Four of the five books I have read recently have been famous people biographies (I’m Glad My Mother Died by Jeanette McCurdy, Madly Deeply journals of Alan Rickman, Bad Blood by John Carreyrou, Mystery of Mysteries by Mark Dawidziak) and I just got Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson from the library, and I have Friends, Lovers, and The Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry on hold to read next.
There’s no specific reason I’ve been into biographies recently, I guess it’s my favorite genre now, but just searching for biographies only comes up with recently published biographies about famous people. I don’t know exactly what type of biographies I want to read. I really enjoyed Jeanette McCurdy’s because it felt the most “down to Earth” so I think what I want is a biography by or about someone who has an *interesting story,* but not necessarily a significant person.
by mysterydevil_
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‘Long Walk to Freedom’ by Nelson Mandela is a powerful autobiography that I often recommend. Mandela’s journey from political prisoner to president embodies the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, making it an essential read for anyone interested in the fight for justice and equality.
*The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York,* by Robert A. Caro
The book offers a fascinating look into the life of Robert Moses, a figure who wielded nearly limitless and unchecked power in shaping New York City’s landscape. His influence in urban development and infrastructure had far-reaching consequences, making this biography an intriguing exploration of the impacts of unchecked authority on a metropolis. It’s a captivating narrative that unveils the complexities of power and its effects on an entire cityscape.
I also really enjoyed McCurdy’s memoir this year. My recs are All You Can Ever Know by Nicole Chung and The Cat I Never Named by Amra Sabic El Rayess.
My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward by Mark Lukach is one of my absolute favorite memoirs, it’s so well done.
Being Lolita by Alisson Wood (as you can probably guess from the title TW for SA/grooming)
Beautiful Boy by David Sheff and Tweak by Nic Sheff are fascinating to read back to back. You don’t get a lot of memoirs that are two perspectives on the same story. The first is by the father, the second by the son. I’d read Beautiful Boy first.
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
the color of water by james mcbride….
There are several biographies of Sir Hubert Wilkins. One of the most amazing people you’ve never heard of.
War photographer, racing pilot, sub-mariner , Arctic and Antarctic explorer.
Iron and Silk by Mark Salzman
Everything I Never Wanted To Be by Dina Kucera
Holy Ghost Girl by Donna Johnson
and i don’t want to live this life by deborah spungen
Please don’t make me go by John Fenton
Ugly by Constance Briscoe
Something different from other ones mentioned….
Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World
https://www.amazon.ca/Temple-Grandin-Embraced-Autism-Changed/dp/0547443153
Rick Mercer’s Talking to Canadians and The Road Years.
* *Other Powers: The Age of Suffrage, Spiritualism, and the Scandalous Victoria Woodhull* by Barbara Goldsmith (biography)
* *The Road from Coorain* by Jill Ker Conway (memoir)
* *The Year of Magical Thinking* by Joan Didion (memoir)
* *Tender at the Bone* by Ruth Reichl (memoir)
* *Lafayette in the Somewhat United States* by Sarah Vowell (biography)
* *The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo* by Tom Reiss (biography)
Finding me by Viola Davis
Metaphysical Animals: How Four Women Brought Philosophy Back to Life – Clare Mac Cumhaill and Rachael Wiseman