Staff Pick: More Myself by Alicia Keys

Narrator: Alicia Keys with Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Clive Davis, America Ferrera, Bono, Swizz Beats, Terri Augelo, Craig Cook, Dj Walton, Jay-Z, Krucial, Leigh Blake

There is something so special about listening to a memoir read directly by the person who lived through it. Their emotion and dialect humanize the story, making the audiobook a deeper, more intimate experience. But even my love for author-narrated memoirs did not prepare me for the work of art that is More Myself: A Journey by Alicia Keys.

Keys walks us through her life with an air of pleasant nostalgia, reflecting on the good times while sharing the lessons she learned during the hard times. From her modest upbringing in New York City, where she learned to play piano and got herself into all the typical kinds of teenage trouble, to her big break into the ruthless music industry and her experience working with huge names like Prince and Oprah. Her journey to becoming the Alicia Keys we all know and love hasn’t been easy, but she still manages to recount these heartaches with a profound positivity.

I knew that listening to Keys read this audiobook would be a treat. Even still, it needs to be said that she is an incredible narrator with a buttery-smooth voice that is somehow soothing and rousing at the same time. Not to mention that she adds another layer to this listen by integrating her musical talents and breaking into song or playing the piano throughout.

As if Key’s narration wasn’t enough of a gift, More Myself is studded with star voices from all aspects of the entertainment industry. Oprah, Bono, Michelle Obama, and Jay-Z are among some of the big names that contribute their experiences to help form a full 360-degree picture of her life.

More Myself was the beautiful journey of a talented 14-year-old girl whose dedication pushed her forward into a difficult but rewarding industry. If you’re a fan of Alicia Keys, or even just in the mood for a well-made, inspiring audiobook, this is the perfect next listen for you.

Publisher Summary:

As one of the most celebrated musicians in the world, Alicia Keys has enraptured the globe with her heartfelt lyrics, extraordinary vocal range, and soul-stirring piano compositions. Yet away from the spotlight, Alicia has grappled with private heartache—over the challenging and complex relationship with her father, the people-pleasing nature that characterized her early career, the loss of privacy surrounding her romantic relationships, and the oppressive expectations of female perfection.

Since Alicia rose to fame, her public persona has belied a deep personal truth: she has spent years not fully recognizing or honoring her own worth. After withholding parts of herself for so long, she is, at last, exploring the questions that live at the heart of her story: Who am I, really? And once I discover that truth, how can I become brave enough to embrace it?

More Myself is part autobiography, part narrative documentary. Alicia’s journey is revealed not only through her own candid recounting but also through vivid recollections from those who have walked alongside her. The result is a 360-degree perspective on Alicia’s path, from her girlhood in Hell’s Kitchen and Harlem to the process of growth and self-discovery that we all must navigate.

In More Myself, Alicia shares her quest for truth—about herself, her past, and her shift from sacrificing her spirit to celebrating her worth. With the raw honesty that epitomizes Alicia’s artistry, More Myself is at once a riveting account and a clarion call to listeners: to define themselves in a world that rarely encourages a true and unique identity.