Bits and Pieces

My Mother, My Brother, and Me

By: Whoopi Goldberg

Narrated by: Whoopi Goldberg

Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

From multi-award winner Whoopi Goldberg comes a new and unique memoir of her family and their influence on her early life.

If it weren’t for Emma Johnson, Caryn Johnson would have never become Whoopi Goldberg. Emma gave her children the loving care and wisdom they needed to succeed in life, always encouraging them to be true to themselves. When Whoopi lost her mother in 2010—and then her older brother, Clyde, five years later—she felt deeply alone; the only people who truly knew her were gone.

Emma raised her children not just to survive, but to thrive. In this intimate and heartfelt memoir, Whoopi shares many of the deeply personal stories of their lives together for the first time. Growing up in the projects in New York City, there were trips to Coney Island, the Ice Capades, and museums, and every Christmas was a magical experience. To this day, she doesn’t know how her mother was able to give them such an enriching childhood, despite the struggles they faced—and it wasn’t until she was well into adulthood that Whoopi learned just how traumatic some of those struggles were.

Fans of personal memoirs such as Finding Me by Viola Davis and In Pieces by Sally Field will be touched by Bits and Pieces: a moving tribute from a daughter to her mother, and a beautiful portrait of three people who loved each other deeply. Whoopi writes, “Not everybody gets to walk this earth with folks who let you be exactly who you are and who give you the confidence to become exactly who you want to be. So, I thought I’d share mine with you.”

©2024 Whoopi Goldberg (P)2024 Blackstone Publishing

I love Whoopi

I love Whoopi Goldberg. she's an EGOT. The world is a better place because of her. ❤️

Life can be wonderful

enjoyed everything this book had to say. made me enjoy life so much more until appreciate my mother and the things that she told me. Whoopi hit it right.

Outstanding, funny heartfelt, and toughing. life lessons

@BlackstonePublishing
Whoopi Goldberg
Listened to "Bits and Pieces" today.
It was so wonderful, funny and touching.
I Have been sick for a week and listening to it has touched me to my core. You were blessed to have a Mom like your Momma. I was blessed for mine warts and all.
I hope my kids feel the same about me when I am gone.

Your stories about your childhood took me back to those times and reminded me of my upbringing . I am 69 and I remembered all the things you spoke of.
What a wonderful story highly recommend it.
The nursing story was just like mine I laughed so hard.

And I still haven’t eaten an egg either .

Honestly, I love this story so much . From my mom working night shifts at the hospital to her always taking us into the city for a show or see the tree. The Yule log in WPIX. ( I live in NJ) my dad was in the picture, Because I believed in Santa much older than most, and learned the magic of what a parent can do to keep you from growing up too quick. I also remember the day I became an orphan, and there isn’t a day I don’t still think of my folks. So many days I still have so many questions and feel like a lost kid. Amazing job of telling your tale, no one else could have done it better . Thank you for sharing

How open Whoopi was about her life.

I listened to this book straight for the 5 plus hours that's how wonderful it was, great story Whoppi, you are my favorite person.

The love the family had for each other

I have always loved Woopi and reading the book gave me a better insight of her. I appreciate Woopi Goldberg more than ever.
This book is not just her life story. I learned a thing or two. It's a must have.

It was like having a conversation with Whoopi.

I really enjoyed listening to Whoopi tell the stories about her mom and brother. I really enjoyed the stories. I felt the love for her mom and brother. She’s really a New Yorker. Thanks for reminding me of those little things that make family memories important. I listened to the whole book in one sitting. Thanks Whoopi!

best book I have read in a long time

I did not realize that I had a lot in common with Whoopi Goldberg because one I'm white but our mothers were similar and I got to give thanks to whoopee for telling her story cuz it brought back a lot of good memories thanks whoopi

This book is fantastic!

Ms. Whoopi Goldberg's new book is hilariously funny and full of so much wisdom and love.This is the best book I have listened to in years. Thank you Ms. Whoopi for sharing your memories of your beloved Mother and broth

Only at chapter 4 and 💕

Just started and already felt compelled to write a review for the sweetness I have already felt in this wonderful journey being shared. Lost my own “SuperMom” last year…thus far I have felt “gosh I wish I could have met Whoopi’s mom” to remembering all my own Moms wonderful traits that only I (and my sister) shared with her. I am still in a heavy grief - it is life changing to lose your mom, but this book has already helped me begin to see through the fog and remember the unique and wonderful ride it was. I so look forward to traveling through the rest of this family’s bond and all joy it will continue to remind me of with mine.