Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore was always a favorite of mine, and this light-hearted little memoir did not change that at all. She has always seemed to me like a down to earth and funny person, and that proves to be true after listening to this in her own voice. Her outbursts are hilarious, but I would recommend listening to this with headphones if around other people, as the screaming does come out of nowhere at times.

If you were looking for all the dirty details of her traumatic upbringing with her mother show more and her experiences with drugs and alcohol, you will not find them here. Drew is not ready to share that part of her life, if ever, and that is something I have great respect for. In fact, it's made me admire her more seeing how she was able to hold onto her humor, her empathy, and her wild(flower) spirit despite a tumultuous and lonely childhood.

I adored the chapters dedicated to her daughters- it was so sweet and so genuine listening to her pour all her love for them into the words. I know she is a great mother, and I especially admire how she has taken all the wrongs she experienced from her upbringing and turned them into lessons of what not to do in her own parenting journey. So many parents do not have the emotional maturity to break the cycle.

Drew does not shy away from her negative traits here, and details moments where she wasn't being the best friend or person she could be. Her honesty is refreshing, and it only serves to make me like her more. She is an incredibly funny and free-spirited person, whose care seems to know no bounds. We could all stand to be a little more like Drew. show less

I cannot find the words to describe how rich and full of heart and love and beauty this book was. Drew is upfront from the start, this is a collection of stories, anecdotes and memories that you can pick up or put down any time you want to. This is just dipping in and out of different phases and moments in her life and I love that. She is such a wonderful storyteller, using her own insights and charming way to describe her adventures. Like how her beloved dog Flossy taught her how to love show more and look after someone, a gift that now lives on through her daughters. Or her friendships and special moments with longtime friends, how she taught herself to do things we take for granted, wild things that she did decades ago that still embarrass her every single day, her total love for and sisterhood with other women, her tremendous drive to be a better and worthy human. I wish I could thank her for giving us so much, this was a rad little book that I wish was 5 times as big because I devoured it in 1 day and didn't want it to end. show less

Wildflower

Drew’s reading is energized and animated and so genuinely heartfelt. At one point, when speaking about her youngest daughter and mother, you could hear her break down a bit and I shed a few tears right along with her. This book is not written in chronological order but as a collection of stories and experiences that Drew feels she needs to share with the world. So far my favorite chapters have been “Adam” “Taurus” and the ones when she talks about her friendships with show more Cameron and Nan (I can’t remember the titles). I probably gravitate to those two because I also depend on my friends for so much. I love that she has not only made these close relationships but have turned them into a a life which seems fulfilling and abundant in joy.

I did not know much about Drew going into this. I knew she struggled as a teen and a young adult but hearing it in her own words and what she was thinking during different times in her life is so thought provoking and inspiring. I think sometimes we forget that celebrities are just people trying to make a life for themselves. They have ups and downs, triumphs and defeats, good days and bad days just like everyone else. Drew is the latest in a series of memoirs I’ve been listening to by various celebrities and I have to say I think this one will stick with me for a very long time.

4 Stars show less

Drew Barrymore describes some of her deepest learning experiences in her new memoir, "Wildflower". Spanning from her early childhood living with her single mother to the recent birth of her two girls, Drew talks about the people in her life that have taught her to trust, love, and become resourceful. I really enjoyed hearing of her memories working on the set of ET, becoming emancipated as a young teen, and launching her adult career as a movie producer and entrepreneur. An enjoyable read show more for anyone who has admired Drew and her lifelong career in the public eye. show less