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jade's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
amlibera's review against another edition
4.0
Probably closer to 3.5 stars but I'm always ready to give that extra half star to a book that had so many things that I enjoyed. There are probably too many things in this book. Not probably. There are too many things and a fair amount of repetition. I think that the idea of a book for creatives about having a life and a job is a really smart idea and there are lots of pieces of that book here- just a lot of other pieces of various other books about other things too. But it was soothing and funny and enjoyable to spend time in Benincasa's world and I'm glad I did.
kekeele's review against another edition
5.0
As someone currently going through the throws of finding her foothold in adult life, reading this book was like a coach or a friend or a mentor or someone who really cares about me and my success kneeling down next to me telling me “it’s okay to cry over a scraped knee but you still gotta get back up.” Probably more like 4.5 stars but I’ll bump it up because I cried. I love you.
alison_marie's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
2.75
A very sweet and inspiring book that would be perfect for anyone in their 20s. I wish I had read it a decade ago!
endpaper's review against another edition
1.0
The main essay has some good advice but the most of the rest of the essays are overreaching, shallow and ill considered.
techiechick's review against another edition
This book is a collection of essays by comedian Sara Benincasa. She covers mental illness, career choices, animal adoption and more. There isn't a narrative thread through the essays, so it would be as enjoyable to dip as it would be to plough through from start to finish, in fact, it may be better to read an essay, and let the ideas "settle" before reading another.
No revolutions will be started as a result of reading this book, unless being excellent to yourself as well as to others is revolutionary. There are some ideas I will apply and some I will respectfully leave where they are. However, there are some strategies for improving life in general, and allowing your creative self to flourish (but not in the classic hippie-way that sentence makes it sound).
I found Sara's style very accessible, and the essays to be consistently enjoyable to read. She does not use a formulaic style that I was able to detect, which meant that I wasn't distracted by style over substance. Some of the content is reasonably "adult" so not appropriate for younger readers, but I'd say this collection has something educational to say to over-18s of any gender.
No revolutions will be started as a result of reading this book, unless being excellent to yourself as well as to others is revolutionary. There are some ideas I will apply and some I will respectfully leave where they are. However, there are some strategies for improving life in general, and allowing your creative self to flourish (but not in the classic hippie-way that sentence makes it sound).
I found Sara's style very accessible, and the essays to be consistently enjoyable to read. She does not use a formulaic style that I was able to detect, which meant that I wasn't distracted by style over substance. Some of the content is reasonably "adult" so not appropriate for younger readers, but I'd say this collection has something educational to say to over-18s of any gender.
margotfoster's review against another edition
4.0
For me the title essay in this collection was worth the price of admission.
The rest of the essays were good, but the thing is Sara really put herself out there and everyone is likely to find a piece in here that really resonates with their heart.
Highly recommended for artists, performers, creatives, women, the anxiety prone, the agoraphobic, really any and all of the above.
The rest of the essays were good, but the thing is Sara really put herself out there and everyone is likely to find a piece in here that really resonates with their heart.
Highly recommended for artists, performers, creatives, women, the anxiety prone, the agoraphobic, really any and all of the above.
margotfoster's review against another edition
4.0
The namesake essay in this book really resonated with me and I've re-read it. A great read for any artist, performer, creative, or writer.
I enjoyed the rest of the essays, but at least the first is definitely worth the price of admission.
I enjoyed the rest of the essays, but at least the first is definitely worth the price of admission.
readingunderthedesk's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
I love a good short story/essay compilation and these felt like a lovely complete collection. Great for those in their 20s trying to figure shit out!