Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

You Got Anything Stronger?: Stories
You Got Anything Stronger?: Stories
You Got Anything Stronger?: Stories
Audiobook8 hours

You Got Anything Stronger?: Stories

Written by Gabrielle Union

Narrated by Gabrielle Union

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5/5

()

About this audiobook

“Funny, tender, and so good.” Mindy Kaling, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Why Not Me?

Remember when we hit it off so well that we decided We’re Going to Need More Wine? Well, this time you and I are going to turn to our friend the bartender and ask, You Got Anything Stronger? I promise to continue to make you laugh, but with this round, the stakes get higher as the conversation goes deeper.

So. Where were we?

Right, you and I left off in October 2017, when my first book came out. The weeks before were filled with dreams of loss. Pets dying. My husband leaving me. Babies not being born. My therapist told me it was my soul preparing for my true self to emerge after letting go of my grief. I had finally spoken openly about my fertility journey. I was having second thoughts—in fact, so many thoughts they were organizing to go on strike. But I knew I had to be honest because I didn’t want other women going through IVF to feel as alone as I did. I had suffered in isolation, having so many miscarriages that I could not give an exact number. Strangers shared their own journeys and heartbreak with me. I had led with the truth, and it opened the door to compassion.

When I released We’re Going to Need More Wine, the response was so great people asked when I would do a sequel. The New York Times even ran a headline reading “We’re Going to Need More Gabrielle Union.” Frankly, after being so open and honest in my writing, I wasn’t sure there was more of me I was ready to share. But life happens with all its plot twists. and new stories demand to be told. This time, I need to be more vulnerable—not so much for me, but anyone who feels alone in what they’re going through.

A lot has changed in four years—I became a mom and I’m raising two amazing girls. My husband retired. My career has expanded so that I have the opportunity to lift up other voices that needs to be heard. But the world has also shown us that we have a lot we still have to fight for—as women, as black women, as mothers, as aging women, as human beings, as friends. In You Got Anything Stronger?, I show you how this ever-changing life presents challenges, even as it gives me moments of pure joy. I take you on a girl’s night at Chateau Marmont, and I also talk to Isis, my character from Bring It On. For the first time, I truly open up about my surrogacy journey and the birth of Kaavia James Union Wade. And I take on racist institutions and practices in the entertainment industry, asking for equality and real accountability.

You Got Anything Stronger? is me at my most vulnerable. I have recently found true strength in that vulnerability, and I want to share that power with you here, through this book. 

LanguageEnglish
PublisherHarperAudio
Release dateSep 14, 2021
ISBN9780062979964
Author

Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union is an actress, executive producer, activist, best-selling author and most recently, a Time100 cover honoree. Union formed her production shingle “I’ll Have Another” in 2018 with the goal of telling stories that center marginalized communities with their specific point of views in an authentic manner. In August of 2020, she relaunched her haircare brand “Flawless by Gabrielle Union” for women with textured hair. The new and improved collection includes an array of options, affordably priced between $4 - $10, that empowers consumers to customize a regimen specific to their texture and style preferences. Prior to relaunching Flawless, Union learned of the disparities in the food space and joined Bitsy's as a cofounder with the goal of making healthy, allergen- friendly, school-safe snacks that are accessible and affordable for all families regardless of their socioeconomic or geographical status. Her first book, We’re Going To Need More Wine: Stories That Are Funny, Complicated and True, was released in 2017 and instantly became a New York Times best seller. Union serves as a leader and advocate for inclusion in the entertainment industry. She is also a champion of breast health and combating sexual violence.

More audiobooks from Gabrielle Union

Related to You Got Anything Stronger?

Related audiobooks

Personal Memoirs For You

View More

Related articles

Related categories

Reviews for You Got Anything Stronger?

Rating: 4.553349875930521 out of 5 stars
4.5/5

403 ratings23 reviews

What did you think?

Tap to rate

Review must be at least 10 words

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This was super powerful. It felt like sitting down with a friend and yet it was brutally honest and made me stop, think, and re-evaluate. I laughed and cried. The story: Dear Isis was heartbreaking for me. I didn't realize what she went through to bring Isis to the screen as a model black girl and still people thought she(Isis) was the villain of the story. I listened to the audiobook and am glad I did at home. I laughed out loud and I balled. I balled for so many reasons. The Voice of Wisdom: Like she says: we found out there are legit UFO's and yet we choose not to help women with their bodies. It's BS. This book is so necessary. Every story is important and fascinating. The way she has crafted these stories brings it all right up front and doesn't shy away from making those truths uncomfortable for white readers. It's good, it's bright, it's necessary. Read this book. Listen to this book. Just do it. You won't be disappointed.

    2 people found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I love the rawness of this book. Love it love it❤️

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I loved this book! I just felt that it had too much cussing in it. Besides that, Bravo! Thank you for your vulnerability and sharing your knowledge and experiences with us.
    Gabrielle packed so much into this book and I would highly recommend it, after you read her first book!

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I listened to the audio version of this book and I laughed out loud so many times. It almost felt like I was talking to one of my friends! I loved the conversational tone of the book and appreciated how she shared some very personal stories. It was relatable and hearing her read/narrate the book made the stories come alive. Great book!

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I enjoyed her being so honest and transparent about her struggles with depression and infertility.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Honest and transparent narratives, which seamlessly blend into each other. I really enjoyed the stories.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Yet another lovely read by Gabrielle Union. Her authenticity is refreshing and charming. Her vulnerability makes me feel like I've made a new best friend. Her humanity makes me feel seen. This is not just another celebrity cash grab, but a woman sharing her story in the most naked way. This audio book is voiced by the author and is pleasant to hear whether normal or sped up. Kudos, wonderful book. Please accompany with wine. ??
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Love that Gabrielle Union is the reader. She gives the audiobook so much more prospective into what she wrote. You don’t want to put the book down! Love how she spoke about her infertility as so many women need to speak up more since there is so many going through it.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Loved every bit of this.More so that Gab narrated it.felt like home


  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book is amazing! It's honest, complicated, sometimes painful and sometimes beautiful, but well worth your time.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Gift your precious and delicate fingers the luxurious feel of Colombian Emerald Rings from Rossetti Gioielli Lucca. Dress up like never before!
    Discover the essence of a gemstone that has been the mark of Royalty for centuries. Each ring from our house has been designed tastefully with 18K solid gold and diamonds.https://colombianemerald.shop/
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Such an amazing read!!!!! I loved and felt the honesty of her lived experience and wise insights
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Truly an amazing read, touched on so many subjects. I can not wait for another book
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    I lived for years in Dubrovnik, know every bar there and the racism stories about Jim Crow memorabilia are just too much. The whole book sounds like a priviledged little girl complaining about a “click bait” stories to get more readers. It is tough for everyone and topics like this must be addressed but for me it is overstating stuff and yelling wolf at everything.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Gabrielle knows how to tell a story that is captivating. She is my Bestie in my head so the stories felt relatable or I was there with her. I also recommend anyone going to Atlanta to go to Magic City.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Mrs Union does it again. A great book. And loved Mrs. Union narration. Very insightful and straitforward. I acctually think as many white people as possible should read it/listen to it. Really. Maybe they to will learn something. I sure did.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Real! Open! In Your Face! Absolutely Incredible! I highly recommend!!! (Now I’m going to start her previous book.) ❤️?❤️
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Binge worthy just her last book! Love love love love
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    All I can say right now is that Garbiel Union is my mew favorite author.
    OMG! What can’t I say about this book. Okay let’s get to it.
    The first part of t his book is her continued journey through infertility and her sadness about not being able to carry her own baby. Tugging at my own barren heart and womb, I completely understood, although surrogacy was in its infant (pardon the pun) stage when I was her age and not an option for me.

    I adore the way Gabriel does not whitewash her own inhibitions, how she makes NO apologies for the fact that she likes to drink and party, that she goes to strip clubs and gets lap dances from WOMEN. (is she gay? No,) How she has no problem telling you that she almost crapped her pants when taking a laxative then going to party. How she has no problem dropping the “F” Bomb and most of all, has a lot of fun with her life.
    It's the second half of this novel that will BLOW YOUR BRAIN right out of your head. I am more than positive that she had no intention for this novel to be about race per se. but when you are a person of color, it is ALWAYS about race, and nine times out of ten people want us to just “get over it already!” Well we can’t and Gabriel gives you all the reasons why.
    She takes us down the dark road of the never changing attitude toward people of color not only how it pertains to her as movie star, but any and all of us on every level.
    I have always said we are the most visibly hated people on the planet. People assume, disparage, and hate us from the first sight. It doesn’t matter your accomplishments, it doesn’t matter how straight a line you walk, you are what they have been told and perceive. Racism is taught, ranging from subtle undertones to blatant insults.
    I was not surprised but sighed heavily when I listened to when she and her entourage went to Dubrovnik in Croatia (where some of the most fantastic scenes from Game of thrones was filmed) and they were met with most racist hostility you could imagine. Here is this old world but poor country that has one of the largest racist factions in Europe where they couldn’t just put up a sign saying NO BLACKS, was never their intention, they wanted CONFRONTATION, they wanted to have a reason to harm people they didn’t know all because of the color of their skin.

    I was reminded of how in the midst of the Ukraine’s most horrible time, when someone who look like them wanted to destroy them, literally WIPE them from the face of the earth, and as they fled, leaving behind everything they ever owned and yet when the few black students/ visitors tried to board the train(s) to leave, the guard said NO BLACKS, and not one person stood up for them (even as they accepted our giving dollars in aid) In the midst of them being bombed, raped killed with no help, they still had the audacity allow racism to transcend their own impending destruction. How does one face God with that attitude.

    She also breaks down what they stole and continue to pilfer from us, all the while making it wrong for us, but right for them.
    We had big blubber lips, now known as “bee sting” lips for them. Music, gestures, sayings, all the things there are created by people of color is used and “cleaned” to used by people who decide that we are not “like us,”
    Gabriel is a great oralist and I wish she would run for some kind of office so her voice could be heard loud and clear.

    I can’t recommend this novel enough, I wish I could give it ten stars in my review. My sadness is that the people who should read/listen to it, never will, and that is the shame.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Absolute amazingly well written and poignant! Better than the first!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Another gut wrenching story of truth from Ms Union. Loved, loved, loved it! I don’t feel as if I’ve lived after listening to GU. I want a do over.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Yet again, I find myself blown away by the introspection and wisdom of this woman. In this more than worthy successor to We're Going to Need More Wine, Gabrielle this time shares her experiences with miscarriage, surrogacy, rape trauma recovery, white supremacy, perimenopause, loving and supporting the women in her life, finding her place as a stepmom, a dance battle with Bruno Mars, and a Thanksgiving dinner wrecked by Lemoncello. There are triggers in here, but there is also joy and wisdom and a celebration of life and learning. Her vulnerability is a gift to us all.CONTENT ADVISORY: descriptions of passive suicidal ideation, references to rape, descriptions of racial violence, descriptions of racism, descriptions of sexism, descriptions of miscarriage and fertility struggles and trauma
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    audio nonfiction/memoir - always well written, very thoughtful and purposeful--highly recommended (and probably revisiting Union's first book wouldn't be a bad idea either)On miscarriages and using a surrogate, recovering from rape/sexual trauma at age 19, being threatened by white supremacists in Croatia, perimenopausal depression and suicidal ideation, Blackness in the media (and the many ongoing problems therein), and other topics (including a very entertaining story in which the author and Serena Williams engage in a full-on dance off battle against Bruno Mars and crew (before he was famous).