I love a good memoir, and by good, I mean the person’s story must feel authentic to me. It has to grab my attention and hold it captive. You’re probably thinking, Isn’t everybody’s personal story trustworthy? Not exactly. Well, let’s just say that I have started many memoirs and had to put some of them down midway through. Avid readers tend to have a knack for sensing transparency. We can usually tell when someone is using their celebrity status just to sell books. That is definitely not the case with this New York Time’s best-selling author.
I have been a fan of Gabrielle Union’s for a long time. Like since she said, “. . . I didn’t know Nike made dresses!” in Love and Basketball. After that, her star catapulted into the stratosphere! One of her most beloved characters is Mary Jane Paul (AKA Pauletta) in the BET hit series, Being Mary Jane. Her quick wit is not just limited to the characters she plays, however. Nope – that’s all natural. But to call her quick witted doesn’t do her justice. She is downright hilarious! If you follow her on Instagram, you probably already know that. Her antics have made her the ultimate “best friend in my head” woman in Hollywood. I’ll take it further than that. She is my celebrity spirit animal – if that’s a thing.
Her first book, We’re Going to Need More Wine: Stories That Are Funny, Complicated, and True (Dey Street Books, 2017) shows a relatable, human side of Union. In it, she shares her struggles with fertility and other personal stories about her life and career. Her honesty about her journey is captivating. While I love that book, her most recent memoir, You Got Anything Stronger?: Stories (Dey Street Books, 2021) gives us an even more raw, up-close-and-personal look at this beautiful soul.
I chose to listen to this book on Audible because audio is my preferred method of devouring books these days. And it’s not just because my book, Heaven’s Eyes: The Scandals of Macklin is now available on Audible.
Notice my shameless plug?
There is nothing better than listening to people tell their stories firsthand. Union opens up about the traumatic event that changed her life and how it shifted the way she navigates the world. She talks about being more intuitive as she gets older – you know, listening to that still, small voice that guides us and helps us make the best decisions. I like to call that voice my higher self, or my spirit. Many people call it “their first mind.” We’ve probably all been guilty of kicking ourselves a few times, right after saying, “I knew I should have followed my first mind!”
Union is also candid about her journey to motherhood. Over the years, she has been forthcoming about being a stepmother and “knowing her place,” but now she and hubby, Dwayne Wade, are also parents to Kaavia James Union Wade – the daughter who blissfully came bursting into their lives via surrogate. Just hearing Union talk about that process and then holding her baby for the first time still gives me the warm and fuzzies.
She shares many private moments and personal anecdotes with the readers. But the one that I find the most affinity with is the chapter titled, “The Audacity of Aging.” I believe that most women can relate to the dynamics of getting older and everything that comes with it. But this chapter will have you doubled over in laughter! The kind in which tears actually roll down your face.
The battle of aging gracefully is relatable to us all, but few women share the weight of combatting these wonderful life changes while being married to a younger man. Well, I can. Yet another reason she is the “friend in my head” because she is me and I am her – if only in this aspect.
Don’t get me wrong, though. Being married to a younger man has many, MANY benefits.
Just sayin.
I can tell you firsthand that the age difference bothers other people more than the couples. See, the world is accustomed to men marrying younger women. Like, since Bible days. No problem. But when those roles are reversed, people generally run multiple scenarios through their minds. I can relate to Union when she describes the moment people find out about her and D Wade’s age difference. People glance at him and then back at her – checking for the lines in her face. I have experienced this moment so many times that it’s starting to feel like Groundhog Day.
My theory on this double take phenomenon? It’s simple. Folks generally assume that my husband and I are the same age, and they accept that. Finding out that I am older, however, apparently knocks them off their game. That’s right – they didn’t notice the age difference and suddenly, they feel deceived!
I know!
Union also writes candidly about her career journey, a family Thanksgiving dinner that went awry, and how hindsight is 20/20, in one of my favorite chapters, “Dear Isis.” In it, Union writes a letter to her character from the movie Bring It On. It’s more like a heartfelt ballad to this teenage girl, whom the world chose to villainize. It is a poignant tribute to Isis – one that will leave you breathless.
One of the best things about this second book is Union’s obvious growth as a human being. She is a courageous activist, who stands her ground on important issues. And just in case you ever thought otherwise, she is Blackity, Black, Black – and not just during the month of February!
You Got Anything Stronger? is a series of gripping essays that are so authentically written that you will be inspired to love hard, chase your dreams, live your truth, and be your beautiful, honest, best self. So, if you are a Gabrielle Union fan now, you will love her even more after reading this book.
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