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nolleyolleyoxenfree's review against another edition
2.0
Addonizio compares her writing to Bukowski, yet admits she’s never even read his work. I found her writing to be aimless and dull, with random witty remarks scattered throughout. I forced myself to get through this book, despite its lack of substance. If anyone is considering giving this book a shot, I recommend dropping the sundress and just read Bukowksi instead.
toniclark's review against another edition
4.0
Smart, sexy, passionate, brash, and gritty. At times hilarious, at times tender. Any fan of Addonizio’s poetry and fiction will love this memoir, too — from the joys and frustrations of a writing life to the love and heartbreak of just living. It’s all here in this mesmerizing essay collection. You won’t want to put it down.
miss_modular's review against another edition
5.0
I laughed and I sobbed. A quick read, as this biography is written In the form of short essays, but not a shallow read.
dcmr's review against another edition
2.0
Excessive drinking, random sex, self doubt, self destruction. What might seem edgy at 30 (or even 40) feels thirsty and try-hard at 60. This collection has a few beautiful essays ("Flu Shot") but mostly it's exhausting.
lola425's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book. Addonizio has an interesting voice and an outlook on life that I share and aspire to in a lot of ways. All interesting women are flawed, often in ways that causes society's judgmental glare to rest on them. This collection is an answer to that judgment.
katepowellshine's review against another edition
5.0
Kim Addonizio is an excellent writer, is totally cool, and funny, too!
misslin's review against another edition
4.0
How can you not love a memoir with such a brilliant cover photo? Here is one writer who I can wholeheartedly admire. Before this book of essays, I had read some of Addonizio's poetry and I very much want to read more. She is brilliant.
This book was the only thing by Addonizio in my local library. I will have to scour some 2nd-hand book shops to find some of her poetry.
Addonizio is brutally honest. Or at least as honest as you can expect a human being to be. Her writing about what it was like to grow up in a family dominated by a sibling with aggressive mental health issues particularly resonated with me. She is such a good writer that she allows us to empathise not only with her as a sibling, but also with her mother.
Addozino's writing about procrastination also strongly resonated with me. What exactly do writers do all day? Anything that will delay them from having to put pen to paper. Addozino also gives insight into caring for an elderly parent, vodka fuelled one night stands and middle age when the one night stands (or any stands for that matter) become fewer and further between. At times this book was so much like looking in a mirror that I cringed - at others, I could self righteously say at least I didn't make THAT mistake.
This is a humorous and well written peek into the life of a brilliant but flawed human. I definitely want to read more of her work.
https://readingtheworldwithbelinda.home.blog/
This book was the only thing by Addonizio in my local library. I will have to scour some 2nd-hand book shops to find some of her poetry.
Addonizio is brutally honest. Or at least as honest as you can expect a human being to be. Her writing about what it was like to grow up in a family dominated by a sibling with aggressive mental health issues particularly resonated with me. She is such a good writer that she allows us to empathise not only with her as a sibling, but also with her mother.
Addozino's writing about procrastination also strongly resonated with me. What exactly do writers do all day? Anything that will delay them from having to put pen to paper. Addozino also gives insight into caring for an elderly parent, vodka fuelled one night stands and middle age when the one night stands (or any stands for that matter) become fewer and further between. At times this book was so much like looking in a mirror that I cringed - at others, I could self righteously say at least I didn't make THAT mistake.
This is a humorous and well written peek into the life of a brilliant but flawed human. I definitely want to read more of her work.
https://readingtheworldwithbelinda.home.blog/
kchin's review against another edition
3.0
I must first admit I don't understand writers well; I have writer friends who wear their suffering as a badge of honour, and I have always thought... is this part of the process or is everyone trying to have the Bukowski (who to me is meh) experience?
The book started off exactly what I had expected and I almost tossed it aside. But I kept going and there were parts of the book I went "ah ha!" throughout the book. Kim writes in chaos but with clarity, always owning what is being said which I always appreciate.
The book started off exactly what I had expected and I almost tossed it aside. But I kept going and there were parts of the book I went "ah ha!" throughout the book. Kim writes in chaos but with clarity, always owning what is being said which I always appreciate.
nenaveenstra's review against another edition
3.5
Fun collection of essays, I don't regret picking this up. Will I come back to this later? I don't know.