Full Circle: From Hollywood to Real Life and Back Again

By: Andrea Barber

5/5 FULL Circles

I have loved Full House for as long as I can remember. So, when I was walking around Barnes and Nobel at Christmas and saw a SIGNED copy of Andrea Barber's book (which I didn't even know existed at the time), I ran to the register as fast as I could.

Then, school and work took over my life and I never got to read this book until now. Oh. My. God. I usually only read celebrity (yes, Andrea, you most definitely are one in my eyes) for entertainment. Never do I expect them to change my life. Full Circle may just change my life. It's been a full day since I've finished it, and I can't stop thinking about this autobiography.

Let me preface this review by saying that when Fuller House came out, I was ecstatic; however, I was also the most depressed I've ever been in my life. I thought watching this show would help me, but it only made me so nostalgic, I felt even more depressed. For me, this was one of the worst situations. One of my favorite shows of all time, one that got me through so much during my adolescent and teen years, was now too painful to watch. I powered through the first season, but felt broken and empty inside throughout. This was only exacerbated because of how much I wanted to enjoy the show. How much I wanted to enjoy anything. It was a hopeless feeling that left me numb.

Luckily, by the time the second season was released, my mental health was improving. I was able to thoroughly enjoy the second season, and the show meant that much more to me. I also realized that while watching Fuller House, I resonated with Kimmy Gibbler more than ever before. She owned it. She was confident. She was herself. I wanted that. I wanted to be like her, and I wanted my mental health to reflect it.

Now, of course, I know Andrea Barber is not Kimmy. Kimmy is a character. Nevertheless, I believed that someone who could act like Kimmy so confidently is someone I want to know more about. Andrea did not disappoint! I cannot express how thankful I am that she shared her own struggles with depression and anxiety. Never before have I felt less alone when reading a book. Andrea is so brave for sharing her story so openly. She may not think it, but writing about it will change lives. I know it's changed mine. She's absolutely right: there is a negative stigma when it comes to mental health and that is part of the problem. I still have trouble opening up about my struggles, so I applaud Andrea for daring to do so.

Not only that, but I loved all the information about her life aside from the struggles with depression and anxiety. The behind-the-scenes information is everything I ever hoped for. Alongside that, I saw myself in Andrea as a person. The studying of Literature, studying abroad, and working in an international study office are all things I've done. Reading about these only made me appreciate Andrea as a person even more. She is a pure gem, and I don't think there was a single chapter I did not cry during.

I haven't watched the second half of the last season of Fuller House because I don't want it to end. Now, I know I will binge it because I'm upset that I've finished reading Andrea's book and I need a distraction from that. 2020 is only half over, but of the 63 books I've read this year, Full Circle is my absolute favorite thus far! <3