Never Broken: Songs Are Only Half the Story by Jewel

by Jewel

New York Times best-selling poet and multiplatinum singer-songwriter Jewel explores her unconventional upbringing and extraordinary life in an inspirational memoir that covers her childhood, rise to fame, marriage, and motherhood.When Jewel's first album, Pieces of You, topped the charts in 1995, her emotional voice and vulnerable performance were groundbreaking. In the tradition of Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell (she has been compared to both), a singer-songwriter of her kind had not emerged in decades. Now, with over 30 million albums sold worldwide, Jewel tells the story of her life and the lessons learned from her experience and her music.Living on a homestead in Alaska, Jewel learned to yodel at age three and joined her parents' act, working in hotels, honky-tonks, and biker bars. Behind a strong-willed and independent family life, with an emphasis on music and artistic talent, was also instability, abuse, and trauma.At age 15 Jewel was accepted into the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, where she began writing her own songs as a means of expression. She was 18, homeless, and living out of her car in San Diego when a radio DJ aired a bootleg version of one of her songs. It was requested in the top-10 countdown, something unheard of for an unsigned artist. By age 21, her debut album went multiplatinum.There is so much more to Jewel's story, one complicated by family and financial woes, by crippling fear and insecurity, by parents who forced a child to grow up far too quickly, and by the extraordinary circumstances in which she became a world-famous singer and songwriter. Here Jewel reflects on how she survived and how writing songs, poetry, and prose have saved her life many times over. She writes beautifully about the natural wonders of Alaska, about pain and childhood trauma, and about discovering her own identity years after the entire world had discovered the beauty of her songs.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Music, Biography, Autobiography, Biography Memoir

Unknown Binding

First published September 15, 2015

About the author

Jewel Kilcher is an American singer, songwriter, actress, poet and philanthropist, generally known just by her first name, Jewel. She has received three Grammy Award nominations. Her debut album Pieces of You became one of the best selling debut albums of all time going platinum twelve times.

Reviews

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We are not in the business of fighting darkness. We are farmers of light."

This is quite simply one of the greatest books I have ever read (or listened to, in this case, as I usually do these days with non-fiction if it's read by the author). I was looking forward to it as I do anything Jewel puts out but I feel almost ashamed now to admit that I wasn't expecting anything earth shattering. But the opening simply blew my head open and the feeling never let up for the whole 10hrs+. What a life - what a mind. Jewel turns autobiography into poetry, covering the history of her family, her rise in the music industry and the events that have seen her disappear somewhat from the limelight in fascinating detail. I had no idea about so much of this and haven't been the heaviest of fans when it comes to her music - it's always just been nice to see that she has something new out and there's usually at least a song or two per album that really hits home for me - but reading this (and then revisiting her catalogue afterwards, as I've just begun - I can't believe how long it's been since I listened to Pieces of You…) I felt like the guy in that story about Jesus on the beach and the footprints in the sand… it's like Jewel's been there for me all my adult life, feeding me all this wisdom, teaching me how to feel, often speaking my mind before I knew it myself, and quite often I didn't even know it, and the book just clarified so much about those years and made me feel like I have always been on the right path. I just know that this book is going to help so many people.

[Jay Schutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jewel is my favorite performer of them all, so my 5 star rating is a little biased that way. I should really have rated her memoir 4.5 stars. She did an excellent job of pouring out her heart and soul into her life story (5 stars), but she went a little overboard on her ideas as to overcome some of her hardships -which were many- and relate that to our everyday life situations (4 stars). I have seen Jewel 13 times in concert and met her twice personally and thought I knew her story, but she really went in depth to give us the real story behind her courageous and incredible career.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

I've always been a fan of Jewel and knew a little about her life, but I was excited to learn more. Jewel has been through so much in her life and is an artist I admire for not only her talent, but her drive and resilience. She narrated the audiobook herself and there were snippets of some songs, which was fun. And of course, as soon as I finished the book I had to go and listen to some of my favorite Jewel songs :)

Audio book source: Audible Plus
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Jewel
Narration Rating: 5 stars
Genre: Non-fiction/Memoir
Length: 10 hours and 21 minutes

[Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.5 Stars for Never Broken: Songs Are Only Half the Story (audiobook) by Jewel read by the author.

This is one of the most interesting autobiographies I’ve gotten to listen to in a long time. When Jewel goes and talks about song lyrics in her story she then sings the song a cappella. It’s really an amazing touch in the audiobook. I’ve enjoyed Jewel’s music if it came on the radio but I never really sought it out before. I’d heard the story of how she had gotten her recording contract before and I was interested in finding out the rest of her story. She was raised in remote Alaska and there by chance got a partial scholarship to Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan to study music. She almost got expelled the first day as she walked onto campus with skinning knife on her belt. Something she always had on her in Alaska. She went to busking and playing in coffee shops to make money and that’s where she gets discovered by the record companies. It’s quite a story. I think I’m going to go back and listen to all of her music now.

[Allison boozy bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember 1995.

I remember hearing Jewel’s voice on the radio for the first time. I was only 8 years old, and I didn’t understand many things: her voice, her words, her songs. I was too young to appreciate the magnitude behind the radio hit “Who Will Save Your Soul,” or why anyone needed to sing about souls in the first place. It was beyond me. But now I understand.

I finished her wonderful memoir “Never Broken: Songs Are Only Half the Story” about a week ago, and I can’t stop thinking about it. What’s more, I don’t want to stop thinking about it. This book does not follow the usual “celebrity memoir” trajectory. This book is not your typical…well, anything. In fact, even calling this book a “celebrity memoir” feels wrong because quite frankly, celebrities just aren’t this retrospective or this transparently convenient. They’re not this human.

Few books–least of all nonfiction–have this impact on me. This book actually shut off the bothersome noise of the outside world, and brought me to a good place. I took the better part of 5 months to read this book. I am so glad I did, because this manuscript is meant for savoring.

This book has so much to offer and reflect upon, I don’t know where to start. I could start with many things: the music, the rough upbringing, the continuing hardships, the poetry, the conquering of fears, the pleasure and pain, all of which find full, satisfying expression in this memoir. After all, these are the reflections of a battered but unbroken soul. But to lay it all out would deny you the pleasure of reading it for yourself. And I want you to have this pleasure.

Jewel Kilcher is an amazing artist who has endured more than her fair share of turmoil and tribulation. She puts it all out there in this book, and reveals the truth of her character on every page. She does not wipe away the bad bits or hold back any emotion; she embraces her roots and makes peace with her past so convincingly that you see she’s really the whole person. Not just an entertainer or artist. But someone you might actually know, or want to know. Someone who’s trying and struggling and searching, but never ceasing.

Jewel Kilcher is a true creative, and the book discusses every major turning point in her life up until this point, creatively and personally. She covers the good, the bad, the ugly, and does not hide from her imperfections and past mistakes. She flavors this memoir with bits of lyrics and full-length poems that she’s so clearly written from the bottom of her heart. She weaves in motivational sections and chapter titles describing how she’s trying to live her best life and her personal convictions. She inspires with every page. She breaks her life story down with such honesty and grit, how can you walk away not knowing and appreciating this side of Jewel?

What I most appreciate about this book is that it’s so very accessible. While it reminds me that she carries many labels (artist, writer, musician, actor, author, etc.), it also reveals the reality of these labels and the life titles that carry so much more weight for her: (daughter, friend, mother, woman, etc.) I think the word I’m looking for is: perspective. Jewel seems to have perspective.

I never knew she had it so rough. I never knew she was so complex. I never knew how inspirational her story was. I never knew how much I needed Jewel’s wisdom in my life. Read this book, if you want to learn more about the artist, the woman, the human. You won’t be disappointed.

[Mahlon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jewel has written a deep and revealing book. Part memoir and part self-help manual, Never Broken chronicles her life, and never ending journey of self-discovery. Along the way she relates lessons from her childhood in Alaska, and cautionary tales from her 20 years in the music business. She shares how she overcame an abusive childhood, homelessness, and a bankruptcy brought on by her wacko mothers excessive spending. She also discusses marriage, motherhood, and divorce, and shares the self reflection techniques that have gotten her through each, and have helped her emerge bruised, but never broken.

Hard-core fans will really enjoy the audible experience with this title because she uses several of her songs and poems to illustrate lessons she's learned. The occasions where the author chose to go off on a self-reflective tangent were sometimes too long for me, but I think a lot of people will find this book inspiring, and hopefully helpful.

[Brittany McCann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another excellent biography read by the author. Jewel even sings the lines of the songs that she includes. I enjoyed listening to it, and it was worth checking out.

If you have ever been a fan of Jewel, it is great to know she is still doing awesome in life and to get more anecdotes from her upbringing in Alaska.

If you just want an enjoyable biography, this is a good one to check out for that reason too.

4 Solid Stars for me.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

In her memoir, as in her songwriting, Jewel is an excellent storyteller, with a gift for finely drawn characters and for weaving her own worldview into the narrative. Towards the end of NEVER BROKEN, however, the life lessons and motivational self-helpisms (which up to this point had been organically integrated into her prose) take over, and the book suffers for it.

The writing of this book was clearly therapeutic for Jewel, and the well-disseminated stories about her youth in the Alaskan wilderness and time spent living out of her car in San Diego are made newly compelling in her retelling, elaborating, and contextualizing of them. She's selectively vague at times however, especially when discussing the dissolution of her marriage to Ty Murray, which makes the final stretch of the book a bit frustrating. It's a must-read for fans, but the recapitulation and reassertion of motivational platitudes -- even though they are well intentioned and clearly worked for her -- cheapens the book a bit in my eyes; Jewel's story is sufficiently compelling, and inspirational, on its own.

[Jaime Inflore · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I chose this book I was expecting an autobiography about a woman I admire. What I got was scattered pieces of her story and a whole lot of nonsensical preaching. It was torture to finish it. I gave it two stars for two reasons and neither have anything to do with the writing of this book. 1- Jewel's story of overcoming her childhood is an inspiring one, no matter how poorly written. 2- I respect her as an artist. She is a phenomenally talented poet and song writer. This format, however, did not work for her. The book was vague on details that were important and then would get lost down rabbit holes.
Most annoying was the over abundance of advice. I wasn't interested in a self help book. With some more edits, I believe she could have condensed this ten hour story into a highly enjoyable and inspiring sixty minutes. As it is, it's torture.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jewel tells her story. Parts are painful to read. Fortunately, when you are a child, you are too short on experience to know how bad it is or its implications. The problems come later. Many either perpetuate the cycle or live with demons. Jewel shows how she has dealt with emotional and physical abuse in this memoir that can be very helpful for others.

Despite the abuse and the cold, Jewel had her talent. She also had performance experience, an extended family and the support of the town of Homer. Later encouragement came from faculty at Interlochen and then from big named stars who supported her work and/or gave her encouragement when she needed it.

She guided her career in a way that was right for her. She had to make tough decisions along the way and she made them. She made the most impossible rise.

The writing is simple and from the heart. She says what up to now I have never seen in print: not all parents (in this case a mother, for whom there is a lot of contrary mythology) love their children.

She shares her poetry. There are a lot of photos. No index.

The publication of this book made me realize that Jewel is the daughter of Atz Kilcher of the Alaskan reality show. I knew this was a very large extended family, but never considered the connection.

[Suzie Shatarevyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was in high school when Jewel's first album came out and it was my first CD purchase. I listened to her music on repeat. I also bought sheet music and played her songs on the piano. So I picked out this title because I've been a fan of her music. After reading her memoir, I love her even more. There are so many nuggets of wisdom in this book. She's open, raw, vulnerable and honest. I'm amazed at her ability to survive so much hardship yet thrive. She's pure love. And that love is her weapon. I recommend this book highly!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm usually not always compelled to write reviews on this site, but this book struck a chord with me that I didn't expect it to. I originally picked it up because when I was growing up, you couldn't go anywhere without hearing a Jewel song. I was curious about her life, and while I knew some of her story, I didn't quite realize the extent of just how hard she worked to get where she is. Never Broken is honest and open in a way that I only wish I could convey. My only issue was that sometimes the stories got a little redundant for me, but otherwise, this book is one of the most honest I've read in a long time.

[Keri Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listening to this audiobook narrated by the author, I’ve gained tremendous respect for Jewel. I’ve enjoyed her music, and I knew a little of the struggles in her early life, but she shared her stories so openly and honestly.

Jewel grew up on a homestead in Alaska. She learned to yodel at just three years old, and joined her family performing. Life was rough growing up, not just because of her family’s financial instability, but because her parents were abusive and neglectful. Jewel was very much on her own, and would hitchhike to visit her mom in other cities. At fifteen she began attending a prestigious art academy and began writing songs.

She was homeless and lived in her car for a time, as she was trying to get her music on the radio. In time her music and career took off. As part of her delight in her success, she got in touch with her mother, who joined her and slowly pushed other managers and advisors out. In time she discovered her mom had bankrupted her, and she had to start over.

In many ways she was naive and trusting, but she was also very strong, hard working, and self aware. She has been on a constant spiritual journey; at times her mother and others took advantage of this journey and led her in harmful direction. Finding love with rodeo cowboy Ty opened up new experiences, especially finally becoming a mother.

With all of her struggles, she has continued to learn, grow and heal. I really enjoyed learning more about Jewel and recommend this audiobook.

[Rod Horncastle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Imagine being in a 10 hour therapy session with a meditating babbling music celebrity that has taken over the session and the councilor is in the corner drooling and beating themselves on the head with their clipboard and the other patients are scratching at the walls to escape... but there's NO ESCAPE.

Yes, this is Jewel's story. The story is very interesting - but then she starts giving you her analysis and expert opinion. You will repeatedly hear "I Learned... but then...". Sadly, she doesn't learn. Her life is a mess of emotional stupidity and self evaluation that insists wisdom has entered the room - but it hasn't. She isn't the usual popstar with sex and drugs and money problems. She's a NEW emotionally insecure confused popstar with family issues and money problems.

She grows up in Alaska with an absent hippie Eastern Meditation con-artist as a Mother. And a slightly abusive Musician Outdoors man father. And brothers and sisters that almost never enter the story. So basically her parents did a mind trip on her.
But Jewel learns to sing, and joins Daddy on the road and in the pubs. She has a great voice and takes it to a music college in the lower 48.
Later she ends up in California and lives in her car while performing at coffee houses. She gets a record contract and makes it BIG.

Then Mommy comes back and takes over Jewel's music career and funding. Jewel easily lets her. (even though Mommy has zero experience?) Mommy works Jewel like a slave and blows all her money on Eastern Guru's and stupid luxury... and fires all her friends that made her famous.

Blah blah blah, Jewel eventually goes totally in debt and then fires Mommy (and doesn't talk to her again for about 20 years... maybe more?) and starts dating a Rodeo guy and then has a kid. Happy ending? Hell no. Jewel self-evaluates everything to DEATH and it most likely ruined her marriage (they're divorced. Seriously, no cowboy is going to listen to some crazy Bimbo wife meditate and evaluate every assumed mental issue in their relationship and how to connect over Cosmic Spirit-bonding...) and this crap is most likely about to poison her young son as well, but she's too clueless to see it. Then there's a 2 hour lecture (in the audiobook) on how to raise children and the positive effects of meditating like a useless brain-dead hippie and reading endless books by professor know-it-all's on self evaluation.

DO NOT READ THIS. Your brain will turn to mush and you'll stick forks in your eye to stop the suffering.
I only read it because she occasionally talks about the music industry and meeting and touring with Bob Dylan.
But many Goodreads women gave this book 5 stars - I'm guessing they are cat ladies who lost their men because they were too busy writing poetry and meditating on star-charts and Auras to cook them dinner and raise a home. Whatever floats your boat!

As soon as she mentioned Eastern Religions and meditating I should have burned the audiobook. I knew all this mess was just around the corner. I'm seldom wrong. Jewel learned NOTHING. I feel sorry for her. But what a great voice! But I can't listen to her albums... I tried. How I tried!
She continues to sing about how Unbroken She is. Hell no! She's broken... and there's 10 hours of audiobook to prove it. I have to stop now. I'm rambling like Jewel... Bye. good bye... I should go and meditate on the metaphorical nutrition of plastic fruit...

[Jennifer Lafferty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the most unusual and intriguing celebrity bios I've ever encountered. I agree with one reviewer who likened it to a self-help book. You get the impression that Jewel is on a noble mission to help those who are dealing with painful issues in their lives, similar to what she went through as a confused, sometimes neglected and abused child, turned homeless, struggling artist with an often dysfunctional family. She chronicles her journey of personal growth and self-discovery; frequently sharing advice along the way, as well as insight on everything from self-esteem, to show business, to parenthood. This book is also entertaining from the perspective of a fan, learning about Jewel's colorful background, with its odd mixture of rustic Alaskan wilderness and music gigs with her family's unique stage show. She discusses her experiences as a fledgling singer-songwriter, explaining her evolution as an artist and her creative process. But the overriding theme of the book seems to be Jewel's quest for true happiness and to become the best version of herself. Many will find Jewel's writing style quirky and avant garde, but that is one of the things that sets it apart from typical celebrity bios. It is clearly written by a poet and a philosopher. It's almost inevitable that those who read the book, and especially those who listen to this compelling audio edition, find some type of inspiration while fans of Jewel will also come to know her on a deeper more meaningful level.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to audiobook read by the author.
Really enjoyed a lot of this story. It is fascinating and inspiring.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read this in audio! Please do yourself a favor and do not read the actual book, but listen to it on audible or CD or download.
Jewel recites the book exactly was it was meant to be heard when she wrote it, she also sings some of her songs in certain chapters. The whole book feels more like an intimate conversation than a read. I loved it.

The stories of her youth were by far, the most interesting part of the book. I could relate to much of what she went through, since I also grew up very poor, only lived with my mom for a few years of my life, and experienced homelessness (though I was in 6th grade, while Jewel was in her teens). Her struggles as a child and going into early adulthood were thoroughly fascinating. But it was difficult to read about what her mother did to her. Seriously. What an awful disgusting person.

There are, as others mentioned, some self-helpy passages in the book. But I didn't really mind it, something about her delivery and rhythm made it pleasant.

In high school Jewel was my favorite artist. I read her book of poems so many times, I had some of them burned to memory. Her songs and poetry played such a big part of my life during my high school years, so when she came out with this book I was intrigued, but had no expectations (since I hadn't heard a song from her in over a decade). I realized within the very first chapter that it was like becoming acquainted again with a long lost friend.

[Sue K H · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. I don't usually give autobiography and memoirs more than three stars. They just aren't my favorite thing. I liked this one a lot. I was drawn by the good reviews and the fact that I've seen Jewel live and heard parts of her story at her shows. She had talked about being homeless for a bit but I had no idea how much hardship she really went through. What an amazing women.

This book was very well written. It chronicles her life of poverty, abuse and emotional neglect, and her journey towards learning to love herself and forgive others enough to become a parent who brakes the cycle. I listened to the audio book and there are parts were she sings her songs. Some of her song lyrics are scattered through in a way that you see exactly how she came up with them. It's really beautiful.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I enjoyed her story on what she went through to become a well-known singer/songwriter but the detailed self-examination and introspection sections were not quite my cups of tea. However, do read it if the self-help aspects of this appeal and you want to know more about the obstacles Jewel overcame. It would also be best in audio format as the narrator is the author.

[Jordan Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve always loved Jewel’s Christmas albums and some of her hits, but I never realized she was such a powerful storyteller. She is the definition of resilience, and I was captivated by her words. Although the last 50 pages or so read more like a secular self-help book, I greatly admire the woman she’s become, despite the circumstances she grew up in.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I would always encourage people of any age not to be so quick to follow other people's truths but to search and follow your own moral code and live by your own integrity, and mostly just be brave."

Jewel is amazing and my new hero. Only not a 5 because sometimes I wished she had gone more into conversations and relationships (how it played out not just what she thought afterwards)

[Maggie]

Oh my goodness! Jewel is so brave, real, and raw to share her life story so openly and honestly. My heart hurt for her in many places. I also saw that my biological mother is a lot like hers which actually helped me. She has some truth bombs and nuggets of wisdom that were helpful too. Glad she was courageous enough to share her story. It wasn’t an easy read emotionally. Very well written and appreciated.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved, loved, loved Jewel's first album (CD), Pieces of You, when it first came out. I loved the lyrics to her songs and the changes she could make in her voice, a childlike whisper one moment and a throaty, full-on rocking howl the next. I loved seeing her perform in person at Lilith Fair and other shows later on. I think I have almost all her albums and two of her books of poems. Love her music. But I have to admit, I haven't really been thinking, "what's Jewel up to these days?" So I was strolling through the biography section of my library a few weeks ago, trying not to add any new books to my TBR and much to my surprise, Jewel's name caught my eye - from the bottom shelf. I pulled this book from the shelf and saw a picture of Jewel on the cover. There she was, sitting on a horse. So I had to find out how Jewel was doing these days.

I really didn't know what to expect from this book when I first took it home, but I am so glad I read it. Jewel has shared deeply personal, often painful stories of her childhood in rural Alaska, her teenage years, her struggle to find herself and her art, her rise to success, the conflicts with both her dad and her mom, her other personal relationships and now her experiences as a mother of a young boy.

In addition to the stories of her life, she shares her philosophical views on life and happiness and getting your life together when you have gone through traumatic events. She has pulled herself through all that heart break and wants to share what she has learned to help others. She admits that she is still a work in progress, but she states early on the book that we are not broken. "There is no real explanation for what spirit is, just a sense of it, but I know that a spirit cannot be broken any more than water can be broken, or any more than air can be split apart." There is more to the quote, but I won't go on. It's enough to say that this book made me think and feel and evaluate my view of life.

In this book, Jewel did not hold back on the details of her life. Reading about her life gave me a better understanding and appreciation for her art and for her accomplishments as a person. At a certain point, I had to go find her CDs (in my basement) and reconnect with her music and lyrics. The music is as wonderful as it was when I first heard it. I also spent time on her websites -https://community.jewelneverbroken.com/ and jeweljk.com. (It's hard to believe that it's been 25 years since Pieces of You was first released.) I appreciate that she summarized her life lessons in her afterward. They are lessons for all of us who want to try to choose love and hope over hate and fear.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beneficent cleansing for the singer-songwriter it seems.

Jewel is clear: she chose not to drink alcohol or use street drugs. I get the image of tentacles: of other people hooking into the singer to grab her and use her for their own purposes.

Jewel took her life into her own hands. Her self-confessional voice might rub other readers the wrong way. Yet I was taken by her honesty and courage in recounting her backwards childhood. We must remember that she writes with the clarity of an adult looking in the rear-view mirror of what happened: with the confident eye of a woman visualizing a vulnerable girl.

Simply reading the foreword should prompt you to buy the book, for it gives hope to those of us scaled over in pain. You see: Jewel–a multi-million selling artist; a blonde girl that gets attacked because she’s blonde–lived in pain.

This is a different kind of memoir though–it transcends her misery. The motto she gives us all could be: tune in to your feelings. Turn on your gifts to use them to heal.

Most of all:

Where you’ve been doesn’t have to be where you remain.

Kudos, Jewel!

[George · Rating 2 out of 5]

TOO MUCH OVER-THE-TOP WOO-WOO…

"The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." —Joseph Campbell (p. xi)

Can’t tell you where it ever came from, but I long had an image of Alaska-born singer/songwriter, Jewel Kilcher as a bright, grounded and gritty gal. A true Alaskan Sourdough. That’s what drew me to read her memoir, Never Broken: Songs Are Only Half the Story.

I was wrong. After reading her psycho-babble packed memoir, I can only marvel that this gal never fell off the Scientology cliff. Her personality comes through as riper then ripe for that bit of insanity, too.

Recommendation: If you’re into warm and fuzzy; if you’re into vulnerability; if your into codependence; if you’re into shattered childhoods, and damaged lives; if you’re into achieving incredible commercial success, in spite of it all; if you have a far greater tolerance for woo-woo than I have; —you might just find this book a bit more enjoyable a read than I did. Thus Spoke (a channelled) Zarathurstra.

“Reality wins, and I’d rather see the truth than stay in love with a fantasy.” (p. 286)

Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition, 388 pages

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don't have to be a fan of Jewel's music to appreciate this beautifully written memoir. I was fascinated by her childhood stories of growing up homesteading in Alaska. She has had an amazing life full of adventures- the good, the bad, and the ugly, which she shares so poetically. I am a fan of her folk albums Pieces of You and Spirit so I loved reading about how those albums came to be and the meaning behind many of the songs. I took a musical journey stopping after each chapter to listen to the songs mentioned and found a new respect for many of them. I would recommend doing that for anyone reading this book. I found that I share many of the same life philosophies with Jewel- the power of positive thought, the importance of practicing gratitude, the healing powers of nature, treating others the way you want to be treated, and the belief that we each control our own happiness. One of the best books I read this year!

[Linda · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Reality TV" impession of circumstances and experiences

Reading this book was a challenge. I hate to buy something and abandon it . I slogged through it hoping to find redeemming content. There is none. Just another episode of the current trend of tv reality shows Alaskan style. Look at me....look at me...... Just not believeable. I really wanted this book to be a great read. Just too many unrealistic happenings.......always some hero steps in to save the day. Even stories of possible stress related kleptomania were over the top. Jewel did not steal one bathing suit......she took four. Every instance was over the top. Sour grapes here? I don't want to complain just sharing my personal thoughts on my interpretation of this book.

[Myla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jewel came on the scene in my college years, she's basically my age, and I did think she was an overnight success, but boy was I wrong. It was very interesting to hear her journey of her music as well as, and more importantly, her healing--in her own words and her own voice. I'm a big fan now and even though I don't know her music beyond her big hits, I would be excited to go to one of her concerts.

[Sonia Reppe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was given to me by Penguin and I don't know if I would have picked this up on my own but I'm glad it fell into my hands because it was really good. Jewel's mom is wacko! That was interesting, but also sad. Jewel is very introspective and I admit I didn't read all of the poems, but since I own the book I could go back and read them at any time.

[Alysia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book....I could not put it down. Jewel has had some amazing highs and some terrible lows but she has pulled herself up and made a success of her music. I would recommend this to anyone.