Paper Doll: Notes from a Late Bloomer by Dylan Mulvaney

 Paper Doll: Notes from a Late Bloomer by Dylan Mulvaney-266 pages

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Actress and content creator Dylan Mulvaney’s honest account of her journey through girlhood

When Dylan Mulvaney came out as a woman online, she was a viral sensation almost overnight, emerging as a trailblazing voice on social media. Dylan’s personal coming-out story blossomed into a platform for advocacy and empowerment for trans people all over the world. Through her “Days of Girlhood” series, she connected with followers by exploring what it means to be a girl, from experimenting with makeup to story times to spilling the tea about laser hair removal, while never shying away from discussing the transphobia she faced online. Nevertheless, she was determined to be a beacon of positivity.

But shortly after she celebrated day 365 of being a girl, it all came screeching to a halt when an innocuous post sparked a media firestorm and right-wing backlash she couldn’t have expected. Despite the vitriolic press and relentless paparazzi, Dylan was determined to remain loud and proud.

In Paper Doll: Notes from a Late Bloomer, Dylan pulls back the curtain of her “It Girl” lifestyle with a witty and intimate reflection of her life pre- and post-transition. She covers everything from her first big break in theater to the first time her dad recognized her as a girl to how she handled scandals, cancellations, and . . . tucking. It’s both laugh-out-loud funny and powerfully honest—and is a love letter to everyone who stands up for queer joy.

Thoughts: I picked this up not realizing Mulvaney was the one in the Bud Light commercial/ad that conservative media (and Kid Rock among others) went berserk over. This is an insightful look into one person's experience as a transgender woman and coming out to her family. She documented her experience for a year on Tiktok and became pretty famous. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and I enjoyed Mulvaney's humor. I like to read books from people's perspectives/experiences that are different from mine. I am an LGBTQ+ ally, but not a member of the community and I am still learning. 

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

 The Woman in Me by Britney Spears-287 pages

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Britney Spears tells all in this memoir of her life so far. It is both fascinating and heartbreaking to read her account of the events in her past. I found the section about her relationship and falling out with Justin Timberlake to be one of the most fascinating sections. She's right that women are held to a different standard than men. It seems Justin Timberlake (and so many others) could sleep around and be wild and have fun with no consequences. However, Britney Spears didn't do these things nearly to the same extent and was labeled wild. Some of these events led to her conservatorship by her father. The most harrowing section is her recounting her time in the conservatorship. She details many of the events during these 13 years and I can see why she is upset at her parents. I'm glad she finally was able to get out of that situation. 

It does at times read a bit like a teenager's journal, but it is still a pretty good read. There are definitely some interesting revelations. 

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears, 277 pages

​I didn't read this book for salacious details; I read it to hear about Britney's struggles in her own words.  This is a powerful read. It begins innocuously enough, but before long, the story takes on unbearable weight. Britney's candor, coupled with her rawness and humor, paint an indelible picture. 

 

Counting the Cost by Jill Duggar

 Counting The Cost by Jill Duggar, 271 pages

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This memoir was a surprising read. While the Duggar exploits are widely reported and known, the individual Duggar "children" often seem to get lost in the considerably bigger picture. Jill's unique perspective of the on- and offscreen exploits shapes a very different picture. 

Jill's book was both enlightening and encouraging, especially coming from an evangelical childhood. Regardless of where you fall into the religious spectrum, I think it's worth a read.

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center, 320 p.

"Hannah Brooks looks more like a kindergarten teacher than somebody who could kill you with a wine bottle opener. Or a ballpoint pen. Or a dinner napkin. But the truth is, she’s an Executive Protection Agent (aka "bodyguard"), and she just got hired to protect superstar actor Jack Stapleton from his middle-aged, corgi-breeding stalker.

Jack Stapleton’s a household name—captured by paparazzi on beaches the world over, famous for, among other things, rising out of the waves in all manner of clingy board shorts and glistening like a Roman deity. But a few years back, in the wake of a family tragedy, he dropped from the public eye and went off the grid.

When Jack’s mom gets sick, he comes home to the family’s Texas ranch to help out. Only one catch: He doesn’t want his family to know about his stalker. Or the bodyguard thing. And so Hannah—against her will and her better judgment—finds herself pretending to be Jack’s girlfriend as a cover. Even though her ex, like a jerk, says no one will believe it.

Hannah hardly believes it, herself. But the more time she spends with Jack, the more real it all starts to seem. And there lies the heartbreak. Because it’s easy for Hannah to protect Jack. But protecting her own, long-neglected heart? That’s the hardest thing she’s ever done."--Goodreads blurb

While I did enjoy this book, I didn't enjoy it as much as other contemporary romances I have read this year. This was so very predictable, but the characters and story were fun. 

 

Billie Eilish by Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish by Billie Eilish-336 pages

 

I am not a fan of Billie Eilish's music, but this seemed like an interesting read for this month's biography challenge. It is mostly filled with photos with commentary by Eilish. I learned that she is a car enthusiast and loves photography, even if she's not a great photographer. She views photos as a way of remembering moments in life and reliving those moments (which I would tend to agree). The book contains some cute and cool photos of Eilish and her family. I also learned that she is close with her brother, Finneas. It was cool to learn a few things about her even though I'm not a fan of her music. It's a pretty good read. 

Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick

Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick-275 pages

I've wanted to read this for a while, but just didn't get around to it until now. I tried to finish it for celebrity author month, but, obviously, I didn't. I did not like this as much as I expected. Kendrick's candor is admirable, but she talks quite a bit about her sex life (not graphically, per se) which I could do without. Another aspect I found wanting was all the language. I didn't expect quite as much (although, there wasn't a LOT) foul language. Overall, the book was an okay read, but I was a bit disappointed.

Too Young To Die by Patricia Fox-Sheinwold

Too Young To Die by Patricia Fox-Sheinwold, 301 pages

This was a fascinating book about celebrities who died tragically at a very young age.  The book is organized by decades from the Twenties through the Nineties.  It includes such famous personalities as Jean Harlow, Elvis, Natalie Wood, Marvin Gaye, Princess Diana and Gilda Radner.  The book also includes a detail list of the celebrity's famous works.

Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography

by Neil Patrick Harris. 304 pages.

A Choose-Your-Own-Adventure style autobiography from the actor formerly (and, in many cases, still) known as Doogie Howser -- Neil Patrick Harris.  This book was hilarious.  The chapter on Scott Caan was especially funny, and will have you chanting "What's up with the West Side, yo?" for weeks following.

Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher

176 pp. One of several candid memoirs written by Carrie Fisher, she details her childhood growing up the child of Hollywood stars, her addiction to alcohol and prescription drugs, and her bipolar diagnosis and subsequent electroshock therapy treatments. Tongue-in-cheek, self-deprecating, and witty.

Reading With The Stars by Leonard Kniffel

Reading With The Stars by Leonard Kniffel, 158 pages

Leonard Kniffel was editor in chief of American Libraries from 1996 to 2011.  In this book, he compiles interviews and essays from some very famous Americans on their thoughts on their reading experiences and libraries.  Barack Obama tells how libraries made a difference in his life.  Bill Gates explains how important it is to bring internet to rural libraries.  Oprah Winfrey says getting her library card was like getting citizenship!

Hollywood Book of Scandals: The Shocking, Often Disgraceful Deeds and Affairs of More Than 100 American Movie and TV Idols by James Robert Parish

Hollywood Book of Scandals: The Shocking, Often Disgraceful Deeds and Affairs of More Than 100 American Movie and TV Idols by James Robert Parish, 292 pages

If you like reading the National Enquirer and People Magazine, you will probably really enjoy this book.  This book contains 32 shocking scandals and affairs of more than 100 American and TV stars.  Most of the stories you have probably have heard of before, but it is fun to read about them again.  The author includes many details and pictures. The scandals are categorized by years, beginning with 1900 and ending with the present (2004).  Marilyn Monroe's death, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton's marriages, and the Roman Polanski scandal are just some of the stories written in this book.  This was a quick and fascinating book!