Running with Scissors

Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs

Description from Amazon:

"Running with Scissors is the true story of a boy whose mother (a poet with delusions of Anne Sexton) gave him away to be raised by her unorthodox psychiatrist who bore a striking resemblance to Santa Claus. So at the age of twelve, Burroughs found himself amidst Victorian squalor living with the doctor’s bizarre family, and befriending a pedophile who resided in the backyard shed. The story of an outlaw childhood where rules were unheard of, and the Christmas tree stayed up all year round, where Valium was consumed like candy, and if things got dull an electroshock- therapy machine could provide entertainment. The funny, harrowing and bestselling account of an ordinary boy’s survival under the most extraordinary circumstances."

 

My thoughts:

A definite recommend for the memoir enthusiast. Burroughs story is both witty and heartbreaking. This was a quick read for me, as I followed Burroughs through his sad childhood. In the end, I love that he is able to go on and have a successful life after the setbacks of his childhood. 

Some Girls

Some Girls by Jillian Lauren

Description: "At eighteen, Jillian Lauren was an NYU theater school dropout with a tip about an upcoming audition. The ‘casting director’ told her that a rich businessman in Singapore would pay pretty American girls $20,000 if they stayed for two weeks to spice up his parties. Not exactly the whole truth. Soon, Jillian found herself on a plan to Borneo, where she would spend the next eighteen months in the harem of Prince Jefri Bolkiah, youngest brother of the Sultan of Brunei. Leaving behind her gritty East Village apartment for an opulent palace where she walked on rugs laced with gold, Jillian traded her band of artist friends for a coterie of backstabbing beauties competing for the prince’s attention. More than just a sexy tale set in an exotic land, Some Girls is also the story of a rebellious teen finding herself.”

What I thought: I found this memoir interesting. Lauren tells her story in an honest fashion, even at the expense of making her a bit unlikeable. Her story made me fear for my daughter. Growing up is hard! And I don't want her to go through awful things in life. Lauren took a hard road but came out of it a better person. There are some good insights provided in this book if you enjoy coming of age memoirs.

The Glass Castle

I recently finished, "The Glass Castle: A Memoir" by Jeanette Walls.

 I would recommend this as a beneficial memoir to read.

Walls imparts her memories of growing up in a dysfunctional family. On the positive side, I liked the overall picture--3 of 4 children come out of an awful childhood to a successful adulthood. I appreciate that Walls tells the story in a thoughtful and sensitive way, expressing the love she feels for her family, despite their faults. Walls expresses the need to come of age, pick up, and move on from what holds one back in childhood. In this case, the thing holding Wells back was her family. I hate the thought of any child being hungry and cold. Those images were heartbreaking.

 I recommend this memoir!

A Stolen Life

I am intrigued by memoirs, reading the true story of someone else's life and seeing how they have overcome hurdles and challenges.

"A Stolen Life" by Jaycee Dugard is not to be missed. I was drawn into the news when she was found after being held captive for 18 years.

Having your child kidnapped is a horrifying prospect for any parent. And then not knowing where they are, if they are dead or alive, for 18 years...I cannot imagine. And, of course, who can imagine being that child. Being kidnapped at 11, being held in a backyard prison, bearing the children of your captor....unimaginable.

Jaycee tells her story in a straightforward, honest voice. I relished every page. I thought of her constantly while reading the book, and still keep her in my thoughts. What she has overcome is simply amazing. This was her story to tell, and I appreciated the lessons she imparted.