Wow, Sara. Just. Wow.

I have always been a fan of your work, music mainly, but your book "Sounds Like Me" was quite possibly one of the most raw and genuine pieces I have ever read. The music and entertainment industry often attempt to make artists relatable to the general populace, but still I am aware that there are so many things I do not and will not ever know about major figures in the industry.

I know they are just people, but often times they seem untouchable and not quite real, which is why your fans (including myself) get flustered when meeting you or going to your concerts. You represent something unique for every one of us-- each of your songs has gotten us through a specific period in our lives and we have been able to relate to what the song says, but there is no guarantee that our interpretations of the song match yours.

This book shattered that illusion in the absolute best way possible. You became so very real, Sara, and it is apparent that you put every ounce of yourself into your work (this book included). You do not need to or want to hide behind the façade that producers and agents create for you. You want us to know you as intimately as you let on, and not just through your music—through the person that you are.

A chapter that stuck out significantly was “Love Song.” After a very frustrating co- songwriting session, where you elaborated on your resistance to becoming a songwriting machine that solely produced number one hits, you channeled your frustration into the creation of a chart-topper. I admire the shape of your life’s journey, how through each song you selected to include in this book you were able to tell us your story of how it came together and how your life impacted the song, and vise versa. I felt as if I was right next to you, observing it all in tandem with how you were experiencing various events. I felt as if I was part of your journey.

You are a role model to so many young girls, but I think that this book makes you a role model for so many women too. Thank you for your unapologetic honesty, for not compromising yourself to become successful in the music business, and for making me laugh on many occasions when I desperately needed to.

I admire your perseverance, strength, and obviously, your talent. Life should be viewed as a masterpiece that we can freely mold and shape—you have taken that to the extreme. As a result not only your work, but also your presence, aura, and life are things that I appreciate and am grateful for.

All the best,

An adoring fan