Smile for the Camera: A Memoir Paperback – November 1, 2011

There is never a dull moment in this stunning memoir of the life of a wannabe model/actress in New York in the late 1970's.Kelle James escapes her home of neglect, corporal punishment, and verbal abuse at the tender age of sixteen to seek a brighter future in the Big Apple.Her beauty is a blessing, as well as a curse as she navigates the strange city on her own until a colorful cast of characters joins her on her journey.Kelle writes with humor, humility, audacity, and heart. She's the heroine you laugh with, cry for, but can't help cheer for as she not only survives life in the big city, but ultimately conquers it with tenacity and grace.I read this book in one sitting. I attempted to put it down to prolong my enjoyment, but Kelle jumped off the page and into my heart.I highly recommend this book to any young person longing to fulfill their passion in a big city, as well as anyone who came of age in the 1970's who remembers the carefree, (and often cringe-worthy) era of disco, drugs, and unsafe sex."Smile For The Camera" was consistently compelling until the very last page.I only hope that Kelle James honors us with more of her engaging prose.

This book is amazing in many ways. It is inspiring, funny and thrilling. It shows how someone can really have a wonderful life that started out horribly. It has this great stranger than fiction vibe, and while I don't often like historical books, this one has all the funny and exciting parts of fiction. It is a little depressing, which I think improves it, but if you prefer happy stories, move on. However, it is non-fiction. That means alot of things seem poorly or choppily written, not because of bad writing, but because often LIFE seems poorly written. Read this if you want a book:That's inspiringA little depressingRated R, for sureExcitingFunnyHistoricalIs about the 70'sNew YorkAbusePsychologyFriendshipJoyFamilyIndependenceDon't read this ifYou don't read at at least a 7th grade levelYou are very sensitiveYou are looking for a book about modeling

I liked this book, it took a long time for the author to develop the outckme, but over all it was an amazing movie.

This was a well written, quick summer read for me. I enjoy connecting with the author & her struggles and finding a relation with her hardships that she endured aspiring for her dreams. As many others, I am hoping for a second book to see where life has taken this strong author.

I love memoirs and this was pretty good. James moves to New York at a young age to escape her abusive father, and she includes flashbacks to her childhood. If reading about physical and verbal abuse bothers you, don't buy this book.

My daughter bought this book and we are now past the return window. She is get getting to page 330 and BAM the pages from page 330 - 364 are completely OUT OF ORDER! It is not even possible to jump from one page to another as some are not even numbered and it none are in the right sequence. She is now late getting her summer school project completed. This is a real disappointment. Not sure what she will do now. Not happy!

i bought the book for my english class but i ended up enjoying it. i would recommend it to others.

I highly recommend this beautiful memoir. I found it to be deeply impactful, so very human, touching, honest and brilliantly written.

Das Buch lässt sich sehr gut und flüssig lesen. Die Geschichte wird sehr charmant, manchmal amüsant und derweil auch spannend erzählt. Die Autorin bleibt immer glaubhaft und man kann sich gut mit ihr identifizieren.Allerdings bleiben die Rückblenden in die Kindheit nur sporadisch, man bekommt nur Eindrücke und erfährt nichts genaueres. Ich hatte da etwas andere Erwartungen.

Exciting book! Grade eleven girls loved this novel! I read it myself and found that I couldn't put it down.

okay condition