Biography, Autobiography, Memoir discussion

Seems a bit strange to be writing 2025. I'm sure by the end of the week it will seem normal. What books are you reading in 2025?

The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop
4 stars


If you don't know who Kelly Bishop is, you have probably seen her as the mother in Dirty Dancing and in one of my favorite television series as the mother in Gilmore Girls. She started her career as a dancer and there is a lot of that here in the book, actually more talk about her early days when no one knew here and not really very much about her more well-known roles. She talks a lot about her relationships but seldom gives names. There is seldom any negativity in this book. She loves everything and everybody and admits she's had a very lucky life. At times I was bored with this book, but I love the characters she has played.

The Friday Afternoon Club: A Family Memoir by Griffin Dunne
4 stars


The author's father is the well-known author, Dominick Dunne. He has an equally well-known aunt, author Joan Didion. There is never a dull moment in this book. He has many celebrity people in his life and knows all the gossip about them. Ordinarily, I might say there is a lot of name-dropping in this book (which there is) but this guy has really spent his life surrounded by famous people. There is a section of the book that is dedicated to the murder of his beloved sister by her boyfriend. It is not overly detailed so if you want to know more about the murder or read an unbiased version, there are probably other books or articles about it. While it is a lengthy book, it seems to end abruptly around 1990 with the birth of his daughter and just briefly mentions his parents and aunt and uncle's deaths in the acknowledgements. He does not mention his divorce from Carey Lowell or subsequent marriage that lasted only a year or his many professional accounts after that year. Perhaps a subsequent memoir is in the planning stage?

The Great Pretender: The Undercover Mission That Changed Our Understanding of Madness
Susannah Cahalan
4/5 stars
This is an older book but it still holds up. It is the true-life story of a doctor that convinces 8 healthy people in the 1970's to enter into a mental hospital and eventually had to prove their sanity to get out of the hospital. Was the study legitimate or did it really happen? Very interesting! Non-Fiction

How Can You Defend Those People? by Mickey Sherman
4 stars


There are plenty of prosecutors that have written books about trials they have been involved with, but not very many books written by Public Defenders. The author is a public defender with a sense of humor. He has been involved in some well-known trials (O.J. and Scott Peterson). He has also been involved with Court TV from the time it began and has been on many news programs. This is not very much about those trials, but more about what it is like to defend people even though it is fairly obvious that they are guilty.

reading matthew mcconaughey's memoir. it's so good so far! highly recommend :)

kayla wrote: "

reading matthew mcconaughey's memoir. it's so good so far! highly recommend :)"

I have that one in my stash. Hope to get to it soon.

Cue the Sun!: The Invention of Reality TV by Emily Nussbaum
2 stars


I really didn't care much for how this book was written. There are probably hundreds of reality type shows the author could have written about as apparently game shows come under this heading. But she focuses on just a few, focusing on one show in each chapter and not really tying them together in any way. There are some interesting moments when she talks about the history of reality tv in general, but those moments are few and far between. Many of these shows I had never heard of, so when a whole chapter was devoted to a show I had never heard of I pretty much skimmed it. I think it could have been a better book if each chapter had been devoted to one type of reality show and not just one show.

Just read “In order to live” by Yeonmi Park

Hi Luiza! I see you are new Goodreads so here's a helpful hint. If you would like to post a link to the book you read, above this box is 'add book/author'. Click on that and type in the name of the book and click 'add'. Then you can go back into that and at the bottom it where it says 'cover' you can check that box, click 'add' again and it will post a picture of the book. That's it. I did the one you posted for you. Looking forward to discussing books with you.

In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom

I'm Not the Biggest Bitch in This Relationship: Hilarious, Heartwarming Tales About Man's Best Friend from America's Favorite Humorists
3 stars


Short stories about people and their dogs. While the title says they are hilarious and heartwarming, I did find some that were heartwarming, but I didn't really find any that were hilarious. I'm not a fan of stories that give dogs human qualities and think their dog understands everything they say. Sometimes it was the owners that needed behavior training more than the dogs. I really didn't like the story where the owner thought the dog needed to be bred so it didn't go into heat.

Luiza wrote: "Just read “In order to live” by Yeonmi Park"

Did you like it? This was on my want to read shelf, but apparently she has many inaccuracies in this book plus her accounts don't agree with her mother's. What did you think?

Koren wrote: "I'm Not the Biggest Bitch in This Relationship: Hilarious, Heartwarming Tales About Man's Best Friend from America's Favorite Humorists
3 stars
[bookcover:I'm Not the Biggest Bitch ..."

I love the title!

Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen
3 stars


I read this for a challenge but I didn't really post a review on the book's page because almost all the reviews were 4 and 5 stars and anybody that didn't like the book was skewered, but I really didn't get it and was bored the entire time. If it wasn't for a challenge, I wouldn't have finished. I'm going to try the movie and see if that helps me figure out the purpose of this book, although I was told the movie is more romance than what this book is. But, Meryl Streep and Robert Redford can't be hard to watch. Being the animal lover that I am, I really, really hated the descriptions of elephants and lions being shot and killed just because someone didn't want them where they were at the time.

Koren wrote: "Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen
3 stars


I read this for a challenge but I didn't really post a review on the book's page because almost all the reviews..."

It's too bad that people skewer those who don't like this book. I have no desire to read the book but did see the film.

Koren wrote: "Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen
3 stars


I read this for a challenge but I didn't really post a review on the book's page because almost all the reviews..."
Sorry to hear that's a thing. I'm new to Goodreads but always thought of it as THE PLACE for honest reviews

Jen wrote: "Koren wrote: "Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen
3 stars


I read this for a challenge but I didn't really post a review on the book's page because almost a..."

I don't think it is a thing because I've left plenty of 1 and 2 star reviews on books without getting skewered, but was pointing out that it's not good that's been happening with Out of Africa :)

:) good

Jen wrote: ":) good"

I only saw one or two replies that were definitely rude. As a rule, most Goodreads users are nice people and most groups do not allow rudeness. It definitely is not tolerated in this group.

Nothing Good Happens After Midnight by Phillip Tomasso III
4 stars


If you ever wondered what it is like to be a 911 dispatcher, this book will open your eyes. I don't think I could do that job, and at times the author has his doubts also. There is a lot to it and it can be very stressful. This book mostly looks at the behind the scenes aspect and not a lot of actual calls, although I am sure it is hard to get into specific circumstances when their actual participation is usually only a few minutes and they rarely find out what happens to the victims after the call. Not sure anyone is going to decide they want to go into this line of work from reading this book, but it was interesting to learn about the job. And the author definitely has a rather sarcastic sense of humor.

Playing Doctor Medical School: Stumbling Through with Amnesia by John Lawrence
4 stars


I'm sure we all know that medical school can be stressful, but this guy seems to have many things stacked up against him, especially at the beginning when he has a traumatic brain injury that impedes his ability to concentrate and memorize. He readily admits he is not the top of the class, but what do you call the person who graduates at the bottom of their medical school class? Doctor! That's the sense of humor that gets him through the hard times and makes this book funny! There were moments that reminded me of my own experience in nursing school, especially the many times he went into a situation where he had no idea what he was supposed to be doing. This book focuses on his first four years of medical and there are two more books that continue his story. I will be looking for them.

The Cougar Lady: Legendary Trapper of Sechelt Inlet by Rosella M. Leslie
4 stars

Photos included below.
I liked this better than I expected to given that I grew up in Sechelt and knew the Solberg sisters when I was growing up, although I knew Minnie more than Bergie. It was a bit challenging since I knew so many of the names in the acknowledgements either personally or who they were, including friends and relative(s). In short, Bergie's (Bergliot, but she always went by Bergie) dad wanted to live in the wilderness, so they ended up on the Sunshine Coast in the 1920s. Since he had no boys, he had the girls do things he wanted sons to do; they happened to take to it so became trappers, fisherwomen, loggers (primarily Bergie) etc. This book focuses on Bergie, in part because she lived closer, but also because she was involved in far more controversies than her sister.

This isn't a pure biography, but rather a combination of biography and memories/anecdotes people have of Bergie. There are a couple of small mistakes, but they could have been by the editor. A pure biography wouldn't be as interesting since there are many biographies about people like this. This book is primarily geared to more local interest plus greater local areas OR people interested in women's history. Caitlin Press is a local publisher based on the Sunshine Coast geared for that sort of publication, but is not for self-publishing.

Karin wrote: "The Cougar Lady: Legendary Trapper of Sechelt Inlet by Rosella M. Leslie
4 stars

Photos included below.
I liked this better than I expected to given that I grew up..."

They look like interesting people. Local history is the best and fun to see people's names that you recognize.

Koren wrote: "Karin wrote: "The Cougar Lady: Legendary Trapper of Sechelt Inlet by Rosella M. Leslie
4 stars

Photos included below.
I liked this better than I expected to given ..."

I do like biographies - sounds interesting!

Koren wrote: "Karin wrote: "The Cougar Lady: Legendary Trapper of Sechelt Inlet by Rosella M. Leslie
4 stars

Photos included below.
I liked this better than I expected to given ..."

Yes, although it included my dad, which is unusual, naturally. Plus a late first cousin once removed (my mother's first cousin) is cited from a Vancouver newspaper article (Rhody Lake)--she had a tragic ending (went for a walk in the woods and vanished in 2005 when she was 80. No trace of her has ever been found. It took nearly 10 years for a court to declare here dead. It's been horrible for her daughter who I met a couple of times.

Life's Too Short: A Memoir by Darius Rucker
4 stars


Darius Rucker is the lead singer in the band Hootie and the Blowfish. He is currently a country music singer. There is a lot of drug abuse in this book, which maybe isn't too surprising. The writing style is fast paced, which I liked. I subtracted 1 star because he didn't talk about his country music nearly as much as he talked about his band years, and I felt there was more to be told. He doesn't really get into his personal life very much. His wife and kids are barely mentioned but aside from that it was an interesting memoir.

I Was a Hero Once by Peter P. Mahoney.

I got an ARC, so can't publish a review right now. The book is already available. It's a memoir of a Vietnam vet and a former participant in Vietnam Veterans Against the War movement. Above all, the author is a father of two who had unique experience of being 'unpatriotic' after his service in the Army, who travelled to Soviet Union to meet the Soviet Afghanistan veterans and who married a Russian woman.

5 stars from me

Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen
I knew it would be easy to find much wrong with the book or writer--the killing of animals, the disenfranchisement of native people. I knew the challenge would be to find what was right about the book, the writer. So how to do that? To find what is common between me and Isak Dinesen. To find the beauty within.

Here's me waxing lyrical at my general non fiction group:

We all have limitations of how we perceive everything inside and outside of ourselves. Isak Dinesen is no different. Yet she strives to find the beauty, the connectedness, the wonder of what she encounters. This memoir reminds to look deeper, look further, how does it work with and against each other. What a great memoir.

You'll See: A Story of Narcissistic Abuse, Survival, and My Journey to Understand by Suzanne Groves
5 stars


There were so many things about this memoir about a parent who is so wrapped up in themselves that they can't say or do anything nice to anyone else. I think it is interesting how some people, like the author, spend their whole lives trying to be what their parents want them to be and hoping for a different response. It was amazing that this person kept trying to have a relationship with her father, even though he was really a jerk, and she felt responsible for taking care of them. A lot of people would have just left, like the granddaughter did. The author is incredibly smart and yet just can't figure out how to deal with her father, who says and does whatever he wants and doesn't whose feelings he hurts. Very well-written book about parental relationships.

PLAYING DOCTOR; Part Two: Residency by John Lawrence
4 stars


It must take a sense of humor to make it through med school. This book will make you wonder how anyone makes it without a senses of humor and a sense of their own failings. Especially when it is just one misstep after another. A humorous look at what it takes to become a doctor.

Why: A Memoir of Love and Lymphoma by John Melithoniotes
2 stars


Looking for a book that I could learn more about living with lymphoma, this was not it. This was more about the husband's experience with his wife's cancer and not much at all about the patient. Some things didn't really seem to ring true, such as how quickly she went downhill from day one of her diagnosis and only survived a few months after her diagnosis. If you want to learn more about the patient experience I would look for something different.

Keith Urban by Jeff Apter
3 stars


Shortly into this biography, it was obvious that this was an unauthorized bio. There is not really any information here that you couldn't get from the internet and most of the book is goes on and on about his musical journey, but not very much personal information. That said, from reading other reviews, if you are a fan of Keith, you will probably enjoy this book for what it is. If you don't know much about him, it will probably be more of a snooze-fest.

Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff

4 Stars.
Cleopatra was last queen of Egypt and last Ptolemaic ruler of Egypt. We know so much more of Hellenistic/Greek and Roman powers and so little in comparison about Egyptian power. Glad to finally have some clue of the importance of Cleopatra as queen. Still so much more information to gather and process from this book, so a reread is likely.

All My Patients Have Tales: Favorite Stories from a Vet's Practice by Jeff Wells
3 stars


Probably nothing too crazy here that you haven't heard before. Reminded me of the TV show The Great Doctor Pol. Seems like most of the stories had to do with having an arm up an animal's hind end or getting pooped on. I always thought it would be fun to work with animals but now I'm not so sure.

Everybody's Got Something by Robin Roberts
4 stars


I remember hearing that Robin Roberts had breast cancer but I don't remember hearing that 5 years later she had a different cancer of the blood, where she needed a stem cell transplant and her sister was the donor. This book is also about having the support of colleagues and family and losing someone close to you. An uplifting and spiritual memoir of courage when facing adversity.

They Never Threw Anything Away: Memories of the Great Depression by Americans Who Lived It by Ed Linz
3 stars


Not really what I thought this book was about. The author interviewed people during the 90's that lived in the early 20th century. Throughout the book, I wondered why it took him almost 30 years to put this book together. By the time the book was published everyone he interviewed was long gone, as they would be at least 110 or more years old if they were still alive. Anyway, the one thing that struck me throughout the book was that most of the people didn't have it as rough as what we have heard the Depression years were. Most of them were able to find enough work to get them by or were self-sufficient, able to grow their own food, or they were lucky enough not to have all their money in banks that closed. This book was ok, but not as interesting as others I've read about the Depression years.

Koren wrote: "They Never Threw Anything Away: Memories of the Great Depression by Americans Who Lived It by Ed Linz
3 stars
[bookcover:They Never Threw Anything Away: Memories of the Great Depres..."

Correct--most people weren't out of work and hadn't owned stocks, but many were unemployed and it was very hard on farmers in the prairies. It had a big impact, overall, though.

I’m Glad My Mom Died
Jennette McCurdy
4/5 stars
Jeanette McCurdy was a child/teen actor in iCarly and other series. She talks about her career and life with her overbearing mother. Interesting read but sad because of her life with her mom. Biographies/Memoirs

Julie wrote: "
I’m Glad My Mom Died
Jennette McCurdy
4/5 stars
Jeanette McCurdy was a child/teen actor in iCarly and other series. She t..."

It's always interesting to see how differently people respond to the same memoirs. I gave this 3 stars, which is a like overall, but there were things about it I didn't like--like was an average rating. What her mother did to her is horrible.

Karin wrote: "Koren wrote: "They Never Threw Anything Away: Memories of the Great Depression by Americans Who Lived It by Ed Linz
3 stars
[bookcover:They Never Threw Anything Away: Memories of th..."

When I first started working in nursing homes in the 80's, all of the residents had lived through the depression. It was interesting that they would end up with drawers full of the napkins and condiments and food they had saved from their meals. Sometimes we would have to clean out their stash as it was drawing bugs.

Julie wrote: "
I’m Glad My Mom Died
Jennette McCurdy
4/5 stars
Jeanette McCurdy was a child/teen actor in iCarly and other series. She t..."

I've been thinking about reading this one, but I'm afraid it might be too depressing.

I'm a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After Twenty Years Away by Bill Bryson
3 stars


Not sure if memoir is the correct category for this.Essays from someone who lived in England for 25years and returned looks to look at Americans with a fresh eye. This book was printed 25 years ago, so quite a few things are dated now. It was funny at times.

Cook County ICU: 30 Years of Unforgettable Patients and Odd Cases by Corey Franklin
4 stars


There were some interesting stories in this book and some interesting characters. Made me glad I didn't work in the ICU!

The Zookeeper's Daughter by Lori Space Day
3 stars

3 stars

The author's family owns a private zoo, and she knows a lo about animals. While not a big fan of zoo's, it seems like the people that run the zoo are humane and don't just keep them locked up in cages. There is a lot of information here about the proper care and feeding of exotic animals.

Another City, Not My Own, by Dominick Dunn

5 stars!

I didn't enjoy this book at first -- I commented that the subtitle WHEN NAME-DROPPERS ATTACK should have appeared on the jacket -- but I'm so glad I persisted. I count it as a memoir because it is one, with the thinnest possible varnish of fiction painted over the top. It brought back that roller-coaster of memories and feelings from the O.J. trial and gave me a faint taste of what went on in the author's real life as well. And, dang, that last scene.

Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson.
5 Star⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


I always want to read more Jeanette Winterson, but never make the time. This year, I made time. Yipeee. This writer's insights are so right that I am left wanting to quote but not wanting to quote such a large sections of book.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Blue-Eyed Boy: A Memoir by Robert Timberg
4 stars


The author suffered horrific burns, mostly on his face, in Viet Nam. Part medical memoir and part memoir of his journalism career, this book serves as an inspirational story of not letting adversity get you down.

Oh, Hello Alzheimer's: A Caregiver's Journey of Love by Lisa Marshall
4 stars


I think this would be a great book for someone who is taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer's disease. I was amazed at the understanding and patience the author had. It would be hard enough to go through this horrible disease with an elderly spouse but the author's husband was only in his 50's. It always helps to know others are going through the same thing you are.

The Last Queen: Elizabeth II's Seventy Year Battle to Save the House of Windsor

Having appreciation of our allies the English and having watched much, not all, of show The Crown, I wanted to have a more truthful version of events. Maybe for sake of brevity or maybe because the book was written for a more informed audience, I did not always clearly understand who was who and what was what. Google helped. If life were longer, I might read another more in-depth biography of the queen.

3 Stars.

Sand in My Bra and Other Misadventures: Funny Women Write from the Road
Jennifer L. Leo
This is as anthology of women's true stories. Writers include Ellen DeGeneres and Annie Lamott. I enjoyed it and I believe there is a couple other books in the same genre. Books Off My Reading List