Talking to My Angels

by Melissa Etheridge

Twenty years after the success of her first memoir, the New York Times bestseller The Truth Is . . ., the Grammy and Oscar award-winning rocker and trailblazing LGBTQAI icon takes stock of the intervening years, recounting the euphoric triumphs and the life-altering tragedies of her life. The audiobook is an exclusive musical experience, read and performed by Melissa. It features live, stripped-down performances of many of Melissa’s songs, including the one that inspired the book title, Talking to My Angel ; never-before performed songs including Here Comes the Pain ; and original interstitial and credit music.  Live with spirit. Find peace in the chaos. Lean into the joy. Over the past twenty years, Melissa Etheridge has been blessed with success, love, joy, contentment, freedom, and release. She became a mother again, recorded eleven albums, toured the world, performed at the Grammy Awards, won an Oscar, discovered her one true love, and underwent a profound spiritual awakening. She also experienced illness, incomparable loss, heartache, guilt, shame, and devastating grief. She was diagnosed with breast cancer, endured two contentious and public break ups, and witnessed the devastating disintegration and death of her son, Beckett, to opioid addiction. Yet through it all, Melissa found the strength and courage to carry on. Talking to My Angels is a profoundly honest look into her inner life as a woman, an artist, a mother, and a survivor. With characteristic wit and courage, Melissa delves into how numerous tragedies served as a catalyst for growth, and what the past two decades have taught her about the value of music, love, family, and life in the face of death. It is her as raw, vulnerable, and electrifying as her acclaimed songs. Melissa shares hard truths about surviving and thriving—a journey through darkness and uncertainty that leads to forgiveness and love. A remarkable storyteller, she digs deep into the well of her life, sharing memories that, woven together, create a rich portrait of success and survival—an intimate, emotional and ultimately inspiring story of healing.  A memoir a lifetime in the making, Talking to My Angels is Melissa’s engrossing—and at times harrowing—story as she lived it. It is a testament to the power of art, a touchstone for anyone seeking a path out of darkness, and a powerful love letter to the family and fans who’ve been integral to her journey.

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

224 pages, Hardcover

First published September 5, 2023

About the author

Melissa Lou Etheridge is an Academy Award-winning and two-time Grammy Award-winning American rock singer-songwriter and musician.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this book. While I am sure this autobiography is fantastic in print format, the audiobook is spectacular. Melissa Etheridge narrates and plays/sings many of her songs throughout the book. If you are a fan of her music, it is worth the listen!

[Keri Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve always enjoyed Melissa Etheridge’s music, and the fact that she was one of just a few kick ass female rockers at the time. Her music contained strength and vulnerability at the same time, which is an awesome combination. This audiobook is not only narrated by her, but it contains parts of songs throughout.

Over the years I’d hear bits and pieces of her life. That she came out as a lesbian in a business and at a time when that was new and brave. I knew she’d had children with her partners, and that David Crosby was the biological father of her first two children.

Along with her success, she’s had many struggles. Some at a young age, which partly led her to her love of music. But she survived breast cancer… and later, a mother’s worst nightmare of losing a child. She talks about these parts of her life, and how her spirituality helped her through them.

It doesn’t make my list for favorite autobiographies, but it’s a good and enjoyable book, and I always like seeing lives through the lenses of others. Definitely suggest the audiobook for an elevated experience.

[Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars for Talking to my Angels ( audiobook) by Melissa Etheridge read by the author.

This is a deeply personal look at the author’s life. It weaves through her childhood and then on to her dating and marriages. It also focuses on her illness and her children and the devastating loss of her son.

[Elizabeth☮ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a fan of Etheridge. I remember listening to her first album in Sam Goody (remember record stores kids?) and just being blown away by her gravelly-voice full of soul.

This is the second memoir Etheridge has written and I wonder if the first one takes a deeper dive into her life. This focuses on the early aughts to the present day. We hear about her journey into the music industry and how she found love and lost it.

When Etheridge mentions a song, the lyrics are given, so I would stop and pull up the song and listen to it. I think possibly listening to this one might be a more fulfilling experience.

Etheridge mentions a Rolling Stone picture she took with David Crosby and his wife along with her wife at the time. When you see this picture, you can see the heaviness of what Etheridge discusses in this moment in time. The picture says it all. It's written all over her face. Take a look. She looks lost.

I found the insight to the music industry interesting, but not quite enough. Etheridge discusses the loss of her son (which I remember vividly during COVID lockdown) and it is painful to read about his struggle with addiction throughout his life. But, maybe it's too soon to write about such a painful loss.

I may go back and read her first memoir.

[TracyGH · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do yourself a favour and listen, rather than read this book. Melissa has always been raw and gritty, this book is no exception. Through her voice, you can share in her intensity.

Loved:
⭐️ Authentic
⭐️ Melissa’s voice
⭐️ Her life lessons, personally and business

Disliked:
⭐️ Cannabis and its prevalent use
⭐️ A bit too New-Age for me
⭐️ Too many songs within the audiobook (I did fast forward through some of this.)

Overall: Rated 3.5 stars

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a huge Melissa Etheridge fan but I did really enjoy her memoir. She talks about breaking out in the biz, sexual abuse as a child, rape as an adult, the breakdown of her first marriage, becoming a mother, the changing landscape of the music industry in the mid-2000s, her battle with cancer, life during the pandemic lock-down, losing a loved one to drug overdose and lots more.

Highlights for me were the song excerpts sprinkled throughout the novel. Great on audio read by the author and perfect for fans of memoirs like Broken Horses by Brandi Carlile or Rememberings by Sinead O'Connor.

CW: death of a child to drug overdose

[Em Monahan Skoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a bit worried at the beginning of the book because I was afraid it was going to be a bit new age preachy, but I'm glad I stuck with it bc it really was a great read, or listen in my case. This is really a book you should listen to because she plays her songs throughout. Etheridge was open and vulnerable throughout and I loved hearing her story.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook. I don’t normally listen to audiobooks but this time I think that’s the better choice. Melissa is the narrator and as she goes along she plays songs along with her narration. I saw in her Instagram where she recently apologized if her words upset anyone…she has zero to apologize for. This was a great and albeit sad at times biography.

[Kim Soles de Freyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a fan of Melissa Etheridge's music for a very long time. This book is nothing short of what I'd expect from her. Her voice is raw and honest, passionate and compassionate.

[Heather Rosales · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars only because I ear read it and she sang songs throughout. But it was just meh otherwise.

[Barbara Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version which was excellent, highly recommend it. I enjoyed hearing Melissa narrate and the bonus was getting to also hear some of her meaningful music.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book, about 40% of which is Etheridge describing a song and then playing part of it so I have no idea what it would be like to read the actual book. There was also an entire chapter of Etheridge giving you the cliff notes to The 4 Agreements.

I'm a pretty big fan of her music but found the book a little odd. Then again, it opens with a story about how a massive dose of cannabis helped her to figure out the universe, so I'm not sure what I was expecting.

[Donna Flemming · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sure her fans would enjoy this for sure, especially the audio version. I particularly like reading autobiographies, but this one was just ok. It almost felt like a continuous promotion for her music. Her choice of partners was questionable - I think their side of this story might be worth reading.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melissa Etheridge has been ONE OF my favorites for a couple decades, plus.

This was another read-along/listen. I went into this blind cause I saw her on the cover and knew I wanted to read it. Oh boy, was I in for a roller coaster.

Of course, you can't know things until you know them, but I was surprised at how little I actually knew about her. I knew that she's openly gay. I knew that a lot of her songs are about her relationships. But to hear from the woman herself what the songs were about when she wrote them and then the realization of the subconscious meaning down the road as she got older, was mind-blowing. I now listen closer to hers songs because I know more of her background.

What a powerful and inspiring story, I hope a lot more people discover this book. It could change your perspective and help someone who's struggling with the same things Melissa Etheridge went through.

Any songs referenced, she plays and sings in the audio which added to the emotion of it all. I found myself laughing and crying all throughout. 10/10 recommend for anyone who loves M.E. as much as I do.

Trigger warnings for some people: explicit language, reference to drug use, talk about state of mind during mj use, reference and some description of SA, and talk about losing a loved one to addiction.

[Naomi Stock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Talking to My Angels is a profoundly honest look into her inner life as a woman, an artist, a mother, and a survivor. With characteristic wit and courage, Melissa delves into how numerous tragedies served as a catalyst for growth, and what the past two decades have taught her about the value of music, love, family, and life in the face of death. It is her story: as raw, vulnerable, and electrifying as her acclaimed songs. Melissa shares hard truths about surviving and thriving—a journey through darkness and uncertainty that leads to forgiveness and love. A remarkable storyteller, she digs deep into the well of her life, sharing memories that, woven together, create a rich portrait of success and survival—an intimate, emotional and ultimately inspiring story of healing.

However the book did lack some depth and skimmed some issues around certain areas. I did find the book in parts, kind bland and boring.

[Sherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting that Melissa got her start in music by performing in Long Beach, California which is my old stomping grounds. I did enjoy the book. But you have to overlook the propaganda in the book. She pushes the climate change propaganda. Which we all know is a shell to money launder. She also parrots the media propaganda that states, "The Pulse" shooting was a hate crime. That situation was truly tragic, and my heart goes out to the family who lost loved ones that day. However, it has been proven that it was not a hate crime. The shooter didn't even know it was a gay bar. The shooter randomly picked The Pulse due to opportunity not due to who was in the bar. Hollywood and the Elites continue to push these marxis ideas.

If you can get passed the propaganda in the book, you will find it entertaining.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading that first chapter about the marijuana trip where she became “infused with love,” I totally thought I was just going to skim or totally give up on this one, but in the end I found it a mostly enjoyable read, kind of in a “ behind the scenes” way. I loved her when she first started getting attention as a singer, but as she moved through some very public breakups, I lost interest and respect. But this book brought back the memories of how much I loved her early work & I might even check out the audiobook to hear her sing.

[Wendelle]

Melissa Etheridge talks about some extremely difficult life experiences-- child abuse, the AIDS crisis, divorce, her son's passing from fentanyl-- and how the creative life through music, and a boundless commitment to love of others, has guided her through.

[Jean Taczak · Rating 5 out of 5]

An honest memoir of Melissa Etheridge's career as a musician, her many relationships with lovers & family, the losses she experienced in life, the spiritual experiences she had with various methods. I can understand her lyrics to her songs much better now.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

You must listen to the audiobook version. Melissa sings a bunch of acoustic songs during the reading of the book. What an amazing book it was. Heartbreaking yet hopeful. This is a must-read if you are a fan!

[Gary Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vulnerable and beautiful. If you listen to it as an audio book you get to hear the songs sung which was an added delight. The more memoirs I read the clearer I see how close each of us on earth are to one another. 4.4/5

[LauraJeanHall · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a long time fan, hearing her story in her words was magical in this audiobook. I encourage any music fan, any woman, and any person who is LGBTQ to read, or even better - listen to her story.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

if you're gonna read this book, pick up the audiobook instead. she weaves in songs she wrote during the time periods she's talking about.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audiobook is so good. I recommend that route.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

She plays a number of songs throughout the audiobook which was a nice surprise.

[Meg Macgill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this on audio and it was really cool. Melissa Etheridge shares so many great details of her life and even sings songs or parts of songs in the audio version. A great experience.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great read/listen her story is quite encouraging and I loved her singing in between too as she narrates the book. Would recommend this book on audible.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rock and Roll icon and Academy Award winner Melissa Etheridge narrates her audiobook and plays some beautiful music woven into her storytelling. 4/5

[Maureen Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was excellent on audiobook with her narration and music interspersed.

[Sonya Loyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really recommend this on audio! Melissa Etheridge narrates this herself and she sings throughout the book.