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Autobiography/biography recommendations

29 replies

apalershadeoflight · 13/09/2022 20:17

After finishing The Road to Lichfield last night, this morning I started reading Michelle Obama's Becoming which a friend has recently passed on to me.

I'm only thirty or so pages in but am enjoying it very much. I don't usually go for autobiographies or biographies but wondered if you had any strong recommendations?

OP posts:
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brittanyfairies · 06/10/2022 19:49

I've just finished Paul, Michael and Bob which I enjoyed more than I expected. I would like to find a decent autobiography about Michael Hutchence now.

Andrew Ridgeley's book about Wham was 99p on Kindle yesterday so I downloaded that.

SummaLuvin · 06/10/2022 09:07

CosmopolitanPlease · 26/09/2022 09:57

I've just finished 'Lady in Waiting' by Anne Glenconner. I found it fascinating learning how the other half live.

as it happens this is on todays Kindle Daily Deal for £0.99

Lentil63 · 05/10/2022 21:39

Radical
Maajid Nawas

Riverlee · 05/10/2022 21:33

CosmopolitanPlease · 26/09/2022 09:57

I've just finished 'Lady in Waiting' by Anne Glenconner. I found it fascinating learning how the other half live.

I agree. Loved this book, and seeing the good, bad and ugly lives of the rich and famous.

Rockshore · 05/10/2022 13:12

Not particularly highbrow but Slash by the guitarist from Guns n Roses was a great read - especially if you then read the ones by other members of the band and compare their recollections of events!

CassandraBarrett · 05/10/2022 12:44

Andre Agassi's one is great. Can't remember the title

FlowerArranger · 05/10/2022 12:41

SummaLuvin · 05/10/2022 08:48

thanks! I never would have thought to look up an autobiography by Carlos but I adore his dancing.

I came here to suggest All The Young Men, Ruth Coker Burks. A little different as it follows her story though the aids crisis in conservative America, not her whole life, it's a stunning book but not always easy to read.

Other autobiographies I have enjoyed are - How Not To Be A Boy, Robert Webb. Hungry, Grace Dent. Ride Of A Lifetime, Robert Iger.

Next on my list is Why I'm Glad My Mom Died, Jennette McCurdy. I have heard amazing things.

Show quote history

Oh yes, love Carlos' dancing...

theproudgeek · 05/10/2022 10:29

Another vote for Educated by Tara Westover, one of those books I finished and immediately started lending out.

Plus, I found Agatha Chrisities autobiograpby fascinating, she's so matter of fact about her divorce and travelling to the Middle East solo.

Also, The Kindness of Strangers by Kate Adie.

SummaLuvin · 05/10/2022 08:48

FlowerArranger · 30/09/2022 04:49

Carlos Acosta's autobiography.
What a life!
And so well written.

www.waterstones.com/book/no-way-home/carlos-acosta/9780007250783

thanks! I never would have thought to look up an autobiography by Carlos but I adore his dancing.

I came here to suggest All The Young Men, Ruth Coker Burks. A little different as it follows her story though the aids crisis in conservative America, not her whole life, it's a stunning book but not always easy to read.

Other autobiographies I have enjoyed are - How Not To Be A Boy, Robert Webb. Hungry, Grace Dent. Ride Of A Lifetime, Robert Iger.

Next on my list is Why I'm Glad My Mom Died, Jennette McCurdy. I have heard amazing things.

FormerlySpeckledyHen · 30/09/2022 06:10

Grace Dent - Hungry is wonderful if you like food.

Dame Stephanie Shirley - Let it Go . An awesome woman and it’s great on audible too as she narrates it.

Also loved Miriam Margolyes.

HotDogJumpingFrogAlbuquerque · 30/09/2022 05:34

Totally agree on David Niven - Moon’s a Balloon and also Grace Dent - Hungry

Really enjoyed Bob Mortimer - And Away

FlowerArranger · 30/09/2022 04:49

Carlos Acosta's autobiography.
What a life!
And so well written.

www.waterstones.com/book/no-way-home/carlos-acosta/9780007250783

PrunellaMcTat · 30/09/2022 04:39

The Moon's a Balloon by David Niven. I had never even heard of him when I picked it up - one of the most engaging and beautifully written memoirs I've ever read.

babasaclover · 29/09/2022 21:46

Yes! Holiday books

DisforDarkChocolate · 29/09/2022 21:32

Robert Webb, How not to be a Boy.

DisforDarkChocolate · 29/09/2022 21:27

Anita Rani's The Right Sort of Girl is fantastic.

purpleme12 · 29/09/2022 21:25

Dear Fatty - Dawn French

Gotta Get Theroux This - Louis Theroux

Southeastdweller · 29/09/2022 21:23

I second the Miriam Margolyes recommendation. A couple of others I also enjoyed were Watch Me by Anjelica Huston and Take it Like a Man by Boy George.

AlwaysFoldingWashing · 26/09/2022 19:46

Sally Fields' autobiography was really good

CosmopolitanPlease · 26/09/2022 09:57

I've just finished 'Lady in Waiting' by Anne Glenconner. I found it fascinating learning how the other half live.

RedLeggedChuff · 25/09/2022 23:43

Second Educated, particularly as an audio book. Absolutely compelling.

SingingSands · 25/09/2022 23:42

I love autobiographies. I've just finished This Much Is True by Miriam Margolyes on Audible, it was fantastic.

Original poster
apalershadeoflight · 25/09/2022 23:34

These are great, thank you!

OP posts:
Takingturnstogether · 25/09/2022 21:42

The Choice (Edith Eger)

Educated ( Tara Westover)

PerkingFaintly · 25/09/2022 21:04

Wild Swans, by Jung Chang. Incredible account of the lives her grandmother, mother and herself spanning 100 years of dramatic change in China.

Her grandmother had bound feet and was a concubine. Her parents were officials in the Communist Party and the young Chang took part in the Cultural Revolution. The family then fell out of favour with the authorities, and Chang came to the UK with a scholarship.

Grippingly written.

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