I started listening to Laura Tremaine’s podcasts because she talks a lot about books, which I love. Plus one of my friends was a guest on her show, which I also love. So yes, Tremaine is a bibliophile, but she’s also a talker and a sharer, which is more what this book is about. She writes it with the “Ten questions to take your friendships to the next level” tagline, but I didn’t quite see it that same way. I saw it more as part self-help and part-memoir. The self-help part is in the forms of prompts to get you to tell your own story (which is hugely therapeutic) and how to get others to share theirs (which is a great way to become a good listener and a good friend). The premise is that by opening up, we give others a safe space to do the same. Yes, I agree, but I think just as valuable is understanding ourselves by unpacking our own stories. The memoir part is in the form of her sharing her stories, the “I’ll Go First” part of her title. She ends each chapter is ten thinking questions, which are really great for getting started.
Obviously I don’t actually know Laura Tremaine, but she shares a lot of herself, starting with the preface, written by her bestie, Jenna Fischer (aka, Pam Beasley Halpert). That was lots of fun. But probably my favorite part was near the end of the book, in the chapter talking about what broke you, when Tremaine explains the “vulnerability hangover.” That was just so helpful and validating, to hear that yes, when you share the really hard stuff you need to go lie down and regroup. It’s so nice when someone really gets it.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC, I love those!

I wanted to read this book because I enjoy listening to Laura Tremaine's podcast, 10 Things to Tell You. Laura is a gifted communicator and a talented storyteller. The cover is appealing and some readers will likely enjoy her guidance regarding self-help. In theory the book's format is clever: a memoir blended with a how-to guide for building deeper, more authentic relationships.
For me, the juxtaposition of the stories with unrelated prompts and top ten lists was frustrating. I wanted a much deeper, more compelling reading experience. The flitting between topics, some of which were lighthearted and some deeply personal, was so bizarre.
This is an unusual book in comparison to others that Zondervan has published. I'm puzzled as to how the author's own personal experience translates to helping readers grow spiritually. Perhaps I have a different definition of spiritual growth and maybe I'm not the target audience for this book.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital ARC. All opinions shared here are my own.

I received a free digital advance review copy from Zondervan in exchange for my honest review.

Laura Tremaine's Share Your Stuff. I'll Go First. identifies 10 questions to invite deeper self reflection. While her stated goal is to use these questions to spark discussion with a friend, she also acknowledges that the questions work for "sharing with yourself" through journaling. Her informal conversational tone reads as if she's having a personal discussion with you over a cup of tea. I appreciated that she provides a number of prompts related to each overarching question, and I came away with a long list of journaling prompts for the future.

This book is like having a conversation with your most fascinating friend. The author peered into my soul and ask the exact right questions for sharing and self reflection. This book will be a cherished part of my home library.

What a lovely, heartfelt, quick read. I think the author does a wonderful job of describing her experiences and I liked the 10 things at the end of every chapter. I think this is a useful book for someone who wants to journal or begin to introspect on their life and their experiences. For me, it was a bit simple and, at times, dull. I wanted a richer book. I wanted more depth. Perhaps I’m at a different point in my life where these concepts aren’t new to me...I didn’t learn anything. That said, it’ll be helpful for many and I enjoyed the book. Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced
Copy. I’m grateful.

Pros: I first learned about Laura Tremaine from Anne Bogel’s podcast and through the Popcast with Knox and Jamie. I’ve listened to several of Laura Tremaine’s podcasts and especially enjoy her latest podcast 10 Things to Tell You, which is mirrored in the format of this book. I could hear her voice in my head as I read her words. Also, the author is a fellow Enneagram One, and I find her to be relatable in many ways. This would be a fun book to read with a book club because it has questions built in!

Cons: None really. The star rating I gave this book isn’t a reflection of anything this book did wrong. I just don’t give high star ratings to books in this genre.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zondervan for an ARC of this book!

I love Tremaine's podcast and this book is an extension of that. Tremaine offers a no frills look at life and motherhood and I really appreciate her outlook on things. I found myself reaching for this book when I needed a little pick me up. It felt cozy like having a chat over coffee with a friend.

I love Laura Temaine's podcast 10 Things to Tell You, and this book and an excellent continuation of the concept of community and sharing our stuff. I LOVE the way she builds community and friendships. She's not into small talk. She goes deep right away and I am here for it. She offers reflections on her life -which allows us freedom to do the same. I'll be taking these questions to my journal and my closest friends. What a gift this book is!

I’ve been a fan of Laura Tremaine’s podcast, 10 Things to Tell You, for a long time and have been so looking forward to the release of her book. I was thrilled to receive an ARC from NetGalley and Zondervan in exchange for an honest review.

As I said, I’m a listener of Laura’s podcast. She is such a fresh and friendly voice for my generation. She’s honest, down-to-earth, and already feels like a friend. This book felt no different. I felt like Laura was telling ME her stories and probing me to tell mine.

This book spurred me on to think and write about some big ideas. I know I'm going to keep coming back to Share Your Stuff for fresh inspiration.

This book is lovely and heartfelt and encouraging- everything the word needs right now!

What an awesome book told as those you're sitting in front of Laura Tremaine having a conversation - girlfriend to girlfriend! She's funny, quirky, honest and oh, so right! These are things we need to think about and talk about. We need to spend time in reflection of who and what matters in our life. Where should we focus our energy, time and money. Who should we care for and about, wonder and worry about as we go through each day. What a fantastic series of questions and answers I'd encourage everyone to read!

Use of the word girlfriend is cringey and outdated, friend would suffice.

Interesting but feel have heard most of the themes on her blog/podcast

Share Your Stuff. I'll Go First was just what I wanted and needed it to be. I am all in for self reflection and growth through connections. Laura's stories and prompts are so relatable, but also a good firm push into taking a deeper look into who we are as people. My bestie and I talked through different sections and our own reactions to the prompts and stories and it was so good for both of us. I very rarely read non fiction on my ereader, but this was a must read. (but you should preorder in paper) I can't wait to share this with my book club and friends.

I envision you reading this book by sharing it with a best friend or partner or with your group of girlfriends over margaritas, going through the chapters together and answering them from a place of truth. The things you've never talked about as well as the stories you've trotted out so many times you've memorized the punch lines.

Let these questions spark conversations. Sharing is contagious, so I'm hoping that sharing my stuff with lead you to share yours. Our time on earth is short, and building connections with one another makes every season better. I want you to share your stuff. I'll go first.

I started this blog in 2009, when I graduated from college, and I started my then-film blog (now Yes/No Detroit) in 2010. One of the bloggers I first started following during that period was Laura Tremaine, who had a blog called Hollywood Housewife. I've kept up with Laura through Twitter and her Facebook page, and although the blog was shuttered in 2015, she now has a podcast and still has an enewsletter to which I subscribe. Therefore, I was excited to see that she now has written a book.

Official synopsis:
Book Review: Share Your Stuff. I'll Go First.: 10 Questions to Take Your Friendships to the Next Level, by Laura Tremaine
Part memoir and part guidebook, Share Your Stuff. I'll Go First. is the invitation you've been waiting for to show up with your whole self and discover the intimate, meaningful relationships you long for.

In spite of the hyper-connected culture we live in today, women still feel shamed for oversharing and being publicly vulnerable. And no matter how many friends we seem to have, many of us are still desperately lonely.

Laura Tremaine says it's time for something better. Openness and vulnerability are the foundation for human growth and healthy relationships, and it all starts when we share our stuff, the nitty-gritty daily details about ourselves with others. Laura has led the way in her personal life with her popular blog and podcast, and now with lighthearted self-awareness, a sensitivity to the important things in life, and compelling storytelling, Laura gives you the tools to build and deepen the conversations happening in your life.

Laura's stories about her childhood in Oklahoma, her complicated shifts in faith and friendships, and her marriage to a Hollywood movie director will prompt you to identify the beautiful narrative and pivotal milestones of your own life. Each chapter offers intriguing and reflective questions that will reveal unique details and stories you've never thought to tell and will guide you into cultivating the authentic connection with others that only comes from sharing yourself.

This is probably not an unbiased review—this book comes off as 75% memoir and 25% a help/advice book, and I loved the memoir sections. Some of the memoir parts were things I had heard before, either through the author's Twitter or blog, and some were new to me: like how she met her husband (Jeff Tremaine, director of jackass: the movie and other films) and why she decided to move to L.A. from her native Oklahoma.

I don't usually read a lot of nonfiction, but I do enjoy memoirs, and I really enjoyed this one. I've always enjoyed reading Laura's work online, and reading a book of hers was no different; she's a talented writer, and it made for easy reading.

4.5 out of 5 stars.

I started listening to Laura’s podcast 10 Things To Tell You the 4th week and have enjoyed it ever since. When I heard her announce she was writing a book, I knew I would be purchasing it. Thankfully I was given an early copy of it through Netgalley and the publisher to review.
This book was everything I wanted it to be and more. I felt like I was sitting with Laura and having a conversation. Some these topics are hard but Laura made them all approachable. This book is such a great conversation starter and connection former. Do yourself a favor and order this book right this minute.

Share Your Stuff. I’ll Go First

I was so excited to receive this book from Netgalley and Zondervan. Laura Tremaine is one of my favorite people on the internet. I love her podcast, 10 Things to Tell You. I felt going in I was going to love this book and I was right.

Laura writes in such an amazing way. She is sharing her story but leads you into discovering your own. I connected with her in so many ways. She is from a small town in OK. I am from a small town in MN. She lives in LA and I live just outside Seattle. So much of her story resonates with me. However, that doesn’t have to be true for you to get as much as I did out of this book. The way that the book is laid out and how she shares leads you to remember those parts of your own life. I came out of this book knowing much about her but even more about myself. My journal was open next to me the whole time I was reading. I think I will go back and read the whole thing again, but slower.

I was so excited to get the ARC of this but I went ahead and preordered the book as well. I need the physical copy of this book in my home.

I found this book ok - I enjoyed it a bit more in the beginning than the last ~75%.

It felt disjointed between stories spanning all periods of her life in a random order, and then a variety of lists at the end of each chapter that were completely unrelated. I got a little bored at the repetitive nature and similar stories chapter after chapter.

It’s a good book for someone who is starting to journal, or interested in creative writing. It has lots of good moments, just a bit non-cohesive.

It takes talent to write a memoir that keeps the reader engaged *and* compels him or her to close the book and take the next step that was outlined within the pages. I wouldn't say this is one of my favorite books... I may return to the questions, but it isn't a re-read for me. However, it deserves a good rating as it succeeds at what it was created to do.

I really loved this book! I’ve followed Laura Tremaine for years through various media (blog, Facebook, Instagram) and still felt like I learned so much about her story. It was interesting, relatable, fun and introspective. I will definitely take the questions to some of my friends and I’m even thinking about journaling, which is something I don’t do! I recommend this book!

Thank you to @netgalley and @zondervan for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Share your Stuff • Laura Tremaine
⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)
——————————————————————
“Sharing our stuff drags it out of the darkness and into the light, and everything looks better in the light.”
——————————————————————
👍🏼 Thumbs Up:
A great book that leads you to contemplation about your friendships and life. Each chapter has practical question prompts to use in your conversations or journal.
•
👎🏻 Thumbs Down:
It felt a bit too earnest at times!
•
🤓 For Readers WHO:
Enjoy “self help” books or enjoy reflection.
•
👉🏼 This is what’s WHAT:
Laura Tremaine gives a memoir and guide to asking questions to deepen friendships. She tells stories from her life and gives 10 questions at the end of each chapter to prompt your own vulnerability and reflection.
•
⏳WHEN I read this book:
I really enjoyed the question prompts and jotted them down to ask my friends and family!
•
🚨WHERE you should watch out:
No triggers that I can remember!
•
📍WHY you should read this book:
Read it if you’re wanting to find out how to deepen your conversations!
•
📚 HOW I read this book:
eARC from @netgalley and @zondervan

I couldn’t have chosen a better book to be my first read of 2021. Share Your Stuff: I’ll Go First by Laura Tremaine is the book version of a good friend clasping your hands between theirs, looking you in the eyes, and asking, “How are you doing, friend? Tell me everything.” It is a warm and inviting book about connection: connection to our friends and community, and especially to ourselves.

This book contains 10 questions that will make great prompts for your journal, a book club, or conversations with a friend. In the same kind, nonjudgmental, and sincere way that Laura asks questions on her popular @10thingstotellyou podcast and blog, Share Your Stuff is a book that encourages you to know yourself and to allow yourself to be known. As the title suggests, she leads by example by also answering each question for herself.

I’ve been following @laura.tremaine for many years through multiple podcasts, blogs, and social media platforms, and this book contained so many stories I’d never heard her tell before. She’s not asking you to be vulnerable while only recycling the same handful of carefully-worded stories she’s put out into the world before. She’s bravely practicing what she preaches.

Okay good news/bad news time:

First, bad news— This book doesn’t release until February 2. (I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from NetGalley which is how I was able to read it early.) I know, waiting is hard.

But GOOD NEWS—-this means you still have time to *preorder* your copy (from anywhere, in any format) so you can go to her website and get all the amazing pre-order bonuses, which include a printable journal, bonus interviews, and access to a private FB book club. Yay for free stuff! 🎉

I’ve already preordered my copy (yes, I spent $ to buy something I already read for free) because I can’t wait to re-read and discuss this book with my friends, and to return to the questions regularly when I need to pause and reflect. And, if I’m being totally honest, I just want this beautiful pink cover on display on my bookshelf. 😍