, Medicaid, or even free/reduced lunch applications, can understand the frustrations of governmental paperwork and the circles and hoops that one must jump through to get needed services. Now add in homelessness and a baby in New York City and you will be on the edge of your seat waiting to see if it works out. I really pulled for Camilla and her son reading this.The housing issue in this country needs to be solved but I have yet to hear of plausible solutions.

poweredbyjava's review against another edition

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4.0

"I had 'This Is All I Got' by Lauren Sandler on my to-read list since 2020, and I'm glad I finally got around to it by listening to the audiobook on Libby. Initially, I was uncertain about my ability to connect with the hardships of homelessness, but the book completely surprised me. It's brilliantly written, and the story drew me in. This narrative not only tells a compelling tale but also raises crucial awareness about the struggles people face just to reclaim their lives. It left me with a deep sense of compassion and understanding. A powerful read that I'd recommend."

katieryn's review against another edition

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5.0

It's hard to put into words how incredibly important, clear, compassionate and well-written this book is. A devastating but necessary read. The author also has resources on her website that are worth checking out for anyone else who may need help or want to help.

alexisvana's review against another edition

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5.0

Brilliant and infuriating, this one is my second true 5 star of the year. This conversation is so important, especially if you have never looked under the hood of some of our housing and homelessness services in this country - that sh*t is a trap.

This was a hard story to read, I'm sure much harder to tell, and absolutely the hardest to live. PLEASE if you read nothing else this year, pick this one up.

kimberlyjune's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring sad fast-paced

5.0

Couldn't put this one down, it was a real eye-opener for me.

nanikeeva's review against another edition

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5.0

absolutely incredible. "she could only survive if she pushed back, but pushing back branded her unworthy of charity - was she only worthy of help if she was otherwise completely helpless?" "she cultivated her image to be respected by all people at all times, be the smartest girl in the class... carefully she struck an intentional balance of the self revelation necessary to develop intimacy, and the self protection she believed she needed to maintain that respect. nobody needed to know her business, and there was a lot she deemed private." "when existence is a perpetual emergency, decisions are made in the moment, in isolation. there's no time to thoughtfully evaluate, because everything is a rescue mission"

at the same time, the hypocrisy of the author as she repeatedly makes excuses for drawing boundaries, adding "we'd never know how the story would go!" is truly disgusting. even her child understands the need to help folks in need.

eabd's review against another edition

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5.0

It is non-fiction, but far from dry reading. The tenacity, resilience, questionable decisions of Camila are such a composite of one trying to work within the system to get out of that very system. The epilogue is an insightful and precise summation of that system and its dismal future to successfully serve those who need it most.

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