A review by ashleysbookthoughts
You Got Anything Stronger?: Stories by Gabrielle Union

emotional funny reflective fast-paced

5.0

A celebrity memoir really hinges on how honest and vulnerable the author is willing to be. Gabrielle Union states that vulnerability doesn’t come easy to her, but you wouldn’t know it from either of her books. Her stories are remarkably forthright and honest. 

I adored her first book, We’re Going to Need More Wine, and this one is just as good. (Confession: I harbor a fantasy where she and I are friends). She tells stories about her life that are both funny and heartbreaking, while weaving in commentary about being a Black woman both in the world in general and in Hollywood specifically. 

Obviously, the book is at its most emotional and poignant in the more serious stories: the journey of Kaavia James’ birth, navigating Zaya’s journey of gender discovery, and the aftermath of her rape at age 19.  But, I also found myself getting choked up at lighter stories, including a dance battle with Bruno Mars. Union finds the heart and meaning behind every story she tells, which makes for an incredibly affecting read. 

I listened to this one on audio, and I highly recommend it, as she reads it herself. It truly feels like sitting with a girlfriend and learning what makes her tick. I absolutely loved it. 
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