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Failing Up: How to Take Risks, Aim Higher, and Never Stop Learning
Failing Up: How to Take Risks, Aim Higher, and Never Stop Learning | Leslie Odom
Leslie Odom, Jr. burst on the scene in 2015, originating the role of Aaron Burr in the phenomenon Broadway musical "Hamilton." Since then, he has performed for sold-out audiences, sang for the Obamas at the White House, and won a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. But before "Hamilton," Leslie put in years of hard work as a singer and actor, from debuting on Broadway in "Rent" at 17-years-old to attending Carnegie Mellon University's prestigious School of Drama, where he graduated with honors, to landing the role of a lifetime. How did he do it? Written in the style of a commencement speech, Failing Up brings together what Leslie has learned in life so far, tapping into universal themes of starting something new, following your passions, discovering your own potential, and surrounding yourself with the right people. Failing Up is about unlocking your true potential and making your dreams come true even when it seems impossible. Whether you're graduating from college, starting a new job, or just looking to live each day to the fullest, this is the perfect inspirational read as you embark on the journey ahead.
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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

A wonderful, short memoir about the Hamilton star's rise to fame. He credits his mentors with much of his success, sprinkles in advice, and doesn't shy away from highlighting his own faults. I loved this one. The audio is fantastic.
“The path to moments of greatness in your life will be paved, in part, w/your spectacular failures.”

“There is no risk that isn‘t tied to a consequence. You assess & make sure you can live w/the ones you can foresee.”

35 likes1 stack add
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Ang203l
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Rainy days are for reading!

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katy4peas
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MoonWitch94 I feel sick. 4y
Trashcanman I'm worried 4y
Sleepswithbooks I just stress ate 48 starbursts because I‘m worried too and now I feel sicker 🤢 4y
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Palimpsest I woke up with a migraine (not election related) and recovered, but I‘m so worried and hoping I won‘t end up with another one from stress. Also, I thought a few of those senators would have been voted out! 4y
TheBookHippie @Stacypatrice whole bag of mini snickers .... 😭 4y
TheBookHippie @MoonWitch94 anxiety at a billion 4y
kspenmoll Same here... 4y
Karisa Yup, going to be a long night. They better count every vote! 😰 4y
76 likes9 comments
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REPollock
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1. I worked as a DJ at the biggest fetish club in the northeast US. In part, because I couldn‘t live in Boston on what I got paid at my day job—costume maker for professional theatre. But also in part because I was way into goth, and the club wanted a goth DJ.

2. That the 3D-printed crown they put into a molar cavity has stayed put. The future is so weird.

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cdreincarnate
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Pickpick

So glad I finally got to listen to this wonderful audiobook by LOJ! He narrates it himself and the whole book is full of love and positive energy. I so needed this right now.❤️

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MargaretPinardAuthor
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Pickpick

The backlog of just-Read books that I‘m finally getting to cataloguing and reviewing.

Favorites: Failing Up for its big-heartedness, The Guynd for its honest look at the self in a relationship that didn‘t work out, and How to Not Always Be Working, for its poking at such a difficult subject for creative entrepreneurs.

#smallbiz #indie #courage #womenwriters

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TheBookDream
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sammisho
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Pickpick

Part memoir, part self help, this was a short, yet impactful read. And Leslie's voice is smmmooooooottthhhh. I could listen to him all day.
I enjoyed his life lessons on working hard, never giving up, taking criticism with grace (something I need to work on), and showing gratitude. The epilogue was especially touching and insightful.
#pop19 a book by a muscian
#blitsy

howjessicareads Oooh! I‘m going to have to check this out! ❤️❤️ his voice. 6y
sammisho @howjessreads It's like buttah! 6y
KarouBlue Looooved this one! 6y
48 likes1 stack add3 comments
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sammisho
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Today's therapeutic baking session: sour dough banana bread and espresso chocolate sourdough cake with peanut butter frosting.
#audiobaking

WhatWouldJaneDo That cake sounds amazing! 6y
sammisho @WhatWouldJaneDo It is delicious! First time making it and it was a success! 6y
Daisey You may need to share that cake recipe! Sounds fantastic! 6y
sammisho @daisey I will send it to you! It is an King Arthur recipe that I tweaked! 6y
60 likes4 comments
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ssravp
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Pickpick

Loved hearing Leslie talk about his experiences and why he made the choices that he did.

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theshrinkette
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Incredibly peaceful Thursday morning. 💖

2BR02B Aaron Burr, sir! 6y
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BBooks
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Great quick read

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JackOBotts
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Pickpick

A quick, enjoyable read...got to know more about the man behind Aaron Burr and his philosophy toward life. Okay...now I have to go listen to the Hamilton soundtrack! 🤷🏻‍♀️🤗

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MatchlessMarie
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GypsyKat Love this! ❤️ 6y
Cinfhen That‘s awesome 6y
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TheWordJar
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I absolutely did not intend to buy a book at the store today. Then this beautiful face was staring up at me asking, “Take me home, please?” And I said, “But I wasn‘t going to buy books today.” And that face again asked, “Take me home, please?” And I thought, “Well, how do you say no to that face?” Answer: You don‘t. So...wait for it...I bought the book. (And don‘t judge me for shelving it face-out!) 😍

KJHowe Saying no would have been rude. 😀😀😀 6y
rubyslippersreads A dot Burr! 😄 6y
saresmoore Why, hello. 6y
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TheWordJar @KJHowe That‘s what I thought! And we could do with a little less rudeness all around. I *had* to buy it. 6y
TheWordJar @rubyslippersreads ❤️❤️❤️ 6y
TheWordJar @saresmoore Right? Subtitle of the book: How to Take Risks. Will my bookshelves collapse if I put one more book on them? 🤷‍♀️ I‘ll risk it for this one! 6y
saresmoore 😂 6y
TheWordJar @saresmoore Right? Subtitle of the book: How to Take Risks. Will my bookshelves collapse if I put one more book on them? 🤷‍♀️ I‘ll risk it for this one! 6y
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daniwithtea
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Pickpick

Cute read! Part memoir, part Hamilton fan service, part inspirational/life coach-y. I wasn‘t expecting that last part, but enjoyed it nonetheless.

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MatchlessMarie
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I am what I am 🤷🏻‍♀️😅

ephemeralwaltz I love this meme 😂😂 6y
tjwill Yep. 6y
Oldschool_millenial This speaks for everybody 6y
78 likes3 comments
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CoffeeK8
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Pickpick

Leslie Odom Jr. has a powerful voice and an important story about his life and career to share. His advice is timely and important, especially for people who don‘t always see themselves reflected in traditional mainstream media. 💕

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CoffeeK8
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Truth!

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Purplerosiepage
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Part memoir, part self help/advice. This one is a winner.

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actualdisneyprincess
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Clearly, I couldn‘t pass this up when I spotted it on the soon-to-go-on-the-shelf cart. Love Leslie. 💖 #failingup #leslieodomjr

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mklong
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I was finally in the room where it happens with Leslie Odom Jr. tonight! The man was a downright delight and he even sang for us. Once for real, and once leading the crowd in a “Bingo” sing along 😂

If his book is as charming as he is, we‘re in for a treat! #Hamiltrash

cocomass 😍😍😍 7y
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swishandflick
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Uh oh, Leslie Odom Jr over here making it difficult to stick to my book buying ban. I love him!! He's the original Hamilton cast member I missed the mostwhen I saw it again after they had all moved on ❤️

Though on second thought, this'll probably be something I want to listen to on audio - his voice!!! I'll still mark the NYC date on my calendar though, I'd love to see him in person again

ReadingsByTheC I hope there's an audiobook! 7y
swishandflick @ReadingsByTheC Haha, I just added something about that! Me too!! It would be crazy not to, he's got such a great voice. 7y
ReadingsByTheC @swishandflick For sure. I love his cover of that Selena Gomez song. 😍 7y
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swishandflick @ReadingsByTheC Me too! And the song from a while back during the election - Sarah Bareilles wrote a song imagining what Obama may have been thinking during the election and Leslie sings it. CHILLS: https://youtu.be/hI8TCA3fJcs 7y
Traveler13 I have my tickets for my area. I can‘t wait 7y
ReadingsByTheC @swishandflick Wow! I never heard that before. So awesome! Thanks for sharing. 7y
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swishandflick
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Oh snap, I LOVE me some Leslie Odom Jr!! The first (and second!) time I heard him singing Wait For It and The Room Where it Happens live on stage in Hamilton, I got some serious, full body chills. He's the actor I miss the most from the original cast. Fingers crossed he narrates the audiobook himself! 🤞🏽

Julsmarshall What? I ❤️ him! 7y
Kimberlone His voice is like butter 7y
AvidReader25 Love him! 7y
BooksForEmpathy Ahhhh!!!!! 7y
BekahB So excited for this! 😃 7y
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