Biography, Autobiography, Memoir discussion
Biography, Autobiography, Memoir Read In 2016
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Fishface
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May 30, 2016 12:41PM
Now reading Finding Me: A Decade of Darkness, a Life Reclaimed: A Memoir of the Cleveland Kidnappings. I was halfway through it before I could put it down and get into the shower. It's a nightmarish story.
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5 stars
Some of the crimes in this book are well-known but this book looks at them through the eyes of the guy that did the autopsies. This guy is a forensic scientist. Some of his cases are Lee Harvey Oswald, Trayvon Martin, Genene Jones, Phil Spector and the West Memphis Three. Co-written with one of my favorite True Crime authors Ron Francell. I wasnt really sure why he added a chapter about Vincent Van Gogh except for the fact the author has his own opinions about his death.
Mod
If you like history and especially Russian history, you very well might like this book. I would have liked to have gotten more into the personalities of the family and there was too much speculation about what they might have said or been thinking, but I do understand that 150 years later those things are lost. Interesting at times and at other times it dragged a bit. 3 stars.
Koren wrote: "The King of Vodka: The Story of Pyotr Smirnov and the Upheaval of an Empire by Linda HimelsteinIf you like history and especially Russian history, you very well might like this boo..."
I gave this a higher score-I thought it was a fascinating looking into the family and the historical time period in which it was set.
Fishface wrote: "Now reading Finding Me: A Decade of Darkness, a Life Reclaimed: A Memoir of the Cleveland Kidnappings. I was halfway through it before I could put it down and get into the shower. I..."Don't think I could read this! It would creep me out too much. Those poor girls and their families!
Koren wrote: "Morgue: A Life In Death by Dr. Vincent Di Maio and Ron Franscell 5 stars
May have to read this-sounds interesting. Have you read Working Stiff-Two Years, 262 Bodies, and the Making of a Medical Examiner by Judy Melinek, M.D., and T.J. Mitchell - so good!
I had no idea why this was on my shelf maybe cos it had 'confessions' in the title and it was a memoir but I have zero interest in modelling.Its called Almost 5'4" and was about a petite sized model trying to make a living modelling. It was really boring, sorry. She was living hand to mouth and writing the memoir in the Apple store, self-published of course. There were some photos in it, but you couldn't even tell she was modelling anything. I think she just liked having her photo taken, and it was full of swearing and how much she hated her parents.
Mod
Its called Almost 5'4" and was about a..."
It must have been a freebie. Seems like anybody can self-publish a book these days. Thanks for the heads up. think I will skip it.
Selina wrote: "Audrey Hepburn, An Elegant SpiritA memoir of Audrey Hepburn with photos written by her son Sean Ferrer. Fascinating and also sad at the end. Recommended for fans."
I loved that book!
Selina wrote: "Audrey at Home: A Kitchen Table BiographyNow a book by her other son Luca. She married an Italian man the second time round so thats why this book is all about food.
Lots of famil..."
This was also a fun read. Her sons are so loving. She must have been a great mom.
Selina wrote: "Portrait of a Marriage: Vita Sackville-West and Harold NicolsonOk this is another eccentric english biography of a literary marriage.
For anyone that doesn't know Sissinghurst gard..."
Somewhere I read that "Violet" was the code name for a famous American actress.
The Romanov Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and AlexandraInteresting book about the lives of Nicolas and Alexandra focusing mostly on the four daughters. Everything in this book is taken from letters, diaries, and official records. It's not a romanticized version of this family's story. Those poor kids never had a chance in life even without the revolution. Alexandra seems to have been the downfall of that family with her constant illnesses, (real and imagined), and her incurable royal snobbishness. Nicolas did whatever she wanted and had he not listened to her the Russians wouldn't have revolted and left themselves ripe for communism. The story of Anastasia is particularly romanticized because of the false claim years later that she had survived. In reality I found her to be a brat.
Julie wrote: Don't think I could read this! It would creep me out too much. Those poor girls and their families! It was pretty nauseating in some places. Not for the faint of heart.
Mod
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Do you feel guilty posting a horrible review when the author sends you a book for free. I know I do.
Mod
Funny. If you are familiar with this guy you will know to expect self-deprecation and irreverent humor. Sometimes it seemed like maybe the stories were embellished a bit to accommodate the joke but all in all it was a laugh a minute. It was kind of sad at the end when he talks about his medical problems and then I googled to find out he died about a year after this was written.
Lady♥Belleza★✰ wrote: "Received The Blood on My Hands: An Autobiography free for review and I am so bored with it."
I love this clip- perfect!
Koren wrote: "Lady♥Belleza★✰ wrote: "Received The Blood on My Hands: An Autobiography free for review and I am so bored with it."
Do you feel guilty posting a horrible review when the author s..."
I do, especially this one because I couldn't read the first copy and she had to send me a second one.
Lady♥Belleza★✰ wrote: "Received The Blood on My Hands: An Autobiography free for review and I am so bored with it.I looked at the page for this book. It sounds as if it would be impossible to make boring. How on earth..?
As it was Queen's Birthday I thought I would update myself what was going on in her world and picked up a book called Our Queen its more of a hagiography than a biography.The author quoted a lot from Prince William in this book. Queen Elizabeth is 90 this year and the way the Monarchy is run is quite fascinating. Some politics may bore you a bit but in general the book has all sorts of insights into her life and duties, the way she handles things diplomatically and with grace is something we can all learn from.
I'm from Mystic, Connecticut, and am a part-time historical interpreter at Mystic Seaport. I'm particularly interested in reading about seafaring adventurers (or any kind of adventurer) and people who press on to do what is right despite the terrible pressure against them. I welcome recommendations of books on people like that. Or a collection of shorts stories of people enduring against great odds.
Lisa wrote: "I'm from Mystic, Connecticut, and am a part-time historical interpreter at Mystic Seaport. I'm particularly interested in reading about seafaring adventurers (or any kind of adventurer) and people ..."If you have not read The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition
, then you should.
Yes, I did read that. Those are exactly the kind of books I'm looking for. Thanks!
http://www.artofmanliness.com/2009/06...I also came across this. Boy we are both up rather early. One must excuse the misogynist title.
That is a great link to true adventure books! I've read several of them, but not all. Yes, I'm an early riser (usually before 5 a.m.). I'm a writer and that is the best time to work (before husband wakes up and the texts start pouring in). I finally have some time to read for pleasure now that I'm done writing my most recent book, After the Loss of a Spouse: From Henry VIII to Julia Child: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Fishface wrote: "Lady♥Belleza★✰ wrote: "Received The Blood on My Hands: An Autobiography free for review and I am so bored with it."I looked at the page for this book. It sounds as if it would be impossible to make boring. How on earth..?"
It's better now, could be that I'm now 60% done and could see light at the end of the tunnel or the writing has improved.
Jerry-Book wrote: "Lisa wrote: "I'm from Mystic, Connecticut, and am a part-time historical interpreter at Mystic Seaport. I'm particularly interested in reading about seafaring adventurers (or any kind of adventurer..."It is indeed a great read.
Funnily enough, my great Aunt Janet Stancomb-Wills funded Shackleton. She was an amazing old battle-axe who took up his cause once she became widowed in middle-age. (My grandfather used to say she had the heart-flutters for him.)
Rather sweetly he named a chunk of the antartic as well as one of his boats after her.
As she was the only famous Stancomb ever, and there are books about her and Shackleton, they always come up on the same Amazon page underneath my books.
Well done Great unt Janet for promoting the brand name!
Lisa wrote: "I'm from Mystic, Connecticut, and am a part-time historical interpreter at Mystic Seaport. I'm particularly interested in reading about seafaring adventurers (or any kind of adventurer) and people ..."While this did not take place on the sea, it was a fascinating read about a trip down the Amazon and the ordeal these men faced. Highly recommended. The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey by Candice Millard.
Jerry-Book wrote: "http://www.artofmanliness.com/2009/06...I also came across this. Boy we are both up rather early. One must excuse the misogynist title."
Nice link.
Is your aunt the woman who was featured in the TV series on Shackleton?
Finished The Blood on My Hands: An Autobiography and now I have to write a review. This is going to be hard.
Lisa wrote: "Is your aunt the woman who was featured in the TV series on Shackleton?"As far as I rmember all the main women in the TV series were family - with the exception of Rosalind Chetwyn, the Anerican actress/bimbo on the make.
Poor Aunt Janet - from the photos we have, I don't think anyone would have had the hots for her!
Anthony
Anthony wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Is your aunt the woman who was featured in the TV series on Shackleton?"As far as I rmember all the main women in the TV series were family - with the exception of Rosalind Chetwyn, ..."
I thought the actress that played an elderly woman donating to the trip was fabulous--and no, she wasn't a beauty queen.
I started reading The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey by Candice Millard but got sidetracked. I should try again!
So far this year, I've read three memoirs. I won't bother linking reviews now since these were read before I joined here, but if I read anymore memoirs/biographies/autobiographies, I will do that then.I am Malala by Malala Yousefzai ★★★
The Amish School Shooting, a Mother’s Love, and a Story of Remarkable Grace by Terri Roberts ★★★★★
A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel ★★★★
GREATLY enjoying Ungodly: The Passions, Torments, and Murder of Atheist Madalyn Murray O'Hair. It's a nutty story.
Lisa wrote: "I'm from Mystic, Connecticut, and am a part-time historical interpreter at Mystic Seaport. I'm particularly interested in reading about seafaring adventurers (or any kind of adventurer) and people ..."Biographies on Captain Cook and Thor Heyerdahl 'kon tiki' come to mind. Or Edmund Hillary.
As for against the odds people. A recent inspirational memoir doing the rounds is Nick Vujivic he's a paraplegic with no limbs, living and loving life.
A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway – 4**** Early in his career as a writer, Hemingway lived in Paris with his wife and infant son. This is his memoir of that time, when he was young, curious, and soaking up atmosphere with a sponge. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to have shared even one afternoon with these young writers! There is immediacy to Hemingway’s writing that just draws me into the world of his work. I thank Hemingway for letting me live vicariously through his memories.
Full Review HERE
Fishface wrote: "GREATLY enjoying Ungodly: The Passions, Torments, and Murder of Atheist Madalyn Murray O'Hair. It's a nutty story."The blurb on the web site is so intriguing I may have to add this to my list.
[edit]The Little Girl Who Fought the Great Depression: Shirley Temple and 1930s America John F. Kasson
This is a very interesting book about the life of Shirley Temple and her career during the Great Depression. It combines film history, biography and world history. If you are a fan of Shirley Temple and/ or a film buff you will probably like this book. 4/5 stars
Make 'Em Laugh: Short-Term Memories of Longtime FriendsA book of anecdotes/memories from Debbie Reynolds the movie star. Interesting if you a fan. Although many of the comedians names etc will go over your head if you weren't around in her hey day.
She's 80 something and still performing, so I guess call her a trooper.
I don't really get the Eddie Fisher-Liz Taylor thing, but nobody really blames Liz Taylor for being gorgeous, not even Debbie Reynolds.
Ungodly: The Passions, Torments, and Murder of Atheist Madalyn Murray O'Hair4 stars
A very unusual biography, which begins with the exhumation of the bones of Madalyn Murray O'Hair and those of her son and granddaughter, after their killer showed the police where he concealed them in a clandestine grave. The subject's life was a crazy rocket ride spent fighting City Hall, changing the law of the land, trusting all the wrong people, mistreating her friends while making countless enemies, and facing a hostile world with her head held high. The book is overall well-written and even mostly well-copyedited, with some very purple prose and zany metaphors throughout. Not to be missed. My only quibble is that there was so much going on in this story that I had a hard time keeping track of it all. Very late in the book, for instance, I realized that there was a fourth murder victim who I was supposed to be aware of, and I didn't remember hearing about him before.
Fishface wrote: "Ungodly: The Passions, Torments, and Murder of Atheist Madalyn Murray O'Hair4 stars
A very unusual biography, which begins with the exhumation of the bones of Madalyn Murray O'Hair..."
I'm gonna have to add this to my list!
Selina wrote: "Lisa wrote: "I'm from Mystic, Connecticut, and am a part-time historical interpreter at Mystic Seaport. I'm particularly interested in reading about seafaring adventurers (or any kind of adventurer..."Good suggestions, thanks! I have never read Cook, yes to Edmund and no to the others.
Mod
3 stars
If you watch the Animal Planet show "My Cat From Hell" you will get to know the 'cat whisperer' in this book. I am scratching my head about how this cat helped him learn about 'life, love, and coming clean'. It doesnt seem like the cat had all that much to do with it. One thing I didnt like about this book is that I never really got so that I liked the cat. For someone who goes into people's homes to figure out what is wrong with their cats, he didnt really seem to get a handle on his own cat. So this guy battled some demons. I found I wanted to know more about the cats than I did about him. Oh well, the book was ok if you watch the show and want to know more about him. I was surprised there were no pictures. I especially wanted to see what he looked like with the dreadlocks.
The Hockey Tour: 30 Arenas, 2 Fans, 1 SeasonA memoir about two female hockey fans who attend one home game at every NHL arena in one season. They recap their journey across North America, including details of the 30 cities that each team calls home, has information about the teams/arenas and encourages the reader to live their dreams now.
Koren wrote: "Cat Daddy by Jackson Galaxy3 stars
Too bad about the book- I do like his show though!
Mod
3 stars
Too bad about the book- I do ..."
Hey, you should read it. You might have an entirely different opinion.
Not My Father's Son
Alan Cumming
5/5 stars
This is the unbelievable story of the relationship between Alan Cumming and his father. Not a complete biography but Cumming writes about life growing up in Scotland, his family and about secrets that are revealed when he agrees to be on the show Who Do Think You Are? Could not put this down!
Mod
I, Rhoda3 stars
Everyone loves Rhoda, right? Well, it seems like she loves everyone too. There is no dirt or gossip in this book. There is a lot of name-dropping and everyone is wonderful and beautiful. Even her divorce from her first husband was friendly. She goes into a lot of detail about her different jobs. One thing that surprised me was that she talked very little about her health scare a few years ago. It was all over the news that she only had a few months to live, and yet in the book it was just a little cancer that they removed and that was that. No chemo, radiation or anything and she never mentions it as more than being a little blip on the radar. A Google search said that her cancer had metastasized to her brain and she did have chemo and radiation and her cancer is kept at bay with good drugs. None of this is revealed in the book. This made me feel that maybe all the things in her life that were not all rosy were left out. Maybe not. It's hard to tell but it did take away something from the book for me.
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