Buy new:
$47.70
FREE delivery Friday, May 17
Ships from: Amazon
Sold by: BSRN store
$47.70
FREE Returns
FREE delivery Friday, May 17. Order within 15 hrs 41 mins
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$47.70 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$47.70
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon
Ships from
Amazon
Sold by
Sold by
Returns
30-day easy returns
30-day easy returns
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Returns
30-day easy returns
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$8.00
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
Item may contain writing, marks, or wear appropriate for the condition stated. Item may contain writing, marks, or wear appropriate for the condition stated. See less
FREE delivery Friday, May 17 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35. Order within 15 hrs 41 mins
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$47.70 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$47.70
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Around the Way Girl: A Memoir Hardcover – October 11, 2016

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 2,196 ratings

Great on Kindle
Great Experience. Great Value.
iphone with kindle app
Putting our best book forward
Each Great on Kindle book offers a great reading experience, at a better value than print to keep your wallet happy.

Explore your book, then jump right back to where you left off with Page Flip.

View high quality images that let you zoom in to take a closer look.

Enjoy features only possible in digital – start reading right away, carry your library with you, adjust the font, create shareable notes and highlights, and more.

Discover additional details about the events, people, and places in your book, with Wikipedia integration.

Get the free Kindle app: Link to the kindle app page Link to the kindle app page
Enjoy a great reading experience when you buy the Kindle edition of this book. Learn more about Great on Kindle, available in select categories.
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$47.70","priceAmount":47.70,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"47","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"70","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"DOUxxoLTbgfmL36vzXe4MWULiZwMMofu08dlA7KbcwXaA6g%2BEHH%2FgQmaish4Qm2U8v%2FC6SHKkibNUXkj%2F0vDqFSyxbDfjx%2F4bQp%2FRIslst2mmnjCx9oH23sFD90hY5ha2RawqaN7MzdrZeN9tHJLpVCD9xj8DMEQo9qTBzLxKdOCQBZai7bkRIg6Wdyvh9KH","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$8.00","priceAmount":8.00,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"8","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"00","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"DOUxxoLTbgfmL36vzXe4MWULiZwMMofuxcVjY0ZYsmb3q5DvUGUe6SSYy%2FvzAjYVG2jimkJmKuEEHldZs2P7ik20hycVehjDKqUWmSSsVKRtDfGyCmVd3OlqhyqlMITpWyOfI6bfDauwZ0lUNJ6fTfhHaEcplPrt7GYVU1Qk9SRxPWWo3VGtB%2FO5ajSH5dA1","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

From Academy Award nominee, Golden Globe winner, and star of the motion picture Hidden Figures, Taraji P. Henson, comes an inspiring and funny book about family, friends, the hustle required to make it from DC to Hollywood, and the joy of living in your own truth.

With a sensibility that recalls her beloved screen characters, including NASA physicist mathematician Katherine G. Johnson, Yvette, Queenie, Shug, and the iconic Cookie from
Empire, yet is all Taraji, the screen actress writes of her family, the one she was born into and the one she created. She shares stories of her father, a Vietnam vet who was bowed but never broken by life's challenges, and of her mother who survived violence both in the home and on DC's volatile streets. Here too she opens up about her experiences as a single mother, a journey some saw as a burden but which she saw as a gift.

Around the Way Girl is also a classic actor’s memoir in which Taraji reflects on the world-class instruction she received at Howard University and the pitfalls that come with being a black actress. With laugh-out-loud humor and candor, she shares the challenges and disappointments of the actor’s journey and shows us that behind the red carpet moments, she is ever authentic. She is at heart just a girl in pursuit of her dreams.
Read more Read less

The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Frequently bought together

$47.70
Get it as soon as Friday, May 17
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Sold by BSRN store and ships from Amazon Fulfillment.
+
$15.50
Get it as soon as Friday, May 17
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
$16.29
Get it as soon as Monday, May 20
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
Some of these items ship sooner than the others.
Choose items to buy together.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Taraji P. Henson rips the facade off stardom and reveals a woman committed to her family and craft." Source: Essence Magazine, Best Books of 2016

“An engaging read. As much a manual on acting as it is a memoir. . . [with] plenty of inspiration for readers.” Source: Library Journal

"Henson's memoir is an inspiring account of overcoming adversity and a quest for self-discovery, written with vitality and enthusiasm” Source: Shelf Awareness

About the Author

Born and raised in Washington, DC, Taraji P. Henson graduated from Howard University. She earned a Golden Globe for her role as Cookie in Empire, an Academy Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actress opposite Brad Pitt in David Fincher’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and was a 2011 Emmy nominee for Best Actress in a Movie or Miniseries for Lifetime’s Taken From Me. She also won the 2014 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Detective Joss Carter in CBS’s Person of Interest. Henson made her singing debut in Hustle & Flow and performed the Academy Award-winning song “It’s Hard Out Here For a Pimp” on the Oscar telecast. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her son and has a strong dedication to helping disabled and less fortunate children. Follow her on Twitter @TheRealTaraji.

Denene Millner is a
New York Times bestselling author and award-winning journalist who has written more than twenty-five books, including Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, cowritten with Steve Harvey, among others. She has written for a plethora of national publications, including Essence, Women’s Health, Ebony, Redbook, and more. The founder and editor of MyBrownBaby.com, a website dedicated to Black parenting, lives in Atlanta with her husband and two daughters.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ 37 Ink (October 11, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1501125990
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1501125997
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 2,196 ratings

About the authors

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
2,196 global ratings
If your hesitant on getting this book, don’t be and here’s why
5 Stars
If your hesitant on getting this book, don’t be and here’s why
I’ve always loved Taraji Henson. All of her movies or any shows I made sure I watched if she was in to because it’s something about her aura that just draws me to her. This book, really sealed the deal for me.Her ability to be raw & authentic on screen has ALWAYS stood out to me and this book emphasizes all that. Her story is beautiful and it was so many parts in this book that made me cry because i could relate to so much in my own way. I loved reading this book and I recommend for everyone to read it if you’re looking to really understand Taraji on a much more deeper level. She is so such a beautiful soul and even in writing this I want to cry because this book touched so many parts of me on a deep level it’s crazy.Thank you so much for this memoir Taraji. As a young single mother of two girls who just turned 30 this year you really helped my to appreciate all the trials and tribulations that’s comes with being a single mom and figuring out how to balance that plus your own personal life. I’m still learning and I don’t have all the answers but this book has touched my soul and provided so much insight on various things.
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2024
This was a really good book. It’s cool to get an insight of how Taraji grew up and to see where she is now. I could even hear her voice as I was reading lol
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2018
I just finished reading AROUND THE WAY GIRL a couple of days ago.

I first saw actress Taraji P. Henson years ago in a romantic comedy called "Something New." It was a small funny role as one of the best friends to the main character (played by Sanaa Lathan). Then, earlier this year I saw her as "Proud Mary"--a hit woman. Right before I saw the film, I thought, This is interesting. Can she play this role convincingly? The answer is that she can, brilliantly (with a top-notch cast, though I didn't like the ending).

Then I went to see "Acrimony" about a woman's rage at her so-called cheating husband--a love triangle. My guess is that these films do not resonate with some critics, but they do with the audience. The first time I saw "Acrimony", I overheard a woman in the theatre say of Tyler Perry--the screenwriter and director--"This was his best film yet."

The woman had seen all of Mr. Perry's films. I had not. (In fact, I disapprove of/do not like the famed Madea character.) The second time I saw the film, I critically evaluated the screenplay and the performances. Were the characters believable? Absolutely. Did the plot twists make sense? Absolutely. Did they create a cohesive whole? Absolutely. Was the dialogue realistic? Totally. Were the performances believable? Totally. During the second half of the film, I was literally on the edge of my seat, every minute a thrill. (Spoiler alert: at one point, I yelled at the screen, "But you dumped him!"--which is something I NEVER do.)

I was not a Tyler Perry fan before. But I am now. In "Acrimony", Ms. Henson infused Melinda with such specific detail and nuance, I thought, Wow, Best Actress Oscar. (In fact, all the actors involved delivered admirable performances. Ms. Henson's two co-stars, Lyriq Bent and Crystle Stewart, deserve Oscars as well.)

So once I saw Ms. Henson play these two characters, I was interested in how her life had informed those portrayals. That is why I bought the book.

As I read, I began to see and understand the intertwining of the actress' life, the roles she chooses, and her acting process. By the end of this memoir, I recalled a comment she made in an interview: I can play from Shakespeare to modern and everything in between. That's a paraphrase and I was skeptical, but I'm now convinced. I'm looking forward to her next film.
6 people found this helpful
Report
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2023
I’ve always loved Taraji Henson. All of her movies or any shows I made sure I watched if she was in to because it’s something about her aura that just draws me to her. This book, really sealed the deal for me.
Her ability to be raw & authentic on screen has ALWAYS stood out to me and this book emphasizes all that. Her story is beautiful and it was so many parts in this book that made me cry because i could relate to so much in my own way. I loved reading this book and I recommend for everyone to read it if you’re looking to really understand Taraji on a much more deeper level. She is so such a beautiful soul and even in writing this I want to cry because this book touched so many parts of me on a deep level it’s crazy.
Thank you so much for this memoir Taraji. As a young single mother of two girls who just turned 30 this year you really helped my to appreciate all the trials and tribulations that’s comes with being a single mom and figuring out how to balance that plus your own personal life. I’m still learning and I don’t have all the answers but this book has touched my soul and provided so much insight on various things.
Customer image
5.0 out of 5 stars If your hesitant on getting this book, don’t be and here’s why
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2023
I’ve always loved Taraji Henson. All of her movies or any shows I made sure I watched if she was in to because it’s something about her aura that just draws me to her. This book, really sealed the deal for me.
Her ability to be raw & authentic on screen has ALWAYS stood out to me and this book emphasizes all that. Her story is beautiful and it was so many parts in this book that made me cry because i could relate to so much in my own way. I loved reading this book and I recommend for everyone to read it if you’re looking to really understand Taraji on a much more deeper level. She is so such a beautiful soul and even in writing this I want to cry because this book touched so many parts of me on a deep level it’s crazy.
Thank you so much for this memoir Taraji. As a young single mother of two girls who just turned 30 this year you really helped my to appreciate all the trials and tribulations that’s comes with being a single mom and figuring out how to balance that plus your own personal life. I’m still learning and I don’t have all the answers but this book has touched my soul and provided so much insight on various things.
Images in this review
Customer image
Customer image
4 people found this helpful
Report
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2024
I picked this one for a book club and everyone really enjoyed it. A very good read!
One person found this helpful
Report
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2016
She has always seemed like an around the way girl to me. I think that's her appeal. I wasn't sure why I picked up the book other than to confirm my intuition was correct. I think this book is a success story that all women , especially black women should read. She seems like she lives in a state of gratitude. And she's honest about the ugly, the petty, as well as the good. She prays when she is being challenged or cheated and has faith that something better is going to be offered. //The thing that makes me nervous about recommending this book sans any reservation is how much she seems to admire a father that hit her mother. It's not that he and "the love of her life" (who also hit her) don't deserve forgiveness. But her good feeling for her father precedes the forgiveness. It felt weird and scary to identify her as a Daddy's girl. //And she also lays her own story of abuse along side a fictional black woman that lived happily ever after with her temporarily frustrated physical abuser (Baby Boy). Henson leaves her abuser instantly and for good when he finally draws blood --unlike the fictional character. And her recovered father, life straightened out, comes to the rescue in a slightly dramatic scene. So I don't think I would recommend young girls read this without supervision and discussion. /// However I did like that she gave him credit for giving her toughness of mind and confidence. As honest as she was about some things I wish she'd have gone a little deeper into feelings of betrayal she had. I mean , either gloss over the top of both men very briefly OR tell the entire story in depth so that other women trying to make decisions can benefit//. I was also happy she mentioned Tyler Perry giving her career a bump when an Oscar nod would have done that all by itself for a white actress. She was very honest about race and the black women breaking ceilings and black sisterhood in Hollywood. //But like any politician she knows how to pivot. She mentioned her time on "Person Of Interest" for 10 seconds. And I know perfectly damn well that some ugliness happened for her there. Maybe we'll find out next biography when she has retired...in time enough for other black actresses to use the information to their advantage. /// All together I'd say I highly recommend the book. There was a lot on her acting craft so I especially recommend it for the creative.
14 people found this helpful
Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 29, 2021
I dot normally read automatically books but I've been a huge fan of taraji for years. I feel after reading this she has given me a new way to look at life an love. Highly recommended read
Sherrell Aliza
5.0 out of 5 stars So good.
Reviewed in Canada on August 21, 2018
Bought this for vacay and read a few pages before and I can’t put It down.
DUGAST
5.0 out of 5 stars Around the way girl
Reviewed in France on December 26, 2017
Un super bouquin! Livre et couverture superbes (bonne prise en main pendant la lecture). Une histoire qui donne des frissons, de la joie et de la tristesse. Tout ce qu'il faut pour un bon livre!
Pamina Wienhoefer
5.0 out of 5 stars pure inspiration
Reviewed in Germany on September 25, 2017
This book is just a must read. it motivated me in the right moment in my life. Thank God for that. Would like to read part 2 ;)
Esther Lopez
5.0 out of 5 stars Un regalo genial
Reviewed in Spain on October 5, 2017
Para todos aquellos que sean fan de Taraji, es un libro de lo mas interesante sobre ella. No sé cómo lo habrán traducido al español por lo que recomiendo la lectura en inglés para no perder ni la intención!