Play Book Tag discussion
July 2016: Biography Memoir
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Announcing the July Tag: Share Your Reading Plans and Suggestions
I am reading An Invisible Thread: The True Story of an 11-Year-Old Panhandler, a Busy Sales Executive, and an Unlikely Meeting with Destiny for my f2f bookclub so that will fit the category. Also I would like to try to get to Thru-Hiking Will Break Your Heart: An Adventure on the Pacific Crest Trail (recommended by Ghost of a Rose), Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter, and Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise.
Yay! I voted for this tag!Bring on the onslaught of celebrity memoirs!
Or true crime memoirs!
Sara wrote: "So I went to the library this morning and already finished half of 84, Charing Cross Road. It will be done before the end of the month. If you just want something short, humorous, and..."I loved 84, Charing Cross Rd.!! It certainly is quick, especially since you don't want to put it down.
A whole different class of memoirs, coincidentially all by women: animals in the wild
The Lady and Her Tiger - About Hollywood animal training, back in the 70s. Sad parts but the author favored treat training and in part was an animal rescuer.
The Cats of Shambala by Tippi Hedren of The Birds infamy. Absolutely divine.
Gorillas in the Mist - Dian Fossey, simply classic with her mountain gorillas
In the Shadow of Man and of course Jane Goodall and her chimpanzees
Reflections of Eden: My Years with the Orangutans of Borneo Did you know about Biruté and the orangutans?
Bonobo Handshake: A Memoir of Love and Adventure in the Congo This book floored me. IMO the bonobos are one of the most progressive peaceful species on the planet. Well ahead of humans. 
Born Free: A Lioness of Two Worlds - one of several books Joy wrote about lions.
My Wild World one of many books by Joan Embery, the spokeswoman and fierce advocate of the wildlife preservation efforts of the San Diego Zoo & Wild Animal Park. AND THE BOOK THAT CHANGED THE PATH OF MY LIFE
Out of Harm's Way by Terri Crisp. A woman who took it upon herself to go help the animals in catastrophic disasters. Re-read it at a time where I was in limbo, reminded me that I always wanted to "spend significant time volunteering with a dog rescue". Which I then went out and did. Which led me to meeting key people and putting me in the right places for the next phase of my life. Amuses me that I can honestly say that a book changed my life.BTW, I love the love for Alan Cummings memoir but don't forget about
As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride!! I've been meaning to read this and
Carsick by John Waters since they came out. Guess I just added two more to my july tag tbr.
One of the best reads I ever had....
I'm Proud of You: My Friendship with Fred RogersI felt that it showed that Mr. Rogers was the real deal all the way through. His public persona was actually who he was as a man.
A modern day saint.
In fact, I've wondered many times about the promise in Christian ideology that the messiah will come again but how in this new global digital world would we ever recognize him. I found this picture on a page where a commenter suggested that he was Jesus returned but no one recognized him. Pardon me if that seems blasphemous to say. I do think the comment maker made an interesting observation there.
Now that I'm thinking of it, going to add this to my list of books that should be on 1001 books to read.
Very conveniently I have to go to the library tomorrow so I'm going to hit the biography/memoir shelves and surprise myself.I'll throw out some graphic memoirs, I think they are particularly emotional:
Maus
FunHome
Persopolis
Count me in on the Between the World and Me bandwagon. It's been on my list for a while.I like this tag and also have several others that would work. I will probably try to get to at least one other one (maybe a lighter one).
Recommendations for something different:
Leap of Faith : Memoirs of an Unexpected Life by Noor Al-Hussein
Geisha, a Life by Mineko Iwasaki
I read both of these books while on a backpacking trip (around the world :-D) before my days on GR.
LibraryCin wrote: "SouthWestZippy wrote: "..."Stolen Lives was very good. It's been years since I read it, so no review or rating or anything, but I remember it being very good."
Thanks for the heads up. I am make sure I get to it.
It was not easy to figure out my recommendations but here is a few.
My #1 recommended book is
Breaking the Limit: One Woman's Motorcycle Journey Through North America by Karen Larsen
Teacher Man by Frank McCourt
Between a Heart and a Rock Place by Pat Benatar
This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection by Carol Burnett
All By My Selves: Walter, Peanut, Achmed, and Me by Jeff Dunham
My Extraordinary Ordinary Life by Sissy Spacek
Appalachian Mountain Girl: Coming of Age in Coal Mine Country
by Rhoda Bailey Warren
Singing to a Bulldog: Life Lessons a Fellow Janitor Taught Me: My Journey from Happy Days to Hollywood and Beyond by Anson Williams
To Selena, With Love by Chris Pérez
It's ironic that biographies which kept me from reading a fantasy book this month (my first time in years not making a read for the tag; though I guess I can slip in my last read, Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Book Store, mistagged as fantasy).Top recommendation, one that is short and so uplifting:
The Wright Brothers--David McCullough
Other 5-star recommendations:
Blood and Thunder: An Epic of the American West--Hampton Sides (about Kit Carson)
The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother--James McBride
Margaret Fuller: A New American Life--Megan Marshall (about a feminist in early 19th century)
Empire of Self: A Life of Gore Vidal--Jay Parini
The Last Lion 1: Visions of Glory 1874-1932--William Manchester (magnificent bio of young Churchill; its 990 pages one reason I was short on fantasy)
Wind, Sand and Stars--Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (lyrical memoir of early aviation in North Africa and South America; less than 100 pages and free on internet)
Mortality--Christopher Hitchens
To read:
White Eskimo: Knud Rasmussen's Fearless Journey into the Heart of the Arctic--Stephen Bown (20K trip through Arctic in 20s documenting the people not geography)
Hold Still: A Memoir with Photographs--Sally Mann
Desert Solitaire--Edward Abbey
Astoria: John Jacob Astor and Thomas Jefferson's Lost Pacific Empire: A Story of Wealth, Ambition, and Survival--Peter Stark
P.S. The tag is odd because it combines two I keep separate and leaves ambiguous whether autobiography is excluded.
P.S. #2: I second the great suggestions of Just Kids, Angela's Ashes, Growing Up, Desert Queen, West with the Night, and A Year of Magical Thinking. M Train and H is for Hawk are other popular choices that might serve you.
Michael wrote: "It's ironic that biographies which kept me from reading a fantasy book this month (my first time in years not making a read for the tag; though I guess I can slip in my last read, Mr. Penumbra's 24..."Oh, I hope to read H is for Hawk next month, too. I might end up with more options than I originally thought. It is shelved in the 500s so I am reading it for my DeweyCAT in July.
SouthWestZippy wrote: "LibraryCin wrote: "SouthWestZippy wrote: "..."Stolen Lives was very good. It's been years since I read it, so no review or rating or anything, but I remember it being very good."
Thanks for the ..."
I can't believe I didn't think to recommend Appalachian Mountain Girl: Coming of Age in Coal Mine Country myself, Zippy. It's a favorite.
Anita wrote: "Excited to see a lot of people will be reading Between the World and Me so I will have company!! And people to discuss it with."I've read it twice, so would be interested in the discussion
Loving a lot of these recs :)I've been holding out for a biography tag, and now I don't know what to read!! I think my best tactic will be to reacquaint myself with my local library (on the to do list anyhow) and go with what's on the shelves. I'll take your suggestions with me just in case ...
Biographies that I read relatively recently and really enjoyed include:
A Beautiful Mind - a wonderful read, and you can revisit the movie as part of the tag too :D
Turing: Pioneer of the Information Age (Kiwi author, very accessible, not too many equations, good weight given to other players in the Bletchley Park episodes and computing fields)
Isaac Newton - Newton's wars of words with other scientists are particularly intriguing
SouthWestZippy wrote: " "Wow, so many delicious sounding recs by everyone... especially from you Zippy!
Kristel wrote: "...Oh, I hope to read H is for Hawk next month, too. I might end up with more options than I originally thought. It is shelved in the 500s so I am reading it for my DeweyCAT in July. ..."Dewey categories. I love browsing a library that way. Such fun to find strange bedfellows for books you already know. Nancy Pearl in her "More Book Lust" goes through the number categories with lots of recommended books for each. Cool how instead of classing a non-fiction book as "memoir", the Dewey system goes by content on a fine scale.
This tag is a bit out of my comfort zone, so not much to recommend that has not been mentioned already. There is one I've read ages ago, which left a lasting impression: Donald Woods' Biko and his own autobiography as well Asking For Trouble: The Autobiography Of A Banned Journalist.On my shelves I've got more than I can read in a month:
Guantánamo Diary
Zeitoun
Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda
The Glass Castle
Angela's Ashes
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier
The Autobiography of Malcolm X
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
... and I saw that my library has Between the World and Me
This should keep me occupied
Megalion wrote: "SouthWestZippy wrote: " "Wow, so many delicious sounding recs by everyone... especially from you Zippy!"
You have made my day, Thank you. :0)
JoLene wrote: "Geisha, a Life by Mineko Iwasaki"
This one looks particularly interesting. So many people love Memoirs of a Geisha, I had no idea a geisha actually wrote a memoir just to show what the book got wrong!
I loved memoirs of a geisha too. Don't recall any talk about it not being representative of real geishas.Sadly Overdrive doesn't have Mineko's book. As much as I'd like to read it, I've already dumped a ton of eligible books into my tag for month.
Joi wrote: "JoLene wrote: "Geisha, a Life by Mineko Iwasaki"
This one looks particularly interesting. So many people love Memoirs of a Geisha, I had no idea a geisha actually wrote a memoir just t..."
I thought it was fantastic. Mineko Iwasaki is the geisha on whose story Memoirs of a Geisha was based.
I will recommend Without You, There Is No Us: My Time with the Sons of North Korea's Elite by Suki Kim. Not the most compelling memoir writing wise, but the fact that you get to look into a country that is completely shut off to the rest of the world is pretty interesting. I'm still getting over a really bad reading slump. I'm hoping my upcoming vacation will help me get back on track so I'm only tackling Lanterns: A Memoir of Mentors by Marian Edelmen Wright.
Megalion wrote: "A whole different class of memoirs, coincidentially all by women: animals in the wild..."Fabulous list, and so many heroes. Especially for the book that changed your world toward animal rescue. The ferment of the blizzard of wonderful books you thumbnailed so deftly raised other worthies. Think Travels with Charley (was it more fiction?), The Dog Who Wouldn't Be (tall tale memoir), All Creatures Great and Small, The Mind of the Dolphin (John Lily). I rave a lot over how an adopted sparrow changed a guy's life, Providence of a Sparrow: Lessons from a Life Gone to the Birds
Travels with Charley: In Search of America was Steinbeck's only NF book as far as I know. I've still yet to read it. All Creatures Great and Small and all the follow up books by James Herriot were sublime. His son wrote a bio of his father! You reminded me of it. Need to add it to my list. The Real James Herriot: A Memoir of My Father
Haven't heard of The Mind of the Dolphin: A Nonhuman Intelligence before but the first dolphin book that comes to mind is the one by the dolphin trainer for Flipper who then became one of the foremost activists (fighters) on treatment of dolphins and protecting them. He was involved in the Academy winning documentary The Cove. Behind the Dolphin Smile: One Man's Campaign to Protect the World's Dolphins
I can list off a bunch of books written by men but ended up keeping it short by rattling off the first bunch that came to mind that were pretty much written by women anyways.
So. .. quickly on the men's side
☆That Quail, Robert (oops, woman writer)
☆Monkeys on the Interstate: And Other Tales from Americas Favorite Zookeeper Jack Hanna
☆Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl ... hmm, also by a woman.
Huh, could swear I've read more than just 2 memorable animal related memoirs by men but looks like they don't want to come out and play.
I'm going to add the sparrow book. I'm planning to finally read The Penguin Lessons. Might be a real life Mr Poppers Penguins?
Thanks for the response and addition to my TBR!
I didn't think I would participate in the tag, but my mom went to the ALA conference in Orlando last week and one of the (8) advance uncorrected copies she brought back is Spaceman: An Astronaut's Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe by Mike Massimino (the astronaut from the Big Bang Theory), which'll be published in October this year. So hey, fate! Now I have to read it for this tag.
Megalion wrote: "Travels with Charley: In Search of America was Steinbeck's only NF book as far as I know. I've still yet to read it. All Creatures Great and Small and all the follow u..."
So far I've only read All Creatures Great and Small, but I really enjoyed it!
I think I'm going to try and read:In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom
Maybe
NFL Confidential: True Confessions from the Gutter of Football, The Sound of Gravel, 84, Charing Cross Road, or Geisha, a Life.
Whichever I can get my hands on.
I'm always so late out of the gate with this that I'm going to put in my recommendations first and hope that I'm not repeating. I I have some interests that I read a biographies or memoirs forAnimals
Soul of a Lion: One Woman's Quest to Rescue Africa's Wildlife Refugees by Barbara Bennet..it made me want to sleep with a cheetah.
The Bluebird Effect: Uncommon Bonds with Common Birds by Julie Zickefoose -I'd recommend the hardcover as it is a beautiful book...remember to avoid transporting a vulture
The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony
Never Cry Wolf by Fawley Mowatt
An Indomitable Beast: The Remarkable Journey of the Jaguar by Alan Rabinowitz..great information about jaguars and successful protections
The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elizabeth Tova Bailey - I have a new sense of respect for snails
Travel
Cruelest Journey: Six Hundred Miles To Timbuktu by Kira Salak
The Wisdom of Donkeys: Finding Tranquility in a Chaotic World by Andy Merrifield - I want to go on a donkey walk.
Rowing to Latitude: Journeys Along the Arctic's Edge by Jill Fredstone - I don't much like the cold and I'm not much on the water, but I loved her tales of rowing in the arctic and near arctic.
The Places in Between by Rory Stewart
Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before by Tony Horowitz
The Trigger: Hunting the Assassin Who Brought the World to War by Tim Butcher
History
Hero: The Life and Legend of Lawrence of Arabia by Michael Korda
The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire that Saved America by Timothy EganThe River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey by Candice Millard
If I Die in a Combat Zone: Box Me Up and Ship Me Home by Tim O'Brien
I am most likely going to read eitherIn the Darkroom by Susan Faludi or The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan by Kim Barker
LibraryCin wrote: "Ok, I have a bit of time and couldn't wait to look things up. I have LOTS of biographies and memoirs on my favourites shelf. Let me see what to recommend here...My #1 recommendation:
- [book:Shak..."
I really liked Alex and Me when I read it so would add my voice to that for a recommendation.
Megalion wrote: " Gorillas in the Mist - Dian Fossey, simply classic with her mountain gorillas.."
That is a favorite of mine as well.
Cool beans. This is the one I voted for. I'm going to try to finish Memoirs of a Geisha and I am Malala since I didn't for my IRL book club in April and June.
Wonderful list BnB. Probably every travel and natural history book gets tagged by readers as "memoir", but I find myself using that tag when the author puts a lot of himself/herself into the narrative in a way more than as an observer. I have a sense that your choices foot the bill in that way.There are those that call Never Cry Wolf as largely fiction because it contained elements that he made up (like claiming months in the wild rather than several weeks as other sources say). He later admitted to taking liberties with many of his books to enhance the narrative. In an Ondaatje memoir about growing up in Sri Lanka he quipped that for him a good lie contained more truth than simple facts. Funny about Travels with Charley coming under accusations that he didn't complete more of the trip as described. I do believe somehow that the characters he described are based on people he did meet at some point and that they do reflect a truth about folk in America.
Michael wrote: "Probably every travel and natural history book gets tagged by readers as "memoir", but I find myself using that tag when the author puts a lot of himself/herself into the narrative in a way more than as an observer. I have a sense that your choices foot the bill in that way.."I did try to include those which put themselves into the narrative.
Thanks for the info about Fowatt, I didn't know about that.
Very good point Michael. Truthfully, I can't recall enough of the books by the three queens of primates but the other books I cited all put enough of themselves into it that it's a good part autobio.I usually stay away from the impersonal science animal books anyways.
You mentioned natural history. ... reminds me of John Muir. Didn't he write several books that were about nature but also contained a good chunk of himself?
@BnB, great list! !
@Joi, I read the NFL book at the beginning of the year. Granted I didn't write a review yet but essentially (as I recall) there wasn't much revealed that one couldn't guess at. In fact, at the end, I felt that it was *possible* that this could have been written by someone who never hit the field in uniform. Honestly unless you're a hard core NFL fan, I say skip it for something else in bio that you've felt like reading.
Megalion wrote: "Very good point Michael. Truthfully, I can't recall enough of the books by the three queens of primates but the other books I cited all put enough of themselves into it that it's a good part autobi..."It looks as if we have animal books in common. I'm going to look through your list and add a few to my tbr.
I don't read much in this genre, so there are only a few I can remember that struck me. My number one recommendation would be Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston if you have the stomach to read about how a man can cut off his own arm to save his life.And I just remembered one of the few biographies that I started on a whim and found difficult to put down: Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris. I was dismayed to find out afterwards that it was the 2nd book of a trilogy and have yet to read book 1 (The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt) and book 3 (Colonel Roosevelt) but they have been on my TBR for ages.
Megalion wrote: "@Joi, I read the NFL book at the beginning of the year. Granted I didn't write a review yet but essentially (as I recall) there wasn't much revealed that one couldn't guess at. In fact, at the end, I felt that it was *possible* that this could have been written by someone who never hit the field in uniform. Honestly unless you're a hard core NFL fan, I say skip it for something else in bio that you've felt like reading."I actually am a pretty big NFL fan, which is the reason I'd be reading it. I've seen some pretty negative reviews, and already read a few articles that lay out who the author could be, and most likely it is. It sounds like it's written from a bitter NFL dude who only was in the league for a few years. But I'll be damned, I'd much rather read this than watch another boring ESPN documentary that says the same thing over and over again praising the NFL, and not realizing it's faults.
Joi wrote: "Megalion wrote: "@Joi, I read the NFL book at the beginning of the year. Granted I didn't write a review yet but essentially (as I recall) there wasn't much revealed that one couldn't guess at. In ..."He claims to still be on a team at the time of writing.
And yes, you will likely enjoy it.
Just remembered that he talks a lot about the money part too.
Michael wrote: "Wonderful list BnB. Probably every travel and natural history book gets tagged by readers as "memoir", but I find myself using that tag when the author puts a lot of himself/herself into the narrat..."So where would you put Euell Gibbons? I'm guessing less memoir and more about eating from the wild, correct?
I hadn't known that Farley Mowatt put so much fiction into his Never Cry Wolf (shedding a tear or two). It makes me wonder how many tall tales were mixed into his other memoirs, such as Te Dog Who Wouldn't Be and Owls in the Family.
Karin wrote: "So where would you put Euell Gibbons? I'm guessing less memoir and more about eating from the wild, correct?.."I would include him in memoir, his books are very much all about him and his experiences with wild food. I remember reading him and being so inspired by what he was doing.
Between the World and Me, and 84, Charing Cross are both in at the library waiting. Pick up after the 4th. I find I am really enjoying this adventure of PBT, and being pushed out of my comfort zone to try new things. I am unbelievably appreciative. I still feel like my reading is becoming a bit of a part time job to manage, but I am thankful for you all. You guys are my only social media. I'm quite social, I just mean I don't do Facebook or other online community groups. But I am starting to see the appeal. It's been such a delight sharing books, and more and more, lives. Happy Fourth all,Best,
Amy
My recommendations are: Iacocca: An Autobiography
West by West: My Charmed, Tormented Life
Means of Ascent
Zeitoun
I am going to try to read either:
Red Platoon: A True Story of American Valor or
The Passage of Power
Charlie wrote: "My recommendations are: Iacocca: An Autobiography
West by West: My Charmed, Tormented Life
Means of Ascent
Zeitoun
I am going to try to..."
I read Iacocca long ago, and I do remember it being pretty interesting!
Booknblues wrote: "Karin wrote: "So where would you put Euell Gibbons? I'm guessing less memoir and more about eating from the wild, correct?.."I would include him in memoir, his books are very much all about him a..."
I have Rocket Boys but perhaps will have time to read one by Gibbons that I have on my shelf.
Now, I don't know whether to read The Autobiography of Malcolm X or 84, Charing Cross Road. I feel like I may need something lighter after Between the World and Me, but I'm also now feeling that the discussion of the book is making me want to read the Malcolm X. Dang. Decisions, decisions.
Anita wrote: "Now, I don't know whether to read The Autobiography of Malcolm X or 84, Charing Cross Road. I feel like I may need something lighter after [book:Between the World and Me|..."Charing is literally 90 pages. Be bold. Read both. ;)
Nicole wrote: "Anita wrote: "Now, I don't know whether to read The Autobiography of Malcolm X or 84, Charing Cross Road. I feel like I may need something lighter after [book:Between the..."ARGH, no Kindle edition for 84, Charing Cross Road.
I bought Malcolm X, but need to slot something in between I think . . .hmmm. Maybe I have some book laying around that will fit the bill.
38 pages into Between the World and Me. So many thoughts so far… This is going to be a great discussion. I am going to be bold and read 84, Charing Road as well, but going to stick something more my speed and pleasure in between!
I started Night, but I need a break and am reading some mystery thrillers first before I get back to it!
Play Book Tag
Books mentioned in this topic
The Innocents Abroad, Or, the New Pilgrims' Progress (other topics)Life on the Mississippi (other topics)
Alexander Hamilton (other topics)
Alexander Hamilton (other topics)
84, Charing Cross Road (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Queen Noor (other topics)Mineko Iwasaki (other topics)
Jen Lancaster (other topics)
The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother by James McBride
Maman's Homesick Pie: A Persian Heart in an American Kitchen
Harry Truman's Excellent Adventure: The True Story of a Great American Road Trip
Ava's Man by Rick Bragg,
'Tis by Frank McCourt