Taraji P HENSONS Story Around the way Girl:

I listened to it in one sitting. it is amazing how much the same your life can be with someone totally different can be the same. as I listened to her story it was like I already knew her . Her story is not just a black woman's story it is every woman's story. love and loss ad figuring it out along the way. she deserves every thing she gets I am a huge 62 year old white Empire fan. learned to understand rap . love her story and this book is honest and beautiful was the lady that wrote it.

61 people found this helpful

First chapter

Nah... this ain’t it. In the first chapter she dismisses and damn near glamorizes her father’s abusive behavior. In one sentence she mentions how he beat her mom, drug her by her hair, and kidnapped her, in the next she’s talking about how he was a good man. In one sentence she says he grabs her by the arm and throws her into a pool, in the next she says he never put his hands on her. This is her generational patriarchal conditioning. She goes back and forth saying what he did was wrong, while simultaneously saying he was a good man. Good men don’t beat their wives. Couldn’t get past the first chapter.

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The truth in her words

Great book a must read or listen. Taraji draws you in and you can't stop. Well written can't wait for the next book.

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I still love you Taraji but.....

Struggled a bit to finish this book bc the narration was so bad. Good story overall.

9 people found this helpful

Around My way, Your Way & Every Woman's way

All I can say is that Ms. Taraji was an absolute DELIGHT to listen to. I can't even imagine not hearing her voice tell such a funny , sometimes sad, but always uplifting memoir!

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Harlem World & The Around the Way Girl

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to the young mothers that I work with in Harlem. Taraji's candid style and skills as a Griot (traditional African village storyteller) are captivating and motivating. She is an excellent example of disciple, focus and pursuit of dreams against the odds.

What did you like best about this story?

What I liked best about the story, other than Taraji reading it aloud, were her candid vignettes about her family, her relationship with her father and the father of her child. Her tales of navigating motherhood and planning career success are particularly supportive for single mothers who may be in doubt of their power and drive to succeed in any endeavor.

Which character – as performed by Taraji P. Henson – was your favorite?

My favorite character hands down was Taraji's' father. A solider, Vietnam Veteran and craftsman ! He never stopped trying to remake himself and he truly loved his family. He went from homeless to hopeful and gainfully employed. His memories are sprinkled throughout the book. They make us laugh and they sometimes make us cry.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

When I woke up this morning and received the email from Audible that my book was available, I called out from work to marathon listen to the book.

Any additional comments?

I hope Taraji does a coffee table book with her collected pictures. I would like her to publish another book for actors about getting into character and embracing the art. She has a lot of experience and she can tell the story like "A round da way girl" ! I LOVE the part where you met Mary J. Blige and she dissed you only for y'all to eventually become good friends -admiration and respect. Sisterhood is eternal.

64 people found this helpful

Do You Know Who Taraji P. Henson Is?

Do you know who Taraji P. Henson is? If you do, you will love her memoir. If you don't, well then, it is time to get to know her, as she is a very entertaining actress and an all-around fascinating person, too.

I first encountered Taraji on the streaming TV show, Person of Interest. Its a fun, slightly futuristic, big brother-like, show with very compelling, quirky characters. I enjoyed it immensely and especially Taraji, who plays a cop. You don't see many black females playing competent cops, do you? She is a great actress and was a wonderful addition to the show. So, I recommend both book and TV show. Or, the TV show and the book, depending on if you know who Taraji is.

Taraji has a great sense of humor, she won't take no for an answer in her determination to succeed in life, is a great mother, is quite intelligent, and as said above, is a very talented actress. And, she had a very memorable father.

So, here you have two recommendations from me, for both a book and a TV show. Both will make you smile alot. I promise.

And now, I am plotting on how I can watch more of Taraji on television, especially in the "Cookie" role.

42 people found this helpful

Award Worthy!

I loved every second of Taraji's story. I listen to Audiobooks during my commute. Many times I found myself so enthralled and entertained I would extend my listening time long after I made it to my destination. I couldn't wait to hear the next chapter. Taraji's narration of her own story was OSCAR, EMMY, TONY worthy. Whatever award there is for Best Narration, she wins hands down! She had me laughing, crying, and celebrating with her. Wonderfully done.

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Cookie!!!

This book was everything!!! I have listened to it twice
And I FELT IT GO THROUGH MY SOUL

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A Memoir (Taraji P. Henson)

This was a really great book. It allowed me to see the many sides of Taraji. I am not a big celebrity fan and I am not interested and never was about the glitz and glamour of hollywood. I am more so concerned with the struggle it took to reach such success and not necessarily the lifestyle. I respect Taraji because of the lessons she has taught the world. One article that I read, I wish she would have placed in the book, was the time that Taraji had her son skip a semester to truly cherish the value of education. Although she has given him everything and more; she doesn't want to just raise a priveldged son or how exposed she felt on the first intimate scene she had on tv with Tyrese on the movie baby boy. These are the examples and stories of life lessons that I wish was detailed in her memoir. Instead I felt as if her struggles were overshadowed by piles of success stories. I know that you are successful and to me, by far the greatest actress who ever lived. I am upset when I don't see tears out of an actress during a scene. I'm like your getting paid how much and you cannot give me a tear. However, Taraji is able to not only capture the moment but allows me to live in it. I can go from feeling like the character of Think Like a Man; so focused on me succeeding that I back pocket a potentially amazing man to Cookie on Empire where "you better not over step boundaries". Perhaps, I am asking for too much. Yet overall, I enjoyed your memoir Taraji.

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