What a remarkable GIFT it is to have the opportunity to read Maya's memoirs in her own distinct voice.

She led a life that was truly extraordinary, filled with countless experiences as if she had lived a million lifetimes. Each of her audiobook memoirs is like inviting your dear friend Maya over for an evening that you simply never want to come to an end.

In "Hallelujah!", Angelou takes it to the next level by artfully combining her amazing first-person storytelling with captivating stories about food, which serves as another powerful connecter.

Whoever had the brilliant idea for this book, whether it was Angelou herself or an editor, deserves great credit.

There's a charming and tiny anecdote at the conclusion of the book where Angelou shares how writing enriches her skills as a chef and vice versa. It bears a striking resemblance to how Murakami connects writing and running, as described in his work.

This connection between different aspects of life adds yet another layer of depth and interest to Angelou's already fascinating memoirs.

What is it about Maya Angelou’s writing?!

This is literally a cookbook and all I read was the first short little story before the section of recipes and I’m tearing up!

And it wasn’t even the tiniest bit sad of a story so they weren’t tears of sadness.

There’s just something about Maya Angelou’s writing that is so comforting that it immediately touches your soul

Although this is technically a cookbook, I read it through like a novel.

The stories in this book are truly entertaining and heart-warming.

Each recipe is accompanied by a charming narrative that makes you feel as if you are sitting in Grandma's kitchen, listening to her share her wisdom and love for cooking.

If you have a passion for cooking and enjoy Grandma style stories that are filled with nostalgia and warmth, then this book is definitely for you.

It not only provides you with delicious recipes but also takes you on a journey through the memories and traditions of a bygone era.

You will find yourself getting lost in the pages, inspired by the simple yet delicious dishes and the heart-touching stories that go along with them.

This cookbook is a must-have for anyone who wants to add a touch of Grandma's love and flavor to their own cooking.

Delightful stories and delicious recipes

How can Maya Angelo write a unit rating book? It is a very short read that is filled with humor and engaging stories about the people she met on her journey through life. The book not only presents the interesting encounters but also concludes with the story of one of the most influential women ever in America and the uniqueness of one of the greatest music duos. It is truly entertaining.

Maya Angelo's writing style is captivating, making the readers feel as if they are a part of her experiences. The stories are vivid and full of life, allowing the readers to connect with the characters on a deeper level. The inclusion of the influential woman and the music duo adds an extra layer of interest to the book, making it a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good story.

In addition to the wonderful stories, the book also contains some delicious recipes. These recipes are a great addition to the book, as they allow the readers to experience a taste of Maya Angelo's world. The recipes are easy to follow and are sure to delight the taste buds of anyone who tries them.

Overall, Maya Angelo's unit rating book is a wonderful read that combines delightful stories, engaging characters, and delicious recipes. It is a book that will leave the readers feeling entertained, inspired, and hungry for more.

@ PAGE 77 - I'm not entirely certain if I've delved into anything else penned by Maya Angelou. I've caught snippets of her reading some of her poetry on YouTube. I have this vague sense that perhaps we read "The Bluest Eye" in 8th grade or maybe during high school. That title has a familiar ring to it, as if the words have been echoing in my mind from a long time ago, yet my memory fails to recall the details precisely.

At the outset, I initially skipped over the recipes, as one might expect. However, to my own surprise, I found myself increasingly interested in reading them as I progressed. I believe this is because: (1) they are concise, requiring a low investment of time and effort; (2) they are straightforward and easy to understand; and (3) they are intricately tied to the highly engaging and beautifully written stories that precede each one. In a sense, they add an extra layer of depth and flavor to the narratives, so to speak (lol). For instance, what exactly is gingered cabbage, and what makes it so special that she would prepare it for her brother? How does a white woman create "wilted lettuce," and what made it surprisingly delicious when Maya's grandmother cooked it? As I'm writing this, I'm realizing that the introductory vignettes pose questions that are answered within the recipes, which is what compels me to read them.

The quote describing Papa Ford, her mother's cook/housekeeper in San Francisco, is quite striking: "By 1943... his good looks were as delicate as an old man's memory, and disappointment rode his face bareback." (78)

The description of Phil, who gave MA a job in the 1960s after she cooked a southern brunch, is equally evocative: "He would put a fork full of food in his mouth and then he would seem to disappear. He slowly chewed his way back to his Alabama childhood." (137)

The line "There were bricks in my mattress and rocks in my pillow and no rest at all in my bed." (179) paints a vivid picture of discomfort.

UPDATE - I've now finished the book. I'm glad I took the time to read it. I particularly enjoyed the first half the most. The second half seemed to consist mostly of stories along the lines of "so-and-so said it couldn't be done, but I did it!" or name-dropping. I definitely read the second half with Google by my side, so I could look up definitions for fancy meals and also the famous people she mentions. It was kind of obnoxious at times. In reality, I suppose the book could be divided into three parts - Arkansas, San Francisco (with her mother and her son), and then the period when she was famous (I think?) and traveling the world. She is definitely a fantastically talented writer. The way she can bring a scene to life in just a few paragraphs is truly remarkable. The recipes in the second half were less interesting to me, and I ended up skimming through some of them. What I found most interesting was learning more about how food fits into a life. That it was Maya Angelou's life - well, that was just okay. I'm more interested in the meaning and function of food rather than in the life of the person telling the story. Also, the way food spanned so many cultures, continents, and decades added a great deal of variation and made for some good stories.

Great stories and the recipes sound very familiar for the most part.

It's truly a fun cookbook to read. The author has managed to create a collection that not only offers delicious recipes but also weaves in interesting stories that make the reading experience all the more engaging.

Each recipe seems to have a personality of its own, and the familiar elements add a sense of comfort and homeliness.

After reading this cookbook, I find myself eager to explore her other works. I'm curious to see what other culinary adventures and wonderful stories she has in store for her readers.

I'm sure her other books will be just as enjoyable and filled with the same charm and creativity.

I can't wait to get my hands on them and continue this culinary journey with her.

Why has it taken me this long to read Maya Angelou???

This book was an absolute delight! From the very first page, I was completely captivated. I laughed out loud at the humorous anecdotes and cried real tears at the touching moments. The stories were so mesmerizing that I found myself completely immersed in her world.

One of the most wonderful aspects of this book was hearing the author read her own words. Her voice added an extra layer of authenticity and emotion to the stories. It was as if she was sitting right beside me, sharing her life experiences.

I can't wait to read the rest of her works. Maya Angelou is truly a remarkable writer, and I feel so fortunate to have discovered her. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story.

That was truly fabulous!

It was such a tantalizing and rich listen that it left me completely enthralled.

The experience was so engaging that it made my mind race with thoughts and emotions.

It was as if a delicious feast was being served right before my ears.

Now, who’s hungry? Well, I know for sure that I am!

The anticipation and excitement within me are palpable.

I can’t wait to explore more and satisfy this hunger for more amazing auditory experiences.

This has truly been a remarkable and unforgettable listen that has whetted my appetite for more.

I listened to this in the author's voice.

It was truly an extraordinary experience. The author's unique tone and intonation brought the words to life in a way that I had never expected.

Every nuance, every emphasis, added a new layer of depth and meaning to the story.

I found myself completely immersed in the narrative, as if I was right there with the author, sharing in their thoughts and emotions.

The experience was so captivating that I hated it to end.

I wanted to keep listening, to continue exploring the world that the author had created.

It was a reminder of the power of the written word and the importance of a skilled narrator in bringing a story to life.

I will definitely be looking for more works that are read by the author, as this has become one of my favorite ways to consume literature.

I will always hold a special place in my heart for Maya Angelou. I have a deep love and profound miss for her.

Her stories about food were truly captivating, especially those that originated from her own home during her young girlhood.

My parents were products of the depression era, born in 1911 and 1912 respectively. My father spent his life either living on or farming as a tenant farmer, which is what white people often prefer to call sharecroppers.

My mother's father was a section foreman on the railroad, so they resided in the "section" house, a home provided to whoever was in charge of that particular section of the railroad. There were seven children living in a two-bedroom house.

During the depression, my father had an opportunity to purchase a farm. All he needed to do was borrow $1,000 from his mother, and she was willing. However, he was afraid that he might not be able to repay the loan. They got married on Christmas day in 1936. I was adopted after WWII in 1948.

Normally, in Iowa, there were 4 farms on a section that measured one mile by one mile. My father farmed half a section, which was equivalent to 2 farms, in order to provide a better life for his family. Our income and rent came from half of the crops we raised. I was completely unaware that we were poor.

We ate like kings, butchering our own steers, hogs, and 100 frying chickens. When I was old enough to assist, we had an assembly line. My father would cut off the heads, drain the blood, and dip the chicken into almost boiling water. I was the chicken plucker. My father would gut the birds, and my mother would cut them up for frying.

Since we had no way to store meat on the farm, there was a "locker plant" in town. A butcher would cut up the steers and hogs and freeze them, along with the chickens, in the locker. When we went to town, we would obtain our week's supply of meat. My aunt would render the hog fat into lard. We kept a can of drippings on the stove. You haven't truly lived until you've eaten potatoes fried in lard that has previously fried bacon, eggs, and more!

My mother made all our bread and the best cinnamon rolls on the planet. All this fried food was balanced by a huge garden that had every vegetable you could imagine, plus enough strawberries to feed an army. If we wanted sweet corn for lunch, I simply went out and picked the ears, without any loss of flavor due to the time for delivery.

Ms. Angelou made me recall that the times shared around food are often the happiest moments with relatives and friends. At 76, I no longer "cook" elaborate meals, but the memories of dinners in Rouen and Paris, sukiyaki in Kyoto, or kow kai yat sai (chicken stuffed omelet) at the little street restaurant in Bangkok will always bring me joy. I highly recommend listening to this book as Maya's voice alone is a great pleasure. Kristi & Abby Tabby Childless Cat Lady

The audiobook was read by the author herself. It was another memoir penned by Maya Angelou. However, it failed to hold my interest to the same extent as the previous memoir I had read by her. The story seemed to lack the same captivating charm and emotional depth. Maybe it was because I had already been so deeply moved by her earlier work. Or perhaps the subject matter of this particular memoir didn't resonate with me as strongly. Nevertheless, I still respect Maya Angelou as a remarkable writer and her ability to share her life experiences through her words. Despite not being as engaged with this audiobook, I will continue to explore her other works in the hope of finding that same powerful connection.

I have to admit that even if I never utilized any of the recipes within the book, it would still be extremely worthwhile solely for Maya's remembrances from her life. Having said that, some of the recipes appear truly amazing, and I have bookmarked quite a number of pages.

This book is highly accessible, not merely due to the infusion of Angelou's humour, but also because of the simplicity of the recipes. It is a book that focuses on good old home cooking, specifically comfort food. This is not a book for those who are overly conscious about their diet. These are recipes from a time when no one went around scouring for detailed nutritional information. I might not prepare these dishes for daily consumption, but there are definitely some indulgences that I am eager to partake of here.

It's a wonderful collection that combines personal stories with delicious-sounding recipes, creating a unique and engaging read. Whether you're a cooking enthusiast or simply someone who enjoys a good memoir, this book has something to offer.