Gather Me: A Memoir in Praise of the Books That Saved Me

by Glory Edim

A “dramatic [and] ingeniously crafted” (Los Angeles Times) memoir of family, community, and resilience, and an ode to the power of books to help us understand ourselves, from the renowned founder of Well-Read Black Girl.

“A beautiful portrait of a full life that has been buoyed by an expansive and ever-growing love for words and for language.”—Hanif Abdurraqib, author of There’s Always This Year

AN NPR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

“She is a friend of my mind. She gather me, man. The pieces I am, she gather them and give them back to me in all the right order.”—Toni Morrison, Beloved

For Glory Edim, that “friend of my mind” is books. Edim, who grew up in Virginia to Nigerian immigrant parents, started the popular Well-Read Black Girl book club at age thirty, eventually reaching a community of half a million readers. But her own love of books stretches far back.

Edim’s father moved back to Nigeria while she was still a child, marking the beginning of a series of traumatic changes and losses for her family. What became an escape, a safe space, and a second home for her and her brother was their local library. Books were where Edim found community, and as she grew older she discovered authors and ideas that she wasn’t being taught about in class. Reading wherever and whenever she could, be it in her dorm room or when traveling by subway or plane, she found the Black writers whose words would forever change her Nikki Giovanni, through children’s poetry cassettes; Maya Angelou, through a critical high school English teacher; Toni Morrison, while attending Morrison’s alma mater, Howard University; Audre Lorde, on a flight to Nigeria. In prose full of both joy and heartbreak, Edim recounts how these writers and so many others taught her how to value herself by helping her to find her own voice when her mother lost hers, to trust her feelings when her father remarried, and to create bonds with other Black women and uplift their stories.

Gather Me is a glowing testament to how the power of representation in literature can gather the disparate parts that make us who we are and assemble them into a portrait of discovery.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Books About Books, Biography Memoir, Audiobook, Race, African American

Audible Audio

First published October 29, 2024

About the author

Glory Edim is the founder of Well-Read Black Girl, a Brooklyn-based book club and digital platform that celebrates the uniqueness of Black literature and sisterhood. In fall 2017 she organized the first-ever Well-Read Black Girl Festival. She has worked as a creative strategist for over ten years at startups and cultural institutions, including The Webby Awards and the New York Foundation for the Arts. Most recently, she was the Publishing Outreach Specialist at Kickstarter. She serves on the board of New York City's Housing Works Bookstore. --Penguin Random House

Reviews

[emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love books about books, and this one did not disappoint.

this is a thoughtful, honest memoir about the power of books over the course of one lovely life, and i loved its reflective writing. there were moments its unique structure led to redundancies or inconsistencies, but not enough that it outweighed how wonderful it was to read about the author's life through the lens of the books that changed it.

i really enjoyed this.

bottom line: the best thing about the best thing!

(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)

[Laura A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glory tells the story about her life. Her parents came to the US from Nigeria. She learned so much from her mom about her culture. A great read.

[chantel nouseforaname · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glory Edim is an absolute gem.

This book is sweet and absolutely necessary. It’s about following your passion through hardship and it’s about Black women learning not to doubt themselves, whether it’s in relation to stepping away from love and relationships that don’t serve you, or taking the chance to rebuild valuable connections with your loved ones, like she does with her parents, or making the decision to have a child in turbulent times— Glory says in this book: yo life didn’t promise you no rose garden, but you can do it sister! It’s not hyperbolic… there’s struggle, strife, and poverty — but never poverty of mind or spirit. In Gather Me, there’s climbing through that shit to get to the other side, also there’s acknowledgment and she’s fully transparent of how hard and how necessary that climbing through life can be, and often is. I’m so happy that she got to meet and speak with Obama during his book tour. As an avid reader myself, I feel like it must be so affirming to go from a thought surrounding your love of books to an action that builds, that connects, and that eventually sits you and your newborn child down with the former President.

So many great quotes are in here, so many nuggets of wisdom and she takes you on a journey through her life and the books that shaped her, and real talk, it feels like sitting down with a good friend who just happens to be mad luminous. Her love for literature is infectious, and her reflections on discovering Black authors like Toni Morrison, Audre Lorde, and Maya Angelou were moving and super relatable. She honestly put me on soooo many more books to read. I’m going to go back to Toni Cade! Many people consider reading a lifeline, I am one of those folks, and this book and Goodreads and book clubs remind me that I’m in great company.

Reading this felt like a love letter to every reader who has ever been saved by a book. It’s a memoir and a word of thanks to the Black writers who inspire and be saving folks EVERY DAY. Glory is doing the Lord’s work, and I’m here for all of it.

[CatReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glory Edim (b. 1982) is the founder of Well-Read Black Girl, a platform including a podcast and book clubs highlighting notable historical and contemporary literature by Black authors. Gather Me (with a title inspired by Toni Morrison's classic Beloved) is Edim's memoir, where she recounts the pivotal role of literature in her life, from childhood through her coming of age to her adulthood. Edim is a first generation American -- her parents both immigrated to the US from Nigeria and divorced when Edim and her younger brother were children, with their father moving back to Nigeria suddenly and abandoning communication with them (or so it seemed). Edim had to grow up early, playing a large part in raising her younger brother and later her younger half-brother after her mom remarried, but reading remained a mainstay, helping her process her grief and, as she grew older, understand her parents' perspectives and process new information she learned about both her parents and her father's death. Books remained a touchpoint in other areas of her life, from navigating middle and high school, her romantic relationships, her career, and social and racial issues she's encountered throughout her life. Edim writes eloquently and beautifully, and I love how her favorite books, fictional characters, and authors were woven gracefully into the narrative. As a reader I was impressed at the level of personal growth and circumspection as Edim recounts painful and complicated issues from her past (which is a huge part of what a good memoir is for me). This is definitely one of my favorite memoirs of 2024.

Further reading:
The Beauty in Breaking by Michele Harper, MD
Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
Missed Translations: Meeting the Immigrant Parents Who Raised Me by Sopan Deb
The Mango Tree: A Memoir of Fruit, Florida, and Felony by Annabelle Tometich

My statistics:
Book 270 for 2024
Book 1873 cumulatively

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be published October 29, 2024.

This is a beautiful and eloquently written memoir! It reads as a biography but even more as a tribute to the power of books. Glory turned to books early on - books were her escape and the words from Black authors literally saved her at times. “There is something magical about finding just the right book at the right time.”

Glory’s home life was not ideal. Her parents got divorced and she had to take care of younger brother. Her father left unexpectedly to return to Nigeria and her mother eventually remarried. There are family secrets.

A random T-shirt from a boyfriend engaged strangers in conversations about Black authors and their books and eventually led to the Well-Read Black Girl Book Cub.

The book is current and addresses her real like reactions to racism. “It was Rodney King who taught me that my little brother was not safe in America.”

This book is a must read for anyone who loves books.

[Laura Hoffman Brauman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gather Me takes its title from one of my favorite quotes from Toni Morrison. Edim's memoir speaks to her experiences growing up as the child of Nigerian immigrants. Throughout her childhood and adult life, books have brought her joy and sustained her through challenges, including the end of her parent's marriage, her father's return to Nigeria, and her experience moving into a caretaker role due to her mother's mental illness. Edim's passion for books led to her starting The Well-Red Black Girl, an online social media community celebrating the works of Black authors. I've always enjoyed her content and recommendations and appreciated the opportunity to learn more about her life and all the ways that books have influenced her. I loved seeing her love for books come full circle - at the beginning, she is speaking to the power of books in her childhood. At the end, she is cultivating that experience and connection for her son.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really lovely memoir filtered through the author's love of books, from the founder of Well-Read Black Girl.

Good on audio.

[Annaelle Lafontant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this one up at the library and so glad I did! Glory Edim is a genius!!!

In her memoir she reflects on her childhood and how books were there for her in her most difficult moments. She reflects on the silence and mental illness that plagued her family, and her ties to her home country while growing up in the states. I related a lot. What a beautiful telling of her life.

Literature truly is beautiful! And I’m so grateful to have been invited into Glory’s life in this way.

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This narrative centers on the author's life as a little girl born to Nigerian immigrants. It covers her experiences growing up in America during the 1980s and 1990s, when she faced racism, strived to keep her mother and brothers safe, connected with her community, and got through her love of literature. It is a personal account that reflects on both the joyful and challenging times with her family while also addressing the struggles of being a Black woman in America with Nigerian ancestry.

The book explores how literature served as a refuge and guiding force throughout her life, especially during her childhood when her mother battled depression. The author highlights the writers who shaped her development, influencing her approach to relationships, love, and activism. She invites readers into her world, offering a glimpse into the life that preceded her birth and emphasizing the profound impact that books had on her life. Ultimately, this book serves as a source of encouragement for intelligent Black girls who navigate sometimes harsh realities through the power of words.

One passage I loved was when the author wrote, "When the silence in the house seemed to press down on us in a way that made us gasp for breath, I would pick up Maurice and put him on the beanbag, then climb in next to him, dragging the big yellow book of Bible stories along with me. For a moment, we'd just sit side by side, my brother's little shoulder pressed up against mine, feeling the way the beanbag settled to the contours of our bodies and swelled up around us, soft and supportive. Ready, I'd ask Maurice, and he'd nod in return, his big brown eyes locked onto mine. This is a book of true stories I recited, doing my best imitation of my mother's soft, patient voice. It was my turn to teach someone to read."

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbymedia.com/blogs/transcri...

[Goodness Adekanmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed this book

[Chyanne Diaries · Rating 5 out of 5]

I for one can say I enjoyed this book. I read her first book ‘Well Read Black Girl’ where it was like an anthology of different black women writers who made her fall in love with reading as well as those who inspired me to write.

This book really spoke to me. I was able to put myself in Glory’s shoes, especially when she talked about how different books she reads were perfectly fitting to what was currently happening in her life. We underestimate the power that books hold and I’m glad that this was written. Books are for those who need to escape reality, find a safe space, and collect the words that scrambles in our minds.

[Cam Jury · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like books, this is the memoir for you. So raw, honest, and real, Edim frames her life story as she grows up through the books that she read. What a way to look at life, and a way that truly rings true to my experience as a life long reader. She writes of love, life, family and more so well in a way that not only resonates but almost feels like you are just reading her journal. I highly recommend.

[Kenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5.
Framing this memoir through the lens of books that have influenced her life was really interesting and thoughtful. The first half of the book was so strong, but I started losing interest during the second half. It was sweet, but won’t stay with me for long.

[Rusha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arresting

[Carly Friedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this beautiful memoir. Of course, Edim writes lyrically about her life and the impact books have had on her at every stage. My TBR grew with every chapter!

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a readable memoir, I love how Edim makes her words flow. I also loved the structure of each chapter starting with a selection of the eponymous “books that saved” Edim, and then following with how they guided her through the different stages of her life. “Gather Me” follows in the footsteps of the books it praises by discussing the hardships that come with being a black woman and the daughter of immigrants in America, while also taking care to highlight the joys and successes.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "Gather Me: A Memoir in Praise of the Books That Saved Me," Glory Edim offers an intimate and heartfelt exploration of how literature has shaped her life. Growing up in Virginia with Nigerian immigrant parents, Edim found respite in books among the turbulence of her family life. When her father moved back to Nigeria during her childhood, marking the beginning of a series of traumatic events, the local library became a sanctuary for Edim and her brother, Maurice, who she writes about incredibly tenderly. Through books, Glory discovered a community and a wealth of knowledge during a time she craved connection most.

This memoir is a powerful reflection on the writers who influenced Glory deeply, from Nikki Giovanni and Maya Angelou to Toni Morrison and Audre Lorde. These authors, encountered at various pivotal moments in her life, taught her to value her own voice, trust her emotions, and forge meaningful connections with other Black women.

As a long-time fan and participant in the Well-Read Black Girl book club, I found "Gather Me" to be a powerful and relatable testament to the transformative power of literature. This book is all about the power of bibliotherapy to help validate our experiences, orient us to reality, and support us in dreaming up better possibilities for the future and for our children.

Edim’s vulnerability and honesty in recounting her life’s journey—caring for her mother with mental illness, protecting her brother during a frightening encounter with law enforcement, navigating the complexities of her relationship with her son's father—resonate deeply. Her life story illustrates how books not only helped her acknowledge her pain but also provided a blueprint for building a safer, more fulfilling inner world. This memoir is a testament to bibliotherapy’s potential to heal, guide, and inspire. Edim’s story, enriched by the literary greats who have shaped her, offers a compelling message of resilience and hope for lovers of Black literature. Thank you to the publisher and author for the opportunity to read!

[Valerie Brett · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate to say it but just not good 😣 I listened to the audiobook & she also has a really annoying way of reading that’s very much “reading voice.” Some parts were better than others—like when she connected books to her mother’s illness and father’s absence. But many parts barely connected to books, and it was just kind of a generic life story told in a forgettable way. There were too many times when she’d say something like “imagine a young girl reading Angelou’s words.” It’s like, ok, yeah, I can imagine it… but isn’t that what YOU as the author are supposed to be writing about? Just lacking overall in skill & execution.

[maaaaaackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

cried my way through this one!

[Aterra Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was introduced to Glory Edim through her Well-Read Black Girl Instagram page a few years ago. Previously, she edited a collection of stories from Black women authors on how their love of reading began. She's had me hooked to her work since!

I didn't realize she'd released another book, one that she'd written, until seeing it at the library. She does an amazing job explaining how books made her the person she is, how books taught her life lessons, how books helped her through difficult times, and how books have opened doors to opportunities that she never could have dreamed of in a her lifetime.

Using books as the base for everything, she tells the story of her life and upbringing beautifully. I enjoyed learning about her siblings, parents, love life, and I truly loved the letter she wrote to her son at the end of the story.

She has carried so much weight and responsibility for so long, and it's wonderful that she's able to write about it and share it with the world. I hope more people find this book and love it as much as I did.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another interesting memoir. The author was born in the US to Nigerian immigrants. She struggled through many childhood difficulties with her parents divorcing, her mother remarrying a verbally abusive man, and her mother eventually divorcing again and becoming selectively mute. Glory was the one raising her two brothers during these struggles. Throughout her life, she read and reread many novels written by Black authors, especially women. After college, she started a book club and online social media platform called Well Read Black Girls. The final chapter of this book is a letter to her young son about many of the things she has learned so far in her life.

[Susan Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting memoir, and I always enjoy reading about the impact books have on people’s lives.

[Addy]

I chose to read this book because of its focus on how literature can influence one's life, and I enjoyed it. I didn't know who Glory Edim was before I read this, but I'm glad to now know her

[rhema joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“What happens to you when you're on the losing end of a genocide? What happens when you watch hundreds of thousands of children slowly die, and the people who killed them are allowed to win? Who do you become when you watch the people you love systematically become erased from this earth? When first their bodies, then their souls, and then their names fade away, forgotten?”

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh this book made me love books even more than I already did. The way Glory speaks about Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison, it was like meeting a kindred spirit and I found myself rejoicing in her praise for I Know Why the Cage Bird Sings. Glory Edim is an exceptional woman with an important voice that is doing wonders to support Black female readers and writers.

[Gizzard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the author. The book, though, was more like a series of essays with bits and pieces of time missing. The framing around books that she had read was much stronger and some chapters than in others.

[Katrina Arndt · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my few 5 star ratings. Loved it!

[Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid memoir about her life with an emphasis on the books she was reading and what they brought her. Read for a book club and we had a good discussion about it.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this reflective and vulnerable memoir, Glory Edim looks back on her life and the way books have had a lasting impact on her life, from her childhood to present. Edim takes readers back to the lives of her parents, where her Nigerian mother fell in love with an Nigeran-American man and agreed to leave her home seemingly at whim to build a new life in a completely different continent, and the ways in which their separation reverberated in her own upbringing. It was especially at this time that she turned to books, especially those written by female and black authors, for solace and guidance.

It's within the memories of these pages that Glory seems to remember her own life, from the moments she stood up to her high school English teacher for his criticism of Maya Angelou's failed use of grammar to the beginnings of the Well Read Black Girl Book Club with their initial reading and discussion of Ta-Nehisi Coates "Between the World and Me". She reveals her struggles as an adolescent and adult, moving from a student at Howard University to an independent adult; her complicated relationship with her biological father; watching her mother struggle with severe depression; and her own difficulties with romantic relationships, including her own entry into motherhood after the birth of her son Zikomo.

There are mentions and passages from a number of incredible authors interspersed in this memoir (Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, Zora Neale Hurston, Coleson Whitehad, Jacqueline Woodson, etc. ) that any book-lover will delight in, and I walked away with a number of new books to add to my TBR. The writing is complex and thoughtful, and Edim's prose is strong and concise. Well worth a read and very much recommended with "Gather Me" is published in October 2024!

Thank you Ballantine Books for the advance copy of this novel!

[Kabir · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book GATHERED ME. I’ve been crying more lately and this book really did me in omg i returned this to the library with tears still drying in between the pages. Felt so seen, mirrored, and real. This is the first-gen lit i’ve been looking for!! Two things this book gave me: the first is an affirmation of my experience and existence as an American child of West African immigrants particularly the cultural distance, experiences visiting home, the diaspora, etc. The second is a beautifully laid out roadmap of more writing from black women accompanied by very powerful reflections on how their worlds shaped her own. Super inspired by her vulnerability, and how she ultimately has shaped her life around her love of reading and uplifting black women writers. U go Glory!!