Becoming Myself: Reflections on Growing Up Female

Great book for every woman in the process of "becoming herself." This is a how-to guide to womanhood by women who have walked the walk and are speaking from personal experience. Loved the intimate stories in this book that reveal the most personal lives of great women with autobiographical essays by JK Rowling, Kate Winslet, Maya Angelou and many others, aged 24 (Jamie Lynn Sigler) to 94 (Kitty Carlisle Hart). Contributors focus on personal subjects we all share: family, emotional growth, joys and sorrows. I read the book in random order: just opening it anywhere and reading the story on that page. I love being able to 'browse' through a book like this. The pieces are really diverse which gave me the feeling of 'sitting around a kitchen table' with friends ... some share a lot, some a little. Some are more eloquent, some less. But all feel safe enough to reveal the tender realities of life that are usually held private. Since reading it, the voices of the women come to mind when I least expect it, tapping me on the shoulder with words of wisdom. Great graduation gift or "any time" gift to for women of all ages.

I love this book! I just received it as a birthday gift from a girlfriend. What a lovely book, filled with inspirational stories of women -- mostly famous. This is the perfect bedside book -- for moments when you want to read what other women have endured and enjoyed as they become themselves. I will share this book with my daughters and my girlfriends.

This book is a great graduation gift for any young women who you want to inspire to live a powerful life. In "Becoming Myself," 50 successful women (many famous, some not) talk about how they grew up and how they got where they are today by staying true to themselves. All the stories are different. Some are shocking, some are funny, some are sweet. All are wise and inspiring.

What a delightful book. Reading it is a little like being invited into living room or kitchen of some of the most fascinating women alive today. What a privilege it is to read and learn from Maya Angelou and to understand from her perspective the difference between growing up and growing old. Her wisdom is something I will read and reread. I wondered who was the inspiration for Hermione in the Harry Potter books and was fascinated by the accounting of how and where the first book was written. An inspiration to all would-be writers. I was amazed by the age span and experiences of the women who shared their personal and often intimate details about growing up as a female in whatever city, town and family setting they were born into. It's a book I will read, reread and share with my best friends and daughters. Janet K. Crozier

I loved loved loved this book. It's a real mix in every sense - different women of all ages and walks of life, with the anecdotes extremely varied. Yet there's unity in that everyone seemed to have a sense of their own strength and its source. There's of lot of sage advice contained. It's a great book for people of all ages, and an inspired gift for teenagers seeking role models. Bravo, Ms. Shalit.