I did this one backwards.  I saw the movie, then read the book.  Totally okay either way.  I am a Drew Barrymore fan all the way, and she shines in this movie.  The cast is great, including the lovely Brittany Murphy, Steve Zahn, Sara Gilbert, and Peter Facinelli.  I really enjoy memoir stories like this.  I think that Beverly Donofrio has a great sense of humor to mix in with some serious subject matters.  This story has a lot of heart, and the perfect casting makes for a heart-filled movie.  Donofrio wrote another memoir about her later life called Looking For Mary.  It has more spiritual undertones, and it’s not as eventful as this, but still worth the read if you’re interested.