This Will Only Hurt a Little

My expectations were exceeded by this book. The last few celebrity memoirs I read were strange, slow, and baffling. So I had sort of medium expectations for this one, even though I've always adored Busy Philipps. But she hit it out of the park.

Busy is funny, but she's also (sometimes) painfully honest, open, and real. This book felt a little raw at times, it was so honest. I'm sure there are some pieces she kept private, but I wasn't expecting to cry at the end of every single chapter about her personal life. Nor was I expecting to sob through an entire chapter. Unlike some celebrity memoirs that seem so disconnected from reality, Busy made it easy for the reader to find common ground with her. She was a kid growing up in the suburbs. And now she's a wife and mom with real struggles and triumphs like the rest of us.

I just felt a LOT while reading this book and I'm SO glad she didn't listen when people told her no one would want to read it. Because I did, I do, and I will read anything she writes from now on. So much talent. Truly, what a sparkly human.

Also, I'm obsessed with her writing style and the fact that she wrote so much in all caps and the editor left it that way. I feel that on a cellular level.


Would I recommend?
Definitely yes if you enjoy a good memoir. But if you have triggers, look up trigger warnings first.


P. S. Craig and Jeff can actually KISS IT.

OH MY GOD, I was not expecting this. If there was an award for “book that most exceeded expectations” Busy Phillips would clean up. So many great stories, and the honesty and vulnerability - wow. Almost too much, but she never crosses the line into unlikeability. (She seems to be aware of approaching the boundaries - you’ll hear “I know, I know” more than once). I recommend the audiobook so you can hear excellent voice impressions of her mom and Quentin Tarantino. I could not stop listening. You will love it. 4.5 stars.

This was a terrific read/listen – I bought the Kindle edition, and then realized I was an idiot for not getting the audioversion for B.P.'s narration. I mean, right? So I am the person who really does the immersion reading Amazon is always talking about in order to increase their sales.

Anyhow, the author comes across as honest, personable, tough, a terrific friend, and quick to own her flaws. I pretty much read/listened in two sessions because I didn't want to stop.

Another roadtrip listen. This I would say was definitely enhanced by listening to audio vs reading in print–Busy's impressions of her mom are worth a full star alone.

I'm not necessarily a huge fan of Busy Philipps but like, I liked Freaks and Geeks and enjoy her social media presence? So I was definitely surprised by a lot of aspects of this. It's also a bit more serious in tone than I'd expected, like regarding discussions of sexual assault etc. But I did appreciate her candor especially in discussing her teenage abortion. I also enjoyed how extremely willing she was to spill the tea and name names of people who were shitty to her.

3.5.
I found this one overall a fun read, mixed with some serious moments and important issues. It felt a little short to me- especially the end, it just felt like she skipped over kind of a lot of years. I enjoyed getting to know her better though and appreciated her candor and honesty, even at points where it did not put her in the best light. It is extremely conversational, which at some turns is great and at other times can be distracting.