I don't usually have a penchant for reading books of "collected essays". However, I had been eagerly longing to finally get my hands on something written by Maya Angelou, and this particular collection seemed like the perfect place to commence my exploration.

As is often the case with most "collected" or "selected" works, some of the essays within this volume truly intrigued me, while others failed to capture my interest.

Among the particularly interesting essays in this book are "In All Ways A Woman", which delves deep into the multifaceted nature of womanhood. "New Direction" offers thought-provoking insights into the concept of change and growth. "Death and The Legacy" contemplates the profound impact of death and the lasting imprint we leave behind. "Living Well. Living Good." presents a positive and inspiring perspective on how to lead a fulfilling life. "Further New Directions" continues to explore the theme of personal evolution, and "Our Boys" offers a poignant reflection on the experiences and challenges faced by young men.

I am truly glad to have finally had the opportunity to read Angelou's lyrical and deeply thoughtful writing. Her words have left an indelible mark on me, and I will most certainly be eager to pick up more of her works in the future. ❤️

For anyone who hasn't read Maya Angelou, I'd highly recommend running to the closest bookstore without hesitation.

I've devoured all her books, just as I do whenever I come across an author I truly adore. And I must say, Maya Angelou is not only beautiful and gracious in all of her literary works but also in person. I had the privilege of seeing her once in Santa Cruz, Ca., and another time in New Mexico. Her regal presence during her presentations left a lasting impression on me.

As both a poet and a memoir writer, her books delve deep into the themes of life, love, and hardship, without sugarcoating or beating around the bush. In "Wouldn't Take Nothing for my Journey Now," Maya Angelou not only gives validity to her own traumatic childhood but also validates the experiences of her readers.

You can begin your exploration of her works with any of her books, and I'm certain you'll be glad you made that choice. Her words have the power to touch your heart, inspire you, and make you see the world from a different perspective.

It took me almost a month to finish this book.

It wasn't because of laziness. Instead, I wanted to savor every single page.

When you find yourself trapped in a grey day, God shows you his love in various ways.

During my grey day that endured for almost a year, this book crossed my path.

I love Maya - may her soul rest in peace. I've always adored her, her words, and her presence.

But this time, her book, specifically page 33, assisted me in returning to my old self.

I loved it again, and I loved it so deeply that it made me forgive everything that had constructed the grey skies.

My spirit was uplifted once more, and I am truly grateful that God helped me through Maya Angelou.

Her words had a profound impact on me, and I will always cherish this experience.

I believe that this book will continue to touch the hearts of many others who are going through difficult times.

It serves as a reminder that there is always hope and that love can conquer all.

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 in the box set I borrowed from my mom.

I read the whole thing while sitting at the free ear acupuncture clinic on Monday. However, I was kind of disappointed.

The book is dedicated to Oprah and it feels clear that it is targeted towards her audience. It consists of little "pearls of wisdom" rather than whole stories.

Of course, it's still Maya Angelou, and there really are some pearls in there. She is amazing, smart, funny, and real.

But just as I would start to get into her story, she would wrap it up with some lesson or advice and then move on to the next one.

As a result, it didn't feel fulfilling. I was hoping for more in-depth exploration of her experiences and emotions.

Perhaps this format works for some readers, but for me, it left me wanting more.

Overall, while there were some good parts, the book didn't quite meet my expectations.

YESSSS! I absolutely loved this. It was truly amazing and had such a profound impact on me.

Definitely going to come back to this when I need some reminders. It's like a precious gem that I can always turn to when I'm feeling lost or in need of some inspiration.

The words and ideas presented here are so powerful and thought-provoking. They make me reflect on my own life and choices.

I'm grateful to have discovered this and can't wait to explore it further in the future. It's going to be a valuable resource for me whenever I need a boost or a moment of clarity.

Overall, this is something that I highly recommend to others. It has the potential to change lives and make a positive difference.

So, if you're looking for something meaningful and inspiring, give this a try. You won't be disappointed!

I have been in love with everything I've read by Maya Angelou ever since I first picked up 'I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings' more than 30 years ago. This book is a collection of short mini-essays, which are like droplets of wisdom. They are statements rather than arguments, offerings rather than debating points, and they are very short. Just like everything else written by Maya Angelou, it has been very well received and is kind of lovely. It gives us an insight into the attitudes and motivation of the author, and occasionally I find something that I can relate to.

At first sight, this book seems old-fashioned, incomplete, and uninspiring. The language is falsely formal and out of date. I'm frustrated at Angelou's reliance on religion for her arguments. I see psychological processes where she sees faith, and it seems limiting to me. I can do good things for people if I want to, and I don't have to believe that the recipients were made by a loving God! Of course, Angelou would allow me my position, so I hope I can have the good grace to allow her hers.

I like what she's saying about death. We often seem to want to know what's going to happen when we die before we can settle into life. She suggests that we can only know what we know and implies that we should accept that we don't know everything and be mindful of the here and now. What will be will be!

Don't embarrass your kids. Adopt a unique style that's not influenced by fickle, superficial fashion. Vulgarity for vulgarity's sake is vulgar. Qualities like virtue, purity, goodness, and moderation remain valuable in the modern age. Say what you mean without being mean. Friendships and relationships are more valuable than material things. Don't complain, change it. Let young people be young, don't stop them because you didn't do it right yourself. This is the sort of wisdom that Angelou is sharing here.

I think she's won me over by the last essay. "Every person needs to take one day away. A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future... a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us... A day away acts as a spring tonic. It can dispel rancour, transform indecision, and renew the spirit." (pp.138-139) This essay really speaks to me and makes me realize the importance of taking a break and rejuvenating ourselves.

Maya Angelou's words are like a gentle breeze that blows through our hearts and minds, leaving us with a sense of peace and inspiration. Her wisdom and insights are timeless and will continue to touch the hearts of readers for generations to come.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a source of inspiration and wisdom. It may not be a perfect book, but it is definitely a book that is worth reading and reflecting on.

Being a woman is a lot of work. There are her joys and even her ecstasies, but still, it is an unrelenting and infinite task.

A woman has to juggle multiple roles in her life. She is a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, and often a professional too. Each of these roles comes with its own set of responsibilities and expectations.

She has to take care of her family, manage the household, and also pursue her career goals. This requires a great deal of time, energy, and effort. She has to be constantly on the go, multitasking and making decisions.

Despite all the challenges, a woman finds joy and fulfillment in her life. She takes pride in her achievements and the love and support she gives to her family. She is a source of strength and inspiration for those around her.

So, while being a woman may be a lot of work, it is also a rewarding and fulfilling experience.

"Wouldn't take nothing for my journey now" is an outstanding collection of short essays penned by Maya Angelou. It delves into a wide array of topics, including pregnancy, self-worth, style, death, friends, family, racism, and many more.

This book is truly remarkable. I was completely engrossed and couldn't put it down. In just a few hours, I had finished reading, and by the end, I felt a sense of rejuvenation. It is both inspiring and filled with profound wisdom and practical advice. It's the kind of book that you would read with a highlighter in hand, jotting down notes and excitedly sharing it with friends. It's the type of book that makes you nod in agreement and say, "But, of course, this makes perfect sense."

As another reviewer pointed out, some of the things she writes about may seem self-evident. However, sometimes we all need a gentle reminder, something to give us that extra push and say, "Go on." This book does precisely that.

The essays are incredibly diverse, and it's almost certain that more than one will resonate deeply with you. Her advice in each essay is rooted in her own experiences and the wisdom she has gained from them. She writes with the authority of a woman who has lived a rich and eventful life, pondered deeply on various matters, and has come to terms with some fundamental truths.

When discussing womanhood, she cleverly borrows from Shakespeare, stating, "A rose by any other name may smell as sweet," and then adds her own powerful twist, "but a woman called by a devaluing name will only be weakened by the misnomer." Regarding death, she writes that she "seems at peace with the idea that a day will dawn when I will no longer be among those living in this valley of strange humors," and that she is able to accept her own mortality but "unable to accept the death of anyone else." She then launches into a deeply empathic discourse about the loss of a loved one.

Each essay is brimming with wisdom and advice, and this is a book that everyone should have the pleasure of reading. It also makes a wonderful gift to share with others.

A small, digestible book filled with nuggets of wisdom awaits.

It offers valuable insights on forging new paths, teaching us how to step out of our comfort zones and embrace the unknown.

It also delves into the art of living well, emphasizing the significance of finding joy and contentment in the simplest of things.

Moreover, the book highlights the importance of generosity and compassion, reminding us to reach out and help those in need.

I was presented with this precious book, along with handwritten letters from friends who were aware of my difficult situation.

It was like a soothing balm, gently healing my wounded spirit.

The words within its pages served as a powerful reminder of what truly matters in life.

It made me realize that in the midst of challenges, kindness, and connection are the pillars that hold us up.

This small book has become a source of inspiration and strength, guiding me on my journey towards a more fulfilling life.

An uplifting and thought-provoking collection of reflections and anecdotes from an inspirational woman awaits you. It is a treasure trove of wisdom and inspiration. Among the many wonderful pieces, I especially enjoyed "New Directions." This section concludes with a powerful statement: "Each of us has the right and responsibility to assess the roads which lie ahead, and those over which we have traveled.

If the future road looms ominous or unpromising, and the roads back uninviting, then we need to gather our resolve and, carrying only the necessary baggage, step off that road into another direction. It takes courage to make such a decision, but it is essential for our growth and progress.

If the new choice is also unpalatable, without embarrassment, we must be ready to change that as well. We should not be afraid of making mistakes or changing our minds. After all, life is a journey of exploration and discovery, and we need to be flexible and adaptable to make the most of it.

Maya Angelou offers profound and pithy advice and thoughts on life.

She emphasizes the importance of assessing our past and future paths. If the future seems bleak and the past unappealing, we must gather our resolve, carry only the necessary baggage, and step in a new direction. Even if the new choice isn't perfect, we should be ready to change again without embarrassment.

Content is crucial, but we mustn't underrate style. We should pay attention not only to what we say but also how we say it, and to what we wear and how we wear it. In fact, we should be aware of all we do and how we do it.

To live life as art, we need basic talents like a love of life, the ability to find pleasure in small things, and the understanding that the world owes us nothing and every gift is truly a gift. It also requires a readiness to forgive. We should remember our own shortcomings and not be too quick to judge others with flaws.

One day, when Frederick Wilkerson asked a twenty-four-year-old Maya Angelou to read "God loves me" repeatedly, she began to sense the truth in it. She realized that if God loved her, she could do wonderful things, try great things, learn anything, and achieve anything. This knowledge humbles and liberates her, making her feel like a big bird or ripples on the sea.

Overall, Maya Angelou's words inspire us to live life to the fullest, be aware of ourselves and others, and embrace the beauty and adventure that life has to offer.

This book truly made me have a wonderful feeling of being a woman.

It contains many life lessons that are simply amazing.

The chapters in this book are relatively short, yet each and every one of them is closely related to life and our personal journey through it.

It's like a guidebook that offers valuable insights and wisdom at every turn.

As I read through the pages, I found myself reflecting on my own life experiences and realizing how these lessons could be applied to make my journey even more fulfilling.

The author has done a great job of presenting these ideas in a concise and understandable way, making it accessible to readers of all ages and backgrounds.

This book is not only a source of inspiration but also a reminder of the beauty and strength that lies within every woman.

It has definitely left a lasting impression on me and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for some guidance and motivation in their life.