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shhchar's review against another edition
4.0
Growing Pains was a great autobiography. You could tell it was really written by Billie, not some ghost writer. (Mostly because it wasn't the best of writing, but it was also just so believable and honest.)
I do think it could have used more editing, like Chris Eccleston was spelled as Ecclestone . . . when everything else I see is spelled as Eccleston. Nonetheless, even if you aren't a big Billie-fan, I think many people would still enjoy this.
I do think it could have used more editing, like Chris Eccleston was spelled as Ecclestone . . . when everything else I see is spelled as Eccleston. Nonetheless, even if you aren't a big Billie-fan, I think many people would still enjoy this.
alreinwarth's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Alcohol and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Alcoholism and Death
chelseaclif7's review against another edition
5.0
I first became familiar with Billie Piper when I started watching Doctor Who. I thought she was brilliant. Eventually I moved on to watch her show "The Secret Diary of a Call Girl," and loved her even more.
I am a bit of a nerd and watch interviews on Youtube with anyone who's been on Doctor Who. I eventually saw an interview with Billie in which she spoke a bit about the fact that she used to be Anorexic. It wasn't a HUGE shock to me because to be honest she looks like she has gone through a couple "no eating," spells during her TV career, but it made me love her even more. She said in the interview that Eating Disorders are not things that you ever get rid of, you just sort of put them in their place and hope you have the strength to keep them there the rest of your life. Being in the middle of a similar battle myself, I found myself wanting to her this brilliant girl's take on it.
I knew Billie had been a teen pop star and she says that's the environment that fostered the eating disorder. In the interview that I watched her Autobiography was mentioned, so I looked it up.
It's not very often that you find an autobiography (there WAS a ghost writer, but honestly you can hear her voice in every word of the book) written by a girl in her early 20s that doesn't sound completely narcissistic. This was the fastest non-fiction read I've ever done, because it was set in a time that I vividly remember. I remember the pop battles with the boy and girl bands, leading up to Britney and Christina. I don't remember Billie because she was never as popular in the US as she was in the UK, but it was exciting to be able to fit her into a world that I was already familiar with, having been around when young pop stars were doing behind the scenes interviews and "making the video," episodes on MTV. The darkness that she interjects into these lives that looked so squeaky clean is jarring, but completely believable.
I could probably just keep writing about why I loved this book.. but I'll say this instead. Billie Piper lived more in the years between 15 and 23 than she should have, and it completely warrants the this book. Billie is brutally honest, sweet, and relatable. Read it.
I am a bit of a nerd and watch interviews on Youtube with anyone who's been on Doctor Who. I eventually saw an interview with Billie in which she spoke a bit about the fact that she used to be Anorexic. It wasn't a HUGE shock to me because to be honest she looks like she has gone through a couple "no eating," spells during her TV career, but it made me love her even more. She said in the interview that Eating Disorders are not things that you ever get rid of, you just sort of put them in their place and hope you have the strength to keep them there the rest of your life. Being in the middle of a similar battle myself, I found myself wanting to her this brilliant girl's take on it.
I knew Billie had been a teen pop star and she says that's the environment that fostered the eating disorder. In the interview that I watched her Autobiography was mentioned, so I looked it up.
It's not very often that you find an autobiography (there WAS a ghost writer, but honestly you can hear her voice in every word of the book) written by a girl in her early 20s that doesn't sound completely narcissistic. This was the fastest non-fiction read I've ever done, because it was set in a time that I vividly remember. I remember the pop battles with the boy and girl bands, leading up to Britney and Christina. I don't remember Billie because she was never as popular in the US as she was in the UK, but it was exciting to be able to fit her into a world that I was already familiar with, having been around when young pop stars were doing behind the scenes interviews and "making the video," episodes on MTV. The darkness that she interjects into these lives that looked so squeaky clean is jarring, but completely believable.
I could probably just keep writing about why I loved this book.. but I'll say this instead. Billie Piper lived more in the years between 15 and 23 than she should have, and it completely warrants the this book. Billie is brutally honest, sweet, and relatable. Read it.
monicatdwyer's review against another edition
5.0
It’s not getting 5 stars because it’s a great memoir (it isn’t), it’s getting 5 stars because I love her. And love trumps writing quality.
thea_no_evil's review
4.0
Good read, I've always thought she seemed like a nice fun person this book confirms that - sad points in her life so far but a good laughs along the way
brits_got_books's review
4.0
Growing up, I was immensely fascinated with pop culture, both here in America and oversees. Unlike a lot of my counterparts, I was fascinated with the Europop scene and adored Billie. Reading this piece was both fascinating and horrifying to realize what she went through. I commend her for making the decision to open up about her life, instead of leaving it for someone else to do, and having them misconstrue events, as is normally done.
misskjm's review
5.0
I've always been a big fan of Billie Piper, well before her Secret Diary of a Call Girl & Doctor Who days way back when she burst onto the soundwaves with her smash hit pop song, Because We Want To. I missed her when she stopped singing and always wondered what happened. This book tells you. Written by Billie herself, the book explains those dark times and what she went through to come out the other side and do what she was really ment to do: Acting. This book really made me admire Billie. It was written in 2006, during the 2nd series of Doctor Who, so obviously a bit dated and LOT has happened since then (Secret Diary, another marriage and 2 kids, for starters), but it's an interesting insight into her early years in the entertaiment industry.
pata's review against another edition
5.0
Yo ya había escrito algo largo aquí, pero se me ha borrado porque no entiendo la app para móvil y no sé qué he hecho, así que a la porra. Que me ha gustado saber más de ella y contado por ella. Esto no es una review, obviamente.
jolew's review
3.0
As an American, the gossip around Billie and her singing career were non-existent to me. She followed a rocky road to get to where she is.
It gives you a three dimensional look at a young actress who in the US is hard to even identify. (Several times when Reading the book people would ask, "Who is she?")
Give it a go, you'll learn a lot, not only about Billie, but what "celebrity" means.
It gives you a three dimensional look at a young actress who in the US is hard to even identify. (Several times when Reading the book people would ask, "Who is she?")
Give it a go, you'll learn a lot, not only about Billie, but what "celebrity" means.
murderousscottishgremlin's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder