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thewallflower00's review against another edition
5.0
Hannah Hart should not exist.
Her presence in the world defies natural order to things. Because there is no way a woman from this background--a background of foster families, drugs, mental illness, international fame, fundamentalist parents, schizophrenic parents, self-harm, social services, and such and so forth--becomes as positive and optimistic and a generational leader as she does. There's no universe where that computes.
Like I've mentioned before, I get apprehensive around memoirs by people under thirty years old. You never really know if their life is interesting enough for a whole book. But I had no doubts about Hannah Hart.
I watched Hannah in her early days. She only ever released little tidbits about her life in her videos. She was attracted to Scarlett Johanssen in one, that she was emancipated from her parents in another. It set up a bizarre puzzle for viewers. But little did I know this was no five hundred piecer. This was a two-thousand. With no border. And it's all Persian cat faces.
This book answers the questions of that mystery. But there's so much to unpack that you never truly understand it all (which is the sign of a good book). None of the terror that must have been present in Hannah Hart's life comes through in her videos. So how can she function as a human being?
As far as the book itself, her talent extends to the written word. It's full of wit and humor, but also pathos and drama. There is sufficient ups and downs that it's never tonally consistent. But that's a good thing, because the palate is always cleansed and the meal never takes too long to cook. Hannah goes from talking about being homeless to how to be a good traveler. It'll leave an impression on you.
Her presence in the world defies natural order to things. Because there is no way a woman from this background--a background of foster families, drugs, mental illness, international fame, fundamentalist parents, schizophrenic parents, self-harm, social services, and such and so forth--becomes as positive and optimistic and a generational leader as she does. There's no universe where that computes.
Like I've mentioned before, I get apprehensive around memoirs by people under thirty years old. You never really know if their life is interesting enough for a whole book. But I had no doubts about Hannah Hart.
I watched Hannah in her early days. She only ever released little tidbits about her life in her videos. She was attracted to Scarlett Johanssen in one, that she was emancipated from her parents in another. It set up a bizarre puzzle for viewers. But little did I know this was no five hundred piecer. This was a two-thousand. With no border. And it's all Persian cat faces.
This book answers the questions of that mystery. But there's so much to unpack that you never truly understand it all (which is the sign of a good book). None of the terror that must have been present in Hannah Hart's life comes through in her videos. So how can she function as a human being?
As far as the book itself, her talent extends to the written word. It's full of wit and humor, but also pathos and drama. There is sufficient ups and downs that it's never tonally consistent. But that's a good thing, because the palate is always cleansed and the meal never takes too long to cook. Hannah goes from talking about being homeless to how to be a good traveler. It'll leave an impression on you.
sunnily's review against another edition
5.0
This book was incredible. I loved it. It made me laugh, it made me cry, I was astonished with how much and how strongly it made me feel everything.
I thought it was going to be somewhat light and fluffy and it definitely was not. She is a wonderful writer, and her life story is so incredible. I was inspired and amazed and just- wow. Good book.
I thought it was going to be somewhat light and fluffy and it definitely was not. She is a wonderful writer, and her life story is so incredible. I was inspired and amazed and just- wow. Good book.
jjvaldezbooks's review against another edition
5.0
My heart for Hannah Hart. I read it in one sitting and I am so so proud of this woman I have watched grow online as a casual fan. Her bravery and kindness is everything I aspire to be.
sleepysamreads's review against another edition
5.0
There's something completely indescribable about reading someone's story and being able to see some of yours in it.
I've always admired Hannah, but after reading this book I admire her so much more. Her strength is ineffable. I'm glad to have had the chance to read her story. She is truly an inspiration and such a beautiful human.
I've always admired Hannah, but after reading this book I admire her so much more. Her strength is ineffable. I'm glad to have had the chance to read her story. She is truly an inspiration and such a beautiful human.
fr23ip's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
kaitburesh's review against another edition
5.0
Shit, Hannah. You broke me a bit with this one - but in, like, the best possible way? As a funny and heartwarming influencer, Hannah teased this upcoming book in many of her videos, prefacing that she really laid it all out on the table - all of her dirty laundry was going to be in these pages. And she wasn't kidding (no, really. she talks about how her socks were so filthy as a child, they actually stained her friend's carpet and held their shape if she took them off). Hannah walks readers through a gut-wrenching story of the struggle to survive a childhood in a tumultuous household, raised by a mother with severe mental illness, and the coming-of-age acceptance it took for Hannah to face this struggle head-on as an adult. Oh, she was also struggling with her internalized self-hatred and homophobia taught to her by her father and his religion of choice, The Jehovah's Witnesses- real casual. Hannah shares stories in her book, some light-hearted, like her drunken escapades in Vancouver to get tattoos at 1am with Grace, or the first time she met Mamrie and was absolutely terrified. But Hannah also gets to the raw stuff, her first love and subsequent breakup. Her first adult relationship and that subsequent breakup. Her long-awaited realization that her mother's mental illness was more than she should have to bear alone, and her legal and emotional battle to get her mother admitted for the help she desperately needed. Her personal battle with mental illness (PTSD, anxiety, self-harm, etc) as a result of her chaotic and inconsistent upbringing. She discusses her relationships with her two sisters, as well as the suicide of her stepsister that haunts her to this day. If you only watch Hannah for episodes of MDK - there is a solid chance you will find this book "too heavy" or "off brand" for the Hannah you choose to indulge in. But if your love of MDK has spurred a subsequent love for Hannah Hart, the creator behind the content, one of YT's most popular and powerful influencers, who has started her own non-profit aimed at spreading awareness, positivity, and volunteerism on a local, national, and global scale - then this is the 250 page gem you didn't know you were waiting for. The woman you thought you knew, the one who lets you into her life twice a week in her uploads, lets you in even further. And I imagine you'll find yourself hard-pressed to say you're not different as a result of reading this story. Truly excellent.
minxxa's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not sure what I was expecting, but a heartfelt, honest, touching and personal account of growing up in the shadow of mental illness and the journey into a well lived life was what I got. This story was enlightening and touching and put a personal light on what many people experience with little help or understanding from the world around them. Brutally emotional and also truly inspiring.
whitreadslit's review
5.0
Hannah has long been one of my favorite YouTube stars. I watch her videos to get a good laugh, but also to hear her views on living life to the fullest and looking for the good in everything and everyone. Seeing how much she had to overcome to get to this point only made me love and respect her all the more. If you are looking for an uplifting, inspiring young woman's story, this is the book for you.