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.
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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.
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!
Interesting idea to create a book while homeless…what foresight! I’d like to read this!
Wow! That sounds like such hard life. I hadn’t heard of the blog, but I would enjoy reading the book.
Sounds like such a wonderful book
My outreach is homelessness. I would LOVE to read this book!
Just added this title to my queue on GoodReads. Looks like an interesting read.
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!
I’m adding this to my on hold list at the library!
This sounds like an interesting story.
Sounds really interesting and would love to read this. Either way, I’m putting it on my to be read list!
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]
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
I am intrigued!
Would love to win and read!
This sounds like an interesting story.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
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]
Sounds interesting! I’m interested in reading the book. Thanks for posting about it. 🙂
Sounds interesting and hard
Would like to win this book
sounds like a good one
Sounds wonderful 🙂
I heard about this story but didn’t realize she had written a book.
I like your video reviews!
This memoir can give us needed insights.
Im totally interested!
briannabeers at yahoo dot com
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!
It sounds like an interesting book. I would love to read it.
Sounds like a fascinating book. Thanks for the giveaway!
Sounds like something I might enjoy. Thanks!
This sounds like an interesting story – true to life for some. I would love to read it.
Debbie–
You won this book! Please respond to this email with your shipping info.
I had seen her blog before but didn’t realize there was a book. I would like to read it.
[email protected]
i’m interested in reading this book…thanks for the opportunity 🙂
Can’t wait to read it
mearley1979 at gmail dot com