Reviews

Finding My Voice by Nadiya Hussain

beffo's review

4.0

Although the book wasn't quite what I thought it would be, I enjoyed getting to know more about a person I admire. It felt, like a few others I've seen have commented, at if a stronger edit could have cut out some more waffly passages but Nadiya is such a likeable character I read it in no time.

dawnlizreads's review against another edition

I have adored Nadiya Hussain since THAT speech on GBBO. I will watch her cooking shows even though I find making cheese on toast a challenge.

BUT, I don't think she's a writer. A few pages in and it's already repetitive. In fairness I don't think she could have called her book "Finding my voice" and employed a ghost writer. 

swysc's review against another edition

3.25

Really like Nadiya, so I'm happy to buy any book of hers. But this felt like a kind of therapy for her rather than a book on its own. Like it wasn't quite sure what the point of it was, maybe it would benefit from having been written in a few years with more processing time. Very happy that she feels empowered to talk about these things in her life now though. She clearly can write, bits are funny and it's very honest and brave about it throughout. The idea of the chapter structure was good, not quite sure the sections were distinct enough. 

annrhub's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

3.75

efpaterson's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

3.5

rianne1134's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

3.5

void_faerie's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

2.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse and Rape

joonswifey's review against another edition

4.0

3.5 stars, rounded up. i really love nadiya, so i am happy to read anything she writes. the structure was a little flighty, though, which made it difficult to stay interested, and she writes about big things so casually that sometimes it was hard to grasp what was happening. however, i love her story, and i love her. so i enjoyed this thoroughly.

keelypowley's review against another edition

4.0

We all have our own story. We have people who influenced us and shaped us to who we are becoming. Nadiya shares her story of growing up, getting married and becoming known for her skills in the kitchen in a refreshing way. Her story is unique and beautiful and messy. She shows her strengths and weaknesses. She reminds us they even the people who win Bake Off aren’t perfect.

I’m so glad she found her voice and encourages everyone to be who they think are meant to be.

jchant's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

Nadiya Husain was the 2015 winner of The Great British Baking Show—or Bake Off, as it’s called in the UK—and probably my all-time favorite contestant, too. A few years after watching that season, my husband and I came across several of her cooking series on Netflix and I realized what a phenomenon she had become. As a result, I was pleased to come across her memoir in my local public library book sale. 

This is a very honest book and is not always easy to read. Nadiya is upfront about her struggles with anxiety, the bullying and sexual abuse she experienced as a child, and the strictures imposed by her traditional Muslim/Bangladeshi upbringing. What I loved about this book is that the personality that so endeared me to Nadiya while watching her on the Baking Show and her other cooking programs shines through her memoir as well. Definitely recommended.