Sounds Like Me: My Life (So Far) in Song

LOVED this book. I highly recommend this to anyone who considers themselves a fan of Sara Bareilles. Her writing in this book is as moving as her lyrics. I laughed and I cried and I'm sure you will too.

My daughter, who is now 29, loves Sara Bareilles. I love her music and neither myself, nor my daughter, had a clue she had written a book. The tittle is perfect because it is about her young life, so far. In the book it has pages and pages of her own songs, in her own handwriting. It shows were she striked through words and where she wrote new ones. Read this book. In her book, of course, she writes about how she got right to where she is. The where/the now/and her dreams about her "whens".

My daughter, who is now 29, loves Sara Bareilles. I love her music and neither myself, nor my daughter, had a clue she had written a book. The tittle is perfect because it is about her young life, so far. In the book it has pages and pages of her own songs, in her own handwriting. It shows were she striked through words and where she wrote new ones. Read this book. In her book, of course, she writes about how she got right to where she is. The where/the now/and her dreams about her "whens".

If you love Sara Bareiless, you will love this book! It is like having a conversation with her. Her honesty and williness to expose parts of her life are amazing. Once I started reading I couldn't put down. It gives you an insight to her writing practice and the meanings behind so many of her beloved songs. Would recommend to all who love her music.

With the exception of her anthemic “Brave," I’ve not heard much of Sara Bareilles’ music, so I wasn’t sure whether this autobiography would appeal to me. BUT, I was pleasantly surprised. Bareilles writes from deep in her heart. Her vulnerability makes her likable and relatable, even to someone like me who is old enough to be her mother.

The book is part confession, part advice, part story-telling, part tell-all about the pop music business. It’s structured in the form of eight essays, the subject of each one inspired and anchored by one of Bareilles’ hit songs. This works really well for the autobiography of a young person like Bareilles, and makes the book thematic rather than chronologic. Plus, it is a beautifully made book, with color photographs and lovely thick paper that were a pleasure for this (very tactile!) reader.

This is no “look at me, ain’t I grand!” story. Instead, Bareilles talks about all the self-doubt and indecision that plague creatives in the course of their work. She writes with candor about her self-image, her insecurities, and how she’s learning to overcome them. Her writing style is witty, quick, and gently self-deprecating.

Reading Sounds Like Me definitely piqued my interest in Bareilles’ music, and gave me some interesting insights into her life as a creative person, and her quest to live an authentic life as a woman and a musician.

This book is important. Let me say this first. This was a great collection of essays about the author, and musical artist, Sara Bareilles' life. This is a book that is a Must for audio. The author reads the work, and Ben Folds provides the intro, Sara sings parts of her songs for each essay with relate with each other, Jack Antonoff is part of the book as well. All of these artists, voices, actions lead to an emotional journey. Added is the narration of a fan who was saved from the edge of suicide thanks to one of Sara's songs touching her and literally helping her to live. This is a book that everyone needs to read, but women especially. If, and when, I have a daughter, we will listen to this book together. The essays on body issues, image, being true to yourself are life lessons we are never too old, or too young, to hear. If I could give this 11 shiny gold stars I would. But, I guess I will settle with 5.

Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings

I love a good celebrity memoir or essay collection. I don't read them that often, but if it is someone I like, I like to read it. I have a long list and it may take me awhile to get through them maybe some day I will!

I love Sara Bareilles. I have been a fan for a long time. Her music is the perfect background chill music whether in a good mood or bad mood - in the bathtub or the car! This essay collection is from 2015, so missing all the recent success of Waitress, but does include the genesis of it. I loved how she formatted the book with each chapter focused on a song of hers and how each chapter/essay was self contained.

I gave Bareilles four stars for writing a book that seems honest and heartfelt. (Like others here reviewing her book, I am a fan of her and her music. Her interpretation of Elton John's Yellow Brick Road, for instance, is lights out fantastic.) In Sounds Like Me she shares the issues she had over her body image when she was growing up and her setbacks as an up and coming music star. The portion of her book in which she writes letters to her younger self are probably the book's most poignant. In this genre, Bareilles' book is ultimately not as thoughtful and rewarding as Patti Smith's two recent memoirs (IMHO Just Kids is a five star, and M Train is a better book than this one) or Linda Ronstadt's (five star for me), but I'm guessing that is in part due to the fact that Sara is still young and closer to the start than end of her life and career.

This book is a cartography for anyone perusing a dream, a wish or a calling from within. Sara shares her deeply personally and immediately relatable story of how her career and the magic within her gifts came into form and expression. You don't have to be a fan of Sara's (or even know she's a Grammy and Tony nominated musician - but she IS) to hear and witness one brave soul's exploration into herself, her pain, her joys, her questions, her childlike curiosity and adolescent heartbreak, her ever-blossoming womanhood and wisdom, her confidence and self-assurance and her right-at-homeness in the beautiful mess of becoming. This book is a beautifully sincere, vulnerable and generous diary entry that reads like your having a late night conversation that bleeds into daybreak with your new best friend. Sara's musings on creativity and self-expression provide a hopeful and heartfelt map to for anyone embarking on their own inward journey. Sara is a hilarious, self-aware, caring, kind, compassionate, brave, sassy and humble Musical Sherpa. She is so so so willing to be seen, heard, loved and be loved back. All of this comes across in her words, her voice and in her Life (so far) in Song.

Sara Bareilles is so talented! I have enjoyed her music since I first heard Love Song on the radio. This quick read gives you an insight into her childhood, creative mind, insecurities, and achievements. She is very honest and it just made me want to listen to her music the rest of the day! If you are a fan of hers you will enjoy her candor and humor in this book! .

5 time Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Sara Bareilles' story plays out (pun intended) "beautiful"ly. The adjective (beautiful) is used so many times. Literally, there's an entire chapter called "Beautiful Girl" where she writes letters to her younger self reminding her repeatedly that she is beautiful, life is beautiful, people are beautiful, etc.
What was "beautiful" was finding out how she got to where she is now and who helped her along the way. Her self-esteem took a hit at a young age where she was labeled the "fat kid" and music helped pulled her out of the pit of self-doubt. Particularly with musical theatre, which led her to write a musical recently. The journey of her finding bravery and beauty was full of ups and downs but it's the people around her that help keep her going. Her writing is humorous and light-hearted even in the downs of her life.
3/5 stars for this book, mainly because of the overuse of the word "beautiful", the phrase "I liked him/her instantly", and that whole "Beautiful Girl" chapter. Some of it seemed like an autobiography and some of it seemed like journal entries. In the introduction alone she talks about how she didn't want to do this book so much that she wrote a musical and pushed this book off.

Please note: a copy of this book was generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

This small book introduces readers to the talented singer and songwriter who has topped the charts and appeared as a judge on TV vocal competitions. If you are a fan, you’ll appreciate the way she starts each chapter with the lyrics from one of her songs, and then takes the reader (almost by the hand) through that particular chunk of time in her life. I enjoyed having the opportunity to enter the popular music world this way.

This autobiography was such a great read. Having been a Sara B fan for years, I was excited to get my hands on a copy of this and have a day devoted to devouring it. Honestly? I'm a bigger "fan" now than before. I say "fan" because she now feels much more like a friend than anything. Her writing is like a breath of fresh air... refreshing, honest, lovely and so many other wonderful adjectives.

Thorough reading this book, you'll feel like you're able to take a peek in her personal journal and live a bit of life with her; I experienced the whole spectrum of emotions... I found myself laughing out loud at points and tearing up as I empathized with difficult moments in her life. The way the book was broken down by song was simply genius and gives me an even greater appreciation for her music (which I didn't know could happen!).

Grab a copy and enjoy an afternoon with Sara. She'll become a new friend. It's worth it. :)

I devoured this book. Admittedly, I am super fanatic when it comes to Miss Bareilles's body of work. Her music has always managed to empower, inspire, and ultimately translate my own personal feelings into words and song. WHAT A GIFT! This book was no different in it's ability to warm the cockles of my guarded, skeptical, and shriveled little heart. After finishing the book I felt an overwhelming need to create something artistic and meaningful to present to the world. Again, WHAT A GIFT! I will undoubtedly reread it until the pages wear. How can you not enjoy something so uplifting and encouraging? She is candid and raw and beautifully human. Make yourself a cup of coffee or tea before sitting down to this book. It really feels like a personal conversation with a lovely friend.

This is a remarkable look into one of this generation's most prolific musicians/singers. She combines introspection, honesty, and incredible candor, peeling back the curtain to bare her soul and the inspiration for many of her songs. I am halfway through the book and already recognize this is required reading for my wife and especially my teenage daughter. I didn't think I could become a bigger fan, but this book has done the trick. Bravo, Sara!