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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
I love Sara's music and now I'm officially in love with Sara. Her book was amazing, listening to her read it was even more amazing, and the bloopers reel at the end of the audio book was the best thing I've ever heard. Now I just need to figure out how to let her know we are officially best friends.
I don't read memoirs regularly, but when I saw this one, I was intrigued. Sara is one of my favorite artists! I have to say, if you're a fan, this is a must read! Her music is interwoven in the text, bringing her stories to life. Enjoy!
lighthearted
Fun, quick read. Sara Bareilles comes off as a genuine person, and I found myself laughing out loud at many points in her memoir.
Fans of Sara Bareilles will no doubt love this memoir of sorts, especially if listening to the audiobook, as I did. It isn't so much a memoir or autobiography as a book of lessons learned along the way - growing up, going to college, going abroad, getting her first major record deal, touring, etc. It was wonderful hearing it told in her own voice, much like Amy Poehler's audiobook of "Yes Please" (a must-listen for Poehler fans).
The audiobook is a real treat for fans as Bareilles sings, a capella, a verse and chorus of each song that is set as the title for each chapter. Nothing new, of course, if you are familiar with the song - but it feels like something extra-special as opposed to just reading it (on the flip side, I would imagine you're missing out on some fun photos in the book if you are just listening to it).
Bareilles doesn't hold back on the emotion - her stories of growing up as an awkward "fat girl" and coming to terms with it, even as an adult, are especially touching - and I enjoyed a chapter in the very center of the book where she wrote encouraging letters to herself at different stages of her life's journey, always encouraging herself to keep her chin up, fight the good fight, stay strong (and "Brave", as one of the titles of her song suggests), and remember that "you are beautiful". Her love of her fans is also very evident; a story of how her music touched a particular fan suffering from severe depression had me a bit teary-eyed. She even invited the fan herself to record her own story on the audio book, reminding us of how the power of music can truly effect amazing change in our lives.
Parts of this may seem corny and twee to some - indeed, I confess that the way Bareilles read certain parts had me rolling my eyes and feeling I was so old and she so young - but I admire Bareilles, her career, and her courage to put her story out there like this in such a refreshing, candid, and honest way. Fans will not be disappointed.
The audiobook is a real treat for fans as Bareilles sings, a capella, a verse and chorus of each song that is set as the title for each chapter. Nothing new, of course, if you are familiar with the song - but it feels like something extra-special as opposed to just reading it (on the flip side, I would imagine you're missing out on some fun photos in the book if you are just listening to it).
Bareilles doesn't hold back on the emotion - her stories of growing up as an awkward "fat girl" and coming to terms with it, even as an adult, are especially touching - and I enjoyed a chapter in the very center of the book where she wrote encouraging letters to herself at different stages of her life's journey, always encouraging herself to keep her chin up, fight the good fight, stay strong (and "Brave", as one of the titles of her song suggests), and remember that "you are beautiful". Her love of her fans is also very evident; a story of how her music touched a particular fan suffering from severe depression had me a bit teary-eyed. She even invited the fan herself to record her own story on the audio book, reminding us of how the power of music can truly effect amazing change in our lives.
Parts of this may seem corny and twee to some - indeed, I confess that the way Bareilles read certain parts had me rolling my eyes and feeling I was so old and she so young - but I admire Bareilles, her career, and her courage to put her story out there like this in such a refreshing, candid, and honest way. Fans will not be disappointed.
I had this book on my "To-buy" list for a while and added it to my shopping cart one day in the haze of an online flash sale book binge. It caught my interest because I've always considered Sara to be a role model of sorts, as she touched my heart with her incredible music and made me love playing the piano so much more than I already did. I was curious to see what it was like on the other side of her songs, so I bought her book.
I was so ridiculously blown away by how much I loved it.
I was expecting some cool stories about her life and what inspired her to become a songwriter, and not much more. What I got was a nuclear warhead of unexpected feels right to the heart. Sara's ability to tell a story and connect with her fans, or any human willing to listen for that matter, is second only to her unprecedented talent as a musician. I laughed out loud so many times at her wit and the way she chooses her words, cried at some truly soul-shaking sentiments, and went "Oh my god that is the most incredible quote I have to remember this forever." more times than I can even tell you.
If you love Sara as much as I do, or even just like her, or have even HEARD of her or her music, do yourself a favor and read this beautiful, beautiful book.
I was so ridiculously blown away by how much I loved it.
I was expecting some cool stories about her life and what inspired her to become a songwriter, and not much more. What I got was a nuclear warhead of unexpected feels right to the heart. Sara's ability to tell a story and connect with her fans, or any human willing to listen for that matter, is second only to her unprecedented talent as a musician. I laughed out loud so many times at her wit and the way she chooses her words, cried at some truly soul-shaking sentiments, and went "Oh my god that is the most incredible quote I have to remember this forever." more times than I can even tell you.
If you love Sara as much as I do, or even just like her, or have even HEARD of her or her music, do yourself a favor and read this beautiful, beautiful book.
inspiring
reflective
Loved this book! She has a very eloquent writing style and it shines in both her music and in this biography. I was impressed with her candidness as she writes about fame and her family. For anyone who loves her music (or who loves a well-written book) it's a must read.