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 ❤️

Outstanding, funny heartfelt, and toughing. life lessons

@BlackstonePublishing
Whoopi Goldberg
Listened to "Bits and Pieces" today.
It was so wonderful, funny and touching.
I Have been sick for a week and listening to it has touched me to my core. You were blessed to have a Mom like your Momma. I was blessed for mine warts and all.
I hope my kids feel the same about me when I am gone.

Your stories about your childhood took me back to those times and reminded me of my upbringing . I am 69 and I remembered all the things you spoke of.
What a wonderful story highly recommend it.
The nursing story was just like mine I laughed so hard.

The love the family had for each other

I have always loved Woopi and reading the book gave me a better insight of her. I appreciate Woopi Goldberg more than ever.
This book is not just her life story. I learned a thing or two. It's a must have.

How open Whoopi was about her life.

I listened to this book straight for the 5 plus hours that's how wonderful it was, great story Whoppi, you are my favorite person.

Life can be wonderful

enjoyed everything this book had to say. made me enjoy life so much more until appreciate my mother and the things that she told me. Whoopi hit it right.

Loved it!

Loved that Whoopi herself narrated the book. I enjoyed learning how she grew up and became Whoopi.

Whoopi reading it was very special

nothing, it was great!!!! I love the feelings Whoopi puts in it. it makes you feel like you were there.

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 !

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!

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!