Book Review: I Don’t Belong To You
I don’t think I have ever felt more OLD reading a book. Keke Palmer’s “I Don’t Belong To You” is an autobiography and also an inspirational and potentially “self help” book. However, I couldn’t get past all the use of “lol” and hashtags throughout the text. Maybe if I was about 10 years younger I would find it appropriate – but it was written more like she was writing you an email than an actual book – which maybe was the point, but again, I’m just realizing that at 32 I am old. Watch out, or I may bust out a “kids these days”.
LOLs, emojis and hashtags aside, the book did have a lot of lessons that Keke learned throughout her career and learning to love herself and the secrets and struggles that she went through and would be perfect for a teen or twenty something to read as I think that a lot of kids, especially girls, go through some of these same things. Of course, I grew up before social media was a “thing”, so I don’t relate to all of the struggles that Keke mentions, but anyone her age would totally get where she is coming from.
I received a free e-copy of this book from NetGalley in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
A sometimes serious, often hilarious, and always inspiring guide that encourages young women to live a life full of ownership, confidence, and freedom from singer and popular Scream Queens and Grease Live! actress Keke Palmer, delightfully illustrated in four color with Keke’s favorite inspirational quotes, journal entries, and memes.
As a successful singer, actress, and talk show host, Keke has always used her huge social media following as a platform for real talk about the issues that matter to her generation, but now she is speaking out candidly and for the first time about the secrets, struggles, and practices that have guided her to succeed. On the surface, it may appear that Keke has it made, but under the success, she has grappled with the same issues all young women wrestle with—identity, pressure, self-worth, love, sexuality, heartbreak, and family.
With this in mind, she created I Don’t Belong To You—an inspirational guide that encourages young women to change their mindset and live with more freedom, confidence, and love as they navigate the rough terrain of the twenty-first century. Full of revealing stories from Keke’s personal and professional life, this book tackles twelve topics—sexuality, race, anxiety, success, bullying, and body image to name a few—with refreshing honesty.
Within each chapter is a personal interview with one of the many people that have inspired and motivated her, including Serena Williams, Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Lee Daniels; quotes, texts, song lyrics, and funny memes that have inspired her; and practices that can help you stay on a path of always growing, never grown. With a voice of empathy, tough love, and determination, Keke speaks about the challenges and triumphs she has experienced on her journey to finding her own voice and creating a beautiful life. I Don’t Belong To You is the motivation you need to move past pain and fear to lead a life full of creativity, spirituality, passion, and unlimited success.