I’m going to be honest: I’d never heard of Soph Galustian before I heard about this book. I’ve also never had any interest in reading a memoir from someone I hadn’t heard of. But something about this book told me that now was the time to change that, and I’m SO glad I did!

📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚

First of all, it doesn’t matter if you’ve never heard of Soph Galustian: this book is the perfect introduction. And I say introduction because the only thing that will persuade you to put down this book while you’re reading it is the urge to look her up on Instagram, watch her videos of her reciting the poems she has included, look up her playlist on Spotify (QR code helpfully included!) and follow her across all social media in the knowledge that she is one to watch.

For a relatively short book, there is so much packed in. She expertly balances humour with tragedy, taking you through the ups and downs of life with a raw honesty that tugs at your heartstrings. It’s not all prose either. I’ve already mentioned that many poems are included, as are word-searches, skit-style excerpts, and – brilliantly – playlists. The annual playlists not only mark the emotional tone of each year in Galustian’s life, but bring the reader right back to that year in their own lives. The various elements that make up this book balance each other perfectly, and not only make it a gripping read, but give more insight into Galustian’s personality.

I could not put this book down. (Seriously – it arrived in the post 24 hours ago and I’m already writing a review.) I laughed, I cried, I cheered, I commiserated. It’s an incredibly powerful read, and (dare I say it?) one of the best memoirs I’ve ever read. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.