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Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now
by
Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou, one of the best-loved authors of our time, shares the wisdom of a remarkable life in this best-selling spiritual classic. This is Maya Angelou talking from the heart, down to earth and real, but also inspiring. This is a book to treasured, a book about being in all ways a woman, about living well, about the power of the word, and about the power do spirituali
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Paperback, 127 pages
Published
May 12th 1997
by Bantam
(first published 1993)
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Community Reviews
(showing 1-30)
Maya Angelou recites her poem for Bill Clinton's 1993 inauguration.
MAYA Angelou, author of the best-selling books I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Gather Together in My Name, and the Heart of a Woman, has also written several collections of poetry, including Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ’fore I Diiie. She read her poem On the Pulse of Morning at the inauguration of President William Jefferson Clinton on January 20, 1993. She also wrote 10 one-hour programmes for the television series calle ...more
Ms. Angelou shares a lot of wisdom in this book...I love it where she states, "We need to have the courage to say that obesity is not funny, vulgarity is not amusing, insolent children and submissive parents are not the characters we want to admire and emulate. Flippancy and sarcasm are not the only ways in which conversation can be conducted."
I started reading this during a short train ride. Chapter one: In All Ways A Woman. I drank it up, and then I thought and thought and thought. and then I went to my writing group, and started to talk. And I haven't stopped talking about it. Granted, every chapter is short. Every theme, random. But each makes me think. Use it for your morning meditations or read one chapter per train ride.
Aside from a scene at the bar, when the narrator has a breakdown after realizing that despite her stardom she is alone and without a date, I didn't go on an experience in this book--like I do with Maya Angelou's books.
Not sure what I expected. The pieces in here are like journal, note-to-self entries for the writer's records, only that some of the thoughts will inspire whosoever picks it up. Otherwise, pretty "meh."
This book made me feel good to be a woman. The life lessons are wonderful. The chapters are short, but each one pertains to life and our journey through it.
This book is a collection of Maya Angelou's meditations on a broad range of subjects, from health to manners to memories. I picked it up expecting a quick read, but was unprepared for how quick it really is: there's really very little content, and her meditations are generally only a few paragraphs long. And there wasn't much of a unifying theme, either -- she picks up just about any topic, it seems, offers a few thoughts on the matter, then drops it just as quickly.
She seems not to be quite as ...more
She seems not to be quite as ...more
Maya Angelou discusses life and some of the lessons she’s learned along the way. Faith, racism, grieving, and respect are just a few of the topics included in this book.
While most of the lessons this author speaks about were inspiring, there was one in particular which I liked the most. It has to do with moving in new directions. Sometimes you come to a point in which you are not satisfied with the way your life is headed or with the choices you have in front of you. When that happens, Angelou s ...more
While most of the lessons this author speaks about were inspiring, there was one in particular which I liked the most. It has to do with moving in new directions. Sometimes you come to a point in which you are not satisfied with the way your life is headed or with the choices you have in front of you. When that happens, Angelou s ...more
Nov 29, 2007
Nomy
rated it
liked it
Recommends it for:
grandmas or people who wouldnt read a whole memoir
after reading "i know why the caged bird sings" and "singin and swingin and gettin merry..." this fall, i was excited to read the final paperback that came in this box set that i borrowed from my mom. i read the whole thing while sitting at the free ear acupuncture clinic on monday. i was kinda disappointed. the book is dedicated to oprah and it feels clear that it is targeted towards her audience - little "pearls of wisdom" rather than whole stories. of course it's still maya angelou so there r
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For anyone who hasn't read Maya Angelou I'd run to the closest bookstore. I've read all her books, as I do when I like any author, and I have to say Maya Angelou is beautiful and gracious in all of her books as well as in person. I saw her once in Santa Cruz, Ca. and once in New Mexico and I often think about the regal presence she gave in her presentations. Both a poet and memoir writer, her books speak about life and love and hardship and they don't mess around. In Wouldn't Take Nothing for my
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This is fabulous. I was given this as a gift nearly 20 years ago when I was still in my teens, and just re-read it recently. Full of essays and prose about womanhood, bravery, kindness and confidence. This was my introduction to Maya Angelou, and reading it the second time was as wonderful of an experience as reading it the first time. You can hear her voice - wise and soothing - as you read it, which is an added treat. This is an excellent gift for a woman of any age, especially for a young wom
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I wish I had a pen with me while reading this because I want to underline every sentence! This book is definitely a quick read and it's one that everyone should give a chance. Each passage ends with these metaphors or these important lessons that are so beautiful! I'm definitely going to re-read it again very soon. And if you have a birthday coming up just know that this book is what I'm getting you :)
I really like the book. She is a great woman who had a lot of wise things to share. One of my favorite quotes from the book is “Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.”
I think this book would make a great gift for a young person just starting out their journey in life.
I think this book would make a great gift for a young person just starting out their journey in life.
Liked this book by Maya Angelou. It was filled with short essays about her experiences and about women. The snippets she provided about her own life picqued my interest to the point that I might see if she has a bio or autobio out there. Update: she has 6 autobiographies. Guess I'll start with 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings'.
loved this book, a quick wonderful read.
the book is a bout life, and Maya Angelou tells it by short stories, situations and poems
the book is a bout life, and Maya Angelou tells it by short stories, situations and poems
The first book that introduced me to Maya Angelou was " I know why the caged bird sings, and I've loved her books since that very first read.
Wouldn't take nothing for my journey now is just as riveting, albeit on the spiritual and introspective side. She has a unique way of looking at the things,good and bad that has affected her life .
WhatI got from reading this book is change one thing, no matter how horrible, change everything. I got the chance to see her at the Paramount theatre in Oakland, ...more
Wouldn't take nothing for my journey now is just as riveting, albeit on the spiritual and introspective side. She has a unique way of looking at the things,good and bad that has affected her life .
WhatI got from reading this book is change one thing, no matter how horrible, change everything. I got the chance to see her at the Paramount theatre in Oakland, ...more
We are more alike, my friends,
than we are unalike.
than we are unalike.
This little book (it's a one-sitting read more or less) had a lot of good advice and so much wisdom.
It's a compilation of her various thoughts ranging from feminism to sexuality to spirituality.
The best (run-on) sentence in the entire book (for me) was ... "If you don't like something, change it and if you can't change it, then change the way you think about it."
The wisdom as well as the wit with which the wisdom was expressed can be applied to everyday life. I love a book that makes me feel li ...more
It's a compilation of her various thoughts ranging from feminism to sexuality to spirituality.
The best (run-on) sentence in the entire book (for me) was ... "If you don't like something, change it and if you can't change it, then change the way you think about it."
The wisdom as well as the wit with which the wisdom was expressed can be applied to everyday life. I love a book that makes me feel li ...more
(Read 6/2009) "Wouldn't Take Nothing for my Journey Now" and "Even the Stars Look Lonesome" by Maya Angelou. These two works are not part of the autobiographical series (six books) that begins with "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings." The two books I am discussing here are more like a collection of small vignettes which discuss various topics.
The wonderful thing about these two works and the later book of the same style, "Letter to my Daughter," is that they are chock full of sage advice and that ...more
The wonderful thing about these two works and the later book of the same style, "Letter to my Daughter," is that they are chock full of sage advice and that ...more
What an inane little chapbook this is. If you pulled out all the blank pages, wasted space and chapter titles, I bet this wouldn't end up being 45 pages. It's not to say that the ideas in here aren't good, but they do make this beautiful brain that is Maya Angelou look simple, disjointed and un-put-together (and I've read "Caged Bird" so I know better). Knowing that it couldn't be further from the truth, that is an absolute tragedy.
You want to know the worst part? It looks like she did this for ...more
You want to know the worst part? It looks like she did this for ...more
It's hard to find words to describe how much I loved this book but I'll do my best.
Reading this was like talking deeply with a favorite aunt, a wise grandmother, a best friend, and a sister all rolled into one. The wisdom in these words emanates from the woman, that if I'm very lucky, I'll grow to be one day.
There are books that just feel good to read, that bring us back to ourselves and remind us about the existence of our soul. Maya angelo reminds us that everything we do, every seed we sew, ...more
This was a great book to read on a lazy vacation in Maryland. I picked it up from a bookshelf in the guest room at the Martin's home. I began reading as I ate a fresh, warm bagel for breakfast. I finished an hour later.
Some of my favorite parts...
- the story of Miss Annie Johnson who blazed her own trail
- Momma's (Maya's grandmother) comments about complainers
- the chapter about "Getups" ie. fashion
Quotes:
"We are more alike, my friends,
Than we are unalike."
"Life is pure adventure, and the sooner ...more
Some of my favorite parts...
- the story of Miss Annie Johnson who blazed her own trail
- Momma's (Maya's grandmother) comments about complainers
- the chapter about "Getups" ie. fashion
Quotes:
"We are more alike, my friends,
Than we are unalike."
"Life is pure adventure, and the sooner ...more
In my mind, this book will be archived with the title How to Be. Maya Angelou's writing style is so musical and beautiful; I wished it would go on forever. Alas, it is quite short. I read this in bed on a Sunday morning. But literature does not necessarily need length to be impactful.
I trust the hell out of Maya Angelou to tell me how I should live my life, and her anecdotes and opinions regarding womanhood, love, death, style, respect, and virtue are ones I will not soon forget.
I trust the hell out of Maya Angelou to tell me how I should live my life, and her anecdotes and opinions regarding womanhood, love, death, style, respect, and virtue are ones I will not soon forget.
I really enjoyed this book. It was short and sweet, a collection of essays/tidbits of wisdom that Ms. Angelou collected throughout her life. Some of the tidbits were a little cliche, but others really hit home for me.
This is a very short book - I finished it in about 30 minutes - but it's one I will reread. Love Maya Angelou. :)
This is a very short book - I finished it in about 30 minutes - but it's one I will reread. Love Maya Angelou. :)
Aug 02, 2009
Sabrina
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Sheryl George, and Roz Templin
Recommended to Sabrina by:
Librarian
I love reading this book. It is so heart-warming. My favorite chapters are In the Spirit, Jealousy, and A Day Away. All three of these chapters really touched me. I wish that everyone could read this simply antedotes on living well. It would be a better place.
Nov 11, 2014
Natalee
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-in-2014,
maya-angelou
I have to give this little book 5 out of 5. I really enjoyed it and now wish to own a copy of my own. It was quick and easy to read and made me think a lot. I'd struggle to find a favourite part as I enjoyed it all. A must read for me.
While I love Maya Angelou, this books seemed a little scattered and piecemeal. I would prefer to see her choose a few of the topics she writes about in the book and delve into them further. It was an okay read, but not my favorite of her works.
I would recommend this book to (almost) anyone. It's incredibly uplifting, full of generosity that we sometimes lack in our day to day lives. I think everyone can learn something from her stories.
I was blown away by how concisely written but yet how much wisdom filled the pages that I was forced to take time at the end of each chapter to reflect on the magnitude of her statements.
Short chapters containing her thoughts on being a woman, spirituality and society today. I took several quotes from it. A book that can be put down but worth reading.
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Maya Angelou, born Marguerite Ann Johnson April 4, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri, was an American poet, memoirist, actress and an important figure in the American Civil Rights Movement. In 2001 she was named one of the 30 most powerful women in America by Ladies Home Journal. Maya Angelou is known for her series of six autobiographies, starting with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, (1969) which was
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“What you're supposed to do when you don't like a thing is change it. If you can't change it, change the way you think about it. Don't complain.”
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“Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for.”
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