‘Reading this book felt as intimate as having a long, heart-breakingly vulnerable yet hilarious conversation with Clare by a fire with wine in hand. It is a celebration of the human struggle, how we can learn to befriend (and say “f@#k off” to) our demons, and ultimately write our own story. There is so much hope in this book.’—Missy Higgins
‘Clare Bowditch opens her heart and history with staggering generosity—unpicking the birth of her creativity and the early scars that forged her. Much like the woman herself, Your Own Kind of Girl is unflinching, entertaining, inspiring and real. I inhaled this book.’
—Kat Stewart
‘Clare Bowditch cements her status as one of Australia’s most mesmerising storytellers with this debut. Her ability to lay bare the vulnerabilities, hurts and triumphs of a woman’s life is second to none. She’s my kind of girl, for sure.’—Clementine Ford
‘A brave and generous work. Never didactic or patronising, Bowditch nonetheless has much to share as she invites the reader inside the tender heart and evolving mind of a young woman determined to make sense of herself and her place in the world. Told with Bowditch’s trademark warmth and openness, this book is an act of compassion as much as it is the product of diligent reflection and insight.’—Peggy Frew
‘For parents, indeed anyone that would like to understand mental illness, and that recovery is possible. Clare writes with extraordinary self-awareness and insight. Her journey encourages anyone to keep going; to believe that there is something better, to take one step at a time toward it, and not to give up. A truly compelling story of resilience, survival and growth.’—Dr Charlotte Keating
‘A deeply revealing insight into how a true artist is born. Brutally honest, compelling and affecting, Clare’s luminous warmth shines through every page.’—Kate Miller-Heidke
‘I fell in love with this book from the start—it’s a brutally honest, witty, smart and courageous account of Clare Bowditch finding her path and her power.’—Eddie Perfect
‘Clare’s story (so far) reveals how resilience is created from the suffering life inflicts. Clare discovers the unlikely weapons of FAFL and FOF to kickstart her recovery and combat “Frank”, her internal nemesis, and with the guidance of Ron, her therapist, she transforms breakdown into breakthrough. Clare’s suffering morphs into flourishing, as this highly creative human finds her authentic self and builds her artistic career and her own family. Clare’s honesty and warmth shines strongly through the pages of this inspiring and moving memoir.’—Professor Pat McGorry
‘Vibrant, touching, hilarious. Clare’s heart-baring makes me want to live brighter, tell more truths, and laugh—in a sweet way—at my self-criticism and fears. This is book is a healer.’—Danielle LaPorte, author of The Desire Map
‘Clare takes us to the edge of the stuff we flee from—the late-night inner turmoil of an eating disorder, the loneliness of being the “fat kid” and death—so that, as her friend Leonard Cohen once said, the light might come in.’—Sarah Wilson
‘What I love best about the glorious Clare Bowditch is how richly she embraces life and holds to what’s most sustaining. Her beautiful book is so like her music: bold, original, earthy, funny, grateful, honest, truthful and tuneful—and fabulously female.’
—Stephanie Dowrick, author of Choosing Happiness: Life & Soul Essentials