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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
I loved this book, and I love this woman. Like, for real.
Sounds Like Me somehow caught me completely unaware. I knew about the book, knew I wanted to read it, but had NO IDEA how much it would mean to me when I did. I've been on a bit of an autobiography kick lately for whatever reason, and I've honestly enjoyed the others as well. But Bareilles is in a league of her own as far as I'm concerned.
That being said, I'm having a hard time articulating just why this book affected me so much. I've been thinking about almost since I started reading, and I don't know that I've put my finger on it. I think part of it is definitely that she expresses a vulnerability in her essays that surpasses anything you typically see. Other celebrity authors tell you things you didn't know about them, share stories of their lives, and entertain you, but you can still feel the wall between them and the reader. Their tales have been crafted in a way that lets you know they're intentionally letting you in, but not too far in. Bareilles lets the reader in in a rare and beautiful way.
Whether she's discussing her insecurities about being teased in school, sharing tales of her first love, or letting the reader see some of her struggles as music really became a career for her, she feels like a REAL person, and one you feel like you know. There aren't flashy tales of backstage antics, it's more about Sara as a person. And when she discusses the down side of fame, or the insecurities brought about by having a public image created for you, it's not complaining -- it's simply a statement of fact. She doesn't shy away from sharing the negatives of being a performer, but it doesn't make her sound like she's whining about it either. Again...I'm not able to articulate this idea well....
One of the most beautiful essays is the one that centers around the song "Beautiful Girl," where Sara writes a series of letters to herself. In them, she exposes some of her deepest fears and insecurities, starting with her grade school self, and working up to herself in the present day. In each letter, she tells herself that she is beautiful, and shares the insight she's gained over the years to explain that it will all be okay, and the pain is not for nothing.
There were moments that Sara shared that took my breath away. That made me think of my own life. That made me admire her more than I ever imagined I would. She is beautiful, and so is this book.
Sounds Like Me somehow caught me completely unaware. I knew about the book, knew I wanted to read it, but had NO IDEA how much it would mean to me when I did. I've been on a bit of an autobiography kick lately for whatever reason, and I've honestly enjoyed the others as well. But Bareilles is in a league of her own as far as I'm concerned.
That being said, I'm having a hard time articulating just why this book affected me so much. I've been thinking about almost since I started reading, and I don't know that I've put my finger on it. I think part of it is definitely that she expresses a vulnerability in her essays that surpasses anything you typically see. Other celebrity authors tell you things you didn't know about them, share stories of their lives, and entertain you, but you can still feel the wall between them and the reader. Their tales have been crafted in a way that lets you know they're intentionally letting you in, but not too far in. Bareilles lets the reader in in a rare and beautiful way.
Whether she's discussing her insecurities about being teased in school, sharing tales of her first love, or letting the reader see some of her struggles as music really became a career for her, she feels like a REAL person, and one you feel like you know. There aren't flashy tales of backstage antics, it's more about Sara as a person. And when she discusses the down side of fame, or the insecurities brought about by having a public image created for you, it's not complaining -- it's simply a statement of fact. She doesn't shy away from sharing the negatives of being a performer, but it doesn't make her sound like she's whining about it either. Again...I'm not able to articulate this idea well....
One of the most beautiful essays is the one that centers around the song "Beautiful Girl," where Sara writes a series of letters to herself. In them, she exposes some of her deepest fears and insecurities, starting with her grade school self, and working up to herself in the present day. In each letter, she tells herself that she is beautiful, and shares the insight she's gained over the years to explain that it will all be okay, and the pain is not for nothing.
There were moments that Sara shared that took my breath away. That made me think of my own life. That made me admire her more than I ever imagined I would. She is beautiful, and so is this book.
Sara adds the same poetic language she has in her songs to this book. She surprised me so many times with her diction when she was talking about the most mundane of things from her life. Since I'm coming in as a huge fan of "Waitress" I wanted most chapters on that, but I loved hearing about Sara's life outside of this brilliant little show. The audiobook is especially nice as she reads it all and is a really strong narrator.
This memoir was so fun as an audiobook (it's a big reason as to why my rating is five stars instead of four) Sara is genuine and never censors her quirkiness in her word choices or tone. Her talent in writing goes beyond her lyrics and into her stories. She talks about family, heartbreak, staying true to herself, her deep connections with her fans, etc. and you find yourself laughing and crying with her every step of the way. She's a true artist.
The audio version of this is the only way I wanted to experience this book. Sara introducing each chapter by singing was unique and memorable.
This memoir was one of the most amazing, most candid memoirs I’ve ever read. I’ve been a fan of Sara’s for years and years, but I was so pleasantly surprised to read and learn more about her life beyond the stage and beyond her songwriting capabilities.
Sara is such a compelling song writer and an even more engaging author. She makes you feel the feelings she’s encapsulating in her songs and she draws you in with her prose. The book had me laughing, had me crying, and left me feeling PROUD to be a Sara Bareilles fan.
The vulnerability she exhibits in this book is admirable and the way in which she writes her story makes it feel like she’s letting you in on a secret only you and her know. Seeing the way Sara was able to seamlessly weave the stories of her life with the backstories of her songs I grew up listening to and loving gave an entirely new depth to her music and fostered a new appreciation for Sara as a person, and not just a talented writer and performer. It sounds silly to say, but you don’t realize how much somebody’s life impacts their craft and I feel lucky to have been let in on the stories she was willing to share.
As somebody who listens to many audiobooks, I’ve never been quite so taken with a narrator before. Memoirs, in my eyes, should always be read by the author, and hearing Sounds Like Me read by Sara gave an additional depth to this book and I honestly feel like it’s a disservice to anybody to only read and not listen to the audiobook as well.
I listened to the audio narration and read along with the book at the same time and I will say, both mediums have their perks. The book is filled with handwritten lyrics to Sara’s songs and beautiful photographs that add so much to the reading journey. The audiobook, on the other hand, made the story feel complete. Sara was able to whisper or yell or mock herself or use inflections as she read her story and I think it added another dimension to an already raw and beautiful story.
I can’t recommend this book (and audiobook) enough!
Sara is such a compelling song writer and an even more engaging author. She makes you feel the feelings she’s encapsulating in her songs and she draws you in with her prose. The book had me laughing, had me crying, and left me feeling PROUD to be a Sara Bareilles fan.
The vulnerability she exhibits in this book is admirable and the way in which she writes her story makes it feel like she’s letting you in on a secret only you and her know. Seeing the way Sara was able to seamlessly weave the stories of her life with the backstories of her songs I grew up listening to and loving gave an entirely new depth to her music and fostered a new appreciation for Sara as a person, and not just a talented writer and performer. It sounds silly to say, but you don’t realize how much somebody’s life impacts their craft and I feel lucky to have been let in on the stories she was willing to share.
As somebody who listens to many audiobooks, I’ve never been quite so taken with a narrator before. Memoirs, in my eyes, should always be read by the author, and hearing Sounds Like Me read by Sara gave an additional depth to this book and I honestly feel like it’s a disservice to anybody to only read and not listen to the audiobook as well.
I listened to the audio narration and read along with the book at the same time and I will say, both mediums have their perks. The book is filled with handwritten lyrics to Sara’s songs and beautiful photographs that add so much to the reading journey. The audiobook, on the other hand, made the story feel complete. Sara was able to whisper or yell or mock herself or use inflections as she read her story and I think it added another dimension to an already raw and beautiful story.
I can’t recommend this book (and audiobook) enough!
If you love Sara’s music, you’ll love this. A lovely book of essays that shows that we are all doing our best, in need of some self love, and that the magic of music is mystical and important.
I found this significantly more delightful than I expected. My favorite memoir I've read since Bossypants!
...well, to be more accurate, listened to. She sings on the audiobook! It is so worth it.
...well, to be more accurate, listened to. She sings on the audiobook! It is so worth it.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced