Biography, Autobiography, Memoir discussion
Hello and Introduce Yourself!
Hello. My name is Matt and I am a parent, a reader, a husband, and a writer (in no particular order). I am very interested in the blurred lines between memoir and fiction. I love work by Jenny Offill, Dave Eggers, and Sarah Manguso, but I also enjoy traditional memoir as well, with The Glass Castle and Kiese Laymon's Heavy being favorites.
I just read a delightful little book by Wil Wheaton of Star Trek: The Next Generation Fame, called Dancing Barefoot. It has little to do with Star Trek and a lot to do with parenthood, loss, love, and life. Very charming and quick (about 100 pages?).
A big hello to you all. I am Colin Templeman from the city of Portsmouth in the UK. - self-published author of a memoir Parkie Life An undertaking that literally took me years to get across the line. Mostly I guess due to my thinking that memoirs were the domain of celebrities. Until my children convinced me otherwise. According to them the photograph album only provides a glimpse and not the whole story. Oh and apparently I'm not getting any younger!
I am a newbie to Goodreads and having decided to lay my hat here I'm so looking forward to being amongst like-minded people. Even make a few friends along the way.
I read most days although have never posted as much on Goodreads. But that will change. I enjoy a memoir especially if it's written in a conversational (not overly edited) matter of fact kind of way. People such as Billy Connolly spring to mind. Any recommendations along those lines would be most welcome.
In fact any help that anyone can offer to make my inexperience become a great experience, either as an author or reader, would be really appreciated.
Greetings,Thanks for allowing me to join the group. I look forward to connecting with some of you!
My name is Otishia E. and I am a narrator and self published author of 7 books! I am proud of them all however, the one that most speaks to my audience is my memoir, Daddy's Girl.
I use my memoir as a ministry tool to help those who are dealing with the residue of childhood hurt in their adult life.
Get to know more about me here:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/...
Hello, My name is Alex (pen name: Floyd Wooderson) and I am author of 'Wolves of Hemp Street: Memoirs of the CBD Green Rush', but I am also an avid reader in nonfiction. At the very moment I am reading Walden by Henry David Thoreau and Operation Pineapple Express by Scott Mann. I am a really a fan of anything that has a sense of adventure in it.
Anyways, look forward to connecting with ya'll and I hope you have a great day!
Cheers
Mod
Mod
My name is Alex (pen name: Floyd Wooderson) and I am author of 'Wolves of Hemp Street: Memoirs of the CBD Green Rush', but I am also an avid reader in nonfiction. At the very moment I am r..."
Looks like you found your way here Floyd. There is a discussion thread called Authors Share Your Books if you would like to post there.
Hello, I’m ava! Recently got back into reading and have an odd obsession with biographies! Been looking for a Marilyn Monroe one if anyone has any recommendations!
Hi everyone, I'm a retired sword swallower, juggler, cruise ship entertainer, and long-time book worm. Currently working my way through a heap of the classics, but have long loved biography, memoir, and history. I've also begun to focus more energy on authorship myself and plan to release two more books in the next year. My first book was released 8 days ago and has been called a comedic, philosophical, memoir, which is catchy but doesn't seem to fall neatly into any category, lol. That said, I'm not here to promote, I just wanted to introduce myself. And I can't wait to see what ya'll are reading :) Cheers, Bill
Bill wrote: "Hi everyone, I'm a retired sword swallower, juggler, cruise ship entertainer, and long-time book worm. Currently working my way through a heap of the classics, but have long loved biography, memoir..." Looks like a cool book. Congrats on publishing it! Also, welcome.
Hello everyone! My name is N and I’m from the US. I’m looking for any biographies from musicians (specifically singers) because I’m very interested in how other artists were influenced when they first started. (For inspirational reasons.) I can read in other languages if that helps with any recommendations.
Mod
Hi N! Is there any specific genre you are looking for? 2 of the best autobios I have read recently are Me by Elton John and A Natural Woman: A Memoir by Carole King.
Honestly, if your talking about musical genres, then I prefer pop, r&b, Spanish music, rock and some jazz. Then again I’m open to reading a lot of autobiographies. Not every one because of personal reasons.
Also thank you for the recommendation! I might consider reading Carole King’s book.
Mod
I totally agree. We don't have to be a fan to enjoy a book. I read The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music by Dave Grohl and didn't know who he was, but enjoyed the book.
Thank you so much for your help. It is a pleasure to meet you Koren
I need a book buddy badly lol or at least be able to discuss the book I read with people that share the same enthusiasm I do for reading. I’m fairly introverted so I don’t revel in the thought of going to socials to find a book buddy. My most recent read was Notes on a Silencing by Lacy Crawford. If you’ve read any of the same book as me PLEASE reach out I’d love to have someone to discuss them with <3 Ty
Hi guys, hope you’re all well, I’m Mohaz and I live in London, England.I’m new to the group though not entirely new to Goodreads as I joined 10y ago then disappeared because life got in the way!
Over the years I’ve come to realise that I struggle to finish reading fiction, so now that I’m back to GR I must audit and edit my virtual bookshelf to match what’s on my bookshelf in real life - it’s now memoirs, autobiographies and narrative nonfiction all the way!
Who knows what I might be reading in another 10y 🤔💭
Anyway, hello from London! 💂♀️🇬🇧
Many thanks for the warm welcome Karin 🙂I don’t know how to reply directly to a post (will figure it out eventually) and think it’s a bit weird that the latest comments are at the bottom of the page, and not at the top…
Mod
Welcome Mohaz from Minnesota!
The Mohaz wrote: "Many thanks for the warm welcome Karin 🙂I don’t know how to reply directly to a post (will figure it out eventually) and think it’s a bit weird that the latest comments are at the bottom of the pag..."They've always appeared that way; Shelfari (which I liked better) was similar, but had nested replies which was great.
Mod
Welcome Mike. That sounds like an interesting book.
Hello. I'm a British memoirist and author of historical fiction. I've self-published several titles. At present I'm working on another memoir of my time in the Merchant Navy (Mercantile Marine) of the 1950'60s when I was a radio officer. Now that Morse is obsolete I've become a writer. Best wishes for the festivities to come.
Harry Nicholson
Mod
Welcome Harry!
Hello, I'm a Scottish-born emigrant who has lived in Australia for many years. I've been a TV procuder and then factual writer since I had kids. I have a memoir being published in Australia this year.I have always loved true life stories, and friends have often urged me to use GoodReads to try new titles, but this is the year I am getting started. I am sure this group will help me find great books to read.
Mod
Welcome Seana!
Hello all, I'm from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I'm definitely a bibliophile especially towards non fiction stuffs like history, politics, religion, economics, philosophy and auto-biography/memoirs. Robert K Massie's books on Russian monarchs is what prompted me to love biographies. His magnum opus Peter the Great is my most favorite of all. Right now I'm reading Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow. The book is so thick so much so I believe it can stop a bullet lol. Anyways, have great day to all.
Hi everyone, Alex here - I've always been a big biography and memoir fan, so it's been a real pleasure to see my own project Three And A Half Minutes of Fame - come to fruition! If you miss the 90s like I do I hope it's one for the 2024 reading list. Anyway, looking forward to seeing more recommendations, especially music memoirs.
Hello! My name is Angie (she/they/angie) and I've almost exclusively read memoirs, biographies, and autobiographies since I read /I am Malala/ in middle school. I'm now twenty and in my second year of college for reference. I haven't met others who love this genre, so it's exciting to be here! I just finished Nadja Spiegelman's /I'm Supposed to Protect You From All This/ and it was brilliant.
Hi Folks,My name is Tony Davis (published as Anthony M. Davis) I’m the author of six books, and a two-time stroke survivor. (Four of my books were published post-stroke).
My smallest book is also my most impactful to people. “Covered From Above - A Shield From Injury or Death”.
The book describes three attempts to kill me as a child, a helicopter accident in a Panamanian jungle, 20 minutes with a serial killer, and more.
I jokingly say in the book, “I’m the guy that will die of a paper cut.” All that said, I’m grateful for every day of life. If you’re looking for an inspirational book to help you find your way forward after challenge, please consider this book. It’s available in print and ebook.
Best to you,
Tony Davis
https://amzn.to/3L72cT6
Hello all,As they say in radio, I'm "long time listener, first time caller," on Goodreads :)
Last year when I moved from Canada to Porto, Portugal, I joined a few writing groups, and it renewed my interest in finding community as both a reader and a writer.
The writing group also spurred me on to write my memoir, which I just recently released, called "Resilience in the Rubble: A True Tale of Aid and Survival in Kashmir".
I'm looking forward to engaging with this group!
Kathy
Hi Kathy, It’s nice to “Virtually” meet you here. Wishing you the best,
Tony Davis
Thanks Tony! Anthony wrote: "Hi Kathy,
It’s nice to “Virtually” meet you here. Wishing you the best,
Tony Davis"
Mod
As they say in radio, I'm "long time listener, first time caller," on Goodreads :)
Last year when I moved from Canada to Porto, Portugal, I joined a few writing groups, and it renewed..."
Welcome Kathy!
Hi all, been a big fan of edgy biographies since my early twenties, and then I ended up writing one. Creator of Phantom Ant Publishing, be chuffed if you could check my work out
Good'day, mates,I'm from Australia and reading what I can, it ain't much but, what the heck. Italian family, bloody heaps of 'em. And, I've hair to cut, and style.
Hi,I'm struggling to keep up but, have some great friends who encourage me.
Hi, I've been lax. I'm in Canada and am trying to hold down two jobs. Reading is a passion and mostly done during my commuting. Poppy is a friend and more than anything she encourages me.
Mod
Welcome Jan!
I'm Nom. I live in Madrid with Nat. We're British and ran off. She'll join you now that I have. We do everything together. We'd like to be friends with you all.
OK, Little Bird We all deal with loss and grief - how we process and move through grief plays a big role in how we come through it. OK, Little Bird takes readers on an unforgettable father daughter journey and connection - when unthinkable loss and grief grip Little Bird, she learns to navigate her deep pain with the gift of humor from her father.Humor is an incredible coping tool and even in the darkest of situations, its healing powers are miraculous. Inspiring, quick easy read, a story you'll not soon forget - a reminder of someone special in your own life.
Hello, My name is Eva Todasco. I'm new to the group and happy to join you. I've just finished publishing my debut book --a memoir "Rascals and Other Good Men" now available on Amazon in ebook and paperback. I would love if some of you could read and discuss it in this forum. It's about my adventures and misadventures in South Africa for the six years I spent there during Apartheid in the 1970's, searching for love and happiness.
Mod
Welcome Eva! Feel free to start a discussion about your book. There is a thread devoted to authors and their books.
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...
Welcome Kang! I guess I have never thought about having a recommendation discussion topic. Everyone's opinion is different and there are so many different kinds of bios, memoirs, and autobios. Some people might not like all kinds. I would love to read your reviews and see what you like.