Sam Jenkins

A Great Book!!

Revisado: 03-23-25

Growing up in the 80s, Brooke has always been an iconic figure. I loved Suddenly Susan and often took time to watch her interviews over the years—her unfiltered insights on life have always resonated with me.

Listening to this book, I discovered so much about her that I didn’t know, and surprisingly, it also made me reflect on my own relationship with aging. I was deeply SHOCKED by the way men, including her doctors, have spoken to and treated her over the years. As a gay man, I found myself relating to her tendency toward people-pleasing and her journey to move beyond it. Perhaps it’s because we both grew up as children of alcoholics, but her story struck a chord in ways I didn’t anticipate when I started this book. This book was time well spent.

Thank you, Brooke, for your courage in sharing your story—it’s truly inspiring.

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Time well spent

Revisado: 11-07-23

I didn't know much about Paul, but he has always been part of my life via TV. While I loved this book and feel I know more about him, it ended, and I still feel as if I do not know who he was. There are many great stories here that offer a glimpse into his life but left me wanting to know more about him. It is clear he was a complex man who battled many demons.

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Went too fast...

Revisado: 11-07-23

I just loved this book so much. It made me reflect on my own life/experiences in a new way. Jann is a fantastic storyteller, and I immediately went to check out her other books. I wish she came to the United States more often, would love to see her on a music or book tour.

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What a life

Revisado: 08-19-22

I didn’t know much about Ronnie and am so happy that I listened to this book. She is a survivor, no question. Her story speaks to many people. Loved every second of this. Much love to her family❤️

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WONDERFUL

Revisado: 03-10-22

I have been a fan for many years but didn’t know a great deal about her life. This was an amazing biography. The way she faced disappointments was inspiring. And I connected to so many of those rough life moments she discussed. I never thought about what drew me to Elvira (and it wasn’t the boobs FYI) but I think it is because she represents the outsiders and those people who party in the margins. Loved every second!

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Laughed. Sobbed. Reflected

Revisado: 01-20-22

I shouldn't write this at this point in time, but I am going to. This was just an incredible book. It spoke to me on many levels and her stories are reflective of the human experience. We all struggle with different things, and it surprised me how I was able to make connections to my own life. There are some movies you need to see on the "big" screen, and there are some books you need to experience as an audiobook. This is one of those books. You can feel the emotions and it makes it just that much better. I do not have the space or time to hit on all of the wonderful bits of this book that make you stand in your kitchen or sit in the car and just think. But trust me, they are there. And to hear the discussions about loss and grief. it just broke my heart. Not just for Valerie, but for myself. Her book is raw and transparent. But for me, it spoke to the shared human experience. And to be present in our own lives. I didn't want it to end.

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esto le resultó útil a 26 personas

Amazing!

Revisado: 05-16-21

What a wonderful biography. It was funny and touching and having penny narrate makes this priceless. One of those listens I was sad to end and while I didn’t know much about her, she was everything I expected and more. They just do not make them like penny any more. ❤️

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Total mess.

Revisado: 08-18-18

I wanted to like this book. Footnote: I didn't. I found her story to feel contrived and like she was searching for "shock value. Footnote: maybe if this was 1989. It came across as whining just to whine, and at the same time, overly judgmental. Footnote: I found that obnoxious. Courtenay is a 40 something who wants to be a millennial. Footnote: she isn't. And if you find my use of "footnote" to be ridiculous and distracting, just wait until you listen to this book. It became so grating I stopped listening to it. Just like her relationships, I felt halfhearted about starting this book, wanted to dump it about two hours in but felt like I would give it a shot, but decided the entitled whining and forced "fear" was just too, boring. This book is not about addressing fears and dealing with anxiety. It is about a middle-aged woman with body perception issues who probably runs men off because of her personality, not her "anxiety" or body type. The great thing is, if you feel like you are totally f**ked up give it a listen, you will feel better about yourself in about 30 minutes. I could not finish this book. Maybe she figured it out in the end, maybe she found true love. There is a lid for every pot you know. But the thing is, I just didn't care. I struggled to find her story and the way she told it, interesting or engaging.

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I almost returned this book..

Revisado: 03-04-18

I came about two minutes from pulling the plug on this entire book. The stories started to feel sad, and I could see Mamrie in her mid forties telling the same old, tired, "I'm a girl and I love wine and I'm off center but so funny" stories. I chose this book, not because I was a fan, but because the reviews were amazing. Maybe I expected too much? After a very rough start, I found myself on a long plane ride and listened to the rest of the book. And I am glad I did. As the book went on I started to see why she has so many fans. She is funny, and offers some interesting insight, but for me, it was her ability to connect with others that kept me going.

While she feels like a poor mans Handler at several points in the book, Mamrie was able to extend beyond the drinking persona and talk about her life experiences. She may have felt she was going "deep" by talking about her relationships, but she really didn't. I actually felt like the guy dodged a bullet frankly. She lost weight, got to know herself, and then maybe felt as if she had better prospects? It just wasn't clear what was going on. And as a person who is frequently ashamed of how some Americans act abroad, she came across as an entitled, spoiled, disconnected "American". I actually felt embarrassed for her when I heard her recall her actions. She clearly finds it funny. I find it disgusting and just basic.

But why did I like this book? Despite everything I hated about it, the flaws, insecurities, and behavior is just part of the human experience. And Mamrie told her story in a very raw, if not shallow, way. She lacks polish, but I feel that defining herself as a woman who drinks way too much and is the life of the party is safe. She doesn't have to expose those parts of her life that she is not willing to examine. And that is OK because many of us feel the exact same way. And in the end, maybe why I felt a connection. And she hates Trump. That alone is worth a fu**ing pulitzer.

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Jenifer Lewis is my spirit animal

Revisado: 02-03-18

Listening to Jenifer tell her story was a bumpy ride, but well worth it. After reading another reviewer complaining she used the "F" word too much, I knew I was totally in. And she did not disappoint. There is something about getting a glimpse into the lives of others that reminds us we are all more alike than we realize. Jenifer was honest, funny, over the top, and could drag a chapter out, but as a reader I never felt left out OR bored. Her willingness to discuss her struggles and experiences with mental illness will touch many readers. And until you heard her sing about breaking her pu**y bone, you have just not lived. I loved this book, and have a deeper respect for Ms. Lewis.

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