Menu

Make Me

Category: Memoir
Author: lisa Stathoplos
Publisher: Booklocker
Publication Date: March 1, 2021
Number of Pages: 254
ISBN-10: 1647194210
ISBN-13: 978-1-64719-421-5

Make Me by Lisa Stathoplos is a fascinating, energetic ride through a life packed with humor, heartache, and unflinching gusto. As a debut author, her voice bursts off the page with all-caps exclamations and a sarcastic wit that feels like chatting with a fiercely candid friend over drinks. Her memoir delivers revealing glimpses of her journey from an awkward child with scoliosis and identity issues to a dedicated artist thriving in Maine’s exciting regional theater scene. Stathoplos’s storytelling is deft, characterized by short vignettes, each adorned with photographs that anchor her rapid-fire shifts from childhood trauma to moments of triumph, from family dramas to her passionate activism. Her storytelling style is as lively and unpredictable as her personality, shifting quickly from topics like religion, sexual assault, and eating disorders to her love for shelter pets, sailing adventures, and a harrowing dance class nightmare. The result is a colorful mosaic that feels like a conversation with a friend who has seen it all and isn’t shy about sharing her truths.

Lisa Stathoplos captivated me with her voice, which was grounded, quirky, and proudly unique. The terrific descriptions, short chapters, and timely paragraph breaks make the reading enjoyable. Lisa Stathoplos boldly challenges the notion that artists must head to the big city for fame, choosing instead to forge her path in Maine’s local scene. Her passionate support for regional arts is infectious, and her journey toward physical and mental self—acceptance resonates deeply. Against a backdrop of era-specific music and the tumult of the Vietnam War, her story becomes inspiring. Make Me is a lively, heartfelt celebration of a life lived loudly and without regrets. This memoir is not a mere recounting of events but an expression of the author’s unique philosophy on life: you never allow life to happen to you. You create the life you want. 

Reviewed By: Yna Erdrich

|

Date: May 20, 2025

Featured

Weekly Top Picks

Hand-picked reviews our authors and readers are loving right now

Business & Money

The Book Commentary

The Read Down

Essays, author interviews and publishing advice for curious readers and writers.

How to Spot Trends in Popular Books Without Chasing Them
How to Spot Trends in Popular Books Without Chasing Them
Bestsellers

How to Spot Trends in Popular Books Without Chasing Them

By Romuald Dzemo  · 

For avid readers, being aware of these trends can enhance your reading experience, broaden your horizons, and, let’s be honest, help you sound like a literary genius at your next book club meeting.

Read the article →
Author Sanjay Sabnani Talks About the Power of Discomfort: Turning Pressure into Action, Learning to Receive, and Finding Peace Beyond Striving
Author Sanjay Sabnani Talks About the Power of Discomfort: Turning Pressure into Action, Learning to Receive, and Finding Peace Beyond Striving
Author Interviews Aug 10, 2026

Author Sanjay Sabnani Talks About the Power of Discomfort: Turning Pressure into Action, Learning to Receive, and Finding Peace Beyond Striving

By Sanjay Sabnani

Discover why your brain sabotages success and how to rewire your identity in this ActualizationOS interview on stillness, self-sabotage, and lasting change.

Read the article →