poppy Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Was that Billy by Pamela Stevenson? I read that this year and enjoyed it. Billy had quite a harsh upbringing by two bullying aunts and a largely absent father who sexually abused him. Through all that or maybe because of that he has developed and retained a wonderful sense of humour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrysalis_stage Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Was that Billy by Pamela Stevenson? I read that this year and enjoyed it. Billy had quite a harsh upbringing by two bullying aunts and a largely absent father who sexually abused him. Through all that or maybe because of that he has developed and retained a wonderful sense of humour. oh yes it was by pamela, what doesn't kill you..... (ill see if i can get hold of it) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pipread Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 I got this for Christmas, so its on my shelf TBR! Looking forward to hearing what you think of it. Enjoying it thus far, I can really "hear" him coming through as I read. (if you understand my meaning) It`s also a nice change from all the crime I`ve been reading lately! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne123 Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Just about to start, Moab is my Washpot ~ Stephen Fry.I think I`m going to really enjoy it. You'll love it! Its brilliant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purple Poppy Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 The Pamela Stephenson one is on my list of biographies to get. I've read quite a few, but would have to hunt then out for details if folk are interested. John Betjeman, Cilla Black, Johnnie Walker(DJ), Georgia O'Keefe, and several others which I can't remember lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Butter Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 I keep meaning to get hold of Johnnie Walker's book, before I suddenly find it's been deleted! He's an old-time hero of mine, from the days of listening to pirate Radio London (wonderful....Radio....LONDON!) under the bedclothes on a tinny transistor. "Johnnie Walker's Ten O'Clock Turn On Time" was great - he'd just play the same record, back-to-back - it's where I first heard Soul Man by Sam and Dave. Anyway, back at the ranch - is it any good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purple Poppy Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Yes! I would recommend it to folk of our generation who grew up listening to Johnnie. I came away from the book feeling a lot of admiration for a man who had his fair share of troubles. I thought it might be a bit lightweight, but it was brutally honest about his mistakes and feelings. I enjoyed it and was left with much respect for this icon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seiichi Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 I've only read one autobiography/biography which hasn't been mentioned yet, and that's Freud Ego by Clement Freud. It's written in a raconteur style and leads the reader in no doubt that he's led a rich and varied life, but one that's no more special than anyone else's. There's no intrusion into his private/personal life, nor anything designed to appeal to readers' sensibilities; it's a collection of episodes from his life told in a matter of fact manner but interspersed with flashes of wit. If, like me, you've heard him on Just A Minute and enjoy his contributions there, this book is unlikely to disappoint you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purple Poppy Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 I used to listen to him a lot. To my shame, I didn't realise he was still around, (sorry Clement...just hadn't heard you mentioned lately). I'll have to get a copy as I think I'd enjoy it. He was always very sharp, and dry! Thanks for recommending it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrainFreeze Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Ooo another autobiography I thoroughly enjoyed was Donnie Brasco by Joseph D. Pistone. Was a brilliant read and quite different to the film, in a lot of places. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyshake Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 My faves are .. My Booky Wook .. Russell Brand Moab is my Washpot .. Stephen Fry Wodehouse: A Life .. Robert McCrum Dickens .. Peter Ackroyd The Mitford Girls .. Mary S Lovell Dear Dodie (Life of Dodie Smith) .. Valerie Grove Cider With Rosie .. Laurie Lee The Bolter (Idina Sackville) .. Frances Osborne Dream Brother (Jeff & Tim Buckley) .. David Browne Our Betty .. Liz Smith I also enjoyed 'Looking for Enid' by Duncan McLaren which I know a lot of people hated .. it was quite bizarre but I liked it. Some I'd like to read ... Shadowlands (the story of CS Lewis) .. Brian Sibley Muriel Spark .. Martin Stannard Mad World (Evelyn Waugh) .. Paula Byrne I've just finished listening to Anna Masseys autobiography 'Telling Some Tales' which was read by Anna herself which I enjoyed .. I didn't even know she'd been married to Jeremy Brett .. she recounted a story about going to see Michael Jackson at Wembley with Carly Simon ... mad!! Brenda Blethyn reading her own autobiography 'Mixed Blessings' was also really good. I imagine Russell Brand is hilarious reading his. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 (edited) I also loved My Booky Wook by Russell Brand. It was hilarious! My favourite autobiography however has to be Let It Blurt about the life of Lester Bangs a New York based Gonzo journalist who was around in the 60's and 70's. He reviewed and interviewed the likes of Blondie, Lou Reed who he had a love/hate relationship with and Patty Smith who he was great friends with. He also performed in a band himself at CBGB's but never quite made it. He told it like it was. If a record was terrible he'd say so and if he changed his mind a few months or years down the line he'd admit to that too. Because of this he was famous in certain circles and it seemed that he had a lot of friends who were only interested in that fame. Deep down he was quite a lonely person and always had been since childhood. Just before he died he was writing a book (called Let It Blurt) but he overdosed on cough mixture before finishing it. He could have been as influential as Hunter S Thompson and Jack Kerouac who were similar to him in that they wrote about what middle-class America feared.....sex, drugs & rock'n'roll (with a few Hells Angels thrown into the mix somewhere!) It's such a sad story because he faced a lot of rejection in his life but it's one of my favourite books Edited August 18, 2009 by Nicola Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busy91 Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 I read mostly memoirs, but as far as (auto)biographies - Moab is my Washpot - Stephen Fry (auto) Depardieu: A Biography - Paul Chutkow Called Out of Darkness - Anne Rice (auto) Rage to Survive - Etta James (auto) Here's The Story - Maureen McCormick (auto) Through The Stom - Lynn Spears (auto) - Brittney's mom There are many more but these are the ones I enjoyed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrysalis_stage Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 I recently read 'Jonathon Ross's book - Why do I say these things?' and I absolutely loved it! I love his show so I thought I would give his book a go seeing as it was going cheap in the supermarket, although I'm not one for auto/biographies really it made me laugh so hard and forget about my worries at the time. Definitely recommend! I loved the chapter on his pets, I read that section twice and laughed equally as hard both times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephanie2008 Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 I recently read 'Jonathon Ross's book - Why do I say these things?' and I absolutely loved it! I love his show so I thought I would give his book a go seeing as it was going cheap in the supermarket, although I'm not one for auto/biographies really it made me laugh so hard and forget about my worries at the time. Definitely recommend! I loved the chapter on his pets, I read that section twice and laughed equally as hard both times. I bought this cheap too and just haven't got around to it yet. You have just bumped it up my list Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirleyz Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 I actually really enjoy reading true life stories, and have read quite a few. I would say my all time fave is The Kennedy Women, which I read about 10 years ago, and which talks about the Kennedy's story through the eyes of different generations of women... no wonder they had such succesful men one which i'd love to read is Gabriel Byrne's autobiography - i heard him talking about his life during a TV interview once, and I was positively impressed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrysalis_stage Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 I bought this cheap too and just haven't got around to it yet. You have just bumped it up my list Oh good It is an easy, funny read! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talisman Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 The only autobiography I have ever read was Charlie Chaplin's, which was a fascinating read. To be honest, I am not that interested in this type of book, it just isn't my cup of tea. There are too many of them now imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewell Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 I used to listen to him a lot. To my shame, I didn't realise he was still around, (sorry Clement...just hadn't heard you mentioned lately). I'll have to get a copy as I think I'd enjoy it. He was always very sharp, and dry! Thanks for recommending it It's funny, coz not long after ypu posted this he passed away. I may have a read of that autobiography. I think he's brilliant. I listened to him on the radio show 'Just a minute'. I love that game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blithe Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 Biographies/Autobiographies I've enjoyed: Elizabeth I - Alison Weir The Legendary Jackrabbit Johannsen - Alice E. Johannsen Me - Katharine Hepburn Father Goose - William Lishman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosalind Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 I've read: Stephen Fry - Moab is my washpot Richard Hammond - On the Edge John Barrowman - Anything goes Alex James - A bit of a blur I loved those books all for different reasons: Stephen Fry is just so funny is his writing, John Barrowman's was goofy, my motivation for Alex James's was that I always had loved Blur and Richard Hammonds was factual and turned funny after the accident and the part of the book that was written by his wife. On the other hand I still have : Rupert Everett - Red Carpets and Banana Skins to finish. I've started it twice before and really should do an effort to finish it. I'm about 1/3 far in the book but somehow it hasn't been able to grip me like the others have Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueB Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 I've not read a biography in ages if my memory serves me well lol Last one I read and thorough enjoyed was Alan Carrs one....not everyones cup of tea but an hilarious lighthearted read Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephanie2008 Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 On the other hand I still have : Rupert Everett - Red Carpets and Banana Skins to finish. I've started it twice before and really should do an effort to finish it. I'm about 1/3 far in the book but somehow it hasn't been able to grip me like the others have I bought this book ages ago and have never got around to reading it. I don't know why, I just haven't picked it up yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honestfi Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 Yes! I would recommend it to folk of our generation who grew up listening to Johnnie. I came away from the book feeling a lot of admiration for a man who had his fair share of troubles. I thought it might be a bit lightweight, but it was brutally honest about his mistakes and feelings. I enjoyed it and was left with much respect for this icon. Love that book, my very fave non fiction I think. My impression after reading it: What a woman Tiggy Walker is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honestfi Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 Oh and while I think of it.... I've been meaning to get hold of Dear Fatty by Dawn French - anyone else here read it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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