You can feel Kerry’s character throughout this book and it was interesting hearing about her life in her words. 
Each chapter has multiple ‘vignettes’ which breaks up the writing in to bite sized pieces. I both enjoyed and disliked this; I could pick up the book at quickly read a section, but it felt like it was taking awhile to get through the chapters and all the information. 
I appreciate how honest this story is, and seemingly transparent (quite like the water Kerry loves so much).

Kerry Washington’s memoir is a candid journey through her life, where she opens up about her upbringing and the challenges she faced due to family secrets. While much of the book focuses on her childhood, her adult years receive less focus. Despite this, it’s fascinating to learn about how she honed her craft and chooses her projects. 

I gave myself the disservice of reading this book after a memoir that was five stars and went deep and really got us to hear the emotionality and true raw hardcore feelings. By the time I got to Kerry Washington's book, I just wasn't feeling the same. I really wanted her to push and go deeper with some very sensitive topics that I too am struggling with right now at the age of 35, such as eating or being the product of family secrets. I wanted to see her maybe go a little bit harder or lean in more into that. Maybe that's as vulnerable as she is willing to get with us, but it just didn't satisfy what I, in particular, was craving.

That's not to say that this wasn't bad. She shared some beautiful moments about her husband, who we all know she's incredibly private about. I also enjoyed getting to know more about her background in terms of theater and why 20-year-old actors are playing teenagers and things of that nature. However, I really just wanted more about the healing process of all the things she's been dealing with. But I'm sending her love. I still adore her. I'm still a gladiator, so it's all good. Ultimately, I give this book a three.

**Summary:** *Thicker Than Water* by Kerry Washington provides interesting insights into her life and career but lacks the depth and emotional exploration I was hoping for.

**Rating:** ★★★☆☆

Really enjoyed listening to Kerry narrate her own book. A lot of heavy topics in this one, though it also offers glimpses into filming/pursuing acting as a career (which is a single facet of the multi-facets of her life). 

I picked this up upon learning that Kerry Washington, like me, learned as an adult that she was donor-conceived. It is a memoir that is not about that and completely focused on it—what is helpful to another writer is how she reflects on and illustrates a rippling sense of unease and tension she has felt throughout her life but never understood. The construction and choices she makes are informative and helpful in understanding craft choices, though I feel a super fan of her acting would appreciate the in between a lot more.