Book Review: "Wildflower" by Drew Barrymore

In continuing with Blogger not letting me upload pictures - which I also have no idea how to fix - my book review will look a little different. Rolling with the punches, people.

The eleventh book in my "25 Before 26" is:

(WHAT? I have no idea how I did that..why won't you let me upload real things?! Blogger, you're mean.)

SYNOPSIS:

From Amazon.com: "Wildflower is a portrait of Drew's life in stories as she looks back on the adventures, challenges, and incredible experiences of her earlier years. It includes tales of living on her own at 14 (and how laundry may have saved her life), getting stuck in a gas station overhang on a cross country road trip, saying goodbye to her father in a way only he could have understood, and many more adventures and lessons that have led her to the successful, happy, and healthy place she is today. It is the first book Drew has written about her life since the age of 14."

THOUGHTS:

From "Charlie's Angels" to "50 First Dates" to "Blended", I've had a girl crush on Drew. She's smart, caring and funny - and this book gives you a little taste of what she's been through in life. And boy, has she been through a lot.

Drew is from Hollywood royalty (her grandfather was a famous actor) and began acting at 11 months.   She grew up hard and fast, with hippie parents (who didn't quite know what to do with themselves, much less a daughter) and movie sets all around. She says herself that she is the ultimate "what not to do"..but I think the moral of her story is this: we're all going to go through things. We have a path marked out for us. There will be big things - big obstacles and small mountains to climb, but we'll all get there eventually. Wherever "there" is for us. And it's important to remember that the journey is the best part. It may not be the most fun, but it really is the where life truly begins.

FAVORITE QUOTES:

1// "It is being alone that will actually set you up the best for being with someone else."

Now, I know you've heard this one before. I know I have. But it's a reminder that the times we spend alone have a purpose - even if we're bitter, unhappy and uninterested in them at the time. At least that's what I'm told anyway.

2// "But much more important, I had grown up a little bit more. Right at the point when I needed to."

This one may not stick out to anyone else, but it's the last part that made me stop and write it down. "Right at the point when I needed to"..not I grew up too much. Not I grew up too slow. Right up when you needed to. I think that's a big statement.

3// "Coco was extending herself and giving me a hug. I saw Arie over her shoulder with a big warm smile. I started to relax my tense body, and turn into a grateful girl who didn't feel judged all of a sudden. Maybe I had judged myself? I was worried about a possible preconception of the "actress girl" Will was bringing home, and that intimidation started to fall away and being my own person kicked in, and I was able to just be myself, which is always the best way to be. But it truly helps when people disarm you. Especially by taking you in their arms."

This is the story where Drew is meeting her future in laws - and I think it's a beautiful moment. And it's all of us when we're meeting important people for the first time. You go into it self conscious (if you don't, you're lying) and sometimes, the truly great ones, they surprise you. They take you full force into their embrace and love on you. Those are my favorite kind of people. The ones that are unashamed and force you to be present. To love right back. Those are the people that change your world.

WHY YOU SHOULD READ IT:

Because Drew is beautiful. Plain and simple. I think these stories just confirmed what I already knew of her. She is wild and serene and confident. She is small and funny and full of joy. That's it. If you're a fan, I definitely recommend this one!

C