Who I Am

Description

An intimate memoir from international pop star Melanie Chisholm--better known as Mel B. or Sporty Spice--chronicling her trajectory from small-town girl to overnight icon as part of the Spice Girls. I never told my story before because I wasn't ready. Now, finally, I am. 25 years ago, The Spice Girls, a girl band that began after five women answered an ad in the paper, released their first single. 'Wannabe' became a hit and from that moment, Melanie Chisholm’s life changed forever. Almost overnight, Melanie went from small town girl to Sporty Spice, part of one of the biggest music groups in history, releasing hit after hit, performing in packed arenas, and spreading the message of Girl Power to the world. It was everything Mel had dreamed of growing up: The BRITs! A movie! Travelling the world playing iconic venues like Madison Square Garden, Wembley Stadium and the London 2012 Olympics! When you're a woman, though, that power can be easily taken away by those around you, whether by pressure, exhaustion, shaming, bullying or a constant feeling like you aren't enough. Mel C has been known by many names — Sporty Spice, Melanie C or just plain old Melanie Chisholm — but what you will read within the pages of this book is who she truly is, and how she found peace with that after all these years. Filled with enlightening and lively reminiscences, revisiting both Mel’s darkest times and her highest peaks, WHO I AM will inspire, empower, and entertain readers. Review: Incredible Insight into Melanie C’s life, triumphs and struggles to overcome. - What an amazing book- whether you’re a Spice Girl fan or not, it’s a real delve into life behind the spotlight and meaningful for anyone who has struggled with depression or eating disorder. A must read- I’ll never listen to a Spice Girls song the same again! Review: Brave, sad, and worth reading. - My daughter was, for a while, a Spice Girls fan, and whilst I could not claim to be the same, it was impossible not to know of them, and something about them. They were big, and they were everywhere. I have seen books released by the other members, but felt that after this much time, then Mel’s book would likely be the more honest, about the band, their experiences, their journey, and as it happens, and quite bravely, about Mel’s personal and otherwise unknown struggles. I chose the hardback version, as it was on offer, and I wanted this as a physical book, mostly I think to have a break from reading numerous classics on my Kindle. I found the physical book to be of comfortable size and length, and I enjoyed it, perhaps not a typical bloke’s book, but I enjoy a change. As regards Spice Girls the band, I always felt that Mel had one of the best and most expressive voices of the group, and secondly Geri’s voice, with the right songs, was talented. I am not going to precis the book here, as there are already sufficient reviews with that level of detail. I think the book was fairly well written, is bold and brave, is indeed honest and open. The read felt genuine, and not as it the author was trying to present herself as something she was not, a trap that some authors unfortunately fall into. Would I recommend the book, yes, although not for typical blokes, but someone that does not want a fast-paced work of fiction, but a real read written by a genuine, and very brave person. Personally, I do not understand some of the negative and disingenuous reviews here, as the specific complaints are not strictly book related, but more of a personal flavour, even of jealousy. There are some minor and picky issues with the book, as a book, but the author is not an experienced author, and just wanted to tell he story, which I think she does quite well, and thus it should be read that way.