Walking in My Joy: In These Streets by Jenifer Lewis

A Review By: BAH

In this exciting collection infused with her sharp humor and buoyant spirit, Jenifer Lewis, the author of the hugely successful The Mother of Black Hollywood and costar of ABC's hit sitcom Black-ish, shares the way she found the strength and courage to walk in her joy despite personal and universal hardships.

In this entertaining essay collection, the inimitable Jenifer Lewis looks back on some of her memorable adventures and experiences, using them as a mirror to reflect modern life and what is happening today. Her stories will have you laughing out loud, while her insightful messages will touch your soul.

This self-described "traveling fool and nature freak" takes us on her incredible journeys around the world, from Cape Town to Dubrovnik, the White House to the Serengeti, Mongolia to St. Petersburg, Argentina to Antarctica. Surprising and entertaining, her wildly diverse experiences reveal, that no matter where she is or what she faces, Jenifer walks in her joy, confident in herself and her purpose—whether it's an unforgettable confrontation with a Trump supporter on a slow boat to Singapore; an alien visitation; enduring Covid-19 and a friend's suicide attempt; taking down a conman; meeting a handsome Masai warrior and being chased by a cape buffalo. Jenifer also offers deep personal reflections on the repercussions of sexual violation; the murder of George Floyd and the racial reckoning in its wake.

Jenifer shares the importance of fully living to our greatest ambitions and taking time to admire the universe's natural gifts along the way; to be present in the moment, and reject being a victim of circumstance. She offers advice on self-love and how to protect ourselves from those determined to steal our joy. In this collection, Jenifer urges us to feel it all, live it out loud, and keep it moving. Basically, do your best and leave the rest.


Review Notes:

Audio Book Publication Year: 2022

An installment in a Series? No

Narrator (s): Jenifer Lewis

This was okay. She didn't talk about herself as much as her experiences with others and how she handled it. However, her voice is glorious and so full bodied!! It bought the story to life.

My only complaint is that she didn't drop any jewels or talk about herself as much as in her first memoir.

Reading Recommendation? Yes

Rating: 3 (It's aight)

Content Warnings? None

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