Reading Mom & Me & Mom felt like sitting down with a wise, soulful friend who’s telling you her truth—raw, tender, and completely unfiltered. I’ve always admired Maya Angelou’s voice and spirit, but this book brought me even closer to the heart of who she was—not just as a literary icon, but as a daughter, a woman, and a mother.

This memoir focuses specifically on Maya’s complicated, evolving relationship with her mother, Vivian Baxter. And it’s not a sugar-coated story—there’s pain, distance, abandonment, and then—so beautifully—reconnection. It reminded me that some relationships don’t come full circle immediately, but healing can happen in the most unexpected ways and at the most necessary times.

What moved me the most was the strength of the women in this story. Maya doesn’t shy away from showing her own vulnerabilities or the flaws of her mother. Instead, she honors them both. You witness how two strong, complex women found a way back to each other, and how love—true, unconditional, sometimes messy love—transformed their bond.

One moment that stayed with me is when Vivian tells Maya, “You are the greatest woman I’ve ever met.” Coming from a mother who had once been absent, that line hit me hard. It reminded me how words—when sincere—can bridge years of silence, mistakes, and misunderstandings.

This book isn’t just for daughters or mothers—it’s for anyone navigating forgiveness, self-discovery, or complicated love. It made me reflect on my own relationships, on what I’ve inherited emotionally, and what I want to pass down with more intention.

If you’ve never read Maya Angelou before, Mom & Me & Mom is a beautiful place to start. And if you already love her—this book will deepen that love.

With a full heart,