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Original poster

I'm looking for a non celeb memoir to read

136 replies

Shosha1 · 19/09/2016 21:04

Any ideas.

I don't like misery books either.

OP posts:
IamaBluebird · 19/09/2016 22:50

Lots of books written about Brian Clough, all very interesting.

GiddyOnZackHunt · 19/09/2016 22:47

There's a Margaret Forster that's called 'A Diary of ' something or other. I liked that.

Lorelei76 · 19/09/2016 22:45

Atul Gawande books are good - lessons from surgery that cross over into real life

Think someone said Duuchess of Devonshire already, I second that.

rocket74 · 19/09/2016 22:41

An Evil Cradling by Brian Keenan was both horrific and inspiring about the strength of someone in an extreme situation.

ParanoidGynodroid · 19/09/2016 22:39

The travel memoirs of Martha Gelhorn. She was a WW2 reporter, travel writer and sometime wife of Ernest Hemingway.
Wonderful early feminist with an engaging writing style.

Bogeyface · 19/09/2016 22:39

And if you want something really unusual, try the graphic novel Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi about growing up in Iran in the time of the revolution

i second this, its really really good. There is also a film made of it in the same artistic style as the book which was true to the book and a really good watch.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es · 19/09/2016 22:38

I read Alan Cumming's memoir a few weeks ago and it was a brilliant read, very moving without being self-pitying.

KurriKurri · 19/09/2016 22:38

Also - Message From an Unknown Chinese Mother by Xinran - I loved this although it was heartbreaking.

GplanAddict · 19/09/2016 22:33

I really enjoyed Gerald Durrell's biography.

onecrazycook · 19/09/2016 22:32

Stephen Kings "On Writing" is also rather good. It's a memoir as well as a guide on the craft of writing and is completely absorbing.

KurriKurri · 19/09/2016 22:31

I recently enjoyed Glitter and Glue by Kelly Corrigan - it's a memoir about the relationship between mothers and daughters - a very quick read as you will get engrossed and finish it quickly Smile

Not non-celeb - but a friend of mine recommended Chris Packhams autobiog- it's on my to read list, apparently a moving account of his childhood and his aspergers.

Sort of a memoir, I recently read and absolutely loved H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald _ I read it for my book group and we were split 50/50 between those who loved it and those who didn't - so not for everyone maybe, but if it's your sort of thing you'll love it.

It looks as if you are interested in crime, so you might like Jigsaw Man by Paul Britton - he's a criminal psychologist and has been worked on some very famous cases.

I'd also recommend Do No Harm by Henry Marsh - not exactly a memoir but very interesting recollections of cases by a neuro surgeon.

onecrazycook · 19/09/2016 22:28

Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson

Hilarious to the point of crying with laughter as well as a touching insight into her mental illnesses. Her follow up book - Furiously Happy - is also brilliant.

I'm also a fan of Bill Bryson.

BikeRunSki · 19/09/2016 22:24

Love, Nina was a much better book (series of letters) than it was TV adaptation.

Brightredpencil · 19/09/2016 22:21

The Boy with The TopKnot by Sathnam Sanghera
Absolutely amazing - funny moving and brilliant.

MummyTheGregor · 19/09/2016 22:20

A Nurse at the Front: The First World War Diaries of Sister Edith Appleton

Jeffjefftyjeff · 19/09/2016 22:17

Andrea ashworth - once in a house on fire; Jackie Kay - red dust road; chanrithy him - when broken glass floats; Alexandra fuller - don't lets go to the dogs tonight.

NomNomNominativeDeterminism · 19/09/2016 22:16

Hons and Rebels, and A Fine Old Conflict are two fascinating volumes of autobiography by Jessica Mitford.

Driving over Lemons and sequels by Chris Stewart (no, he doesn’t count as a celebrity).

Queen of Spies – a biography of Daphne Park and her very interesting MI6 and post-MI6 career.

SwearyInn · 19/09/2016 22:11

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Rebecca Skloot

AverysillyoldHector · 19/09/2016 22:04

Agree with the Moon's a Balloon by David Niven, and also his Bring on the Empty Horses.

If you like Bill Bryson, you would probably enjoy McCarthy's Bar by Pete McCarthy. Also Round Ireland With A Fridge by Tony Hawks.

butterfly990 · 19/09/2016 22:03

Rudi Giuliani this guy would make an amazing president www.amazon.com/Leadership-Rudolph-Giuliani/dp/1401359280

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 19/09/2016 21:58

And if you want something really unusual, try the graphic novel Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi about growing up in Iran in the time of the revolution.

TheGirlOnTheLanding · 19/09/2016 21:57

Came on to suggest Wedlock but I see Strawberry beat me to it! It's excellent.

I also enjoyed Diana Athill's memoirs of the publishing industry.

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 19/09/2016 21:53

I have never read Vera Brittain's Testament of Youth but that is meant to be very good.

Original poster
Shosha1 · 19/09/2016 21:53

Elsepeth now that looks good. I shall take a look

Yes cheminotte, that's what I mean.

OP posts:
TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 19/09/2016 21:52

Have just read Wild by Cheryl Strayed which was excellent. I also recommend Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer, which is really moving.

In Cold Blood is a good read, although not a memoir...

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