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Piece of Cake: A Memoir
Piece of Cake: A Memoir | Cupcake Brown
43 posts | 61 read | 47 to read
There are shelves of memoirs about overcoming the death of a parent, childhood abuse, rape, drug addiction, miscarriage, alcoholism, hustling, gangbanging, near-death injuries, drug dealing, prostitution, or homelessness. Cupcake Brown survived all these things before she d even turned twenty. And that s when things got interesting . You have in your hands the strange, heart-wrenching, and exhilarating tale of a woman named Cupcake. It begins as the story of a girl orphaned twice over, once by the death of her mother and then again by a child welfare system that separated her from her stepfather and put her into the hands of an epically sadistic foster parent. But there comes a point in her preteen years maybe it s the night she first tries to run away and is exposed to drugs, alcohol, and sex all at once when Cupcake s story shifts from a tear-jerking tragedy to a dark comic blues opera. As Cupcake s troubles grow, so do her voice and spirit. Her gut-punch sense of humor and eye for the absurd, along with her outsized will, carry her through a fateful series of events that could easily have left her dead. Young Cupcake learned to survive by turning tricks, downing hard liquor, partying like a rock star, and ingesting every drug she could find while hitchhiking up and down the California coast. She stumbled into gangbanging, drug dealing, hustling, prostitution, theft, and, eventually, the best scam of all: a series of 9-to-5 jobs. But Cupcake s unlikely tour through the cubicle world was paralleled by a quickening descent into the nightmare of crack cocaine use, till she eventually found herself living behind a Dumpster. Astonishingly, she turned it around. With the help of a cobbled together family of eccentric fellow addicts and angels a series of friends and strangers who came to her aid at pivotalmoments she slowly transformed her life from the inside out. "A Piece of Cake" is unlike any memoir you ll ever read. Moving and almost transgressive in its frankness, it is a relentlessly gripping tale of a resilient spirit who took on the worst of contem-porary urban life and survived it with a furious wit and unyielding determination. Cupcake Brown is a dynamic and utterly original storyteller who will guide you on the most satisfying, startlingly funny, and genuinely affecting tour through hell you ll ever take. "When it came time for me to talk," I wasn t sure which parts of my past to tell, which to keep secret, and which to pretend never happened. Uncle Jr. had already seen the welts on my back, so he wasn t too surprised when I told them about some of the physical abuse I endured at Diane s. Everyone else hit the roof, except Daddy. He got really quiet and started balling and unballing his fists. I continued my update. Experience had taught me that adults have trouble accepting the idea of children having sex. I decided that from then on, that part of my life never happened. I picked up the story by telling them about Fly, the Gangstas, and getting shot. I was dying for a cigarette. So it seemed a good time to announce that I smoked cigarettes and weed. After a moment Sam looked at me, smiled, and handed me one of her Marlboros. I preferred menthols, but beggars can t be choosers. I kicked back, took a long drag, and closed my eyes. Daddy and Jr. were silent. They seemed a bit shocked and unsure about how to respond. Well, Cup, Jr. said, it s a little too late to be trying to raise you now. But those cigarettes will kill you. And weed will only lead you to stronger drugs. He didn t know how right he was. But for me, it was too late to be worrying about stronger drugs the only worrying I did was whether I could find a connection to get some. So I just smiled, nodded, and took another hit off my cigarette. The eerie quiet returned. from A Piece of Cake Also available as a Random House AudioBook and eBook. "From the Hardcover edition.""
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S3V3N
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#ThoughtfulThursday @MoonWitch94
📖 One off the best autobiographies I‘ve read.
📖 🦄🧞
📖 I like getting lost in something different from my everyday life. I like the entertainment of it.
📖 Cover

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Nicki_K
Piece of Cake: A Memoir | Cupcake Brown
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Pickpick

A heartbreaking and inspirational read. This memoir had me in tears in parts. Cupcake has lived a life so many people wouldn't survive. Told with heartwrenching honesty, a compelling read. ⭐⭐⭐⭐#cupcakebrown #apieceofcake #goodreads #litsy #thestorygraph #amazonkindle #memoir #bookqueen #bookstagram

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QueenJ
Mehso-so

I just started this book and I don‘t think I can stomach to read it any further. I had to put it down multiple times.

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Reviewsbylola
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I realized I forgot to post my #booked2021 Quarter 1 wrap up.

I read—

Unnatural Causes, doctor MC
Death in the Air, science written by female
Darkness to Light, mustache on cover
A Piece of Cake, baked goods on cover
Memorial, author‘s name starts with A, B, or C
The Rosie Project, set in Australia

IamIamIam 👏👏👏 4y
Cinfhen Woohoo ❣️❣️❣️You have until midnight, April 3 to fill out the first quarter form to be entered in our drawing ?
https://bit.ly/3b7rK1E

Well done ?
4y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Great job!! 4y
84 likes3 comments
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Wonderwoman89
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#GroupK I have chosen four books for our group. I am leaning towards A Piece of Cake or The Healing Spell. Let me know your thoughts. #lmpbc

A Piece of Cake
The Healing Spell
I Was Dead for 13 Minutes
Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls

Or if none of these sound good help me choose more books.

ambam1987 13 Minutes looks really good! 5y
LibrarianRyan I think 13 minutes or Suicide notes look interesting. 5y
IndoorDame Sorry I missed this! I think 13 minutes looks really interesting! But I‘m happy with anything you pick. 5y
10 likes3 comments
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Bookpearl
Piece of Cake: A Memoir | Cupcake Brown
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My stomach is in knots listening to this. There are so many things wrong with this and I can‘t seem to process quick enough!! I just keep saying, but she‘s only 12! 😩😭

Wonderwoman89 I got this book as a present but haven‘t read it yet. I heard it was intense. 5y
Bookpearl It is very intense!! 5y
9 likes2 comments
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S3V3N
Piece of Cake: A Memoir | Cupcake Brown
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Pickpick

Woooooo! I can't even imagine the type of life she went through. I had to take breaks often because her story is tragic for a young child. I never experienced anything that she did and don't know of anyone who has experienced ALL of what she went through. She is a walking testimony.

14 likes2 stack adds
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AlliMae
Piece of Cake: A Memoir | Cupcake Brown
Pickpick

When asked what my favorite book is, this is my answer. This book is highly engaging and makes you not want to put it down.

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LapReader
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Pickpick

Everything was half price at St Paul‘s Thrift Shop yesterday.

MrsMalaprop 👍 Just starting The Lost Man 😊. 6y
JennyM Nice haul 📚 6y
60 likes2 comments
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kellyann28
Piece of Cake: A Memoir | Cupcake Brown
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Hmmmm....which book that Bahni Turpin narrated should I spend my audible credit on? ??
@TheBookKeepers You were correct that "On the Come Up" was probably going to be narrated by her (It is!)

TheBookKeepers Yes! I personally wasn‘t a fan of Children of Blood and Bone - but that‘s more of an unpopular opinion. I liked The Sun is Also a Star a lot 6y
TheBookKeepers Spark of light looks really good too! 6y
kellyann28 @TheBookKeepers I ended up going with the tagged book! I got a good audible deal for the next 3 months so I'll probably pick a few different ones! 6y
TheBookKeepers Oh nice! I‘ve read great reviews on that one lately! 6y
29 likes4 comments
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MirrorMask
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📚 A piece of cake
🎥 Marie Antoinette (not an accurate quote, but it's permanently stuck in my memory)
🎶Cake By the Ocean by DNCE

#ManicMonday #🍰 @JoScho

JoScho 😊❤️🍰 6y
68 likes1 comment
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Nessavamusic
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#manicmonday @JoScho
🍰 The Coincidence of Coconut Cake - Amy E. Reichert
🧁 Bridesmaids
🎂 Cake by the Ocean
🥳🤤

JoScho 😊❤️🍰 6y
49 likes1 comment
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Judybskt
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Pickpick

Loved this! Cupcake overcame a system seemingly against her to make a life for herself. She writes with complete honesty.

hermyknee I loved it, too!! 6y
Wonderwoman89 I have that book on my tbr 6y
22 likes2 comments
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Judybskt
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Really enjoying this book. 🕯📖

hermyknee I‘m reading this right now, too! 6y
Judybskt @hermyknee do you like it? 6y
hermyknee I do. It‘s heartbreaking, but so good. I‘m listening to it on audible and Bahni Turpin reads 💖 6y
20 likes3 comments
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Judybskt
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Enjoying some coffee. Wish I was reading. Trying to finish up some work so I can run some errands.

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Judybskt
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19 likes1 stack add
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Davilly
Pickpick

One of the first 'proper' books I ever read. I love how strong she is after all that she's been through. I really felt a connection with the writer and could sympathise with some of the hard times in her life. This was the first book I really enjoyed, and was a reading hater prior to this book. Through this Author I found a genre of books I didn't really know existed, and so it will always have a special place in my heart.

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MsLeah8417
Piece of Cake: A Memoir | Cupcake Brown
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Whoa, what a life.😔

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LtDaaan_ICECREAM
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7 likes1 stack add
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LtDaaan_ICECREAM
Piece of Cake: A Memoir | Cupcake Brown
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3 likes1 stack add
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LtDaaan_ICECREAM
Piece of Cake: A Memoir | Cupcake Brown
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Currently reading A Piece of Cake by Cupcake Brown... one of my all time favorite memoirs 🦄

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MsLeah8417
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Coming up soon

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Gayan
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Now I‘m back at work and trying to decide on my lunchtime read. Thanks @Josie for the recommend!

Josie 🎂🎂🎂 (there‘s no cupcake emoji) 7y
stargazerblue49 @Josie I find it upsetting that there is not a cupcake emoji. 7y
GoldenGirl I read that book years ago and at first I hated it bc she's not the most intelligent peraon, but her story was amazing! 7y
Josie @GoldenGirl she‘s amazing, and I didn‘t find her to be unintelligent at all. She survived everything she did, didn‘t she? That requires some level of intelligence. So does writing and publishing a book. 7y
42 likes4 comments
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diovival
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I got a surprise early birthday cake. Also, I'm quite fond of pigeons so this card is the best thing ever. 🎂

bookloo Oh my god! Happy Early Birthday! ☺️🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 7y
ValerieAndBooks Happy early birthday 🎂 !! 7y
jfalkens Happy early birthday! 🎊📖🎂🎉📚🍰 7y
diovival @jfalkens Thanks! It was a sweet surprise. 7y
30 likes5 comments
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Jburkemartin
Piece of Cake: A Memoir | Cupcake Brown
Pickpick

Eye opening and amazing

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Dstconnected37
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This is definitely a great read! Sad and gritty but one of the best reads I've had in a while!

RaimeyGallant Welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon (edited) 7y
Dstconnected37 Thanks! 7y
Jess7 Welcome! 7y
6 likes1 stack add3 comments
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monkeygirlsmama
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Pickpick

I read this years ago; so it seemed fitting to tie to this final bday post. For #GypsyKatsBirthdayWeek, I shared some pics of a few bday cakes my mum has made my daughters over the years. Everyone seemed to like them which made me want to share this year's. Two things you should know:

1. My dd ❤️s hippos and has since she was a baby.
2. My mum made the cake for her bday even though we're clear around the world and can't eat it. ☺️

WarpedSweetness That cake is awesome! 7y
batsy Love it 😀 7y
Yeah_I_Read I love it! It reminds me of the hippo from Madagascar 😊 7y
See All 11 Comments
monkeygirlsmama @Yeah_I_Read Gloria! You're right, it does me too now that you mention it. 😀 7y
britt_brooke So cute! 7y
Yeah_I_Read @monkeygirlsmama Gloria! I couldn't think of her name lol 7y
monkeygirlsmama @Yeah_I_Read I've seen those movies so many times. I think my daughter might disown me if I forgot her (hippo) name. 😝 7y
Yeah_I_Read @monkeygirlsmama I've seen them a million times too lol I think I've repressed the memories for the most part 🙌🙌 7y
Texreader I love the hippo and I love your mom. Wow!!! 7y
Hooked_on_books What a cute cake! 7y
Lmstraubie Your mom is AWESOME!!! 7y
68 likes11 comments
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Clwojick
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As a general rule, after I have read a book I will pass it along to a fellow bibliophile. So, although my current collection is small, it is forever changing. I love this little bookshelf and all the stories it holds for me in the near future. @Liberty #SPACEJAM ❤️📚💙

Dstconnected37 I loveeee that one 7y
14 likes1 comment
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Clwojick
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When you find 3 books at the thrift store and they're all the same shade of lime green. 😆 #apieceofcake #theartofcrashlanding #lullabiesforlittlecriminals

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appleoforange
Pickpick

Deeply emotional book, superbly written and although can be very sad at times, it's also uplifting and with much to teach the reader :) and quite surprisingly funny !

Bookladylinda I need to move this book up on my TBR! Welcome to Litsy!!!! #LitsyWelcomeWagon 7y
RaimeyGallant Welcome! 7y
RaimeyGallant @Bookladylinda I've been tagging onto all of your welcome wagon posts. Woohoo! 7y
Bookladylinda @RaimeyGallant Thank you so much!!!! 😊😊 7y
Jess7 Welcome! 7y
4 likes5 comments
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goodbyefrancie
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Work break...should be good for two chapters at least.

68 likes2 comments
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Josie
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#17booklove Day 9: Memoir Love. I went through a big memoir phase when I was in high school. I don't read memoirs anymore unless they come highly recommended and it's not a famous person. I always seem to be disappointed by celebrity memoirs. As I've gotten older, I find that memoirs tend to bore me. Anybody have any recommendations??

Reviewsbylola Running With Scissors is one of my favorites. I absolutely fell in love with Esmeralda Santiago's memoirs. 8y
Reviewsbylola I am currently reading Coretta Scott King's autobiography and it reads like a memoir. 8y
Josie @Reviewsbylola oh awesome! And totally relevant for what's going on in the world! 8y
See All 16 Comments
Dogearedcopy 'H is for Hawk' (by Helen MacDonald) - About a woman who goes through grief recovery while training a goshawk. There are also biographical bits about T.H. White... While this all sounds very odd and esoteric, it works. If you are into audio, she also does an extraordinary job of narrating her own work. Absolutely mesmerizing! (edited) 8y
Josie @Dogearedcopy well that sounds just odd enough to be amazing!! Stacked! Thank you :) 8y
monkeygirlsmama I've read all of those except for Griffin's. Didn't care for Dry. 8y
Josie @monkeygirlsmama I didn't like Dry as much as Running with Scissors. And Griffin's was good! I was obsessed with her when it came out so I was expecting more, but I still liked it. 8y
Bookladylinda I own A Piece of Cake as well, I haven't read it yet but I love the cover!! 8y
Josie @Bookladylinda it's soooo good. It's my favorite memoir ever. A friend gave it to me while I was in high school. I want to reread it soon! 8y
Gayan I have all of these but haven't read them all. @Bookladylinda I also love that book cover and now that Josie has recommended it I will read it for sure. 8y
Josie @Gayan yay!!!! 8y
LazyLibrary I'm not big into memoirs but I LOVED the glass castle! 8y
AlaMich Did her mama really name her Cupcake?? (Of course, I cut to most important question) 8y
tapgurl I loved all of those! Rob Lowe's first book was excellent. Very interesting to learn the back details of his break into show business. 8y
Josie @AlaMich she sure did lol 8y
Bookladylinda @Gayan @Josie Me too!!! 🙂 8y
97 likes16 comments
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MrBook
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#TBRtemptation post! Another bit-older book the library has acquired by popular demand. Just reading the back cover of this title is eye-popping--sheesh! A young woman who dealt with parental death, foster parent abuse, boozing, drugs, prostitution, miscarriage, homelessness.....all before turning 20?! Whoa 😳😱!!! And then how she turned her life around and came back from the brink to become a successful lawyer?! #blameLitsy #blameMrBook 😎

Gayan I have this book and have never read it. Moving it up on the TBR list. 8y
Livelovebark How do you ever get any work done? I'm not sure I would have the self control to not curl up in the corner with every new book that came across my desk 😱 8y
tapgurl Omg this book was excellent! I picked it for my book club choice and held the meeting in a fancy cupcake bakery:)) 8y
See All 9 Comments
Reviewsbylola I gifted this one to @Meredith3 for Christmas. 😂 8y
courtney I read this book in high school and LOVED it. It's easily one of my favorite memoirs of all time. Definitely heavy in some parts, but her journey is incredible 8y
MrBook @Gayan Yaay 😁👏🏻🙌🏻! @Livelovebark Very meticulously 😂👏🏻! @tapgurl Oh, wow! That's so cool 😁👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻! @Reviewsbylola Aww 😊👍🏻! @courtney Wow, high school! 😁👏🏻👏🏻😂 8y
MrBook @courtney Nix that last smiley, it was supposed to be another 👏🏻 8y
tapgurl I too, wonder how you get any work done. I think I would get fired for reading on the job! 8y
MrBook @tapgurl It takes great concerted effort on my part 😆😎👍🏻! 8y
97 likes10 stack adds9 comments
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Meredith3
Piece of Cake: A Memoir | Cupcake Brown
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My Christmas book haul! Thank you to my mom and sisters for introducing me to litsy! Now I just need to figure out which book to read first 🤔...

emilyhaldi Welcome to litsy you little litten kitten!! 😽😽😽 8y
Reviewsbylola Lol who bought you zodiac?? 8y
Meredith3 Chris got it for me! @Reviewsbylola 8y
See All 6 Comments
MrBook #NiceStack! A bit late, but better late than never: welcome to Litsy!!! 8y
Meredith3 Thank you, @MrBook ! 😸 8y
RadicalReader @Meredith3 welcome to Litsy. What do you think about this website since you discovered it? I myself found it in the App Store and beyond glad I did 8y
18 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Josie
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#somethingforsept day 4! If you like memoirs, you should pick this up. I read it in high school (which was about 8 years ago) and I still remember most of what Cupcake Brown went through growing up. It's that scary. It's that sad. It's that REAL. It sticks with you. This was actually the first book I read by an author of color, and I'm so glad I did.

Gayan @Josie Now this is getting crazy. That was one of my books I am going to use for my picture today. We seem to always be thinking of the same books. 😳 8y
Josie @Gayan it's because we're soul mates... 8y
Gayan That's it! 8y
RealLifeReading I've not heard of this before. Will have to check it out 8y
40 likes9 stack adds4 comments
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BookMusings
Piece of Cake: A Memoir | Cupcake Brown
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Pink and green books you say? Just a great exercise for rediscovering great books on my shelves! Some I've read and some are still waiting. 💕

#augustphotochallenge

46 likes1 stack add
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Bombastic_beth
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Pickpick

Not an easy read, but definitely worth it. Cupcake has had a really hard life and overcomes so much. A truly inspiring story.

ReadingOver50 This book sounds amazing 8y
Bombastic_beth @ReadingOver50 It was! I was iffy about reading it because it was recommended by a friend, and I'm always the one who does the recommending. I'm so glad I gave it a chance. 8y
4 likes1 stack add2 comments
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BibliophileBelle
Pickpick

Great read if you work with youth, it's difficult to read at times but life isn't always a cakewalk. Cupcake Brown serves her life story on a plate, just remember there is always hope!

courtney I read this book in high school (10 years ago) and I still think about it on a regular basis! 9y
8 likes1 stack add1 comment