Give A Listen …

Since we talked about EarPods last week, this is a natural follow-up (in my mind).

Does anyone listen to books instead of reading them?

Believe me, I love the printed page. Holding a book holds my attention so much better. As a writer, I will always prefer it as my method! Turning pages and feeling weight in my hands seems beneficial to capturing a book’s thoughts and inspiration.

My son is always listening to a “book on tape” as we used to call them. Remember when you went to a place and rented one for a car ride, vacation, etc. and listened in the car? Cracker Barrel comes to mind. My son does the same thing, but it’s all online. I know there are multiple sights, some free, where you can listen. I have the Audible app. Some books are free on this site and some you pay for.

I don’t listen at home, unless I’m finishing up a book. I listen in the car, when I’m in the mood and driving by myself. I’ve completed a few books this year.

I enjoy hearing people’s stories. Most of what I listen to are autobiographies or memoirs. Some are non-fiction, but I’m not a fiction gal. A few favorite fiction writers make my list, but I don’t indulge often.

My latest “listen” was a stirring one. “Stirring”: thought provoking, moving, captivating, gut wrenching, sad, heartwarming, heartbreaking, gripping, etc. Emotions flowed all over the map as I listened to her read her story. The best books have the author as the reader; they lived it: all their senses engage as they tell it!

She is a great communicator, actress, human being!

FINDING ME by Viola Davis

It’s a 9 hour listen: took me several car trips!

Warning: It’s graphic when describing her childhood. Tragically so! And there is some harsh language. I do not tolerate a lot of harsh language, but I understood, in this book, that quoting her abusive upbringing, there was no way to soften it. It brought reality to her story. As it was, she left it without polishing or making it pretty or palatable.

With clarity and truth, she shared her story, inviting me into an unfamiliar world. Beckoning me to listen and ride the roller coaster with her, she captured my spirit and laid out a world unfamiliar. The curves made me queasy but didn’t deter me from continuing. Her life is a testament to resilience, fortitude and persistence. Nothing came easy, but it didn’t consume her. She fought to move forward.

In Viola’s words:

“In my book, you will meet a little girl named Viola who ran from her past until she made a life-changing decision to stop running forever.

This is my story, from a crumbling apartment in Central Falls, Rhode Island, to the stage in New York City, and beyond. This is the path I took to finding my purpose but also my voice in a world that didn’t always see me.

As I wrote Finding Me, my eyes were open to the truth of how our stories are often not given close examination. We are forced to reinvent them to fit into a crazy, competitive, judgmental world. So I wrote this for anyone running through life untethered, desperate and clawing their way through murky memories, trying to get to some form of self-love. For anyone who needs reminding that a life worth living can only be born from radical honesty and the courage to shed facades and be . . . you.

Finding Me is a deep reflection, a promise, and a love letter of sorts to self. My hope is that my story will inspire you to light up your own life with creative expression and rediscover who you were before the world put a label on you”.

Reviews:

“A testament to resilience, hard work and the power of owning your truth.” -Real Simple Magazine

“A fulfilling narrative of struggle and success … Her gorgeous storytelling will inspire anyone wishing to shed old labels.” – Los Angeles Times

“Finding Me reads like Davis is sitting you down for a one-on-one conversation about her life, warts and all.” – USA Today

It may not be for you, but it inspired and enlightened me and grew my heart for this incredible woman. I’ve learned feeling comfortable is not always for my good.

This small brief line has grabbed me:

“My body was the same, but my spirit shifted.”

Have you ever felt that?

I have!

I’ve been resonating with it since the words came through my car stereo! It’s been ruminating and rolling around my mind and heart. One of these days, I’ll unpack it! It feels powerful, spiritually!

Let me know if you read/listen to it! Or if you already have!

Or, shout a book you’ve listened to or read lately!

Inspired,