Why did I choose this book? I was listening to a podcast that mentioned his book and I really liked listening to Common’s music and was a bit curious to see what he would write about in a book. I liked the idea the messaging would focus on love. In the current climate, I feel like a dose of love would do wonders. I quickly put it on my hold list. Surprised to see how fast I got it.
Summary from Good Reads
Common believes that the phrase “let love have the last word” is not just a declaration; it is a statement of purpose, a daily promise. Love is the most powerful force on the planet and ultimately, the way you love determines who you are and how you experience life.
Touching on God, self-love, partners, children, family, and community, Common explores the core tenets of love to help others understand what it means to receive and, most important, to give love. He moves from the personal—writing about his daughter, to whom he wants to be a better father—to the universal, where he observes that our society has become fractured under issues of race and politics. He knows there’s no quick remedy for all of the hurt in the world, but love—for yourself and for others—is where the healing begins…
About the author
My Thoughts
The description of this book plus the podcast discussing the book sold me. I chose to listen to the audio book because let’s face it, it’s Common and who can’t listen to his beautiful voice for a few hours? I am so glad I did. Each chapter was filled with a different aspect in his life and it’s relationship to love. Oh and the music they played as the intro to each chapter made it a pure pleasure. The other thing I liked is that he used a quote to start each chapter. I love when books do that. They always give you more to think about.
Common explored his use of love as it related to his daughter who is now an adult. He spent a lot of time away earning his living but re-examined his motives and the different ways he could demonstrate his love for his daughter. I think that he struggles with the same things we all do as parents. That balance of work, homemaking and our children is always a tricky thing. He spent a lot of time on the road while his daughter was growing up and although his goal was to be a good provider he realized that more was required for him to be a father not just a provider. Some might say it came a little late but I think it’s important that we learn from our life always no matter what age or stage we are in.
I think this was a great book not that it had new concepts but it placed love as the foundation of everything and and not in a who whoey way and I really appreciated that. Now I have another reason to like Common (as if there aren’t already enough).
