Life and How to Live It by Chaz Holesworth is the first volume in the Begin the Begin memoir series. This raw, unfiltered memoir chronicles his tumultuous life growing up in the impoverished neighborhood of Kensington, Philadelphia, with a drug-addled father and a born-again mother. He quickly becomes enmeshed in a life of drugs, poverty, religious fanaticism, and personal trauma. The book details his early years of hardship, exposure to violence, substance abuse, and religious zealotry, alongside moments of innocence, love, and rebellion. Holesworth reflects on how music, especially bands like R.E.M. and Tori Amos, anchored him in a turbulent world, providing a sense of identity. His journey from childhood innocence through adolescence is a painful exploration of loss, faith, and the search for meaning.

Chaz Holesworth writes about the destructive influence of religious extremism, the struggle with neglect, and the power of music and memory as survival tools. I marveled at how well the author draws a portrait of a dysfunctional family, allowing readers to appreciate the influence of the environment and the internal struggle between deciding what is best for him and following social influences. The setting vividly captures the decay of Kensington, including its abandoned factories, drug-ridden streets, and crumbling housing, with a bleak backdrop for his personal struggles. Moments such as witnessing his family’s breakdown, his own experiences of molestation, and the heartbreak of unrequited love deepen the emotional currents of this memoir. Life and How to Live It offers a powerful meditation on how our environment shapes us and how the author struggled not to be broken by it. I enjoyed the honest narrative voice, the excellent thematic development, and the author’s grit in a world meant to break him.

Life and How to Live It: Volume One: Begin the Begin explores the raw and deeply personal story of Chaz Holesworth, who grew up in a harsh environment marked by addiction, poverty, and religious conflict. The book chronicles his struggles through a tough childhood in Philadelphia, his difficult family life with a heroin-addicted father and a devoutly religious mother, and his rocky journey through school and friendships. The narrative follows him as he battles with his faith, self-esteem, and his aspirations amid the overwhelming challenges of his surroundings. Through this journey, readers gain an honest and unfiltered look at survival, self-discovery, and the determination to overcome adversity. The book’s candid portrayal of social issues faced by inner-city youth gives it both depth and relatability.

Chaz Holesworth’s writing style is remarkably open and engaging, with a strong emotional pull that draws readers into his experiences. His storytelling feels genuine and heartfelt, allowing the reader to connect deeply with his reflections on struggle, faith, and personal growth. The balance between hardship and hope gives the memoir a powerful emotional rhythm. His clear and straightforward language makes complex emotions easy to understand and relate to. I often stopped while reading to think about how much strength people can find in tough times. Life and How to Live It is a moving and thought-provoking memoir that invites reflection on endurance, transformation, and the strength of the human spirit, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.

Chaz Holesworth's Life and How to Live It (Volume One: Begin the Begin) is a profound memoir about his childhood and teen years in Kensington, Philadelphia. Set in the late 1970s to the 1990s, Chaz's life is surrounded by severe poverty, neighborhood prostitution, urban neglect, gang violence, drugs, and family dysfunction. His father's volatile behavior and heroin addiction would often create tension in the home, while his mother immersed her children in a strict Christian environment. As a result, Chaz grows up caught between addiction, religion, violence, and even sexual abuse perpetrated by an older female neighbor. After experiencing these harrowing ordeals, Chaz immerses himself in R.E.M. and other popular alternative rock bands of his era. Music becomes his escape as he tries to make sense of the world around him.

Chaz Holesworth's Life and How to Live It is both thought-provoking and inspirational. Although he grew up surrounded by chaos, he found a way to survive through his creative outlets, humor, and love of music. Chaz's writing is touchingly human and emotional. He does an incredible job of expressing the hardships and memorable moments that shaped his life and worldview. His brutal honesty makes this memoir hard to put down. I appreciate how he does not hide the gruesome reality of family conflict, addiction, child abuse, gang violence, and religious control from his readers. At the same time, he doesn’t lose sight of hope or a refreshing sense of humor, both of which shine on every page. Overall, this story reminds me that even in the darkest places, music and self-expression can pave the path for healing to begin. Very highly recommended.

Life and How to Live It - Volume One: Begin the Begin by Chaz Holesworth is a deeply personal and bluntly honest memoir about surviving the harshest of beginnings and discovering purpose through pain. Set against the backdrop of Philadelphia’s slums, the book traces Chaz’s early life as he navigates the emotional unrest of a broken family. He had a heroin-addicted father and a devoutly religious mother. On top of it all, he was facing poverty, violence, and instability at home. Despite the chaos surrounding him, Chaz finds comfort and strength in music, particularly the haunting melodies of R.E.M. and Tori Amos. The music serves as a lifeline during his darkest hours. Chaz finds light and strength in friendships that blossomed into an unbreakable family of choice.

Chaz Holesworth gives readers an intense and unfiltered look at his life. The narrative is both raw and reflective. It captures the contradictions of pain and hope vs. despair and resilience. I enjoyed how Chaz was not shy about being vulnerable. He simply recounts the painful truths of his past without ever surrendering to despair. What makes the book compelling is its emotional authenticity; Chaz neither glamorizes nor underplays his suffering but instead confronts it with courage and humility. His love for music and his found family provide not just comfort, but also redemption. I felt sad reading about the violence in his life and how neither of his parents was emotionally available. But I never felt pity because Chaz highlighted how his past shaped him to become a strong individual. Life and How to Live It is a survival story, and I would love to read the second volume soon!