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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.

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DonkeyOaty · 19/09/2016 21:06

Not quite non celeb but...Bill Bryson Thunderbolt Kid is a great memoir

mummymeister · 19/09/2016 21:07

look I know these two are both celebs but in the old style not the new. Richard E Grant and Kenneth Williams. I also like Joe Ortons Prick up your ears. any figures from history you are interested in?

Lilaclily · 19/09/2016 21:10

The call the midwife series by Jennifer worth

Are you interested in sporting memoirs ?

Katie piper's book is very inspirational

JammyGem · 19/09/2016 21:10

I really recommend One Good Run: The Legend of Burt Munroe by Tim Hanna. It's about a New Zealander who wanted to break the speed record on his modified Indian motorbike. He was a real eccentric, and his is a great story.

IHateTheNomNomSong · 19/09/2016 21:11

I enjoyed a series of books by Marie Brown. Their business folded, they had to sell their house and they bought a narrow boat. The books follow their ups and downs - a very entertaining read. They're called Narrow Margins, Narrow Minds, Narrow Escape and Narrow Focus.

RatOnnaStick · 19/09/2016 21:12

Not quite a memoir but how about Letters Between Six Sisters which is the Mitford girls correspondence over their lives?

Flanderspigeonmurderer · 19/09/2016 21:14

Wait for me by Deborah Cavendish the Duchess of Devonshire. She was a Mitford sister and had a very interesting life.

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 19/09/2016 21:15

Maya Angleou's memoirs are brilliant. And totally agree re: Kenneth Williams - bitchy and hilarious. I'm also planning to read Alan Cumming's bio, although he is a celebrity-celebrity.

outofdepth · 19/09/2016 21:15

I second call the midwife - Jennifer Worth was a superb writer

Also recommend James Herriott - fabulous funny books of a vet in 1930s Yorkshire - I love them

RatOnnaStick · 19/09/2016 21:16

All Creatures Great and Small? Nothing heavy there - bathtime reading.

228agreenend · 19/09/2016 21:16

Horse Boy is a lovely true story about a Dad who realised his autistic son seemed calmer around horses, so took him on a trip across Russia to the wild horses etc.

RatOnnaStick · 19/09/2016 21:16

Ha! Xposts.

Overthinker2016 · 19/09/2016 21:17

Maya Angelou

Also Andre Agassi's biography is great. I would class him as an athele rather than a celeb!

Mycatsabastard · 19/09/2016 21:17

How Did all this happen by John Bishop. Yes I know he's a celeb but it was one of the funniest books I have ever read. Really interesting as well as laugh out loud funny.

I agree with Bill Bryson's Thunderbolt kid as well. Fantastic book.

Shosha1 · 19/09/2016 21:20

I've read all Bill Brysons ones and lived them.
Really don't want any celeb ones

Interested in anything that is interesting. 🙂

I have read recently

That Woman : about Wallis Simpson

One of our own : Myra Hindley ( disturbing )

Gardens of Stone : French Resistance

Code name Verity : SOE

Nancy Wake : SOE

A fine day for a hanging : Ruth Ellis Story

Black Diamonds : Wentworth Palace Fitzsimmons Family

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Shosha1 · 19/09/2016 21:21

I like the idea of the Mitford Sisters, which books are the best?

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Shosha1 · 19/09/2016 21:22

I loved the James Herriot ones, but read them a long time ago

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Overthinker2016 · 19/09/2016 21:22

Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee
Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt

Belle De Jour? (!!!)

TotalConfucius · 19/09/2016 21:22

For something OTBT, an elderly lady I know has just published her memoir - 'Recollections of Joy' by Joy M Claxton published by Matador/Troubadour.

Joy has had such an interesting life as an animal trainer for the film/tv industry, an animal artist, and as a leading light in establishing the Riding for The Disabled carriage driving - all the illustrations are her own work and are an entertainment on their own. She is truly one of life's great characters (and is still at RDA carriage driving advising us every week!)

PoloZolo · 19/09/2016 21:23

Georgiana Dutchess of Devonshire

Overthinker2016 · 19/09/2016 21:24

The Mitford Girls by Mary S Lovell is great but is a biography rather than memoirs (I think?)

CousinCharlotte · 19/09/2016 21:25

I am Malala

thenewaveragebear1983 · 19/09/2016 21:26

Not a memoir but fiction, but Room by Emma somebody is brilliant, very gripping story, I couldn't put it down.

Overthinker2016 · 19/09/2016 21:27

Also I really enjoyed the Cuba Diaries by Isadora Tattlin. Written by a diplomats wife.

Also slightly trashy but Eat Pray Love and the follow up.

Shosha1 · 19/09/2016 21:28

I don't mind a good biography so will look at The Mitgord Girls.

I tried Room, averagebear, but not for me.

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