Winner of the 2023 Grammy for Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording!
Audie Award Winner for Audiobook of the Year!
Narrated by Viola Davis
In my book, you will meet a little girl named Viola who ran from her past until she made a life-changing decision to stop running forever.
This is my story, from a crumbling apartment in Central Falls, Rhode Island, to the stage in New York City, and beyond. This is the path I took to finding my purpose but also my voice in a world that didn’t always see me.
As I wrote Finding Me, my eyes were open to the truth of how our stories are often not given close examination. We are forced to reinvent them to fit into a crazy, competitive, judgmental world. So I wrote this for anyone running through life untethered, desperate and clawing their way through murky memories, trying to get to some form of self-love. For anyone who needs reminding that a life worth living can only be born from radical honesty and the courage to shed facades and be . . . you.
Finding Me is a deep reflection, a promise, and a love letter of sorts to self. My hope is that my story will inspire you to light up your own life with creative expression and rediscover who you were before the world put a label on you.
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"Viola Davis's Finding Me is an incredible audiobook. It takes you through a journey of self-discovery, as Davis describes her experiences growing up in poverty and how she was able to overcome the challenges of her childhood. Throughout the book, Davis encourages listeners to embrace their vulnerability, listen to their inner-voice, and find strength within themselves to reach their goals. The author's passion for her story comes alive through her words and delivery of the narration. The audiobook begins with a vivid description of Davis' childhood in Central Falls, Rhode Island. She paints a portrait of how limited opportunities were available for those living in poverty but also how it instilled in her a resilience that guided her throughout life. As she recounts memorable moments such as attending speech competitions or making friends at summer camp, one can feel Davis' joy as if it were their own. As the book progresses, Viola eventually discovers acting as an outlet for expressing herself creatively. She takes us through her struggles navigating college and early adulthood when trying to make ends meet while pursuing acting full time. What becomes increasingly clear is not only Viola's triumph over adversity but also her ability to remain true to herself even during difficult times which leads to achieving success on stage and screen. Ultimately, Finding Me is inspiring read that encourages readers/listeners alike to take courageous steps towards self-development and personal growth. With its uplifting and honest dialogue, this audiobook will leave you feeling empowered knowing that anything is possible when you believe in yourself!"
— JudyJ99 (5 out of 5 stars)
“Davis’s performance here is essentially a one-woman show, bringing listeners in close from the first moments…Her voice is vulnerable yet strong. The result is electric. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
— AudioFile“[A] fulfilling narrative of struggle and success…Her gorgeous storytelling will inspire anyone wishing to shed old labels.”
— Los Angeles Times“Davis’s grit and determination are moving, and her unflinching reckoning with the ‘racism and misogyny’ she faced in Hollywood makes her story of overcoming all the more effective. Fans will be utterly enthralled.”
— Time“This book is a testament to resilience, hard work, and the power of owning your truth.”
— Real Simple“Brimming with love, heartbreak, and hard-won wisdom.”
— Bustle“A more intimate, unpolished account than is typical of the average (often ghost-written) celebrity memoir; Finding Me reads like Davis is sitting you down for a one-on-one conversation about her life.”
— USA Today“An unvarnished chronicle of hard-won, well-earned success.”
— Kirkus Reviews" Viola Davis will get your attention in how she survived and forgave her abusive situation. She's smart, hard working and reads her story that will pull you in. It's easy to relate to the many emotional lows. Her remarkable success comes from strength and stamina. "
— KSLL, 5/6/2023" IMHO Finding Me by Viola Davis is an incredibly powerful and inspirational audiobook. From the very first moment I started listening to it, I was captivated. Viola's narration of the story brings you into her life in a deeply personal way. Her words are heartfelt, sincere and incredibly eloquent. She speaks with power and emotion that draw you into her journey of self-discovery, transformation and resilience in the face of adversity. Finding Me focuses on Viola's journey from childhood to adulthood as she navigates difficult times while forging an identity for herself amongst racial, gender and socioeconomic challenges. She tells her story with candor, courage and wisdom that resonate with readers of all backgrounds. Viola's audiobook is one that will stay with you long after the last page has been read or listened to. It brilliantly blends memoir, memoir-style narrative and motivational themes together to create an unforgettable experience filled with insight and inspiration. I heartily recommend this audiobook to anyone looking for direction in their lives or seeking a better understanding of themselves - whether through self-reflection or learning from Viola's experiences. Whether you're studying for exams or taking a break from your daily routine, Finding Me is sure to provide readers with a unique perspective on their own lives. The emotional depth and intricate details make it worth listening to again and again. "
— Esther64, 1/4/2023" Finding Me, written and narrated by Viola Davis, is a powerful and poignant audiobook that had me captivated from the first moment I heard it. The story follows Viola's life journey as she discovers who she really is and where she comes from. It is a journey of self-discovery, but it also speaks to all of us who are trying to find our place in this world. Viola's narration style is simply stunning; her voice soars through each scene and lifts the listener up with its beautiful warmth. Her heartfelt delivery of her life's story engages you in an intimate way, allowing you to connect with her on a deeper level. As many famous actresses often do, Viola brings an extra layer of emotion to her narration that simply can't be replicated in written form. Each line carries with it an extra weight, ensuring that you will never forget what you have heard or felt. The themes found within Finding Me are deep and thought-provoking; exploring topics such as identity, family dynamics, race, gender roles and more. It's not just a story about Viola growing up; it's a universal tale that touches on many areas of life experience that so many people can relate to. Overall Finding Me is an inspiring and uplifting audiobook that will leave you feeling refreshed and motivated to take on your own life journey with renewed energy! Highly recommended for anyone looking for a meaningful experience! "
— Loverboy158, 10/19/2022" This is an amazing audiobook experience that has left me feeling incredibly moved. As a woman of color in America, I could feel the struggle and determination of Viola Davis coming through her story and narration. She weaves together an autobiographical tale of her life, from growing up in poverty in Central Falls, Rhode Island to becoming one of the greatest actresses of our time. Davis narrates this powerful story herself with a gripping intensity that kept me engaged throughout the entire audiobook. Her performance was captivating and sincere as she revealed intimate details about her impoverished childhood as well as her pursuit of becoming an actress. She speaks with such emotion and authenticity that it feels like you're listening to a friend talking to you rather than someone reading aloud from a book! Finding Me is filled with inspiration and hope as Davis uses her own story to encourage others not to give up on their dreams. With vivid descriptions of both good times and bad times, Davis paints a picture for us that encourages us all to keep going no matter what obstacles we face in life. Overall, Finding Me is an inspiring audiobook that has touched my heart! It's packed with life lessons that are both relatable yet uplifting at the same time. Listening to Viola Davis tell it was truly an unforgettable experience! Highly recommended for anyone looking for an inspiring story or just some motivation to keep striving towards their goals. "
— Beth216, 10/6/2022" Finding Me, wonderfully written and narrated by Viola Davis, is an incredible experience for listeners. Viola's masterful storytelling allows the audience to be taken on a journey from her childhood in Central Falls, Rhode Island to her successful career as an internationally acclaimed actress. The book is full of inspiring moments and memories that are both uplifting and thought-provoking. Viola takes us through each stage of her life with emotional honesty that is exceptionally raw and powerful. With every chapter, we gain a better understanding of what it means to overcome adversity and strive for greatness. Viola's narration truly captures the essence of each memory with remarkable accuracy and depth. Her voice adds an extra layer of emotion that words alone could never convey. She speaks with such grace and presence, making it easy to become invested in her story. Each word feels like it is meant just for us — making us feel seen and understood in a way that few books can offer. As a narrator, Viola Davis has crafted an audiobook experience that leaves its mark on every listener. From start to finish, this audiobook will leave you feeling enlightened and inspired — it truly is a work of art! Finding Me is one of those rare gems that prove how valuable listening can be when it comes to connecting with another person's story. If you want to be moved by powerful words, then this audiobook should be at the top of your list! "
— InspiredByGod, 8/24/2022" I understand Viola, I know her pain, and this book spoke to me personally. Like Viola, I am older and too have overcome poverty and pain. This is a must-read! "
— Oni, 7/13/2022" Finding Me by Viola Davis is an audiobook like no other. It's an inspiring memoir of redemption and growth, narrated masterfully by its author. Viola Davis has created a captivating journey for her listeners, one that will leave you emotionally moved and inspired to take on life's challenges. Viola Davis' narration of Finding Me is incredibly powerful and moving. Not only does Finding Me make for an amazing listening experience, but it also serves as an excellent tool for personal transformation themselves; each chapter provides actionable advice which if followed can help listeners achieve their own goals in life while developing greater empathy towards others in their lives too! In short, Finding Me is an inspiring book written and narrated wonderfully by Viola Davis – I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to find strength within themselves or just seeking a good listen! "
— JanellesMom, 6/16/2022" I absolutely loved the audiobook "Finding Me" by Viola Davis. It was a poignant memoir of self-discovery, growth and understanding that I found incredibly touching. Viola Davis' narration was so powerful, each word she spoke felt like it had an extra layer of emotion behind it. The story itself follows her journey to finding her identity - both as a woman and an artist - told in vivid detail with heartbreaking honesty. The audiobook is filled with moments of self-reflection and introspection, often making me feel uncomfortable yet still compelled to keep listening. One moment that really stood out to me was when Viola talked about being in a creative rut, how she felt like her life lacked purpose and passion. She openly described how she was able to get through this difficult period by embracing herself wholly, even the parts of her personality and life experience she wasn't proud of. The lesson at the heart of "Finding Me" is something we can all relate to - that finding our true selves often requires us to look within and embrace all aspects of who we are. In addition to providing wisdom for personal growth, this incredible book also features some truly valuable career advice about perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity. Overall, I'm immensely grateful for this powerful memoir as it has provided me with a much more profound understanding of myself, my relationships, and my work. This audiobook will no doubt leave you feeling inspired after every listen! "
— MaddyM, 5/12/2022Viola Davis is an internationally acclaimed actress and producer, known for her exceptional performances in television shows like How to Get Away with Murder and movies like Fences and The Help. She is the winner of an Academy Award, an Emmy Award, two Tony Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. In both 2012 and 2017, Time magazine named her one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. She is also the founder and CEO of JuVee Productions.