My Next Breath (Jeremy Renner)
I was introduced to Jeremy Renner through the movie, The Hurt Locker, which was fantastic. Since then, I’ve noticed his roles in other movies that I’ve also enjoyed. In 2020, I watched him on HGTV’s Celebrity IOU with The Property Brothers, where he helped renovate his mom’s house. He seemed like a genuinely nice guy, and I was saddened to hear about his horrific, near-fatal accident in 2023. I was instantly intrigued when he published a memoir, My Next Breath, about his accident and recovery.
In My Next Breath, Jeremy recounts his near-fatal accident in January 2023, when he was crushed by a 14,000-pound snowcat while trying to protect his nephew. He suffered over 38 broken bones and severe trauma. Focusing on each labored breath that kept him alive, he details the harrowing ordeal, multiple surgeries, grueling rehabilitation, and profound lessons in resilience, hope, inner strength, and gratitude for family and life.
I love that Jeremy narrates the audiobook. He opens his memoir by admitting that he’s not a writer and didn’t want to write this book because he didn’t want to relive the trauma. However, he was driven to highlight the ripple effect of the accident and how it’s changed his life. In the beginning, Jeremy’s daughter, Ava, reads a paper she wrote for a school assignment about one of her best days. It’s very sweet and touching.
You can clearly hear the pain in Jeremy’s voice as he describes being crushed by the PistenBully snowcat. It seemed so hard for him to read for the audiobook, and I felt my heart go out to him. Portions of the 911 recording are included in the audiobook, which was surprising. It’s very courageous for him to share that terrifying moment in his life. Listening to it gave me chills.
While this book primarily focuses on the incident, Jeremy seamlessly incorporates details about his family, childhood, and the pivotal moment that led him to pursue acting. Throughout the book, he exudes a profound sense of gratitude, expressing his deepest appreciation for his life, family, friends, and those who played a crucial role in saving his life. I genuinely admire that this book doesn’t solely revolve around Jeremy. He humbly demonstrates empathy for his family and acknowledges the emotional toll they endured. This story is not just about him; it’s about everyone affected.
It’s truly remarkable how much progress he makes in his recovery. Admittedly, Jeremy is quite stubborn, yet his unwavering motivation to heal his mind and body is truly inspiring. I admire his tenacity in enduring the physical pain he faces. Throughout the book, he consistently delivers positive and encouraging messages, reinforcing his determination to heal. His story is both inspiring and admirable. It’s impressive that he’s willing to be so open and transparent in sharing his journey with anyone who’s willing to listen.
I borrowed the audiobook of My Next Breath from my local library using Libby. I’m incredibly grateful that Jeremy Renner narrates the audiobook. As a reader, it’s truly meaningful to hear the story in his voice.
Near the end of the book, Jeremy references the TV interview he conducted with Jane Pauley. If you’re interested, here’s a portion of that interview:
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