This one takes the cake

Where does What I Know for Sure rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I've listened to countless Self-Development books, and biographies, and I have to say- this one is by far one of my favourites. We listened to it on a road-trip and hardly spoke for four hours. My husband was NOT an Oprah fan ( I never got it), and now? He went and bought the book for everyone's Christmas stockings, seriously, he tried to get tickets to her San Jose event. Entertaining, moving, bang on, enlightening, and I could go on and on, absolutely LOVED it. Also, it's narrated by Oprah, so it feels kinda like home.

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Am I listening to the same book?

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I can't figure this out yet. I feel like I'm listening to a friend go on and on and on in a boastful way about her OMG! and "totally fab-u-lous" life experiences that really just make me pray for swift end to our communication. Obviously there are a lot of positive reviews, so it may be suitable for many other people.

What was most disappointing about Oprah Winfrey’s story?

I am only 15 minutes into this audio book, but what I know for sure is that the experiences she's referring to that are lead to her 'What I Know for Sure' statements are not remotely close to normal life for most of us. For instance, she's not connecting to me - a college educated mid-western working 40+ mother who has felt the strain of the economy. I've always loved Oprah and yearned for a verbal one on one reboot - a Life 101 refresher if you will - as in here's the basic principles to remember in life ...deep down, this is what is important and what you should focus on to be your best self (aka so I can keep my s**t together in tough times). But what I'm hearing is (for instance) is Oprah talking about her birthday surprise in which her girlfriends were able to persuade an entertainer to perform for her in Maui with 12 or less hours of notice, after her trip to India and her spa retreat. Well, that's awesome, but what does that have to do with the rest of us? India, spa retreat? Undoubtedly this performer somehow made it to Oprah's party to sing because it WAS Oprah's party. Principles and convictions or intention had nothing to do with this - money and fame and the potential to gain from another's fame almost certainly did. That I know for sure. The lavish meals and experiences sound wonderful, but about 15 minutes into this and I'm feeling like I don't fit within her audience for this book. For those of you who might understand the reference, I feel like Oprah unwittingly drank the Goop Koolaid and then wrote a book. I may listen further but I feel worse than when I started the book.

What three words best describe Oprah Winfrey’s performance?

Oprah's unique voice.

Any additional comments?

I feel puzzled by so many positive reviews, so I will probably listen further into the book - in which case I'll update my review.

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Live in the Now!

What about Oprah Winfrey’s performance did you like?

Oprah's narration of her book was both lively and entertaining. She used emphasis on the correct parts and shared moments of her life with the reader to reinforce her ideals on living in the now.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Oprah refers often to her favorite book "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle in this book and explains how that book has influenced her thinking until now. She encourages each reader, regardless of socioeconomic status, to live in the moment and to cherish each moment as if it were the last as "now" is the only time that has been guaranteed.

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Listened over and over

If you could sum up What I Know for Sure in three words, what would they be?

It's all good (maybe that's 3.5 words)

Who was your favorite character and why?

Oprah

What about Oprah Winfrey’s performance did you like?

Her soothing voice

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

some parts made me cry

Any additional comments?

I struggled with self-acceptance and being a people pleaser. Oprah's stories were great learning experiences.

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Oprah Does Good Work

Where does What I Know for Sure rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I've always been an Oprah fan. I think she did a great job on this book. My only problem with it is that I've heard all of this stuff from her because I seldom missed any of her shows so it wasn't new to me. Her life experiences are out of this world. She knows everybody in the world and she's been everywhere. I should have maybe waited a few years to listen. I got a little bored.

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It's good to be Oprah.

Love Oprah...but this book just seemed really out-of- touch to me. Hanging out for hours on your porch in Hawaii, cultivating and harvesting a huge garden, flying to Italy for gourmet cuisine, enjoying long luxurious bubble baths and insisting on lazy, pajama-clad Sundays aren't within reach for regular working people... especially if you have kids. (Some small pieces of that could be, but those moments really are luxuries for most.) Moral to the story? It's good to be Oprah.

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Thank you for sharing yourself and experiences!!

Like Maya Angelou is the grandmother to us all,you are the big sister!!

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EXCELLENT!!!

Where does What I Know for Sure rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is the best book of all of the audiobooks i have purchased.

Any additional comments?

I've listened to this book twice so far and will listen again!! It is truly a life changing listen!!

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I’ve listened to this at least 12 times!

I don’t like self help books by any means. Nor inspirational stories. But this book was written and narrated in such a warm down to earth way that I fell in love. I’ve listened to this book over and over. Sometimes just certain chapters or parts that I needed to hear at a particular time or moment in my life.

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So many wonderful epiphanies...

Where does What I Know for Sure rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I'm uninterested in comparing books - they're all different, there is no rank.

What other book might you compare What I Know for Sure to and why?

I'm uninterested in comparing books - they're all different, and are worthy of NOT being compared.

Which scene was your favorite?

There were so many wonderful thoughts, perspectives, epiphanies Oprah shared from her perspective - all of which I appreciate. Many ideas aren't new to me, but hearing her experience and how each has shaped a part of who she continues to become is what I connect with. I think every time I recall a word or chapter, each one will create new ideas differently.
Today, on Dr. Martin Luther King , Jr.'s birthday, the chapter where she discusses voting - and how - when she casts a vote - she is voting for all before her... really touches me in so many ways. Voting is so important - in every form. As superficial as the voting is with academy award/golden glob awards - even voting poorly done/done in a vacuum - it can hurt so many. The finely written, produced, and acted movie SELMA was mostly ignored by hollywood (clearly the first black woman director of the academy didn't choose or vote considering all that came before her); in the grand scheme of things, such awards aren't world stopping for me. That purposeful blindness, however is reflected there to the court rulings in Ferguson (history repeating itself), voting is being used to destroy our nation. How could any human being vote allow those officers (or any officers) to get away with such inhumane abuse?
When I think of how any person who was a member of a group who was denied the right to vote - deciding not to vote OR deciding to vote for the party that hurts the oppressed - it's clear that they do not understand that voting is not a selfish individual act - it's an act that is done for those who couldn't (before us), and necessary for our survival.
Putting words to the feeling I've always felt is freeing. Voting... along with all of the other thoughts she shares about existence - confirm that - we are not alone - in all we do, we affect all. Anyway... that chapter is what I'm thinking about most right now.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from What I Know for Sure?

I think my insights will change each time, but today, I'm feeling that I will recommit to being the highest expression of who I've always been, and not allowing ANYONE to lower my vibration.
My current job and those I'm surrounded with every day are taking a horrible toll on my spirit, health, and well being. I've been watching and letting my 'aura' (as described in one of her chapters) darken; contagiously being affected by those who operate on a much lower vibration than I ever have. I don't know my way out yet, but I don't have to succumb to what I know is NOT how to treat, view, or say about others.
The same is true for a few organizations I've become disillusioned with.
If I operate at my highest level - even amongst those who only know how to tear others down to succeed, I will find the path that leads to my path... I know I'm close (but I've been close for a long time - feeling stuck at "close")...
I'm realizing that I've let the low vibration of others cloud my vision.
Oh - and I've started my gratitude journal again. :)

Any additional comments?

I really enjoy this. As much as I want to listen to all of the juicy and twisted stories that are exciting and popular (and that I've purchased), I feel like I just want to be in the company (the reading company, the audible company) of those who can help me get to where I'm supposed to be.
This was a light hearted book of short story epiphanies that has been easy to listen to - to stop, start, restart, that I've really enjoyed.
Thank you Oprah!

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