Sara Bareilles has been one of my favorite musicians since my sophomore year of high school, when my entire high school music department fell head over heels in love with her thanks to our choir director. (Mr. Grossman, if you're reading this, thanks!) From very powerful vocals to being self taught on piano, guitar, harmonica, and ukulele, I truly thought I could not love her anymore: until I picked up a copy of her book, Sounds Like Me: My Life (so far) in Song.
Sara's onstage wit and talent translate very easily to the page, and I laughed and cried with her while reading her book. By the end, I felt like I knew her. This book shows Bareilles as vulnerable and honest, just like her songs do. Each section of the book highlights a different part of her life, and is titled after a song she wrote during this time period. Chapters include "Love Song," "Brave," "Beautiful Girl," and "Many The Miles." Also, just like her songs, it is clear that Bareilles is not writing just to tell her story, but writing for the reader - the most personal moments of her book seem universal.
Bareilles reveals in her book that she was bullied by her peers as a young child for being "fat," with insults such as "tub-o-lard" upsetting her so much that she was forced to switch from private to public school. Because of this bullying, a self-identity crisis has lingered with her throughout her life - she states that there are still times where she feels far from beautiful (she wrote her song 'Beautiful Girl' about her younger self). Like anyone, she reveals that she still questions the course of her life and her future, and that depression lingers, and that sometimes, she has no idea who she is. Because of her book, I have found inspiration that I have needed at this point in my life. No matter how far you drift from the path, you will always be able to find yourself, and that's what matters. If you aren't feeling your best, make a change that will make you feel better. All you can do is find what makes you happiest. If you ever need a laugh, a cry, or an inspiration, pick up this book.
Now that you know more about Sara Bareilles, go listen to her songs and fall in love with her like my music department did. Here are a few of my favorite performances of hers:
