Batalion's amazing memory provided an incredible picture of her life from early childhood to her almost current life---showing the difficulty of growing up in an extremely dysfunctional family, which made her basically raise herself. How she managed to become the woman she is today is a powerful story of strength. ( )

Judy Batalion grew up with a mother who was a hoarder and suffered from paranoia. Her father chose to accept her mother the way she was and did almost nothing about the growing accumulation of canned tuna, furniture and clothing. Nonetheless, he was a positive presence in Judy's young life, spending time with her and helping her with her education. This autobiography looks at how her home life affected Judy's choices as a young adult, and how it influenced her behaviour and feelings after she became a mother herself.

This book made me think about how to support people who have mental health issues, as well as how to best support their family members who, themselves, face challenges. It was touching and (I'm somewhat ashamed to admit) surprising to see how much Judy's father loved her mother, despite her hoarding and other compulsions. It was interesting to see how Judy and her husband, Jon, reacted so differently to living with hoarders.

Judy had an interesting life with her parents and grandparents in Montreal, attending Harvard University, moving to work and study in London, England, dating various disasters and great guys, even working as a stand-up comedian. Through it all, her mother exerts an influence on her...sometimes powerfully, other times more subtly. The book is well written, often funny, and very honest. ( )