100 Books Challenge discussion

We are reading A Million Little Pieces by James Frey

Please use this thread to add comments and any information that you want related to this book.

So, I have read about 232 pages in my copy from the library. I have found many mistakes (I don't believe certain situations would really happen that way and it is obvious he hasn't really been in a rehab). But, I keep reading it in a "you can't look away"? kind of way? know what I mean?

I know exactly what you mean. I worked with at risk youth for many years. We supervised meds and that struck me right away. I haven’t read much yet. Hopefully this week I can. Very busy today. My son is having a rough day.

One part of the book, one character has "graduated" and left. A little while later, the same character is having a psychotic break in the common area? what?

Melissa (ladybug) wrote: "One part of the book, one character has "graduated" and left. A little while later, the same character is having a psychotic break in the common area? what?"

Ridiculous! No wonder the issues were noticed right away.

I'm going to read more, but have an order I need to finish first. My DIL asked me at Christmas if I could make the gnome towel holders. I found the pattern & made 2 for her in Christmas colors ... then I made 3 for me in spring/Easter colors. When I posted the picture on FB, I got an order for 2 of them. I didn't even like gnomes before this. LOL My poor dog hates when I work. Either crocheting or paperwork. He's right in my face. Attention hound. He growling at me right now, LOL

Wow! I love crocheting, but haven't made anything like a blanket or Gnome towel holders. :) I have made a cap where you can put a ponytail through it and a ear warmer. :) My Great Grandmother taught me to crochet, but until I was in my 30s I always had problems with them being even on the sides. :) I have it uploaded in my pictures. :)

I want to try and crochet a Wave? blanket for my first blanket.

I can follow a pattern fairly well. I like the patterns on The Crochet Crowd website. There are instructional videos on YouTube for more help. I could have used that help in the 70s. 😂 Love your headband! I’ll try to upload my gnomes to goodreads.

‘Blah blah blah and blah blah and blah blah blah and ....’
I hate this book
I hate this book
I hate this book

😂😂

lol

😂😂😂

Reminds me in too many ways of my previous read: Absalom, Absalom!.

I read it on kindle and I think if he had originally marketed it as fiction instead of lying about it, I would have rated it 3 stars but the lies and letting the lies go so long soured me on his "story".

I finished it today and plan to rate it 2 stars. I do not know much of anything medically or psychological about addictions so I cannot say whether or not he was truthful about any of it. The only thing I know is my Grandfather and Mother.

Grandfather (my dad's dad) worked in coal mines and got black lung. Doctor prescribed a table spoon of whiskey every day. My grandfather was 1/4 Native American. He became a mean, abusive drunk very quickly. A few years before he died, he had a stroke and "forgot" that he had ever drank. Never drank again and was a much nicer man. But I think most of it was my grandmother refused to buy him whisky and he wasn't able to get it.

Momma went to prom and some kids had brought alcohol and put it in the punch. Mom thought that was the best tasting punch she had ever tasted. Became drunk. Went home and only had about an hour before she had to go to work. Came home from work and her dad (knowing she had been drunk) decided to take the family to restaurant for dinner. The noisiest and brightest lights restaurant he could find. My mom wasn't happy to say the least. She then became an alcoholic. Her drink of choice was vodka. She one day saw all the empty bottles in her closet and decided that she had to quit cold turkey. She even threw out my grandfather's (my father's dad) whisky. He was not happy. lol

I do want to say that my mom tells me to this day that she is an Alcoholic and will always be an alcoholic. She refuses to even eat food that has been cooked with alcohol. She agrees with how the clinic was handling addicts (12 step program, etc.). James Frey believes (in his book) that willpower alone can "save" him and constantly was putting down the program. My mom, who quit drinking "cold turkey" would disagree with him.

Thanks for sharing. Yes, I quit decades ago ... drinking & smoking. My drug of choice is food. I am a compulsive overeater. If I ever got thin I would still be one. I can drink alcohol on a minimal basis, but I begin to panic if my favorite foods are not around. I’ve had a bottle of rose wine in the fridge still waiting to be opened, but ice cream is always in danger here. LOL
I haven’t been to meetings in years. I know they would help, but my local one disintegrated into constant complaints about non food issues. Anyway that’s my excuse. My husband was an alcoholic. Even with his health issues he continued until a few weeks before he died. He became afraid of it. He stopped getting drunk because he knew I would leave. He drank every day, but slowly enough to not be drunk. Still mean sometimes especially after his stroke. The brain damaged caused no filter there. Plus I’m sure so much frustration from not being able to comprehend or talk well. Then our son died & I believe he just gave up.

I’ve read over 100 pages & still not sure I want to give up on it. Cannot for the life of me understand why Oprah picked it. I’m not a big fan of her choices though. Most are soooo depressing.

I am not a fan of Oprah herself, but I haven't liked most of her recommendations either.

I just couldn't do it. Gave up on it. Life is too short. However his addiction story went in real life, I'm glad for him and his family that he was able to overcome it. Addiction of any kind is terrible.

Yes, life is way too short to continue with some books. :)

Melissa (ladybug) wrote: "Yes, life is way too short to continue with some books. :)"

I admire you for being able to finish it. I was cringing when I thought about reading 10 pages at a time. I knew then I needed to give up.

I think about halfway through, I really started to skim it. He repeated so much that just reading one sentence you are able to skip sentences to get the idea. lol

Melissa (ladybug) wrote: "I think about halfway through, I really started to skim it. He repeated so much that just reading one sentence you are able to skip sentences to get the idea. lol"

That is so true! LOL I skimmed the part in the dentist's office. Just gives me cold chills to think. There is no way that actually happened.

I could not believe the Dentist part either. That was just pure out and out torture. They could have put him out at least if they couldn't use novicane. :(

Would they have done surgery (in a hospital) with him awake and aware also?