Idiot: Life Stories from the Creator of Help Helen Smash

Best for:
People who know who Laura Clery is (I’m guessing); people who like a good story about overcoming addiction; people who read The Secret.

In a nutshell:
Writer / actress Laura Clery’s memoir shares stories of trying to make it in Hollywood.

Worth quoting:
N/A

Why I chose it:
I generally love memoirs, especially read by the author. In reality I probably should have passed it by when I saw the title, but I didn’t really even process that until I started writing this review.

Review:
Hmmm. This book might have been two stars now that I’m done with it, but I think three stars is warranted as I was definitely entertained, and at times moved. The writing is good, and the delivery of the audio book is good. Just overall the content at show more times was a bit rough, though mostly at the end. So maybe that’s the problem?

First, I should say that I am not at all familiar with the author - I’d not heard of her until her book showed up in the Google Play recommendations. I’ve still not sought out her work as its probably not my thing. The author moved to Los Angeles right after high school, then moved to New York, eventually settling back in LA. She was in an abusive relationship for years (and is able to discuss it with the seriousness it deserves while also keeping the reader entertained and interjecting jokes where possible and appropriate). She has had very substance use disorders, and has found AA to be helpful in maintaining her sobriety.

Here’s where I think I was lost - the discussion about Marianne Williamson’s philosophy of life, is just too woo woo for me. I think the ‘law of attraction’ is utter bullshit and actively harmful as it implies that anyone who is suffering just … didn’t manifest what they wanted hard enough, making pain essentially a personal fault. Not cool.

Also, the title of the book is an ableist slur, so not great.

Keep it / Pass to a Friend / Donate it / Toss it:
Toss it (metaphorically; it’s an audiobook) show less

This book engendered many reactions from me.

I had never heard of Laura Clery. Prior to reading the book, I looked up her "See Helen Smash" videos mentioned on the front of her book. They are funny. I immediately became a fan and spent valuable reading time watching YouTube videos. The book is funny also. I laughed several times. Clery's humor is my type of humor.

Clery tells the story of growing up, wanting to be an actress, moving to LA and NY, her battle with drugs and an abusive relationship, her struggle with becoming an actress, struggling to get jobs, struggling to get clean, and then with making original content on YouTube.

Clery is a great writer and her story is raw and true. She narrates the audiobook which adds greatly to the show more book. This is the only book I've read about heavy drug use and addiction that didn't become repetitive, numbing, and almost bragging about that time of their life. Cleary kept the feeling flowing through this book. Never seem to be bragging about her negative experiences and even questions the way she was raised.

In regards to the way she was raised, her parents frustrate me. Parents are meant to give guidance and direction. Her parents gave her zero guidance, zero direction. I kept thinking what if. I was very happy when later her parents tried to help her out of an abusive relationship. I would have liked more information on Laura's relationship with her parents. Did it change as she became sober and successful?

The story of Clery's life is also inspirational. She examines changing from being selfish and resentful to compassionate and helping others. Adopting a nasty dog with one eye and setting up an animal sanctuary. He examines the addiction of Facebook and YouTube likes. She talks about self-worth and where true self-worth should come from. My favorite part is when she makes a stand to preserve her sobriety and sanity. Though she is compassionate, and understanding, she understands she cannot keep her sobriety when someone close to her relapses and she separates herself. I wish she had spoken on this more, but love and understanding and unselfishness does not mean losing yourself.

This book has everything. Comedy, Inspiration, Drama, Trials, Struggle, Success, Failure, Bad Decisions and Good Decisions, Love, Hate. I think this is a great discussion book. show less

Laura is so funny and I really loved her book. It kept me engaged the whole time. I learned some things I didn't know about her and her husband. This is a really great book.

This book was literally hilarious and heartbreaking. I loved it and can’t wait for her to write her follow up!

Wow

This book made me laugh, made me cry, entertained and inspired me. Can't wait for the next one from Laura!

Um, hello, love her... not in a creepy way, and listening to her struggles and overcoming obstacles - and learning new facts.. was amazing.. love love