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  • Falling Backwards

  • A Memoir
  • Written by: Jann Arden
  • Narrated by: Jann Arden
  • Length: 8 hrs and 23 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (73 ratings)

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Falling Backwards

Written by: Jann Arden
Narrated by: Jann Arden
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Publisher's Summary

Jann Arden is funny. And sincere. She has legions of devoted fans. And a radio show. She is a darling of the music scene - always candid, always unplugged. You thought you knew Jann Arden, but there is more - to her listeners' delight, in Falling Backwards Jann reveals her childhood, her bond with family, her struggle in the formative years and what keeps her so grounded in the whirlwind entertainment industry. Jann has always been true to herself, except for a minor lapse when she was young. Oh wait, wasn't that all of us? 

From the tender and honest to the laugh-out-loud funny, Jann's stories from home and from the road during her pre-celebrity years will take you to unexpected places, including high school parties in farmer's fields, sleepovers under the stars, hard-to-believe summer jobs and the time she was stuck upside down in a brick barbecue. She reminds us of the inestimable value to a child of having teachers who believe in you and wide open spaces to play. But with the good times come the bad (and not just the bad perm). 

Jann opens up about the darker side of her so-called prairie-perfect nuclear family and the first signs that her eldest brother was a uniquely troubled young man. In the days when Jann was experiencing a lot of firsts - first school play, first home perm, first kiss - how lucky for all of us that she stole away to her basement and taught herself her first song on her mother's guitar.

In addition to being an incredible musician and multi-award-winning lyricist, Jann is a natural writer and simply an inspiration. Jann will capture your heart - and keep you in stitches - with her powerful stories about coming of age as an artist and as a human being. Jann brings her wit and that infectious sparkle to everything she does. This book is no exception.

©2011 Jann Arden (P)2020 Penguin Random House Canada

What the critics say

National Best Seller

"As talented, funny and engaging as Jann Arden can be, perhaps the most impressive thing about the eight-time Juno Award winner is her modesty." (The Globe and Mail)

"The type of free-spirited, brutally truthful woman who can stand toe to toe with any man or woman. Funny and not afraid to sprinkle an interview with helpings of words your mother would never allow in the house, Arden is two parts poet and one part your crazy aunt." (The Toronto Sun

"[Jann Arden is] abundantly and humorously generous with herself in public.... No doubt Arden holds some secrets, some passions, some pain close to the vest, but, like the best gossip in the neighbourhood, she diverts our attention with titillating yarns." (Toronto Star)

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What listeners say about Falling Backwards

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  • deb
  • 2023-07-13

She's GREAT.

She's great!! Wonderful listen. Would have loved more stories related to her carreer, but the stories she shared were so relatable.

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Well written raw honesty and integrity of a single artist

Sooo well written and directed by realistic and warm energy of a no where lost soul ln doubt of such split captured with in. Bravo Jan glad you shared this.

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A Treasured Canadian Storyteller

Though Jann is most famously known for her music, her storytelling is a close second for me. I feel like I was living inside each story Jann told in this memoir and walking with her through her childhood. I look forward to reading more of Jann's books (while listening to her music, of course...like a true fan!!)

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Jann Fan

It was nice to hear Jann voice reading her own story. As much as her life has been challenging, it's wonderful that it was also so ordinary. Her genuine Jann shines through.

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This woman is amazing I love this book

I not only enjoyed this book immensely, but I enjoyed it being read by the author herself. Not only can this woman sing, but she can mf-ing write. I listened to this book early mornings when I was missing my kiddos and away from them at work. She got me through (literally) dark times.
Her reading her own writing was awesome in that you know the story is being told how it’s meant to be told. Her writing is funny, serious, though provoking but also also also it is art, there are passages where I just feel like are geodes. Ugh, gorgeous. Anyway, download this book it is well worth it. She is one smart cookie and she’s helped me with her words. Buy it, seriously, now. It’s only one credit

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Loved it

Her story is heartwarming, funny and is a must for your list of must listens!

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A fantastic listen! I can't get enough of Jann!

I absolutely love listening to Jann Arden tell her story. she is entertaining, raw, honest, heartwarming, and funny! I learn many insights that can apply to my own life too. I love you, Jann! thank you for being you!!!

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Love this!

I’ve been a big Jann fan from her first album, and I’m even more of a fan after listening to her partial autobiography. Highly recommend!!

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  • Sue
  • 2021-06-13

Witty & Foxy

I so need the laughs - Jann is an AMAZING story teller. She's hilarious, kind, & that gal can sing! Love this fabulous Canadian💜

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Wonderful!

Thank you Jann for writing this book. Jann tells her story with honesty and a down to earth warmth. I felt as though she is a close friend, sitting around the kitchen table, sharing her adventures. Some were uplifting, some a challenge. So relatable, It was like I was living her past along with her. I could not put the audiobook down. There were parts that touched home so deeply, but all left a feeling of kindred sisterhood.

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