AIBU to be obsessed with celeb autobiographies?

[NellesVilla]

I have a real addiction to celeb biographies; is that weird? I’m also interested in researching how the big movie stars of yesteryear popped their clogs, but that’s another story entirely.

I just love reading about their early years, their journeys, their experiences on the way up etc etc. Currently reading Cheryl Cole’s and love reading about behind the scenes with Girls Aloud, her time as a WAG and her tough upbringing (am not surprised at her media makeover to suppress the rough Geordie rep).

I also loved the autobiographies of Martine Mcutcheon (spelling??!), Julie Walters, Tina Fey, the evil one from Glee, Billie Piper and Jenna Fischer, but the best was the one from Patti Lu Pone (great gossip). The saddest ones were from Sarah Harding (RIP) and Nikki Grahame (RIP). Next up
is Clark Gable. I become fans of everyone I read and I suppose it’s a refreshing form
of escapism for me.

I suppose I’m cheekily posting here for traffic as I’m currently- feverishly- seeking some new recommendations.

Over my 50+ years I've read loads of autobiographies and biographies. The autos all seem to start with the writer living in extreme poverty and cruel parents....well the ones that were clearly bull s. It's easy to tell the difference is people being honest as they are able to be self critical and admit errors.

some seem to want to paint themselves as continual victims who struggled through despite others being against them.
David Niven is famous for his autobiography...doesn't even mention the already famous actress who he lived with and was promoted by!
Paul OGrady's books are a great fun read
I liked Angela's Ashes but felt it was a little unrealistic
Toast by Nigel Slater is great
another cooking one is Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdan.....you'll never want to visit a restaurant again especially after he talks about discount sushi😨

I love reading them too! I read Tom Daley’s and Andy Murray’s autobiographies a couple of years ago, and just bought Christopher Plummer’s autobiography, so looking forward to that (it’s quite hefty, but I’ve read a couple of pages, and it seems hilarious and very bitchy, so should be good 😁)

I haven't read many but John Bishop's is good.

Bob Mortimer's is brilliant.

Great one:
Cybil disobedience by cybil shepherd
Lucille balls autobiography
I like judge Judy's books

Apparently Shirley Temple and drew Barrymore are also good

I under stand David niven wrote 3 or 4 classic auto bios...

Recently discovered on rob Lowes podcast that he, Molly ringwald and another brat pack have done auto bios...

Grace slick auto bio was ok...

Michelle Phillips was pretty good

Shonda rhymes wrote a book, it is somewhat auto biographical , the book of yes. Could say the same about lina dunhams book.

There's postcards from the edge. I can't recall how much star wars or Paul Simon is in there

Also if you like Tina feys, you may also like the last black unicorn as well as amy pohlers book

I like a good autobiography too much more so than fiction.
I’d recommend Michael J. Fox and Roger Moore. I have Miriam Margoles one but not read it yet.

Grace Jones autobiography is excellent.

Rob Lowe's 'Stories I only tell my Friends' is great. Andrew McCarthy has got one out called 'Brat an 80s story' but I've not read that yet.

I've read the Bananarama one 'Really Saying Something' and the one Martin and Shirlie Kemp did. Not very highbrow but interesting reads for someone who appreciated the 80s.

Also recently read Dave Grohl's 'Story Teller', but that is more a selection of stories rather than a chronological timeline autobiography.

I like an autobiography because fiction can be very hit and miss.

I don’t really believe that they’re true. I expect there’s a bit of fact in there, but I assume it’s mostly a PR job.

I listen to a lot on audible, usually narrated by the author which definitely brings the story to life a bit more.
If you liked Julie Walters you might enjoy Celia Imrie - she has lived an eventful and fascinating life! Also enjoyed Busy Phillipps (Dawson’s creek), Lily Allen, Jessica Simpson, Demi Moore and Eric Idle.

I love celeb autobiographies!
Anjelica Huston's was good, so was Janice Dickinson / Grace Jones.
Carole Radziwill - What Remains, well written.

Also love Rupert Everett !

Celebrity memoir bookclub is a podcast all about memoirs, that might interest you.

Autobiographies are my fav,Inc film biopics. Fav books are Adam Ant,Steve Strange,Pete Burns,Nile Rodger,Mayte Garcia(who was married to Prince). Will try and remember more.

@Sparklingbrook came here to mention Rob Lowe’s book here too.

if you’re interested in American actors, the podcast Armchair Expert is great. In depth interviews with lots of humour too.

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll look for that. I love Rob Lowe's podcast even if I'm not familiar with his guest they are always fun and his voice is ASMR to me.

Definitely going to read the Anjelica Huston and Grace Jones ones!

Love this thread! Thanks OP.

Marianne Faithfull, Richard E Grant, Ingrid Bergman and Viv Albertine from
the splits are my recommendations.

And yes to the Anthony Bourdon one, @Userg1234 , and the Drew Barrymore one @LemonDrizzles .

I think the Rob Lowe one will be next up!

Currently reading Victoria Wood's it's a big old tome and the chapters are very long but I loved her and it's a great read so far.

YABU. Well..., obviously yanbu really - you like what you like. I read a lot, but biographies are the one thing I won't read. I find them unbelievably tedious - even biographies of people whose work I like, I have no desire to know about their lives. As for celebs - I have no interest in any of them full stop! You crack on if that's what you enjoy though!

I love reading about celebrities lives, the parts before they became famous are the most interesting, they give such an insight into why they became what they are now. Everyone knows what happened after they found fame usually. It's fascinating.

Patti Smith - Just Kids.
Richard E Grant - With Nails.
Tom Courtenay - Dear Tom.
David Niven - The Moon’s A Balloon and Bring On The Empty Horses.
Bob Mortimer - And Away.
Brian Cox (the actor not the scientist) Putting the Rabbit in the Hat.
Daisy May Cooper - Don’t Encourage Her.

I really enjoyed all of these.

Bruce Springsteen’s Born To Run was good, too.

Well, @Fairislefandango , I am v nosey I suppose as I love reading about all types of people. Some have lived fascinating lives.