4.5 stars.

If it weren’t for Emma Johnson, Caryn Johnson would have never become Whoopi Goldberg. Emma gave her children the loving care and wisdom they needed to succeed in life, always encouraging them to be true to themselves. When Whoopi lost her mother in 2010—and then her older brother, Clyde, five years later—she felt deeply alone; the only people who truly knew her were gone. This is a moving tribute from a daughter to her mother, and a beautiful portrait of three people who loved each other deeply.

First of all, if you know Whoopi and wondering whether you should read this or not, the answer is you should! Secondly, please pick up the audiobook, because not only is it a wonderful experience to hear a celebrity memoir in their own voice, but also because Whoopi aced this narration.

Her iconic laughs that came out through the book pulled me in completely to her story. And when she choked up a bit as she was relaying her mum’s words, I choked up with her.

And whoo, the giving birth chapter was out of this world! It was so funny, I was cry-laughing the entire chapter. Her traumatic birthing experience was so relatable to me, and the way she told the story was amazing. This was one of my most favourite memoir chapters of all time!

Loved this audiobook! It’s so clear how much Goldberg adored her mother, and how good of a mother she had. She narrates with her classic humor and the stories are sure to make you smile.

Would recommend to anyone seeking a great memoir!

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the audiobook version of this book.

The story of Caryn Johnson/Whoopi Goldberg told by Whoopi herself. Whoopi reads the audiobook so it made me feel like I was in the same room with her and listening to her tell me about her life. Bits and Pieces is a perfect title because Whoopi jumps around as different thoughts about her life pop into her head and makes her want to talk about them.

I learned so much about her childhood, her mother, and her brother. They were very close and had wonderful fun together. So many wonderful experiences were provided to Whoopi and her brother even though they did not have money.

This book will make you smile and give you so much insight as to what makes Caryn Johnson - Whoopi Goldberg! You will learn how she got her name!

This wasn't one of my favorite memoirs I've ever read, but it probably doesn't help that I had very little background knowledge on Whoopi and her family. This was love very much in memory of her brother and mother who passed away, which was really nice but at the same time was reading to hear about Whoopi's life and less about her family. There were a lot of inspiring passages in this and certainly pages that tore at my heartstrings but overall I found this to be just okay and not very riveting. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This audiobook was such a great listen! I loved that Whoopi herself narrated it—she’s always so entertaining, and hearing her tell her own story made it even more engaging. It’s a mix of heartfelt memories and deep loss, and I found myself relating to so much of what she shared, especially as someone who grew up in New York City and had my own adventures. The book shows a different, more vulnerable side of Whoopi—Caryn—beyond her public persona. She talks about everything from growing up with a disability, navigating family dynamics, to making her dreams come true and fighting for better representation in media. I especially appreciated her insights on motherhood while balancing a demanding career, and her advice on coping with loss was incredibly moving.
I definitely recommend this one—it’s full of touching anecdotes and powerful life lessons. You won’t be disappointed!

This book isn't something I would normally choose to listen to, but I was pleasantly surprised! I devoured this memoir and Whoopi was so easy to listen to. She had such sweet memories of her mother and brother and such a interesting childhood. I loved hearing the behind the scenes into the start of her career and who she has associated with. Overall, the book had a great message and the my only real complaint is the amount of strong language. It's not something I love to hear.

Five big fat stars!!
I loved Whoopi before starting this but love her even more now!
I will definitely recommend this to all of my friends!

I thoroughly enjoyed hearing Whoopi Goldberg narrate this memoir. This non-chronological account of her early life and career is a love letter to her mother and brother, who died five years apart. Born Karen Johnson, Whoopi had an interesting coming of age in New York City, thanks in part to her mother’s determination to teach her daughter to make the most out of life and to be a singular character.

The narrative jumps all over the place, but it held my attention and was entertaining throughout.

Rating- N/A (I don’t rate memoirs, but the listening experience was 5/5)

If it weren’t for Emma Johnson, Caryn Johnson would have never become Whoopi Goldberg. Emma gave her children the loving care and wisdom they needed to succeed in life, always encouraging them to be true to themselves. When Whoopi lost her mother in 2010—and then her older brother, Clyde, five years later—she felt deeply alone; the only people who truly knew her were gone. In this personal memoir, Whoopi shares stories of growing up in New York, advice from her mother, and key moments from her career.
.
I love memoirs as audiobooks - and this was no exception. Highly entertaining, yet heartfelt, this was a very enjoyable memoir; almost like sitting down for a conversation with a friend. The listening experience was brilliant and engaging, I didn’t want it to end. If you enjoy memoirs, then make sure to check this one out.

This is an excellent memoir where Whoopi Goldberg remembers her mother and brother. She was very close to them and their close relationship is precious. I enjoyed the audiobook. She does a great job performing her book. The ebook has less material and isn’t the same as the audiobook if you want to follow along. In her narration she adds a lot more that isn’t in the book itself. Which was kinda annoying because this is a book and not a podcast. I expected the ebook and audiobook to be the same as with any audiobook. I did enjoy her performance though.

Bits and Pieces is a loving and entertaining tribute to Whoopi's mom & brother, who both passed away and left a big hole in her life. I'd say it was mostly about her mother, though I may be misremembering. The parts about her brother may have been more to emphasize that when he died 5 years after her mom, there was no one left in the world who had known Whoopi her whole life and who knew her as well as they did.

I liked listening to Whoopi narrate this book. She laughs a lot and it seems more like she's telling a story than she is reading word for word to us. I like how her mother often avoided answering Whoopi's questions. That was a common theme. I guess she kind of liked to keep things to herself, such as how she managed to accomplish certain things, by answering a question with a question. I found their lives and experiences to be really interesting.

I also especially appreciated the tips at the end about grieving and being prepared for death. She comments on how in our culture it is somewhat taboo to discuss death and that we should be doing more of it.

It took awhile for me to get into the story. Once I got into though I found it to be interesting. Whoopi does a fabulous job narrating the story.

Have you ever wanted to know how Whoopi got her name?

RAFO

I’ve always felt a connection to Whoopi Goldberg. I’ve seen her in so many things. She narrates this audiobook which brings an already intimate memoir to life.

You guys!! Guinan, the fabulous mysterious bartender in Ten Forward was one of my favorite characters on ST-TNG!!

She was so close to her mom & older brother Clyde who passed away 2010/2015. It’s heartbreaking and heart warming. You get the feeling she’s talking with you & sharing stories that made her who she is today.

I got out the tissues when she surprised her mom with a gift that her mom had always wanted to give her. Whoopi is genuine and she gives you a solid peek behind the curtain at two people who influenced & loved her most.

Fantastic book! Thank you NetGalley & Blackstone Publishing. This has relistenability!

I absolutely love Whoopi Goldberg and getting to hear glimpses of her life behind the scenes was so much fun. However, this wasn’t the juicy memoir I was expecting and I guess that’s on me.
Much like the title suggests; this book is a love letter to her mother and brother who have passed. It’s all the fun, difficult and loving times they had together. She credits them for making her who she is and this book shows just why that is.
An incredible story from an incredible woman just not the Hollywood memoir I was expecting.

(I will always give memoirs 5 stars….who am I to judge someone’s story)

I was lucky to receive this book as an audio format from @netgalley. I highly recommend listening to this as an audiobook! I liked this book as whoopi was quite funny and a fun narrator. The way that she speaks and laughs at things had me laughing along with her. The book was quick and easy to listen to in addition to entertaining. I knew the name but truthfully didn't know much about whoopi until listening to this book. I was constantly surprised by the things she has been through with her family. I docked it slightly because it felt a bit repetitive throughout. She does mention that she just kind of wrote/read as things came to her mind so she does jump around a little. I felt like I had already heard a section and questioned if it had gotten rewinded accidentally. Overall, I did enjoy this book. 8/10!

Author: @whoopigoldberg
Freebie from: @netgalley

#netgalley #autobiography #readingtime #bookreview #bookstagram #bookrecommendations

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

Whoopi Goldberg’s “Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me” is a heartfelt and intimate memoir that offers listeners a deeply personal glimpse into the life of one of Hollywood’s most iconic figures. Narrated by Goldberg herself, the audiobook is a moving tribute to the family members who shaped her into the person she is today.

Goldberg’s narration is nothing short of captivating. Her distinctive voice, filled with warmth and emotion, brings an added layer of authenticity to the memoir. Listening to her recount her experiences feels like sitting down with an old friend, making the audiobook an engaging and immersive experience.

The memoir is structured around Goldberg’s reflections on her mother, Emma Johnson, and her brother, Clyde Johnson. Through a series of poignant anecdotes and memories, Goldberg paints a vivid picture of her family’s influence on her life and career. Her storytelling is both candid and humorous, capturing the essence of her unique perspective on the world.

One of the standout aspects of “Bits and Pieces” is Goldberg’s ability to balance humor with profound insights. She shares moments of joy and laughter, as well as the challenges and heartaches she faced along the way. This blend of lightheartedness and depth makes the memoir relatable and resonant, offering listeners a well-rounded view of her journey.

Goldberg’s reflections on her mother are particularly touching. She credits Emma Johnson with instilling in her the values of resilience, independence, and self-worth. These lessons are woven throughout the memoir, providing a powerful testament to the enduring impact of a mother’s love and guidance.

The audiobook also delves into Goldberg’s relationship with her brother, Clyde, highlighting the bond they shared and the ways in which they supported each other through life’s ups and downs. Goldberg’s portrayal of their sibling relationship is both tender and honest, adding another layer of emotional depth to the memoir.

For fans of personal memoirs and those interested in the life of Whoopi Goldberg, “Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me” is a must-listen. The combination of Goldberg’s engaging narration and the heartfelt content makes this audiobook a standout in its genre. It is a beautiful tribute to family, resilience, and the journey of self-discovery.

“Bits and Pieces” is a touching and inspiring memoir that showcases Whoopi Goldberg’s talent not just as an entertainer, but as a storyteller. Her ability to convey the complexities of her life with humor and grace makes this audiobook a memorable and enriching experience.

"It's the thing we all have to face, the death of those who knew you the best."

And there it is...the hardest truth, but now with the iconic Whoopi Goldberg, we don't have to feel so alone when dealing with such a heavy loss. With grace, humility, humor, a bit of sadness and so much joy, Bits and Pieces, My Mother, My Brother, And Me by, not the award winning actress or the host of The View, but by the daughter and sister of Emma and Clyde, author Whoopi Goldberg shares how growing up with her loving mother and brother made her whole.

Having lost my Mom in 2020, her story of growing up in the projects of NY with a hard working single mother hit home for me. We have similar memories of trips to Coney Island, rainy days at the movies, and adventures in NY's abundant museums.

As Whoopi shares stories of her life, it's a daughter and sister sharing pivotal moments with the family that molded her. There are fun anecdotes about her Mom meeting famous people like Sidney Poitier, Marlon Brando, and developing a friendship with director Mike Nichols, who helped launch Whoopi's career into the stratosphere.

Narrated by Whoopi, we get beautiful moments of giggling at a silly time, or a smile coming through at a fond memory. We also get the emotions of losing friends like Patrick Swayze and dealing with being the only one left of your nuclear family.

Remembering isn't always easy but sharing their stories, keeping them alive is a privilege. Whoopi Goldberg taught me that lesson. Do yourself a favor and take a little time, a few Bits and Pieces of your day, to meet Emma and Clyde. You will laugh, cry and love as Whoopi graciously shares them with you for a little while.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from Blackstone Publishing via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me by Whoopi Goldberg is fantastic on audio. Whoopi herself narrates it and I found her voice so soothing and relatable. It was like listening to a friend. While the book is by far more about Whoopi's relationship with her mother than her brother, the reader learns something about her relationship with him, too. We should all be so lucky to have a mother like Whoopi's. Whoopi's descriptions of her make her sound like a remarkable woman and a wonderful mother.

Thanks to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for a review copy of this wonderful audiobook.

I really loved and enjoyed this read. Whoppi Goldberg tells a lot about her mother in this book. It is beautiful but there are also parts that are heartbreaking.
It is interesting to listen to her, to learn about her life. How she grew up, how she viewed her life, her childhood.

I loved, that she said that even if you and your parents or siblings have lived through the same , we all have different views and memories. That doesn't make our memories wrong, but we all feel different about it.

I loved how she talked about her mother, I could really imagine her.

If you are interested into reading this book, I highly recommend you the audiobook that she narrated herself.

From the moment Whoopi begun narrating her story I was enthralled.

"Not everyone gets to walk this earth with folks who let you be exactly who are and give you the confidence of exactly who you want to be; so I thought I'd share mine with you."

And I am so glad she did; because its not often I fall in love, and I did, with Whoopi's mother.

It is with considered detail, humour and love that Whoopi immortalizes her brother Clyde, and especially her Mother Emma in this incredibly touching memoir. And whilst this collection of memories speak to several challenging subjects, the love, strength, encouragement and wisdom of Whoopi's mother shines like a star. If there was an EGOT equivalent for parenthood, Emma Johnson would win.

It is also a story of Whoopi, and her evolution and journey from Caryn Johnson into the actor and personality she is today. But at every step, weaves the influence of Whoopi's Mother, from role model as a single parent who made things work, to practical advice, to encouragement of being true to self. This memoir truly is a love letter, and a testament to the power of family unity.

A fabulous read. Thank you Whoopi Goldberg, your memoir felt like a big warm hug.

Thank you Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this Audiobook in exchange for an honest review.