My Life in the Sunshine: Searching for My Father and Discovering My Family

Nabil Ayers

312 ratings by Goodreads

Language: English

Published by Penguin Putnam Inc, 2022

059329596X / 9780593295960

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Throughout his adult life, whether he was opening a Seattle record store in the '90s or touring the world as the only non-white band member in alternative rock bands, Nabil Ayers felt the shadow and legacy of his father's musical genius, and his race, everywhere. In 1971, a white, Jewish, former ballerina, chose to have a child with the famous Black jazz musician Roy Ayers, fully expecting and agreeing to his absenteeism. In this highly original memoir, their son, Nabil Ayers, recounts a life spent living with the aftermath of that decision, and his journey to build an identify of his own despite and in spite of his father's absence. Growing up, Nabil only meets his father a handful of times. But Roy's influence is strong, showing itself in Nabil's instinctual love of music, and later, in the music industry - Nabil's chosen career path. By turns hopeful - wanting to connect with the man who passed down his genetic predisposition for musical talent - and frustrated with Roy's continued emotional distance, Nabil struggles with how much DNA can define a family. Unable to fully connect with Roy, Nabil ultimately discovers the existence of several half-siblings as well as a paternal ancestor who was enslaved. Following these connections, Nabil meets and befriends the descendant of the plantation owner, which, strangely, paves the way for him to make meaningful connections with extended family he never knew existed. Despite his absentee father, Nabil, through sheer will and a drive to understand his roots, redefines what family truly is. 'You'd think it would be enough that Nabil has this first hand and vital perspective on family, music, and race to offer, but he also had to go ahead and be an amazing writer to boot - thoughtful, generous, wise, and essential.' - John Hodgman, New York Times Bestselling writer, comedian, and actor. 'Among his many other talents, Nabil is a really thoughtful, evocative writer whose well-formed sentences conjure a whole lot not just within their lines but between them. He knows how to tell a story and this book is a great one' - Michael Azerrad, award-winning music journalist, author, and musician.…

Seller Inventory # CIN059329596XG

Title
My Life in the Sunshine: Searching for My Father and Discovering My Family
Author
Nabil Ayers
Publisher
Penguin Putnam Inc
Publication year
2022
Condition
Good
Binding
Hardback
Language
English
ISBN 10
059329596X
ISBN 13
9780593295960

World of Books Inc

Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.

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AbeBooks seller since March 23, 2026

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Founded in 2002, World of Books is a leading online destination for buying and selling both preloved and new books, committed to making sustainable reading accessible to all. With a mission to help people read more and waste less, World of Books offers a huge range of affordable, high-quality books — giving both new and preloved titles a second life. The company also operates World of Books – Sell Your Books, an easy-to-use platform that allows customers to trade in unwanted books for cash, helping to keep books in circulation while promoting sustainability. As a Certified B Corp, World of Books is driven by a vision to become the world’s largest and most sustainable dedicated online bookstore. The company measures its success through the positive environmental impact it creates, the value it provides to customers, and its ability to operate profitably while supporting its sustainable mission …

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