First published 2019
Common builds his case for love as the planet's most powerful force in this follow-up to his bestselling memoir. The Grammy, Academy Award, and Golden Globe winner examines love across multiple dimensions: self-love, romantic partnerships, parent-child bonds, family ties, and community connections. He writes candidly about his relationship with his daughter and his desire to become a better father. Common addresses how racial divisions and political fractures have damaged society. He argues that while no quick fixes exist for widespread pain, love offers the starting point for healing. The musician and activist presents "let love have the last word" as both a daily commitment and a life philosophy. He shares personal stories about people and experiences that deepened his understanding of love's potential. Common moves between intimate family moments and broader social observations. He explores love's role in determining identity and shaping life experiences. The book connects individual transformation to community building through mindful action and speech. Common calls readers toward open-hearted engagement with a fractured world.
Genres: family, african-american, contemporary, non-fiction, biography-memoir, activism
Vibes: emotional-atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: personal-transformation, social-commentary
224 pages · Hardcover · Atria Books