Hand to Mouth

Living in Bootstrap America

By: Linda Tirado

Narrated by: Linda Tirado

From the author of the eye-opening and controversial essay on poverty that was read by millions comes the real-life Nickel and Dimed, as Linda Tirado explains what it's like to be working poor in America, and why poor people make the decisions they do.

We in America have certain ideas of what it means to be poor. Linda Tirado, in her signature brutally honest yet personable voice, takes all of these preconceived notions and smashes them to bits. She articulates not only what it is to be working poor in America (yes, you can be poor and live in a house and have a job, even two), but what poverty is truly like - on all levels. In her thought-provoking voice, Tirado discusses how she went from lower-middle class, to sometimes middle class, to poor and everything in between, and in doing so reveals why "poor people don't always behave the way middle-class America thinks they should."

©2014 Linda Tirado (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Refreshingly infuriating...Tirado’s raw clarity is startling.” (The New York Times Book Review)

"Poverty is a potential outcome for all of us. Outspoken and vindictive, Tirado embodies the cyclical vortex of today’s struggle to survive.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Gripping... Articulate, insightful, and saturated with life experience, Tirado's story is not unlike millions of others in America, but her strong voice has the opportunity to bring that story to new ears.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

Thank you...

This book helped me see I needn't be ashamed about my past experience. It's wonderful!

Avid reader

This book is amazing. I recommend this to everyone rich poor and in between the two.

Eye-opening! Challenging!

Wow! “walk a mile” in her shoes & take a good look into the real struggle for survival that many face in our country of “plenty”! At the very least, this story will answer many questions & should silence many criticisms! I hope it is a catalyst for long overdue change! It has changed me. Thank you for sharing your story, Linda Tirado!

Succinct and True

What did you like about this audiobook?

The author's performance adds so much to this book. If you're open to learning what it's actually like to be poor in America and don't mind feeling a bit guilty while you learn what your privilege means to poor people, this book is for you. Of course the author doesn't speak for every single poor person in this country. But she does paint a very clear picture of what millions of people like her go through just to get by. And it's not pretty. Yes, she can come off as a bit whiny at times. But you know what? She has every right to whine. It's hard as hell to be poor. Props to her for telling the truth.

Simply my reality.

This book was an optional read for extra credit in a sociology class I'm currently enrolled in at CSUSB. I have to admit that I thoroughly enjoyed every chapter...it made me laugh with jokes that will only be understood by those who have "been there"... it made me shake my head with disgust at the reality and truths that are revealed about minimum wage student living...it made me sad to recognize my future, but that gave me motivation enough to desperately try at finding a better job, and landing one. To the author, thank you for helping me recognize where I was in life and where I would be if I didn't make a change...it forced me to step up into something better...I'll admit, I got lucky... but best of luck to everyone else who " just gets this" book...you know you need it, lol.

Change the names and this could be parts o my life

Linda does an excellent job at explainingthe how's and whys of things that can and do happen to the working poor. There were a lot of parallels to my own experiences in my twenties and thirties. So many times I remember thinking many of the things she brings out. kudos .. an added benefit after listening to Linda when I read her tweets on Twitter I hear her voice now

BEING POOR

“Hand to Mouth” is Linda Tirado’s perception and experience of being poor in America. Conservative media rants, and liberal paeans to Linda Tirado’s memoir infer guilt more than understanding. Some conservative’ pundits believe any American who works hard can get ahead. Many liberal’ pundits believe most Americans born poor will remain poor. Liberal’ pundits praise Tirado’s story because it reinforces their belief in “born poor, remain poor” while conservative’ pundits attack Tirado’s credibility because her story denies equal opportunity. If Tirado’s facts are only partly untrue, it assuages conservative guilt about belief in equal opportunity. Even if Tirado’s facts are only partly true, promotion of her story assuages liberal’s guilt for being personally successful.

What is missing from a fair understanding of Tirado’s memoir is its fundamental truth; i.e. being a minimum wage employee in America is grindingly difficult.

Tirado breaks the cycle with some skill as a writer but a lot of luck. Her story is picked up by the media. Her story is told every day by other minimum wage workers seen on main street; e.g. the people serving hamburgers, cleaning houses, waiting tables. Tirado’s story just became the chosen one. Tirado will have a whole new set of problems to face in her life but they will come from her own personality; not the exigencies of American society that chooses to ignore the plight of minimum wage workers.

I Study Poverty

Wonderful story telling and although she is from different states, her story reflects the stories of the incredible people I work with. I would count this as a should read and a great way to challenge political rhetoric around poverty.

Message and Messenger

This is a topic so worth continued exploration not only from stories like the author but from the naming root causes for poverty in America. There are a number of really good books out there that address both of the personal and systemic analysis well. I was disappointed that this one seemed to headed in that direction until the last chapter with letter to rich people where she simply mirrors all of the stereotypes and tropes about rich people in the same manner stereotypes are hurled at poor people. Her assessment of rich people seems to come from celebrity reality shows. I grew up poor and Black, worked my way to a comfortable lifestyle and experience many generous, caring, compassionate middle, upper middle, wealthy and even super rich people who do not fit the stereotypes she claims. If she had made her point about the world she knows without being so snarky and nasty (yes, the attitude is understood, but emotional expressions are a choice), the message may be more widely received. It’s an important one that I am afraid will be lost because of the messenger.

Amazing Book!!

I had the Audible edition of the book and having the author narrate was the BEST decision. She is clearly passionate about her topic, and that is her life! She does an amazing job dispelling the myths of poverty, I just hope the right people hear her message. I laughed out loud so many times when she got something so right. I felt sad other times when she was right again. I've been in similar shoes as she has and when my income rose so did the rent so I stayed in a similar situation. I just have more bills for my higher income. I'm not sure I gained anything. Keep up the great work!!