The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan. LOVED this book. If you have an iphone, download the Overdrive app. This app allows you to connect to your local public library (it is a free app) and you can download library books (ebooks and audiobooks) to your iphone. Never an overdue fee–the books just expire after 7 days checkout. Great app and the audiobook version of The Middle Place is a real treat. I have a long commute to and from work, and I listened to this book in my car thru the accessory port.
OMG! Please read “Unmeasured Strength” by Lauren Manning! I just finished it and it was superb. We never hear of the living victims of 9/11 and she was one who was hurt so badly that she only had an 18% chance of survival – that’s how they figure your survival from burns, taking the amount of burns (82% in her case) from 100. This is a story of what true courage and determination is and, although you will be moved to tears at times, it is so worth reading. It’s pure gold!
Savage Beauty, the life of Edna St. Vincent Millay, lets you know what growing upin poverty in Maine was like in the twenties, then life as a writer in NYC in the thirties. Life was different then!
“Claiming Ground” by Laura Bell. Actually an autobiography of an interesting contemporary woman who becomes a sheep hearder – an unusual and solitary life.
My all time favorite autobiography is “Pilgrim of Tinkers Creek” by Annie Dillard. An oldie but a goodie.
This is the anniversary of the firing on Fort Sumpter! Have you ever read The Education of Henry Adams? He was a descendant of The John Adams family and he beautifully explains the way America changed, turned into a crass society in the nineteenth century– the silver standard changed to the gold standard, money and business and war took over and life would never have the same elegance again. But he tells his personal story, with beautiful style and language. He really was a gentleman.
Sharing…….I just happened to see a documentary film called “His Way,” that is full of surprises and very entertaining. It’s about the very unusual life of Jerry Weintraub. There are many life lessons in there and great story telling.
Great idea! I actually studied abroad in Glasgow, Scotland, when I was in college, so I have a soft spot for the country! I’ll definitely check this out….Are you Scottish?!
On my mother’s side I’m Scottish decent. My mother’s maiden name was Davison which I’m told is a variation on McDarmit, and my Grandmother’s was Cameron. My first Davison ancestor came to what became Connecticut in the 1620s and the Camerons arrived on Prince Edward Island, Canada in 1803. I was born in Canada. Russian Jewish on my father’s side.
I just read an autobiography that I certainly enjoyed. I grew up in the 70’s and watched “Little House on the Prairie” religiously. Melissa Gilbert (Laura aka Half-Pint) wrote an autobiography called, “Prairie Tale”. It was well worth the read. She was very real…showed the good, the bad, and the ugly. Enjoy!
I LOVED this show and I’m a sucker for celeb autobio . . .. even the cheesiest ones. I read Mackenzie Phillips book a few months ago and could not put it down. thanks for the suggestion 🙂
Hi, Well if you saw the movie, The King’s Speech, you may recall Wallis Simpson, who was the controversial American divorcee who was the cause of Edward stepping down from the throne…I wanted to know more about this woman so I am reading, The Secret Life of the Duchess of Windsor by Charles Higham. It take some work to get through but it is fascinating and provides an interesting glimpse into the Royal Family….
Jane – How funny, I just got done reading this great article in New York magazine, all about the royals: http://nymag.com/news/features/kate-middleton-2011-3/
It mentions Wallis! She is always fascinating….Great suggestion. thank you!
Now I want to read up about the actual speech tutor who was played by Geoffrey Rush in the movie. Apparently, the real tutor was very handsome, a Paul Newman look alike, and an actor!
Great suggestion. I am definitely fascinated with FLW in all his magnetic un-loveableness! Plus, I just looked it up on amazon and it got great reviews. Thanks so much!
I just finished the 19th wife, As a Utah native I was interested in the last wife of Brigham Young, the only one to divorce him. There is also a fictional story woven into the biography about one of the “lost boys” one of the young men expelled from the fundamentalist communities. Given the current interest in Mormon Polygamy, this was a really great look at it’s beginnings.
Nana – this is such a great suggestion! I read Under the Banner of Heaven a few years ago–it also examines mormonism and polygamy and it was completely fascinating. I’ll definitely check out this book! Thanks…
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. Amazing, heartbreaking life story of a woman whose cancer cells have been the basis of much of the research done over the last few decades.
Hi Jrobb–I just finished The Immortal Life . . . ! I loved it…very fascinating to learn about the ethics of medical research. it was something i had never thought about before…also amazing to hear how they treated cancer just 40 years ago! Thanks for the recommendation 🙂
Hi Sharon! Great to see you on here, too! I LOVED Just Kids…read it earlier this year and it made me want to go read everything I could about Robert Maplethorpe and Patti Smith. I just read something about The Paris Wife—is the about Hemingway’s first wife? I’ll definitely check it out. Great ideas. Thanks.
Hi, I read the Paris Wife and then went on to read a bio of the 3rd wife, Martha Gelhorn, called “Gelhorn”, interesting, now I’m looking for info on the 2nd wife, Pauline!!
I can second “Cleopatra – A Life” and “Unbroken” but will add “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot, “Life” by Keith Richards, “Just Kids” by Patti Smith and “The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer” by Siddhartha Mukherjee.
Hi Dallas – We are definitely on the same “page” (so to speak). I read “The Immortal Life…” and LOVED it. I also loved Just Kids….one of my favorite books of the last year. I’ve thought about getting “Emperor of Maladies” but it seems sort of depressing. Am I wrong? Thanks for the great ideas…
Hi Mrs. Milla . . . great suggestion! I know I heard something about this book ages ago and it sounded fascinating, but I never knew the name. I will definitely order this…thank you!
Joachim C. Fest’s account of “Hitler” allows us to peer into the mind of the soulless wonder that led a nation into the galleys of hell through the promises of heavenly glory. In it we learn how and why Hitler acted as he did and how the fuel of hate can grow a powerless man into a monster capable of unleashing untold evil. Best, Karen Millar
“Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand, the incredible story of Olympic level track star Louis Zamperini’s survival through ordeals in Japan in WWII that would break most people’s spirits and will to survive.
So glad you asked! Here are three recommendations…
CLEOPATRA A Life By Stacy Schiff
BEAUTIFUL The Life of Hedy Lamarr By Stephen Michael Shearer
LOUISA MAY ALCOTT By Susan Cheever
All were reviewed in the NY Times…
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Rita
Thanks, Rita! Happy St. Pat’s day to you….These are great ideas. Cleopatra was recommended by another guru as well, so I’m definitely going to check that one out. I’ve never even heard of it. Your picks are right up my alley….Have you ever read Savage Beauty (the bio of Edna St. Vincent Millay)?
Loraine – it’s so funny that you suggested that! the author is a friend of mine (more like a friend of a friend). I haven’t read the book yet, but I plan to. Great suggestion!
Hi Irishrose – and happy st. patty’s day. I wonder if you’re thinking of The Glass Castle? I read that memoir and loved it, but I haven’t heard of Glass House…
Marcia – I love this suggestion! Totally one of those books that I heard about when it came out, wanted to read, and then forgot about. I will definitely order it on my ipad! thanks 🙂
0 Answers
Jane Robbins wrote on :
The Memory Palace by Mira Bartok. This is more of an autobiography but well worth reading.
betty woolfolk wrote on :
The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan. LOVED this book. If you have an iphone, download the Overdrive app. This app allows you to connect to your local public library (it is a free app) and you can download library books (ebooks and audiobooks) to your iphone. Never an overdue fee–the books just expire after 7 days checkout. Great app and the audiobook version of The Middle Place is a real treat. I have a long commute to and from work, and I listened to this book in my car thru the accessory port.
Cheryl Wilson wrote on :
OMG! Please read “Unmeasured Strength” by Lauren Manning! I just finished it and it was superb. We never hear of the living victims of 9/11 and she was one who was hurt so badly that she only had an 18% chance of survival – that’s how they figure your survival from burns, taking the amount of burns (82% in her case) from 100. This is a story of what true courage and determination is and, although you will be moved to tears at times, it is so worth reading. It’s pure gold!
jeanne nelson wrote on :
Cleopatra. Excellent book clearing up the myths. Very well researched.
Doreena Silva wrote on :
Late, Late at Night By Rick Springfield
As a fan of his I loved it, but even if I wasn’t a great juicy book!
Geri Brin wrote on :
Fire and Ice, about Charlie Revson, the founder of Revlon.
Eileen Davis wrote on :
Savage Beauty, the life of Edna St. Vincent Millay, lets you know what growing upin poverty in Maine was like in the twenties, then life as a writer in NYC in the thirties. Life was different then!
Darla Martin wrote on :
“Claiming Ground” by Laura Bell. Actually an autobiography of an interesting contemporary woman who becomes a sheep hearder – an unusual and solitary life.
My all time favorite autobiography is “Pilgrim of Tinkers Creek” by Annie Dillard. An oldie but a goodie.
Darla
Eileen Davis wrote on :
This is the anniversary of the firing on Fort Sumpter! Have you ever read The Education of Henry Adams? He was a descendant of The John Adams family and he beautifully explains the way America changed, turned into a crass society in the nineteenth century– the silver standard changed to the gold standard, money and business and war took over and life would never have the same elegance again. But he tells his personal story, with beautiful style and language. He really was a gentleman.
Lina Perl wrote on :
Sounds fascinating! I just finished “Pillars of the Earth” which was all about European history….I could use a little American History.
Cheryl Wilson wrote on :
Thank you for this great recommendation! I hadn’t even heard of this book until reading your post and now it’s on its way to me. You’re a jewel!
Rita Snipes wrote on :
Try “In Our Defense” By Ellen Alderman and Caroline Kennedy
Lina Perl wrote on :
thanks, rita. I’ve never heard of that….is it a biography?
DawnMarie Helin wrote on :
I totally loved “Better” by Atul Gawande; a rather eye-opening look into the world of medicine and the physicians we trust with our lives.
Lina Perl wrote on :
I have always liked Atul Gawande’s article in The New Yorker, but I’ve never read any of his books. I’ll definitely check this out! thanks 🙂
deena singer wrote on :
Sharing…….I just happened to see a documentary film called “His Way,” that is full of surprises and very entertaining. It’s about the very unusual life of Jerry Weintraub. There are many life lessons in there and great story telling.
Lina Perl wrote on :
I heard of that! Is it on HBO? I’m dying to watch it….
deena singer wrote on :
Yes, It’s an HBO Documentary film. I’ll try and find out when it airs.
deena singer wrote on :
It premieres on HBO April 4th; don’t miss it.
Marcia Reed wrote on :
Then there’s Keith Richards autobio…
Tannis Kobrinsky wrote on :
Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles, by Margaret George.
Lina Perl wrote on :
Great idea! I actually studied abroad in Glasgow, Scotland, when I was in college, so I have a soft spot for the country! I’ll definitely check this out….Are you Scottish?!
Tannis Kobrinsky wrote on :
On my mother’s side I’m Scottish decent. My mother’s maiden name was Davison which I’m told is a variation on McDarmit, and my Grandmother’s was Cameron. My first Davison ancestor came to what became Connecticut in the 1620s and the Camerons arrived on Prince Edward Island, Canada in 1803. I was born in Canada. Russian Jewish on my father’s side.
Julianne Zausmer wrote on :
I just read an autobiography that I certainly enjoyed. I grew up in the 70’s and watched “Little House on the Prairie” religiously. Melissa Gilbert (Laura aka Half-Pint) wrote an autobiography called, “Prairie Tale”. It was well worth the read. She was very real…showed the good, the bad, and the ugly. Enjoy!
Lina Perl wrote on :
I LOVED this show and I’m a sucker for celeb autobio . . .. even the cheesiest ones. I read Mackenzie Phillips book a few months ago and could not put it down. thanks for the suggestion 🙂
Paula Peterson wrote on :
A charming biography is Summer at Tiffany by Marjorie Hart.
Orelle Jackson wrote on :
I loved Infidel! A little difficult to get started but after the first 150 pages its riveting!
Barbara Phelps wrote on :
I just finished “Dirty Secret” by Jessie Sholl about the daughter of a hoarder. Really interesting and heartfelt. Well written.
Lina Perl wrote on :
I find this topic fascinating. I’m actually working on a story about shopping addiction. Thanks for the suggestion.
Jane Hardin wrote on :
Hi, Well if you saw the movie, The King’s Speech, you may recall Wallis Simpson, who was the controversial American divorcee who was the cause of Edward stepping down from the throne…I wanted to know more about this woman so I am reading, The Secret Life of the Duchess of Windsor by Charles Higham. It take some work to get through but it is fascinating and provides an interesting glimpse into the Royal Family….
Lina Perl wrote on :
Jane – How funny, I just got done reading this great article in New York magazine, all about the royals: http://nymag.com/news/features/kate-middleton-2011-3/
It mentions Wallis! She is always fascinating….Great suggestion. thank you!
Jane Hardin wrote on :
Now I want to read up about the actual speech tutor who was played by Geoffrey Rush in the movie. Apparently, the real tutor was very handsome, a Paul Newman look alike, and an actor!
Christia Sale wrote on :
I’ve enjoyed the bios of Julia Child, Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Ava Gardner recently. All fascinating!
Constance Snow wrote on :
“Loving Frank” is about Frank Lloyd Wright’s lover Mamah Cheney. It was hard to imagine FLW as lovable until I read this.
Lina Perl wrote on :
Great suggestion. I am definitely fascinated with FLW in all his magnetic un-loveableness! Plus, I just looked it up on amazon and it got great reviews. Thanks so much!
SHERRI STECK wrote on :
I just finished the 19th wife, As a Utah native I was interested in the last wife of Brigham Young, the only one to divorce him. There is also a fictional story woven into the biography about one of the “lost boys” one of the young men expelled from the fundamentalist communities. Given the current interest in Mormon Polygamy, this was a really great look at it’s beginnings.
Lina Perl wrote on :
Nana – this is such a great suggestion! I read Under the Banner of Heaven a few years ago–it also examines mormonism and polygamy and it was completely fascinating. I’ll definitely check out this book! Thanks…
Sarah Noebels wrote on :
Mark Twain’s is slow going but the gems of wit make it worth while. Also it is good for lifting weights!
Jane Robbins wrote on :
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. Amazing, heartbreaking life story of a woman whose cancer cells have been the basis of much of the research done over the last few decades.
Lina Perl wrote on :
Hi Jrobb–I just finished The Immortal Life . . . ! I loved it…very fascinating to learn about the ethics of medical research. it was something i had never thought about before…also amazing to hear how they treated cancer just 40 years ago! Thanks for the recommendation 🙂
Ivy Pittman wrote on :
Langston Hughes by Arnold Rampersad
Kathleen Pearlman wrote on :
Cleopatra by Stacy Schiff has been a big reserve at my library…
Lina Perl wrote on :
Hi KMP – How funny–three different people recommended Cleopatra! I’ll definitely have to check it out. thanks!
victoria dorney wrote on :
Gertrude Bell Queen of the Desert Shaper of Nations by Georgina Howell
Catherine the Great by Virginia Rounding
Karen Smith wrote on :
Try “Somebody to Love?” by Grace Slick — and if it works for your lifestyle, get it from the library on audio CD; she narrates it herself!
Lina Perl wrote on :
Great idea St.Chienne! I didn’t know Grace had an autobio. My best friend is a rabid Jefferson Airplane fan, so maybe I’ll get that one for her 😉
Colleen Tannenbaum wrote on :
Breaking Night by Liz Murray. Amazing!
Sharon Kidd wrote on :
“Just Kids” by Patti Smith, “The Paris Wife” by Paula McLain (Novel about Hadley Hemingway) and “Zeitoun” by Dave Eggers : )
Lina Perl wrote on :
Hi Sharon! Great to see you on here, too! I LOVED Just Kids…read it earlier this year and it made me want to go read everything I could about Robert Maplethorpe and Patti Smith. I just read something about The Paris Wife—is the about Hemingway’s first wife? I’ll definitely check it out. Great ideas. Thanks.
peggyvan wrote on :
Hi, I read the Paris Wife and then went on to read a bio of the 3rd wife, Martha Gelhorn, called “Gelhorn”, interesting, now I’m looking for info on the 2nd wife, Pauline!!
Marla H Bane wrote on :
I can second “Cleopatra – A Life” and “Unbroken” but will add “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot, “Life” by Keith Richards, “Just Kids” by Patti Smith and “The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer” by Siddhartha Mukherjee.
Lina Perl wrote on :
Hi Dallas – We are definitely on the same “page” (so to speak). I read “The Immortal Life…” and LOVED it. I also loved Just Kids….one of my favorite books of the last year. I’ve thought about getting “Emperor of Maladies” but it seems sort of depressing. Am I wrong? Thanks for the great ideas…
Marla H Bane wrote on :
No I did not find it depressing. It was very informative and comprehensive but in somewhat of a lyrical manner.
Lina Perl wrote on :
good to know. You’ve convinced me I should give it a shot!
Karen Canning-Millar wrote on :
John Matteson won the Pulitzer Prize in Biography for his first book, Eden’s Outcasts. If you read it you will understand why. Enjoy. Karen Millar
Lina Perl wrote on :
Hi Mrs. Milla . . . great suggestion! I know I heard something about this book ages ago and it sounded fascinating, but I never knew the name. I will definitely order this…thank you!
Karen Canning-Millar wrote on :
My pleasure!
Karen Canning-Millar wrote on :
Joachim C. Fest’s account of “Hitler” allows us to peer into the mind of the soulless wonder that led a nation into the galleys of hell through the promises of heavenly glory. In it we learn how and why Hitler acted as he did and how the fuel of hate can grow a powerless man into a monster capable of unleashing untold evil. Best, Karen Millar
Tannis Kobrinsky wrote on :
“Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand, the incredible story of Olympic level track star Louis Zamperini’s survival through ordeals in Japan in WWII that would break most people’s spirits and will to survive.
Lina Perl wrote on :
Hi Tannis! nice to see you on here 🙂 I’ve heard amazing things about that book. Definitely on my list to read. Thanks for the suggestion!
Rita Schaefer wrote on :
So glad you asked! Here are three recommendations…
CLEOPATRA A Life By Stacy Schiff
BEAUTIFUL The Life of Hedy Lamarr By Stephen Michael Shearer
LOUISA MAY ALCOTT By Susan Cheever
All were reviewed in the NY Times…
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Rita
Lina Perl wrote on :
Thanks, Rita! Happy St. Pat’s day to you….These are great ideas. Cleopatra was recommended by another guru as well, so I’m definitely going to check that one out. I’ve never even heard of it. Your picks are right up my alley….Have you ever read Savage Beauty (the bio of Edna St. Vincent Millay)?
Rita Schaefer wrote on :
I have! Not only was Edna talented but she had quite an exciting life! Happy Spring, by the way!
Sheri Isler wrote on :
also loved cleopatra
Loraine Alcorn wrote on :
I liked -The Dressmaker of Khair Khana: Five Sisters, One Remarkable Family, and the Woman Who Risked Everything to Keep Them Safe
Lina Perl wrote on :
Loraine – it’s so funny that you suggested that! the author is a friend of mine (more like a friend of a friend). I haven’t read the book yet, but I plan to. Great suggestion!
Renee Murphy wrote on :
I really enjoyed Eat Pray Love. Much better than the movie.
deena singer wrote on :
How about “Dare To Dream! 25 Extraordinary Lives” or “Natasha: The Biography of Natalie Wood.” Enjoy!
Lina Perl wrote on :
Love Natalie Wood! thanks for the suggestion…
Mary Ellen Davison wrote on :
I loved Glass House, but it’s more autobiographical.
Lina Perl wrote on :
Hi Irishrose – and happy st. patty’s day. I wonder if you’re thinking of The Glass Castle? I read that memoir and loved it, but I haven’t heard of Glass House…
Marcia Reed wrote on :
Ingrid Betancourt’s “Even Silence Has an End”. Riveting story of her six years in captivity in a guerilla camp.
Lina Perl wrote on :
Marcia – I love this suggestion! Totally one of those books that I heard about when it came out, wanted to read, and then forgot about. I will definitely order it on my ipad! thanks 🙂