Auto/biographies by/about women on Audible - recommendations please!

[IwantToRetire]

Have only recently started using Audible, and had a short list of books I listened to.

After that I realised I wasn't sure what to listen to next. I saw the Casual Vacancy (JKR) which although meant to be funny was so despressing about women's lives as wives, daughters, lovers, workers, I nearly didn't finish. So depressed.

So was hoping for recommenations for auto/biographies by/about women. Not saying I want anything light and fluffy, but something which has some positivity even if hard times along the way.

(Not against other recommendations whether crime, sci-fi, or whatever, but thought it might be nice to be inspired.)

Have some credit so happy to take the plunge into something unknown to me.

Many thanks.

Edited to add, not against anything discussing feminism, but have FWR for that!

Killjoy by Jo Cheetham, the story of how she got involved in the campaign to end Page 3 in The Sun. Funny and honest.

@weegiemum I read other biographies about Gertrude Bell and some other women explorers, too, and while their own writings have to be seen the light of their time, they all were quite exceptional to go outside the prescripted boundaries for women at the time.

Great suggestions

Spellbinding. Incredibly sensitive and accurate use of language. Funny. Moving. Profound.

What a woman. What a writer. Think I am in love!

I really enjoyed both of Kate Mulgrew's autobiographical books (Born With Teeth, How To Forget). Such a fascinating life, and it shows how even with a very successful career as an actress, she still had to deal with distinctly female obstacles, from controlling partners to unplanned pregnancies, from juggling both life as a single mother and caring for her mother with dementia, both whilst leading one of the big star trek shows of the 90s, all whilst under scrutiny of the producers who doubted a woman could do the job. She's a great writer, too.

Just thought I would revive this thread to post about this recent podcast (rather than a book) I listen to on Audible.

Its called "The Second Victim: Daisy's Story" and is told by the women known as "Daisy" who helped create Daisy's Law with the Centre for Women's Justice.

Please note it deals with issues that many may find hard to listen to.

https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/The-Second-Victim-Daisys-Story-Audiobook/B0CN9P9DM6

(If you are not signed up to Audible you get the first 30 days free.)

Just to add, I have listed to most of the suggested titles, but have found I have a rather silly problem as someone who relies on audio.

For no "rational" reason, there are some voices I just cant listen to for long, so a whole book becomes a problem.

I totally get what you mean about narrators, some just grate on me. The preview feature is useful to get a sense of whether you'll like it but not always quite enough.

If you're open to an out-of-left field suggestion you could try "A natural history of dragons" by Marie Brennan. The series is set in a Regencyesque fantasy world and is the story of an unconventional woman who smashes through social convention and all sorts of practical obstacles to follow her passion - researching dragons! The tone is delightfully dry and there are some very pointed feminist observations along the way.

Thanks. Its nice to be able to alternate between some quite difficult or heavy topics, with something a bit more positive.

Will add to my wish list.

Oh god yes...I'm really fussy with narrators. I can't get on with so many of them. Absolutely can't cope with Americans...no idea why when I watch American TV and films with no issues!

I've not listened to more than a sample but I absolutely loved Motherwell by Deborah Orr. So good and so poignant. I quite liked Lucy Worsley's Agatha Christie book but I got a bit fed up of her narration at times. Small doses!

Loved Sharon Blackie Hagitude too.

Ruby Tui (nz women’s rugby)’s autobiography is amazing. Her attitude to life and the things she’s experienced are mind blowing. My son really enjoyed it too.

plus, she reads it herself and has the most beautifully expressive voice and accent.

Girl With Dove- Sally Bayley is on Audible.

Dust and Pomegranates by Victoria Whitworth

As well as all the aforementioned, I would also recommend looking on BBC Sounds Desert Island Disks for interviews with women. I often have never heard of them and often they are truly inspiring.

Thanks all. Interesting to have more suggestions.

I have 1 credit with audible.

And now more choices!

I also remember reading this when I was about 19 and thinking she was the kind of spunky I aspired to be https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bette-Davis-Beginning-Biographies-Actors/dp/1676552405/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

although it’s not what you asked, I second SmallDFarty - I love listening to women on Desert Island Discs, especially in the car. A recent gem was Lyse Doucet - she was fantastic.

on Audible, I very much liked A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purcell - historical not fiction. But very interesting.

Just noticed a lot of the recent "reviews" are AI slop and by men, who I am doubtful would have read the book, almost quoting the blurb.
IIRC I felt she was a bit of a feminist icon; she refused boring female roles and demanded complex characters and challenged the patriarchal film studios. She knew she wasn't conventionally attractive for the male gaze so highlighted her intelligence. I might have been easily wowed at 19 though, as I don't recall reading many female writers or bio's back then.

I dont know much about her, but even with a little bit of imagining of what is must have been like for women at that time.

Amazing how any of them stayed sane.

And how much men disliked women who felt able to answer back, even in a "jokey" way.

But think even thought that wasn't the intent when I started this thread, interesting to know which women any of us felt inspired by.

That's a really interesting idea.

Its some time since i listened to Desert Island Discs. But have this memory of some an I had not respect for, and all of his musical choices were some of my favourites.

Was quite upset!

There's some good audiobooks in BBC sounds too btw. This has been in the top charts so might be worth a go.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0031vn6?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile