So what are good biogs/ autobiogs/diaries

[frauster]

Much tripe to be had in this genre, but my local library shelves ache with them. When you find a good one, they can be really inspiring, funny and eye-opening.

So what gems are to be found and why do they deserve attention? What has surprised you(NB not a big fan of weepy hard luck tales, or Tragic Life Stories as WHSmiths would 'ave it)

Fr'instance, I loved the Joe Orton Diaries - very witty, bitchy expose of theatrical folk in the 50s and some great name-dropping of the likes of Kenneth Williams.

Spike Milligans War diaries are absolutely brilliant.I cried laughing.Really really funny but poignant,too.

Long Walk to Freedom , Nelson Mandela

There was a thread on this not long ago. The best by miles is "Paula" by Isobel Allende - it is an absolute heart breaker but as far removed from the WH Smith Tragic Lives scetion as it is possible to get; it's about her daughter who fell into a long coma before dying but it is intelligent, inspiring and above all, well written.

think I saw that one, but didn't see anything I fancied. Looking for a few more hidden gems if anyone has any, nothing too emotionally heavy, as can only snatch little bits of reading time at the moment.

Alan Clarke's Diaries are good, also Dirk Bogarde's biog, by John Coldstream (I always have to check his name because my brain tells me it's 'Drinkwater' lol!) ALan Bennet is also good.

Miracles of Life - J. G. Ballard's autobiography.

Russel Brand's My booky wooky is the best biography I have read in ages

Christina Lamb writes about her time in Afghanisatan and Iraq, as well as SA, brazil. Fascinating stuff. Leading a completely different life to me at the same time. Have now read all her books this year.

Ayan Hirsi Ali, her book is called "Infidel", read it, it's an inspiration!

Here it is, had a blank moment over the actual title!

Maya Angelou. She wrote 3 (I think) each of which describes a different stage of her life. I thought they were very good.

CS - she wrote 5 of them. Long story but a friend of mine who is a BIG fan bumped into her atthe home of Jon Snow. No idea she was there and spent the afternoon gawping. And Maya gave her a necklace to keep her happy.

ellen mcarthur if you like sporting biogs is amzing and very inspirational

oooh fab! I've got 2 more great reads to look forward to. Shall get on Amazon asap!

writing home, by alan bennett; ernest shackleton, by Roland Huntford; The Life of My Choice, by Wilfred Thesinger (explorer); Red Carpets, by Rupert Everett

was just about to recommend the Rupert Everett one

v.good

also the Richard E Grant With Nails diary thing is quite good

Apparently Frank Gardiner's Blood and Sand is good. Will know by the end of June as it's my bookgroup's next read!

easy riders, raging bulls - peter biskind, about 1970s hollywood. Been around for a bit, but great for celebrity gossip.