This is Just my Face - Gabourey Sidibe

This girl sure can write.  Gabourey Sidibe is a young actress who with no experience shone in the movie Precious released in 2009 and has graced our screens in various tv shows since such as the Big C and Empire.  In this book she takes us through her tough childhood - growing up with an immigrant taxi driving polygamous father and a mother who made money singing in the subway, to being able to support herself, while still helping out her mother and brother.

I was surprised by this book.  I am a bit skeptical of someone writing their memoir in their 30s but it seems to be the done thing now, and so many celebrities just drop names and write a whole lot of waffle.  Instead Gabourey writes about her own experiences and challenges and still manages to stay honest and funny even when writing about race, dating, sexism and weight issues.  She also talks about poverty, being a celebrity and eating disorders and weight loss far more honestly than other actress/authors.    This is a woman who has heard a lot of comments from others about what she should be, and manages to keep her head up and show people that she can be herself and still be important and special, even when they seek to try to bring her down.

I went into this book knowing nothing about her other than seeing her on screen, and came away with a big dose of admiration and thinking that she sure is awesome. 4/5