MEMOIR IS EVERYWHERE, making it ever more difficult to wade through to the good stuff. So, for you and you alone, I strapped on my waders and plunged into the memoir morass. What I came out with may surprise you.
First up is Michael Fischman’s Stumbling Into Infinity: An Ordinary Man in The Sphere of Enlightenment. This book really intrigues me, including early childhood loss and abuse, and yet never taking its eye off the goal of living better. It’s a triumph, as is A Daughter’s Tale, the new memoir from Mary Soames, youngest daughter of Winston Churchill, recently reviewed as “remarkable, uplifting, moving and utterly fascinating. “
If you know me at all, you know my tastes slide from the utterly serious to the totally trashy in, oh, seconds, which brings us to two books that got my attention this month. The first is from Joanna Lumley of “Absolutely Fabulous” fame. Complete with illustrations, her life seems well, fabulous. Lavishly illustrated, this is bound to be the gift for one of her fans. Staying with the entertainment theme, I located a book that is clearly vying for the trashiest of tales ever, and tells them from the point of view of the go-to guy for sex for any of old Hollywood’s closeted stars. Written by Scotty Bowers, now in his eighties, this is the book I’d take along were I going on a cruise and had one monster-big hat to hide under to snicker and giggle. Got such a hat? This is your book. Read a review.
Speaking of Hollywood, do you dream of selling your memoir selling to the movies? Really? You don’t? You are lying to me? You do remember that I take notes on everything, right? Oh well. I’ve had those dreams. See here for a tale that went from Sundance to Sony, and soon to a theater near you.
Along with books, I’ll always bring you newspaper pieces or essays that are fine examples of memoir, including this one, from Psychology Today, written by Deborah Jiang Stein, whose new memoir, Even Tough Girls Wear Tutus, recounts being born in prison and finding a way to inspire others. Another good short piece of recent memoir I read recently relates what happens when we tell one another our stories. Michigan Radio did a great job here. Have a look and a listen.
See something? Read something? Listen to something great? Send it along in the comments. Let’s share what we know. For more, see the Facebook page, the Memoir Project. “Like” it, and let me sort through the new memoir and recommend a few.
Ellie O'Leary says
Kindles have removed the need for big hats, but I still wear them anyway.
marion says
But of course! What was I worrying about?
Jen says
I finished Even Tough Girls Wear Tutu’s last week. It was great! I also love History of a Suicide, Jill Bialosky; The Long Goodbye, Meghan O’Rourke;
The Man Who Couldn’t Eat, Jon Reiner; and Let’s Take the Long Way Home, Gail Caldwell.
marion says
Hi, Jen. Welcome to the blog. Many thanks for your contributions. I am delighted to have them here. We have to share what we know, of course, and it’s very kind of you to do so. Please come back soon for more.
Tina says
YIKES! I am in trouble-they all sound good to me. I am hopeless!
Dee Matthews says
So many books, so little time! “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls was fantastic! As was “She’s Not There” by Jennifer Finney Boylan and “Bossypants” by Tina Fey, “A Girl Named Zippy” by Haven Kimmel. Like I said, so many books…. so get reading!
Grace Peterson says
Great post!
After so much debated discussion about the memoir, Tiger Tiger by Margaux Fragosa (sp?) I had to read it. It’s the tale of a young girl, turned young adult who had a dysfunctional “relationship” with a pedophile for many years. It was insightful but not nearly as explicit as some reviewers (Amazon and GoodReads) were saying. At least in my humble opinion. Talk about a character study!
Now if I can just clone myself so one of me can stay home and pore through the stack of books waiting for me…
marion says
Thanks to Tina, Dee and Grace. The only way for the world to keep turning is for us to keep sharing books. That’s my theory of the universe. I’m sticking to it.
Deborah Jiang Stein says
Marion, thanks for the mention here. It’s great to find a list of others to read, also. We need more hours in a day to do all the reading.
marion says
Delighted to see you here, Deborah. I’m a huge fan of your fine work. Please come back soon for more.
Deborah Jiang Stein says
Thanks Marion, I’ll make sure to swing by, and thanks for supporting my work.
Carole Ferguson says
Swimming to Antarctica, Lynne Cox. Without a doubt one of my top ten. Even if you hate swimming, you will love the story and the amazing woman. She starts as a teenager and would be good for a high school girl too…REALLY…a great read.