I have only read Mindy Kaling’s “Is Everyone Hanging Out With Me?” I loved it! It didn’t change my view of her, just gave me lighthearted details about her life.
I am open to more serious stories, but my fear is that reading an autobiography/memoir will be boring or a giant “look at me!” I’m searching for meaningful stories that connect you to real people.
by barbiesgeekycousin
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Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography is interesting, though short, and clearly incomplete. I enjoyed it, but felt he lost interest in writing it at some point and skimmed over vast quantities of events. Bottom line is I enjoyed it though. (Here’s an interesting thing: He taught swimming when he was younger to make a living!) All lot of old biographies are public domain, too, so free to read. See http://www.archive.org
I really enjoyed “Look Me In the Eye” by John Robison, an account of growing up with Asperger’s. He’s not a celebrity, but he’s Augusten Burrough’s (“Running with Scissors”) brother, and questions some of his brother’s statements.
I’m Glad My Mom Died, Greenlights or Down the Drain
Carrie Fisher, Wishful Drinking. She was such an incredible writer and will make you howl with laughter and sob your eyes out all in the same chapter, even if she is writing about decades of Hollywood royalty.
Alan Cumming, Not my Father’s Son. He does not dwell on the trappings of fame and fortune, even though the pretext for the book is a television program about his heritage, which dredged up all the unresolved feelings he had about his childhood. You learn about entire generations of his family, and the abuse he suffered from his father well into adulthood.
Trevor Noah, Born a Crime. So engagingly written, filled with love for his mother and South Africa, yet unapologetically acknowledges the brutal conditions that made his very existence illegal.
Broken Horses by Brandi Carlile, Thicker than Water by Kerry Washington, Pageboy by Elliot Page, Over the Top by JVN
Scar tissue. Anthony Keidis from Red Hot Chili Peppers. It’s a wild ride.
Run Towards the Danger by Sarah Polley is the indictment of abuse of child actors that I’m Glad My Mom Died wanted to be. A trauma memoir in essays, but with introspection, growth, process and moving on.
Rob Delaney’s two memoirs, both brutally honest and hilariously dark. The first is about his alcoholism and bedwetting into young adulthood until his body breaking car accident and incarceration and rehab. The second one is about his toddler third son dying of a brain tumor.
“American on purpose”, by Craig Ferguson has a great audiobook (narrated by him). It deals with addiction and rebuilding life after that. I couldn’t put it down . Highly recommend!
Leslie F*cking Jones – I just finished it this month, and it was very vulnerable and empowering. Fair warning there is a lot of cursing in it. If that’s something you don’t like, this book probably wouldn’t be a good choice.
Yearbook by Seth Rogen – I listened to the audiobook, and I had to pull my car over at one point because I was laughing too hard. This book wasn’t very deep, but I enjoyed it more than I was expecting to.
Page Boy by Elliot Page – This one not only tells the story of Elliot’s life, but also gives a very vulnerable account of their transition journey.
Popular autobiographies that are worth the hype:
– The Woman in Me
– I’m Glad My Mom Died
Testimony by Robbie Robertson
Troublemaker by Leah Remini. Eye-opening about her experience growing up in Scientology, making it into the high ranks of the cult as a celebrity, and then have it all come crashing down.
*Finding Me* by Viola Davis
The book is not about Hollywood name-dropping but about the hardships she had to overcome to get to where she is today. It is particularly good as an audiobook.
I enjoyed Bossypants by Tina Fey and You’re Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) by Felicia Day
Yes Please by Amy Poehler.
More myself by Alicia Keys. I’m only mildly interested in her music, but picked up the book for some reason and loved it. It’s mostly about her journey as an artist.