Bits and Pieces

My Mother, My Brother, and Me

De: Whoopi Goldberg

Narrado por: Whoopi Goldberg

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.”

©2024 Whoopi Goldberg (P)2024 Blackstone Publishing

Amazing! Thanks for Taking Me On A Journey. Braided Leather Belts, No Thank You! Ha!

The absolute best book I never "read!" Wow! I knew I would be making the right decision by choosing Audible to dive into the book and listen to Whoopi tell it herself. But I didn't think I would be this spot-on. Thank You Whoopi for taking me back into your journey. I felt every single word, every single giggle, every single pause, everything. Only you can tell a story best and by God I absolutely thought you were talking to only me. How do you do that? Actually do I know how you do that. I've always thought you have a way with words and that's why I wanted to hear you tell it. Even though I'm sure I would still hear your voice if I was flipping through pages. Through this journey, I would listen to you while in the middle of something and stop right in the middle of my next step and couldn't move at times because, as I said, you simply have a way with words. It really felt like I was on a call with you, and you were just reminiscing with me. Perhaps that's how you meant it to feel, and if so, you accomplished that. I'm more than sure I will chuckle the next time I see a braided leather belt. I hardly ever give reviews and I very rarely cry. So full disclosure tears are coming to my eyes at this very moment bc I'm proud and honored to have listened to you and get a (not glimpse but spectrum perhaps) of or your childhood, upbringing, personal and career journeys. If this note never gets to you, I'm actually okay with that because I'd like to think that, hey it's out there in the universe and one day my compliment and round of applause to you would reach you in a different dynamic. No doubt your mom and brother are proud. Whew! Job well done.

Our old friend Whoopi!

This was an excellent book - it was as if I was on a phone call with an old friend. Whoopi is a national treasure! Bravo!

Very relatable

I totally connected to her upbringing as a black girl born in the late 50s living in New York. What stood out most for me was the period during her mom was hospitalized. I experienced a similar situation with my mom. Unfortunately my relationship wasn’t like Whoopi and her mom’s. For many many years, we were close and still are to a point, but sadly, she doesn’t realize the distance that has occurred and our relationship and it was nice to read about Whoopie‘s relationship with her mom wishing that I had that. going through the process of grief whether it’s a parent or a spouse was also very real and relatable. I would recommend this book/audiobook. I had the audiobook version and it was really nice to hear. Whoopi speak her own words.

A great.. quick read

I listened to this in one day. It was like spending a day with Whoopi and getting to know a bit more about her life. Highly recommend !

That one time me and Whoopi hung out…

This book made me feel like, Whoopi and I were chillin on a beach with some “dranks” and having a conversation about her life! I love the side tangents and random commentary of this book because it made me feel like I was talking to a friend. I deeply appreciate and love Whoopi for authenticity (even when I don’t always agree 😂), and I’m so happy to support her with this purchase and the printed copy!

Best wishes, Whoopi!

The Best Book I’ve Read In a Very Long Time

This book was very well written and read by Whoopi Goldberg. It has so many insightful thoughts and comments made by both Whoopi and her mother. I love all the memories that she shared between her brother, her mother and herself. I am extremely picky when it comes to books and this is honestly the best book I have read in years. I read most of it in one sitting. I have always liked Whoopi Goldberg, but I’ve never been the biggest, hugest fan in the world. Definitely nothing has ever been wrong with Whoopi Goldberg, I just haven’t been the biggest fan throughout most of my life. After reading this book, however, I have gotten a much deeper appreciation for her, how she was raised, her family and her career. she should definitely write and narrate more books. This was such an excellent read!

The Honesty and openness

I love Whoopie. I love her movies, books and plays. She is good in every thing I‘ve heard her voice in.

Loved it!

Appreciate Whoopi sharing the relationship with her mom. Made me reflect on memories of my mom who pasted in 2020. The bond with my mother is eternal and the appreciation once their no longer on this earth is beyond special. Thanks Whoopi!

Perfect timing

Waiting for the call that my father in law will have passed as I walk my daily path. No matter what the family dynamic is, Whoopi gives us herself and her essence encourages the joyful and the broken hearted alike. Thanks for writing such an honest story about your family and giving us a flashlight when our roads feel dark.

Total transparency

Whoopi Goldberg is unpretentious and authentic as a person. This book shows the respect and love she had for her mother and brother and their impact on her very celebrated life. The challenges she faced were interesting to know though she doesn’t use the telling of it to excuse choices she made but simply to inform them. Honesty is always a gift in my view and you find it here.