Autobiography/biography recommendations

[apalershadeoflight]

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?

If you fancy reading a bit about the swinging 60's and being a rockers muse I highly recommend both Faithless - Marianne Faithfulls autobiography and also Wonderful Today by Patti Boyd - they're both fantastic and extremely interesting.

Simon Reeve 'Step by Step'

Vivi Albertine 'clothes clothes clothes music music music boys boys boys'

Thank you both.

60's rocker's muse sounds interesting indeed, Twawmyarse, (😉at your name!) as does the title of your second suggestion, Norstrom.

Any others?

Just finished 'Hungry' by Grace Dent. Really enjoyed it, she writes well and an easy read.

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.

The Choice (Edith Eger)

Educated ( Tara Westover)

These are great, thank you!

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

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

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

Sally Fields' autobiography was really good

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.

Dear Fatty - Dawn French

Gotta Get Theroux This - Louis Theroux

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

Robert Webb, How not to be a Boy.

Yes! Holiday books

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.

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

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

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

Really enjoyed Bob Mortimer - And Away

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.

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.

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.

Oh yes, love Carlos' dancing...

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

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!