A Natural Woman: A Memoir (urspr publ 2012; utgåvan 2012)

I heard Carole King give an interview on NPR and was reminded of how much I have enjoyed her music over the decades. She doesn't get the recognition of Lennon-McCartney or Dylan, but really, her songs, written with collaborators like her first husband Gerry Goffin or alone, stand up with the work of those artists. Similarly, this book seems to me as fine a musical memoir as Keith Richards' book. King is fearlessly honest about her life and her relationships, and like Richards, she is also willing to share some of her expertise about writing and producing music. Reading her book has inspired me to listen more to her music and given me a new framework for doing so. ( )

Carole King has led a life unlike many "stars". The memoir is quiet and humble, much as one imagines Carole herself after listening to her narrate the audiobook. Clearly, a woman who struggled with being dominated in unhealthy relationships, she also was content to compose for others until her peers almost dragged her into performance. It was a nice book about a nice woman who was huge in my music world. Glad I read this! ( )

Nice to hear in the authors own voice. She would fall into song, which was very cool, and play piano at section intervals. She collaborated on so many songs - I had no idea. Made me start pulling out old albums looking for her name. Reading was stilted to begin with, but she relaxed into the story and it didn't feel like she was reading anymore. Interesting life story. ( )

a seemingly great woman who chooses difficult/wrong men. i can relate! her life like everyone's has been an adventure and none of us will survive the ride but i am always interested in other women's rides. ( )

I loved Carole Kings' Tapestry when it came out and felt it was the best album she had ever done. As a recipient of 4 Grammys and inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this is a huge statement to make. My naive knowledge of what it takes to write a song, produces it and anything else that gets it to me, the consumer, was instantly changed and I have a new awareness of that art. Ms. King left nothing out of her memoir, including her search for the perfect man and love, and how she came up short most of the time. Her family was and is a predominant part of h4er life and the love for her children shines through each time she mentions. them..

For any reader who loves music, this is the book to buy. For anyone who has a relative or friend, this is the book to give them. To know the story behind music is a treat, and handled the way Ms. King does, it is an honor to all of us as she respectfully gives, one more tine, to those who love her and her music. She chronicles her life as a shy teenager, writing music at a young age, to the subsequent moves all over the country, including the relationship with many famous musicians of the time.

You don't need a front row ticket to the legend named Carole King; buy her book and delight yourself from page one to the end. ( )