In February of 2009, Brianna Karp lost her job, found out her estranged father had committed suicide, and her boyfriend broke up with her for good. These events, along with a lifetime of a dysfunctional and abusive relationship with her parents and the Jehovah’s Witness kingdom, factored into the many circumstances that resulted in her becoming one of the many homeless in America, living in an old trailer with no electric hookups in a Wal Mart parking lot.
The Girl’s Guide to Homelessness is a memoir that Brianna Karp wrote while she was homeless. She actually kept a blog with the same name, but this book doesn’t read like a blog, as I feared it might, since I’ve read other projects like this that ended up feeling like a transcribed blog.
I haven’t tried to find out “what happened next,” because the memoir ends while she’s still in that state, and for this memoir, it fit. Many memoirs that deal with a change tend to lack the fairy tale ending — people who are battling addiction often relapse, marriages in recovery tend to falter, people seeking restoration with family aren’t always successful. That’s because memoir is real and change is a process. In this case, we follow Brianna for a year as she tries to get back on her feet. We want her to succeed. She gets almost there, and yet towards the end, she receives a crushing blow that hinders her goal.
If you like memoir, this has all the high points — a couple bouts of TMI about her intimate life, overcoming her past and separating from her family of origin, bad choices — but most importantly a strong sense of perseverance. It also serves, as good memoir does in my opinion, to give the reader insight into struggles that the author faced — not only homelessness, but also being raised in Jehovah’s Witness religion.
You might be asking, “She wrote the book while she was homeless, and kept a blog?? How??” or “Living in a trailer? That’s not homeless!” Check out my video review for more thoughts on this angle of the memoir:
I’m happy that we have a copy to give away to one of you (U.S. and Canadian residents). Just leave a comment here and we’ll announce the winner on May 11. The giveaway is closed.
- The winner of the Song of the Silk Road is #14 Krista.
- The winner of The Girl Who Was on Fire is #12 Linda Kish.
Check out our current giveaways. Subscribe to our feed. Follow us @5M4B on Twitter or on Facebook.
Jennifer Donovan is a bit of a skeptic when it comes to street beggars, but she prays for compassion and empathy so that she can respond to those in need. Find out about more of her issues by reading her blog Snapshot.
Beth says
I followed her blog, and was stunned at some of her insights. I wanted so much to see her succeed, because she was trying so hard.
I would LOVE to read this book!
Annette W says
Interesting idea to create a book while homeless…what foresight! I’d like to read this!
Sandra K321 says
Wow! That sounds like such hard life. I hadn’t heard of the blog, but I would enjoy reading the book.
S Club Mama says
Sounds like such a wonderful book
Jena says
My outreach is homelessness. I would LOVE to read this book!
Julie says
Just added this title to my queue on GoodReads. Looks like an interesting read.
Emily Bartkowicz says
They say what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger! I’m very interested to read about her ordeal – it’s already on my Amazon “wish list”
Thanks for the info!
Barb says
I’m adding this to my on hold list at the library!
Joy says
This sounds like an interesting story.
Vilmarys says
Sounds really interesting and would love to read this. Either way, I’m putting it on my to be read list!
debbie says
I have been homeless, when I was younger due to a tree falling through my apartment. It was not a pleasant time. I would love to read this book.
[email protected]
Carol Wong says
I would love to read this book too. I had a friends (moved away) who was homeless for a long time. She and her little girl had to live in her car. That may not sound as bad as being on the streets but when you think about, how do you handle meals, feeling safe at night, applying for a job?
Please enter me in this giveaway for this book.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Amy says
I am intrigued!
Would love to win and read!
Linda Kish says
This sounds like an interesting story.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Sharon Walling says
I am a big fan of memoirs, plus the concept sounds very interesting. I would love a chance to win this.
Thanks for the chance
[email protected]
Mindy R says
Sounds interesting! I’m interested in reading the book. Thanks for posting about it. 🙂
John says
Sounds interesting and hard
Natalia says
Would like to win this book
tennille says
sounds like a good one
Karen Gonyea says
Sounds wonderful 🙂
Kitty Kay says
I heard about this story but didn’t realize she had written a book.
riTa says
I like your video reviews!
This memoir can give us needed insights.
Brianna says
Im totally interested!
briannabeers at yahoo dot com
Jen B. says
How nice to watch a video review! This book sounds very interesting and I’d love a chance to win. What a treat to get a glimpse of that former CT chick! We miss you on the sidelines!
Staci A says
It sounds like an interesting book. I would love to read it.
Stephanie says
Sounds like a fascinating book. Thanks for the giveaway!
Sonya Sparks says
Sounds like something I might enjoy. Thanks!
Debbie Kennedy says
This sounds like an interesting story – true to life for some. I would love to read it.
Jennifer says
Debbie–
You won this book! Please respond to this email with your shipping info.
Kerrie Mayans says
I had seen her blog before but didn’t realize there was a book. I would like to read it.
[email protected]
karenk says
i’m interested in reading this book…thanks for the opportunity 🙂
Megan says
Can’t wait to read it
mearley1979 at gmail dot com