Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'll Look So Hot in a Coffin by Carla Sosenko is one of those memoirs that feels like having a brutally honest, hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt conversation with your sharpest, most self-aware friend. Told through a collection of essays, Sosenko opens up about living with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome—a rare condition that causes one leg to be larger than the other, a growth on her back, and a hunched posture. But this isn’t a sob story or a call for sympathy. It’s a refreshingly real look at what it’s like to move through the world in a body that doesn’t fit the standard mold—and how to still find confidence, humor, and joy in the mess of it all.

What really stands out is Sosenko’s voice: it’s biting, dry, self-deprecating in the best way, and totally unafraid to say the things most people wouldn't. Whether she’s talking about dating, body image, family, or growing up different, she approaches each topic with a mix of sarcasm and sincerity that hits just right. One of the most touching parts of the book is how she reflects on her upbringing—not because her parents coddled her, but because they *didn’t.* They treated her like any other kid, which gave her the kind of self-esteem that only made sense to her in hindsight.

Each essay offers a glimpse into another piece of her life—some funny, some painfully awkward, some surprisingly profound—and together, they paint a picture that’s far more than just a story about a rare disorder. It’s about identity, resilience, self-worth, and learning to show up as yourself, even when you feel completely out of place.

This book isn't about being inspirational in the traditional, overly packaged sense. It's about being real. Sosenko doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff, but she never loses her wit—and that balance is what makes this memoir so memorable.

If you like your nonfiction raw, sharply funny, and full of heart, I'll Look So Hot in a Coffin is absolutely worth the read. It’s honest without being heavy, and funny without losing depth. A total gem.

I really liked the part of the story when Carla was talking about her disability and how she was navigating her life. I like learning about her background and her parents and how they tried to help in their way. However, it made me sad that the author was seeking love outside of herself, through food, clothes and how many dates she had and all I wanted to do was tell her she is okay just the way she is. I could relate with the weight problem because all my life I've been overweight, and at some point I realized that if and when I lost weight it would be me that does it and it had nothing to do with any plan, trust me I tried a lot too. I also could not get over the author going into debt to buy designer clothes, what the heck, I kept thinking maybe she should find another avenue, like helping others would feel the gap.

I want to thank Random House Publishing Group - Random House | The Dial Press and NetGalley for an advance copy of this story.

[4.75]

I DEVOURED this book! Honestly, if I didn't have to be a productive member of society (aka go to work and at least look productive or yknow, feed myself and my husband), I would have read this all the way through in one sitting. It's been really hit and miss with memoirs this year, but this is the one I wish every other one I've read was like. This memoir is for anyone who feels "less than" because of the way their body looks, the way their mind works, or simply because society says there's something wrong with being a person in 2025. I related to so many of the feelings and experiences Carla discusses, which made me feel seen and understood. And Carla sprinkles her love of parentheses throughout the book (which I now realize is a very ADHD thing and I should probably get that checked out). Truly, if you're "weird" in any capacity, you'll love this memoir. As someone who is actively working on self-acceptance - both inward and outward - this was exactly what I needed. Please, please, please give this one a shot!

I have so many bookmarks and highlights in this book that it looks like a college textbook for history. 🤦😆

Carla Sosenko’s words resonated with me and where I am right now - hard. We have so many similar experiences and have approached life the same way. When she goes through her list at the end of the book about what she changed, I literally have been making those same changes.

(I was about to write something which would have compared how cool she is to how I’m not but much nicer and I can hear her voice saying “Don’t!”😆)

This book is personal. There are stories here that are uncomfortable, familiar, funny, and painful. Its life laid out on the page. In sharing her life she is showing by example. The idea of “this worked for me, might not work for you, but it worked for me” is there. It isn’t like she solves the problems. But I’m not alone in how I feel. Knowing that there is someone out there that feels exactly the way I do…damn, I needed this.

I'll Look So Hot in a Coffin is honest and funny. If you are disabled or feel isolated due to personal reasons - read this book. If you know someone who is disabled, fat, a woman - read this book. If you don’t know anyone - read this book.

Carla Sosenko’s memoir, I’ll Look So Hot in a Coffin, is a raw, darkly funny exploration of a life lived in constant contradiction. Born with Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome, Sosenko spent much of her life trying to fit into a world obsessed with uniform beauty—undergoing liposuction at eight, battling anxiety and ADHD, and chasing a version of perfection that always felt just out of reach.

Throughout the book, Sosenko captures the absurdity of being seen as both “too much” and “never enough,” craving invisibility while longing for validation. Her dry humor cuts through heavy topics like body image, chronic illness, and mental health, highlighting the tension between wanting to fix herself and learning to accept who she already was.

I’ll Look So Hot in a Coffin doesn’t offer easy answers, and that’s its greatest strength. It’s a messy, funny, and often heartbreaking reminder that survival isn’t about achieving perfection—it’s about staying, laughing, and living with the contradictions.

I'm very conflicted. On one hand, there are some of the best quotes I've ever read in a memoir / self help book. I loved the representation of disability and insight into what those in more marginalized communities have to deal with (from assholes in particular).
On the other hand, the majority of this book just feels angry. I'm allll for angry when it is productive/feels like it is serving a larger purpose. However, this book almost feels vicious - belittling other body types, upbringings, thereby doing the complete opposite of what this book (in my opinion) is trying to do. The tongue in cheek title was preparing me for a more sarcastic/hard hitting social commentary, where unfortunately, very little of that came through in the book. Much more of a rant against the world vs an insight into a marginalized group I was hoping to learn more about.

To be completely honest, I was a little hesitant to accept this arc. Based on the title I assumed this was going to be a tongue-in-cheek, sort of 2010s Buzzfeed style collection of essays, and upon seeing the chapter titles this was definitely reinforced. While this works for many people, it’s a type of humour that I find so hit-or-miss (more often than not, miss), but I was curious enough about Carla Sosenko’s experiences living with Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome, a condition I had never heard of and knew nothing about prior to this book, that I decided to give it a shot. For the most part, I’m glad I did. It’s maybe less focused on humour or being quippy than the title and chapter names would suggest, and in general when Sosenko does aim to be funny it landed for me, although there were definitely moments that didn’t, but they were less frequent than I was expecting. I also think she often speaks really beautifully to the realities of living in an unconventional body. The ways that everyone in her life treats her differently, from parents and doctors pushing cosmetic surgeries on her, to guys she dates being weird and rude (accidentally or on purpose). But amongst all the positives there are also large parts that just seem to be filler. Multiple sections are just bullet points lists. Some of the lists should have been expanded and could have benefited from some deeper exploration and others could have just been cut altogether without losing anything. And in a relatively short book, these sections really stand out and not in a good way unfortunately.

This deeply personal memoir by Carla Sosenko is a powerful, honest, and unforgettable exploration of life with Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome—a rare vascular disorder that causes visible physical deformities. Told through a series of essays, the book touches on everything from major life moments to everyday encounters, all filtered through the lens of someone navigating the world with a body that doesn’t fit society’s narrow definition of “normal.”

Sosenko’s writing is breezy and engaging—in the best possible way. She tackles subjects that are often anxiety-inducing, painful, and emotionally raw with a tone that invites empathy rather than pity. Her voice is candid, witty, and refreshing, managing to strike a balance between humor and heartbreak.

One of the most powerful themes in the book is the critique of our culture’s obsession with thinness and the toxic beauty standards that dominate Western society. Sosenko doesn’t hold back in showing how damaging these ideals can be, and her insights are both searing and deeply relatable.

What sets this memoir apart is its emotional authenticity. Sosenko lays herself bare on the page—not to ask for sympathy, but to create connection. It’s raw, distinctive writing that fosters understanding and reminds readers that none of us are truly alone in our struggles.

I would recommend this book to absolutely everyone. It’s not just a memoir—it’s an invitation to see the world through a more compassionate lens.

I’ll Look So Hot in a Coffin offers a glimpse into Carla Sosenko’s personal experiences—both specifically as a disabled person and as just a woman in a body. The book touches on her struggles with body image and her accomplishments in overcoming negative self-perception.
Based on the description, I expected this book to be either a funny, relatable, “all women have body image issues and it’s society’s fault” narrative, or a self-help-style reflection in which the author shares how she overcomes her body image struggles—and how others might, too. I also anticipated meaningful disability representation and insights into how universal issues affecting women are uniquely experienced by women with disabilities. Any of this would have felt relatable, valuable, and much needed in this space. Unfortunately, I didn’t get that from this book, which left me feeling disconnected and unimpressed.
Instead, the most valuable, relatable, and educational content seemed confined to the book’s introduction. That section alone could have stood as a powerful essay. The remainder of the book reads more like a series of personal blog posts, with the author continually reminds us that her disability is actually just cosmetic and actually, she’s, like, really pretty & privileged. Rather than using this privilege as a tool for self-reflection or deeper social commentary, the chapters remain centered on her own experiences, without much effort to relate to the broader experiences of women or “outsiders,” whom she claims the book is written for.
As a result, the memoir comes across more as self-indulgent than a genuine attempt to connect with readers in a meaningful way. To be fair, the author does acknowledge her own conceit, so this criticism may not be surprising. And of course, memoirs are inherently personal. Still, it feels like a missed opportunity to engage with others living on the margins. Instead, the author focuses on how special and unique she is, when many of the stories she shares about people commenting on women’s bodies are actually quite universal.
Another major issue is the structure. The flow is often disjointed, with certain sections dragging while others feel underdeveloped. A stronger central theme and clear focus would make the book more engaging and impactful. Interestingly, the introduction gave the impression that the book would have a clear focus and purpose, but that premise didn’t carry through the remainder of the chapters.
While I personally found little value in this memoir, readers who enjoy highly individualistic narratives or diary-style reflections may find something here that resonates. However, those looking for a memoir that offers universal connection or deeper insight may be left wanting more.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for an ARC of this book.

i really wanted to enjoy this but i could not stand the writing. it felt like a bunch of millennial buzzfeed articles put together in a book (and that's coming from a millennial). i'm sure that the author intended to write about her experiences with dark humor and relatability, which i appreciate, but i simply couldn't get into the writing. i also felt a lot of the same ideas/messages kept getting brought up and it got repetitive at times. this was a personal preference for me. unfortunately i DNF'd.

This book originally grabbed me and made me want to read it. I started reading this and I couldn't get into it. DNF.

The catchy title immediately grabbed my attention, and I was eager to delve into Sosenko's work. Her writing is undeniably funny and witty, a quality that made the reading experience entertaining on a surface level. Sosenko does a great job at showcasing that if people have anything, is the audacity. However, despite these strengths, I ultimately felt a bit disappointed by the book's repetitive nature. While Sosenko employed various analogies, the core ideas seemed to be revisited frequently, creating a sense of redundancy. This cyclical approach, unfortunately, prevented me from becoming fully immersed and deeply engaged with the content, despite appreciating the author's comedic talent and the importance of the book’s core message.

Thank you Random House and NetGalley for this ARC.

Carla Sosenko's memoir I'll Look So Hot in a Coffin: And Other Thoughts I Used to Have About my Body most charts her relationship with her body. In many ways, the experiences she has do not differ much from other women who grew up as a contemporary of hers. She writes about struggles with dating, self-imagine, and diet culture. What makes her unique is that she was born with a rare disease that is exhibited through abnormal growths on her body (one leg is larger than the other, a large mass on her back) and she goes through life self-conscious about her appearance and when people notice that she is different. It is an interesting tight rope she walks because she discusses the irregularities with her body, but that she still has pretty privilege, she writes about fatphobia, but is not that large. I found it challenging after reading to book to understand why she wrote about was all that unique or distinct from what most women deal with and so this one did not stick with me.

Thank you to the Dial Press via NetGalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I had not previously heard of Carla Sosenko. I enjoying reading about her life and her struggles and triumphs. She has had a very interesting life and I think I would love to sit down and talk to her in person. I love that she really let it all out. She didn't sugarcoat her struggles or her congenital disease. I love how honest she was about the hurtful thing people have said to her over the years. I loved that she laid she insecurities on the line. I enjoyed reading about how she has come to terms with herself and how she has learned to love herself and her body. Everyone has these thoughts and struggles, her honesty is refreshing.

I would recommend this book to my friends and family.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House | The Dial Press for the ARC of this ebook. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is a well written and surprisingly funny memoir. The author did a good job describing her medical conditions, and how it has affected her psychically and emotionally throughout life. Even though I enjoyed the tone and brutal honesty, I must admit the book is short, but it read super long. Sometimes the themes become repetitive and draggy. Good book but I don’t think it will have a lot of lasting impact for me.

3.5/5. I really liked the author’s voice. She was blunt, honest and funny when tackling complex subjects. She just told it like it was. This memoir was short and to the point. I really was able to connect with the author.
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I really wanted to love this book - a memoir told through essays and dark humor is usually right up my alley, but I struggled to get into this one.

I enjoyed some of the essays and thought the overall topics and message was good but it was not quite what I expected. The editorial voice was incredibly millennial, often reading more like a buzzfeed article than an essay and the humor did not come through as strongly as I had hoped, instead reading more as anger/bitterness (fair based on the authors experience but less enjoyable as a reader)

The cover and title immediately drew me in and even though I’m not big on memoirs, I really enjoyed learning about Carla’s experiences and how positive her outlook is now. Carla was born with Klippel–Trénaunay syndrome and had to deal with constant reminders of a world that worships normalcy and skinniness. Would definitely recommend.

Reviewing memoirs can be so difficult because your subjective views on characters are no longer on characters but real people and the choices that they have made in their lives. Why do I get an opinion about this person, their likability, their privilege etc?? But here we are anyway, so let’s dive in.

There were a lot of things that were very enjoyable about this memoir and it starts with the title. The dark sarcasm mirrors Jennette McCurdy’s memoir and had me sold before I even opened the book. The deeper glances into life with a disability and especially one that is not so invisible puts a lense on our society as a whole and Sosenko very clearly has insight and was well articulated about them. The deeper dive into fat phobia and how our society treats fat women was something I wasn’t expecting in this but was looked upon with a lot of poignant examples and became the framework of this book.

With that said, there were times where I wanted the dark sarcasm to fit more with the title. Instead of dark humour, I felt more anger. And I’m all for angry women as we deserve to be angry, it merely wasn’t what I was expecting given the title. A lot of points were harped in so deeply that I wanted to grab the authour and tell her it’s actually all okay and not as bad as it seems, and I know it’s BAD out here.

There were a lot of times Sosenko would just start making actual lists instead of writing and this threw me for a loop. It was overwhelming, exhausting, and I kept thinking “but you’re a writer? Why are you just listing and bullet pointing PAGES at me??” I think she’s better than this and I feel confident in that given other bits of her writing. It felt like a cop out to include points without making the effort of succinctly story telling with them.

My last was gripe was *gasp* the privilege. I DO appreciate entirely that Sosenko continuously tells us that she has it. From her pretty face, to her rich parents bailing her out, to the emotional support and how good of a family she has, etc etc etc. but it got very tiring and made the story hard to carry on after the halfway point. Why do women so often have to be like-able? I struggled with this idea while reading because I kept going “UGH GIRL STOP” so many times. She doesn’t have to be like-able, she doesn’t have to be nice all the time, she doesn’t have to be skinny to have worth but it also felt like she was begging for this while also being incredibly hard to swallow too.

I do wish we had more on her actual disability and how that affected her more in life and not just her younger years and lack of autonomy. Mixing these points with a deeper dive into how fatness and women are affected in the medical community was more what I was anticipating here and seemed to be lacking overall. As a disabled woman it felt like a lot of this was just her young age and looking different to people and then moved on from the ramifications and how disability can and does affect day to day life. Disabilities effect everyone in different ways but the way it was framed had me wondering how it was effecting her outside of just narcissism and how our society sees bodies. So much of this story was about internalized fat phobia and our society on fatness but that wasn’t what I was expecting to get with this book.

I very clearly have a lot of thoughts on this book and I don’t want to demonize it in any way. There were a lot of great, high points to this but they were also balanced with very annoying and overwrought aspects that had me wanting her to move on already. There were some fall backs and some highlights and by no means am I mad I read it. I enjoyed quite a few moments in reading but they were often smothered by a lot of other rantings that dimmed the overall shine.

(this review was posted on goodreads on 04.11.2025)

i don't know if i can find the right words to accurately review i'll look so hot in a coffin, and what impact it had on me while reading it.

what i can say is that it's a powerful, raw, incredibly open memoir, told through a voice, sosenko's, that teeters in a perfect way between laugh out loud funny (pootsies!!) while, two lines down, smacking you in the face with the most accurately worded paragraph of what it means to be disconnected from one's body, to strive for invisibility, to belong to those that are "blurry" in the camera lens eye of modern society. as sosenko herself says, there is strenght in numbers, and no feeling was more powerful for me while reading this memoir than that of being deeply understood, of standing in a group with somebody telling me "yeah, it happens and it sucks but you have agency over how and how much it affects you". the writing is quick and accessible, almost comparable to speaking with a friend, as well as extremely poignant, so much so that sometimes i had to stop reading just to stare into the void and let every sillable sink in.

i dare say that EVERYONE should read this if they can, mindful of trigger warnings, either to receive a glimpse of a life they may not know, to learn something (like not feeling entitled to comment on other people's bodies!), or simply to feel understood and realize how much power we have in making our own choices with our own fundamental, beautiful bodies.

thank you to netgalley and random house publishing for the arc!