I had never heard of Glory Edim, author of “Gather Me,” before I read this book. However, the subtitle “A Memoir in Praise of the Books that Saved Me” grabbed my attention. Like Ms. Edim, a number of books influenced my younger life - and still resinate with me today. I found this book to be a deeply thoughtful one, not always easy when looking back at one’s life and revisiting why certain books hit you like they did back then. When Ms. Edim stated that she dislikes (possibly hates) “Catcher in the Rye,” I might’ve cheered aloud [I cannot stand that book and was told by peers and professors that I obviously was a flawed individual]. When Ms. Edim mentions how her teenage self missed the pointed words of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” I had to smile - yep, many do, although Shakespeare points out that play is a tragedy. I really liked seeing the books that Ms. Edim explores - and she explores them in thoughtful ways. I may never like reading Toni Morrison, but I can appreciate what her books were about and how they affected readers. Ms. Edim writes well - and explains things very well - and this book is a thoughtful memoir - covering the good, bad, and in-between not only in her life, but with the books she read to help her wade through this thing called life.

I for one can say I enjoyed this book. I read her first book ‘Well Read Black Girl’ where it was like an anthology of different black women writers who made her fall in love with reading as well as those who inspired me to write.

This book really spoke to me. I was able to put myself in Glory’s shoes, especially when she talked about how different books she reads were perfectly fitting to what was currently happening in her life. We underestimate the power that books hold and I’m glad that this was written. Books are for those who need to escape reality, find a safe space, and collect the words that scrambles in our minds.

In this reflective and vulnerable memoir, Glory Edim looks back on her life and the way books have had a lasting impact on her life, from her childhood to present. Edim takes readers back to the lives of her parents, where her Nigerian mother fell in love with an Nigeran-American man and agreed to leave her home seemingly at whim to build a new life in a completely different continent, and the ways in which their separation reverberated in her own upbringing. It was especially at this time that she turned to books, especially those written by female and black authors, for solace and guidance.

It's within the memories of these pages that Glory seems to remember her own life, from the moments she stood up to her high school English teacher for his criticism of Maya Angelou's failed use of grammar to the beginnings of the Well Read Black Girl Book Club with their initial reading and discussion of Ta-Nehisi Coates "Between the World and Me". She reveals her struggles as an adolescent and adult, moving from a student at Howard University to an independent adult; her complicated relationship with her biological father; watching her mother struggle with severe depression; and her own difficulties with romantic relationships, including her own entry into motherhood after the birth of her son Zikomo.

There are mentions and passages from a number of incredible authors interspersed in this memoir (Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, Zora Neale Hurston, Coleson Whitehad, Jacqueline Woodson, etc. ) that any book-lover will delight in, and I walked away with a number of new books to add to my TBR. The writing is complex and thoughtful, and Edim's prose is strong and concise. Well worth a read and very much recommended with "Gather Me" is published in October 2024!

Books: they have comforted Glory Edim throughout her life. Readers can relate to the power and inspiration of her words.

This is a personal account of the good times and challenges with her beloved mother, brothers, friends and adoring young son, Zikomo. It makes me want to give her a hug for all that she has endured.

Glory starts when she was eight years old living in a cramped two-bedroom apartment in the DC area. It was Glory who had to hold on tight with her responsibilities of school along with taking care of her brothers. Later in college, she also looked after her single mother who was diagnosed at that time with depression. A lot of people would have stopped in their tracks but she found strength with her good will and kind heart.

The book is well written with the struggles of being a Black woman in America with ancestors from Nigeria. She was given a T-shirt that said: Well-Read Black Girl Book Club. She wore it everywhere in NYC. She said it opened friendships with lots of interesting people. There was so much enthusiasm, she started a literary festival.

Her words will resonate with a lot of readers that love memoirs and especially those who are reaching out for self-help to overcome struggles. It will no doubt give them the endurance that they need to make it through tough times. It ends with a heartfelt letter to her young son.

My thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced book with an expected release date of October 29, 2024.

This was an incredible read. I have been a huge fan of the Well-Read Black Girl book club, so I was thrilled to receive this PrePub! Glory Edim tells the story of growing up as a first generation American amidst the turmoil of relational conflict, financial instability, racism, and mental health struggles. She paints a moving portrait of the way various authors saved her through their powerful prose and how she eventually became this type of life raft for other young, black women through her book club. She pulled me in with the rawness and vulnerability of her storytelling; I couldn't put the book down. 5+ stars!

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Glory tells the story about her life. Her parents came to the US from Nigeria and she learned much from her mom. A great read

Gather Me is a powerful memoir by a powerful woman. Glory Edim is the founder of the Well-Read Black Girl Book Club. We learn how the club came to me (named after a T-shirt gifted by her then boyfriend!), but so much more about her path to loving literature and other black women along the way.

Glory is first generation Nigerian-American. Her father is a strong model and tie to Nigerian culture, while her mother is eager to assimilate. This book travels back to Glory’s DC childhood, her early relationships with her parents and school and friendship.

We see how books play a role through every stage of Glory’s life. I loved how Glory wove in how each mattered to her, passages that stood out and how they helped shape her worldview.

I was most touched by Glory’s young adult years. The struggles Glory described taking care of her mother are devastating. And yet, Glory adjusts and adapts and adjusts and adapts.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. As a book lover, seeing how books changed someone’s life is a heart-warming experience. Highly recommended.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was completely lovely. Thoughtful, comprehensive, and bursting to the gills with book recommendations for what to read next.

I absolutely loved this memoir. Glory Edim, also known as Well-Read Black Girl, is someone whose work I’m very familiar with. Her sharing her reading journey helped me with my own and I’ve even had the pleasure of meeting her a couple of times. Although I’ve known about her love for reading, I’ve never known it from the perspective told in this book. Glory shares with the reader how books helped her through some of the most difficult and vulnerable times in her life. She shares her story but doesn’t pretend to have it all figured out. As a first-generation older daughter, I related heavily to her story. I absolutely recommend this book!

I knew this book would be meaningful because I follow Glory Edim and love her posts. Her life story contrasted with the books that were significant to her at the time was very touching. I highlighted so many lines in this ARC that were very meaningful to me. As a literature teacher, the section that she writes about her professor and how his critique of Maya Angelou’s I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings affected her will stay with me and help to influence the way I deliver my lessons. If you love books and love words, please read this book. I plan to buy a copy for myself and highlight the same sections I noted in this ARC provided to me by NetGalley and Penguin Random House.

In "Gather Me: A Memoir in Praise of the Books That Saved Me," Glory Edim offers an intimate and heartfelt exploration of how literature has shaped her life. Growing up in Virginia with Nigerian immigrant parents, Edim found respite in books among the turbulence of her family life. When her father moved back to Nigeria during her childhood, marking the beginning of a series of traumatic events, the local library became a sanctuary for Edim and her brother, Maurice, who she writes about incredibly tenderly. Through books, Glory discovered a community and a wealth of knowledge during a time she craved connection most.

This memoir is a powerful reflection on the writers who influenced Glory deeply, from Nikki Giovanni and Maya Angelou to Toni Morrison and Audre Lorde. These authors, encountered at various pivotal moments in her life, taught her to value her own voice, trust her emotions, and forge meaningful connections with other Black women.

As a long-time fan and participant in the Well-Read Black Girl book club, I found "Gather Me" to be a powerful and relatable testament to the transformative power of literature. This book is all about the power of bibliotherapy to help validate our experiences, orient us to reality, and support us in dreaming up better possibilities for the future and for our children.

Edim’s vulnerability and honesty in recounting her life’s journey—caring for her mother with mental illness, protecting her brother during a frightening encounter with law enforcement, navigating the complexities of her relationship with her son's father—resonate deeply. Her life story illustrates how books not only helped her acknowledge her pain but also provided a blueprint for building a safer, more fulfilling inner world. This memoir is a testament to bibliotherapy’s potential to heal, guide, and inspire. Edim’s story, enriched by the literary greats who have shaped her, offers a compelling message of resilience and hope for lovers of Black literature. Thank you to the publisher and author for the opportunity to read!

Gather Me by Glory Edim was made for readers. I loved how the author included books in each chapter that shaped her life at that moment. I added so many books to my TBR as I made my way through this one. Glory's life was not easy and the two of us were raised very differently. What I loved about this memoir is that it showed me a different life in a way I could deeply understand. Her love for reading carried her through so much adversity. I love that Black women will have another fantastic story that they can see themselves in. I just absolutely loved reading about Glory finding her purpose in the very thing that saved her. Her tenacity and spirit shined. The letter to her son at the end had me in tears. It made me want to have a child so I could also pass along my stories and the stories that made me who I am. The memoir was well paced and I felt like I knew who Glory was at a base level by the end. I think anyone who has let books carry them through this life will love this memoir.

‘Gather Me’ by: Glory Edim is a memoir in which Glory grew up with the love of books. The books that she enjoys help her throughout her life. Those books also helped her start a foundation. As I read this book, I discovered there’s so many things the Glory have to go through the good and bad. She has books that saved her from the outside world. Books that can be like a friend or a shoulder to cry on.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to read this book and do a review.

A moving testament to the human spirit, showcasing how family, community, and wisdom can guide us through life's challenges and help us find our true selves.