How Starbucks Saved My Life

by Michael Gill

Paperback

Published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Sophie Capozzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

How Starbucks Saved My Life is an honest, warm, and surprisingly inspiring memoir about starting over when life falls apart. Michael Gates Gill, once a wealthy advertising executive with a comfortable life, suddenly finds himself jobless, divorced, without health insurance, and struggling to stay afloat. In a moment of desperation, he accepts a job at Starbucks, a place he had previously looked down on. What follows is a powerful story about humility, gratitude, and rediscovering meaning in unexpected places.
Gill’s writing is simple and conversational, which makes the book easy to read. What stands out most is his willingness to admit his faults, his privilege, his arrogance, and the mistakes that led him to this point. Instead of becoming bitter, he learns to appreciate small acts of kindness, teamwork, and the dignity of honest work. Through his coworkers, especially his young manager Crystal, he experiences a new kind of respect and community that he never found in his corporate life.
The memoir does feel idealized at times, almost too positive, but its message is heartfelt: sometimes losing everything can be the start of becoming a better person. Gill’s transformation is genuine and uplifting, making the book a feel-good reminder that personal growth can come from the most unexpected places.
Overall, How Starbucks Saved My Life is an enjoyable and meaningful read, perfect for anyone who likes memoirs about second chances, resilience, and finding purpose in everyday life.

[Michael Lachance · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the opening. The pages in between, the story I was hoping for was about his family and their challenges coupled with his life change. I felt like and I read it, this was a sb’s manual: the drinks, the hours, the work, the commitment of the business, and ideology of coffee. It wasn’t until midway his daughter stopped, and then there’s nothing more until the last two chapters of details-kids and how they feel about dad. There’s really nothing about the wife throughout or the second girlfriend. So, this story was a how to work at sb’s rather than a romance, drama, or mystery. And the subway, I get it; I lived in Manhattan two years and took the E train from Manhattan to the Bronx, walked, took a bus, and then had to walk again; it’s a real job to get to work. But, you said it once; lol, I’m good and if you say it ten times, is there something in it that we missed? You found a romance? You experienced a life change like Rowling on the train? Enjoyed and, now, I know more than needed for a coffee.

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Une sorte d'autobiographie d'un homme qui change de vie à la 50aine, viré de son job en col blanc, et se retrouve à bosser comme barista avec des jeunes d'un milieu totalement différent.
Intéressant comme parcours, comme réflexion sur la "valeur" du travail... vision assez idéalisée de Starbucks aussi quand même certainement 😄

[Shabnam Clinton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read - humbling and puts things in perspective during tough times.

[W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy light reading