Sounds Like Me: My Life (So Far) in Song

I first saw Sara Bareilles perform at Dartmouth College during my senior spring in 2004. She was opening for Maroon 5 and I had never heard of her before, but I was immediately drawn in by her powerful voice and emotional lyrics. A few years later I was working in New York City and saw that she was playing a show with Jon McLaughlin to promote her brand-new album, Little Voice. I bought tickets and was lucky enough to meet her after the show, at which point I told her how I'd been following her progress since seeing her at Dartmouth.Sara and her music have continued to make a big impact on my life. In 2013 my fiance got me tickets to see her during her tour with OneRepublic. In 2014 I sang Sara's song "I Choose You" to my husband at our wedding. And yesterday I finished reading her book, which absolutely blew me away. I was expecting to like it, but I was not expecting it to grab me by the heart and squeeze until I was reeling. Sara's writing is so honest and pure, it felt like I was being given admission to her deepest inner secrets. I never knew that she struggled with her weight, body image, or depression and anxiety--just as I do. I had no idea that she left "The Sing Off" because the producers critiqued her wardrobe and wanted her to dress like some sparkly vapid pop star. And it came as quite a shock that she is just as insecure about her place in the world as the rest of us.I read the book in one day and was incredibly sad that it wasn't ten times longer. It made me want to be her friend. It made me want to write her a letter. It made me want to say, Sara, your writing, your voice, and your soul are beautiful. Thank you for the gift you have given the world.

I was planning on reading and listening to this after my final exams... Oops. Turns out Sara >>>>>>> school. #sorrynotsorryI'm a fan so naturally, I'm giving this 5 stars. I loved it and felt prouder of her with every sentence I read. Sara is a pretty private person despite being a celebrity, and ever since the book announcement, I've been wondering how much of her life she would reveal on this book. Well, she revealed a lot and it was fun and interesting (and sad) knowing what went on during her childhood, teenage years, early days of being a musician and behind the scenes when she was finally a public figure. I loved that the chapters were told through the lens of her songs. Some ninjas with onions showed up while I was reading the chapters on Gravity and Beautiful Girl. (I had no clue she had a s***ty time at The Sing-Off. *sad face*) Of course I wanted more as I really like knowing the stories behind her songs (*cough* Manhattan *cough*) but I was also glad she hasn't revealed too much. It's fun wondering, too, anyways.By the way, there's a mistake in the book: Brave was released in April 2013, not 2014.For fans of Sara's, I recommend you get the audiobook (along with the book, of course). The outtakes at the end alone is worth it.Anyway, I feel sad now that I've finished reading but more than that, I admire and feel inspired by Sara more than ever. She has such a beautiful soul and astounding talents. And she really has a way with words. I am glad to have her as one of my role models and I can't wait to witness more from her in the future.

... I finished the book in one evening!I am a huge fan of Sara as an artist, and as a singer/songwriter myself, I've always been curious about how she does what she does: she makes it look so easy- like it is the most natural thing in the world to write amazing songs and tell such beautiful stories through her music. Lyrics; melodies; HARMONIES; musical arrangements... It's magic in my eyes.My absolute favorite album, "The Blessed Unrest" was (and still is) such an inspiration to me. I remember thinking how everything fit together so beautifully - like she knew exactly what had to go where and exactly how everything would sound before she ever even set foot in the studio. It made me feel small and inadequate though - like there's no way in hell I could ever create something as special as this beautiful piece of art. Imagine my surprise (and deep sense of relief!) when I saw a brief "making of", where she candidly admits that she has no idea what she is doing or where she is going with the album!This book is an extension of that revelation for me. It has given me a sense of peace... a feeling that perhaps I don't have to know all the answers in order to create some magic. Perhaps I can get out of my own way and just DO it.I don't know if you'll read this Sara, but I want to thank you for inspiring me in more ways you could ever imagine. You are amazing and I thank you for never giving up on yourself so you could share your incredible gift with the world. Thank you for being Brave...

Really enjoyable and down to earth

Quede fascinada con lo que este libro contiene, las fotos, los bocetos de las canciones y cómo se entrelazan con la vida de su autora; Sara Bareilles.Cuando uno lee cada línea, podemos imaginarnos a Sara contándonos cada detalle, su sentido del humor se hace presente pero también su alma y corazón. Un libro entrañable para los que somos seguidores de esta ARTISTA (en toda la extensión de la palabra).¿Habrá algo que no pueda hacer Sara B.?¡Todo lo que hace es digno de admirarse!.

Bought as present who is great fan of Sarah. She loved it!

Conocer la historia de una de mis cantantes favoritas con sus propias palabras es una maravilla. Es graciosa, interesante y muy fácil de leer. Justo lo que me esperaba. Excelente libro. 100% recomendable. (Lectura solo en inglés)

Um retrato sincero e bem-humorado da vida de Sara Bareilles. O título faz todo sentido, pois o livro realmente soa como as próprias músicas da cantora. Além disso, a leitura é dinâmica e fácil, perfeita para treinar o inglês.

If you like sara you'll love this. Especially the chapter beautiful girl. <3