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She's built years of happy memories in their low-key beach house rental.

I listened to this audiobook and highly recommend immersing yourself in Michelle Obama's voice as she shares calm, wise, funny, or poignant reflections, personal practices, and gems of advice regarding retaining hope and being your best self. Many of us, I think, puzzle out our identities only over time, figuring out who we are and what we need in order to get by. We approximate our way into maturity, often following some loose idea of what we believe grown-up life is supposed to look like.... We make mistakes and then start over again.... We sample and discard different attitudes, approaches, influences, and tools for living until, piece by piece, we begin to better understand what suits us best, what helps us most. I read Michelle Obama's wonderful book Becoming, but after my wise friend Katherine mentioned having listened to it, I immediately wished I had heard Michelle's calming voice read it to me too. So I decided to listen to The Light We Carry and was instantly sure audiobook was the right format for me. Rather than pretending there are quick fixes for life's challenges and difficulties, Obama opens up her "toolbox" of emotional, meditative, and optimistic methods of coping, reminding herself of what's what, and ways in which she carries on in the face of adversity. While her White House circumstances are unusual and some of her related recollections are unique, her methods translate to the rest of us and daily life. She builds her book around pivotal encounters with others or aims to answer questions that have been frequently posed to her, along the way sharing more of the story of her family, marriage, political life, friendships, frustrations, hopes, goals, and joys. It sounds unfairly simplistic to summarize her practices with the short, catchy phrases she builds upon: "starting kind," "when they go low, we go high," and forming a "kitchen table" of friendships. While the ideas aren't complicated--which is the point of this book, after all: offering meaningful ways to be and to keep hope and be a light in the world--there are emotionally revealing stories and shining gems to dig into here. I didn't necessarily come away with new approaches (aside from entertaining the idea of incorporating a version of her friend's "Hey, Buddy!" morning self-greeting), but I thoroughly enjoyed and felt calmed by listening to this wise, kind, savvy woman read her gorgeously written thoughts and well-crafted reflections. Her writing--deep self-reflection with sometimes poetic phrasing--is just beautiful. I loved reading this and spending time with Michelle Obama. Do you have any Bossy thoughts about this book? Michelle Obama is also the author of Becoming and American Grown.

moments, How to Say Goodbye shines a light on the things we can potentially shape--including sharing memories of interest to you, you might also be interested in the books on my Greedy Reading List Six Powerful Memoirs

In Admissions, Kendra James explores race, friendship, ambition, and the absurdities and rhythm of daily life during her time at a New England boarding school. Kendra James was the first Black legacy to graduate from The Taft School, an elite boarding school in Connecticut. When she later works as an admissions officer specializing in diversity recruitment for independent prep schools, she finds herself examining her high school educational experience with a more critical eye, forcing herself to delve more deeply into aspects of her years at Taft that she largely glossed over at the time--and ultimately debating whether or not she should be advising families to pursue the same precarious path she herself followed. Digging into the past often seems a difficult undertaking, and as she looks back, Kendra James explains that her main goals when she attended Taft were not bringing to light racial injustice and leading a charge toward change, but typically teenage: to escape into role-playing video games and write fan fiction, to bond with a few classmates through watching favorite movies, and, primarily, to secure a spot in a college of her choice, then to (as is the goal for many high schoolers, for various reasons) get out of high school and get on with the rest of her life. James notes repeatedly that she felt largely unseen and unknown during her boarding school years. When she attends various Taft alumni events in the years following her graduation, they cement this same feeling. Her appearance in a Taft publication that lists her incorrect graduation year (and reunion year) grates on her as more evidence of this. The majority of page time is focused on aspects of James's boarding-school life, including its rhythms and peculiarities. James received financial aid to attend Taft, then $35,000 a year, and she then attended Oberlin for college, which, by her and her parents' design, was an admissions door likely opened more widely because of her Taft pedigree. But the book is not in large part about financial or class privilege. At times James laments the absence of frank discussions about race that she might have had with her parents, and she criticizes the lack of information she received from them on the topic. She wishes she could have learned more from them before entering Taft about the many ways she might have expected race to affect her life--especially considering the vastly white, elite circles her parents had either dipped their toes into or immersed themselves in: for example, Taft, Smith, Brown, and her father's banking job. The author notes that when she was a high schooler, in that place and time in our society, she didn't have an understanding of the power of daily microaggressions nor of blatant racism--nor did she have the language and perspective she now has to talk about such things--in order to sift through the many disturbing race-based incidents in her young life. James's evaluation of events of these years--including the racism she experienced at school; diverse, acute instances of disturbing behavior, whether race-based and class- and gender-based; and the social segregation of social groups by race--feels hesitantly explored at times as she attempts to dig into her raw teenage feelings while acknowledging her youthful lack of understanding and her early, unformed grasp of the myriad social, racial, and class issues shaping her experience. Regarding a situation in which the strict rule-follower James was accused of wrongdoing while at Taft, the author acknowledges that for years she largely glossed over not only the event, but the racial issues bubbling beneath the incident and her resulting emotional trauma, pushing all of this down until her reckoning with it in young adulthood. Late in the book, James shares select portions of a disturbing article a white student wrote for the school paper while James also attended Taft, in which the article's author largely blames the school's racial divides on the students of color themselves and mentions her discomfort about the existence of programs and events that put people of color at their center. James expresses anger and frustration at Taft's ineffective response--and at the many missed opportunities she sees before and after that event for the school to have shaped an effective approach to true inclusion. In Admissions, James offer a book that is partly a social critique, partly a recounting of the absurdities she experienced, and partly simply her unique story of living away from home and often feeling lonely and alone in her experience. I received a prepublication digital edition of this book courtesy of Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley. Do you have any Bossy thoughts about this book? Kendra James was a founding editor at Shondaland, where she worked for two years. She has written articles for various publications and is the author of a romance novel, When Hearts Collide.

After sixteen-year-old Bree's mother dies in an accident, she escapes the painful memories of her childhood attack of a mythical creature on a student--then must evade a fellow student's attempts to wipe her memory

about facing mortality, you might be interested in the books on my Greedy Reading List Six Powerful Memoirs World by Jai Chakrabarti Chakrabarti offers characters with complex struggles, hopes, and haunting memories Wilf, whose wife is losing her memories at the same time vivid memories of past events come rushing back I mentioned Dani Shapiro's fascinating memoir Inheritance in the Greedy Reading List Six More Illuminating Memoirs to Lose Yourself In.

determine what they're made of as they consider friendship, betrayal, fear of failure, the power of memory

Parton shares the background and context for 175 of her songs, frankly discussing her inspiration, life, and the formerly untouchable topics she dove into headfirst through songs. What's better than listening to Dolly talk about her inspirations, her artistic journey, her joys and her silliness, those who have influenced her, and her motivations--along with short musical snippets? Nothing. This is a fast-paced book, as Dolly talks about various thoughts as related to 175 of her songs, while country music author Robert K. Oermann intersperses short intros to add structure and background. The interjections from Oermann are necessary, but they sometimes feel abrupt, and while Dolly's stories are as intriguing and delightful as I'd hoped, she seems to feel the need to provide summations, which begin to feel repetitive. But none of that really mattered to me. I adored listening to Dolly laugh and ponder and reminisce and reflect. Through decades of straight-talking song lyrics, she has instinctively and repeatedly offered sympathetic points of view of the persecuted, disrespected, and dismissed: prostitutes, the poor, unwed teenage mothers, and more. The characters in her songs are often driven to the edge of what they can cope with. Sometimes Dolly lets them fall, but other times her songs about freedom (with her metaphors of butterflies and eagles) set those in her songs soaring. Meanwhile, Dolly's offhanded mentions of endless projects, ideas, collaborations, and plans make clear she's one of the hardest working women in show business. I mentioned Dolly Parton, Songteller in the Greedy Reading List of book ideas Shhh! More Book Gift Ideas for the Holidays. Do you have any Bossy thoughts about this book? Another Dolly-focused book I'd like to read is She Come By It Natural: Dolly Parton and the Women Who Lived Her Songs by Sarah Smarsh. The author examines the social progressiveness that progressive female singers like Dolly have championed through song.

ICYMI: Smith evokes a vivid sense of the regional South in her fiction, and in this memoir she traces In her memoir Dimestore, Lee Smith traces her beginnings in the Appalachian coal-mining town of Grundy What could have been simply a charming memoir about growing up in Appalachia and an account the incredible I mentioned this book in my Greedy Reading List Six Fascinating Memoirs to Explore.

Helena Smith is a neuroscientist creating technology to preserve memories and allow people to relive are not real, and that they’re actually mentally ill, suffering from False Memory Syndrome. When they encounter loved ones from their memories who are now living alternate lives, in many cases While Sutton begins digging into what’s real and what’s a lie, Smith works feverishly to preserve memories When he begins to have memory loss and other odd symptoms, he realizes it’s linked to his past time travel

Memories can be manipulated and erased, as characters' minds take the shape of a previous reboot and

make self-destructive decisions but ultimately settle into more settled futures while holding their memories

I listened to Dave Grohl's memoir, in which he tracks his youth in Springfield, Virginia; through his

another layer of sadness, particularly for other friends and family members who want to share the load of memory

Crawford's memoir lays bare systemic lies, gross injustices, horrifying abuses of privilege and power Know My Name by Chanel Miller is another memoir that thoughtfully reflects on sexual assault, societal

Reality, dream, desire, memory, and guilt all become intertwined, and it's difficult for Samantha--and

was able to do so (online) courtesy of The Goldfinch Foundation , which was formed in honor and in memory

Issues of memory, chosen family, history, loneliness, and love shape Vuong's novel, and the author forces

Harper's memoir begins when her marriage is ending and her medical career as an ER doctor is beginning Another doctor's memoir that came to mind as I read this book (a memoir that connects faith and science in a memoir that made me cry) was I've Seen the End of You: A Neurosurgeon's Look at Faith, Doubt, and #memoir, #threestarbookreview

After sixteen-year-old Bree's mother dies in an accident, she escapes the painful memories of her childhood attack of a mythical creature on a student--then must evade a fellow student's attempts to wipe her memory

characters that spans centuries, Cloud Cuckoo Land; I'm listening to Crying in H Mart, Michelle Zauner's memoir Ford's memoir about growing up while her father was incarcerated and the complicated childhood that shaped 28, courtesy of NetGalley and Scribner. 02 Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner I'm listening to this memoir In her memoir Somebody's Daughter, Ford explores her complicated relationship with her mother, her endless

Wong structures her memoir into letters for her daughters without editing out her intimate experiences Sometimes a celebrity memoir just hits the spot. #memoir, #threestarbookreview

#memoir, #fivestarbookreview

brutal honesty, but I admit to sometimes becoming impatient with the navel-gazing necessary to create a memoir #memoir, #fourstarbookreview

I'm a sucker for a celebrity memoir, and especially listening to the audiobook as I did here, when I #memoir, #fourstarbookreview

cult; and So Long, See You Tomorrow, William Maxwell's story of mining youthful, sometimes difficult memories In doing so, he traces memories and tracks down details from his childhood, reliving moments and bringing The story promises to explore loss, the state of seeking, the power of youthful memory, and the irresistible

The author shares his love of food, cooking, and sharing meals in this irresistible memoir that's also I've been on an audiobook memoir kick, and Stanley Tucci's Taste is the latest love of mine on that list But Taste is also a memoir. For more memoirs you might like, check out the Greedy Reading List Six Fascinating Memoirs to Explore It also links to five more memoir lists, including a foodie memoir roundup!

Jaouad offers a powerful, introspective memoir about coping with leukemia and its accompanying emotions Some shared wisdom, some showed caring through food, and one memorable acquaintance spoke to her about The journey around the country, in comparison, takes up far less space in Jaouad's memoir although it

It's January 1889, and Veronica and her natural historian beau Stoker are working on a memorial exhibition

ICYMI: This five-star read--part memoir/part essay--is one of my favorite books of Ann Patchett's, and In This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage, a book that's part memoir, part essay, Ann Patchett shares

Wilf, whose memories of past events come rushing back. I mentioned Dani Shapiro's fascinating memoir Inheritance in the Greedy Reading List Six More Illuminating Memoirs to Lose Yourself In. 03 Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen "There are birds, and then there

In her newest memoir Bomb Shelter, Mary Laura Philpott explores her worries about and views of the world Mary Laura Philpott is also the author of the memoir I Miss You When I Blink.

#memoir, #faith, #dysfunctionalfamily, #fourstarbookreview, #leavingthewitness 02 The Unexpected Spy ​ That said, I have a tough time reading memoirs in which someone is fighting cancer, and this one may For my full review of The Unwinding of the Miracle: A Memoir of Life, Death, and Everything that Comes #memoir, #nonfiction, #heartwarming, #fourstarbookreview, #theunwindingofthemiracle 04 Maybe You Should #memoir, #fourstarbookreview, #openbook What are the most interesting memoirs you've read recently?

I wasn't familiar with McCurdy when I began listening to her memoir, I'm Glad My Mom Died, although I

Helena Smith is a neuroscientist creating technology to preserve memories and allow people to relive People like the victim Sutton is investigating are told that their vivid recollections of their life’s memories are not real, and that they’re actually mentally ill, suffering from False Memory Syndrome. When they encounter loved ones from their memories who are now living alternate lives, in many cases While Sutton begins digging into what’s real and what’s a lie, Smith works feverishly to preserve memories

I listened to Broken Horses: A Memoir by Brandi Carlile, and I highly recommend the audiobook. Broken Horses feels like a memoir for which I might actually need to experience the audiobook and the I often feel torn when I read celebrity memoirs, because while I understand that people must keep some If you like memoirs, you might try the books on the Greedy Reading Lists Six Illuminating Memoirs I've Read This Year, Six Illuminating Memoirs to Dive Into, and Six More Illuminating Memoirs to Lose Yourself

I listened to Katie Couric's memoir Going There, in which she traces her media career from its modest This isn't the crux of Couric's memoir, and I imagine it was difficult to manage how to address this : Six Fascinating Memoirs to Explore Six More Fascinating Memoirs to Explore Six Illuminating Memoirs to Dive Into Six Illuminating Memoirs I've Read This Year Six More Illuminating Memoirs to Lose Yourself In Six Foodie Memoirs to Whet Your Appetite Six Powerful Memoirs about Facing Mortality

I was disappointed that she doesn't dig into her former self's memories enough to unlock a real connection

When she flees to remote California, her ability to travel through memory to revisit the past secures

Haunted by the past and threatened in the present, Gretel shapes the novel with disturbing memories from

like controlling the past--those who dole out the food reserves also control access to taste-inspired memories

present-day scenes with Yara's journals (made up of often brutally painful, occasionally momentarily lovely memories

final moments, How to Say Goodbye focuses on the things we can potentially shape--including sharing memories of interest to you, you might also be interested in the books on my Greedy Reading List Six Powerful Memoirs

Helena Smith is a neuroscientist creating technology to preserve memories and allow people to relive People like the victim Sutton is investigating are told that their vivid recollections of their life’s memories are not real, and that they’re actually mentally ill, suffering from False Memory Syndrome. When they encounter loved ones from their memories who are now living alternate lives, in many cases While Sutton begins digging into what’s real and what’s a lie, Smith works feverishly to preserve memories

I hold every memory of him like a match I let burn down to the end, singeing my fingers until it hurts

I Am, I Am, I Am is Maggie O'Farrell's memoir of pivotal near-death experiences that shaped her life

I prefer listening to my memoirs read by the author, and I loved hearing U2's songwriter and lead singer If you enjoy musicians' memoirs about the making of their music and their lives, you might like the books on the Greedy Reading List Six Musicians' Memoirs that Sing.

I do like a thoughtful memoir if I can get it, and in A Very Punchable Face: A Memoir, Colin Jost offers Memoirs have been hitting the spot for me during Pandemic Times even more than usual. #memoir, #nonfiction, #threestarbookreview

Haig is vulnerable and specific in his short memoir about his own experiences with mental illness and Matt Haig explores his experiences with depression and mental illness in his short memoir Reasons to If you like to read memoirs, you might try the titles on the Greedy Reading Lists Six Illuminating Memoirs to Dive Into, Six More Illuminating Memoirs to Lose Yourself In, Six Powerful Memoirs about Facing Mortality , and Six Foodie Memoirs to Whet Your Appetite.

The pacing is slow, and the book is largely made up of various characters talking about conflicting memories