Note to Self: Inspiring Words From Inspiring People

by Gayle King, Oprah Winfrey (Reading), Maya Angelou (Reading)

Gayle King shares her favorite inspiring letters from the popular CBS This Morning segment Note to Self, in which twenty-first century luminaries pen advice and encouragement to the young people they once were.

What do Congressman John Lewis, Dr. Ruth, Coach K, and Kermit the Frog wish they could tell their younger selves? What about a gay NFL player or the most successful female racecar driver? In Note to Self, CBS This Morning cohost Gayle King shares some of the most memorable letters from the broadcast’s popular segment of the same name. Including essays from such varied figures as Vice President Joe Biden, Oprah, Russell Brand, Kesha, and Maya Angelou—as well as poignant words from a Newtown father and a military widow—Note to Self is a lovely reflection on the joys and challenges of growing up and a perfect gift for any occasion.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Audiobook, Inspirational, Memoir, Personal Development, Biography Memoir

Audio CD

Published May 8, 2018

Reviews

[Naeemah Huggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note to 15 yr old Nae: Dude, you're still not married. That is going to surprise the shit outta you. You live in the States now, which has allowed the creative side that you never knew you had to blossom. Writing and painting are you're hobbies now. Well, maybe we had an inkling about the writing but that painting thing is new. You still love plays and movies and performance art, that will never change. You're not a doctor and you're only sad about the money part, it was too much work. But life is good and quiet and you are steering your own ship. Now that, feels good. You work hard to establish a life for yourself away from your parents and still ended up living with them. That takes some daily getting used to. You will still dream of France, the food, the wine, the culture. Maybe one day still, you will fulfill that dream of living and working there. We've got to get you a career, something you're passionate about and can make money from. You are talented and can do so many things but in that my lie the problem of commitment. You're ok but you're life is very different from the one you envisioned for yourself. I'm most proud of your voice, that you are able to speak your truth though it may be unpopular. You are a very strong and opinionated individual and that is my favorite thing about you. Keep being your whole full self and make no apologies for the life you lead, embrace all the moments that make up the whole, even the difficult ones. When you lose, don't lose the lesson. Every cloud has a silver lining. You know all these clichés to be true. You are learning that speaking your desires into existence may actually have merit. You blossom eventually.

Joe Biden made me cry with his note, I was probably hormonal at the time. The collection was strong, diverse and inclusive. I appreciated every single note and can't wait for the next volume. Note to self inspired me to write my own note to self because good writing can be inspirational. What better review than that.

[Florence Migga · Rating 5 out of 5]

This audiobook right here was a conglomeration of so many of my favorite things about books and audiobooks. I love audiobooks. I love autobiographies read by the author. I love the whole 'letter to my younger self' trope. (I'm calling this a trope, because I've seen it done at least two other times that I can think of. What do you think? Do you consider it a trope?)

Anyway, this audiobook takes all of those things and ups the game by about 50. Because this is a combination of a whole bunch of amazing people reading their letters to their younger selves. I love that we get to hear them all. The letters were all fantastic. I was literally teary eyed listening to most of them. So many were sad but also hopeful. So many stories of overcoming. A lot of people with strong faith. These letters, all together, display what it mean to be human -- to doubt, to love, to challenge yourself, to overcome, to learn, to grow.

Read the full review on Book Nerds Across America: http://www.booknerdsacrossamerica.com....

[LeeTravelGoddess · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a small book of wonderful wisdoms of just life in general... I think I’ll write a note to myself someday 💚

[Mirjana **DTR - Down to Read** · Rating 4 out of 5]

***4 Stars***

I really enjoyed this collection. The idea behind this is incredibly moving and what was poured into these notes, at times, left me speechless and teary-eyed.

A few of my favorite quotes:

Chelsea Handler

Be good to all the people that love you, and always let them know that you love them back. And don't ever listen to anyone who tells you you can't. Because you can, and you will, and you do.

Tyler Perry

I just want you to know, you beat everybody who beat you. And all that time you spent trying to make your mom smile by imitating her and dancing and laughing, keep that up boy...it pays off big time.

Thank you for living so that I could thrive. Thank you.

John Lewis

Two years after you speak at the March on Washington, you will see the face of death while leading the march for voting across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma.

You were beaten on that bridge. You were left bloody. You thought you were going to die. But you will make it. You will live to see your mother and father cast their first votes. You will also live to see this segregated nation we live in send an African American president and his family to the White House.

Dr. Maya Angelou

Find a beautiful piece of art - if you fall in love with Van Gogh or Maltese, or John Killens, or if you fall in love with the music of Coltrane, the music of Aretha Franklin, of the music of Chopin, find some beautiful art and admire it, and realize that that was created by human beings just like you, no more human, no less. The person may have keener eyesight, a better ear; the person might have a more live body and can dance, but the person cannot be more human than you.

[Layan Sasa · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Think of every relationship as an opportunity to grow, not as a soul mate. There are soul mates everywhere in life and oftentimes they are not your lovers.”

The power of people’s lives and stories are not easily put into words, but through this collection of “letters to my younger self,” we catch glimpses of the magnitude of the lessons, trials, and tribulations that each person inevitably faces. The cards we are each dealt, the pain and sorrow we face, the loss and tragedy that somehow gets balanced out by the love, achievement, and joy we find.

[Sharon :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend if liked memoirs you will love this title ❤️

[Veronica Foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! It has notes from people everyone knows and people I've never heard of. I loved hearing the advice and words of wisdom people offered to their younger selves. There was a lot of beautiful things written in this book. The only thing I didn't like was how many people (Not all but more than I thought was necessary) told their younger selves what they were doing at that time. I understand they did that so we (the readers) would have context but I thought there was a better way to do it. At the end of the book Gayle King recommended to the readers for them to write a letter to their younger selves. I think I will do that now:

Veronica K Hill is a photographer and graphic designer. She loves God, books, family, and friends. She currently spends her days in a call center and is always looking for ways to improve as a person.

V-ron.com:
Yo girl. V-ron.com is just one of the many nicknames you will be given in the years to come. People are too lazy to say "Veronica" and sometimes to even remember it. Forgive them. It is not personal when someone calls you "Victoria". You'll speak to MANY Victorias who are just as fed up with being called the wrong name. Now to the more serious stuff, stop hating yourself. Start loving yourself now. Stop doing things to hurt yourself or your health and start working on becoming a healthier and better person. You have had some serious highs and lows in your life but I'm telling you the best and worst are on the way. The most important thing is to trust and follow God. (Oh yeah, spoiler alert, you believe in God now. And your faith is the best, most important part of your life.)

You will never be able to "earn" or trick someone into liking or loving you so stop trying. Just be you. Let go of the people who leave your life. People will be in and out of your life and there is nothing you can do to change that. However, you can respond gracefully. My biggest thing, and please hear me and feel me in your bones when I say this. You do not know how long you have to love someone. So only show them love. Never hate. Treasure every moment and take as many photos as you can. There is always a day that will be the last day you see, talk to, or hear from someone you love and you don't know it until it is too late.

You are beautiful. You are enough. And you are going to do great things. Always give your best and never give up on something you want.

Xoxo,
V-Dawg

[Isha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, this was a pretty straight forward book. There were some people whose notes really stood up (Joe Biden, etc.) but a lot of the notes were just okay. I felt like the selection of people was pretty random and it would've helped to have a better background of who they are/were. There was a maximum of two sentences at the beginning of each person's note describing what they are most known for, but for the lesser known individuals, I would have wanted a little bit more. This is a great book to show you that everyone struggles, even the most 'successful' people. I would recommend this book if you want a little pep talk from a 'successful' individual.

[Angela Pineda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This was a nice, short collection of letters read by “inspiring people to their younger selves.” Very cool to hear the actual people read their letters on audio also.

Some where amazing - Oprah, Joe Biden, Jane Fonda, Congressman John Lewis. Some were okay - all by people I didn’t know whose stories were fine but didn’t stick with me.

This was a good length, as I think it was effective being a short listen/read, but I would have liked more stories by people I really knew/admired/found inspiring.

[Sreypich Leap · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this book on a casual day, little did I know this is one of my greatest finds. As I was reading each letter, I was crying and crying. it wasn’t sadness I was feeling, it was hope. It was exactly what I needed to hear for me now and me then. Each letter reminds me to be a little kinder to myself, to be grateful and that everything is going to be okay.

[Dlmrose · Rating 3 out of 5]

3+

[Czarina at captainz · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's interesting to hear different celebrities' and others' notes to their younger self. There's a great range of messages in here.

[Kirstysbookishworld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note to Kirsty -

Hi girl.

I want you to take this time, this moment right now and go hug your Dad. I don’t care if he’s in the middle of a football game or if he’s angry, I need you to go and hug him and Tell him you love him. Tell him that being his daughter is the greatest blessing. Telling him that he’s taught you so much and you hope to do him proud. Tell him losing him is the hardest thing you’ll ever do. I also want to tell you that you will find a man who respects you, cherishes you and wants nothing more than to have your children (still pending with that but girl we got this) and grow old together, I even have the ring to prove it. The only regret is Dad never got to meet the man who has captured your entire heart.

I want to tell you that Depression, low self-esteem and anxiety are factors in your life but they are not your life. You are stronger than you know and being as compassionate and empathic as you are is not and will never be a weakness. Your passion for children and their care will lead you to a job that literally brings you to tears because of the amount of joy it brings you. I want you to know you’re mistakes are okay. They’ll feed your anxiety for years but they’ve made you into the person you are today and that brought you some pretty amazing things. You’re worth every bit of love you give and receive.

Don’t be so hard on yourself,
Your older self.

PS: cutting your own bangs - never a good idea!


Damn this book made me want to write to myself and it’s a blessing to look back and remember so many things.

[Kimber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know much about Gayle King and didn't know what to expect from this book but after listening to it on Audio I am in awe!!! I LOVED IT!!! (and it was just over 2 hours on Audible) Highly suggest you listen to it, not read. Each letter to themselves is written & read by the author themselves. Joe Biden, Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Dale Earnhardt Jr, etc. You can read it, but it is absolutely not the same without hearing their voices read the letters they wrote to their younger selves!! I truly cannot tell say it strong enough to get this audio book and listen ASAP! I dare you to make it through without crying and without being changed in some way. Inspiring!!!

[Erin Cataldi · Rating 4 out of 5]

King, Gayle. Note to Self. 2 CDs. unabridged. Audioworks. 2018. ISBN 9781508260493. $19.99.

A remarkable, diverse, and talented cast reads aloud letters written to their younger selves. Gayle King (CBS This Morning) selected some of the most inspiring letters she collected over the years and compiled them in this honest, emotional, and uplifting audiobook. Celebrities, athletes, pop culture icons, doctors, astronauts and more read aloud letters that they wish their younger selves could have benefited from and be comforted by. Oprah, Danika Patrick, Kermit the Frog, Tyler Perry, Dr. Ruth, and President Jimmy Carter are just some of the many amazing contributors included. Gayle King does an excellent job introducing each essayist and their achievements. Note to Self is a wonderful and uplifting reflection on youth, lessons learned, and self love. A perfect gift for graduates and fans of inspiring reads. - Erin Cataldi, Johnson Co. Public Library, Franklin, IN

[Rachel Y · Rating 3 out of 5]

My book to end the year! Phewwww....

It's a fascinating exercise: to ask accomplished, influential, or inspiring folks to reflect on their lives and write to their younger selves. It's a unique look into their psychologies, and in some sense helps reflect the larger human psychology. Unfortunately I don't believe most humans have it figured out in terms of what we're all doing here, and those selected are no different. By no fault of any individual author or of Gayle King's, much of this felt self-congratulatory and ego-building. That said, the collection on the whole helped me learn about several interesting people I'd never heard of or hadn't thought about (Peggy Whitson, Danica Patrick, the father to a Sandy Hook victim) and the themes of grief, identity, perserverance and love were quite nice to spend some time with. Just a record of people enduring hardship, even without any specific lesson but that 'you can,' helps inspire a bit more faith in ourselves and each other. Including Kermit the Frog (second, no less) is a bizarre choice, and placing Oprah first is just like....needlessly aggrandizing. Otherwise, a breezy but worthwhile collection of reflections from contemporary Americans.

[Janalee · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars. This was a collection of letters written by famous people to their younger selves. "Inspiring words from inspiring people." was the tagline. For whatever reason, I read them in reverse order.

Most were bland - "It will take practice and hard work", "Surround yourself with people who love you".

I found two that I enjoyed - Kesha, the singer and Frank Gehry, the architect.

Read quickly in under two hours, while I sat at both the dentist and in the backyard with the mosquitos.

[Britt Kinsella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful balance of celebrities, activists, and everyday people who have faced life’s toughest battles. Though each letter was short (six pages max), each one was inspiring and reassuring. I do hope this becomes a series of sorts, as I would love to read more of these letters. If you are experiencing any type of trauma, struggle, or just plain doubt in your life right now, I highly recommend this book. It was exactly what I needed.

[Janet Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful book based on a lovely idea. Most of the contributors are famous people, but some were unknown to me. I learned some things I didn't know about some of the people, but the best thing about the book was it opened my eyes to the beauty of the idea of one's adult self sitting down to write a letter to one's young self.

[Erika B. (SOS BOOKS) · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you wrote a note to your younger self what would it say? This made me ask myself that question and it brought a lot of introspection. Try it! :)

"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools."-Martin Luther King, Jr.

[Deborah Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall a good book but I have to agree with another reviewer that I would recommend just reading it at the library rather than buying it. It’s short, so it’s a very fast read. I do wish there had been more “notes” from people rather than the blank pages at the end for the reader to use to write their own.

[Joyceline MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favourite from the book!

“You’ll be exhausted most of your life, but it will be worth it. And I’m telling you it is. Don’t listen to people who tell you you’re doing too much. That’s who you are. Flex your grit. It’s okay to burn out on something. It forces you to move on.

Enjoy the struggle of the unknown, because you will have the life you always dreamed of.

Be good to all the people that love you, and always let them know that you love them back. And don’t ever listen to anyone who tells you you can’t. Because you can, and you will, and you do.”

Love,

You

 

[Shelby Bastian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of the notes to self were incredible and inspiring! Others I felt like only listed off their future accomplishments. Overall, enjoyed the audiobook in hearing the voices of the different individuals write their own note to self.

[daniela sofia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mais do mesmo. Não foi assim aquela dose de inspiração que estava realmente a precisar. Mas, valeu a pena ler.

[Sokunna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is collection of essays that were written to their younger selves by different famous people ranging from politician, artist, and athlete are raw, emotional and inspiring at the same time.

[Ann Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like hearing insightful perspectives like this from a variety of people. The book was enjoyable. I especially enjoyed it as an audiobook to hear segments read by the individual authors.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audio was amazing as it was read by all of the authors. So inspiring and thought provoking.

[Manning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an eclectic and emotional read.

[. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent writing, inspiring messages but seems scattered.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick, positive book. Nice to hear back stories from people you didn't know about.