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Put on Your Crown: Life-Changing Moments on the Path to Queendom
Modeled after Maria Shriver's Just Who Will You Be , Queen Latifah's goal with Put On Your Crown is to help young women build a strong sense of self-esteem. A US Dept. of Justice survey found that females ages 16-24 are more vulnerable to partner violence than any other group, almost triple the national average.
Cases like Chris Brown's assault on pop star Rihanna showed an ugly side of adolescent life. However, Queen Latifah has always been a shining example of a woman happy with herself and unwilling to compromise to fit into the "hollywood ideal" of what a confident beautiful woman should look like. The She's one of the biggest A-list celebrities in Hollywood.
Cases like Chris Brown's assault on pop star Rihanna showed an ugly side of adolescent life. However, Queen Latifah has always been a shining example of a woman happy with herself and unwilling to compromise to fit into the "hollywood ideal" of what a confident beautiful woman should look like. The She's one of the biggest A-list celebrities in Hollywood.
197 pages, Hardcover
First published April 16, 2010
52 people are currently reading
849 people want to read
About the author
Queen Latifah
34 books54 followersDana Elaine Owens, better known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American rapper, singer, model, actress and CoverGirl model. Latifah's work in music, film and television has earned her a Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Image Awards, a Grammy Award, six additional Grammy nominations, an Emmy Award nomination and an Academy Award nomination.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
June 20, 2023
Such an uplifting book of courage and healing….
May 21, 2010
This is Queen Latifah's inspirational guide for women of all ages, covering topics ranging from beauty to money. I've always liked the image that Queen Latifah portrays of herself and have liked her in any shows or movies I've seen her in. She definitely has an aura of girl-power, so I was excited to read some tips from her on self-esteem.
Queen Latifah holds nothing back, she divulges private information (as well as her private feelngs) about situations like her brother's death and even her brief time as a broke celebrity. It takes a strong person to talk about things like this so publicly and in doing so, she's showing the reader that she "practices what she preaches."
Two parts of the book stood out as my favorites. First, the section on beauty, which celebrates the beauty of all shapes, sizes, and colors. I also loved the section about Queen Latifah's mother, who seems like such a strong woman. Queen Latifah's love for her mother is evident in every word spoken about her and she even gives her a few pages to write her own thoughts and guidance.
Some of the sections didn't interest me all that much, Queen Latifah is a bit of a daredevil, so I didn't quite connect with her cliff diving and motorcycle analogies to conquering fear.
This book is a short read and packs a lot of inspiration in a small amount of pages. I think my favorite mantra that I've taken from the book is on page 157:
"You have to hold your head up and look at the horizon, because if you don't, if you keep gazing down at the ground, your crown's gonna fall right off."
I recommend this book to fans of Queen Latifah because you can really tell she's writing from her soul and sharing her own private experiences and feelings to help and inspire others.
I received this book for review from Hachette Books.
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com/
Queen Latifah holds nothing back, she divulges private information (as well as her private feelngs) about situations like her brother's death and even her brief time as a broke celebrity. It takes a strong person to talk about things like this so publicly and in doing so, she's showing the reader that she "practices what she preaches."
Two parts of the book stood out as my favorites. First, the section on beauty, which celebrates the beauty of all shapes, sizes, and colors. I also loved the section about Queen Latifah's mother, who seems like such a strong woman. Queen Latifah's love for her mother is evident in every word spoken about her and she even gives her a few pages to write her own thoughts and guidance.
Some of the sections didn't interest me all that much, Queen Latifah is a bit of a daredevil, so I didn't quite connect with her cliff diving and motorcycle analogies to conquering fear.
This book is a short read and packs a lot of inspiration in a small amount of pages. I think my favorite mantra that I've taken from the book is on page 157:
"You have to hold your head up and look at the horizon, because if you don't, if you keep gazing down at the ground, your crown's gonna fall right off."
I recommend this book to fans of Queen Latifah because you can really tell she's writing from her soul and sharing her own private experiences and feelings to help and inspire others.
I received this book for review from Hachette Books.
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com/
August 22, 2012
First you should know I really enjoy all of Queen Latifah's movies. I picked this audio book up in the hope of getting to know the woman behind the actress , and it did not disappoint.
Dana Owens (Queen Latifah)is quite the woman!!As you get to know her ,and her family in this book you see she gained a lot of her sensible attitude and sunny disposition from her family, esp her mother ,brother and father. Her mother,Mama Owens, was a teacher who went above and beyond for her students,my favourite parts of the book were when Dana talked about her and her relationship with her.
We get to hear a lot about the good parts in her life , but she does not shy away from the sadder moments like when her brother died in an accident. Her description of that moment almost broke my heart , I could feel a tear running down my face reading that and hearing the pain in her voice.
Throughout the book one thing stands out, her sunny attitude to life!!
This woman had problems in her life with friends , money etc but she remains optimistic and a happy soul and it did me a world of good listening to her and helped me to remember to take a moment to live in the moment .
Dana Owens (Queen Latifah)is quite the woman!!As you get to know her ,and her family in this book you see she gained a lot of her sensible attitude and sunny disposition from her family, esp her mother ,brother and father. Her mother,Mama Owens, was a teacher who went above and beyond for her students,my favourite parts of the book were when Dana talked about her and her relationship with her.
We get to hear a lot about the good parts in her life , but she does not shy away from the sadder moments like when her brother died in an accident. Her description of that moment almost broke my heart , I could feel a tear running down my face reading that and hearing the pain in her voice.
Throughout the book one thing stands out, her sunny attitude to life!!
This woman had problems in her life with friends , money etc but she remains optimistic and a happy soul and it did me a world of good listening to her and helped me to remember to take a moment to live in the moment .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2013
This is a bit memoir and part advice book. Queen Latifah -aka- Dana Owens. writes a nice helpful book about her life and what she has learned. She shares tidbits about her life, the ups and downs that have happened to her. such as the loss of her beloved brother, "Winki" who was killed in a motorcycle accident. this left her devastated and angry. the success she has had with her career but also the period of time she went broke and lost a lot of that money. She shares with us her religious belief.her closeness she has with her mother that she gives a lot of credit for what she has learned for her mother. I get the impression that Queen Latifah has a good head on her shoulders. Has learned from her mistakes. { she was very honest about sharing with her readers the mistakes she has made in her life] I like her outlook on life. a good fast read.
October 30, 2012
Before Lady O[prah] starting taking over the media and influencing millions of women everywhere, before Queen B[eyonce] began to conquer the charts, the big screen, and the world of cosmetics...even before Mary J. Blige was crowed the Queen of Hip Hop Soul...there was our original queen of entertainment: Queen Latifah.
With the summer 2010 release of her book "Put on Your Crown: Life-Changing Moments on the Path to Queendom," Queen Latifah easily entered another area of entertainment, by penning her life story and getting comfortable in the world of publishing.
And rightfully so. She has excelled at essentially every other area she's touched, since we were first introduced to her in 1998.
Because Dana Elaine Owens is in the media and relevant all the time, it's easy to overlook her contribution to urban entertainment, and now mainstream pop culture.
Of course we remember her best for her 1989 album "All Hail the Queen" and the way she would command the stage, decked out in Afro-centric attire, rapping hard, and at the same time embracing her femininity. She made sure to tell you what you could and could not call her...she reminded us as young girls that we should stand tall in who we were: "who you callin' a bitch?" was a classic female hip hop lyric that spoke volumes.
And somehow in the span of her almost 25 year career, we haven't even had the chance to see how smoothly Latifah went from a New Jersey rapper to an Academy Award nominated entertainment icon.
Now along with her Grammy, she also has a Golden Globe and a SAG award. She has Emmy nominations, and she's an easy go-to-girl to host shows from the BET Awards to the People's Choice Awards. Latifah is loveable, dependable, and she's proven to be a consummate entertainer, on all fronts.
Her book "Put on Your Crown" chronicles her journey from a young girl in New Jersey, up to the present time. While it's neither a detailed autobiography nor a specific self-help book, it's kind of a combination of the two genres. She tells her story, and throws in words of advice and inspiration along the way.
I enjoyed reading her first-person accounts of many of the memorable moments in her life, good and bad. From when she received a star right next to Michael Jackson's on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, to when her brother Winki was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident in 1992.
Greatly influenced by her mother Rita, Latifah shares many of the lessons she learned as a result of great parenting (despite her parents divorce at age 10), and as a result of maintaining self-esteem regardless of her circumstances, appearance, or expectations around her.
At age 40, you still get the impression that there is so much more to see from Queen Latifah. And while it's obvious that she's already done so much in her career, it's actually pretty rare that the viewing audience has yet to tire of her.
In fact, as I was finishing up the book in the elevator today, an elderly (like really elderly) yet nosy/fass neighbour was staring at my book cover, and smiling. "Oh, I really like her," she said to me, pointing at the cover of my book. And I had to agree: EVERYBODY likes Queen Latifah. It's official.
Admittedly, sometimes I get annoyed to discover that everyone and their mother also has a book. Literally. As a writer, you can't help but become jaded when Snooki from Jersey Shore, Paris Hilton, the Kardashians, and every other person making over a million is given a lucrative publishing deal and churns out a full-length book in a matter of month.
But I digress.
Something can be said for having an interesting life experience, and apparently readers will always pick up a copy of "literature" as long as it's written by a famililar face. This is one of the "celebrity" books that I really and truly can't be cynical about. It is what it is: a legendary female figure telling her story. And my ability to whiz through this book showed me that Latifah did a good job telling it.
There's nothing groundbreaking on the pages. Most of it we already know. We know about the fabulous movies (Last Holiday and Bringing Down the House were my personal favourites), and the hit songs and hip hop classic albums. We know about the Flavor Unit, and her sidekick from time, Shakim.
I was kinda wondering if she'd finally drop some bombs about her often-questioned sexuality. Latifah's been rumoured to date her personal trainer Jeanette Jenkins, whom she also reportedly bought a house with...but the rumours will remain that, as she often addresses previous boyfriends in the book and regrets for not having children earlier in life...but Latifah totally stays away from the topic of present-time relationships, or even the fact that her sexuality has always been a hot topic (especially after that role in Set if Off that we remember her playing all too well in 1996).
She went broke in 2000, despite her fame. She was molested at age 5 by a neighbour. There were a few things I didn't really know much about...but again, there was no juicy gossip, just lots of sugary sweet words of encouragement:
"We all need people to help us and lift us up. and other people need our help. When you put that together, you can create something really powerful."
"You make your own oppotunities."
"You have to be constantly improving yourself."
"We can rise up only when we stand on the shoulders of those who went before us."
"Whatever your religion or belief system, the key is to have an active inner life that radiates through all your actions..."
Nothing exceptionally unique or "deep," but definitely taken to heart, given the source it's coming from, and the context it's written in.
But I liked the level of detail that was introduced. For example, I loved to know that her bond with her business partner Shakim is so deep that he actually jumped in front of her to protect her from danger/bullets when an event they were at went awry.
It was endearing to read how she often escaped the madness of her ultra-busy schedule to sit next to her brother's grave and speak to him for hours on end. Moreso, to learn that the scar on her forehead that she refuses to cover with makeup or airbrush, despite suggestion, was a scar she received at age 3 while playing tag with her brother.
And again, I'm fascinated by "celebrity" life because at its core there is always a regular ol' individual trying to make it, who has the faith, determination--and if they're as lucky as Latifah--the support of family and grounded friends to help build those dreams and fantasies into an easy reality.
Yes, there were downfalls in her professional journey as well. I don't know about you, but I definitely didn't buy her 2004 jazz CD "The Dana Owens Album." I also didn't watch her daytime talk show from 1999-2001. Like any career, there were definitely some misses...but it's safe to say that overall, Latifah's had an awesome career...up to here.
And while she came on to the scene as a dope female MC, I think her true legacy will be being able to capture the screen, and make us laugh through her television and film roles. Living Single was a staple TV show while growing up in the 90s, her roles in House Party 2, Juice, and Jungle Fever, are roles we're all familiar with. I love her comedic relief in my favourite movie, Brown Sugar.
So this rapper-turned-actress-turned-Cover Girl is still, and will always remain, a true Queen on so many fronts. She has personified elegance, grace, and just genuine congeniality. It's hard to NOT like this woman.
Keep givin' it to 'em, Queen!
"Take the time to check in with yourself, regularly. Don't lose yourself." ~Queen Latifah
With the summer 2010 release of her book "Put on Your Crown: Life-Changing Moments on the Path to Queendom," Queen Latifah easily entered another area of entertainment, by penning her life story and getting comfortable in the world of publishing.
And rightfully so. She has excelled at essentially every other area she's touched, since we were first introduced to her in 1998.
Because Dana Elaine Owens is in the media and relevant all the time, it's easy to overlook her contribution to urban entertainment, and now mainstream pop culture.
Of course we remember her best for her 1989 album "All Hail the Queen" and the way she would command the stage, decked out in Afro-centric attire, rapping hard, and at the same time embracing her femininity. She made sure to tell you what you could and could not call her...she reminded us as young girls that we should stand tall in who we were: "who you callin' a bitch?" was a classic female hip hop lyric that spoke volumes.
And somehow in the span of her almost 25 year career, we haven't even had the chance to see how smoothly Latifah went from a New Jersey rapper to an Academy Award nominated entertainment icon.
Now along with her Grammy, she also has a Golden Globe and a SAG award. She has Emmy nominations, and she's an easy go-to-girl to host shows from the BET Awards to the People's Choice Awards. Latifah is loveable, dependable, and she's proven to be a consummate entertainer, on all fronts.
Her book "Put on Your Crown" chronicles her journey from a young girl in New Jersey, up to the present time. While it's neither a detailed autobiography nor a specific self-help book, it's kind of a combination of the two genres. She tells her story, and throws in words of advice and inspiration along the way.
I enjoyed reading her first-person accounts of many of the memorable moments in her life, good and bad. From when she received a star right next to Michael Jackson's on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, to when her brother Winki was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident in 1992.
Greatly influenced by her mother Rita, Latifah shares many of the lessons she learned as a result of great parenting (despite her parents divorce at age 10), and as a result of maintaining self-esteem regardless of her circumstances, appearance, or expectations around her.
At age 40, you still get the impression that there is so much more to see from Queen Latifah. And while it's obvious that she's already done so much in her career, it's actually pretty rare that the viewing audience has yet to tire of her.
In fact, as I was finishing up the book in the elevator today, an elderly (like really elderly) yet nosy/fass neighbour was staring at my book cover, and smiling. "Oh, I really like her," she said to me, pointing at the cover of my book. And I had to agree: EVERYBODY likes Queen Latifah. It's official.
Admittedly, sometimes I get annoyed to discover that everyone and their mother also has a book. Literally. As a writer, you can't help but become jaded when Snooki from Jersey Shore, Paris Hilton, the Kardashians, and every other person making over a million is given a lucrative publishing deal and churns out a full-length book in a matter of month.
But I digress.
Something can be said for having an interesting life experience, and apparently readers will always pick up a copy of "literature" as long as it's written by a famililar face. This is one of the "celebrity" books that I really and truly can't be cynical about. It is what it is: a legendary female figure telling her story. And my ability to whiz through this book showed me that Latifah did a good job telling it.
There's nothing groundbreaking on the pages. Most of it we already know. We know about the fabulous movies (Last Holiday and Bringing Down the House were my personal favourites), and the hit songs and hip hop classic albums. We know about the Flavor Unit, and her sidekick from time, Shakim.
I was kinda wondering if she'd finally drop some bombs about her often-questioned sexuality. Latifah's been rumoured to date her personal trainer Jeanette Jenkins, whom she also reportedly bought a house with...but the rumours will remain that, as she often addresses previous boyfriends in the book and regrets for not having children earlier in life...but Latifah totally stays away from the topic of present-time relationships, or even the fact that her sexuality has always been a hot topic (especially after that role in Set if Off that we remember her playing all too well in 1996).
She went broke in 2000, despite her fame. She was molested at age 5 by a neighbour. There were a few things I didn't really know much about...but again, there was no juicy gossip, just lots of sugary sweet words of encouragement:
"We all need people to help us and lift us up. and other people need our help. When you put that together, you can create something really powerful."
"You make your own oppotunities."
"You have to be constantly improving yourself."
"We can rise up only when we stand on the shoulders of those who went before us."
"Whatever your religion or belief system, the key is to have an active inner life that radiates through all your actions..."
Nothing exceptionally unique or "deep," but definitely taken to heart, given the source it's coming from, and the context it's written in.
But I liked the level of detail that was introduced. For example, I loved to know that her bond with her business partner Shakim is so deep that he actually jumped in front of her to protect her from danger/bullets when an event they were at went awry.
It was endearing to read how she often escaped the madness of her ultra-busy schedule to sit next to her brother's grave and speak to him for hours on end. Moreso, to learn that the scar on her forehead that she refuses to cover with makeup or airbrush, despite suggestion, was a scar she received at age 3 while playing tag with her brother.
And again, I'm fascinated by "celebrity" life because at its core there is always a regular ol' individual trying to make it, who has the faith, determination--and if they're as lucky as Latifah--the support of family and grounded friends to help build those dreams and fantasies into an easy reality.
Yes, there were downfalls in her professional journey as well. I don't know about you, but I definitely didn't buy her 2004 jazz CD "The Dana Owens Album." I also didn't watch her daytime talk show from 1999-2001. Like any career, there were definitely some misses...but it's safe to say that overall, Latifah's had an awesome career...up to here.
And while she came on to the scene as a dope female MC, I think her true legacy will be being able to capture the screen, and make us laugh through her television and film roles. Living Single was a staple TV show while growing up in the 90s, her roles in House Party 2, Juice, and Jungle Fever, are roles we're all familiar with. I love her comedic relief in my favourite movie, Brown Sugar.
So this rapper-turned-actress-turned-Cover Girl is still, and will always remain, a true Queen on so many fronts. She has personified elegance, grace, and just genuine congeniality. It's hard to NOT like this woman.
Keep givin' it to 'em, Queen!
"Take the time to check in with yourself, regularly. Don't lose yourself." ~Queen Latifah
December 14, 2018
I can't say when I purchased this book. What I can say is I was slapping myself for waiting too long to read it and waiting even longer to put on my bookshelf. From her rap career, films, talk show, Cover Girl contract, acceptance of her size and the love that she has always expressed to her family and friends....I've followed her career. She has always been authentic. She has never given excuses or been pretentious about her arrival on the scene.
Put On Your Crown is a simple straightforward piece of work that is about accepting who you are.....working with what you have....and going for what you want. It's about acknowledging and understanding that there will be challenges and that there will be doors opened and closed, successes and failures....but....you have the right stuff to have success...positive self-esteem...amazing confidence...an indelible spirit....and mountaintop experiences....if you believe in you and what you bring to the table. No need to be apologetic.
Put On Your Crown drops nuggets to young girls as well as women. It highlights situations that everyone can relate to and it causes you to pause and reflect on situations in your life....how you may have responded...how you can change the way you deal with the elephant in the room...and how everyone that you come in contact with...can help or hinder. The chapters focus on real issues/issues we wrestle with: success, beauty, money, love, loss, strength, fear and joy.
It's not written for the faint. As I said, she offered no apologies for her reign. Neither should we offer any excuses for ours. Yep, we reign supreme. As the queen pinpoints " life has given us all opportunities for a number of incredible experiences.” We can and have become distracted far too many times by comparing ourselves to others....defining ourselves in the manner that others have or have attempted. We must take the 'life stopping life changing' opportunities for what they are." Putting On Our Crowns means we have arrived at a healthy destination......a destination of self love (no more superficiality). Note: Get the book. Gift it to your favorite girl! It's a quick read...but powerful.....
Put On Your Crown is a simple straightforward piece of work that is about accepting who you are.....working with what you have....and going for what you want. It's about acknowledging and understanding that there will be challenges and that there will be doors opened and closed, successes and failures....but....you have the right stuff to have success...positive self-esteem...amazing confidence...an indelible spirit....and mountaintop experiences....if you believe in you and what you bring to the table. No need to be apologetic.
Put On Your Crown drops nuggets to young girls as well as women. It highlights situations that everyone can relate to and it causes you to pause and reflect on situations in your life....how you may have responded...how you can change the way you deal with the elephant in the room...and how everyone that you come in contact with...can help or hinder. The chapters focus on real issues/issues we wrestle with: success, beauty, money, love, loss, strength, fear and joy.
It's not written for the faint. As I said, she offered no apologies for her reign. Neither should we offer any excuses for ours. Yep, we reign supreme. As the queen pinpoints " life has given us all opportunities for a number of incredible experiences.” We can and have become distracted far too many times by comparing ourselves to others....defining ourselves in the manner that others have or have attempted. We must take the 'life stopping life changing' opportunities for what they are." Putting On Our Crowns means we have arrived at a healthy destination......a destination of self love (no more superficiality). Note: Get the book. Gift it to your favorite girl! It's a quick read...but powerful.....
August 28, 2012
I was feeling sorry for myself one day at the library so thought maybe Queen Latifah might have something to say to me. Being a mother of 4 daughters, her mother's life spoke to me more so than the author's. I was struck by the dedication of her mother who got 3 jobs and went back to school when her husband left when QL was 9. Her determination not to stay in the projects but to move through them impressed me of someone whose isn't basing their ID on outward things but inward character. Her mother's continued dedication and perseverance in teaching at a rough urban school helping troubled young people discover their true selves encouraged me to speak firmly into the lives of those around me. QL did have some great thoughts. Accumulating personal wealth isn't about stuff, but about empowerment (having the tools to do the things you want to do). In the area of success, connect w others who will bring out the best in you. Beauty isn't about perfection. It's those little flaws that make you the real person that you are. Fear cripples and prevents you from doing the things you most want to do; don't over analyze--just do it. QL lost her brother in a motorcycle accident shortly after he'd settled into a career as a policeman and begun to think of having a family. Guilt accompanied the pain, for she had given him the bike. Though you learn to deal w the pain and move on, you never get over it. Though others can't understand your pain, it helps you understand theirs. In the area is strength, QL urges us to dare to disappoint others by following our dreams and sticking to our values vs. caving into pleasing others. I enjoyed this book and hope that no one thinks I'm disrespecting the author by using initials for her name--it's just shorter!
She seems to have an inner resilience that I don't think others can artificially reproduce, but hopefully her words will inspire younger girls to persevere and make the most out if their lives.
She seems to have an inner resilience that I don't think others can artificially reproduce, but hopefully her words will inspire younger girls to persevere and make the most out if their lives.
August 8, 2014
This was light reading as far as self improvement books go, but the book contained a lot of common sense written in plain language. If hearing the advice from a celebrity would make them more likely to listen and follow it, I would recommend this book to young women everywhere. Self esteem issues, financial advice, toxic friends, abuse...she covers it all.
I also learned a lot about Queen Latifah's life. She seems like a down to earth person who would be fun to have over for dinner. If I ever run into her at our Wal-Mart, I'll invite her.
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
I also learned a lot about Queen Latifah's life. She seems like a down to earth person who would be fun to have over for dinner. If I ever run into her at our Wal-Mart, I'll invite her.
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
May 16, 2018
Great inspirational read. Starting a new chapter in my life and the pointers found in this book was a great help in to giving me a fresh start. Also being able to have her (Queen Latifah ) own voice was more that just a plus.
March 29, 2023
Do you have teenage girls in your life? Young adults? Encourage them to read this book.
May 16, 2025
I really wished I read this when it was first published. I struggled as a young adult, and this was the confidence boost I needed. Can't expect anything less from a queen.
December 14, 2018
A short read full of inspiration and authenticity.
May 15, 2011
While I don't necessarily think of myself as a young woman anymore (which is who the book is geared towards) I do think that this book contains lessons that any woman, and even men, should learn. The basic ideas of the book are love yourself for who you are, take time to care for yourself first, and love the people around you for who they are.
I've always liked Queen Latifah. She's always seemed to me to be fairly grounded. I think my favorite thing about this book is that she proves to the reader that she's just a normal person. She makes mistakes, she's not perfect, and she realizes that. I think she's a great role model. (Side note I LOVE her fashion sense. I have for a while, but my love for her eye was solidified when I read How to Never Look Fat Again and it says something to the effect that if you're a plus size woman dress like Queen Latifah, she knows what she's doing.)
I've been going through some tough times mentally in the last year or so and reading this book did help me. While it's mostly stuff I already knew (like I said it's geared for young women, and I have left that arena a bit ago) it was information that I needed to remind myself. Somehow reading that "The Queen" was and had been going through some of the same things really helped me find the strength I needed to kick my own butt and get myself back on track again.
If you're having some self doubt, about anything in your life pick this one up. If you know a young woman pass it along. It can't hurt to try and teach a young woman the lessons we've all had to learn the hard way! It also could be beneficial for some young men. It's written for a woman, but I think the lessons are great for men or women.
A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher. This is not a paid review and is a truthful and honest review.
I've always liked Queen Latifah. She's always seemed to me to be fairly grounded. I think my favorite thing about this book is that she proves to the reader that she's just a normal person. She makes mistakes, she's not perfect, and she realizes that. I think she's a great role model. (Side note I LOVE her fashion sense. I have for a while, but my love for her eye was solidified when I read How to Never Look Fat Again and it says something to the effect that if you're a plus size woman dress like Queen Latifah, she knows what she's doing.)
I've been going through some tough times mentally in the last year or so and reading this book did help me. While it's mostly stuff I already knew (like I said it's geared for young women, and I have left that arena a bit ago) it was information that I needed to remind myself. Somehow reading that "The Queen" was and had been going through some of the same things really helped me find the strength I needed to kick my own butt and get myself back on track again.
If you're having some self doubt, about anything in your life pick this one up. If you know a young woman pass it along. It can't hurt to try and teach a young woman the lessons we've all had to learn the hard way! It also could be beneficial for some young men. It's written for a woman, but I think the lessons are great for men or women.
A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher. This is not a paid review and is a truthful and honest review.
November 5, 2017
When all my peers were watching Friends, I was watching Living Single. Don't ask me; I don't know why. It was what I loved and connected with. And I saw something I had never seen before: a big woman (Kadijah) getting asked out on dates, being attractive to men, assuming that attractive men would find her attractive. And I fell in love with Queen Latifah watching those episodes. This book continues her legacy of being a woman who does everything well. She's a musical artist, actress, beauty icon, producer, and all-round beautiful person. The straight and humble honesty of this book was exactly the tone I needed. It's very simply written, and is less a biography (though she shares her own struggles) and more a pep talk for young women. There's nothing ground breaking in here, but that's kind of refreshing. It's a good reminder of what it takes to be a healthy, good person, and what one of the most famous people alive today went through to realize basic principles of ethics, money management, relationships, addiction, and self image. It's one of the most body positive things I've read.
Yes, the simplistic tone gets a bit old, but then the book isn't that long, so I had not fully tired of it to the point of putting it down. Also, I didn't connect with Queen Latifah's deeply religious commitment, or her traditional assumptions about gender and what it means to be a lady. But even these things were framed with a humility and a "you do you so long as you is kind" sort of tone that made me embrace even these elements.
This is a good refresher for the mind. A good return to basic principles, and a spiritually encouraging journey. I definitely recommend for the young women out there who may be feeling the world is against them. Queen Latifah has a no-nonsense way of bringing out the beautiful. Love her.
Yes, the simplistic tone gets a bit old, but then the book isn't that long, so I had not fully tired of it to the point of putting it down. Also, I didn't connect with Queen Latifah's deeply religious commitment, or her traditional assumptions about gender and what it means to be a lady. But even these things were framed with a humility and a "you do you so long as you is kind" sort of tone that made me embrace even these elements.
This is a good refresher for the mind. A good return to basic principles, and a spiritually encouraging journey. I definitely recommend for the young women out there who may be feeling the world is against them. Queen Latifah has a no-nonsense way of bringing out the beautiful. Love her.
August 9, 2023
I love Queen Latifah. I wouldn't say I'm a mega fan but she is on my list of people I'd love to meet. I was surprised to find out that she grew up in a Baptist background and she talks a lot about God in this book. She makes sure not to alienate her fans by saying they should find their own God, whether it be Allah or Buddha or someone else, but she refers to God and the Christian Bible and as a Christian I really appreciated that.
This book is full of nuggets to help boost your self image and self esteem and I love that she addresses the issue that many young girls face in today's society where they view themselves as invaluable or unworthy. She talks about doing things for your body that are good and healthy and make you feel good.
As a plus-size woman, Queen Latifah talks about her curves and how she loves them. She does talk about exercise, but it's never in a way that she needs to lose weight or change herself; it is strictly to get healthy. I greatly appreciated this because I think too often that books are geared to make plus-size women exercise in hopes that they will change and lose the shape that God gave them. Exercise should be about being healthy, not crushing yourself at the gym to fit a beauty standard that isn't even everyone's of tea.
I listened to the audiobook and it was narrated by Queen Latifah, but because of all the little nuggets I found myself wanting to highlight, I wish I had a physical copy of this book (I just ordered it off Amazon). This is a book that is great for anyone struggling with there self esteem or self worth and I have a feeling I will reference this book a lot in my life since those are things I greatly struggle with. Overall a great book. Would definitely recommend.
This book is full of nuggets to help boost your self image and self esteem and I love that she addresses the issue that many young girls face in today's society where they view themselves as invaluable or unworthy. She talks about doing things for your body that are good and healthy and make you feel good.
As a plus-size woman, Queen Latifah talks about her curves and how she loves them. She does talk about exercise, but it's never in a way that she needs to lose weight or change herself; it is strictly to get healthy. I greatly appreciated this because I think too often that books are geared to make plus-size women exercise in hopes that they will change and lose the shape that God gave them. Exercise should be about being healthy, not crushing yourself at the gym to fit a beauty standard that isn't even everyone's of tea.
I listened to the audiobook and it was narrated by Queen Latifah, but because of all the little nuggets I found myself wanting to highlight, I wish I had a physical copy of this book (I just ordered it off Amazon). This is a book that is great for anyone struggling with there self esteem or self worth and I have a feeling I will reference this book a lot in my life since those are things I greatly struggle with. Overall a great book. Would definitely recommend.
June 1, 2010
From My Blog...[return][return][return]There is a queen inside every woman and a girl just waiting to be allowed to be herself, true and authentic and to live in the moment. It is moments that Queen Latifah wants to share with all women and girls in her book Put On Your Crown. Queen Latifah makes it clear she never set out to be a role model, that is too great a responsibility for anyone, rather she was sickened to hear the statistics of women and girls who suffer from low-self esteem. Put On Your Crown is an authentic no nonsense look at moments that can change a person's life or thought process. This is not a book that tells one how to behave, as each person must listen to their own inner queen and follow their own path, rather this book speaks of the moments, those times we often ignore while we are too busy caught up in what could have been or what will be. Queen Latifah makes it quite clear that not all of these crucial moments will be positive ones, but moments to learn from all the same. In Put On Your Crown, Queen Latifah shares pivotal moments in her life and extrapolates those moments to moments we each could be experiencing in our own lives. Queen Latifah speaks directly to the reader in a pure, honest and direct voice, so listen up, Put On Your Crown is one book that should be read by women of all ages.
April 12, 2011
Our society is littered with women that are plagued with low self-esteem. We’ve all had the chance to see ads, movies, events, etc that tell us women should be like this and not like that; to be accepted and beautiful, you should be or act or look a certain way. Well, you won’t find that nonsense here. In “Put On Your Crown,” Queen Latifah shares moments of her life with us that make her who and what she stands for today.
In less than two hundred pages, the Queen gives words of encouragement and advice in a plethora of categories. For example, “Beauty-Diversity is beauty. Women come in all shapes and sizes.” It’s common knowledge that we are all very different but she takes beauty one-step further. After she became a model/spokeswoman for Cover Girl, her mission became one to inspire all women and help them see that if she could be a Cover Girl, so could they.
Overall, Queen Latifah’s use of her personal life and experiences blended well with her advice. She definitely put her heart and soul into each and every page. I highly recommend “Put On Your Crown” to women of all ages. This is one of those books that should be passed around and worn out. So Put On Your Crown, step into the world of the Queen, and be inspired by her life and your own.
In less than two hundred pages, the Queen gives words of encouragement and advice in a plethora of categories. For example, “Beauty-Diversity is beauty. Women come in all shapes and sizes.” It’s common knowledge that we are all very different but she takes beauty one-step further. After she became a model/spokeswoman for Cover Girl, her mission became one to inspire all women and help them see that if she could be a Cover Girl, so could they.
Overall, Queen Latifah’s use of her personal life and experiences blended well with her advice. She definitely put her heart and soul into each and every page. I highly recommend “Put On Your Crown” to women of all ages. This is one of those books that should be passed around and worn out. So Put On Your Crown, step into the world of the Queen, and be inspired by her life and your own.
June 10, 2017
I think this book is excellent for the right audience. I am not that audience.
I love autobiographies and memoirs. This had elements of those genres, but it was more a book to empower young women. And that's fantastic. But as a 35 year old man who's read a ton of self help books, there wasn't much in there for me that I didn't already know. I believe this book is a fantastic read for younger people (particularly women, but anyone can gleam knowledge from it) or people who have not read much in the self help/motivation genre.
Had I read this a few years ago, I think it would have been more impactful.
I am a fan of Queen Latifah's music and movies. And she did talk about parts of her life involving those things that I really enjoyed. She's clearly an intelligent, motivated, ass kicking, humble, positive role model for anyone who wants to be the best version of themselves.
Love that this book exists. Thought she did a great job of breaking down basic self love and empowerment for people who might pick it up and need to hear that.
Also, she reads the audiobook herself, and she crushes the voiceover part. Love the sound of her voice and the genuine warmth that comes from her.
I love autobiographies and memoirs. This had elements of those genres, but it was more a book to empower young women. And that's fantastic. But as a 35 year old man who's read a ton of self help books, there wasn't much in there for me that I didn't already know. I believe this book is a fantastic read for younger people (particularly women, but anyone can gleam knowledge from it) or people who have not read much in the self help/motivation genre.
Had I read this a few years ago, I think it would have been more impactful.
I am a fan of Queen Latifah's music and movies. And she did talk about parts of her life involving those things that I really enjoyed. She's clearly an intelligent, motivated, ass kicking, humble, positive role model for anyone who wants to be the best version of themselves.
Love that this book exists. Thought she did a great job of breaking down basic self love and empowerment for people who might pick it up and need to hear that.
Also, she reads the audiobook herself, and she crushes the voiceover part. Love the sound of her voice and the genuine warmth that comes from her.
April 8, 2016
I like Queen Latifah. She seems like a good, nice, person who would be easy to talk to and get along with. I first saw her book at Target and didn't really give it to much thought, then something reminded me of it, so I checked it out from the library.
Its kind of a mix of self help meets biography. She tells the reader things that have happened to her in life and how she's overcome them or learned from them. What her biggest message was I think is to be true to yourself, love yourself, love the life you live.
I guess I always imagined her as a goody-goody type of person, but it turns out that she smokes (and tries to stop) and often drinks to much and experimented with drugs and sex when she was a teen. But she's really close to her family and friends and sounds like a great person to know.
To me, nothing in this book was super life changing, but it was still an interesting read, so if you are a fan of hers, check it out.
I liked when she said to keep your head up otherwise your crown will fall off. Very true.
Its kind of a mix of self help meets biography. She tells the reader things that have happened to her in life and how she's overcome them or learned from them. What her biggest message was I think is to be true to yourself, love yourself, love the life you live.
I guess I always imagined her as a goody-goody type of person, but it turns out that she smokes (and tries to stop) and often drinks to much and experimented with drugs and sex when she was a teen. But she's really close to her family and friends and sounds like a great person to know.
To me, nothing in this book was super life changing, but it was still an interesting read, so if you are a fan of hers, check it out.
I liked when she said to keep your head up otherwise your crown will fall off. Very true.
December 11, 2013
3.5 stars
Queen Latifah has always seemed like a genuine and charming person to me. I’m not really familiar with her music, but I do like to watch her on the big screen. I even remember her from the 1990′s TV show, Living Single. So, I was very happy to win this audiobook from Zia. I really like when authors read their work and I enjoyed listening to her tell her story. Her mother also reads a small portion of the book.
Queen Latifah, real name Dana Evans, has led a life full of ups and downs and still managed to come out on top full of confidence and spirit. This book is all about helping girls and young women find the confidence to be bold and brave and smart. She does not claim to be perfect, far from it, she admits mistakes. I think girls, especially those who like her and those who need the courage not to follow the crowd will really benefit from listening to this. It is inspirational.
Queen Latifah has always seemed like a genuine and charming person to me. I’m not really familiar with her music, but I do like to watch her on the big screen. I even remember her from the 1990′s TV show, Living Single. So, I was very happy to win this audiobook from Zia. I really like when authors read their work and I enjoyed listening to her tell her story. Her mother also reads a small portion of the book.
Queen Latifah, real name Dana Evans, has led a life full of ups and downs and still managed to come out on top full of confidence and spirit. This book is all about helping girls and young women find the confidence to be bold and brave and smart. She does not claim to be perfect, far from it, she admits mistakes. I think girls, especially those who like her and those who need the courage not to follow the crowd will really benefit from listening to this. It is inspirational.
December 23, 2012
In this short book Queen Latifa (nee Dana Owens) shares her outlook on life. She writes life changing moments in her life, some good some bad. She came from a loving, if not in tact, family and stresses its importance in her life. Her mother even writes a chapter.
While this is a good book, it could be a better book if there were more of it. In the intro, Queen Latifa says she was behind schedule on it, and time pressures were most likely the culprit. While this book doesn't need transitions, a complete biography or extended descriptions of her life, it would benefit from a little more of each.
This is a good birthday, graduation or other special occasion book for girls and young women. Readers do not have to be fans of Queen Latifa to enjoy and learn from her wide ranging life experience.
While this is a good book, it could be a better book if there were more of it. In the intro, Queen Latifa says she was behind schedule on it, and time pressures were most likely the culprit. While this book doesn't need transitions, a complete biography or extended descriptions of her life, it would benefit from a little more of each.
This is a good birthday, graduation or other special occasion book for girls and young women. Readers do not have to be fans of Queen Latifa to enjoy and learn from her wide ranging life experience.
March 26, 2015
I do like Queen Latifah/Dana Owen. I’d like to believe she’s as warm and genuine as she appears. And since she’s from NJ, of course I had to know what she had to say and was happy I did.
A book that should be required reading for adolescents and young women. I’d suggest it be read a few times through their young life, grade school, hs and college. And maybe again as an adult, it’s never too late to learn. Q Latifah /Dana shares her life experiences filling in what isn’t taught in schools and in many families. Attitude, confidence, dealing with tragedy and loss, disappointments and life skills….this book explains in down to earth and relatable language how to help deal with life’s issues.
I was most impressed with her Mom. Not only was she a wonderful mother but as a dedicated teacher who went way beyond her job description.
A book that should be required reading for adolescents and young women. I’d suggest it be read a few times through their young life, grade school, hs and college. And maybe again as an adult, it’s never too late to learn. Q Latifah /Dana shares her life experiences filling in what isn’t taught in schools and in many families. Attitude, confidence, dealing with tragedy and loss, disappointments and life skills….this book explains in down to earth and relatable language how to help deal with life’s issues.
I was most impressed with her Mom. Not only was she a wonderful mother but as a dedicated teacher who went way beyond her job description.
June 25, 2010
Beautiful. Just a really, really beautiful book. This is both an autobiography (albeit, a blessedly short one) and a self empowerment book.
If the self empowerment section had been written by anyone else, I don't think I would've enjoyed it nearly as much. But because she puts so much of herself into this, you feel you really know her. She explains where she's coming from with the advice, and it's incredibly moving and beautifully told.
She also made me cry a few times. Especially the chapter she handed over to her mother. These are both strong, beautiful women, and they really do make you want to be strong and make them proud.
Beautiful. I just really, really liked this book. I would like to own it.
If the self empowerment section had been written by anyone else, I don't think I would've enjoyed it nearly as much. But because she puts so much of herself into this, you feel you really know her. She explains where she's coming from with the advice, and it's incredibly moving and beautifully told.
She also made me cry a few times. Especially the chapter she handed over to her mother. These are both strong, beautiful women, and they really do make you want to be strong and make them proud.
Beautiful. I just really, really liked this book. I would like to own it.
September 29, 2010
I love Queen Latifah, and I was very interested to read her inspirational words on how to become a better Queen. We can all use that, right? While she remains engaging and encouraging in this book, I quickly became exasperated with all the "when I was doing my first photo shoot for Cover Girl" and "after my first platinum selling record" and "on the set of my latest movie" type references. She certainly has earned the right to be proud of her achievements, and her "girl from the projects makes good" story is encouraging. It was just a little hard to identify with all her jet-setting ways. So her path to Queendom won't be the same as mine, I fear. I think I might have enjoyed the book more if it had been presented as more of a memoir than a self-help book.
May 12, 2010
This book by Queen Latifah was an inspiring, quick read. I did notice some repetition in stories throughout the book, though, which made the reading slow from the middle until the end.
There are eight chapters with different themes like love, fear, and strength. She talks a lot about her own life experiences, and she draws on her relationships with her mother, father, and her business partner Shakim.
If you like Queen Latifah and want a quick pick-me-up I would recommend it.
This book review was possible because Hachette Book Group gave me a free copy through the Goodreads book giveaway.
There are eight chapters with different themes like love, fear, and strength. She talks a lot about her own life experiences, and she draws on her relationships with her mother, father, and her business partner Shakim.
If you like Queen Latifah and want a quick pick-me-up I would recommend it.
This book review was possible because Hachette Book Group gave me a free copy through the Goodreads book giveaway.
July 18, 2010
Moments
Queen Latifah’s “Put On Your Crown - Life Changing Moments on the Path to Queendom” is an impressive read geared towards young ladies. I love how Queen shares tidbits from her personal life and experiences in order to help not only inspire and uplift, but teach others how imperative it is for them to take pride in who they are.
Parents, mentors and neighbors who are looking for something positive to share with their daughters, nieces, cousins and other young women, I highly recommend “Put On Your Crown.”
Celebrate. Make every moment count. Walk tall. Wear your crown with pride.
Reviewed by: Crystal
Queen Latifah’s “Put On Your Crown - Life Changing Moments on the Path to Queendom” is an impressive read geared towards young ladies. I love how Queen shares tidbits from her personal life and experiences in order to help not only inspire and uplift, but teach others how imperative it is for them to take pride in who they are.
Parents, mentors and neighbors who are looking for something positive to share with their daughters, nieces, cousins and other young women, I highly recommend “Put On Your Crown.”
Celebrate. Make every moment count. Walk tall. Wear your crown with pride.
Reviewed by: Crystal
February 14, 2012
In the very beginning of the book, Queen Latifah talks about how she wanted to write a book that empowered all women, no matter their creed. A book that would show them they are strong and can do anything.
And she did that.
She delivers an in-your-face, but in a good way, approach to all the important subjects that make up our core as beings.
I have to add, although this is not a memoir, I learned a lot about her and what she stands for. I had known enough already, from media, but she fills the gaps about things I always wondered like where'd she get that scar on her forehead?
Women will enjoy this read, fan or not, you soon will be.
And she did that.
She delivers an in-your-face, but in a good way, approach to all the important subjects that make up our core as beings.
I have to add, although this is not a memoir, I learned a lot about her and what she stands for. I had known enough already, from media, but she fills the gaps about things I always wondered like where'd she get that scar on her forehead?
Women will enjoy this read, fan or not, you soon will be.
October 12, 2012
I adore Queen Latifah and think she is a good role model, so I was interested to see her book on the library shelf. The book itself is full of positive messages about being true to yourself and respecting yourself and daring to go outside your comfort zone. She also shares some darker times in her own life and lessons learned from coping with depression, abuse, financial stress, and death, which I respected. Her books is warm and conversational, with a lovely section written by her mother. It comes off as a little saccharine and glossily upbeat, but it means well. I think it is aimed at a younger audience, and would be a nice addition to any girl's bookshelf.
Read
October 1, 2013Modeled after Maria Shriver's Just Who Will You Be, Queen Latifah's goal with Put On Your Crown is to help young women build a strong sense of self-esteem. A US Dept. of Justice survey found that females ages 16-24 are more vulnerable to partner violence than any other group, almost triple the national average. Cases like Chris Brown's assault on pop star Rihanna showed an ugly side of adolescent life. However, Queen Latifah has always been a shining example of a woman happy with herself and unwilling to compromise to fit into the "hollywood ideal" of what a confident beautiful woman should look like. The result: She's one of the biggest A-list celebrities in Hollywood.
August 10, 2010
We all know and love Queen latifah from inspiring lyrics, funny movies, and ground breaking work in front of and behind the camera. Proudly we can extraordinary and inspirational author to her list of accomplishments. Latifah paints a vivid picture of trail and tribulation by us through her personal journal. Tackling issues such as body image, becoming a female MC, fling for bankruptcy, lover her mother, and learning to lover herself. Latifah doesnt sugar coat her life and keeps it real and relatable. A great read for all ages.
Minolta White
AAMBC Reviewer
Minolta White
AAMBC Reviewer
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