Biography, Autobiography, Memoir discussion
Hello and Introduce Yourself!
Lois wrote: "Hello everyone,This is my first time posting to a Goodreads group and I’m feeling a little nervous about doing so!
I have recently discovered how much I enjoy reading memoir, particularly travel ..."
Welcome Lois!
Mod
This is my first time posting to a Goodreads group and I’m feeling a little nervous about doing so!
I have recently discovered how much I enjoy reading memoir, particularly travel ..."
Welcome Lois! If you have any questions about posting on Goodreads just ask. We would love to help.
hello, I have a suggestion to make, if it is possible. I find many books in Goodreads, that I would like to read, but it is not always easy to find out in which languages these books exist or are edited. It was a good idea to have in Goodreads an way to find, if a certain book exists in a language other than English...
Sylvia wrote: "Hello Lois , welcome - i also love memoir as a genre and also travelling too - or general non fiction books and stories about interesting people and places and events. I also write memoir too, but ..."Sylvia wrote: "Hello Lois , welcome - i also love memoir as a genre and also travelling too - or general non fiction books and stories about interesting people and places and events. I also write memoir too, but ..."
Sylvia wrote: "Hello Lois , welcome - i also love memoir as a genre and also travelling too - or general non fiction books and stories about interesting people and places and events. I also write memoir too, but ..."
Hi Sylvia,
Okay, let's see if I an manage to reply properly ;)
I read text-based books through a number of apps. While many visually impaired people do prefer audio books, I'm one of those who finds a computer voice most like the way I read books back when I was sighted as it let's me engage my imagination. Thanks for welcoming me to the group!
Julie wrote: "Lois wrote: "Hello everyone,This is my first time posting to a Goodreads group and I’m feeling a little nervous about doing so!
I have recently discovered how much I enjoy reading memoir, particu..."
Thanks, Julie!
Hello All. I'm Cynda. I enjoy reading biographies, autobiograpies, memiors. I have been an active member of Goodreads since probably since late 2014. I read literature and nonfiction, thinking I have scored when I read nonfiction literature. . . .And I see some of my reading friends are here. Maybe meet new ones too. . . .I am shopping a second nonfiction group, so I am come for a good long visit at least.
Hi Everyone! I am new to Goodreads, this is the first group that I have joined, and this is my first post. My wife and I lived most of our lives in New York City, and now live in Melbourne, Australia. I am retired, but recently became an author. I like history, biography, and memoirs, and just wrote a memoir. I am looking forward to learning a bit about Goodreads and this group, plus following the discussions and hopefully getting some good book recommendations.
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Welcome Ken! If we can answer any questions for you dont be afraid to ask.
Hi my name is Rory I Jagdeo and just published my memoir "WALK ABOUT - Searching For The Epic Life- A Guyanese Memoir" and that documented 65 years of my life - that includes the first 20 years of my life growing up in Guyana South America. I touched into my fore parents journey who came as indentured servants from India in the late 1800s. The last chapter is a reflection of the pandemic and honoring my brother's life who was taken away by covid-19.Archway: https://www.archwaypublishing.com/en/...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=9781480897...
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/walk...
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Welcome Cal! I cant think of any books like that. I'll have to put my thinking cap on.
Welcome Cal! You might find something in the travel memoir discussion thread?
Hello I'm Martin Talks. I am fascinated by the future, but also by the past. I have published a sci fi book, Blinky's Law, about how the future might play out. I have also helped numerous people publish their memoirs through my business My Saga (www.my-saga.com). One recent one is From East to West by Karin Ashby that tells the story of her childhood during and just after the Second World War in East Germany. A quick quote: 'The Russians burst into our house, shouting "Razzia". They were checking for guns and ammunition but my grandmother thought they were after her sausages. "Quick! Hide them!" She gave me a stick laden with rings of Knackwurst, years old, to hide. So I put them in my bed!'
Mod
Welcome Martin!
Koren wrote: "Starting a new discussion for introductions because I cant find the old one."I can relate. Made me laugh. That's me looking for the file I stored my passwords in. Has to be here somewhere...
Hi I'm Margaret and I read and write memoir. I read memoir the way some people read romance books. As I finish one, I'm off to the next. I appreciate a good read with a different take. I'll read about childhood trauma but only if the memoir reaches a point of hope, healing and as part of that journey comes to understand the abuser. I'm looking forward to supporting each of you in your journeys from sharing your pre-releases or giveaways to possibly being a beta-reader.
Mod
Welcome Margaret. I usually have at least one memoir or bio going at a time. I agree with your assessment of a childhood trauma book. Looking forward to chatting with you.
Margaret wrote: "Hi I'm Margaret and I read and write memoir. I read memoir the way some people read romance books. As I finish one, I'm off to the next. I appreciate a good read with a different take. I'll read ab..."oh i can say snap to all of that - i love memoir reading and have my total favourites but only those who are showing their own journey of self development through their struggles and i am on my fourth sort of memoir, with my childhood one being the most specific memoir style book. NO visible injuries - on my authors page too - will look yours out now xxx
Koren wrote: "Ken wrote: "Hi Everyone! I am new to Goodreads, this is the first group that I have joined, and this is my first post. My wife and I lived most of our lives in New York City, and now live in Melbou..."Thanks Koren. I am very impressed by the number of books you read and review. Thanks for organizing everything!
Margaret wrote: "Koren wrote: "Starting a new discussion for introductions because I cant find the old one."I can relate. Made me laugh. That's me looking for the file I stored my passwords in. Has to be here some..."
Me too :-)
Mod
Thanks Ken and welcome to the group! My goal is 100-125 books a year but I cant have too many large tomes to reach that goal. If it looks like I am going to fall short of 10 books for the month I'll do a few quick ones to reach my goal.
Hi, I live in Rhode Island and I love Memoirs and Autobiographies but I also have favorite fiction writers as well. I'm happy to be part of this group and look forward to recommendations and reviews. God Bless America!
J wrote: "Hi, I live in Rhode Island and I love Memoirs and Autobiographies but I also have favorite fiction writers as well. I'm happy to be part of this group and look forward to recommendations and review..."
Welcome! I wrote a very personal and honest memoir - feel free to check it out at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CTIPJWE
Welcome! I wrote a very personal and honest memoir - feel free to check it out at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CTIPJWE
Mod
Welcome Isana! Everyone, if you are interested in Isana's book, the Kindle version is only $3.99.
Hello Everyone,I'm Imogen from London, and I love autobiographies and biographies. Some of my favourite books are accounts written by East Asian and Chinese people (especially women but not exclusively) about growing up during the time of the Cultural Revolution. They describe shocking lives of trial and difficulty but almost always end with the joy of surviving and overcoming, and sometimes also forgiving. Here are some I would recommend immediately to anyone interested:
Ting-Xing Ye, 'A Leaf in a Bitter Wind.'
Anhua Gao, 'To The Edge of the Sky.'
Amy Tan, 'The Opposite of Fate.'
Elizabeth Kim, 'Ten Thousand Sorrows.'
Their stories, and many others, are gripping and remarkable, all the more so because every word is true. The fact that the stories are not made up adds special weight to the words, and makes me think long and hard about my own life.
My own life is very ordinary compared to these experiences, yet even in the midst of the common-place there is the remarkable. I was inspired to write my own memoir of just one year of my life, the year I turned 50 as a shared exploration of what it's like to be middle-aged in 2020. Of course I had no idea a global pandemic was coming so it did accidentally become a work of witness to the anxiety and confusion of the beginning of the Coronavirus era. If anyone's interested it can be found here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/50-Diary-Mid...
I've read many books by survivors of Middle-Eastern trauma too, but these I'm not so interested to read any more. They make me angry! There's something peculiar about the Asian way of life that's close to my own philosophy/culture whilst at the same time being quite different . The trials and traumas these writers have gone through haven't been due to a repressing religion. It's a cultural problem that, for me, is easier to explore and understand than religious indoctrination/bigotry.
exactly my kind of read too - did you read Wild Swans - and yes Amy Tan and Elizabeth Kim too. I am also a memoir writer in various forms- so nice to meet you- my main memoir is no visible injuries which is about surviving family trauma and finding deep and lasting love - with lots of forgiveness and acceptance thrown in. xxx will check yours out though 50 was a while ago for me
Hi Sylvia, yes I read Wild Swans. I find all those books fascinating. It's so nice to meet someone else with similar taste! Also good to hear about forgiveness and acceptance. If it's possible, I believe that makes for a better life, would you agree? I'm interested in your memoir too and would like to read it. Is it available on Amazon?
yes it is called no visible injuries - thanks https://www.amazon.co.uk/No-Visible-I...yes I read a great deal of memoir - do you know Alexandra Fuller - love her memoirs about living and growing up in east africa too = have had a quick look at yours too - will come back to it xx
I haven't heard of Alexandra Fuller, but I've now looked her up. She wrote, 'Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight,' if I've got the right person? Thanks for the recommendation.I also had a quick read of the first part of your book. I like what David says in the introduction, "Such is the way we right past wrongs by proving the wrongdoers false..." So true, and is really the ideal outcome. So many wronged become the wrongdoers themselves, passing the buck to the next generation without thinking or meaning or wanting to. It's like a knee-jerk reaction because to do otherwise, to look inwards and acknowledge the truth, would be too painful. Hitting out is the easiest option. It's why I say so often that perpetrators of violence and horror are often victims themselves. People need help, not punishment (in my opinion). If you can get there yourself it's a life's work but so beneficial.
well i more or less did - yes that is the alexandra fuller i spoke of - she has written some vivid and harrowing accounts of growing up in african wars and the effects that had on her marriage. I have read four of hers and found them riveting - plan to order a load more soon - i think she has a few others out now - but i have such a reading pile for almost a whole year ahead already.David has been amazing through my journey too - we are team in every way for each other, including writing partners and editing too.
so nice to meet you xx
Thank you, Koren. It's great to be here. :-)Sylvia, you're very lucky having such a supportive partner (I expect you get told that a lot)! That's something I can only dream of. x
Hello, new members here. Wrote my first book and now trying to figure out how to sell it. http://www.digitaljournal.com/life/li...
Mod
http://www.digitaljournal.com/life/li......"
Welcome Bull! Good luck with your book. Cute dogs!
After three decades as a traditionally published author, I have 40 novels and 10 non-fiction books to my name. In every novel, at least one character is a version of me. Then it struck me, why not make myself the main character? After all, I've had a varied and interesting life and I have learned how to tell story. The problem is that, unless one is famous or has suffered, memoirs are not marketable. I went ahead anyway. The result is Lands of Lost Content: A Memoir. I'm interested in comments from other memoirists or simply interested readers. https://www.amazon.com/Lands-Lost-Con...
Hello all! I am a poet, turnt Author, originally from Worcester, Massachusetts. You can call me rome.For the better part of last year, I've been telling everyone how I survived being abused, within a dysfunctional family setting.. In other word's, I've been heavily promoting my memoir.
"TAPPED, yet unrooted"
Synopsis
Can toxic family secrets ever be forgiven or forgotten? J.E. Rome's raw, visceral poetry is a personal and chronological journey through the hell of growing up in a dysfunctional family where when bad things happen, there's no one to blame but yourself. Rome faces the skeletons in the closet head on: from childhood trauma, abuse, and parental neglect to the soul-ravaging effects of poverty and addiction.
Graphic and hard-hitting, this unforgettable memoir, structured as a collection of poems, takes you through the darkest places of the human heart to the light of hope and truth.
Reviews
"Tapped, Yet Unrooted is captivating from cover to cover. Rome poured his heart and soul into this book and it shows. He shares the horrific details of abuse and neglect, and the life he endured from infant to adult; which is unfathomable. It was a simple, yet horrifying read. I couldn't put it down. Rome has somehow overcome adversity with his familial adversaries and survived a childhood that nightmares are made of."
Tara Erickson, Speech Language Pathologist Assistant
"The deepest, powerfully raw, poetry you'll ever read! Poetically witty! These are the darkest and most unfiltered poems ever. When you pick up the book you'll quickly realize that you are in the front seat of the poet's traumatized life. Easy to understand, heartbreaking read, hard to put down."
Emmanuel Forty, Technical Recruiter
"Rome does for poetry what Eminem does for rap. An unbelievable magical array of perfection in words, through raw, rough, beautiful yet brutal reality that tells a story most aren't brave enough to share. A million accolades and all the thumbs up still would barely scratch the surface of what this man brings to the world through his gift of poetry. To say I love him, is an understatement. READ THIS BOOK!"
Amila Elizabeth, Career Nanny (Retired)
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Amazon - https://amzn.to/3dPxoE4
Website - http://www.tappedpoetry.com/
Thank you in advance, for your consideration!
-romeᴶᴱ ©2021
I'd love all of your feedback, if you're willing to give me a chance.
I like memoirs and travel books. It is fun to join a group of people who also like biography, autobiography and meoir books.
Hi, I'm Brendan, a conservation biologist living in Dubai.I'm a bit of a hybrid with interests in history, ecology and sport. My first book intended to take the reader into Endangered Species conservation in South Africa. My recently published memoir went a very different route. If you want to immerse yourself into the wilds of 2003's post-invasion Baghdad through chaotic animal rescue missions, saving bears and stealing back Saddam Hussein's missing horse collection, read The Accidental Invasion of Baghdad Zoo.
The Accidental Invasion of Baghdad Zoo
African Wild Dogs: On the Front Line
Hello Everyone, Yolanda here from North Carolina. The first line in the bio of the group immediately gained my attention because I wholeheartedly agree that everyone has a story to tell. I look forward to engaging with you all and obtaining new book recommendations.
Hello Yolanda,How are you?
I am an Author with a book called 2nd Line West. It is being made into a movie. It is a story about how my mother lived her life.
Cheers, Tom
Hi Tom, congratulations on your accomplishment. I'm hoping I can reach that milestone one day.
Tom wrote: "Hello Yolanda,How are you?
I am an Author with a book called 2nd Line West. It is being made into a movie. It is a story about how my mother lived her life.
Cheers, Tom"
That's exciting!
Just curious where it is in the process--is it in production yet? Have you sold the rights to someone?
Hi. I'm Byron from Ohio. I normally read a couple biographies per year amongst other genres. This year (2021) I've decided to focus on checking off bio/auto/memoirs from my To Be Read list. I'm almost exclusively reading things that fit in the genre category of this group.
Hello,I’ve been here a while. I’m in Perth Australia.
I was looking for recommendations, I want an inspiring book that is about somebody who did covert work for a good cause or strongly held belief. Freedom fighters who went against dictatorial governments or people who worked in the under ground resistance during times of occupation (like WW2) people who had to walk past Nazi soldiers with fake papers to operate, people who took risks for the over all betterment of society or freedom from tyranny. Even a story about an undercover spy or detective.
maybe you’ve read a book like this that you can recommend.
Rebecca wrote: "Hello,I’ve been here a while. I’m in Perth Australia.
I was looking for recommendations, I want an inspiring book that is about somebody who did covert work for a good cause or strongly held beli..."
Hi Rebecca
Someone like Dietrich Bonhoeffer comes to mind (resistance against Hitler)
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
The God Smugglers - about people who take Bibles into places where they are banned.
Book of Esther in the Bible.
Those are just some off the top of my head. Nelson Mandela.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Rosa Parks.
3 cups of tea although that wasn't really 'covert'.
Maybe memoirs like I am Malala (girl's education) or Greta Thunberg (climate change) about young girls who stood up for something.
Malala was shot by the Taliban in Pakistan, and Greta was taking on the whole Swedish government and world leaders, challenging them about their tryannical plans to keep on polluting the entire planet.
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Biography, Autobiography, Memoir
Books mentioned in this topic
Dead Versions Of Me: Some versions didn't survive the telling. (other topics)The Story of ABBA: Melancholy Undercover (other topics)
THE MORPH: The Alchemy of the Animal (other topics)
Whispers On The Wind (other topics)
Leaving Pep Band Friends (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Jan Gradvall (other topics)Ron Chernow (other topics)
Deena Goldstein (other topics)
Rich Flanders (other topics)
Rich Flanders (other topics)
More...
nice to met you