How Starbucks Saved My Life Analysis

Dear Michael Gates Gill, My name is Ana Nicole Paz and I am a 16-year-old high school student. I read your memoir How Starbucks Saved My Life and can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed the read. Even after losing your job, house, marriage, money, and learning you had a brain tumor, I loved the fact that you took an otherwise negative situation and turned it into a positive life experience that would make you the happiest man you could have ever dreamed to be by accepting a job at Starbucks. I also appreciated that you did not hide any of your thoughts in your memoir, but were rather very straightforward, even with the prejudices you held, and were quick to learn that they were unwarranted to move forward from such ignorance.

I enjoyed the part of your memoir when you realized that despite your Ivy League education, you were still having trouble with what you thought would have been a simple job alongside young African American baristas whom you knew were not nearly as educated as you, but endured far more troubles than you ever had, even at your worst state. You, Mr.

You even went as far to say, “Crystal and Starbucks had saved my life. Saved me from my pursuit of empty symbols, but also my anxiety about a fear-filled superficial life that hadn't been, in the end, helpful or even enjoyable for me” (Gill 221). I enjoyed every second of your memoir and truly appreciated the way you handled every situation with such positivity and gratitude towards those that helped you every step of the way. When anyone else would’ve surrendered and accepted their fate, you took it upon yourself to rise from the situation and create a positive life experience where the result was the happiest possible you, and that it what made all the difference. Thank you for sharing your story, Mr.