Memoirs and Biographies We Love discussion
What'cha readin'?
Hello, my name is Duane and I am a biography maniac, my preference's are Heads of State especially US Presidents and although I have read many biographies and auto-biographies of US Presidents I plan to read one new presidential biography for the next 45 months, I say 45 months because I believe come this November 2012 President Obama will have to make room for number president number 45, who at this time I think will be Mitt Romney, although I would have preferred Rick Santorum myself. I know many of you probably don't agree with me, but that is how I feel. I also like biographies and auto-biographies of other world leaders, politicians, military leaders; actually biographies about people from all walks of life, especially when I find a gem of a book about an ordinary person just like myself.
Currently I am reading a biography called Henry I, written by C. Warren Hollister.
I just started reading Above the clouds by Jonathan Bach. The reason that I picked it up was because I am a huge fan of Richard Bach who is his father.
So far I like it. I can't wait until they finally reunite.
I just finished Carnevale. It definitely grew on me. My review:http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...I do not know what paper book I will start now.....but I am listening to Cry, the Beloved Country. The narrator, Michael York, is fantastic. The lines in the book blow you a way. They are almost poetry, but not in verse.
I really hate reading two books at a time. I dislike being split.
I will now begin The House on Paradise Street. I found out about it on BBC radio and zipped off and bought the paper book. I didn't want to listen to an abridged version.I am so happy that I have completed The Genizah at the House of Shepher.
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Greece is in the news a lot nowadays. The House on Paradise Street is a book of historical fiction (well, not by the strict definition, but by mine) that helps one understand what is going on. It is a gripping story that teaches the history of Greece during the 1900s. My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... I REALLY did like it a lot! It is in fact based on real people that the author has interviewed.I will start The Mapmaker's Wife: A True Tale of Love, Murder, and Survival in the Amazon. It is in fact based on fact, an exciting true tale. There are many intrepid women; this is a story about one! Look at the pretty cover!
I am listening to Travels in Siberia, which I find interesting, informative and quite funny. So far at least.
I am listening to Travels in Siberia, which I thoroughly enjoy, and will now start The Last Light Breaking: Living Among Alaska's Inupiat. The author spent 13 years living with the Inuits in Alaska. This has got to be interesting. I just finished The Mapmaker's Wife: A True Tale of Love, Murder, and Survival in the Amazonwhich is a great book, although I found the title and book description deceptive. My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
This may sound like fiction, but it isn't.
I have read:The Last Light Breaking: Living Among Alaska's Inupiat
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
and dumped (half-way through)
Incendiary
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I definitely think you should not waste your time on the latter. What the characters do is not credible. What happens, step by step, would NEVER happen. The writing is "sensational" in tone, its only purpose being to upset you. The sex is vulgar. I will never read,listen, buy or borrow another book by Chris Cleave.
Now I am reading a delightful biography by the poet Lorna GoodisonFrom Harvey River: A Memoir Of My Mother And Her Island. She writes about her mother growing up in Kingston and Harvey River, Jamaica. It reads like a novel. You can tell the author is a poet. She has a way with words. You learn about Jamaican culture.
I have finished From Harvey River: A Memoir Of My Mother And Her Island and gave it three stars: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... My review is very short since it didn't move me that much. Yeah, it was good, but certainly not fabulous. I am almost done with Travels in Siberia which I will be giving four stars.
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I have begun Tevye the Dairyman and the Railroad Stories. This edition is wonderfully translated by Hillel Halkin.
I'm currently reading Asking For Trouble: Autobiography Of A Banned Journalist by Donald Woods and I'm 72% through it. I think its a great autobiography and an important one at that. It provides a deep insight into the life of a white South African during apartheid, and insight into the life of of someone fighting the regime as well.
I finished Tevye the Dairyman and the Railroad Stories, the Tevye stories being the basis for the musical "Fiddler on the Roof".http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I am now listening to the audio book:Seven Years in Tibet. I certainly DO like this!
I am currently listening to Prague Winter: A Personal Story of Remembrance and War, 1937-1948 and reading Written in the Ashes. I have completed: This House of Sky: Landscapes of a Western Mind
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... and
The Elephant's Journey
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
These were both audio books.
Oh yes, I finishedSeven Years in Tibet too!
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I think all of these books are worth reading, but for different reasons.
I am back here again..... I wish this group was more active!I finished Written in the Ashes - about Hypatia. I think many will like this book, but I gave it three stars. I am very aware that my tastes are not the most common.
Review:http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I have begun The Greenlanders, which Maudie suggested to me. Gaeta, liked it too! So I am quite happy to be starting it. Nordic languages and customs are in so many ways similar. This is what hits me right off the bat. We all must drink sour milk at breakfast.
I just finished Prague Winter: A Personal Story of Remembrance and War, 1937-1948. This was amazing - truly amazingly good.This is a book that makes learning fun. My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...I have begun Fiji: A Novel. Why? Well because I had it in my kindle. It was a freebie. I hope I learn a bit about Fijian culture and history.
Travel To the G-Spot has received seven five-star reviews at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007JPR40S.There are many different kinds of funny, from silly to cerebral; this book may be unique. The author appears to be extremely well-informed, as well as cynical and incisive. I can recommend this one to any of my friends who have retained the requisite intelligence to get it. If you still have confidence in the federal government or the two-party system, or if you're still drinking diet pop, I think you should go back to your Archie comics, but if you like Hunter Thompson or H. L. Mencken, you are going to love this book. I can't wait for more like this one.
This book blows the lid off the top-secret, diabolical world of professional travel writing and exposes the dirty underbelly of a filthy business that is obviously responsible for all the world's ills, including many actual diseases.
Travel To The G-Spot is the darkly comedic story of Danny Gladstone, a 50-year-old travel writer who learns he's dying and looks back to figure out why things have turned out as they have.
Travel To the G-Spot|13635466 is now available for immediate download from the following eBook outlets:
Apple (iTunes Store)
Sony
Barnes & Noble (Nook)
Kobo
Diesel
Baker-Taylor.
Amazon (Kindle) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007JPR40S
Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/b/140923
I have gotten completely side-tracked on Fiji: A Novel. Why ? Because it is not really worth reading! Then, I simply had to start another audiobook. I chose Lolita, narrated by the fantastic Jeremy Irons! I cannot now stop listening to this. What I am wondering now is: what do I enjoy, the author or the narrator? Look, the author's words are excellent and the narrator's intonation is superb! I am embarrassed to say that Jeremy Irons manages to make the subject funny. The book is told from the pedophile's pov. And Nabokov as a wondrous way with words. It is even a travelogue too, a route twisting around the US with him and Lolita. Let me tell you, her remarks are sometimes just so perfect for a twelve year old. Now everybody is going to think I am terrible, having such fun reading this book. NO, remember! I am listening to it, narrated by Jeremy Irons.
Back to my point. I just don't really look forward to going back to Fiji: A Novel..... That surely says something!
I finished Galway Bay yesterday.My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Today I finished the audiobookScribbling The Cat
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Many will enjoy the former, but me, I absolutely ADORED the latter.
Now I am reading A Golden Age, historical fiction about independence of Bangladesh, and I think I will start the audiobook Skeletons at the Feast. I want to try the author Chris Bohjalian.
Lisa, Galway Bay didn't work that well for me. I am not quite sure why. It was such an epic novel; it covered so much that nothing felt in depth. For example I never felt the growth of love that developed between Honore and Michael's brother. I was told of it rather than felt it. And the resolution was too imaginary for my liking. I don't want to say what happens here.
I have finished A Golden Age and started The Blood of Flowers. Hasn't Amirrezvani written a new book? I certainly have to read this one first to decide if I should add the new one. My short review of "A Golden Age": http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I just finished The Blood of Flowers. Great historical fiction. My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I will now start The Question of Bruno: Stories. I hope I like it; I am a little worried because it is made up of stories and I don't ussually like stories. But they are interconnected! I have heard it has really good writing.
I am still listening to Skeletons at the Feast, which I love. Wonderful writing that grips you. You are right there in the middle of it all. Very moving. Thanks Barbara, for recommending this to me. And you other guys too. I cannot name everybody.
I have started When the Elephants Dance, which is historical fiction, although it is based on the author's father's and grandmother's life experiences during WW2. It is filled with magical Philippine tales too;her grandmother was an adept storyteller. I am expecting a lovely blend of fact, fiction and insight into Philippine culture.I finished The Question of Bruno: Stories. I hated the shorter stories but I did like the novella. They are all in the same book. My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
And really, what I didn't like was not just the short story format.
This book too is biographical to some extent.
I so wish other people would suggest good historical biographies. I feel sometimes I should just not post here any more..... but maybe some of you are interested in these books too.
I just finished a wonderfully, unbelievably fantastic book. No question. It gets five stars. Many of you have probably already read it. It is better, even much better than The Invisible Bridge, and we all know how good that was! Right? READ or LISTEN TO Skeletons at the Feast.
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Check it out! All my books are free for the next five days. Brave fish is my memoir...Many good thoughts, many good things, many blessings!
I finished When the Elephants Dance, and here is my final review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/.... Now I will start Primo Levi's If This Is a Man / The Truce. Two books in one. Supposed to be a fabulous author. Everybody has read him except me! Back to a biographies :0)
A reader posted this on my Facebook wall..."When I choose to indulge in the luxury of reading, I seek books that are thoughtful, lyrical, passionate and spiritually compelling. I have fallen deeply, hopelessly in love with Brave Fish. Thank you for sharing yourself."
Brave Fish, my memoir, is free on Kindle until Wednesday June 27th. Enjoy!
Finished PerlaMy review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Now I will start the memoir: Sipping from the Nile.
Finished and thoroughly enjoyed Sipping from the Nile. My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I am currently listening to Stasiland: Stories from Behind the Berlin Wall. It is good. Not dry, the author's personal reflections on what she is told and sees and learns adds to the historical facts. You get involved because the people's experiences are so horrible.
Having finished If This Is a Man / The Truce(my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...)
I will now read Regeneration. This is fiction based on real people.
Thank you Dawn for giving this to me AND thank you Jeanette for bringing it to my door! What great friends!!!! And now Jeanette has met Oscar! He sends a woof.
I finished Regeneration, the first of a trilogy about WW1. My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...I will now continue to read about WW1 with Three Day Road.
I'm reading about WWII - currently, From Here to Eternity. I will then read the next two books in the trilogy, The Thin Red Line and then Whistle.
I think I will start The Flowers of War, having just finished Stasiland: Stories from Behind the Berlin WallMy review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I finished The Flowers of War. My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...Good writing is important to me. Don't look for that in this book, but as a quick historical fiction read about the Nanjing Massacre maybe..... All depends upon your own interests. I feel that since you listen to every word in an audiobook presentation, the author's writing skills must be good. I did want to know what would happen in the end, so it was worth two stars for me. It is based on real events.
Now I have started A Farewell to Arms
@Chrissie...A Farewell to Arms is one of my favorites!
Vincent, I haven't come so far yet, but immediately you know this is good writing. I like the simplicity of the language. Spare and to the point. A lot in a few words.
Chrissie wrote: "Vincent, I haven't come so far yet, but immediately you know this is good writing. I like the simplicity of the language. Spare and to the point. A lot in a few words."It's a great, great book.
Erin, "Farewell to Arms" is a relief after the last book. I find it interesting to compare with another book that I am currently reading about WW1 - Three Day Road.
I finished Three Day RoadMy review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
This was a difficult read for me. I have mixed feelings about it. It is historical fiction based loosely on the Native Canadian Frances Pegahmagabow's WW1 experiences. I am reading books about WW1. I have read Regeneration and am now listening to A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway. I like the simplicity of Hemingways's prose. Next will be Birdsong: A Novel of Love and War and A Long Long Way, unless I need a break.
Hi. I'm new.
I just finished Frankie Boyle's "My Shit Life So Far". Frankie Boyle is a Scottish comedian and the book details his childhood in Scotland and his life later on. Once you get past the obscenities he so enjoys, there is some really good stuff in that book, particularly in the part about his childhood. It feels very authentic. He's obviously a good observer, being a stand-up comedian and all, and it shows. Couldn't get past the introduction of his second book, though.
I just finished Frankie Boyle's "My Shit Life So Far". Frankie Boyle is a Scottish comedian and the book details his childhood in Scotland and his life later on. Once you get past the obscenities he so enjoys, there is some really good stuff in that book, particularly in the part about his childhood. It feels very authentic. He's obviously a good observer, being a stand-up comedian and all, and it shows. Couldn't get past the introduction of his second book, though.
Gabriela, it would be awfully nice if more people participated in this group. Welcome. I will check out the book. Usually I read more historical biographies - just my personal preference.
Just finished A Farewell to ArmsMy review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Now I will listen to Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption. Could this possibly be as good as The Forgotten Highlander: My Incredible Story Of Survival During The War In The Far East?
In the last two weeks I have listened to five audiobooks:Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
The Art of Hearing Heartbeats
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
The Power of One
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Train to Trieste
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Joan of Arc
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/82...
Now I am listening to one of my favorite authors: Ivan Doig Prairie Nocturne. I just love the western dialog.
Vacation in Sweden was really more full of chores than relaxation, this being my excuse for the reviews' brevity! Other than cleaning and emptying and selling my Mom's apartment I visited my son and DIL in Göteborg, southern Sweden. My fifth grandchild was born o,n 18/7. Oh, she is so
a-d-o-r-a-b-l-e! My Mom died and a new grandchild was born - life goes on.
Sorry for the loss of your mother and congratulations on the birth of your granddaughter. It must have been exhausting. I cleaned out my mother's apt to get it ready to sell two and a half years ago and it was quite a job! To help with a newborn at the same time I can't even imagine. How did you get the time to listen to all those books, too during all this?
Lisa, we had to spend lots of time traveling in the car. We first drove to Sweden from Belgium. Then every day we had to travel back and forth to my Mom's apartment which was not that close to where we stayed. Then at the end of the "vacation" we traveled to southern Sweden where my son and DIL live. Listening to books is how I escape..... I will even listen when I cannot sleep.
Yes, we have listened to audio books on long car trips. My daughter lives in Cincinnati and we live in Chicago (a 5-6 hour trip depending on traffic). We listen in the car sometimes when we go to visit her.
Lisa, I love Audible. Their prices and numerous sales make audiobooks affordable.
I have just started "The Story of a Life" (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57...) by Aharon Appelfeld. This is the only book link I could get to work! I have completed Dreaming in Cuban. I highly recommend this to those of you who are interested in the Cuban Revolution and enjoy magical realism. My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I have also begun listening to The Mill on the Floss, having completed an audiobook version of Prairie Nocturne. Doig is up to form with his writing but the story let me down: my review http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
The "Mill on the Floss" is considered Eliot's most autobiographical novel.
I have had a terrible experience. I am trying to broaden my reading scope, so I tried a classic of Victorian literature: The Mill on the Floss. I knew when I started that I usually have a very hard time with Victoriana. I knew that there was romance in the novel, but since I like memoirs and this was Eliot's most autobiographical piece, I wanted to try. And everybody likes this book, I had to like it too. I thought...... My reviews states only my personal opinion, but I do give quotes so you will clearly see what I am talking about. I listened to an audiobook with excellent narration. My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...Back to something that is more to my normal choosing: Birdsong: A Novel of Love and War by Sebastian Faulks. It is part of a trilogy, but the books do not have to be read in order. The Girl at the Lion d'Or was the first written, but the second in the chronological order of the trilogy. The third is Charlotte Gray. They are books of historical fiction. I am completely in love with the prose style, the plot drew me in immediately and the audiobook narration by Firth is fantastic. I love it when songs are sung by the narrator. Please let my contentment continue.
I continue reading the DTB by Aharon Appelfeld: "The Story of a Life" (http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...). It is autobiographical. Very good writing.
I realize now that style is more important to me than content.
Memoirs and Biographies We Love
Books mentioned in this topic
Farmer Boy (other topics)The Girl Who Ran Away (other topics)
Without Precedent: Chief Justice John Marshall and His Times (other topics)
The Road to Little Dribbling: Adventures of an American in Britain (other topics)
James Dean: Little Boy Lost - An Intimate Biography (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
H. Alan Day (other topics)Mark Twain (other topics)
Michael Ondaatje (other topics)
Wendell Berry (other topics)
Edmund Morris (other topics)
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I am currently reading George Hamilton's autobiography, "Don't Mind if I Do". He has a funny sense of humor, and the interesting part is about his take on a dictator's wife.
My particular interests are autobiographies in the movie industry.