Book Review—Tell Me Everything by Minka Kelly

Minka Kelly, who most of us know as Lyla Garrity from Friday Nights Lights, wrote her memoir, Tell Me Everything. It was published in May of this year.

Minka Kelly’s life off-screen is notably different than her on-screen persona as a cheerleader from a wealthy family in Friday Night Lights. Minka’s mother suffered with addiction and her father, Rick Dufay, formerly a guitarist with Aerosmith, was absent. Minka grew up in just complete chaos: moving constantly, sometimes living in garages, and having to fend for herself at a very young age. All of this took a toll on her as she emerged into her teenage years. Even with all of the so-called cards stacked against her, she was able to eventually work toward a respected career as a surgical nurse before she got her part in Friday Night Lights.

Minka Kelly has kept her early life very private until now. This memoir leaves me with a lot of respect for her. She is a resilient, strong person. If you are looking for a book all about her years on Friday Night Lights, this isn’t it, although she does spend some time writing about the show. This book is about Minka coming to terms with her childhood and parents. Minka narrates the audiobook, which I listened to, and she did a remarkable job.