Customer Reviews

Trailer Trashed: My Dubious Efforts Toward Upward Mobility

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Hollis has wacky friends, a fascinating life, and wild and embarassing stories that she fortunately does not mind sharing. Her writing style and family stories remind me some of the Sedaris clan and a little of Terry Ryan, the woman who wrote The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio. I enjoy her musings about Grant/Lary/Daniel, faking her way through German translations, hell-fire cats, waiting for the neighborhood prostitute to claim her discarded go-go boots, or spilling the dirt on her sister who owns a bar in Nicaragua. Also, if you get the chance, go see Hollis speak in person - her quick wit will have you guffawing. I saw her with a standing room only crowd and she had 'em belly laughing. (full disclosure: I know and like Hollis. But she's funny, I'm telling you!).

At first I thought the title was purely creative, but once I started reading the book I realized Hollis really knows a thing or two about trailers, and is honestly sharing her life experiences as she climbs the ladder of success. The stories in this book are absolutely hilarious, and inspiring for anyone who likes to read about free spirited/creative/honest/successful people.

Based on the written material about the book I was expecting a Southern humorist along the lines of Dave Barry or perhaps Lewis Grizzard. And, while I did laugh out loud in a number of places, the book has a greater depth and is much less sarcastic than Barry.

The book consists of a number of essays about her unusual life. That she was able to be as normal as she is, given her childhood, is amazing. And, her life today is anything but normal, with Lary, Grant and Daniel in her life. You would have to read it to believe what she has gone through.

One of the things that struck me as unusual was her ability to have me laughing a loud on one page and to have tears seeping from my eyes a page later. Many of the essays surrounding her childhood are not only funny, but poignant as well. Maybe I was so affected because we share similar experiences from childhood.

A wonderful read that may not be as funny as advertised, but which contains a number of lessons on life and how to survive. Keep it up Hollis....you are one amazing woman!

Oh God these people in the carpool line gonna be talkin' 'bout me, y'all... day after day there I am in my white Honda, reading Trailer Trashed - yesterday I was laughing so hard I was gulping for air - today? tears were streaming and I had to search the abyss (formerly known as the backseat) for a Kleenex, so I missed my cue to inch forward - which caused all kinds of problems for these people I'll tell you. What's their rush? Why so bent out of shape at 3:09 on a Tuesday?

They need a copy for their ownselves - maybe they'd put down their stupid cell phones and quit honkin' their angry horns at me if they could get a glimpse into Hollis Gillespie's world - she's my kind of people.

I have three books by Hollis. This one has the magic like her first book. It brings me to tears. She is an excellent writer. People ask me what I'm reading before work. I tell them. I love Hollis. She is great!

I have toyed with the idea of trailer living since it seems so cost-efficient and sensible. I attribute this to watching too many episodes of The Rockford Files.

While researching the subject a bit I stumbled across Hollis Gillespie's book, Trailer Trashed.
It's a fun and colorful read with a strange band of quirky characters, in and out of her life. I suppose one could call her a latter day Erma Bombeck. She explains that as a child, her father was a trailer salesman and that she grew up in a world of trailers. When she described one rolling home as a "canned ham" trailer, I knew instantly the design she surely meant.

I still think trailer life makes a lot of sense for some but probably not for me. In the meantime, I highly recommend Miss Gillespies book as a fun read and required reading for those contemplating making their life simpler by endorsing trailer life. Apparently, it does't work.

When I began the book at first I didn't think it was going to live up to the hype. The more I read the more I laughed, out loud! There is a note of seriousness but I really loved it, I am going to get her other books.

I really do like this book. I've met Hollis and my boys love Grant at the Local but honestly - potty mouth aside -many of her stories are very touching. Then take a breath as the next one is as likely to make you laugh out loud. Now if you don't have a an open mind and if you can't appreciate other's lifestyle choices - then maybe another book choice would be better. But if you like David Sedaris - I'd say there is a good chance you will like this one too. Me for one, I'm a fan of both but then I like to laugh!

You know, Hollis is the one author that I wish were my neighbor and good friend! What fun it would be to "hang" with her and her band of weird friends. I've read all of her books and laughed so hard that many times I had to put the book down because I had tears in my eyes and couldn't read the words on the page.

Through all the humor, there shines the real Hollis, who is a kind and sincere person...a bit off center, but wonderful just the same. You will love this book!

Writer Hollis Gillespie latest book, Trailer Trashed: My Dubious Efforts Toward Upward Mobility is a fitting capstone to the third of series of autobiographical tales of life in the dirty, dirty- Atlanta.


Gillespie first entry into the literal world, Bleachy-Haired Honky Bitch was a series of halting personal essays which introduce her parents, a drinking silver tongue trailer salesman and a Salem smoking bomb building mother. This contemporary nuclear family lays the foundation as she struggles in finding her identity.


If friends are the family we choose, Gillespie has a doozy, a trio of Grant, Lary, and Daniel are her support network who each add spice to a flavorful life.


In the sequel, Confessions of a Recovering Slut, the flow transitions smoothly from essay to essay revealing a personal peek into the inner thoughts of Gillespie as she deals with single motherhood and the American dream, home ownership.


A modern day Margaret Mitchell, Gillespie captures in Trailer Trashed the challenges of daily southern inner city living. Her roller coaster existence is filled with adventure as she seeks to be the ideal mother, friend, and lover.


Read it and you will laugh, cry, and be transported into a world of hope.