Biography, Autobiography, Memoir discussion
Biography, Autobiography, and Memoir read in 2022
Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Irin Carmon
3.5/5 star
This was quite an unusual book about RBG. It talks about her life with her husband who ended up more of a stay at home husband but still working and supporting his wife, her law career and her eventual rise to Supreme Court judge. It was also quite a fascinating look at the juggling the nominees go through before getting on the court.
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Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Irin Carmon
3.5/5 star
This..."
She was an amazing woman!
Koren wrote: "Julie wrote: "Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Irin Carmon
3...."
Gone too soon!
Notes on a Cowardly Lion: The Biography of Bert Lahr, With a New Preface by the Author
John Lahr
3/5 stars
This is quite an extensive book on Bert Lahr who was probably best known for his role of the Cowardly Lion in the film, The Wizard of Oz. Written by his son, the author traces his family life and extensive career on Broadway, films and Vaudeville and the actors and actresses he worked with.
Sergeant Rex: The Unbreakable Bond Between a Marine and His Military Working DogA Dog Called Hope: The wounded warrior and the dog who dared to love him (in middle of reading)
What Happened, Miss Simone?: A Biography by Alan Light
This 2016 biography was written after and based on the research that went into the Netflix doco. For anyone who's a fan of Nina Simone or wanted to know more about her, apart from listening to her brilliant music, this bio was well researched and revealing.
Nina Simone it seems did suffer from manic depression/bipolar disorder, but this was only mentioned once, the focus was more on her work, and her relationship with her second husband who was her manager and her daughter. The early years of precocious musical genius, racism, civil rights era and her escape to Liberia are all covered.
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3 stars
I didn't really know who this guy was when i started the book. I needed a book with a lot of food words for a challenge. I had the feeling he was a super nice guy and a lot of fun so I will definitely look for his shows and movies. I'm not really a foodie and a lot of the food he talks about were a little too fancy for me but I enjoyed his tales about his big, Italian family and his friends.
Old Sparky: The Electric Chair and the History of the Death Penalty
Anthony Galvin
5/5 stars
This is an interesting book about the history of the death penalty, the electric chair and the people who underwent execution. Written in 2015, I would love to see this book added to include any changes in the death penalty and its outcomes.
In his (sort of) memoir Still No Word from You: Notes in the Margin author Peter Orner is something of an unreliable narrator, even while recounting his own experiences. But the writing is terrific.My review:
https://mypointbeing.com/2022/11/08/s...
The Wolf Man
Kenny Abdo
3/5 stars
I thought this book was an adult book but it turns out that it is an easy reader book. But I did read it though I really wanted to read an adult book on The Wolf Man. This is one of a series of books on Hollywood Monsters for children. I will have to be more on alert when I order books. I am sure there is something out there about the wolfman and/or Lon Chaney on an adult level.
However, the most interesting part of the book was that the script of the movie was based on writer Curt Siodmark's Dresden experiences when the Nazi's took over. It did not come from German folklore.
I am going to count this since there is a lot of memoir/travel writing by Basho included in this book (plus the biographical stuff by others, but that alone wouldn't mean anything.)The Essential Basho by Matsuo Bashō
Only 3 stars because it's not all Haiku and I didn't find the travel stuff as interesting as I would have liked. Plus it's a lot of translated haiku that I suspect is better in the original Japanese, although some of it was brilliant even in English. Also, I don't generally read volumes of poetry despite having written a plethora of free verse in my teens and early university years (most of it foolishly tossed. Sure, some was drivel, naturally, but when my parents sent me a box of stuff, some of it wasn't so I'm glad to have those few back.)
In any event, here are a couple I loved PLUS one that made me think of my niece and of course she loved hearing it.
Two of the ones I loved even in English:
Winter peonies--
we'll call these plovers in snow
our winter cuckoos
"Remembrance fern"
withers--I bought fresh rice cakes
at the old hotel
All the cherry blossom ones reminded me of my niece, but this is the one I told her over the phone:
If my voice was good,
I'd sing a song of cherry
blossoms falling
Because her teacher helped her write a song she started and the refrain is about cherry blossoms falling, etc (it has depth to it). She lives in Vancouver which is rife with Japanese cherry trees and there is even a Cherry Blossom Festival. Here's a photo of some Vancouver specimens, so you can see why the blossoms are one of the things Basho wrote of so often in the spring:
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4 stars
Reminiscent of Angela's Ashes without the poverty and it takes place in Australia. I thought the fact that the author had a wonderful childhood was a breath of fresh air. There isn't much complaining in this book. The author's voice as an 8-year-old boy was realistic. The only criticism I have about this book is that there aren't really any exciting moments, just more a reminiscence of growing up in the 60's and 70's.
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[book:The Esse..."
Beautiful! We are getting several inches of snow today so it really makes me anxious for spring.
I think I posted in wrong thread..but you can read reviews of the bios/memoirs I posted in the anything goes thread.Two - Watchman Nee: Sufferer for China
and Shanghai Faithful: Betrayal and Forgiveness in a Chinese Christian Family
I definitely would recommend Shanghai Faithful
In his book Growing Up Underground: A Memoir of Counterculture New York author Steven Heller writes about his childhood and his early career as art director for various underground publications in New York City. Good reading if the subject matter interests you.My review:
https://mypointbeing.com/2022/11/15/g...
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3 stars
Wasn't really what I thought it would be. I thought it would be a travel memoir, which it is a little, but mostly it is about him. I was hoping to read about Sturgis but once he finally gets to Sturgis, that is pretty much the end of the book. Mostly this is just a whine about the weather and mechanical problems along the way.
I am reading a David Ickes biography "The Trap." This is a wild book and will be worth a read.
I have also jumped onto Colleen Hover's books, my first read is Verity - so far, amazing. Colleen has an amazing talent for building an emotion experience with her words.
Lindbergh
by A. Scott Berg
5/5 stars
I love A. Scott Berg and would read anything by him. He doesn't disappoint in this detailed and interesting book about Lindbergh which recounts his life, his tragedies, triumphs and his death. Highly recommended!
I was disappointed by Jason Guriel's new memoir On Browsing. I was expecting a paean to browsing the aisles of a physical book or music store. There was some of that to be sure, but he devoted too much space to the internet and browsing Netflix listings. Not what I was looking for.My review:
https://mypointbeing.com/2022/11/22/o...
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5 stars and a heart
I absolutely loved this book, but I have to say, I could be a little biased. The author is my first cousin's daughter, so she is my first cousin once removed. I did meet her once at a family function, but aside from that I don't actually know her. At that time she had written one book which was in the fantasy genre, which is not really my cup of tea and left me kind of confused. When I happened to see she had written a biography, my favorite genre, of course I had to check it out. The book is about a black woman who moved to Minnesota to head a new college that was floundering, and went on to be a leader at General Mills, running their philanthropic division. Even though I live in Minnesota, I did not know who Reatha Clark King was before I read this book. She is an amazing woman who shattered glass ceilings and opened doors for women and many disadvantaged people. Growing up in the South and coming of age in the 60's, she overcame many obstacles on her way to going to college, becoming a chemist, an educator, and a businesswoman whose first priority was helping people less fortunate. Very interesting lady, this book held my interest from beginning to end.
Deity World wrote: "Madly, Deeply: The Diaries of Alan RickmanHalfway through and loving the humour"
That is on my list!!
Julie wrote: "Deity World wrote: "Madly, Deeply: The Diaries of Alan RickmanHalfway through and loving the humour"
That is on my list!!"
Finished it was amazing the journals worked perfectly
Dolls! Dolls! Dolls!: Deep Inside Valley of the Dolls, the Most Beloved Bad Book and Movie of All Time
Stephen Rebello
4/5 stars
If you have ever seen Valley of The Dolls, you’ll love this book that covers all the dirt in the making of this movie based on Jacqueline Susann’s 1966 book. Rebello thoroughly covers every aspect of the making of this movie!
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[book:Dolls! Dolls! Dolls!: Deep Inside Valley of the Dolls, the Most Bel..."
Jaqueline Susanne was my favorite author in the 70's. I've seen the movie but it's been a long time. Maybe should check it out again.
Mod
Halfway through and loving the humour"
That is on my list!!"
Finished it was amazing the journals wor..."
Saw this at the library and glanced through it. I'm usually not a fan of diary style writing but your review makes me want to give it a try.
Koren wrote: "Deity World wrote: "Julie wrote: "Deity World wrote: "Madly, Deeply: The Diaries of Alan RickmanHalfway through and loving the humour"
That is on my list!!"
Finished it was amaz..."
It worked really well as a journal
Koren wrote: "Julie wrote: "[book:Dolls! Dolls! Dolls!: Deep Inside Valley of the Dolls..."
This is the movie Judy Garland was fired from (again)
I read the novel, and also there was a biopic made of Jacqueline Susann about her writing Valley of the Dolls. I think it starred Bette Midler?
I thought it the novel was ok, dishy, but a fun read if you like chick-lit. It's a roman a clef so you'll need to figure out who the characters are based on. But it's very 'of its time'. Eg the 60s, which supposedly nobody who was there remembers.
This book might be interesting, but I probably won't understand all the hype around it, since it was before my time lol
Previously On Friends: The Official Companion To Seasons 2 And 3 by Penny StallingsThis episode guide has every episode of seasons 2 and 3 (not just a selection, as in other books) but its black and white pics with a colour insert, and also short 2 page bios on each cast member, so you'll find out a few things.
For Friends fans, of course. I am keen to read Matthew Perry's memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing but I'm also curious about the one Jennifer Aniston's mother wrote...its probably out of print, but might come across it one day in an op shop. I figure she might have been a stage mother. From Mother and Daughter to Friends: A Memoir by Nancy Aniston
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[book:Dolls! Dolls! Dolls!: Deep Inside Valle..."
You're funny! I remember the 60's but I would have been about 6 when that movie came out. I don't remember the characters being based on anything. I'm going to have to research that. What I can tell you was that it was very racy for it's time. If I remember correctly without googling is that Sharon Thate was in that movie and I think some other well known actresses. I'm going to go look it up.
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[book:Dolls! Dolls! Dolls!: Deep Inside Valle..."
Ok, the movie came out in 1967 so I would have been 11. Patty Duke was also in the movie. She was hugely popular at the time. Here is what I found about the characters being based on:
Valley of the Dolls is considered a roman à clef, with its characters based on famous figures such as Judy Garland, Carole Landis, Dean Martin, and Ethel Merman.
I may have to watch that movie again with a whole new perspective.
Mod
3 stars
The author put together this story from letters and journals written by her grandmother. I think for the family this is probably a treasure. For me it was a little boring until closer to the end I started to like it. There just wasn't enough experiences here to really get a feel of what it was like back in those days.
Koren wrote: "Selina wrote: "Koren wrote: "Julie wrote: "[book:Dolls! Dolls! Dolls!: De..."
I had no idea it was based on real people! We used to see reruns of old Patty Duke shows where she played two cousins, so I had heard of her, but mostly from that.
Patty Duke wrote a memoir called Call Me Anna: The Autobiography of Patty Duke but I don't think anyone actually calls her Anna. Apparently she suffered from Bipolar Disorder as well. A lot of actors do. Acting is a way of disassociating I guess, and dealing with emotions.
Nora Ephron: A Biography
Kristin Marguerite Doidge
4/5 stars
This isn’t the first book I have read about Nora Ephron but she is such an interesting subject to read about and was such a success in her career with writing and film that not every book on her can contain all that we know about her. When I checked this out from the library I work at, one of the patrons saw that I had that book and she wanted to check it out too. I think Ephron’s life was not long enough for her fans, family and friends yet she will still be a role model to women everywhere!
Nora Ephron: A Biography
Kristin Marguerite Doidge
4/5 stars
This isn’t the first book I have read about Nora Ephron but she is such an interesting subject to read about and was such a success in her career with writing and film that not every book on her can contain all that we know about her. When I checked this out from the library I work at, one of the patrons saw that I had that book and she wanted to check it out too. I think Ephron’s life was not long enough for her fans, family and friends yet she will still be a role model to women everywhere!
Mod
4 stars
I think it is a good idea when we go to book sales not to overlook books that are written by independent authors about their ancestors and has local interest. This book is written by a granddaughter about her doctor grandfather, who practiced medicine in rural Minnesota. At least half of the book is about his war experiences and is written in his own words through letters we wrote home to his wife. I did not know Dr. Thayer, but I know some of his family and living in the area, I have heard many things about him. If you lived in the Truman, Minnesota area you were more than likely his patient. This book was fun for me to read as I recognized several names in the book. In fact, there was a quote from a close friend of mine who was a patient and has since passed away so it was fun to see her name in the book. Doctor Thayer was an amazing man. He began his practice in the day when people paid for their medical care with meat and produce from their farms and if you couldn't afford care he didn't worry about it. He told a woman who he had delivered 11 babies for that the 12 one would be free and he kept that promise. Too bad his kind of doctor is no longer around.
Published in May, The California Days of Ralph Waldo Emerson by Brian C. Wilson is a fascinating account of a train trip Emerson took to California late in his life. We so often think of him as New England-centric, but this book offers a different perspective. The audiobook narration is superb.My review:
https://mypointbeing.com/2022/12/01/t...
Koren wrote: "American Prince: A Memoir by Tony Curtis4 stars
I'm not really a Tony Curtis fan. He's a little before my time. I searched for his mov..."
Did you see him in THE BOSTON STRANGLER? That ought to be right up your alley.
Mod
4 stars
I'm not really a Tony Curtis fan. He's a little before my time. I search..."
No, I have not. I'll see if it is on Netflix.
Winch
Paul Winchell
4/5 stars
Probably best known as a puppeteer and TV star, the rest of his life was a series of ups and downs especially regarding his mother. But he was also an inventor and friends with Dr. Heimlich. He consulted with him about using hypnosis during surgery and worked on an artificial heart. He also experimented on electric cars and was the first to develop disposable razors among other things. Highly recommended and very interesting!
So I was rushing to go out for pizza with friends and slipped in the bath LOL! Anyway, as a result of my rib injury I forgot to mention here that my memoir, EN ROUTE, is F R E E !
At least it still is for the rest of today (Tuesday 6 December) Enjoy a romp around the world with me 🤗
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09LLNSTXS
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F R E E !
At least it stil..."
Got it Elora! Thank you!
Wonderful! Thanks Koren, and I do hope you enjoy it. Happy reading!
A comprehensive biography (and the first of its kind) about Beatrice Ayer Patton, a wife of General George Smith Patton Jr., hero of WII. Highly recommend it if you are a history buff. Lady of the Army: The Life of Mrs. George S. Patton by Stefanie Van Steelandt
Annie's Ghosts: A Journey Into a Family Secret
Steve Luxenberg
4/5 stars
Steve Luxenberg knew that his mother was an only child but then there was an episode that occurred at the doctor’s office when she talked to her doctor about a sibling that was institutionalized when she was quite young. The author had never in his life heard of this sister of his mother. It wasn’t until his mother’s death that the secret came out. He started to research his mother’s family and uncovered the truth about the aunt who he never met. I thought this was quite an amazing story and thoroughly researched.
Biography, Autobiography, Memoir
Books mentioned in this topic
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I'm Glad My Mom Died (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Jewel (other topics)Rachael Wiseman (other topics)
Clare Mac Cumhaill (other topics)
Arianna Warsaw-Fan Rauch (other topics)
Jennette McCurdy (other topics)
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Just finished a must read