Free Audio Book : Bits and Pieces, By Whoopi Goldberg

Without Emma Johnson, Caryn Johnson might never have transformed into Whoopi Goldberg. Emma provided her children with the nurturing and wisdom necessary for success, always promoting authenticity. The loss of her mother in 2010, followed by her older brother, Clyde, in 2015, left Whoopi feeling profoundly isolated; those who truly understood her were no longer there.

Emma’s upbringing equipped her children to flourish, not merely survive. In this deeply personal memoir, Whoopi reveals many of their shared experiences for the first time. Despite growing up in the New York City projects, they enjoyed trips to Coney Island, the Ice Capades, museums, and magical Christmases. Whoopi still wonders how her mother managed to provide such a rich childhood despite their hardships—and it was only as an adult that she discovered the extent of these challenges.

Readers who enjoy personal memoirs like Finding Me by Viola Davis and In Pieces by Sally Field will appreciate Bits and Pieces: a poignant homage from a daughter to her mother, and a vivid depiction of a deeply loving trio. Whoopi states, “Not everyone is fortunate enough to journey through life with people who accept you as you are and instill the confidence to become who you aspire to be. So, I thought I’d share my experience with you.”