Buddy Reads

[Selina]

Koren have you picked a bio on Marilyn Monroe already?
Which one?

The other bio/memoir I am thinking of reading next is Paula by Isabelle Allende
It's about her daughter, who died young.

[Koren]

This is the one I own but I'm not sure yet if I am going to stay with it. The print is really small! And over 700 pages!

Marilyn Monroe: The Biography

[Selina]

Koren wrote: "This is the one I own but I'm not sure yet if I am going to stay with it. The print is really small! And over 700 pages!

Marilyn Monroe: The Biography"

Oh I think I already read that one, cos on my Goodreads I rated it 3 stars, though didn't leave a review.

I don't remember that much of it but if it is 700 pages must have packed in a lot of detail. Post what you think anyway and I might have something to contribute from what I recall of Marilyn's life.

[Selina]

Any new buddy read suggestions?

Maybe this time a travel memoir...doesn't have to be the same book but maybe the same destination?

[Kit]

I will start Becoming Superman by J. Michael Straczynski soon. If anyone wants to join in welcome to!

[Koren]

Kit wrote: "I will start Becoming Superman by J. Michael Straczynski soon. If anyone wants to join in welcome to!"

I can download this from the library so, yes, I will join you. I'll start a new discussion for it.

[Cal]

Don't laugh but I finally managed to get another copy of A Promised Land after I used all my library renewals the first time around. So I'm back on it!

[Koren]

Cal wrote: "Don't laugh but I finally managed to get another copy of A Promised Land after I used all my library renewals the first time around. So I'm back on it!"

No problem. Just jump right in the discussion whenever you are ready.

[Cal]

Perfect, will do.

[Selina]

I picked up Small Fry: A Memoir by Lisa Brennan-Jobs

It's a memoir by Steve Job's daughter. Anyone here interested..? It's 381 pages, and I saw my library edition had a book discussion guide at the back, but I rarely bother with those... I tend to just read the book and leave a review. But it might have some things to ponder after having read it I suppose.

[Koren]

Selina wrote: "I picked up Small Fry: A Memoir by Lisa Brennan-Jobs

It's a memoir by Steve Job's daughter. Anyone here interested..? It's 381 pages, and I saw my library edition had a book discus..."

I can order this from the library so I will give it a try.

[Cal]

Selina wrote: "I picked up Small Fry: A Memoir by Lisa Brennan-Jobs

It's a memoir by Steve Job's daughter. Anyone here interested..? It's 381 pages, and I saw my library edition had a book discus..."

I have read it and found her take on the parent/child relationship very thought provoking.

[Selina]

Cal wrote: "Selina wrote: "I picked up Small Fry: A Memoir by Lisa Brennan-Jobs

It's a memoir by Steve Job's daughter. Anyone here interested..? It's 381 pages, and I saw my library edition ha..."

Oh yea if three people read it that would be more buddy-buddy!
I'll start a thread on it when Koren gets her copy and you can jump on with the discussion. It looks like New York people really liked it because New York Times and New Yorker named it Top 10 book of the year (it was published in 2018).

I saw the movie with Ashton Kutcher playing Steve Jobs, and I have read one biography of his. But that was quite a while ago. I recall he lived in a huge mansion and that he was adopted, and his partner Wozniack was more the brains behind Apple while Jobs was more on the marketing side. And they started it from his garage. Though I think this was when the ipod was the biggest thing...but who still has an ipod now?

[Koren]

Selina wrote: "Cal wrote: "Selina wrote: "I picked up Small Fry: A Memoir by Lisa Brennan-Jobs

It's a memoir by Steve Job's daughter. Anyone here interested..? It's 381 pages, and I saw my librar..."

It's crazy how fast technology is changing and how much money we spend on things that are obsolete in a few years.

I will look for the Steve Jobs movie. Love Ashton Kucher.

[Selina]

Koren are you ready to start the Steve Jobs book yet?
Just let me know when you get hold of it or watch the movie. I've got plenty of other books to read first so whenever...it's due back 10 January but I can renew it for another month.

[Koren]

Selina wrote: "Koren are you ready to start the Steve Jobs book yet?
Just let me know when you get hold of it or watch the movie. I've got plenty of other books to read first so whenever...it's due back 10 Januar..."

I have it. Only read the first few pages to get a sense of what it is like. I want to finish the ebook I'm reading right now before I start another so give me a day or two and I will be ready to start.

[Selina]

Koren wrote: "Selina wrote: "Koren are you ready to start the Steve Jobs book yet?
Just let me know when you get hold of it or watch the movie. I've got plenty of other books to read first so whenever...it's due..."

Ok.

[Koren]

Selina wrote: "Koren wrote: "Selina wrote: "Koren are you ready to start the Steve Jobs book yet?
Just let me know when you get hold of it or watch the movie. I've got plenty of other books to read first so whene..."

Took this book to bed with me last night as the other book I'm reading is on my phone and I don't like to read e-books in bed. Gotta have a real book when reading in bed. I got to page 52 so I'm ready to discuss. I'll start a thread.

[Selina]

Hooray! I started reading it yesterday. I'm up to page 92.

[Selina]

Now I can't remember if I actually read this book or not...I'm sure I did or did I just watch the movie?

Steve Jobs

[Selina]

hmm no record of me talking about it in this group and no reviews. I must have just watched the movie then.
I don't remember seeing his daughter or other family in the movie. I remember he didn't like wearing shoes, and in the end he was living in this huge empty mansion.

Apparently his first girlfriend, Lisa's mother also wrote a memoir. Called The Bite in the Apple: A Memoir of My Life with Steve Jobs

I don't know if his wife and other three children have, I suspect not.

[Koren]

Did I hear somewhere that Steve Jobs had Aspbergers? I suppose I could google it. Some of the bizarre things he says and does makes me think he is.

[Selina]

Koren wrote: "Did I hear somewhere that Steve Jobs had Aspbergers? I suppose I could google it. Some of the bizarre things he says and does makes me think he is."

Interesting now you mention it. I don't know...I don't see him as being deliberately cruel but just extremely focused. If he didn't see the need for a couch he wouldn't buy one. He seemed to completely miss social cues.
He was very particular about things.

[Julie]

I have done that. Questioning if I have I read a book or seen this movie before?

[Koren]

Selina wrote: "Koren wrote: "Did I hear somewhere that Steve Jobs had Aspbergers? I suppose I could google it. Some of the bizarre things he says and does makes me think he is."

Interesting now you mention it. I..."

I didn't say he said anything cruel. I said bizarre. Maybe not socially appropriate. And being 'extremely focused' and 'particular about things' is definitely a symptom of Asperger's.

[Koren]

My google search found this article. Apparently, he didn't have a formal diagnosis but other's, including Temple Grandin, think he did.

https://annettegaylewood.wordpress.co...

[Selina]

Koren wrote: "Selina wrote: "Koren wrote: "Did I hear somewhere that Steve Jobs had Aspbergers? I suppose I could google it. Some of the bizarre things he says and does makes me think he is."

Interesting now yo..."

mm though for me reading it he came across as cruel (to Lisa) rather than bizarre...
eg hurtful was how she took it, probably because she didn't as a child understand it. I was thinking of the incident with her cousin, and also, since Lisa as a child had a very self centred way of viewing things, she'd take it all a bit personally. Not having a couch or furniture meant they weren't a 'normal family' (though poor families lack furniture too and just sit on the floor) having to do the dishes is just a thing everyone does when there's no dishwasher or it doesn't work...some homes just don't have heat in some bedrooms...some just don't have heat at all. And unfortunately yes elder children DO need to babysit their younger siblings...it's kind of expected.

I personally didn't see anything bizarre in that. People going round barefoot...well thats just what you do in a warm climate. Lisa wasn't able at the time to articulate it. But she seemed to take the way he lived as an affront to her. Steve was only in his 20s when he became a millionaire. He didn't really have any idea on what to do with it.

But Sarah being 'loud' and 'wrong' and Steve just telling her so cos she was eating a hamburger, is kind of just the same as carnivores ragging on vegetarians and making fun of them...and they do it a lot more than vegans/vegetarians question people who eat meat. I'd say eating meat in front of a vegetarian could offend them as they are more thinking of the animal lives given rather than people who eat meat just thinking vegetarians are weirdos....and aren't afraid to say so.

[Koren]

I am going to start Edison by Edmund Morris as soon as I catch up on a few other books I am reading. Would anyone like to read along with me or read any other book about Thomas Edison?

[Selina]

Koren wrote: "I am going to start Edison by Edmund Morris as soon as I catch up on a few other books I am reading. Would anyone like to read along with me or read any other book about Thomas Edison?"

Looks interesting Koren! Though I'm not sure I'm ready to read a 793 page bio at this time. (It's summer here! I want something light)
However I have read a book on Edison previously so I can join in discussion.

[Koren]

Selina wrote: "Koren wrote: "I am going to start Edison by Edmund Morris as soon as I catch up on a few other books I am reading. Would anyone like to read along with me or read any other book abo..."

Summer! Lucky you! The bibliography and notes cut it down to 634 pages. It is pretty daunting for me too. I might change my mind.

[Selina]

I wonder if you've read this one Frozen Dinners: A Memoir of a Fractured Family by Elaine Ambrose

I recall it was mentioned in book discussions a while ago. I found it in the library and it may be my next read..just 170 pages.

[Koren]

Selina wrote: "I wonder if you've read this one Frozen Dinners: A Memoir of a Fractured Family by Elaine Ambrose

I recall it was mentioned in book discussions a while ago. I found it in the libra..."

I have not read it but it doesn't look like my library has it.

[Selina]

The memoirs bios I have on my shelf TBR at the moment - I ordered them ages ago after reading about Jonestown

Stories from Jonestown
Undaunted: Surviving Jonestown, Summoning Courage, and Fighting Back

I also have this one but its not really a memoir, it's a children's chapter book Laura Ingalls Is Ruining My Life

I watched the film adaption of Little Women the other week and was thinking have I read any biography of Louisa May Alcott? I don't think I have. I'm going to look for one.

[Selina]

Haven't managed to find any recent bio of Louisa May Alcott....the only one in the library is this one published 1995! Louisa May Alcott: A Modern Biography

These memoirs on my TBR shelf.... not sure if anyone's interested and can find them...

Reef Life: An Underwater Memoir
Faking It: My Life in Transition

[Selina]

I've now got Louisa May Alcott: A Modern Biographyon the shelf if anyone's interested in buddy reading.

[Selina]

Elizabeth & Margaret: The Intimate World of the Windsor Sisters next on my list...if anyone wants a right royal buddy read.

Think that's the only one left on my shelf bio/memoir/autobiography wise! Anyone got any other suggestions? Might request that Edison one Koren.

[Koren]

Selina wrote: "Elizabeth & Margaret: The Intimate World of the Windsor Sisters next on my list...if anyone wants a right royal buddy read.

Think that's the only one left on my shelf bio/memoir/a..."

I read Elizabeth and Margaret. I think you will like it. The Edison one has been slow going for me. I'm only at page 100. It's interesting but I keep putting it aside to finish other books.

[Selina]

Koren wrote: "Selina wrote: "Elizabeth & Margaret: The Intimate World of the Windsor Sisters next on my list...if anyone wants a right royal buddy read.

Think that's the only one left on my she..."

Did you review it on here? I don't remember reading it if you did.

[Selina]

Oh I looked it up on the search...you gave it 5 stars. Must be pretty good then.

I tend not to give stars on my reviews here cos its actually hard for me to rate books...despite being a librarian. I'm more interested in what I learn from them rather than judging them. Even a 1 star book has something worthwhile IMHO although may be badly written. Otherwise wouldn't have picked it up to read.

[Koren]

Selina wrote: "Oh I looked it up on the search...you gave it 5 stars. Must be pretty good then.

I tend not to give stars on my reviews here cos its actually hard for me to rate books...despite being a librarian...."

I very seldom give a 1 star review. If it's that bad I usually don't stick with it. 50 page rule- if I'm not into it by 50 pages I quit.

[Selina]

I found a memoir by Serena Williams in the fridge library. Queen Of The Court: An Autobiography so might be reading that next after Elizabeth and Margaret.

Wonder if Venus has also written one. Princess of the Court?

[Selina]

Koren I picked up Edison. It looks quite thick. Might be one to read if I have to stay home and isolate again.

[Koren]

Selina wrote: "Koren I picked up Edison. It looks quite thick. Might be one to read if I have to stay home and isolate again."

It is pretty thick but the index or notes or whatever it is at the end take up about 100 pages.

[Selina]

Might be a while before I get to Edison Koren but go ahead and post it in Buddy Reads. I'll catch up eventually and am pretty fast reader. I just have some other books on the shelf I'd like to read first.

I don't mind spoilers, I won't click on the discussion till I'm ready, but I know its hard to recall things if they aren't fresh in your mind.
I usually post reviews/thoughts straight after I've finished reading something not really in the middle of a book or months later. So buddy reading is a bit different as we probably not reading everything concurrently.

[Koren]

Selina wrote: "Might be a while before I get to Edison Koren but go ahead and post it in Buddy Reads. I'll catch up eventually and am pretty fast reader. I just have some other books on the shelf I'd like to read..."

I'm not reading it much right now so I will wait.

[Selina]

I'm going to start Edison in a day or so as I'm now isolating at home!

[Selina]

I've started Edison just on the first chapter. I like how its got photos within the text. Sometimes I think it's a bit annoying how bios often just have one or two big inserts of photos right in the middle of the book instead of in the appropriate places of the narrative.

[Selina]

Arrgh I don't think I can read Edison. At first I thought ok the authors just writing about the end of Edison's life as a dramatic opener then he's going to do the normal thing a biographer is meant to do - write about his life from the beginning. But no. He's just writing about his life in reverse order going backwards.

I have no idea who all these people are in his life or what they are doing there cos I haven't read how they got into Edisons life yet. No I don't know about his first wife and their children because the biographer hasn't even told me how he got married or even to whom.

I thought about reading the book from last chapter to first but I'm just too exhausted to try. So much for the photos being within the text. And since I already read a bio about Edison it was easier to read the TIME life book than this.

[Koren]

Selina wrote: "Arrgh I don't think I can read Edison. At first I thought ok the authors just writing about the end of Edison's life as a dramatic opener then he's going to do the normal thing a biographer is mean..."

I'm fine if you don't want to read the book. It's been slow going for me. I knew going into it that they started at the end of his life and end at the beginning. I don't think I like that either. If it was a library book I think I would just take it back as I started it 2 or 3 months ago and just read a few chapters a day. I don't remember where I got it.

[Selina]

Well..do post when you eventually finish - cos my copy is going back to the library. I'm reading something else now.

I don't think I've ever not finished a biography before because it was unreadable! Or backwards.