Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology

"There is no “right” way to be. I am flawed and imperfect, but am uniquely me. I don’t fit in and probably never will. And I don’t have to try to anymore. That other person was a lie. And let’s face it, normal is boring. We all have something to offer the world in some way, but by not being our authentic selves, we are robbing the world of something different, something special."

If you're a fan of Leah Remini, which I am, you'll love this book. She writes the way she speaks: ego, attitude, and honesty. She tells her story, growing up in a troubled home and her determination to make something of herself.

If you are only interested in her involvement in Scientology: either to degrade the religion or to degrade those who don't believe in it, you'll probably hate this book. It's not really about the religion, although she does detail her involvement in the movement.

Truthfully, as an underachieving Average Jane, I find this biography to be deeply relatable. Leah details her need for success and her frustration with all of life's little disappointments. Who hasn't been dissatisfied with life, pissed off with things once again not working out? She's got a strong desire to find that special place in the world where she fits in. Who hasn't wanted to safely belong?

It's easy to see why she would join the church of Scientology, why she would stay: Here was a place that recognized her. It recognized her family. For a long time, it gave her purpose, right up until it didn't. It's actually harder to see where she found the courage to walk away. Everyone wants to be successful and everyone wants to find that sense of unity, but not everyone can walk away from unity when the relationship fails, or even acknowledge that it's failing.

Everyone knows it takes a commitment to follow a dream. Walking away from the dream when it becomes a nightmare, takes balls.(really big ones.)

My review originally posted on Goodreads; 4/5 stars.