From multi-award winner Whoopi Goldberg comes a new and unique memoir of her family and their influence on her early life. - (Baker & Taylor)

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From multi-award winner Whoopi Goldberg comes a new and unique memoir of her family and their influence on her early life.

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.

Emma raised her children not just to survive, but to thrive. In this intimate and heartfelt memoir, Whoopi shares many of the deeply personal stories of their lives together for the first time. Growing up in the projects in New York City, there were trips to Coney Island, the Ice Capades, and museums, and every Christmas was a magical experience. To this day, she doesn’t know how her mother was able to give them such an enriching childhood, despite the struggles they faced—and it wasn’t until she was well into adulthood that Whoopi learned just how traumatic some of those struggles were.

Fans of personal memoirs such as Finding Me by Viola Davis and In Pieces by Sally Field will be touched by Bits and Pieces: a moving tribute from a daughter to her mother, and a beautiful portrait of three people who loved each other deeply. Whoopi writes, “Not everybody gets to walk this earth with folks who let you be exactly who you are and who give you the confidence to become exactly who you want to be. So, I thought I’d share mine with you.”

Booklist Reviews

Whoopi Goldberg has made an indelible mark on pop culture via film, TV, theater, and literature. Her new memoir is an emotional and uplifting exploration as, with her unique voice and trademark wit, she reflects on the people, places, and experiences that have made her the multi-award-winning icon she is today. Goldberg offers rare and personal insights into the lives of her family members, including her mother, Emma Harris, and brother, Clyde K. Johnson, and their profound impact on her life. Her mother, in particular, enabled Caryn Johnson, a weird little kid from the projects no one expected to achieve very much, to become a star. Goldberg recounts her challenges as a Black woman in America, the highs and lows that shaped her personal and professional journey, and the valuable lessons she learned, hoping to inspire readers. According to Goldberg, having a supportive group of individuals in your life is invaluable. She believes having people who accept and encourage you to be yourself is an exceptional gift that should never be taken for granted. Generous, candid, and uplifting.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Goldberg's fan base will be avid for the mix of memoir and guidance. Copyright 2024 Booklist Reviews.

Library Journal Reviews

EGOT-winning actor Goldberg (née Caryn Jonson) reflects on her early life and career in this earnest tribute to her family. As a child, she counted on two people: her mother, Emma, and her older brother, Clyde. Emma worked diligently as a nurse while teaching her children to take time for the small things. Clyde doted on his little sister and allowed her to hang out with him and his friends. Years later, when Goldberg became famous, she brought Emma and Clyde to awards functions, fundraisers, and galas. The loving bond between the family never broke, even after Emma's and Clyde's deaths. Black-and-white photos in the book further demonstrate how much Goldberg cherishes them. Goldberg's career is secondary to the family's story, which in this memoir ends after her 1991 Oscar win. Instead of speaking directly about her career, she talks fondly about people she met along the way. That includes Mike Nichols, who facilitated her big break by directing her first and one-woman Broadway show. VERDICT Told mostly in chronological order, this breezy and moving memoir portrays a close-knit family that includes a daughter who is also a celebrity. A fine addition to biography collections.—Anjelica Rufus-Barnes