Sara Bareilles is my favorite singer. If you noticed a lot of my more personal posts and newsletter end with the phrase, “Do it for love,” that is from Sara’s song, “Bottle it up.”
I made a promise to myself long ago, not only would I see her in concert but I would chat with her in a coffee shop trading swear words and stories of lost love or over a bottle next to a baby grand piano. I’d tell her how her words inspired me, how her music got me and how the rawness of her lyrics captivated me. We’d share stories of life and the experiences that made us who we are, then ultimately become great friends.
With Sounds Like Me I got that wish.
By the light of a single lamp with a warm cup of tea in my living room Sara poured her heart out to me.
The way her lyrics make you feel like you know her and she knows every pain you’ve ever felt, her book does the same. The words jump off the page and paint a vivid honest picture of the events that made her who she is.
Even from the foreword by Ben Folds you see that this book is going to be intimate, personal and honest.
The book is ultimately broken into 11 sections. Ben’s foreword, Sara’s personal introduction, 8 different essays inspired and named after her songs and her conclusion.
The clever things she says that make her feel like a friend.
“Bacon call me.”
The horrible experience she had attempting to co-write with a writer she simply refers to as “dick douche.”
She talks about the first few years after college when she floundered, like I did, having obtained the same degree and she captures the feeling most of us Communication majors have felt at one time or another post-graduation, “I had a communication degree which might sound like something but no actual things require this degree.”
She talks about finding her singing career the same way I found my blogging one. While floundering and killing time she submerged herself in something she loved and it grew.
The story of her trip to Italy sparked a desire to travel more in me, her honesty of the loneliness she felt there highlighted every fear I’ve had about starting over and made me see it would work out regardless.
In the chapter Red she reminds us not everything is as it seems and some challenges are for our own good, “We never know which monsters under the bed will become our friends.”
She described people in a way that not only makes you want to know them and also makes you want to be a better person, “He had an enthusiasm for life that makes you question your own tendency to think anything isn’t amazing.”
Her appreciation of the beauty of life and the world is so apparent in her words.
She says things that make the average woman feel a little less basic, “During our month of emailing I wondered if I would fall in love with Jack (because I think that about every new man I meet).”
My only regret of buying this book was not purchasing 2. I was flooded with inspiration and wanted to notate every inspiring or relatable bite size piece of herself she shared with me, and I say me because it was just for me, at least that’s how it felt reading it.
While her voice is captivating Sounds Like Me reiterates what her fans already know, it’s not just her voice that has made millions fall in love and connect to her music but her raw honesty and the way she can put into words what so many of us are feeling.
As I closed the book after I finished the chapter titled Brave, I cried for a solid 5 minutes. Partly because of the way Sara describes her transition from L.A. to New York, her fears that the song, Brave, was more commercial than she wanted to be, was an exact replica of the way I felt as I geared up for what I plan to be my last year working full time before I took my blog on full time and I partly cried because I was imagining Sara watching the little boy with cancer finding courage in her words, “I want to see you be brave.” (My eyes are getting watery just recalling that passage.)
She writes in a way that makes you want to write, just how she sings in a way that makes you wish you could carry a tune.
She uses her carefully chosen words to let you see the world thru her eyes, which she sees beautifully and honestly.
She sees the best in people, the little cracks of light that may be hidden to most. She describes them in a way you’d only wish to be described and in a way that makes you feel like they are old friends.
Having finished the book made me feel happy and hopeful but also lonely because I wanted more.
If you are a Sara Bareilles fan you HAVE to read this book. If you aren’t you need to check her out and you will be.
Check out my list of favorite Sara Bareilles songs:
Gravity
Anyway the Wind Blows
Come Round Soon
Hercules
I Choose You
Little Black Dress
Morning Side
Undertow
Uncharted
Between The Lines
Stay
Sweet as Whole
I’ll limit it to 12 but have a few more… I pretty much love them all!
Who inspires you? Are you a Sara Bareilles Fan? What’s your favorite song?
And for fun here is one of my favorite videos of Sara performing a cover of Sia’s Chandelier.
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Do it for love,
Dia
Sabrina Fox
I love Sara Bareilles! She is the only female singer besides Adele that I follow completely. I had no idea she had a book out but I love reading memories from people I look up to so I might have to check it out! Thanks for putting it on my radar.
Dia
She really is a true talent! It’s such a good book I hope you check it out.
Paola
This is really interesting. I want to actually sit down and listen to her songs and read the book now.
CAROL CASSARA
I love her music. I love her voice. I had no idea she had a memoir out, but it looks like a good one and I will have to check it out.
Leslie Rossi
Had no idea she had a book out. My fiance loves her music!
Heather @ Simply Save
I wasn’t even aware she had a book! Might have to check this out!
Amanda Butler
I will have to add this book to my reading list! Sounds like it’s a great tool. Thanks for sharing!
laci
wow thanks never heard this book until now !! Def getting it Laci
Dia
You should she has so much talent and is so relatable!
Dia
It’s such a great book. It had me laughing and in tears.
Dia
It came out in October it’s so good
Dia
Your fiance has great taste lol
Dia
If you like her music you will love the book
Dia
It is a really inspiring book
Dia
It was really inspiring . Let me know what you think
Dia
I’m sure you will love it Laci
Clare Speer
Wow – you make reading this book so inviting and so glad you read it and shared! I love her quite “Ask with kindness….” so so true. Sounds like she has some great words of wisdom!
Angie Scheie
Wow, you are a wonderful writer! Like,truly wonderful! I like Sara Bareilles and all, but you’ve made me really want to read her book!!
Dia
That is so sweet! Thank you Angie! I really hope you enjoy it if you do. 🙂
Crystal // Dreams, etc.
I didn’t know she released a book. Thanks for this wonderful review. I’ll check it out!
Dia
You really should. She has been super busy the past few years, book, writing a musical. She is amazing
Mimi Rose
I love love love everything about Sara Bareilles – her personality, great lyrics, and beautiful voice. I was so happy to see her in concert a few years back, and I can’t wait to read this book to learn more about the woman behind the music. Thanks for sharing, Dia!! It looks like a great read.