Jenifer Lewis

I listened to Ms. Lewis share her thoughts, experiences, and life changing moments and enjoyed the audio in her signature voice. Singing, laughing and shouting. I laughed out loud, stunned, and astonished.

It was a happy and sad moments reading about her best fiend and cousin Ronnie who was a gem to Jenifer and who succumbed to the AIDs virus.

I was respectfully endeared to the fact that Tyler Perry a mogul in the move and television industry, purchased and built his studio in the poorest black neighborhoods in Atlanta on the former land of a confederate army base plotting to keep blacks enslaved. Now it is employing as well as economically empowering everyone.

This memoir takes us on a journey of key moments in the author’s life. She brings compassion along with humor to heartening situations and humanity issues that affect our lives. I’ve read and listened to “Mother of Black Hollywood” and was enlightened, and entertained, so I had no doubt that this book would bring the same. Bravo Ms. Lewis!… (més)

audio nonfiction/memoir (read by the author, ~11hrs) Black superstar entertainer (comedian/actor/singer) relates her journey in overcoming manic/depressive episodes and becoming an internationally recognized talent, on Broadway and in Hollywood. (CW/TW: language, sex addiction, alcohol abuse, child molestation)

Ms. Lewis' follow up, Walking in My Joy, is maybe more readable/enjoyable, with less oversharing (if you don't enjoy hearing about various sexual escapades, this isn't for you) and more relatable stories, but that doesn't mean that The Mother of Black Hollywood isn't also important and worth reading. The chapters run together after a while (the journey to stardom is a long one, as is the journey in dealing with mental health challenges), but I can't help but love Jenifer's larger-than-life personality as well as her talent in telling a humorous and entertaining story.… (més)

Walking in My Joy: In These Streets

I Picked Up This Book Because: I love Jennifer Lewis.

Media Type: Audiobook
Source: CC Public Library
Dates Read: 12/23/22 - 12/26/22
Stars: 3.5

Narrator(s):Jennifer Lewis

The Story:

There is a lot to digest in this volume of reflections of life with Ms Lewis. She delves into politics, relationships both romantic and friendships, the pandemic, her activism, mental illness, travel, all of it. There were a few overused phrases in this book that irked me, I hate repetition. Overall I loved it not as great as the first book but still very good.

The Random Thoughts:… (més)

audio nonfiction - memoir/humor (7.5 hrs, read by author), picking up mid-career in 2015/2016 (see also Lewis' first book, The Mother of Black Hollywood in which she talks about her childhood, early career, dealing with manic/depressive bipolar episodes, and sexual assault/molestation).

"blackish" actor/diva/Broadway entertainer/social activist Jenifer Lewis' regal booming voice commands your attention and full respect with candid thoughts (with some adult language) on her life and her choice to "lead with Love" in regards to LGBTQAI+ rights, BLM, and other humanitarian causes. In addition to the unparalleled experience of being able to hear the full power of her vibrant voice and humor, audiobook listeners are also treated to some of her musical and spoken-word performances. I didn't know a whole lot about her before listening to this book, but now I'm a big fan.… (més)