Autobiography corner -come join me!

I second Michael J Fox. His first book 'Lucky Man' is brilliant, I've read it a few times.

Yes, and her biography of Thomas Hardy is brilliant – the only literary biography I have enjoyed as much as Ellman's biography of Oscar Wilde.

I listened to Brian Blessed read his autobiography Absolute Pandemonium and had to stop the car I was laughing so much.

Robert Graves' Goodbye to All That is one of my favourite books of all time.

Becoming by Michelle Obama was excellent and I'm not a huge autobiography reader.

I've just finished listening to Ben Elton's memoir "What Have I Done?". He reads it himself, if you're a listener rather than a reader, which is great. It covers a lot of English media and culture very well.

Loved The Moon's A Balloon, also Michelle Obama.

Years ago, I remember reading A Postillian Struck By Lightning, by Dirk Bogarde. It's in the David Niven vibe.

Enjoying Kathy Burke's

Currently working my way through Chris McCauslands autobiography. Listening to it via Audible and Chris McCausland narrates it

I read the Nelson Mandela one years ago - absolutely fascinating. Probably of it's time now.

Also enjoyed Barack Obama's. And last week I finished Kathy Burke's - really found that interesting too, as I'm around the same age as her, and was living in London in the 80s/90s. Nicely written too.

My favourite autobiography was James Blunt's Loosely Based On A Made-Up Story
It was quite a surprise, well written and entertaining. He's witty and self depricating and has led an interesting life, his military service was an eye opener.

More Claire Tomalin love here. Her Samuel Pepys bio - The Unequalled Self - was fab.

I love a good memoir (more so than an autobiography).

The best one by miles for me was the aptly named Memoir by John McGahern. Absolutely beautiful writing.

Also recommend:
Never - Rick Astley (bought as a joke Xmas pressie for my son but really enjoyed it.)

Experience - Martin Amis (the dentist bits gave me the heebie jeebies)

Dying of Politeness - Geena Davis (she doesn't like Bill Murray!)

Poor - Kaitriona O Sullivan (she's been interviewed on Irish radio a bit. She's amazing.)

The Accidental Soldier - Owain Mulligan (not my usual cup of tea and worried it would be a bit shit and overly testosterone-y bit pleasantly surprised.)

The Places In Between - Rory Stewart (impressive)

Strong Female Character - Fern Brady (impressively honest.)

The Way Home - Mark Boyle (made me want to live off grid - he tells it well.)

Comrades - Rosita Boland (absolutely loved this memoir of friendships.)

Unquiet - Linn Ullmann (managing a life with famous parents. No relation to Tracey.)

The Running Book - John Connell (gentle memoir about life through the lens of running.)

Just finished Minnie Driver and it was fantastic.

I’d forgotten about this thread. Reading back through I agree that Poor by Katriona O’Sullivan and Beyond the Seams by Esme Young are very good.

Since I last posted I have listened to “Things I Couldn’t Tell My Mother” by sue Johnstone which was superb, narrated beautifully by the author.

Also “My Family” by David Baddiel, also narrated by the author. Very funny, quite shocking descriptions of a VERY dysfunctional upbringing, misery-lit it is not though.

I am reading Peter Kay’s Diary, it didn’t start very well, seemingly a bit childish with toilet humour, but it has grown as I have read on, it is very simply written but quite heartwarming and well observed.

I have added the Pat Nevin book to my wishlist, also Martin O’Neill’s which popped up as a suggestion

Been on an autobiography kick lately, so I'll keep this thread in mind next time I go to the library.

Currently reading Fern Brady's Strong Female Character.

Recently read ‘Mother Mary Come to Me’ by Arundhati Roy - absolutely fascinating, really brings to life her upbringing in Kerala in the 1970s and how hard life was Indian for women.

It’s unusual as it’s about her difficult relationship throughout her life with her abusive and formidable mother - and how this shaped her. The quote:

”She was my shelter and my storm”

on the front cover gives you an indication of the complex emotional pain throughout. Loved every word written by this brilliant author.

I have finished Martin O'Neill and started Pat Nevin, thoroughly enjoying both (but I love football).

I read Angela's Ashes a few years ago and am now starting to read 'Tis.

Rob Halford's book Confess is very entertaining.

I also loved Alan Rickmans diaries and the Rod Stewart book is fun fluff.

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I’ve recently read Behind the Seams by Esme Young, Keep Laughing by Chris McCausland, Till the Cows Come Home by Sara Cox, and one that has stayed with me for years is Burying the Typewriter by Carmen Bugan - about a childhood under the rule of the Romanian secret police during the rule of Ceausescu.

I really liked Spare by Prince Harry. Also loved Rupert Everett’s books.

My Family by David Baddiel- hilarious yet also thought provoking and a bit disturbing.

Castaway and Runaway by Lucy Irvine, Castaway was made into a film.

Yes some of the stuff in David Baddiel's book was jaw-dropping.

I've had a bit of a break but am still listening to Pat Nevin and have just started Tony Adams Sober.Football.My Story.My Life on Kindle

David Baddiel’s book is best on audio read by him for the comic and dramatic intonations. Absolutely brilliant.

Yes, I listened to David Baddiel rather than reading it and agree