Leslie Odom Jr.

*insert Bad Girls Club Wow gif* This is one of those books that came to me at exactly the time when I needed it. It is encouraging, vulnerable, and full of compassion for both the writer and the reader. Initially, I was unsure I would enjoy a hybrid memoir/self-help book, but Odom Jr.'s easy-going tone, palpable belief in people's capacity to live lives worth loving, and acknowledgment of the realistic challenges to doing so (including systemic oppression) made this my favorite read of the year. I have spent a lot of time over the past couple of years trying to figure out what it will take for me to believe in myself the way the people who love me do, and this was the first book I read that left me feeling like I could actually muster up that kind of self-belief.… (mehr)

A wonderful, short memoir about the Hamilton's rise to fame. He credits his mentors with much of his success, sprinkles the book with advice, and doesn't shy away from highlighting his own faults. I loved reading this one. The audio is particularly good because it's read by the author.

“The path to moments of greatness in your life will be paved, in part, with your spectacular failures.”

“For better or worse, you take your hometown with you. Your hometown is the salt in the stew.”

“There is no risk that isn’t tied to a consequence. You assess and make sure you can live with the ones you can foresee.”

“But what did you do on your own behalf today? Did you do anything other than wait? Did you call anyone? Did you send an e-mail? You have great relationships with people who know your worth. Do they even know you’re out of work?” Whoa.”… (mehr)