http://www.loc.gov/mods/v3 http://www.loc.gov/standards/mods/v3/mods-3-2.xsd
how I triumphed by breaking bones, breaking hearts, and breaking the rules
271 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color) ; 22 cm
Everything I was told should be my greatest insecurities and weaknesses, everything that I've been labeled—SHORT, NERDY, SKINNY, WEAK, IMPULSIVE, UGLY, TOMBOY, POOR, REBEL, LOUD, FREAK, CRAZY—turned out to be my greatest strengths. I didn't become successful in spite of them. I became successful because of them. Growing up AJ was a quiet girl trying to act "normal" when she felt anything but. As her family struggled with drug addiction, poverty, and mental illness, she found escape through comic books and video games, and was inspired by the tough and unconventional female characters. It wasn't until she discovered pro wrestling that she learned superheroes could be real. Determined to become the superhero she'd always admired, AJ trained and sacrificed for years to achieve her dream of wrestling professionally. Yet she quickly faced industry pressure to play the role of the damsel in distress and to dress more provocatively to cater to male fans. But she fought back and created an ass-kicking alter ego that was a genuine representation of herself: nerdy, enthusiastic, and a little bit crazy. With humor and tremendous heart, AJ opens up for the first time about her harrowing struggle to understand her demons and the mental illness diagnosis that helped her gain control over her life. What most people view as a hardship, AJ embraced as inspira­tion for her superhero persona, shattering the stigma attached to mental illness. Charting her journey from a scrappy girl in an unstable home to an empowered wrestling champion, Crazy Is My Superpower is an un­flinchingly honest story and brave confessional about her long road to self-acceptance.
Drowning barbies -- Mad love -- A place called home -- Swallow me whole -- A step-by-step guide on how to turn into your mother -- Lie to me -- The Robin Hood of the express checkout lane -- Born again -- I want to believe -- Hello sunshine -- No one wants to have sex with you -- Extra whip -- Girl on girl -- Crazy chicks do it better.
AJ Mendez Brooks ; illustrations by Rob Guillory.