Sara Bareilles

This updated New York Times bestselling collection of essays by seven-time Grammy nominated singer songwriter Sara Bareilles “resonates with authentic and hard-won truths” (Publishers Weekly)—and features new material on the hit Broadway musical, Waitress. Sara Bareilles “pours her heart and soul into these essays” (Associated Press), sharing the joys and the struggles that come with creating great work, all while staying true to yourself. Imbued with humor and marked by Sara’s confessional writing style, this essay collection tells the inside story behind some of her most popular songs. Well known for her chart-topper “Brave,” Sara first broke through in 2007 with her multi-platinum single “Love Song.” She has since released seven albums that have sold millions of copies and spawned several hits. “A breezy, upbeat, and honest reflection of this multitalented artist” (Kirkus Reviews), Sounds Like Me reveals Sara Bareilles, the artist—and the woman—on songwriting, soul searching, and what’s discovered along the way.

My Life (So Far) in Song

Sounds Like Me

The singer-songwriter presents a series of confessional writings about the searches for growth, healing, and self-acceptance behind some of her most popular songs.

Alecx Motus

All heart eyes for this book 😍 Sara has been a staple in my life since high school. Many English projects were based on her songs and I love how I get an even better view of what went into my favorite songs. She's introspective, honest, funny, and so relatable. Must read!!

Ivy X

"How you love is how you are." 

Comforting read

Lucia Correa

5 Stars for the book and narrator! 

Confession - I'm a Sara Bareilles fan. You don't have to be a fan to enjoy this book, but it might help. If you don't know who Sara Bareilles is, she is a singer songwriter and a few of her hits include Love Song, Gravity, Brave and She Used to be Mine. I had a 4 hour car drive ahead of me and Sara's audio-autobiography was about 4 hours. Perfect!

Sara narrates and sings! Her narration is excellent. Actually it feels like she is telling her story to you - she is not reading it to you. (if that makes sense). Its a relatively short book of essays and each begins with her singing one of her songs a capella which goes with the theme of the essay - 8 essays or rather chapters with an epilogue. The book is entertaining, heartfelt and honest.

The first couple of chapters told the story of her childhood. Sometimes idyllic, other times heartbreaking. She wrote her hit Gravity when she was only 19 yrs old! It relates to her high school-college boyfriend. It was an on and off relationship as her lyrics alludes to.

Gravity Lyrics (excerpt)
Set me free, leave me be
I don't want to fall another moment into your gravity
Here I am, and I stand
So tall, just the way I'm supposed to be
But you're on to me and all over me

Oh, you loved me 'cause I'm fragile
When I thought that I was strong
But you touch me for a little while
And all my fragile strength is gone

One thread that weaves throughout most of the book is her self esteem issues that goes back to when she was bullied as the "fat kid". So much so, she ended up changing high schools to start anew. But she still struggles even today, although she is far from fat.

In other chapters she recounts when she spent a year as an college exchange student in Italy, the ups and downs as she struggled to become a success, singing in small clubs, how certain songs came about, collaborating, touring and tour buses and a special fan (who guest narrates her own story).

The last chapter is about when Sara's dream to be involved in musical theater came true. She was asked to write the music and lyrics for a new musical, Waitress which is based on the movie with Kari Russell. She was nominated for a Tony as for best original score. (She lost to that small musical you may have heard about, Hamilton). She wasn't initially cast in the show (Tony winner, Jessie Mueller was) but when Mueller left Sara took over for a few months. I was able to see Sara perform! Every so often I go to NYC to catch some Broadway shows. So it was a no brainer to make a trip to see Sara in Waitress and Bette Midler in Hello Dolly. Epic trip. If the touring musical Waitress comes near you, I highly recommend it - warning IMO its not suitable for children.

**If you are listening the audiobook - stick around for the outtakes at the very, very, very end. Totally worth it! Very funny and profanity abounds.

KADY BURNS

Sara is one of my favorite artists and I enjoyed reading her story

Emily Ruth Carter

I enjoyed listening to this audiobook. Sara even sings on it! I greatly appreciated her sharing her stories and struggles with anxiety.

alexa nicole

This book marked the beginning of my Sara Bareilles phase. I was given it as a gift after being told that I sound like Sara at a voice lesson and it made me fall in love with her and her music. I’ve re-read it a few times now that I am more familiar with her music and it gets better and better every time.

Rebecca Laparra

I read this in one day. I felt like she was speaking just to me. It was intimate, vulnerable, funny, and honest. This book adds another reason to why she's my favorite artist.

Yoomi

If you're going to read this book, listen to the audiobook!

Luisina Rivoira

Reread a year later and my thoughts and feelings remain the same <3

Sara is absolutely wonderful and brilliant in everything she does. This book is no exception. This autobiography is smart, funny, touching, and revealing, all of which has helped into making it one of my favorites I've read (listened to?) so far. It felt real and familiar, and it was much more than I ever hoped it would be. I only wish it would've been longer.
Needless to say I've been listening to Sara's music non-stop for the past two days, and there's no sign I'll stop anytime soon.

Kate

If there’s anything you should know about me, it’s that Sara Barellies is my favourite artist of all time and has been since the day I bought her first album when I was 12( the second album I ever bought!) 

Considering this, I had no doubt I’d adore her book and I was right. This was truly wonderful. It was personal, with the perfect balance of humour and emotion. It was beautifully written and perfectly showcased Sara’s down to earth, humble voice and personality. 

With each essay beginning with a short, acapella rendition of one of her songs and a warm, funny narration, if you get the chance, I’d highly recommend reading the audiobook version. 

I enjoyed each and every moment of listening to this and, somehow, I’ve come away from it admiring Sara’s talent and person even more.

Sounds Like Me My Life (So Far) in Song

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