Common

Fall 2020 (October);

While not a deep fan of any of the musical interludes that took place in the book (and probably then not the music he produces on the normal), I was seriously and deeply enrapt by the stories between then, by the words and world I could so easily parallel to mine, to those I know, to those kids in my classroom's lives I heard so much about. I walked out of this book with my heart more full than when I walked in.

This memoir was a selection for discussion with my Book Club (AAABDG). I listened on audio, read in ebook and a physical copy to cover all bases of completing. The audio is read by Common, the author himself. The music intros to each chapter were pleasing. His chortling after certain moments were heartfelt.

Let Love Have the Last Word shares Common’s own unique and personal stories of the people and experiences that have led to a greater understanding of love and all it has to offer. It is show more a powerful call to action for a new generation of open hearts and minds, one that is sure to resonate for years to come.

I have not been a participant of Common’s acting career and very little of his music. This memoir was insightful and informative. He was born Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr. on March 13, 1972, in Chicago, Illinois. His relationship with his mother, a teacher, a Christian, is a testament to his character. His father, a Muslim, named him in honor of both faiths. Growing up he believed that love was the most important thing you could have, love for your family, love for God, or love for your passions in life.

His openness about his relationships and his dark past makes him more relatable, human. It was genuine to hear a man’s perspective on what love means, and his personal relationship with God or Yah.

Common’s declaration of Love, or as he phrases it…”Saying let love have the last word is not just a declaration, it is a statement of purpose, and it is a daily promise.” His need to be loved by his daughter, Omoye who grapples with his absence, in which this has been extremely hurtful to his daughter. His situation with his daughter almost exactly mirrored his relationship with his own dad. This was an emotional tug at the heart.

Common provided a playlist at the end of the book, so I downloaded every song on my Apple Music app, listened to each track and enjoyed the music as I wrote this review. Amazing! show less

Made worse by being live. Cheering, crowd work, and a moment where Common calls for someone from the crowd to come up and dance with him were all detracting from this being an audiobook.

It's not entirely an audiobook though; it's poetry, a few stories, and hiphop that are really well paced. He has some clever lines and rhyming schemes, which I expected, but he also tries out different subgenres based on who the story is about or when it took place.

It would have been 4 stars if it were just show more recorded in a studio show less

This book was a lot better... a lot *more*... than I expected. Sure, it's a memoir. But it's also sort of a self-help book on love. Interpersonal and intrapersonal love. He mixes some holistic and "new age" type ideas with Christianity, which surprisingly results in relatable content that just makes sense. He touches a bit on his own life- childhood, parenthood, being an entertainer- and his own issues with love, intimacy, and being true to himself and others.

I would recommend this to show more anyone who just wants to love fully. Whether it's to love the person they are in a relationship with, or simply love themself. Definitely worth reading multiple times. show less