I grew up with Mara, not from "Matilda" but "The Miracle on 34th Street." So, entering this book, I was curious to know more about the talented little girl who just... vanished from my television screen, who has a sarcastic, witty sense of humor online, and whose blog post for Robin Willians made me cry. I expected some anecdotes from set, maybe to learn a little more about her costars. 
 And there is some of that, but less than I anticipated. It's more a collection of random moments, thoughts, ideas, even a philosophical chapter on how her perception of God shifted over the years, with a sort of raw, brutal honesty you don't often find these days (and yeah, it's funny in places). It was an engaging read -- I got through the entire book without putting it down in a single three-hour sitting -- but... it was surreal in a way, and at times, went places that I wasn't sure I wanted to go. 
 See, since Mara didn't grow up in front of me, part of me still thinks of her as that cute little girl, Susan, from "The Miracle on 34th Street." So I got a bit shell-shocked in places. I'm not sure I wanted to know about a one night stand, or budding sexual awakening, although the chapters dealing with her dawning realizations about beauty in Hollywood (one she "didn't fit"), her attempts to self-sabotage in read-through's (successful), and her ongoing, increasing battle with OCD (to the point where she washes her hands so much, her fingers chap) are... gut-wrenching, even more so if you know someone, or are someone, with the same disorder. I was thrown back reading all the pop culture references, as it suddenly dawned on me -- hey, we grew up together! And... she was on livejournal? She coasts through tumblr?! She visits YouTube!? And reads IDMb forums?!?! 
 Maybe the gap between starlet and common girl isn't so wide after all -- although, as she points out, it can sometimes be devastating to Google yourself. At twelve. And find websites claiming to host naked pictures of you, and old men who want to lick your toes. 
 Eww. 
 Just... eww. 
 So if you ever read this, Mara (for all I know, you haunt Goodreads too) -- good book. It caught me by surprise. You are honest. And talented. And brave, for facing down a hostile house as a storyteller. Reach for the stars.