Tag Archives: Biographies

My Fight / Your Fight by Ronda Rousey

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: My Fight Your Fight
Author: Ronda Rousey
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Biographies, Memoirs, Sport
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2015

Thoughts

As a Martial Arts practitioner, I already knew who Ronda Rousey was – I mean, you can’t really follow Women’s UFC without knowing who the woman is. But, I didn’t really know much beyond she was awesome. Actually, reading this kind of put me to shame in my knowledge for the birth of Women’s UFC (of which I really enjoy following). For starters, although I knew Rousey was a pioneer in the sport, but I didn’t realise that she was literally the first woman to fight on UFC Card. It was really fun reading about this while I actually watched those first fights that Rousey talks about. And then constantly sharing the extra bits of information with my poor partner who is not interested.

I always love reading a good memoir, partly because it’s just interesting how other people live and function. But, it also helps to solidify some of my understanding of myself. In the case of Rousey’s story, it really just solidified for me that I’m not a competitor. The dedication and commitment alone is pretty intense, but also that unwillingness to lose. I just… don’t care if I win or lose a match, as long as my opponent finds me interesting. But Rousey’s dedication and literal inability to lose is just astounding. It speaks so highly of her commitment, but also shows just how driven you really have to be to rise to the top like this.

Before each chapter of My Fight / Your Fight started, there is a bit of a quote from Rousey that kind of highlights the theme and the topic that is about to be uncovered. I really liked this. It was a way to give context, but also provide an extra snippet from her life that otherwise wouldn’t have fit into the overall chapter arc. It was a great way to set the tone and start you off in the right head space for each snippet of her life that she was about to impart. Some of these small chunks were actually my favourite parts of the whole memoir. They gave a great insight into some of the daily life and struggles of a Pro MMA fighter. And just into Rousey’s life and thought process as a general.

I absolutely devoured My Fight / Your Fight, not only was it subject matter that I am intensely passionate about (and live daily to a degree), but it was also just a really interesting and well written memoir. There is a cost to being at the pinnacle of your sport, and Rousey does not shy away from this. Rather, she fully embraces that there are many sacrifices you have to make. And she’s willingly made them. But, even more powerfully, she’s shared those sacrifices and challenges in her writing, showing us the dedication and commitment it takes to be a trail blazer in Women’s Sports and MMA.

<- A Woman in the Polar NightGogo Mama ->

Image source: Penguin Books

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: The Woman in Me
Author: Britney Spears
Rating Out of 5:  (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Biographies, Celebrity, Mental health
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

Sometimes I read biographies to feel good about life, sometimes I read them to learn something new. And then there are times when I read them because I’m very familiar with the person and I’m absolutely fascinated about the nonsense in their lives. I knew that this wasn’t going to be one of those biographies that was ultimately feel good and made me have faith in humanity. But, I also wasn’t wrong when I thought that this was going to be seriously fascinating. There were moments throughout that were kind of hard to read, but overall, I had a lot of joy in learning more about Britney Spears’ viewpoint of her life and rise to fame. But, more importantly, there is so much hope there for the future too.

One of the parts of The Woman in Me that I found most difficult was Britney’s recollection of the early days of her career. She is adamant that many of the highly sexualised aspects of her career were her own choices. That she always wanted to dance and sing in that way. And even though this is probably true to a degree, I found it horrifying that her parents decided to, at the very least, passively stand by and let her be sexualised in such a way when she was a fifteen year old child. There was something horrifying and icky about it before (when I found out just how old she was), but now, as an adult, and reading about it. Yeah, it just becomes a hell of a lot more Nope.

Something I seriously loved about The Woman in Me is how honest Spears is about not only her depression, but also her many challenges and mental health issues. Her love for her children just jumps off the page. And honestly, all things aside, if I was threatened with never seeing my children again on a frequent basis, I would’ve done a whole lot worse than shaving my damn head. Throughout all of the battles that she faces, it’s really heartwarming to see that she places her love of her children above all else. I know that the use of children against a spouse is not an unknown story, but it’s still absolutely heart wrenching to read about children being used as pawns. No matter what the circumstances, it’s just unfathomable to me. But I guess when there is untold amounts of money to be made or had…

I’m not going to lie, when I heard bits in the media about #FreeBritney and the conservatorships, I really didn’t think much of it. I tend to find the media and all of the nonsense that surrounds celebrities to be a bit much at times. And I tend to ignore it. But, this is one of those few instances that I wish I had been more aware and alert. All I can hope is that in telling her story, Spears is able to not only set the record straight, but also that the legalities of conservatorships will be seriously overhauled. In telling such a disgusting narrative, hopefully there will be some positives and joy for others in the future.

<- WillThis Is Me ->

Image source: eBay

This Is Me by Ian Thorpe

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: This Is Me
Author: Ian Thorpe
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Biographies, Sport
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2012

Thoughts

Ian Thorpe was a massive figure of my early years and I remember all of the media attention that surrounded him. However, I was quite young, and although I remember that he retired because of the media. And that Thorpe was a phenomenal swimmer, I didn’t really know much more about his journey to being an elite athlete. As someone who is obsessed with her own sport, not only did I love the recognisable moments of his journey, but I also seriously enjoyed how his dedication showed in the pool. It was intriguing to read about an athlete at the top of his game, and the fine line between health and sickness that he walks whilst doing it.

As much as I loved this biography, one thing that really stuck out to me was how frequently Thorpe denied his sexuality. This book was published a few years before he officially came out. And of all the things he discussed, he denied his sexuality at least three times. Having been pressured and discussed from such a young age in the media, you can see how this had such a big impact on him and his understanding of himself. I can completely understand just why he would have this approach, and it made me all that much frustrated with the pressures that media can put on people just for a “good story”.

Even though I remember a lot of Thorpe’s accomplishments, I didn’t really register that he tried to go to the London Olympics. It was great that he wrote this in a diary format, focusing on the lead up to these Olympics, and the gruelling training regime he followed. It made for an interesting format – each chapter was a dated diary entry in the lead up to, and then the aftermath of his trials for the London Olympics. But then, the second half was a flashback to another moment within his life. Although not in chronological order, I loved going on these side journeys, to moments that I recognised. Plus, he effortlessly puts forth his charity and the many different ways that he is constantly improving the lives of others.

Everything about this biography was fascinating. I loved the insight into a really prominent figure in my childhood. But, it was also incredibly fun to get some realistic insights into how an elite athlete trains. The dedication and passion that is going to drive that kind of commitment is something I can never truly understand. But it made for a great insight into someone else’s life and a completely different way of living.

<- WillThe Mapmaker’s Wife ->

Image source: Booktopia

Able by Dylan Alcott

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Able: Gold Medals, Grand Slams & Smashing Glass Ceilings
Author: Dylan Alcott
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Biographies, Disability, Sport
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

I added this to my shelves on a bit of a whim and because it was an Australian author on Kobo Plus. But man, did I not want to put this down! The first chapter was admittedly really difficult to read and had me in tears a few times. I’m a mother and I can’t imagine watching my newborn go through the medical difficulties that Alcott faced from the very beginning of life. But, once I overcame that emotionally fraught hurdle, I did not want to put this down. Alcott’s passion and drive made me feel a little like a lump to be honest, but I loved the way they leapt of the page and made me feel inspired.

Even though I found reading about the start of Dylan’s life to be really difficult. I found it difficult as a mother of two and wondering how I would’ve handled this situation. Even though Dylan is disabled, there was no point in this entire biography that I felt pity for him. He writes with such love and a sparkling joy of life that pity or any kind of negative feeling is the furthest thing from my mind. That’s not to say that he doesn’t highlight the different restrictions and difficulties he’s had to face due to society, a lack of access and just all round ignorance, but there was no negative emotions leaping off the page at me, so how could I feel them whilst reading about his journey?

Admittedly, I know pretty much nothing about basketball or tennis. I have a rough idea of how they are each played, but honestly, no idea whatsoever of how tennis is even scored. It did make parts of this a little more difficult to read, because I wasn’t really sure the importance of some of Alcott’s tennis scores. But I did understand that it was impressive. I also very quickly understood the depth of dedication and joy that Dylan is able to feel from playing these sports. The fact that he is one of the few dedicated and skilled enough to be a multi-sport Paraolympic gold medalist. That is an accomplishment that I both admire and can’t even fathom.

Through all of Dylan’s accomplishments and adventures (like wheelchair crowd surfing), Dylan is constantly and actively promoting the normalisation of disabilities and celebrating our differences. Rather than always highlighting the limitations that being Differently Abled can place upon a person, he promotes the ways in which people can live their best lives. Even though Alcott is constantly highlighting his love for his life and his self, he also constantly talks about the journey that he had to go on to love himself. Everybody has a hard road at times in loving and accepting themselves, and it was nice to read about how someone else negotiated this in their own lives.

<- I Am MalalaMao’s Last Dancer ->

Image source: Booktopia

This Much Is True by Miriam Margolyes

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: This Much is True
Author: Miriam Margolyes
Rating Out of 5: 2.5 (Readable, but not worth reading again)
My Bookshelves: Actors, Biographies, Celebrity, Memoirs
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I really struggled to get into this biography – I really, really wanted to like it. But I just, couldn’t. Which was incredibly disappointing. Maybe I’ll try again in the future.

Although I struggled to get into this, I still skim read the whole book and found it well written and humorous. Margolyes is self-deprecating and realistic about her flaws. She’s also quite witty in what she writes.

Honestly, I think that the reason I couldn’t really get into this was because there is a huge gap in lived experience. Yet, it’s still within the same culture, so it’s similar. There wasn’t enough of a gap for this to be a whole new experience, but too much for it to feel familiar. Plus, I seriously can’t relate to wanting to be the centre of attention all the time…

<- Long Walk to FreedomJane Austen: Obstinate Heart ->

Image source: Goodreads

Madly, Deeply by Alan Rickman

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Madly, Deeply: The Alan Rickman Diaries
Author: Alan Rickman
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Actors, Biographies, Celebrity, Diary, Memoirs
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

I was really looking forward to reading this, so was a little bit disappointed when I found that it wasn’t as easy and enjoyable as I had anticipated. Definitely one of those books that I’ll go back to because it was difficult going and I felt like I missed a whole lot of details as I turned the pages.

One of the things that I only realised about halfway through reading this was the fact that you really need to read the footnotes. Or understand the social and political layout of Rickman’s world at the time. I finally managed to understand a whole lot more of what was going on once I started to actually click on the footnotes and connect the different people that Rickman was actually talking to.

For all that this was a difficult biography / diary to read, it was an enjoyable one too. Particularly late at night. Because I had to concentrate quite hard on the words, I found that I actually was able to fall asleep pretty comfortably at the close of each section. The perfect tale to read as a wind down at the end of a long day.

The thing that I got the most out of reading this though? That Rickman was a kind, giving man with a brilliant English wit. One that I know the world sorely misses.

<- Mrs. Sherlock HolmesThe Five ->

Image source: Kobo

Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing
Author: Matthew Perry
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Actors, Addiction, Biographies, Celebrity, Memoirs
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

I’m not going to lie, I’d been warned before reading this that it was fairly self-indulgent and narcissistic. And I’m really glad that I was warned. As much as I enjoyed reading this, I did not enjoy the author. I mean, good lord man, you’d think that this was written by a petulant teenager, not a grown-ass man who has had a phenomenal career.

One of the reasons that I picked this up was because I was really interested in the pathway and experiences of Hollywood. I’ve read a few memoirs and biographies of different actors lately. And they all have vastly different experiences, but all have that one thing in common – they have a really, really lucky break. Again, I enjoyed other memoirs a whole lot more because they weren’t so damn whiney and negative.

I’ve also read a lot of memoirs written by those who have to deal with addiction as an aspect of their daily lives. Again, it is ridiculous how self-indulgent Perry is. I mean, yes, it’s a horrible disease. But, as an adult and someone who is serious about recovery, you really need to concentrate on what you can change and do. He just focuses on the fact that he’s been dealt a shitty hand (haven’t we all?). As a family member with someone who is self-indulgent and has issues with addiction, I can attest that having that kind of attitude really doesn’t help.

Look, this was an interesting read, and one that I don’t regret. But, it is also not one that I would suggest for anyone who looks upon Matthew Perry with rose-coloured glasses. Or wants to know heaps about his Friends days. Neither of these things happen. Worth reading, but not one that I would read again with any kind of excitement.

<- Dreams from My FatherTruganini ->

Image source: Amazon

Beyond the Wand by Tom Felton

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard
Author: Tom Felton
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Biographies, Celebrity, Memoirs
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

I, like I’m sure many others, just bought this because I’m a huge fan of Harry Potter. And, as we are all bombarded with the cast’s growth over the years, I’m actually pretty impressed with how they’ve all grown up in the spotlight. Plus, Tom Felton is one of those rare actors who managed to make a truly detestable character really sympathetic. And quotable, but that’s a whole other story. All in all, it meant that when I realised that this was a novel that existed, I was over the moon and very quickly added it to my bookshelf.

This novel starts with a truly beautiful forward by Emma Watson. It highlights the bond that they’ve built as they’ve grown and the truly meaningful friendship that they share. Straight up, you realise that there is an honesty and sweetness to their bond, and whilst Emma doesn’t feature heavily in Tom’s memoir, when he talks about her, you can see that that respect goes both ways. The kind of friendship that people dream of.

Felton is irrevocably honest, grateful and after reading this, I kind of want to be his friend. He doesn’t flinch from his mistakes and the challenges he’s faced in his past. There is no shying away from some of his dumber mistakes, and a kind of silent pride in his finer moments. Felton is able to look at the past through a lens of humour and acceptance that is seriously hard to come by as an adult.

Rather than being written in chronological order, Beyond the Wand jumps around the timeline, with each chapter having an underlying theme. Or a central story that then feeds into other, smaller tales. I love that I had no idea of what to expect with each chapter. I mean, the witty titles give you a bit of a hint, but then I mostly just got distracted by how witty the titles are. And then I’d get distracted by the wit in Felton’s retellings.

Although I couldn’t stop thinking about this, I also took quite a while to read this. Mostly because I really didn’t want this experience to be over. It’s an amazing journey that gave me a whole lot more insight into the filming of Harry Potter and what it was like growing up on screen. But, it was also about family and friends and the people you need to get through the most difficult moments of your life.

<- Island of the LostZlata’s Diary ->

Image source: Amazon

The Mapmaker’s Wife by Robert Whitaker

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Mapmaker’s Wife: A True Tale of Love, Murder, and Survival in the Amazon
Author: Robert Whitaker
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Biographies, History, Science, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2004

Thoughts

This is an incredibly intense story, one that I completely fell in love with and enjoyed. It’s almost two stories in one, truth be told, but it’s still an epic journey. Well, two epic journeys. With a lot of backstory and a number of political implications and social nuances in fact, Whitaker manages to not know tell the tale of Isabella and Jean, but also a whole set of scientific breakthroughs, political battles and social norms which have changed throughout time.

To start with, I really just wanted to know about Isabella’s journey across the Amazon. That is still a feat that I think is amazing today, to do it on the 1800’s is a whole other, unbelievable story. A journey that literally killed all of her companions was survived, all for the sake of a man that she hadn’t seen for 20 years. A love story in a time that didn’t necessarily put a premium on love.

Although it was Isabella’s story that I was looking forward to, I got pretty stuck into Jean’s story. The idea of a scientific endeavour to prove the theory of gravity and how that effects the equator is intense in and of itself. But then, to add to that, there is murder, espionage, and a whole slew of other scientific discoveries. Some of which I remember using a little during my university degree.

This is an incredibly factual memoir, but one that is also highly emotional. Whitaker hits that perfect balance between facts and emotion when writing about the past. He also provides a great epilogue at the end which shows how everyone lived out the rest of their lives. A wonderful read that I look forward to picking up again in the future.

<- This is MeStephen Hawking: A Life in Science ->

Image source: Amazon

A Woman in the Polar Night by Christiane Ritter

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: A Woman in the Polar Night
Author: Christiane Ritter
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Biographies, Memoirs, Nature
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 1938

Thoughts

A Woman in the Polar Night is a stunning and incredibly emotive memoir. I can see how it is a popular classic. Ritter’s writing is just filled with emotive imagery that I doubt I’ll ever get out of my head. You can feel her love for the landscape and journey with every passing paragraph. You can also feel the different challenges she faces to her mental health as she undergoes a night that lasts for over 100 days.

Living at the north pole like this would be a phenomenal journey all on its own. But to do this almost 100 years ago? I can’t even imagine the intensity and difficulties of such a journey. I love how as you go on this journey with Ritter, you can slowly begin to process the difficulties of this life right alongside her. As Ritter realises that there are unforeseeable and dangerous challenges, you grow to appreciate them too. As Ritter falls in love with the landscape, so do you.

There is something incredibly soothing about the whole tale. I’m not sure if it’s the idea of the endless night and solitude, or the beauty of the landscape. But there is most definitely something about the dark Polar nights that leave you with a sense of serenity and peace. Again, I think that’s just the incredibly powerful and emotive way with which Ritter writes about her journey.

I loved this memoir and will definitely look forward to picking it up again in the future. It is a wonderful tale of triumph and hardship. But also, the majestic beauty of the far-flung corners of the earth.

<- Anna: A Teenager on the RunMy Fight / Your Fight ->

Image source: Kobo