I was given this book as a gift and knew nothing about it going in, but I’m so glad that I read it. Favourite parts ahead.

If she could go back and talk to her younger self, she’d say: “From the second you took your first breath, you were worthwhile and valid. And I’m sorry you had to wait so long to learn that for yourself.”
There is such a funny childhood story about this awful girl who wanted to kick her ass, you have you read the whole chapter (it starts on page 79). I can’t do it justice. Even if you don’t buy the book, read that chapter in the book store or library.
“I don’t remember which one of us called 911, but the police got there fast. I am grateful I was raped in an affluent neighborhood with an underworked police department. And an underutilized rape crisis center. And overly trained doctors and nurses and medical personnel. The fact that one can be grateful for such things is goddam ridiculous.” This whole chapter about her rape brings up a lot of stuff that just sort of sits inside women who’ve dealt with any kind of sexual abuse, so it’s a hard one to read but equally necessary. The bravery that this woman exudes is mind-blowing and inspiring.
“I cannot enjoy a meal if my back is to the door. That feeling of surveillance, of being hunted, never goes away. Fear influences everything I do. I saw the devil up close, remember. And I see now how naive I was. Of course I can never truly have peace again. That idea is fiction. You can figure out how to move through the world, but the idea of peace? In your soul? It doesn’t exist. I often get asked if my fears have decreased as I move further from the rape. No. It’s more about me moving from becoming a rape victim to a rape survivor. I am selective about who I allow into my life. I can spot people who make me feel anxious or fearful, and they are not welcome.”
When she’s talking about her first marriage and its problems and describes it as, “We were on the Titanic, asking to see the bar menu.”
When she’s talking about internet trolls: “So many people really love the attention they get by trolling. It’s a temporary cure for their invisibility.” and hearing her friend offer this sound advice: “An empress does not concern herself with the antics of fools.”
Maybe the best paragraph of the whole book: “Do you know why no one asks men how they balance it all? It’s because there is no expectation of that. Bringing home money is enough. We don’t expect you to be anything more than a provider, men. But a working woman? Not only do you have to bring home the bacon and fry it up, you gotta be a size double-zero, too. You’ve got to volunteer at the school, you’ve got to be a sex kitten, a great friend, a community activist. There are all these expectations that we put on women that we don’t put on men. In the same way, we never inquire about what’s happening in a man’s urethra. ‘Low sperm count, huh? That why you don’t have kids? Have you tried IVF?’”
I loved reading about the Prince parties that she attended. I’ve only ever heard incredible things about that man.

Definitely a great read. Thanks for the recommendation, Marla!