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We're Going to Need More Wine
We're Going to Need More Wine: Stories That Are Funny, Complicated, and True | Gabrielle Union
In the spirit of Amy Poehlers Yes Please, Lena Dunhams Not That Kind of Girl, and Roxane Gay's Bad Feminist, a powerful collection of essays about gender, sexuality, race, beauty, Hollywood, and what it means to be a modern woman. One month before the release of the highly anticipated film The Birth of a Nation, actress Gabrielle Union shook the world with a vulnerable and impassioned editorial in which she urged our society to have compassion for victims of sexual violence. In the wake of rape allegations made against director and actor Nate Parker, Uniona forty-four-year-old actress who launched her career with roles in iconic 90s moviesinstantly became the insightful, outspoken actress that Hollywood has been desperately awaiting. With honesty and heartbreaking wisdom, she revealed her own trauma as a victim of sexual assault: "It is for you that I am speaking. This is real. We are real." In this moving collection of thought provoking essays infused with her unique wisdom and deep humor, Union uses that same fearlessness to tell astonishingly personal and true stories about power, color, gender, feminism, and fame. Union tackles a range of experiences, including bullying, beauty standards, and competition between women in Hollywood, growing up in white California suburbia and then spending summers with her black relatives in Nebraska, coping with crushes, puberty, and the divorce of her parents. Genuine and perceptive, Union bravely lays herself bare, uncovering a complex and courageous life of self-doubt and self-discovery with incredible poise and brutal honesty. Throughout, she compels us to be ethical and empathetic, and reminds us of the importance of confidence, self-awareness, and the power of sharing truth, laughter, and support.
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violettemeier
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Pickpick

Pleasantly interesting. I never thought I would like this book, but I really enjoyed hearing about her life.

Zoes_Human This one was a surprise love for me too! I liked her second book as well. 9mo
violettemeier @Zoes_Human I'll check it out 9mo
38 likes2 comments
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Kristy_K
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Pickpick

While I certainly enjoyed Union‘s comedic side, it was her serious, passionate moments that really stood out to me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

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ncsufoxes
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Pickpick

I listed to this on as an audio book (I‘ve had a physical copy sitting on my shelf). I really liked this one. Union has endured so many things: racism, sexual assault, love, & loss. She has become an advocate for many different causes & has worked to make her voice heard as she makes space for women. I loved her honesty & emotion as she read her story. #bookspin bingo #nonfiction2023 prompt: Purple Rain (she has a Prince connection).

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 13mo
Riveted_Reader_Melissa I loved that book too, and the Prince mention in the book fits perfectly for the prompt (edited) 13mo
28 likes2 comments
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Jas16
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Pickpick

I was so pleasantly about surprised by how candid Union is about not only the difficulties she has experienced but also in sharing stories where she does not get portrayed in the best light. This collection of essays has it all- laughter, tears, serious reflection- exactly like a night spent talking with your best friend as you go through a bottle or two. Cannot wait to listen to her later book.

Suet624 I really liked this one too. 💕 2y
66 likes1 comment
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LibrarianBanana
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Pickpick

I never really considered myself a fan of her even though I love Being Mary Jane but after listening to her stories, I am in love with her. She really does go all in and tells everything, good, bad, and ugly ugly, with a perspective and sense of self that left me wanting more.

15 likes1 stack add
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Chelsea.Poole
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Pickpick

Gabrielle Union seems so real in these candid episodes from her life. She talks about her teenage life, touches on her marriage to Dwayne Wade, a bit of her acting experience and life as a celebrity. A great audiobook! I happened to finish this one and then had a gathering with my bffs where we took this photo and had plentyyyy of wine. 🍷 it felt like a fitting photo. I‘m on the far right in the photo😊

Gissy Even the doggy 🐕 was celebrating ❤️❤️❤️ 2y
110 likes1 stack add1 comment
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JacintaMCarter
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Pickpick

#2022Book11
I've been a fan of Gabrielle Union since her 7th Heaven days. I always knew she was a great actress, but I didn't realize how truly funny she is. She writes with warmth, honesty, and humor, taking on the toughest events she's experienced. If you enjoy her movies, I highly recommend picking up a copy of this. And if you have no idea who she is, I highly recommend you watch everything she's been in and then pick up a copy of this.

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keepingupwiththepenguins
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Pickpick

This book feels like a boozy conversation with a friend, one that runs the full gamut and has you cracking open another bottle just to keep it going. That doesn‘t mean that it‘s fluffy or insubstantial. As well as exploring race and violence and sexuality, Union uses anecdotes from her life to discuss illness, death, fear, and vulnerability, too. Full review: https://keepingupwiththepenguins.com/were-going-to-need-more-wine-gabrielle-unio...

48 likes2 stack adds
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Kris10H
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Pickpick

⭐⭐⭐⭐⚡
I really enjoyed this memoir. Union is a strong, intelligent woman, and it was very insightful hearing about her experiences growing up in a predominantly white area, fertility issues, helping to raise her husband's children (she doesn't like the word step-mom), losing a loved one to cancer, and more. I will be reading her more recently released memoir, You Got Anything Stronger?

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cariashley
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Pickpick

Really loved this audiobook, which was wonderfully read by Union herself. Very real and raw in the best way.

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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

Union is hilarious, but this is not a funny memoir. I knew almost nothing about her before reading this. She has dealt with so many extreme issues that you can't help but admire her strength. She's a rape survivor and has dealt with infertility, divorce, racism in Hollywood, and the death of close friends. It is a lot to process, but her honesty and vulnerability with which she shares her truth made the book hard to put down.

26 likes1 stack add
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audraelizabeth
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Pickpick

Very interesting and enlightening. I appreciated that she did not gloss ovsr the hard times and her struggles and also didn't try to make it like she is better than others or brag on herself. I loved that she chose to narrate the audio herself. Ive loved her in many of the movies she has been in.
#bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks need to finish 1 and start and finish 1 more for bingo.

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Looking great!! 3y
13 likes2 comments
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S3V3N
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#WondrousWednesday @Eggs
My favorite genre is Psychological Thrillers. I have read so many good ones that I can‘t say who has mastered it.
My favorite nonfiction writers are Bell Hooks and James Baldwin. Carter G. Woodson‘s Miseducation of the Negro is my favorite nonfiction book.

Eggs Thanks for playing 📚👏🏻👍🏼 3y
26 likes1 comment
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KimberlyJuracich
Pickpick

I loved it. Listened to it as an audio book. I love her and I love the real was in her book. Would do recommend to read.

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Jb2003
Pickpick

I loved listening to her read her book. She‘s so real and open. A great look at the humanity and struggle of celebrity as well.

*Trigger Warning: she does discuss her experiences with racism, rape, and miscarriages.*

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thebluestocking
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Pickpick

Thoughtful and thought-provoking essays that deal with fame, yes, but also race and sexual assault and marriage and being human. I very much enjoyed these.

Scochrane26 I really liked this one, too. 4y
TheBookHippie I liked this one. It was really we written. 4y
S3V3N I really liked this one. 4y
66 likes3 comments
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bookishdawg
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“...you can be scared to death, as I‘ve been sharing these stories with you, and do the thing you need to do anyway.”
Loved this honest, unflinching memoir in essays. ❤️

Melismatic Loved this! It really made me like Gab even more 🥰 4y
18 likes1 comment
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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Today‘s pick is a great memoir, I‘ve recommended this often, and haven‘t found anyone who disliked it yet...and yet I don‘t think it‘s ever gotten the attention and kudos it so rightly deserves. Gabrielle Union is so honest, so openly rawly honest about everything from her rape, to her infertility issues, her life in all its highs and lows and even with all of that her fears for her children being in the wrong place at the wrong time. A Must Read!

Scochrane26 I loved this one, too. 4y
SW-T It was an excellent read! 4y
Suet624 I agree. 4y
56 likes1 stack add4 comments
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sarahlandis
Pickpick

An honest and open book of essays about the authors personal life. Reflections on race, family, Hollywood, and a LOT of reflections on sexuality. This book was an easy, refreshing read.

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thestarlesscasea
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Pickpick

Gabrielle Union is a national treasure, and this audiobook was wonderful. Right off the bat I want to give a content warning for rape. She gets very real about her experiences of sexual violence and racism, which I really appreciated. She was also so vulnerable and so honest about her own flaws and failures, and the hard-learned lessons that have come from them, which takes a lot of courage. I really loved this. Good call, @Eyelit 💙

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Lisebo
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I enjoyed this book with my favorite merlot 🍷

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kaysworld1
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Pickpick

I loved this book she is honest, raw and she checks herself when she's wrong.
The funniest part was the yeast infection and the vanilla yogurt! OMG 😂 she talks about rape and cancer along with being a step mother. Pictured is my two favourite parts, This book is full of everything.
#readingmyownbooks #reading #lockdownreading #books #autobiography 🍷📚

Riveted_Reader_Melissa This book is wonderful! I loved it too, I listened on audiobook to her read it, which was so intimate...but seeing your post makes me think I really should read it too. 4y
34 likes1 comment
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thestarlesscasea
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"So repeat after me: I resolve to embrace my sexuality and my freedom to do with my body parts as I see fit. And I will learn about my body so I can take care of it and get the pleasure I deserve. I will share that information with anyone and everyone, and not police the usage of any vagina but my own, so help me Judy Blume."

Gabrielle Union is such a human gem.
Thank you @Eyelit for the rec! ✨

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Lisebo
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Pickpick

Loved the humor...and interaction with the reader. Very easy read. Enjoyed it...some parts we not too entertained and I could not relate to (e.g high school experience)

SW-T This was a fun read. Welcome to Litsy! 🥳 #litsywelcomewagon 4y
2 likes1 comment
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kaysworld1
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Finally it has arrived 3 week's late but none the less it here and it's my book for the #EasterExtravaganza #readingmyownbooks #booksiown
@Andrew65

Andrew65 Great 😊 4y
33 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Kalalalatja
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Pickpick

I wish Gabrielle Union and I were friends. Listening to her tell about her life has felt like spending an evening with a close friend, telling stories and drinking wine. Union‘s life hasn‘t been easy, and hearing her tell about her trauma was heartbreaking 💔

Could this count for a book about wine for #Booked2020?? @BarbaraTheBibliophage @Cinfhen @4thhouseontheleft

alisiakae Works for me! 4y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa I‘d say yes....and it‘s a great book! 4y
BarbaraTheBibliophage You bet! I should give this one a try! 4y
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Blaire I thought this was so good! Much better than standard celeb memoir. I became a fan because of the book. 4y
Cinfhen Sure!!! That‘s a great twist on the prompt ❣️ 4y
Kalalalatja @4thhouseontheleft @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @BarbaraTheBibliophage @Cinfhen awesome, I‘ll mark that prompt as finished, then 😄 @Blaire agree, this felt more real, somehow 4y
Suet624 This really was so much better than I expected. 4y
81 likes1 stack add7 comments
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tholmz
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Pickpick

I listened to this one and adored it! Gabrielle is a great storyteller, her literal voice is soothing, and she‘s clearly put in the work to have a lot of perspective on what she‘s been through. I‘m in awe of her strength.

9 likes2 comments
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Kalalalatja
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I have been doing some #audiogardening today. Although, gardening might be a bit of stretch since it was done on our balcony 😅

Now I‘m all ready for Spring and Summer, with a (hopefully) flower filled balcony 🤞 I planted different spices (thyme, tarragon, parsley, sorrel and oregano), roses, carnations and hydrangeas 🌸🌼🌺

julesG Looks beautiful! 4y
BarbaraBB It really looks very attractive! 4y
Megabooks Pretty!! 4y
See All 8 Comments
AnneCecilie Lovely 4y
Reviewsbylola So gorgeous! 4y
JoScho What a beautiful balcony. 4y
batsy Pretty 😍 4y
Cathythoughts I love spring flowers! Hope ❤️. Lovely pic ❤️ 4y
83 likes8 comments
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Megabooks
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Pickpick

#COVIDrereads

Such a fun book! Definitely one of my favorite Hollywood memoirs. More about her life as a person than juicy celebrity gossip, if that‘s what you‘re looking for. She especially focuses on her romantic relationships. I‘m glad she and Dwayne finally got their baby. 💕 #audiobook #scribd

rather_be_reading loved this one 4y
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Sharpeipup
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“We can‘t afford to leave any woman behind. We need every woman on the front lines lifting each other up . . . for the good of all of us and the women who come behind us.” #audiobook #internationalwomensday

34 likes1 stack add
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Lauren890
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Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Like all essay collections it‘s tough to like every essay. Some of the oversharing felt a bit icky - especially when some of the people she talks about are still walking the earth. I did really appreciate her reflections on race. If I‘d read just those stories it may have been a 5 star read for me.

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YaYa_Reads
Mehso-so

Keeping it simple...I respect the fact that Union was honest about the things she chose to share. I just do not believe some parts were genuine and sincere. Although I truly empathize with the struggles she endured growing up, I believe she is still struggling to identify who she is, today.

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StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego
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Pickpick

A #blameitonlitsy read. Totally worth the hype. The best celebrity memoir I've ever read. She's incredibly candid about sex, rape, race and fertility among other things. 100% recommend.

#BlackHistoryMonth

rather_be_reading loved that one!! 4y
Scochrane26 I found out about this one through Litsy, too. Loved it. 4y
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AngelBaby253
Pickpick

I absolutely love Gabrielle‘s raw honesty! She was open and made me feel like I‘ve known her my whole life❤️

Nute Welcome to Litsy! It‘s a warm and friendly community. I know that you will enjoy yourself here. I‘m looking forward to getting to know you!🙂 4y
7 likes1 comment
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tdrosebud
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Finished the tagged book which covers POC author for the #mandmchallenge2020 @BarbaraTheBibliophage

BarbaraTheBibliophage I‘ve heard such good things about Gabrielle‘s book! 4y
Blaire @BarbaraTheBibliophage I loved it! Really good on audio. 4y
tdrosebud @BarbaraTheBibliophage It was excellent! I listened to it on audio and she read it herself. It had funny parts and heartbreaking parts. It's really worth the read/ listen. 4y
23 likes3 comments
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NovelGirl82
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Halfway home & on book number 2!

25 likes1 stack add
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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This book is on sale on kindle in the US today. I originally listened to it on audiobook from the library, but picked up the ebook copy for myself anyway today....because I know I‘m going to want to revisit this one at a later date.

I‘ve read a bunch of “Celebrity” memoirs & this one was so deep and insightful on many topics from assault, to race, & gender, I‘m forever disappointed it didn‘t garner the accolades I think it rightfully deserved.

52 likes1 stack add3 comments
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parasolofdoom
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My top 5 books of the decade (by genre) -- Memoir

alisiakae I‘ve read all but the Madden book, and completely agree! 4y
15 likes2 comments
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Scochrane26
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Pickpick

Finished this tonight. This might be the most educational & deep thinking celebrity memoir ever. I knew Union was raped by a stranger but didn‘t know the story. I was very interested in her views about race& her concern about her step-children. It was touching to know about her struggle with fertility. I didn‘t think some of the sex stories were necessary-I feel like celebrities overshare about sex. Very good on audio.

Rachel.Rencher I love Gabrielle Union, I'll have to pick this up now! Great review. 4y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego You've convinced me. Stacking! 4y
26 likes2 comments
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Scochrane26
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I have Educated on audio & have listened to about 2 hours. But when I was cooking last night, I really wanted to start the tagged. I‘ve been on hold for weeks & don‘t think I‘ll get this one & Educated done in the time limit. I decided I‘d rather read the physical copy of Educated so will go back to it later when library hold comes in. It‘s interesting to hear about Union‘s experiences growing up in a mostly white school.

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Captivatedbybooks
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This is everything!!!!

Slajaunie Thank goodness my husband does not think that way! 4y
30 likes1 comment
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Heatherfeather
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Pickpick

I'm so glad I listened to this, because the experiences in this book are what I need to digest, as I make concerted efforts to educate myself on diversity and inclusion.

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Amandajoy
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A little #audiocooking this morning. 🌶🥕🍅🔪📚

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Staci
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Pickpick

Fascinating read. Funny, Inspirational and real.

SW-T I liked this one a lot. 5y
9 likes1 comment
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alisiakae
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Pickpick

Gabrielle Union‘s book is less of a memoir, and more a collection of essays that are honest, smart, funny, and real. I prefer essays over a memoir, and I 💜 this book. Topics she talks about include sexual assault and rape, her “black bomb” discussions with her family, racism, and infertility. She is candid and thoughtful, and makes some powerful observations.

#nonfiction2019 written by a POC. 8 prompts to go & I currently have BINGO 3 ways!

Suet624 I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I really enjoyed the audio too. 5y
alisiakae @Suet624 I had heard a lot of great things about it, since it has been on my TBR for a while, so I went in to expecting to like it. The audiobook is fantastic! I'm very picky when it comes to books written by celebrities, and this is one the best I have read in a while, up there with Yes, Please! and Born A Crime. 5y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa I really liked this one too! 5y
Suet624 Agreed! I was so-so about Yes, Please but loved Noah‘s book. 5y
95 likes1 stack add4 comments
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alisiakae
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1. 🎧 book
2. Girl‘s night out at a wine bar tonight, hosting a few of Maya‘s friends at the pool tomorrow, hiking in Grayson Highlands Sunday, possibly hosting Dorian evacuees Sun/Monday.
3. Ben & Jerry‘s Chubby Hubby
4. Flute
5. 👍👍

#friyayintro

howjessicareads Hello fellow flautist! 5y
alisiakae @howjessreads 🎶 👋😃 5y
jillrhudy Grayson Highlands? I'm from that county! 5y
See All 6 Comments
alisiakae @jillrhudy Very cool! We‘ve actually never been to the state park, even though I have family that lives somewhat nearby, around Galax and Fries. We live in Charlotte. 😃 5y
Nessavamusic Fellow flute player! 5y
mhillis Flute players unite😌🎶💕 5y
77 likes6 comments
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alisiakae
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“Here‘s to us being afraid, and doing it anyway.”
(A paraphrase of a Carrie Fisher quote)

I think this one is going to be much better than my last audiobook!

#summersendreadathon

KathyWheeler I enjoyed this book as audio. 5y
Cinfhen I really enjoyed this memoir!! Gabrielle Union is WAY MORE than just a pretty face🙌🏻❤️ 5y
Cinfhen And the audio is great 5y
See All 8 Comments
alisiakae @KathyWheeler @Cinfhen I‘ve listened to 2 chapters and love it so far! I scrolled through reviews last night, however, and was really dismayed at a recent review by another Litten that contained racist undertones, and thought this book had too much complaining. 😡 5y
Blaire I loved this one so much! The most real celeb memoir I‘ve read. Made me a huge fan! @cinfhen @4thhouseontheleft @kathywheeler Disappointing that there are reviews like that. (edited) 5y
KathyWheeler @4thhouseontheleft Too much complaining? I didn‘t see that; I saw genuine and well-warranted concern. 5y
Scochrane26 Stacked this to remind myself about it, thought I already had it stacked. I‘m sure this book is good, she‘s been through more than a lot of other actors. 5y
78 likes3 stack adds8 comments
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LibLib
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Pickpick

This book was so moving, I couldn't recommend it enough. I appreciate Gabrielle's raw honesty in her autobiography. She gave serious reflection on her life and admitted to all her mistakes, but also spoke up on how her industry and society has failed her for being a black woman. Her account of when she was raped and the strength it took from being a victim to a survivor was powerful.She has given me so much to think about in how to support others.

29 likes1 stack add
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Caterina
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Without a doubt the most beautiful place I've ever run. No audiobook, I wanted to focus on being present. Got up at 4 AM to head up to Hopi Point and watch the stars (4 shooting stars included), dawn, and sunrise. Then at 6:20 AM I started my run down the trail!
#BFC check-in: got my 4 runs in this week and finished one book (tagged). Good week. 👍😊 #BFCr3 #BookFitnessChallenge #bookdragons @Hestapleton @wanderinglynn

Megabooks Simply stunning! Great job! 5y
squirrelbrain That looks amazing! ❤️ 5y
gradcat Looks beautiful...how‘s the air up there? 5y
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Caterina @gradcat A little thin 🤣 I may have been gasping for air for at least the last mile of my run 😂 5y
llawela Wow. Beautiful! And congrats on goals. 5y
Scochrane26 Are you at the south rim? I was just there in June but you‘re prob not in the tourist part of trail. 5y
Hufflepuffle An amazing week! And what a view! 😍 5y
Hestapleton That. Is. Amazing. 5y
gradcat @Caterina I figured as much...looks like altitude from the picture. Take care of yourself! ♥️ 5y
mhillis Beautiful pics! You‘re doing great with exercise while traveling!! 5y
IndoorDame Great week! And stunning photos!💜 5y
wanderinglynn Way to go! 🙌🏻 and amazing photos! 5y
51 likes12 comments
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LibLib
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While walking home from work today saw that my neighborhood popup library was finished being built! This little cutie is our tiny library until the original one is finished with renovations next year. I predict a lot of side tracking on my home in the future....😍

SamanthaMarie Ooo yes!! That is lovely 💕 5y
35 likes1 comment