Gabourey is FUNNY. I was telling someone about this book and they said, "it sounds sad" but it is FAR from sad in the way she tells her story. ( )

The audiobook is excellent! ( )

I picked this up because I love Gabourey Sidibe's Twitter feed, and I thought it might work for some of our teens. Also, the cover is amazing and I love it. It's a great read, with lots of fascinating details about her childhood and jobs before she was an actress, and her voice is incredibly funny and easy to read. The tone reminds me a bit of [a: Mindy Kaling|194416|Mindy Kaling|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1440718587p2/194416.jpg], and it made me immediately want to get my hands on a copy of the audiobook since Sidibe reads it.

I'm not totally sure about bringing it on school visits (she spent a few years working as a phone sex operator which was really interesting to read about but probs not school friendly content), but I do think it could be a great choice for teens who are interested in what it's like to go from regular person to movie star or teens who are working through body image stuff. She had bulimia, and I think the way she talks about weight, self care, mental health, family, and bodies is done beautifully and could really be a great resource for teens. ( )

"When you're both looking over the menu and trying to decide what you want and if he orders the same exact item as you, flip the table and run out of there as fast as possible to escape that psychopath. Even if this is a date, you don't need that bullshit in your life. What kind of person sits down at a restaurant with another person and orders the same exact thing? This is a restaurant, homie! There are so many options! if I'm ordering something you want, it's your duty as an AMERICAN to get the second-most-desired item so that we can have both! Are you even serious right now? You think Jay Z and Beyonce go to restaurants and order the same meal?"

This is one of the best memoirs I've ever read. Probably because it speaks to me so much. It doesn't speak to me because I can relate...it speaks to me because it's honest. Gabby writes her truth. She shares it with brutal honesty and she recognizes that some people might not get it, but that's okay because it's hers. I appreciate her sharing her life in this way. I also laughed quite a bit, because if you don't know it yet, this girl is dope. ( )

This Is Just My Face:Try Not To Stare

by Gabourey Sidibe

2017

Houghton

4.0/5.0

I loved the warmth and honesty of Gabourey´s memoir. Before reading this, I knew little about ¨Gabby¨, other than I loved her in ´Precious´ and on ´Empire´. I came away feeling like I made a new friend. Her unique whimsy and inspiring introspection is refreshing and fierce. Growing up with a father who practiced polygamy, and a mother who sang in the subways, her gifts of perseverance and life gave her the desire and ability to rise above.

I´m so glad she did and that she decided to share her stories with us. I hope this memoir is the first of many. Her energy and outlook are refreshing. ( )