I've been a Celtics fan since the early '80s, so I naturally hate the Lakers. It took a monumental effort on my part to read an autobio by an ex-LakerI've been a Celtics fan since the early '80s, so I naturally hate the Lakers. It took a monumental effort on my part to read an autobio by an ex-Laker, but I did and you know what? I found out that Kareem is not in league with the devil. To be fair and honest, he is an immensely decent man. ...more
Interesting and entertaining! Great stories told well.
Glyn Johns recorded some of the most famous rock albums of all time by the biggest names going. Interesting and entertaining! Great stories told well.
Glyn Johns recorded some of the most famous rock albums of all time by the biggest names going.
If you're into sound engineering, you should like this one. If you like 60s/70s UK rock, you'll love this one! The man behind the mixing board proves to be as intriguing as the rockstars he recorded. ...more
Comedian Jimmy Carr disguises his autobiography as a self-help book. I could've done with more personal details, but that's not his style, and that's Comedian Jimmy Carr disguises his autobiography as a self-help book. I could've done with more personal details, but that's not his style, and that's ok. This turned out way better than I feared it would when the audiobook first kicked off. Carr speaks at an incredibly rapid pace. I checked the speed levels on the playback more than once, because I was sure it was playing fast. But once I caught up with him, I enjoyed the ride. It's a funny read. Most of the advice is tailored towards comedians, but it's usually broad enough to apply to anyone going through that massive clusterfuck we call life. ...more
The Fonz was a childhood hero of mine. I've loved Henry Winkler for years, so I was delighted to discover this autobio existed. Knowing that about me,The Fonz was a childhood hero of mine. I've loved Henry Winkler for years, so I was delighted to discover this autobio existed. Knowing that about me, you can take my "critique" with a grain of salt or two... This is the best autobiography of all time!!!...more
I've read just about everything Lawrence Block has written about private detective Matt Scudder. I love the guy. He feels real to me. So of course I'dI've read just about everything Lawrence Block has written about private detective Matt Scudder. I love the guy. He feels real to me. So of course I'd want to read a mock-autobiography on him. Glad I did! It answers some questions and fills in some gaps in just the way a rabid fan desires. Highly recommended to those of you who've already been sucked into the fantastic Scudder series!...more
I was a big fan of Billy Crystal for his portrayal of "Jody," the first openly gay character on network tv, from one of my favorite comedies Soap. LatI was a big fan of Billy Crystal for his portrayal of "Jody," the first openly gay character on network tv, from one of my favorite comedies Soap. Later I fell in love with him as a comedian when he hit SNL in the mid-80s along with Martin Short and Christopher Guest. His rendering of Muhammad Ali and Howard Cosell, sometimes at the same time, were the cherry on top. So for me, Still Foolin' 'Em, a retrospective of Crystal's life and career, provided a highly enjoyable walk down memory lane. ...more
I feel like I have a better and truer understanding of who The Doors actually were, rather than the what the salacious rumor mill has cooked up over tI feel like I have a better and truer understanding of who The Doors actually were, rather than the what the salacious rumor mill has cooked up over the years, and I also appreciate Robby Krieger more than I did before. That's not surprising. Authors of autobios seldom paint themselves in a poor light, but I'm more or less referring to objective truths that I was just plain unaware of regarding the inner workings of the band. This is perhaps not a 100% completely accurate historical text of The Doors, but it might be as close as we ever get....more
It's interesting that I gravitated toward this book during Black history month, an autobio by an actor of Irish heritage who famously played a bigot oIt's interesting that I gravitated toward this book during Black history month, an autobio by an actor of Irish heritage who famously played a bigot on tv. It makes sense though, after all, Carroll O'Connor/Archie Bunker went a long way in forming my anti-racist attitudes. Him and his show, All in the Family, ridiculed racism with satire and taught me valuable lessons in humanity. As a kid, I watched and re-watched every episode of that show three, four, and sometimes fives times over. Yes, I watched too much tv as a kid, but this is one show, man, and mind I'm glad I've taken the time to know. ...more
It's hard to imagine giving anything less than 5-stars to a bio/memoir containing the kind of harrowing story as Angelou's near death experience. HoweIt's hard to imagine giving anything less than 5-stars to a bio/memoir containing the kind of harrowing story as Angelou's near death experience. However, this isn't the first time I've read it. She included it in another of her autobios. It's still horrific though. Overall, Letter to My Daughter is maybe a little disjointed in that it's a patchwork of stories, advice, speeches, and the like. All the same, it's memorable collection of essays....more
I love Bob Mortimer and I needed a pick-me-up, so And Away seemed like a good choice. It immediately dives into his triple bypass, the loss of his fatI love Bob Mortimer and I needed a pick-me-up, so And Away seemed like a good choice. It immediately dives into his triple bypass, the loss of his father when he was a boy, and his plummet into deep depression...
Damn.
There's a saying: Did you have a good childhood or are you funny? With many of mankind's clowns, there is often a sad backstory, and that holds true here. However, I still love Bob Mortimer! He is a funny man with some of the best stories from his youth. I really enjoyed the section of the book that explained how he got into comedy and his long, successful partnership with Vic Reeves.
If you don't know Bob, check out some clips of him on the hilarious show Would I Lie to You?
I would say, that the only true disappointment I felt with And Away was that it didn't provide an answer to why Rosalind is a f---ing nightmare....
A fantastic way to get to know Willie! It's no surprise that a grade A songwriter would turn out a top-notch autobio. This comprehensive overview of NA fantastic way to get to know Willie! It's no surprise that a grade A songwriter would turn out a top-notch autobio. This comprehensive overview of Nelson's life is chock-a-block full of wild tales of the country music west. I listened to many of his albums while reading this book and was enthralled by the stories and characters he brings to life in both mediums. Do yourself a favor and get to know Willie! He's a helluva guy!...more
This is hands down the most wholesome book I've read in the past few years! Ron Howard and his brother Clint have put together a heart-warming homage This is hands down the most wholesome book I've read in the past few years! Ron Howard and his brother Clint have put together a heart-warming homage to their super supportive parents.
The Boys takes the reader on a family saga journey across the country and over the course of generations, during which you fully feel that the Howards are salt-of-the-earth people.
Having grown up a Happy Days fan and having enjoyed many a movie made by Ron, when I discovered this book existed I knew it was a no-brainer must-read for me. And I'm really glad I did. The brothers give great insights into the movie industry from both a youth's and adult's perspective. Movie fans in general will get a big kick out of this. ...more
As per usual with these bios of rock musicians who got their start in the 60s, I was enthralled by the early days material and completely bored by theAs per usual with these bios of rock musicians who got their start in the 60s, I was enthralled by the early days material and completely bored by the later stuff. I love learning how a rock star came up from nothing. Conversely, I loath hearing about their rich and famous excesses. So, I'd give 5 stars for the first half and 1 for the second part, but that of course is my highly subjective take. ...more
I loved this from cover to cover! It would've had to been pretty bad for me not to. What can I say, I'm a fan. I would highly recommend listening to CI loved this from cover to cover! It would've had to been pretty bad for me not to. What can I say, I'm a fan. I would highly recommend listening to Cleese read out the audiobook version, as I suggest with all autobios by comedians. They know how to perform the material and bring these things to life. One warning about So, Anyway..., Cleese takes you from his birth to the birth of Monty Python and then stops. So you'll be disappointed if you're looking for stories about his Python years and beyond. With that in mind, I think you'll enjoy seeing the foundation of John's success, and many a pitfall, laid down in this very entertaining book!...more
Started promising, then I lost interest. Still good though, just not what I expected. I was lured in by the title. I thought this would be wall-to-walStarted promising, then I lost interest. Still good though, just not what I expected. I was lured in by the title. I thought this would be wall-to-wall comedy about being awkward. You get a lot of that, but midway through The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl turns into a straight autobio about dating and parents divorcing. Definitely a good read if you're already an Issa Rae fan. ...more
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