Nobody Will Tell You This But Me

A true (as told to me) story

By: Bess Kalb

Narrated by: Bess Kalb

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From the New York Times bestselling author of Buffalo Fluffalo comes a heartwarming memoir that creatively reconstructs the author's late grandmother's voice to tell the story of four generations of strong women in their family.

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: VOGUE • FORBES • BOOKPAGE • NEW YORK POST • WIRED

“I have not been as profoundly moved by a book in years.” —Jodi Picoult

Even after she left home for Hollywood, Emmy-nominated TV writer Bess Kalb saved every voicemail her grandmother Bobby Bell ever left her. Bobby was a force—irrepressible, glamorous, unapologetically opinionated. Bobby doted on Bess; Bess adored Bobby. Then, at ninety, Bobby died. But in this debut memoir, Bobby is speaking to Bess once more, in a voice as passionate as it ever was in life.

Recounting both family lore and family secrets, Bobby brings us four generations of indomitable women and the men who loved them. There’s Bobby’s mother, who traveled solo from Belarus to America in the 1880s to escape the pogroms, and Bess’s mother, a 1970s rebel who always fought against convention. But it was Bobby and Bess who always had the most powerful bond: Bobby her granddaughter’s fiercest supporter, giving Bess unequivocal love, even if sometimes of the toughest kind.

Nobody Will Tell You This But Me marks the creation of a totally new, virtuosic form of memoir: a reconstruction of a beloved grandmother’s words and wisdom to tell her family’s story with equal parts poignancy and hilarity.

Short, Funny and Beautifully Written

Wonderful and funny book. Beautiful memory of a young woman and her grandmother, reflecting back a few generations. The end was so touchingly written that it moved me to tears. That never happens. Definitely will recommend it as a selection for my book club.

Amazing book!

Absolutely loved this book. Brought tears of sadness and love and laughter. It touches your soul.

Love this book

Laughed and cried while listening to this book. It reminded me of things my grandmother would say!

Heartwarming and fun!

Loved this “matrilineal love story,” I couldn’t put it down. It was funny, heartwarming, and reminded me of “old New York.”

Wonderful

I love this tribute to Bess’s grandmother. Extremely heartfelt and meaningful memories that captured their relationship that will live on through great generations.