Biography, Autobiography, Memoir discussion
Biography, Autobiography, and Memoir read in 2023
Mod
4 stars
The author is the daughter of a Pakastani Muslim Imam, so a respected member of his community. There is a lot here to learn about the culture and how not even her mother could protect her from this evil man and the abuse, both physical and sexual, he heaped upon his daughter. People in the community looked the other way. Women are not respected and girl babies are sometimes killed because boy babies are revered and girls are unwanted. When the author found out her father was planning on an arranged marriage to someone she had never met, she escaped and although she was only 16 she began a new life. I was curious about the other girls in the household and if they had also suffered abuse, but she didn't touch on that. I was also curious about how common this is in the culture.
For Her Own Good: Two Centuries of the Experts' Advice to Women
Barbara Ehrenreich/ Deirdre English
3.5/5 stars
"First published in 1978, this classic history, now revised and updated, brilliantly exposes the constraints imposed on women in the name of science. Authors Barbara Ehrenreich and Deirdre English have never lost faith in science itself, but insist that we hold those who interpret it to higher standards. Women are entering the medical and scientific professions in greater numbers but as recent research shows, experts continue to use pseudoscience to tell women how to live. This edition of For Her Own Good provides today's readers with an indispensable dose of informed skepticism." from Goodreads."
This is Goodread's synopsis of this book and I couldn't do this synopsis any better than they could!
Lengthy read but so very interesting!
I just finished God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew, John Sherrill and Elizabeth Sherrill4.5 stars
Sorry, no review written yet but I don't want to forget. My husband has had this book since before we met, but I didn't get around to reading it until the past few days--better than I expected. Also, it covered a lot more than I thought, including him as a boy--fearless, loved to run, and starting at 12 was his own one boy resistance unit against the Nazis in Holland.
The Great Santini
Pat Conroy
4/5 stars
This novel is based on the author's father, the mercurial "Great Santini'", a Marine pilot. They led a nomad's life with having to move from town to town when their father had to go to different bases. Conroy relates the ups and downs of Marine life, not to mention the stress of having to kowtow to all his father's demands. Wonderfully written! 1976
Wind of Change: an American Journey in Post Soviet Russia. Highly recommend. Hilarious true story of trying to do business in Russia shortly after the Berlin Wall fell. The stories of Russians not understanding how to market or sell things were really funny, but also kinda sad. They repeatedly just didn’t comprehend how things work. Throw in some graft, vodka and the KGB amd you get a feel for what I read. Definitely try this book. 👍🏼
Mod
The Great Santini
Pat Conroy
4/5 stars
This novel is based on the author's father, the mercurial "Great Santini'", a Marine pilot. The..."
That is a book that has stayed with me over the years. I think of it often. I've known a few 'Santini's".
Andy and Don: The Making of a Friendship and a Classic American TV Show
Daniel de Visé
4/5 stars
Daniel de Vise writes a fascinating book about the relationship between Andy Griffith and Don Knotts as he follows their lives and careers and especially their time on The Andy Griffth Show. Highly recommended!
Mod
2 stars
Those of us that grew up in the 70's best remember Carroll O'Connor as the curmudgeonly Archie Bunker, and later starring in In The Heat Of The Night. So, going into this I was surprised that the voice of the author didn't sound anything like his characters. Instead, he sounded like a proper English gentleman. The biggest disappointment of all was that he spent very little time talking about his television shows. In fact, the iconic All In the family was barely a chapter. He does go on quite a bit about things that didn't seem to connect, for instance some history of Ireland. Love this guy, but his autobiography just wasn't that interesting.
I read “Wind of Change: an American Journey in Post Soviet Russia”. A full five stars. It’s a true, hilarious story of trying to do business in Russia shortly after the Berlin Wall fell. The author speaks Russand thinks he’s prepared for all the interactions he is about to have, but the cultural divide is so strong and the people there so engrained in the old command economy ways, that things falter. Throw in some graft, some KGB and some real cultural insights snd this is a great read.
The Amityville Horror
Jay Anson
4/5 stars
In 1975 the Lutz family has moved to Amityville, New York because of George Lutz's new job. However, things go terribly wrong when they moved in. Strange and horrible things were happening in the house. They were never informed that the son of the previous family, Ronald J. DeFeo Jr. killed his family. As much as they tried to live there, they eventually had to move out. What a fascinating story. Several film versions were made of the events. 1977
After reading two fairly heavy-duty books I opted for something lighter (though still very comprehensive): Oscar Hammerstein II and the Invention of the Musical by Laurie Winer. Lots of material and detail with which I wasn't familiar.My review:
https://mypointbeing.com/2023/03/16/o...
Mod
That sounds interesting.
All about Me!: My Remarkable Life in Show Business
Mel Brooks
4/5 stars
What a great book about all the films that Mel Brooks wrote and filmed! He also writes about his life growing up, his time in the military in WWII, how he got into show business and how he met his wife, the lovely Anne Bancroft and their relationship. Definitely for film fans!
Member of the Family: My Story of Charles Manson, Life Inside His Cult, and the Darkness That Ended the Sixties by Dianne Lake5 stars!
Just an excellent read. Dianne Lake's memoir of her life before, during, and after her 2-year stay with the Manson family. Full of insight and interesting details that didn't make it into any of the other books about this sorry episode in history. Don't miss this one.
Have to give a really strong recommendation on this historical memoir, “Wind of Change: an American Journey in Post Soviet Russia.” Set in the early 1990’s, shortly after the USSR collapsed, the author describes his travels in Russia trying to do business and find investments. It’s the Wild West, with free wheeling managers, leaders who cannot conceive of a market economy, and exKGB trying to get ahead. Anything goes, and this one young American is hopeful for positive change. His journey reminds us of the short spark of hope that existed for just an instant in time. 5/5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew PerryAll about Matthew Perry's addiction (the terrible thing) .
We all know from watching Friends that Matthew Perry was Chandler.
But what was Chandler like in real life?
Cue abandonment issues and being exposed to drugs as a baby!
Your eyes might glaze over in this one because he's really not funny when writing about his addictions.
He's probably kicking himself that he didn't end up with Julia Roberts. But other than that, I hope he gets closer to God or has that spiritual awakening after coming back from rock bottom. The colostomy bag thing was a bit TMI. All I can think of is...drugs/opiates are readily available and acceptable in the US. And if you have heaps of money your drug dealer will continue feeding them to you. And also, if you have to pretend to be in pain just to get a hit and get into hospital so you can obtain these drugs something is very wrong!
On Animals by Susan OrleanCan't get enough of the weird and wonderful writing from Susan Orlean? This book has more especially for the animal lovers amongst us whether they be killer whales, pandas, tigers, lions, rabbits, dogs, homing pigeons, chickens or crazy taxidermists. Its a collection of essays mostly published in the New Yorker, although I would question Orlean's animal loving credentials as she clearly can't resist adding more to her collection on her hobby farm, only to up sticks and leave them all behind when a new job opportunity comes along.
Titanic and the Making of James Cameron: The Inside Story of the Three-Year Adventure That Rewrote Motion Picture History by Paula ParsiA journalist does a hagiogaphy piece on James Cameron making the Titanic. If you like reading about cost over runs and perfectionist film making and the gamble and risk of getting Titanic to screen then this book is a blow-by-blow account, though not really written in an exciting way.
I don't learn that much about James Cameron as a person but as a director he obviously has a vision and will do anything to get it. Also being backed by serious investors in the motion picture industry hoping his films will make money helps. At least it wasn't another Waterworld!
He's filming more Avatar movies in NZ I heard and moved here. (Titanic was filmed off the baja coast in Mexico - they built a movie studio/set especially for it) I'd seen Titanic again at the IMAX and was curious about it, I think it will become a classic, certainly its epic movie making at it's finest. Even if Kate Winslet said of Leonardo di Caprio that to her he was just smelly and farty Leo. She was only what 19 or so at the time and he was 24.
Selina wrote: "Titanic and the Making of James Cameron: The Inside Story of the Three-Year Adventure That Rewrote Motion Picture History by Paula ParsiA journalist does a hagiogaphy piece on James..."
I think I will pass on that book though I do like a good book on films.
Mod
5 stars
Truth is stranger than fiction. This girl's family is so bizarre at first I thought this can't possibly be a true story. But it is. Her mother is a lesbian and addict who wanted to have a baby so she found a sperm donor. Unknown to her, the guy was allergic to work so he sold his sperm to a sperm bank to make money. Of course, this is long before you could just go online and buy a DNA test kit. So, years later, here are all these half-siblings coming out of the woodwork. That's the short version of the plot. This book moves along quickly because there is something happening on every page. It doesn't slow down long enough to get boring.
After Dark: Walking into the nights of Aotearoa by Annette LeesA part memoir part meditation on nightlife in Aotearoa (New Zealand) . The author divides the chapters into night hours and ruminates on the observations she has on what goes on under cover of darkness in the forest, cities and towns of the country. She takes several walks during the night to explore the stars, moonlight and shadowy world when everyone else is sleeping but kiwis and other creatures are most active.
I used to be an insomniac, but never went out walking at night - sleepwalking doesn't count. I do recall the endless hours waiting for dawn though.
River of the Gods: Genius, Courage and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile
Candice Millard
4/5 stars
Millard relates the tale of English explorers Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke, along with the guide/slave Sidi Mubarak Bombay as they try to find the source of the Nile River in the 19th century and reap the rewards from the Royal Geographical Society who was offering a prize for those who found it first! However, the two men clashed, and this undertaking would prove too much as they separated. Fascinating!
Mod
2 stars
Ho hum. I am a fan of this guy's music, but his autobio is pretty boring. Mostly, this is a 'look who I know' and 'look at my accomplishments'. We seldom get a look into his private life.
I'm thrilled to announce the release of my new book, "Opening Up." This memoir tells the story of my journey as I became a Christian and encountered the close-mindedness that often surrounds the church.Through my struggles with pornography and my search for the right church, I quickly learned that there was more to Jesus than just Bible studies and church services. This realization led me to explore my faith in new and exciting ways, and I'm excited to share those experiences with my readers.
But "Opening Up" is not just a book about faith. It's also a story of hope, adventure, and enlightenment. My wife Tabby and I embark on an open adoption journey and become parents to two children of color. As we navigate systemic racism and recognize our own white privilege, we learn to open our hearts and minds in ways we never thought possible.
I hope that readers will find inspiration in my story and be encouraged to embrace diversity, love unconditionally, and open themselves up to new experiences. Thank you for joining me on this journey.
Marion Nestle (pronounced like the verb "nestle") came to her career late, but she more than made up for it, becoming one of America's leading advocates in the field of nutrition and food policy. Her autobiography, Slow Cooked: An Unexpected Life in Food Politics, is fascinating and revealing.My review:
https://mypointbeing.com/2023/03/30/s...
The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man: A Memoir
Paul Newman
4/5 stars
Wonderful autobiography written by Newman about his life but in between his chapters, his family and friends also contributed their thoughts. They then were compiled by Stewart Stern. I liked the way they set this up and enjoyed reading about him.
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrandrounded up to 5 stars
Listening to this again, six and a half years after the first time around this book was no less powerful; in fact, in light of what has been going on in the States and other countries during the years since I'd say that it had at least as much impact, but at times in somewhat different ways than the first time around.
I'm not going to post all of my thoughts (never do, but this time there were just so very many more and my whole-to-parts brain would just make a hash job of it in the time I have) but wanted to post a few things since last time I didn't really post more than a very general set of comments.
1. I was impressed with how Louis' brother, Peter, really pushed him into running to save Louis from the destructive path he was on growing up (not the fault of their parents.)
2. How much Louis' personality and the drive he put from his criminal antics into his running helped him through his ordeal on the raft and as a prisoner, but that those alone weren't enough.
3. what the Japanese fascists were all about, and--not in this book so much--their history of Sakoku in earlier modern times from the 17th to 19th centuries) etc.
4. The amazing survival of Louis and is fellow raft survivor, Allen.
The film doesn't do true justice to this book, IMO, because it's too short of a medium for it to be totally conveyed, and one of the most important parts is in the last chapter and the epilogue of the book, which are not the only parts missing in the film.
Original Review:
4.5 stars
Olympian Louis Zamperini was one of two Americans who survived 47 days on a life raft in the Pacific after their plane crashed during World War II, who then spent the rest of the war in Japanese POW camps. This book starts with Louis' misspent early youth, moves to his brother's insistence he turn his energy into running, his one time in the Olympics--he could have been the first runner to break the 4 minute mile if World War II hadn't intervened. In Japan, Zamperini was absolutely hated by the most brutal prison guard.
One of the things I prefer about the book to the movie is that Hillenbrand doesn't stop when American planes fly over the camps when the war was over. I listened to the audiobook which is very well done, and liked this better than Seabiscuit: An American Legend, which I gave 4 stars.
Mod
4 stars
A short book. The interesting thing about this book is seeing how times have changed. Dr. Couney took care of premature babies from the turn of the century until 1940. Most hospitals did not have incubators at that time. Dr. Couney knew that incubators could save lives but a lot of people could not afford hospital care. He came up with the idea that if people would pay admission to see tiny babies in incubators it would pay for their care. He took the babies on the road to fairs and exhibitions and is credited with saving many lives. It is questionable if he actually had a medical license but back then people looked the other way as most doctors just let premature babies die. Very good research and an interesting story.
Mod
rounded up to 5 stars
Listening to this again, six and a half years after ..."
That was a very good book.
Karin wrote: "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrandrounded up to 5 stars
Listening to this again, six and a half years after ..."
Great book!
I finished Correctional by Ravi Shankar. 4 stars. The book is more about reflections on life, about growing up in America as a child of immigrants from India. Due to his recklessness, the author got into jail, but not for long, fortunately for him, and saw the New Jim Crow culture from the inside.
Mod
4 stars
Camilla Hall was a little-known player in the Symbionese Liberation Army and played a role in the kidnapping of Patty Hearst and was killed in a shootout with the police. She was brought to the author's attention because Camilla spent some of her childhood close to where the author lives. It is also about an hour away from where I live so it was interesting to read about places I was familiar with. I got a kick out of reading that she got together with one of Camilla's friends in a coffee shop in Jackson, Minnesota. There is only one coffee shop in Jackson and it is right across the street from where I work so I stop in there all the time. It was also interesting to read about the St. Peter, Minnesota tornado just a day after the 25th anniversary of the tornado. Anyway, Camilla was a small town girl who grew up to be a terrorist. The author goes in depth to explore how a normal small-town girl found her way into a terrorist organization. Was it nature or nurture or something else? We will probably never know for sure.
Koren wrote: "The author goes in depth to explore how a normal small-town girl found her way into a terrorist organization. Was it nature or nurture or something else? We will probably never know for sure...."It would make an interesting companion read with Diana: The Making of a Terrorist and Patty Hearst: Her Own Story.
Mod
The Patty Hearst book is mentioned in the Camilla book.
Deliberate Cruelty: Truman Capote, the Millionaire's Wife, and the Murder of the Century
Roseanne Montillo
4/5 stars
This was the fascinating, true story about the death of a millionaire's wife, Ann Woodward in the 50's and the role Truman Capote figured into her death.
One Minute Crying Time by Barbara EwingBarbara Ewing is a UK based actress and author, though I've actually not heard of her, who grew up in 1950s/60s NZ, of which this memoir is all about her adolescence and the diaries she kept of this time. So from aged about 14 - 20s is covered. Because its mostly teenage angst, it's kind of like My New Zealand story except there is no big event or disaster, save news of the time - Sir Edmund Hilary climbing Mt Everest, Tangiwai and the death of the King and coronation of Queen Elizabeth. Her dad is a school teacher and her mother is a frustrated housewife, who had been to university, but had to give up her career ambitions to raise children. Barbara has two brothers but being the only daughter does not have the best relationship with her mother, who is ultra conservative and so she lies about having a Maori boyfriend, going to parties, and when that doesn't work out she takes off to UK to study acting. She misses her final exam and had to repeat a a year, and as its the 50s is very naive/innocent about men - sex is never talked about openly. Compared to today (she's looking back on her diaries as an 80 year old woman) .
If you looking for a storyline or plot this memoir doesn't have that much to it. But as social history its quite an insight into what it was like to coming of age as a young woman in 1950s New Zealand. This was when education was free and women started to realise that they didn't actually HAVE to get married and could pursue their passions after all, though any daughter would have gotten mixed messages from their mothers at this period in history about that, since they had sacrificed so much themselves to become housewives but often came to the realisation that caring and feeding a husband wasn't all that it was cracked up to be.
Starting to read Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May
Also the memoir
James Patterson by James Patterson: The Stories of My Life by James Patterson
Laughing Matters
Larry Gelbart
3/5 stars
Larry Gelbart, who brought the series M*A*S*H to television, relates his career in show business, the movies and TV Series he was involved in and the people he worked with. I liked it but parts of it dragged on.
Mod
Laughing Matters
Larry Gelbart
3/5 stars
Larry Gelbart, who brought the series M*A*S*H to television, relates his career in show ..."
Love Mash. Will have to look this one up.
Mod
3 stars
I hate to say this but...half of this book is about his military experiences, which, after a while, I got bored with it. When he finally wrote about his music experiences I found it a lot more interesting. I was not that familiar with Craig before reading the book, although I've heard some of his songs. I think true fans will love this.
Finished Code Name: Lise: The True Story of the Woman Who Became WWII's Most Highly Decorated Spy by Larry Loftis
Mod
Police officers share some of their worst moments. I'm sure most of these officers could write a whole book about their experiences, but each person's story is 3 or 4 pages, so it moves along quickly. I wouldn't think many people would aspire to go into the profession after reading these stories. It's got to be a tough job.
I couldn't resist the $1.99 BookBub sale price (no longer available) on William Zinsser's Inventing the Truth: The Art and Craft of Memoir. From talks and interviews in 1986 and 1995 the editor presents the reflections of nine authors on their experience in writing memoir. Highly enjoyable!My review:
https://mypointbeing.com/2023/04/14/i...
Mod
2 stars
We know going into this book that it is about unsolved murders in a region in Ireland. That said, there is little else in this book. A lot of supposition and attempting to tie the crimes to other crimes with little to no evidence. There is a lot of complaining about the laws and police work in Ireland that seem unfair to woman. There is little information about the crimes and the victims. It is a short book so I finished it, but wished I would have quit earlier.
Mod
4 stars
Laura James was diagnosed with Autism as an adult with a family. All of her life she felt she was 'different'. It is rare to find a person with autism who can verbalize their feelings and emotions and navigate in society as well as this one and this is mostly what this book is about. I know several people with autism so it was nice to find a book that helped me to understand what they are feeling when they are overwhelmed with sensory issues.
Wild Things: How We Learn To Read and What Can Happen If We Don't by Sally RippinIgnore the title it isn't really about that. It's more about Sally's dyslexic son and her being a Karen about it to the school a little too late. Sally Rippin is an Australian children's author. I had her series of books - Billie B Brown and Hey Jack series in the school library, they are 'easy' readers or junior fiction. I can't say they are THAT popular though.
Elephant and Piggie by Mo Willems take the prize for being the most read books amongst beginner readers for their zany plots over friends and misunderstandings, with the added bonus of big easy to read letters and not too hard words.
Anyway this book isn't really about learning to read or how its taught in schools (or not being taught as the case might be) or even getting much help for her dyslexic son, who, it isn't clear from in the book whether he actually CAN read. Although he's not literate enough to be motivated to pass exams for university, and instead of finding other avenues of learning for him or support Sally comes down on him like a tonne of bricks as well as throwing money at something he doesn't really want to do.
Yes I understand its a struggle but she doesn't get into what he might be faced with being dyslexic..do the words jump off the page, has he tried audiobooks, special dyslexic fonts, large print, spell and say techniques? But it's more of a rant that school hadn't picked up on it -- but throw in a marriage break up when the boy was young in which she then tries to be a hero and helicopter mother her child I'm like yes we know its important for YOU that your son learns how to read but what about the DAD who could model reading for his son? So I feel like there is more to it than this book lets on..and its more her pride is hurt that he can't or won't read and her being an author than how her son really feels about it.
She then adds in an ADHD diagnoses later on that comes out of the blue, which medication does help for him to slow down, focus and learn but its never said if he ever actually learns to read in the end! Adults in prisons can learn to read, but Sally seems obsessed with her son being a reader like her two older boys so he can go on to university even though she didn't choose that path for herself at the same age..or even what interests him, like it could be art or cooking or music or sports..that require perhaps other skills that don't require as much reading and writing.
Mod
Ignore the title it isn't really about that. It's more about Sally's dyslexic son and her being a ..."
You're comment about being a Karen made me chuckle. Apparently, Americans aren't the only ones that use that term.
Starting this evening Ghosts of the Tsunami: Death and Life in Japan’s Disaster Zone by Richard Lloyd Parry
Ghosts of the Tsunami: Death and Life in Japan’s Disaster Zone by Richard Lloyd ParryMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
The stories within are heartbreakingly sad. The survivors of Japan’s worst natural disaster, 8.9 magnitude earthquake followed by a tsunami on March 11, 2011, are anguished over the loss of family, friends, a community, and especially the children. The local elementary school was gone.
“The grief was unquenchable, it what they were seeking was not mysterious.
All the parents wanted was a reflection of their own grief, a glimmer of recognition of their own loss a sense that they were facing not a government department, but fellow human beings.”
View all my reviews
Biography, Autobiography, Memoir
Books mentioned in this topic
Returning Light: Thirty Years on the Island of Skellig Michael (other topics)My Lucky Life in and Out of Show Business (other topics)
A Spoonful of Sugar: A Nanny's Story (other topics)
To Selena, With Love (other topics)
The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Robert L. Harris (other topics)Mitch Albom (other topics)
Dwight Garner (other topics)
Bruce Springsteen (other topics)
Robert Samuels (other topics)
More...
3 stars
I have mixed feelings about this memoir and am VERY glad I didn't read those reviews that blathered way too much and out of context. ..."
I’m halfway done with Spare and I’m really enjoying it! I really enjoy the stream-of-consciousness style of writing and the short chapters. Right before I started this I read Diana: Her True Story in Her Own Words. The 25th-anniversary addition ends with the aftermath of her death where Spare picks up. It really made the book feel like a continuation of her legacy. There were a lot of parallels between what Diana and Harry wrote regarding media, press leaks, and the family.