Nancy Moyle Beck Some are like that fer sure. Dick Cavett’s was one of the worst; what a name dropper. It made me dislike him. But there are some wonderfully written memoirs out there; full of insight, love, laughter, and tragedy. The trick is in all genres to find the very best. Here are some of the absolute best ones: The Florist’s Daughter by Patricia Hampl…Tender at the Bone: Growing Up at the Table by Ruth Reichl…Losing Mum and Pup by Christopher Buckley… Paris To The Moon by Adam Gopnik…Maybe they can change your mind.
@Lynne I dont mind memoirs too, too much. If i remember my Creative Writing 101 course, its all about the time frame. Memoirs focus on one aspect of one’s life while autobiographies cover a person’s whole life. Teachers out there, correct me if I’m wrong. Been quite a while since school …
My Life on the Road, Gloria Steinem’s memoir moved me in so many ways. It is beautiful and inspiring and made me want to love more, travel more, and know more. Forget the politics and read this one. You will not regret it.
Life Itself: A Memoir by Roger Ebert…A Beginner’s Guide to Acting English by Shappi Khorsandi…Personal History by Katherine Graham…Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life by Steve Martin…Lazy B: Growing Up on a Cattle Ranch in the American Southwest by Sandra Day O’Connor and H Alan Day…The Elephant to Hollywood by Michael Caine…The Moon’s a Balloon by David Niven…The Flame Trees of Thika by Elspeth Huxley…Surely You’re Joking Mr. Feynman: Adventures of a Curious Character by Richard Feynman…An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth: What Going to Space Taught Me About Ingenuity, Determination, and Being Prepared for Anything by Chris Hadfield…The Glass Castle by Jeanette Wells…Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain…Yes, Chef: A Memoir by Marcus Samuelsson and Veronica Chambers…
Bring on the Empty Horses by David Niven – I like Hollywood stories and this title got me and he tells some good ones. Kirk Douglas did the same in The Ragman’s Son.
Clinton Kelly’s book “I Hate Everyone Except You” is more of a memoir than autobiography, but it is hysterical! A few years ago, I decided to get nostalgic for the 80’s and read Rob Lowe’s and Belinda Carlisle’s autobiographies. I enjoyed them.
personal opinion only…..no such thing as a good autobiography….people who write about themselves have limited vision.
A valid point, although you might have had an interesting life or experiences to write about.
true….I always find autobiographies to be like… being seated next to the most pompous guest at a dinner party….
no matter how good the food is …. you just can’t enjoy it.
Nancy Moyle Beck Some are like that fer sure. Dick Cavett’s was one of the worst; what a name dropper. It made me dislike him. But there are some wonderfully written memoirs out there; full of insight, love, laughter, and tragedy. The trick is in all genres to find the very best. Here are some of the absolute best ones: The Florist’s Daughter by Patricia Hampl…Tender at the Bone: Growing Up at the Table by Ruth Reichl…Losing Mum and Pup by Christopher Buckley… Paris To The Moon by Adam Gopnik…Maybe they can change your mind.
@Lynne I dont mind memoirs too, too much. If i remember my Creative Writing 101 course, its all about the time frame. Memoirs focus on one aspect of one’s life while autobiographies cover a person’s whole life. Teachers out there, correct me if I’m wrong. Been quite a while since school …
@Lynne Anything by Ruth Reichl is good!
But that’s the point of an autobiography: to getbthe subject’s view on him or herself. That view is part of of the biography.
Elia Canetti
scar tissue by anthony kiedis
Tony Bennett
Carrie Fisher’s are good. And she does the audio books which really enhances the experience
My Life on the Road, Gloria Steinem’s memoir moved me in so many ways. It is beautiful and inspiring and made me want to love more, travel more, and know more. Forget the politics and read this one. You will not regret it.
Quite an endorsement! ?
The Color of Water by James McBride
The Liar’s Club by Mary Karr
Educated by Tara Westover
Unorthodox
Born to Run
Barbarian Days
This book was unforgettable.
Life is a Banquet
High on Arrival by Mackenzie Phillips was just a super sad read. What a wasted life
Not My Father’s Son by Alan Cumming
Born A Crime by Trevor Noah. My Life in Parts by Bryan Cranston.
Born a crime, for sure!!!!
“Walk to Beautiful” by @Jimmy.
Life Itself: A Memoir by Roger Ebert…A Beginner’s Guide to Acting English by Shappi Khorsandi…Personal History by Katherine Graham…Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life by Steve Martin…Lazy B: Growing Up on a Cattle Ranch in the American Southwest by Sandra Day O’Connor and H Alan Day…The Elephant to Hollywood by Michael Caine…The Moon’s a Balloon by David Niven…The Flame Trees of Thika by Elspeth Huxley…Surely You’re Joking Mr. Feynman: Adventures of a Curious Character by Richard Feynman…An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth: What Going to Space Taught Me About Ingenuity, Determination, and Being Prepared for Anything by Chris Hadfield…The Glass Castle by Jeanette Wells…Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain…Yes, Chef: A Memoir by Marcus Samuelsson and Veronica Chambers…
That list should keep me going for a while! Thanks! ?
Great list, Lynne!
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
That one seems to be a popular choice, will definitely have to read it!
Size Matters Not by Warwick Davis. He reads it in the audiobook. Very good
an Autobiography by Agatha Christie
Sidney Poitier had a great one, “Measure of a man”
Michael J. Fox has two really good books – I just can NOT remember the titles – it will come to me tomorrow as I’m going to bed ?
Lucky Man, Always Looking Up.
Thank you!!
One is Lucky Man I think
All of Maya Angelou’s books; A Book of Untruths by Miranda Doyle; Educated by Tara Westover.
Lab Girl by Hope Jahren
Gervase Phinn and Helen Fielding.
Bring on the Empty Horses by David Niven – I like Hollywood stories and this title got me and he tells some good ones. Kirk Douglas did the same in The Ragman’s Son.
‘ A house in the sky’ by Amanda Lindhout
Madam Secretary by Madeleine Albright
I recently read 2 on audiobooks. Lauren Graham and Neil Patrick Harris.
Clinton Kelly’s book “I Hate Everyone Except You” is more of a memoir than autobiography, but it is hysterical!
A few years ago, I decided to get nostalgic for the 80’s and read Rob Lowe’s and Belinda Carlisle’s autobiographies. I enjoyed them.
Christy Brown My Left Foot
Born A Crime by Trevor Noah…