Around the Way Girl: A Memoir

I’ve always loved Taraji Henson. All of her movies or any shows I made sure I watched if she was in to because it’s something about her aura that just draws me to her. This book, really sealed the deal for me.Her ability to be raw & authentic on screen has ALWAYS stood out to me and this book emphasizes all that. Her story is beautiful and it was so many parts in this book that made me cry because i could relate to so much in my own way. I loved reading this book and I recommend for everyone to read it if you’re looking to really understand Taraji on a much more deeper level. She is so such a beautiful soul and even in writing this I want to cry because this book touched so many parts of me on a deep level it’s crazy.Thank you so much for this memoir Taraji. As a young single mother of two girls who just turned 30 this year you really helped my to appreciate all the trials and tribulations that’s comes with being a single mom and figuring out how to balance that plus your own personal life. I’m still learning and I don’t have all the answers but this book has touched my soul and provided so much insight on various things.

I just finished reading AROUND THE WAY GIRL a couple of days ago.I first saw actress Taraji P. Henson years ago in a romantic comedy called "Something New." It was a small funny role as one of the best friends to the main character (played by Sanaa Lathan). Then, earlier this year I saw her as "Proud Mary"--a hit woman. Right before I saw the film, I thought, This is interesting. Can she play this role convincingly? The answer is that she can, brilliantly (with a top-notch cast, though I didn't like the ending).Then I went to see "Acrimony" about a woman's rage at her so-called cheating husband--a love triangle. My guess is that these films do not resonate with some critics, but they do with the audience. The first time I saw "Acrimony", I overheard a woman in the theatre say of Tyler Perry--the screenwriter and director--"This was his best film yet."The woman had seen all of Mr. Perry's films. I had not. (In fact, I disapprove of/do not like the famed Madea character.) The second time I saw the film, I critically evaluated the screenplay and the performances. Were the characters believable? Absolutely. Did the plot twists make sense? Absolutely. Did they create a cohesive whole? Absolutely. Was the dialogue realistic? Totally. Were the performances believable? Totally. During the second half of the film, I was literally on the edge of my seat, every minute a thrill. (Spoiler alert: at one point, I yelled at the screen, "But you dumped him!"--which is something I NEVER do.)I was not a Tyler Perry fan before. But I am now. In "Acrimony", Ms. Henson infused Melinda with such specific detail and nuance, I thought, Wow, Best Actress Oscar. (In fact, all the actors involved delivered admirable performances. Ms. Henson's two co-stars, Lyriq Bent and Crystle Stewart, deserve Oscars as well.)So once I saw Ms. Henson play these two characters, I was interested in how her life had informed those portrayals. That is why I bought the book.As I read, I began to see and understand the intertwining of the actress' life, the roles she chooses, and her acting process. By the end of this memoir, I recalled a comment she made in an interview: I can play from Shakespeare to modern and everything in between. That's a paraphrase and I was skeptical, but I'm now convinced. I'm looking forward to her next film.

This was a really good book. It’s cool to get an insight of how Taraji grew up and to see where she is now. I could even hear her voice as I was reading lol

The Book came yesterday!And It was in great quality, especially since it was used!I would definitely buy books from here again!

She has always seemed like an around the way girl to me. I think that's her appeal. I wasn't sure why I picked up the book other than to confirm my intuition was correct. I think this book is a success story that all women , especially black women should read. She seems like she lives in a state of gratitude. And she's honest about the ugly, the petty, as well as the good. She prays when she is being challenged or cheated and has faith that something better is going to be offered. //The thing that makes me nervous about recommending this book sans any reservation is how much she seems to admire a father that hit her mother. It's not that he and "the love of her life" (who also hit her) don't deserve forgiveness. But her good feeling for her father precedes the forgiveness. It felt weird and scary to identify her as a Daddy's girl. //And she also lays her own story of abuse along side a fictional black woman that lived happily ever after with her temporarily frustrated physical abuser (Baby Boy). Henson leaves her abuser instantly and for good when he finally draws blood --unlike the fictional character. And her recovered father, life straightened out, comes to the rescue in a slightly dramatic scene. So I don't think I would recommend young girls read this without supervision and discussion. /// However I did like that she gave him credit for giving her toughness of mind and confidence. As honest as she was about some things I wish she'd have gone a little deeper into feelings of betrayal she had. I mean , either gloss over the top of both men very briefly OR tell the entire story in depth so that other women trying to make decisions can benefit//. I was also happy she mentioned Tyler Perry giving her career a bump when an Oscar nod would have done that all by itself for a white actress. She was very honest about race and the black women breaking ceilings and black sisterhood in Hollywood. //But like any politician she knows how to pivot. She mentioned her time on "Person Of Interest" for 10 seconds. And I know perfectly damn well that some ugliness happened for her there. Maybe we'll find out next biography when she has retired...in time enough for other black actresses to use the information to their advantage. /// All together I'd say I highly recommend the book. There was a lot on her acting craft so I especially recommend it for the creative.

I picked this one for a book club and everyone really enjoyed it. A very good read!

I dot normally read automatically books but I've been a huge fan of taraji for years. I feel after reading this she has given me a new way to look at life an love. Highly recommended read

Bought this for vacay and read a few pages before and I can’t put It down.

Un super bouquin! Livre et couverture superbes (bonne prise en main pendant la lecture). Une histoire qui donne des frissons, de la joie et de la tristesse. Tout ce qu'il faut pour un bon livre!

This book is just a must read. it motivated me in the right moment in my life. Thank God for that. Would like to read part 2 ;)

Para todos aquellos que sean fan de Taraji, es un libro de lo mas interesante sobre ella. No sé cómo lo habrán traducido al español por lo que recomiendo la lectura en inglés para no perder ni la intención!