Book ~ "Scrappy Little Nobody" (2016) Anna Kendrick

From Goodreads ~ Even before she made a name for herself on the silver screen starring in films like "Pitch Perfect", "Up in the Air", "Twilight" and "Into the Woods", Anna Kendrick was unusually small, weird and “10 percent defiant.”

At the ripe age of thirteen, she had already resolved to “keep the crazy inside my head where it belonged. Forever. But here’s the thing about crazy: It. Wants. Out.” In "Scrappy Little Nobody", she invites readers inside her brain, sharing extraordinary and charmingly ordinary stories with candor and winningly wry observations.

With her razor-sharp wit, Anna recounts the absurdities she’s experienced on her way to and from the heart of pop culture as only she can - from her unusual path to the performing arts (Vanilla Ice and baggy neon pants may have played a role) to her double life as a middle-school student who also starred on Broadway to her initial “dating experiments” (including only liking boys who didn’t like her back) to reviewing a binder full of butt doubles to her struggle to live like an adult woman instead of a perpetual “man-child.”

Enter Anna’s world and follow her rise from “scrappy little nobody” to somebody who dazzles on the stage, the screen, and now the page - with an electric, singular voice, at once familiar and surprising, sharp and sweet, funny and serious (well, not that serious). 

I like reading bios/autobios.  Though I'm not a fan of Anna Kendrick (I don't dislike her), this book was popular when it came out so I thought I'd check it out.

Anna Kendrick is an American actress and singer (born in 1985).  She began her career as a child actor in theater productions.  Her first prominent role was in the 1998 Broadway musical High Society, which earned her a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She made her film debut in 2003.  She rose to prominence for her supporting role as Jessica Stanley in The Twilight Saga (I've never seen them).  She came onto my radar in the 2009 movie Up in the Air (in which she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress).  I've since since her in Pitch Perfect, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates and Table 19.

It was interesting to get a behind-the-scenes look at what it was like when she was a struggling actress (living with roommates, driving a beater, etc.), what's involved in shooting a movie (both small independent movies and big-screen movies), being on the red carpet and award shows, etc.  The chapter she spent in great detail telling about the parties she wants to throw was boring.

I thought this book was okay.  She's only 32 so hasn't got that much of a story to tell.  I thought the writing style was okay but thought she was unlikable at times.  I found her a bit annoying and whiny but I think it was perhaps her attempt at being humorous?  As a head's up, there is swearing and adult activity.