This Will Only Hurt a Little by Busy Philipps
Review by Lauren
Source: personal copy; all opinions are my own
Official Summary (add to Goodreads): Busy Philipps’s autobiographical book offers the same unfiltered and candid storytelling that her Instagram followers have come to know and love, from growing up in Scottsdale, Arizona and her painful and painfully funny teen years, to her life as a working actress, mother, and famous best friend.
Busy is the rare entertainer whose impressive arsenal of talents as an actress is equally matched by her storytelling ability, sense of humor, and sharp observations about life, love, and motherhood. Her conversational writing reminds us what we love about her on screens large and small. From film to television to Instagram, Busy delightfully showcases her wry humor and her willingness to bare it all.
Review: Have you ever read a celebrity memoir and wished they were a bit more honest, and it didn’t feel like they were just scratching the surface of their lives? Well, then you definitely need to read Busy’s book. I’ll admit that I haven’t seen Busy in a lot of shows or movies – she got her big break, if you will, on Dawson’s Creek and that wasn’t a show I really watched. However, I’ve always loved Busy as a person. She’s open and honest, funny and frank. You get all of that in her memoir, This Will Only Hurt a Little.
This Will Only Hurt a Little by Busy Philipps - a celebrity memoir that really GOES there! #bookreview #bookbloggers Click To TweetBefore Busy becomes the famous Busy Philipps, she goes through a lot. I really felt for high school Busy, and I appreciated that she was open and honest about the things that she experienced. She could easily be judged by people, but I think she sees the power in sharing your story and possibly helping others with a similar one. Once she makes it to Hollywood, she’s still honest about the things she experienced and how she feels about certain people – including having to work with James Franco on Freaks and Geeks (spoiler: she’s not a fan). I like that she stated her thoughts, but I never felt like she was trying to attack someone or make them look bad. It’s just her side of the story, and the things she experienced. She even talks a lot about her own husband and how they almost didn’t make it. Definitely candid, and I love her for it. This is a “celebrity” memoir that I’d highly recommend – Busy feels like a real, everyday person, who just happens to have some extraordinary experiences and famous friends (bestie is Michelle Williams).
Oh, and speaking of Michelle Williams – have you noticed that Busy is almost always her date to award shows? This started when Michelle was dating Heath Ledger and they were both being honored for Brokeback Mountain. Since Heath was also a nominee, Michelle decided to start bringing her best friend Busy to join her at the award shows (since she still got a guest)…and the rest is history!
Have you read this one, or do you want to read it? What other celebrity memoirs have you read?
I had no idea who she was but once you started mentioning shows and actors it all clicked. Great review!
When I first saw this book, I looked her up and I don’t think that I have ever watched any of the films or shows that she has been in. I do like the fact that this is a more open memoir than the norm. Great review!
Oh interesting I didn’t know she had a book out.
I don’t read many memoirs, but I’ll keep this in mind. She does sound like a refreshing person for being in the movie industry.
I’ve seen this a few times and was tempted to get it but haven’t yet – maybe I should after reading your review! 🙂
Hope that your week is off to a good start! My first week back at work after the Christmas holidays so it is a busy one here!
I absoutely adore Busy! Awesome factoid about her and Michelle Williams, another actress I think is awesome. Thanks for this review 🙂
I still adore Busy from her Dawson Creek days. So, after reading your review here and I think I may need to give her book a try. Thanks for the back story on her newest book 😉
I remember her from Dawson’s Creek!
I didn’t know she wrote a book!
I love when a star is able to let down their walls and truly show themselves in a memoir. This one sounds fantastic.
I actually haven’t seen Busy in a lot (Dawson’s Creek and the movie White Chicks is it) but I’ve followed her in IG for ages and just love her. I’m not surprised that she is so candid in her book… she just seems like that kind of person. 🙂
I really enjoyed Freaks and Geeks and hated that it was cancelled so soon! I heard she had problems working with James, but never really looked into what they were. I do like listening to memoirs, so I’ll keep this one in mind! Have you tried The Greatest Love Story Ever Told by Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman? Loved it!
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? ?
I have not read that one, but I want to! I love Nick and Megan.
I loved her in Dawson’s Creek, but haven’t really followed her much. This sounds like a must read.
Yeah, I dislike when celebrities write memoirs and then hold back or sugarcoat things. Why bother? I don’t know Busy’s work but I’ve seen her interviews and she seems so relatable.
Karen @ For What It’s worth
Im not a memoir kinda girl but as always you inspire me. Mught just put this on my ever growing list lol. I loved Dawons Creek!
I do enjoy reading a memoir every now and then. I don’t know much about Busy, but I have enjoyed her acting. I will have to keep an eye out for this one!
She seems to be getting all the attention lately – she seems like a girls girl.
I’m not familiar with her but this sounds super interesting! Love the title too! 🙂
I didn’t realize Busy had a memoir out. I love her so will definitely have to pick up a copy.
This is a great review! I’ve seen her in a few movies and now want to read this book.
Her friendship with Michelle Williams is just the best — they are so lovely! She is so honest too a– I love that!
I admit to not knowing very much about her, and so with your glowing review I probably should. I love the pink cover!
I’m a latecomer to Busy’s career and to Freaks and Geeks, but I’m a Busy P. fan. She’s quite a raw performer and I shall try to catch her in a dramatic role soon. I applaud her candid truth-telling and Michelle W’s too. Will add to my tbr even though I don’t seek out celeb memoirs, I will w/highly praised books:)
The name does not ring a bell but I think I already saw her face. I just don’t remember where
Busy is such an interesting woman. This book has been on my TBR since I first heard it was coming. Can’t wait to give this one a read.
I’d love to know what you think!
I did love Dawson’s Creek but I’m not familiar with a lot else that Busy Phillips has been in, but I do really like her! I’ve heard good things about this memoir too, I should read it!
Oooh I didn’t know she had a memoir out!! I remember her from The Dawson’s Creek days and love her friendship with Michelle Williams + that story about how they started taking each other to awards shows!!
I’ve never read a celebrity memoir, but I have wanted to read Trevor Noah’s “Born a Crime” for a while. Lovely review 🙂
I love a good celebrity memoir. Trevor Noah’s is one I want to read too. I’ve seen him live, and he’s amazing.
Wow that is a very very pink cover!
I don’t know who this is but I really like memoirs for some reason. And I’m glad to hear this was a good one.
Ash @ JennReneeRead
I remember her from a lot of shows when she was younger, Freaks and Geeks, Dawson’s Creek and I think she might have been in ER for a brief period too. I’d heard that she wasn’t a fan of Franco, I think there’s a lot of women in Hollywood who haven’t enjoyed working with him, I think he might have been inappropriate? You don’t hear much about it. I love memoirs that aren’t afraid to spill the tea and talk about life beyond the personality so candidly. This sounds like a great one Lauren, loved the review!
Yes, he doesn’t seem to be someone who treats women very well, unfortunately. This was such a great memoir – I love that she was so open and honest.
I am glad she was able to be so honest about it, and I agree that he is a pretty scummy person. So many gross stories have come out about him, blech. I hate that I ever thought he was cute.
I don’t know Busy—I’m terrible at keeping up with actors and actresses—but this sounds like a great candid memoir.
I know Busy from the show CougarTown. She was hilarious! I’ll have to look into this one. Great review!
I know Busy Phillips by name but that’s about it. Don’t really know much about her as a celebrity but I’d probably read this book.