Nobody Will Tell You This But Me

A True (As Told to Me) Story

By: Bess Kalb

Narrated by: Bess Kalb

National Best Seller

One of the Best Books of the Year:
Vogue • Forbes • Bookpage • New York Post • Wired

“I have not been as profoundly moved by a book in years.” (Jodi Picoult)

Even after she left home for Hollywood, Emmy-nominated TV writer Bess Kalb saved every voicemail her grandmother Bobby Bell ever left her. Bobby was a force - irrepressible, glamorous, unapologetically opinionated. Bobby doted on Bess; Bess adored Bobby. Then, at ninety, Bobby died. But in this debut memoir, Bobby is speaking to Bess once more, in a voice as passionate as it ever was in life.

Recounting both family lore and family secrets, Bobby brings us four generations of indomitable women and the men who loved them. There’s Bobby’s mother, who traveled solo from Belarus to America in the 1880s to escape the pogroms, and Bess’s mother, a 1970s rebel who always fought against convention. But it was Bobby and Bess who always had the most powerful bond: Bobby her granddaughter’s fiercest supporter, giving Bess unequivocal love, even if sometimes of the toughest kind. Nobody Will Tell You This But Me marks the creation of a totally new, virtuosic form of memoir: a reconstruction of a beloved grandmother’s words and wisdom to tell her family’s story with equal parts poignancy and hilarity.

©2020 Bess Kalb (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“An endearing, bittersweet, entertainingly fresh take on the family memoir. Kalb employs an unconventional yet highly effective and charming narrative, channeling the voice and personality of her grandmother, Bobby Bell, who snares readers' attention right from the first, [as] Kalb sharply reimagines her inner thoughts and remembers her fiercely nurturing criticism. The narrative skillfully captures Bobby's wit, worldly advice, well-intentioned meddling, and enduring love for her granddaughter. Readers familiar with the Bobby in their own families will appreciate the stoic overprotectiveness and exasperation that come with being a parent and grandparent. As the book progresses, the story becomes both sad and poignant - the photos and the imagined conversations make for sometimes heartbreaking reading, honoring a beloved grandmother’s legacy.” (Kirkus, starred review)

“I have not been as profoundly moved by a book in years. If you have a mother or grandmother, or ARE a mother or a grandmother, this is required reading. Bess Kalb's fictional-factual tribute to the relationship she had with her grandmother - the way her history was passed to her by blood, along with bright memories and Jewish guilt and fierce, fierce love - could have been my own story. When I stop crying, I'm calling my mother immediately and making her read it.” (Jodi Picoult, author of A Spark of Light)

“We are the stories we leave behind, and so we must depend on the storytellers who carry forward our memories. 'Grandma Bobby' gave Bess Kalb gifts of love and language (and lunches at the Plaza!), and in this deeply moving and powerful book, Bess repays her in full with a magnificent act of conjuring. Bobby, and the line of stubborn women of which she was the keystone, lives on in this act of love. This book made me miss my own grandmother, who didn’t have Bobby’s style, but was just as fierce. I wish I had listened to her as carefully as Bess did to Bobby. As we Jews say, the memory of Bobby is a blessing to Kalb, and now, thankfully, to all of us.” (Peter Sagal, host of NPR's Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me!)

Short, Funny and Beautifully Written

Wonderful and funny book. Beautiful memory of a young woman and her grandmother, reflecting back a few generations. The end was so touchingly written that it moved me to tears. That never happens. Definitely will recommend it as a selection for my book club.

Amazing book!

Absolutely loved this book. Brought tears of sadness and love and laughter. It touches your soul.

Love this book

Laughed and cried while listening to this book. It reminded me of things my grandmother would say!

Heartwarming and fun!

Loved this “matrilineal love story,” I couldn’t put it down. It was funny, heartwarming, and reminded me of “old New York.”

It made me laugh, it made me cry... really amazing

This is most unlike the books I normally read or listen to, but it's truly great. The narrative is hysterical at many points, and really easy to dive into. Rare occurrence, but I actually cried with this book... it does an amazing job at capturing family relationships: their ups, their downs, their distance and their closeness. Really amazing job, including the audio performance.

Best book that understands me 😉

As a Jewish woman I loved the book but as someone who still eats bacon I still
love the book, thank you for making me cry and laugh because I understand and still love!!!!!

Bobby Bell

I loved it!!!
Such a special relationship between granddaughter and grandmother.

I highly recommend it.

A Totally Satisfying Experience

A four-generational tale told from her (dead) Grandmother’s perspective. The narration was brilliantly done by the author and allowed me to follow easily.

Makes me happy to be a relative in this family of humans…

Good message

Some humor. Little brash at times. Somewhat stereotypical characterizations. Not my favorite. Feel for the author and her loss.

Endearing story of a Grandmother’s Love

I wasn’t quite expecting tears as I listened but towards the end it really got me, and I’m not typically a crier of movies or books! Wonderfully written. I thoroughly enjoyed listening!