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jwartts's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
4.75
Easy to read first-hand account. Simply addresses rumors while deeply exploring the Author’s foundation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Trafficking, and Pregnancy
mari1532's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
#20booksby20blackWomen hosted by @melanatedreader
I listened to the audiobook through my library.
I have been a fan of Pinkett-Smith's acting for a while. I particularly enjoyed her in Gotham and The Women. So, I would have likely chosen to read her book anyway, but this book was all over the internet before its release and that heightened my interest. Living through the 2010s when the media tore women apart I suspected that the sensationalization of her book was just that. For instance, the comments that she made about her relationship with Tupac. I just wanted to read the book and form my own opinion.
It is clear from her writing that Pinkett-Smith has done a lot of therapeutic and healing work on herself. The vulnerability it took to open her book with her thoughts of suicide is truly inspiring. I also appreciated how she discussed the many ways that she worked on her mental health throughout her lifetime.
I also appreciate that she discussed her relationship with Sheree Zampino. All too often women, especially in Hollywood are pitted against each other. And it was beautiful to hear about how Pinkett-Smith and Zampino were able to come to an understanding with each other and form a familial bond for their children.
I did feel that this memoir was a bit long. Pinkett-Smith did a really thorough job discussing her life and highlighting the relationships and stories that shaped her outlook and life today. It did feel like a tribute to Tupac in some ways as he was a large figure throughout the book. However, it appears clear that he was one of Pinkett-Smith's closest friends and that their time together and his murder had a large impact on her life and career.
The one thing that I did not like about this book is that at the end of every chapter, she posed questions and ways for the reader to reflect on their own life. These just felt a little out of place because they felt more self-help-oriented than memoir-focused.
If you are a fan of Pinkett-Smith's acting, singing, or producing (seriously watch Netflix's Queen Cleopatra) I would recommend this book. Additionally, if you love learning about other people's journey through life this is a book that you will enjoy.
I listened to the audiobook through my library.
I have been a fan of Pinkett-Smith's acting for a while. I particularly enjoyed her in Gotham and The Women. So, I would have likely chosen to read her book anyway, but this book was all over the internet before its release and that heightened my interest. Living through the 2010s when the media tore women apart I suspected that the sensationalization of her book was just that. For instance, the comments that she made about her relationship with Tupac. I just wanted to read the book and form my own opinion.
It is clear from her writing that Pinkett-Smith has done a lot of therapeutic and healing work on herself. The vulnerability it took to open her book with her thoughts of suicide is truly inspiring. I also appreciated how she discussed the many ways that she worked on her mental health throughout her lifetime.
I also appreciate that she discussed her relationship with Sheree Zampino. All too often women, especially in Hollywood are pitted against each other. And it was beautiful to hear about how Pinkett-Smith and Zampino were able to come to an understanding with each other and form a familial bond for their children.
I did feel that this memoir was a bit long. Pinkett-Smith did a really thorough job discussing her life and highlighting the relationships and stories that shaped her outlook and life today. It did feel like a tribute to Tupac in some ways as he was a large figure throughout the book. However, it appears clear that he was one of Pinkett-Smith's closest friends and that their time together and his murder had a large impact on her life and career.
The one thing that I did not like about this book is that at the end of every chapter, she posed questions and ways for the reader to reflect on their own life. These just felt a little out of place because they felt more self-help-oriented than memoir-focused.
If you are a fan of Pinkett-Smith's acting, singing, or producing (seriously watch Netflix's Queen Cleopatra) I would recommend this book. Additionally, if you love learning about other people's journey through life this is a book that you will enjoy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Pregnancy, and Classism
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Gun violence
Minor: Police brutality and Murder
zviews11's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
Minor: Bullying, Drug use, Infidelity, Murder, and Pregnancy
emquegeeaye's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This was a very good, well thought out, well-written, thought provoking and insightful book. Jada did her big one with this. It felt very truthful and honest and I left this book with a better understanding of who Jada is. I felt like I was on the journey with her to get to know who she is bc she'd lost herself so long ago. Oftentimes we get lost in being a wife, mother, house manager & having our own careers that we just don't take time for us and lose sight of who we are. We also don't realize how childhood fears and traumas shape our lives into adulthood. Both Jada and Will have a lot of similar childhood traumas they just react to them differently. Will might make a joke or might shut down completely but he always smiles through it as if it doesn't affect him. A trauma response. Jada on the other hand would lash out, curse, self soothe with alcohol & "grown up time" 😉 and eventually she deferred to Will's go-to method of coping by smiling through it. The problems or perceived problems they have in their marriage is not for me to judge bc those are their problems and they deal with them accordingly. And what works for them may not work for others. Especially those not in their tax bracket. Bc what they go through on a daily basis and what they've gone through for the last 30 years is what my mawmaw would say are "rich people's problems". And idk nothing about that. But my biggest takeaways from this book are that she loves Will deeply. And at times she's loved this man more than she loved herself. Gotta keep in mind she met this married man when she was very young, inexperienced in relationships and new to her fame so she hadn't quite figured out who Jada was as a celebrity or Jada the adult. Shes been with this man her whole entire adult life. And I can understand where she's coming from in that aspect bc I've been with my husband since I was 18. I've been with him longer as an adult than I was a child. And sometimes you just need to find yourself and figure out who you are separately and aside from being someone's wife or mom. She loves and adores her children. And she also loves and is loved deeply by her friends. And that is a blessing. Bc she still has a lot of the same friends from early childhood and her teen years. Everybody can't say that. I also loved the questions she would ask. Seemed like it was those questions you get in therapy. Your "homework". And the recommendation of books that have helped her along her journey. I will be picking them up. Overall great book. I would recommend to anybody who just wants to figure out how to find your true self and know your worth. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Drug use, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol
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