Assortment of top titles. Discover top titles, podcasts, and more on Audible. Try 30 days free.
To share your reaction on this item, open the Amazon app from the App Store or Google Play on your phone.

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Audiobook Price: $19.10

Save: $6.11 (32%)

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.

Added to

Sorry, there was a problem.

There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem.

List unavailable.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Laura Chinn
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Acne: A Memoir Kindle Edition

by Laura Chinn (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 108 ratings
See all formats and editions
From the creator and star of Florida Girls comes a hilarious and profound memoir about family, happiness, and really aggressive acne.

Despite having dirty-blonde hair and fair skin, Laura Chinn is mixed-race: the daughter of a Black father and a white mother, which on its own makes for some funny and insightful looks at identity. Laura’s parents were both Scientologists and nonconformists in myriad ways. They divorced early in Laura’s childhood, and she spent her teen years ping-ponging back and forth between Clearwater, Florida, and Los Angeles (with an extended stint in Tijuana for good measure).

Laura lived alone and raised herself for long periods of time, but don’t worry! Her mom’s alcoholic boyfriend was always nearby to supervise. She also lost family members to horrific tragedies, started drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes when she was eleven years old, and dropped out of school when she was fifteen, all the while completely obsessed with and scarred by her severe acne condition. 

This is not a sad story. There is Jell-O wrestling. There is an abnormal amount of dancing. There is information about whether you can drink gallons of sangria while taking unregulated Accutane acquired in Mexico. But mostly there is love, and ultimately there is redemption. Laura explores her trauma through anecdotes riddled with grit and humor, proving that in the face of unspeakable tragedy, it is possible to find success, love, and self-acceptance, zits and all.

Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    321 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Grand Central Publishing
  4. Publication date
    July 19, 2022
  5. File size
    2191 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
Next slide of product details

From the Publisher

Acne

Acne

Acne

Acne

Editorial Reviews

Review

Brutally honest, hilarious and horrifying. Reading this book was like whispering late-night secrets with a long-lost best friend.-- "Jenny Lawson"

As someone who's known Laura and would beg for more stories of her adolescence, I knew her memoir would be wickedly hilarious. What I was not expecting was to burst into tears while reading it on a very quiet airplane. I laughed and wept my way through Acne as fast as I could to see what could possibly happen next. Laura's unfathomably bizarre life is beautifully told in the most delightful and heart-wrenching way, ultimately leaving me full of gratitude and hope. And a much greater understanding of all of those Florida stereotypes.
--Kaitlin Olson

You know how people justify insane horrors by saying, 'It was a different time'? Laura Chinn will transport you to that time. This book is funny and heartbreakingly honest.-- "Tina Fey"

Chinn shares deeply personal stories that will make you inappropriately laugh out loud until you are in tears. There also will be times when you will not be able to stop the real tears from flowing in this heart-touching story of self-love and perseverance.
--Kym Whitley

About the Author

Laura Chinn has been writing for television for a decade on some very good shows and some very bad shows. She takes credit only for the good ones. She created and starred in Pop TV's Florida Girls and enjoys writing about the unique state of Florida, where she lived as a teenager. She now lives in Los Angeles where she performs improv at the UCB theater and tries to learn how to surf every summer.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09L81M7HL
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Grand Central Publishing (July 19, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 19, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2191 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 321 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 108 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Laura Chinn

Laura Chinn

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
108 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the story heartfelt, touching, and cathartic. They appreciate the author's sense of humor and find the journey incredible and remarkable. Readers love the book and recommend it as one of the best memoirs they have ever read.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
Heartfelt storyHumorJourney qualityReadability
6 customers mention "Heartfelt story"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the story heartfelt and enjoyable to read. They are touched by the author's introspective journey and find it cathartic and spiritually uplifting. Readers also mention that the book is challenging and profoundly transformative.

"I'm crying after finishing this wonderful book today. It touched me deeply. But these are not sad tears, although there are sad tears in the book...." Read more

"...read over the past 75 years, “Acne” has been the most challenging, cathartic and spiritually enhancing...." Read more

"...well into my thirties, I related to her physical pain and introspective journey. A funny, heartfelt memoir from a brave, smart woman...." Read more

"What a story. Chinn's journey is just remarkable. Funny. Heart-breaking. Honest. I felt every page." Read more

4 customers mention "Humor"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the author's humor. They say the writing is funny and engaging.

"...Mostly this book made me laugh, many times out loud. This author has a sense of humor and can write in a way that brings you along with her in..." Read more

"...A funny, heartfelt memoir from a brave, smart woman. Thank you for sharing." Read more

"What a story. Chinn's journey is just remarkable. Funny. Heart-breaking. Honest. I felt every page." Read more

"Painful, poignant and funny...." Read more

3 customers mention "Journey quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the journey in the book incredible and remarkable. They describe it as a journey of discovery.

"...If you like memoirs, you have an incredible voyage of discovery awaiting you getting to know the life of Laura Chinn." Read more

"What a story. Chinn's journey is just remarkable. Funny. Heart-breaking. Honest. I felt every page." Read more

"...Her journey is incredible to say the least...." Read more

3 customers mention "Readability"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. Reviewers say it's heartwarming and fun to read, and one of the best memoirs they have ever read.

"...I finished this book in two days. It's one of the best memoirs I have ever read. I am truly touched by her story. I hope to read more of her books...." Read more

"I loved this book and highly recommend it for anyone interested in self-love, healing, pain, loss, forgiveness and everything in between." Read more

"Both Heartrending and Fun to Read!!!..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Barbara Brittain
    5.0 out of 5 stars Laugh, cry, and most of all, feel
    Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I'm crying after finishing this wonderful book today. It touched me deeply. But these are not sad tears, although there are sad tears in the book. These are tears of release, and love. Mostly this book made me laugh, many times out loud. This author has a sense of humor and can write in a way that brings you along with her in adventures and escapades from New York to Los Angeles.

    This is the story of a girl who is learning to live with herself despite her acne, despite the divorce of her parents, despite being poor. I finished this book in two days. It's one of the best memoirs I have ever read. I am truly touched by her story. I hope to read more of her books. If you like memoirs, you have an incredible voyage of discovery awaiting you getting to know the life of Laura Chinn.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Susan Howat
    5.0 out of 5 stars Acne: My Daughter's Journey
    Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Literally, out of the many books I’ve read over the past 75 years, “Acne” has been the most challenging, cathartic and spiritually enhancing.

    Reading how much pain, humiliation and self-hatred my beautiful daughter had to endure from 1986 until the early 2000's has turned me inside out.

    Especially that this suffering occurred on my watch.

    The naked truths in this book, although very painful, have been profoundly transforming.

    I am so grateful that Laura had the heart, courage and ability to write this book.

    She’s an amazingly talented writer and I’m so proud and honored to be her Mom!

    Thank you Laura. I love you.

    Susan Howat
    10 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars excellent!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    The way Chinn weaves her struggles with acne throughout her life is genius. Having been tortured with cystic acne myself, well into my thirties, I related to her physical pain and introspective journey. A funny, heartfelt memoir from a brave, smart woman. Thank you for sharing.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Fishing For Stuff
    5.0 out of 5 stars What an amazing journey
    Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    What a story. Chinn's journey is just remarkable. Funny. Heart-breaking. Honest. I felt every page.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Rosemary Daniell
    5.0 out of 5 stars Both Heartrending and Fun to Read!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I couldn't stop reading this book. Laura China is an amazing woman who also writes in a way that keeps the reader riveted. She, her mother, and her brother are all brought fully to life, and we share Laura's colorful experiences in full throughout. Congratulations to her, her editor, Lauren Marino!
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Susan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Aren't we all covered in acne?
    Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I love how brave Laura is to put into writing her most painful memories. Her journey is incredible to say the least. I am so proud of you for loving yourself enough to crawl out of the bottomless pit that took so many of your friends' lives. I love that you understand your parent's weaknesses stem from their childhood and you can love and forgive, thank you for sharing, this book is going to help many people .... If you have had a traumatic childhood or need help understanding what kids are going through I highly recommend this read. The language is blatant.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • AHC
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Little Florida Engine That Could
    Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Laura Chinn is one of my favorite TV writers (Florida Girls, The Mick) so I bought this ASAP once I knew it existed. I read it in 2 days, which is a record for me. The chapters are quick which I like and she is SO SELF-AWARE. She's able to see things from various perspectives and even though you will cry hard tears, she never once portrays herself as a victim. Cannot wait to see what she comes out with next.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • K Cunningham Eves
    5.0 out of 5 stars Painful, poignant and funny.
    Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I loved this book and highly recommend it for anyone interested in self-love, healing, pain, loss, forgiveness and everything in between.
    Helpful
     Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report