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Original poster

Recommendations for honest autobiographies

61 replies

sunshinechaser · 26/12/2024 09:48

I'm looking to get stuck into a good read over the holidays and would love a recommendation for an autobiography you loved. I haven't really read many autobiographies but I when I find an 'honest' one I really love it.
I don't really have any favourite celebs that I'd like to read as some of the ones I've enjoyed I didn't know much about them before I started.
I've read and enjoyed these so far-
Michelle Obama (though made me feel inadequate as a human 😂 )
Alan Cummings
Kevin Hart
Richard E Grant
Janette McCurdy (more of a memoir)

Any more recommendations?

OP posts:
Girasole02 · 27/12/2024 18:20

Johannes Radebe. Even better on Audible. About to made into a movie.

immoreexcitedthanthekids · 27/12/2024 18:19

Has anyone read the new Miranda one?

Uricon2 · 27/12/2024 18:17

Sam Neill "Did I Ever Tell You This?"

WhitstablePearl · 27/12/2024 18:16

Hadley Freeman's House of Glass. The story of her family. Wonderful

Semiramide · 27/12/2024 18:14

Carlos Acosta's autobiography, No Way Home;

https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/no-way-home-book-carlos-acosta-9781416566298

A truly moving account of his journey from an impoverished childhood in Havanna to the top of ballet stardom. Extremely interesting, even if you're not into ballet.

No Way Home

Browse our massive collection of over 2 million used books. World of Books is one of the largest online sellers of second-hand books. Free UK delivery.

https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/no-way-home-book-carlos-acosta-9781416566298

Cocolapew · 27/12/2024 18:10

David Baddiel is 99p on Kindle atm

evtheria · 27/12/2024 18:05

Grace Dent's one was brief but frank.
I wasn't particularly interested in reading about her (I usually read fiction, and I vaguely recognised her from restaurant reviews) but I picked up the book at the library and was absorbed!

Icanlarf · 27/12/2024 18:03

Not a celeb but ‘A woman of no Importance is excellent. It concerns a female intelligence officer and the failings of SOE

HeidiWhole · 27/12/2024 17:45

Bob Mortimer
Matthew Perry
Geena Davis
Miriam Margolyes
Bill Bryson

MerleandBianca · 27/12/2024 17:30

sunshinechaser · 27/12/2024 10:51

@MerleandBianca I forgot I had read the Robert Webb one. Great recommendation! I loved that and recommended it to loads of friends-was so good!

That book restored my faith in men - I think I must spend too much time reading about awful misogynist ones on MN and I'd forgotten that kind, decent ones do exist 😅

Original poster
sunshinechaser · 27/12/2024 10:51

@MerleandBianca I forgot I had read the Robert Webb one. Great recommendation! I loved that and recommended it to loads of friends-was so good!

OP posts:
Mooetenchante · 27/12/2024 10:36

Verse, Chorus, Monster by Graham Coxon.
An interesting read if you're in any way interested in blur or music in the 90s. He's done a lot of varied stuff . He's a very similar age to me and I liked seeing the photos of him as a 6th former, reminded me of arty friends I had at the time.

deeahgwitch · 27/12/2024 09:26

Poor by Katriona O' Sullivan
She had such a terrible childhood and yet triumphed over adversity.
A powerful read.

I found it difficult at times to read as I was so angry with her parents for their neglect and irresponsibility.
No doubt there are other children going through similar and worse, now, which is utterly heartbreaking.

Ladylangstrand · 27/12/2024 07:50

American Prince by Tony Curtis was good.

MerleandBianca · 27/12/2024 07:48

How Not to be a Boy by Robert Webb is absolutely honest and wonderful, also hugely enjoyed Hungry by Grace Dent - funny and sad.

LimeYellow · 27/12/2024 07:36

Delicacy by Katy Wix

gettingolderbutcooler · 26/12/2024 23:50

Minnie Driver's was good.

Ilovemyshed · 26/12/2024 23:44

Dear Dodie by Valerie Groves

Terpsichore · 26/12/2024 22:36

I also agree with Heartbreaktuna - I read My Family recently and was simultaneously agog in disbelief and bursting out laughing uncontrollably. It’s very, very funny but also extraordinary.

Original poster
sunshinechaser · 26/12/2024 20:55

@Heartbreaktuna oh you're really selling it! I'm going to get it-sounds great.

OP posts:
Heartbreaktuna · 26/12/2024 17:54

Creepybookworm · 26/12/2024 09:56

Oh and My Family by David Baddiel. About his parents who were very odd! It is very funny.

Another vote for this. The audio book was so good I bought the physical book too!

frockandcrocs · 26/12/2024 16:50

I loved Tim Peake's, he's a surprisingly funny guy, and has had such an interesting career!

Bjorkdidit · 26/12/2024 16:45

I haven't read it yet but Jenny Éclair's memoir is 99 p on kindle today.

Original poster
sunshinechaser · 26/12/2024 12:08

Thanks all. Forgot I had read Educated. It was excellent and disturbing at the same time.
I started Miriam Morgolyes' but gave up after a few chapters. I'll maybe give it another go.
I'll try Elton John and Alan Davies I think. Also fancy the Matthew Perry one as I loved Friends so much.

OP posts:
Aworldofmyown · 26/12/2024 11:22

Educated - Tara Westover
Lisa Marie Presley
Alan Davies