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nc_unknown_user's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
I’m not sure I actually “read” the book since it seems Leslie used the written version much like her setlist while doing standup shows; if you have read this book, you know exactly what I mean lol. She seemed to take a lot of liberties with narrating the audio version and honestly, that probably made it even better than the book itself. After her explanations of how Hollywood often edits her (and others’) work into something less than what she had put into it, I’m glad she had the opportunity to tell her story her way.
Like many others have stated in reviews, the audio version comes off more like a podcast which feels more organic and intimate. Likely offering more insight than the written book. Many celebrity memoirs seem to pick and choose the parts of their stories that are shared and the light in which they are presented. Leslie seemed to lay her story out from start to finish with complete authenticity and vulnerability. She fully owns her story, even down to the not so legal or embarrassing parts. There’s a lot to be admired about how she carries herself and her views on life. She has had quite an interesting life and I appreciate her willingness to share it with the world.
I did find the format a bit hard to follow at times as she seemed to jump from topic to topic often and the timelines were a bit all over the place. This becomes part of her charm over time and you grow fond of it by the end. She even had me sticking around as she read the credits! She has a larger than life personality and owns it in every way. I loved learning about her background and all the pieces that lead her to where she is now. Her story was often heartbreaking but to hear her thought process in how she handled these hard times and kept a positive outlook throughout it all, it was inspiring in ways I hadn’t anticipated going in. I didn’t know much about her background prior to picking this book up, but I have always enjoyed watching her on television. The sample of the book drew me in by how much her bathroom gymnastics stunt had me laughing in that short clip, so I knew there had to be even more funny moments in the nearly 17 hours of audio. I was pleasantly surprised by not only the thorough retelling of her life stories, but how much passion and emotion she put into each and every one. I know many parts had to be very hard for her to revisit, but she bared it all in this book. I love that she isn’t afraid to be vulnerable and isn’t ashamed of letting the world see even the not so glamorous parts.
I have a lot of respect and admiration for Leslie and I’m so glad I stuck it out to finish this book when I had started to reconsider my choice in the beginning. Now here I am writing a review that bounced around just as much as her audiobook so I have no room to talk! She must have rubbed off on me some during our 16.5 hours spent together, haha. I hope her confidence, positivity, and authenticity rubbed off some as well! She made many points to pass on these life lessons to the readers/ listeners and I felt a lot of it resonated with me.
Anyway, long story not so short… check this one out if you love celebrity memoirs! Be prepared for a different (but dare I say better?) format than others. Once you get used to that part, you’ll find Leslie to be like a friend you’ve never met and look forward to hearing more of her story. You’ll likely laugh and maybe even cry along with her throughout the journey.
Like many others have stated in reviews, the audio version comes off more like a podcast which feels more organic and intimate. Likely offering more insight than the written book. Many celebrity memoirs seem to pick and choose the parts of their stories that are shared and the light in which they are presented. Leslie seemed to lay her story out from start to finish with complete authenticity and vulnerability. She fully owns her story, even down to the not so legal or embarrassing parts. There’s a lot to be admired about how she carries herself and her views on life. She has had quite an interesting life and I appreciate her willingness to share it with the world.
I did find the format a bit hard to follow at times as she seemed to jump from topic to topic often and the timelines were a bit all over the place. This becomes part of her charm over time and you grow fond of it by the end. She even had me sticking around as she read the credits! She has a larger than life personality and owns it in every way. I loved learning about her background and all the pieces that lead her to where she is now. Her story was often heartbreaking but to hear her thought process in how she handled these hard times and kept a positive outlook throughout it all, it was inspiring in ways I hadn’t anticipated going in. I didn’t know much about her background prior to picking this book up, but I have always enjoyed watching her on television. The sample of the book drew me in by how much her bathroom gymnastics stunt had me laughing in that short clip, so I knew there had to be even more funny moments in the nearly 17 hours of audio. I was pleasantly surprised by not only the thorough retelling of her life stories, but how much passion and emotion she put into each and every one. I know many parts had to be very hard for her to revisit, but she bared it all in this book. I love that she isn’t afraid to be vulnerable and isn’t ashamed of letting the world see even the not so glamorous parts.
I have a lot of respect and admiration for Leslie and I’m so glad I stuck it out to finish this book when I had started to reconsider my choice in the beginning. Now here I am writing a review that bounced around just as much as her audiobook so I have no room to talk! She must have rubbed off on me some during our 16.5 hours spent together, haha. I hope her confidence, positivity, and authenticity rubbed off some as well! She made many points to pass on these life lessons to the readers/ listeners and I felt a lot of it resonated with me.
Anyway, long story not so short… check this one out if you love celebrity memoirs! Be prepared for a different (but dare I say better?) format than others. Once you get used to that part, you’ll find Leslie to be like a friend you’ve never met and look forward to hearing more of her story. You’ll likely laugh and maybe even cry along with her throughout the journey.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Alcoholism, and Cursing
Moderate: Medical content, Racial slurs, Racism, Death, and Sexism
Minor: Drug use, Infidelity, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Pandemic/Epidemic, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Death, Rape, Stalking, Death of parent, Classism, Grief, and Slavery
amelianotthepilot's review against another edition
slow-paced
3.0
john green had recommended this book but i thought it was only okay However he was recommending the book and I listened tot eh audiobook.
The audiobook is read by Leslie which is fun but she excessively adds little tangent stories which makes the whole book a bit messy. Her life as difficult and interesting but the book was not as funny as I’d expected and more full of life struggles, rants, and motivational speeches. There was also not as much SNL as I thought there’d be which I realize her career is more than just SNL but that’s why I was interested ngl
The audiobook is read by Leslie which is fun but she excessively adds little tangent stories which makes the whole book a bit messy. Her life as difficult and interesting but the book was not as funny as I’d expected and more full of life struggles, rants, and motivational speeches. There was also not as much SNL as I thought there’d be which I realize her career is more than just SNL but that’s why I was interested ngl
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Racism
amandas_bookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Classism, Cursing, Death of parent, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Fatphobia, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Animal cruelty and War
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