Tag Archives: autobiography

Leap of Faith

Posted on 26 April 2012 by

Leap of Faith by Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan Memories of an Unexpected Life. When in 1976 the young Lisa Halaby was introduced to King Hussein of Jordan, it was unlikely she thought he would become her beloved husband, … Continue reading →

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Finding Sarah

Posted on 24 April 2012 by

Finding Sarah by Sarah Duchess of York. When the young Sarah Ferguson married the Queens second son little did she know what she had signed up for. It was not easy for her living her life in the spotlight where … Continue reading →

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Tokyo Vice by Jake Adelstein

Posted on 2 March 2012 by

Review by Bindi, Broadbeach Library Tokyo Vice is the memoir of an American journalist who worked for the Yomiuri Shinbun during the heady nineties. The author covered vice and organised crime for the Tokyo newspaper for more than twelve years. … Continue reading →

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Ray Martin tells…..

Posted on 24 January 2012 by

With humour and clarity of his first memories of a colourful itinerant childhood which shaped his true understanding of fellow Australians, Ray tells his personal journey in The Stories of my Life.

His thirst for informing Australia of what’s happening, not only in their own backyard, but around the world spurred him to travel and research stories which set the path of a successful career spanning forty years in television.

He reveals the interviews with celebrities, the famous and the infamous, the everyday person, during his exceptional years with 60 Minutes, The Midday Show, A Current Affair and The Ray Martin Show.

Ray delivers an insight into his lesser known deep involvement with a variety of charities especially those concerned with Aboriginal disadvantage and children’s hospitals. A dedicated family man, his wife Dianne and his children are the loves of his life and this book reaffirms that he is a talented journalist & really nice bloke with a good story to tell and its a pleasure to read :-)
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Bikini : The Paula Stafford Story

Posted on 3 January 2012 by

She has had a local park named in her honour, a cocktail named after her and is perhaps the singularly most perfect embodiment of laid-back Gold Coast beach style. She has sewn just about every kind of garment you can … Continue reading →

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Happy Accidents

Posted on 14 November 2011 by

Jane Lynch’s autobiography really sticks to the premise of its title, Happy Accidents. It is a quick & happy read, a delight for avid readers of this genre. Even when she is recalling some of her darker moments like when she heavily used alcohol to deal with her feelings & the long solitary hours she spent alone she is delightfully candid. She likens herself to an archetypical tragic clown – laughing on the outside but highly anxious on the inside.

The first half of the book tells her childhood, growing up with feelings of alienation, depression & struggling with her sexuality. The second half tells her road to acting fame & the funny accidents that have made her the star she is today. Most know her character, Sue Sylvester on Glee but will be less familiar with her earlier work. It was really interesting to read about where she began & her early screen roles & the relationships she has made with other Hollywood people. Even more interesting is when she talks about her prior life before recognisable fame, from when she was hawking rather useless items on the graveyard shift of a home shopping tv show to playing Carol Brady in a live rendition of the Brady Bunch. She recounts these early experiences with pride!

Her life journey so far hasn’t been all fame & fortune, there have been bumps & lessons learned. It has an inspirational message. Lynch comes across as well grounded & has written this book with a well-earned sense of self awareness. I suppose the point of this genre is to show readers who one is behind the screen version. This autobiography lives up to this concept and then some. I really did appreciate her candidness, her self awareness & her honesty. Happy Accidents re-enforces why I so enjoy reading this genre :D
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Highlights Among the Shadows by Owen R Clement reviewed by Jill Smith

Posted on 27 October 2011 by

This is an amazingly well written book, engaging every sense at the outset. Owen describes his early childhood in India with such aplomb that, you can almost smell the spices in the air, as you journey with him through the … Continue reading →

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Alex and Me

Posted on 25 October 2011 by

Alex & Me by Irene M. Pepperberg. I chose this book after enjoying reading the other great ‘pet’ books featured on this site about the cats: Dewey the library cat, and Casper the comuting cat, – and because it was sure … Continue reading →

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Stories I only tell my friends

Posted on 30 September 2011 by

A young Rob Lowe knew early on he wanted to be an actor; he was growing up in a tv-saturated environment & became fully aware of the implications of being part of the Hollywood scene. This didn’t deter him rather it inspired him. Fame & fortune surrounded him & being a superstar was there for the taking.

In his autobiography, Stories I only tell my friends, which Lowe claims he is “proud to have written every word” he offers insights into his 3 decade showbiz career. He writes about his start working as a young actor with Tom Cruise & Patrick Swayze in the movie ‘The Outsiders’, the romantic liaisons with Demi Moore & Princess Stephanie of Monaco, his struggles with alcohol & subsequence visits to rehab & his time on the hit tv series ‘The West Wing’.

I really enjoyed the part in which he discusses the gruelling audition process for ‘The Outsiders’ in 1983. He talks of it as being a cattle call with all the young, budding actors being prodded & probed as they compete to win the movie’s lead roles. It was if it was a life & death decision for these young men. Lowe credits the film’s director Francis Ford Coppola with having the most influence on his acting career. He says he learned his craft from the director, “Some actors….go to schools of drama….I learned on the job”.

I also really enjoyed his behind the scenes goss about the time he spent as a cast member on the tv series ‘The West Wing’. He describes his father-son like relationship with Martin Sheen as well as the tension among all of the cast. Very interesting reading. However, he doesn’t go overboard & focus on bad-mouthing his fellow actors like some other celebrity autobiographies do in an effort to boost sales. His book is far more personal.

I found his personal struggles very touching & straight-forward. He certainly has learned some valuable lessons since becoming a father & also as a recovering alcoholic. He writes as if he was having a conversation with the reader, a real strength of the book. It’s serious yet funny & witty & overall makes a good read for spring time on a beach or in a park. In my opinion its better than your average celebrity story & I have read quite a few of them.
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All that is bitter and sweet by Ashley Judd

Posted on 27 September 2011 by

“Never judge a book by its cover” has never been more apt than with this book, All that is bitter & sweet. If it had not been recommended I doubt I would have picked it up, placing it into the celebrity waffle area. Ashley Judd’s memoir takes you on a journey not only geographically but also journey of the heart and soul. She works with a strong purpose and without the need for glossy magazine covers. He story encourages us to step outside our own little world and experience some many other lives all the while holding your attention. She writes with compassion and while learning to make peace with her own past she is able to carry a message of love and hope for a better world.

I loved this book, it’s one of those books that stays with you for a long time after it is put down and plays upon your conscience. She entrusts you with a knowledge that “when you help one person – you help the world”. It inspires and educates and who knows PSI may just find itself on many Christmas lists this year.

Written by Cathie (Helensvale Library staff)
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