Bits and Pieces

My Mother, My Brother, and Me

By: Whoopi Goldberg

Narrated by: Whoopi Goldberg

Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

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

The relationship between Whoopi and her mother, made me understand my mother and her distant relationship with me

I love her openness and excitement of sharing the good and not so good experiences ❤️

Gratitude

What I like the most about this book, the appreciation and gratitude Whoopi had for her Mother, and her brother. I too won the Mom lottery. My mom was phenomenal. In many ways, similar to Whoopi's. And just like Whoopi, I miss my mom so much. Treat yourself and read or listen to this book, it's filled with wonderful stories and some wisdom.

Whoopi, you are an amazing lady

I loved this book. It touched my heart and made me laugh all at the same time. I lost my mother 50 yrs ago and still think of her every day with laughter and tears because I still miss her very much. My son was also born on the 13th day of the month. Since that day the number 13 has been a lucky number for me. I would highly recommend this book. Very good read!

Whoopie’s “Reading” of the Book

What I loved most about this book was Whoopie’s reading of the book. It didn’t come across that she was reading the book word-for-word but just telling stories and anecdotes of her life with her mother and brother. I laughed out loud a few times.
This book is not an autobiography, but just reminisces of her life with the her favorite people.

Love it!

I absolutely loved this book! I love learning about people! I love Whoopi and have seen most or all her movies! I love the way she loved her mother and brother, it saddens me they are not with her, but as my mother is getting older I have learned a lot! Thank you

The lessons learned between the 3 of them.

I love this book. It helped me so much and gave me insight on how to navigate life and love. Mothers Day is always so hard for me with my mother not being here since I was 9. This gave me so much peace and understanding!

So well written and heartfelt

Two things that amaze me in the book were I also surprised my mom with a trip to Disneyland and my daughter and I always say there was nothing left and said between us.

a wonderful listen

There were so many things Whoopi said that I can relate to. Her mother sounds like an incredible person!

A Wonderful Life

The positivity!!! The similarities of her mom and my own mom. Lastly, how she expressed a lot of the same feelings I felt when my mom passed away.The down to earth animation... as my mom would call it... reading with feeling... this was told with!! I listened in one afternoon. This afternoon. I pictured the story as a movie!! Well done!!!

Not to be missed....

First Whoopi's narration was outstanding. So natural, funny and magnificent heartfelt moments. I fell in love with Whoopi's Mother;a special lady.