A Book A Week

Take a moment to consider the individuals who have left the most significant imprint on your life. Who comes to mind? Perhaps it's friends, family members, teachers, or mentors—those who truly understand you. Are they still present in your life today? Reflecting on those who have influenced me, I feel a twinge of sadness, realizing that many of them are no longer a part of my life. Whether due to distance, circumstances, or the passage of time, there inevitably comes a point when we must come to terms with the loss of those significant individuals who are no longer with us. In her latest book, Bits and Pieces, actor and comedian Whoopi Goldberg reminisces about her inner circle, particularly her late mother and brother—two individuals who knew her best. Following their passing, Goldberg reflects on their profound impact on her life and the void left behind in their absence.

For many around the world, Whoopi Goldberg is a familiar name. The EGOT winner has entertained us for decades, from her acclaimed Broadway performances and memorable film and TV roles to her recent tenure on The View. However, only two people truly knew Goldberg on a deeply personal level. To them, she wasn't Whoopi Goldberg but simply Caryn, a daughter and sister who made up the third member of a small family living in the projects of New York.

Despite being impoverished, Goldberg never noticed the lack of money and resources. Her mother, Emma, was determined not just to raise her children to survive but to thrive. Through a series of deeply personal stories and recollections, Goldberg shares her childhood experiences, her relationship with her brother and mother, and the pivotal moments that shaped her into the woman she is today. The audiobook, narrated by Goldberg herself, enhances the intimacy of these reflections. Her conversational delivery makes you feel like you're listening to an old friend or family member reminiscing about the good old days. Her mother's resilience stands out, as Emma never allowed their circumstances to limit her children's potential, instilling in Goldberg the belief that she could achieve greatness.

Beyond her immediate family, Goldberg credits mentors like Mike Nichols and Steven Spielberg for instilling in her the same confidence in her career that her family provided in other aspects of her life. She acknowledges that she hasn't always been perfect—after all, we all "step in poo" from time to time—but she takes pride in learning and growing from her mistakes and is committed to continuing that growth. Goldberg lost her mother in 2010 and her brother five years later. She writes about the profound sense of loss that still fills her, a grief that she has learned to live with but that never fully goes away. She finds solace in knowing she is still here for a reason, that her presence in her work and with her family remains fulfilling.

Ultimately, Bits and Pieces is a love story about the power of family, friends, and living life authentically. It combines humor with heartfelt reflections on the candid moments of a woman who still has much to offer the world. The book serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring impact that loved ones have on our lives and the importance of cherishing those connections.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2024, 41)

On Friday nights at my home, you can usually find my husband and me glued to the TV, catching the latest episode of RuPaul's Drag Race. This reality competition, hosted by the legendary drag queen RuPaul, is a joyous celebration of queer art, expression, and identity, making it not only culturally significant but also incredibly entertaining. RuPaul has mesmerized audiences for years with his drag persona, delivering a unique blend of humor and fantastical charm. Still, the man behind the supermodel has remained relatively veiled. In his memoir, The House of Hidden Meanings, RuPaul extends an intimate invitation, offering readers a glimpse into his life and laying bare his soul. It gives us a chance to finally meet the authentic RuPaul.

RuPaul always stood out. As a young black boy in San Diego, he grappled with his queer identity in an era when such struggles weren't widely accepted. With his father intermittently present and his mother contending with her own emotional challenges, one thing was evident—RuPaul was destined for stardom. He reflects on the laughter he could evoke from his mother, who predicted his future fame. Despite the hardships, RuPaul embarked on a journey of self-acceptance, learning to embrace and express his true self.

The House of Hidden Meanings doesn't offer a current behind-the-scenes glimpse of RuPaul's life, and there's no mention of the reality show that has dominated his recent career. Instead, the memoir delves into RuPaul's coming-of-age narrative, unfolding alongside significant moments in queer history. As the emerging superstar shaped his identity as a drag performer within the punk scenes of Atlanta and New York, he also played a pivotal role in bringing queer art to the forefront.

In this deeply personal memoir, RuPaul candidly shares his story, steering clear of the glamorous façade of his current stardom. Listening to the audiobook, narrated by the author himself and provided by the publisher, I felt the passion, pride, and pain that underscored his life story. RuPaul confronts the hurdles he faced during his rise to celebrity, offering unfiltered accounts of his struggles with relationships, the challenges of the entertainment industry, and his battle with drug addiction. Ultimately, he discovered strength through his chosen family, self-acceptance, and confronting his demons. The telling of this story makes for an insightful and inspirational read.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2024, 19)

One of the most eagerly awaited literary events of the year has finally come to fruition, and it has exceeded even the loftiest of expectations. When the news broke about Britney Spears' forthcoming tell-all memoir earlier this year, the only question that loomed was just how monumental this book would become. Whether scrolling through Bookstagram or simply going about my daily life, it's impossible to miss the presence of The Woman in Me. Britney Spears' life has been a rollercoaster of superstardom and heartbreak, and this book offers a unique opportunity for her to set the record straight. Being someone who can't resist a buzzworthy book, I knew I had to read it for myself.

I decided to opt for the audiobook format primarily because the waitlist at my local library was significantly shorter, with only a few hundred listeners in line compared to the thousands vying for a physical copy. Renowned actress Michelle Williams takes on the role of the narrator, skillfully capturing Britney's life down to every gripping detail. And what an extraordinary narrative it proves to be. From a very young age, Britney's existence was marked by the stark contrast between her exuberance for performing and the dark undercurrents in her family life. While she honed her talents and gained recognition through appearances on shows like Star Search and the Mickey Mouse Club, she grappled with acrimonious disputes between her parents and her father's struggles with addiction, often leading to outright abusive behavior. This tragic reality served as a somber prelude to the years ahead.

Britney doesn't evade the controversies that have long swirled around her life. She candidly addresses the subjects of her failed relationships, pivotal moments in her career, and the polarizing conservatorship that profoundly reshaped her existence. As is often the case with memoirs of this nature, some of the most sensational details had already made headlines weeks before the book's release. However, within the context of the memoir itself, these snippets appear far less controversial than the media might lead one to believe. Instead, what emerges is the story of a woman who has consistently strived to please those in her life, whether it be her partners, her family, or her devoted fans, often at the cost of her own happiness. It appears that now, she has decided to prioritize her own well-being, regardless of the potential consequences. She seems to have shaken off the pressures that have cast such a negative shadow over much of her life.

The Woman in Me has left me with a whirlwind of mixed emotions. It's evident that the book has been significantly shaped by ghostwriters, which isn't inherently negative, but the language within its pages doesn't align with the Instagram captions Britney herself has posted in recent years. Nevertheless, I do believe that this book authentically portrays Britney's life. Her story is undeniably her own. Unfortunately, the grim details surrounding her abusive conservatorship are even more harrowing than I had anticipated. It's a difficult challenge to reconcile the fact that her family and the judges responsible for assessing her fitness to manage her own life simultaneously deemed her mentally unfit to oversee her finances, physical and mental well-being, and even the upbringing of her children. Yet, they still deemed her competent to maintain a grueling performance schedule to generate income that would ultimately benefit the same individuals who declared her unwell. This represents a deeply troubling abuse of the legal system that persisted for far too long.

I'm uncertain if sharing this story will genuinely improve Britney's situation. In some ways, it might draw further attention to someone who clearly requires solitude and time to heal from decades of abuse. On the other hand, it's heartening to witness her ability to finally recount her narrative in the way she desires. Ultimately, all of us should have the freedom to live life as we see fit, and I'm relieved that Britney finally appears to be on the path to freedom.

For more information, visit Amazon and Goodreads. 

(2023, 76)