Tell Her She's Dreamin': A memoir for ambitious girls

by Simone Amelia Jordan

This book is a love letter to women longing to break free of the boxes their postcode, skin colour, gender and bank balance put them in. Its title is a rebel yell to ambitious women and girls hungry for more.

Growing up on the whitewashed Central Coast in the 1980s and attending an elite school as a scholarship student from the wrong side of the tracks, Lebanese-Cypriot Simone Amelia Jordan felt like an outcast among her peers for years. Her lifeline was hip-hop, then in its golden age. From girlhood, Simone recognised the art form's pro-Black consciousness, and the rappers' resonant words inspired her to embrace her own identity and back herself.

From founding Australia's most successful hip-hop and R&B publication to moving to New York City and interviewing the biggest stars of the time as the editor of the world's most beloved rap magazine; falling in love and getting her heart broken; grappling with her family ties to culture; and struggling through illness and sexual grooming, Simone's inspiring story is about defying the odds to reach for your dreams. But it is also about figuring out those dreams can change as you do.

Tell Her She's Dreamin' is a deeply personal story of family, culture and music that disrupts the long-held view that women, and racially diverse women especially, are limited in their power as bold, playful explorers. It is a timely manual for those hellbent on going places and an inspiration for anyone who has ever been told they can't. (Spoiler you can!)

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 30, 2023

Reviews

[gemsbooknook Geramie Kate Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Growing up on the whitewashed Central Coast in the 1980s and attending an elite school as a scholarship student from the wrong side of the tracks, Lebanese-Cypriot Simone Amelia Jordan felt like an outcast among her peers for years. Her lifeline was hip-hop, then in its golden age. From girlhood, Simone recognised the art form’s pro-Black consciousness, and the rappers’ resonant words inspired her to embrace her own identity and back herself.
From founding Australia’s most successful hip-hop and R&B publication to moving to New York City and interviewing the biggest stars of the time as the editor of the world’s most beloved rap magazine; falling in love and getting her heart broken; grappling with her family ties to culture; and struggling through illness and sexual grooming, Simone’s inspiring story is about defying the odds to reach for your dreams. But it is also about figuring out those dreams can change as you do.’
This book was interesting.
When I read the synopsis for this book it captured my interest as I had grown up with an older sister who was into the Hip-Hop and R&B seen in Sydney so I wanted to see and try to understand what it was that she loved about it so much.
As a white person growing up not far from where Simone grew up, I was fascinated to read about her experiences and see familiar areas through a different set of eyes. Reading about her experiences and the racism that she encountered was uncomfortable but also eye-opening.
Simone Amelia Jordan has done a great job with this book. It was emotional yet funny, entertaining yet informative, and overall intriguing. Reading about her journey from Australia to NYC and all the amazing things she accomplished along the way was inspiring.
This is a book that I think everyone can learn something from regardless of gender, race, or musical preference.
Tell Her She’s Dreamin’ by Simone Amelia Jordan is well worth the read.

Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com

[Oona lovesbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

A hard working women is always something I want to read about, but mannnn this took me a while

[Amelia]

ABSOLUTELY consuming

[Jess Lomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tell Her She's Dreamin' is an immersive memoir that weaves together themes of family, identity and the immigrant experience in Australia. Simone Amelia Jordan's story is a testament to the pursuit of dreams as she takes us from growing up as a scholarship student in an elite school on the Central Coast to founding the most successful hip-hop and R&B publication in the country, chasing her dreams in New York City, and finally, her homecoming to Sydney. Simone's story will help young women rethink and challenge societal limitations and offers a timely reminder that women, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, possess incredible power to forge their own paths.

Thanks to Hachette Australia for the advanced readers copy.

[Simone Shugg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any flaws (and there were a few) were null and void as I love hearing stories by impressive women.

[Renee A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written, inspiring and thoroughly enjoyable read. Simone’s honest, intriguing and entertaining look at her life as a renowned hip hop journalist is fascinating but it is so much more than that. I felt empowered as a woman reading her story and I love her passion and commitment to multicultural and diverse communities. Especially fun to read if you grew up in Sydney, ever wanted to visit Harlem or have an inter generational family. Highly recommend!

[Toni C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book which may surprise those who know me because my knowledge of music in general - let alone hip hop - is pretty rudimentary.
The authors beautiful dance with the English language as she told her story is what kept me captivated.
This is a tale of love, heartbreak, cultural longing and crucially of the strength of women - despite the odds.
This is a brilliant debut.

[Belinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting memoir, loved her backstory, the industry stories (even though I like hip hop) were less interesting but I guess you had to be there. Saw her speak at writers festival so that made me more invested too, seems like a spark.

[Jasmine Amohia · Rating 3 out of 5]

what a beautiful book and beautiful soul. cried in the last pages. there’s a lot of inspiring behaviour and mindsets in this book. alsooo love an aussie autobiography - named dropped locations Simone experienced to my aussie co workers and felt so in the know yayyuhh

[Kristie Marcollini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! Simone shares her story with grit and passion. A timely reminder that family rules and never lose hope of your dreams!

[Jess Mees · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this on Spotify and I was hooked from the first chapter!

[ValTheBookEater]

one of the most engaging memoirs I have read.