Tag Archive: autobiography



Coming HomeComing Home by Brittney Griner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Autobiographical books offer a chance to walk in someone else’s shoes. Sometimes, those shoes are uncomfortable, but they enlarge our lives by allowing us to understand another person’s pain or achievements.

There has been a lot of news about Brittney Griner’s life for a while. The newsfeeds seem confused; for one minute, they are putting her on a pedestal, and for another, she’s the worst. I prefer seeing what people say about themselves. See how they see life day by day. Sure, there are autobiographies full of self-delusions, but one can learn the truth in sincerity. Research will help if you aren’t convinced by the end.

I feel Ms. Griner did the best she could. Her writing is easy to follow. I don’t know if I could have lived through what she did.

By the way, Andia Winslow narrates most of the book. I think her voice contributes emotional context to the story. But it is nice to hear Brittney’s voice at the beginning and end of the book.

I hope you try this book. I think you will feel a new level of understanding.

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The Friday Afternoon Club: A Family MemoirThe Friday Afternoon Club: A Family Memoir by Griffin Dunne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I can’t remember where I learned of this book. I had no idea who it was about, and it took me forever to figure that out. For those of you who are clueless like I was, this is the guy who played Uncle Nick on This is Us. My husband knew who he was and a lot more about his life. This was a learn-as-you-go reading for me.

If you are knowledgeable about Hollywood, this book will reap deeper rewards. Mr. Dunne name-drops every page. I would only know who was being referred to occasionally. I’m sure my husband would have known everyone. I’ve never been that impressed with famous people.

Still, as an autobiography, I was able to wander through someone else’s life and experience the depth and heart of the man and his family. It was worth the journey. He read his own, so he knew what it was all about. It made a great audiobook. Libby loaned it to me.

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The Art of Power: My Story as America's First Woman Speaker of the HouseThe Art of Power: My Story as America’s First Woman Speaker of the House by Nancy Pelosi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was more interesting than I thought it would be. I like autobiographies, but I don’t like history or politics much. But the history was of my lifetime, and the issues presented were clearer in the book than it was living through all the news and drama presented every night.

And I didn’t think I would like to hear Nancy’s voice, but she did a good job keeping her voice interesting and I wanted to learn her secret for reading and being kind to her throat.

I realize this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. I hadn’t thought it would be mine, but I am glad I read it. I felt I learned a lot in the process.

Libby was the way I was able to listen to this book.

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Just Add Water: My Swimming LifeJust Add Water: My Swimming Life by Katie Ledecky
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Writers are told to include tension in their writing. I don’t like tension. There are always goals and needs to take care of, but I really don’t believe tension and negativity are needed to lead a book. This book was led by Katie Ledecky, her wishes and excitement in the water. Such a relief!

My inner child wants to be Katie Ledecky when I grow up. I started swimming lessons when I was 12. I see now that I was too old, but my early dreams never found the footing to fly. (I’m 74 now.) Through this book, I see how it can be for kids now. Her family, coaches, and friends were supportive. The drive Katie had was supported. Isn’t it nice to read an autobiography that shares that positivity? Aim for something. Support others’ dreams and goals. No one loses out with that kind of love.

Libby supplied this audiobook. I highly recommend this inspirational splash of fun and focus.

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All in the Family: The Trumps and How We Got This WayAll in the Family: The Trumps and How We Got This Way by Fred C. Trump
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fred Trump narrated his book quite well, I must admit. I love biographies now. Since writing my own, I have seen what goes into them. You need to be sensitive to others who shared your history over the years. Fred tried to make as many allowances as he could for slights, perceived or real. He stayed true to his wife and children, writing a book that could make them proud—or at least feel honest.

It’s worth the read. My audiobook was from Libby.

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Yes PleaseYes Please by Amy Poehler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Carol Burnett (Narrator), Seth Meyers (Narrator), & 6 more,* including the author, actress, and comedienne Amy Poehler, made this probably the best memoir I’ve heard (read?). Yeah, I doubt it was nearly as fun in book form. These guests made the game of writing one’s autobiography nearly impossible to win.

I’m not much of a fan of Saturday Night Live, etc. But I do love experiencing stepping into other people’s lives. It brings about a bit of understanding for the world to see how similar we all are and enjoy individual differences.

I did have to be careful as this was my bedtime book. I about popped my eyeballs as I suppressed laughs. I didn’t want to wake the household. It was fun.

Maybe my favorite part was that Amy didn’t dwell on a tortured childhood. Sure, she had her share of problems, but she seemed to own her mistakes and forgive others’ errors as much as she could, making the book more about living life and things that have worked for her.

This was a Libby audiobook. I’m so grateful for how the libraries help us.

*Amy Poehler (Author, Narrator),
Carol Burnett (Narrator),
Seth Meyers (Narrator),
Michael Schur (Narrator),
Eileen Poehler (Narrator),
William Poehler (Narrator),
Patrick Stewart (Narrator),
Kathleen Turner (Narrator)

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My Broken LanguageMy Broken Language by Quiara Alegría Hudes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oh my! This was so different than any other memoir. It came at me like my own crazy memories. In and out. Mine are mostly English. But if I were raised with another language spoken around me, it might have sounded like this.

Cousins and relatives played a big part in this book. Exactly like my memories, just different.

If you have a lot of Spanish in your vocabulary, it might be even better. My meager amount barely got me by. At least the author, as she narrated, helped me hear her implications.

I picked up this Audible version after hearing about it on a talk show. I had the spare credit, so grabbed it. I’m thinking I will try to find the paperback so I could I can work on the Spanish more.

Please read some of the more eloquent reviews. Even if you have no Spanish, there is enough to absorb this beautiful story. I’m glad I own it so I can go back and enjoy it and Quiara’s voice and spirit again.

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Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and MeBits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me by Whoopi Goldberg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One of the best autobiographies I’ve read or actually heard. Whoopi doesn’t seem to be reading this but rather tells us her stories about her life with her mother and brother.

I must admit laughing out loud and possibly waking my husband to nearly ugly crying as I felt Whoopi’s losses. She feels like she is in the room with you, just relating with you live. I have more books by her that I now feel I need to find and listen to.

I highly recommend this read. More so, I think the audiobook is the best.

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WorthyWorthy by Jada Pinkett Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Autobiographies are hard to rate. It feels like I’m rating the person or their life experiences. So, instead, I will say this was interesting. Ms. Smith did her own narration, which is always more authentic.

What is different about this book is that Jada takes the time to address the reader and guides us through our own issues that might be like what she went through. A little journal prompts the reader to write out their own feelings.

This was a Libby audiobook. I think you all might like it.

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My Grape Quebec (The Grape Series, #2)My Grape Quebec by Laura Bradbury
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this series! I get to exercise my little bit of Duolingo French and travel with Laura, first to France and then to Montreal, Quebec, the destination of this book. The only bit of Canada I’ve been to was Victoria, BC. And then only a few hours on vacation when I was a child.

The relationship between Laura and Franc develops through cold and scary times.

Ms. Bradbury’s writing pulls the reader in. She knows how to tell her story.

I read this on Kindle. I read it a little at a time on one of my old phones. It was great for those moments when waiting, during commercials, etc. It took a bit, but the story stayed with me, so I never felt I needed to review the last bit I read.

I have already ordered the next book in her series.

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