Tag Archives: Memoirs

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

A Cup of Water Under My Bed by Daisy Hernandez

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: A Cup of Water Under My Bed: A Memoir
Author: Daisy Hernandez
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Immigrant, LGBTQI, Memoirs
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2014

Thoughts

This was such an amazing biography and memoir – there was something about the lyricality and non-linear story that I just absolutely devoured. Not only was Hernandez able to share her story and experiences, but she managed to do so in a way that was entirely unforgettable. I mean, there was just… something about her writing style that hit my deep in the soul, worming it’s way into my daily thoughts and dreams.

A Cup of Water Under My Bed was one of those memoirs that really made me stop and think. It just wormed my way into my mind and wouldn’t let go. I can’t say that many author’s actually have the talent to do this so thoroughly. And the part that stuck with me the most was how Hernandez talked about language and how she felt, as a child, that she had to hate Spanish to be able to move along to English. It’s a stark reminder of the intensity and confusion that comes along with a total upheaval of your life and culture. One that I still can’t understand, but definitely have Big Feelings around.

Not only does Hernandez unapologetically talk about her experiences as the child of immigrants, but she also talks about her bisexuality as a Latino women, and the unique challenges that this comes with. Rather than being a big deal, this part of her story is seamlessly woven in amongst the rest of her tale. She discusses how differently her aunts dealt with her sexuality and, that, ultimately, it was something that was kind of just… ignored. Hernandez is honest about how her sexuality sits in amongst her daily life, then and now.

The first read through of this was wonderful, and this felt like one of those layered tales that I would love to read again. Gaining something new in the lyrical prose that I wasn’t expecting, learning something and seeing the moments that I’ve missed. It might be a little while, but I can almost guarantee that this will be one that I will actually read again in the future (not something I frequently do with memoirs).

<- BlackoutThe Not So Subtle Art of Being a Fat Girl ->

Image source: Gulf Stream Lit Mag

Bits and Pieces by Whoopi Goldberg

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me
Author: Whoopi Goldberg
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Celebrity, Family, Memoirs
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2024

Thoughts

Bits and Pieces is one of the most beautiful literary love letters that I’ve read in a long while. Whoopi Goldberg’s love for her mother and brother just leaps off of the pages with every single word. I mean, I picked this up because I wanted to learn more about Whoopi, someone I grew up watching and was definitely a household name. And it was a really interesting biography, but what I found the most intriguing and amazing was the fact that everything comes back to her mum. We are shaped by our families, and this connection is absolutely clear in the way that Goldberg is able to write about it.

I’m not going to lie, as someone who has recently lost her dad, there were parts of this that I found a little difficult – I mean, this is literally a biography that centres around a beloved parent, and I’d just lost mine. However, I did find that the final chapter of Bits and Pieces was actually really helpful. I love the way in which Goldberg is able to deal with loss and death with compassion and kindness. Honestly, when I started this final chapter I was kind of filled with trepidation, but I actually found it really supportive and helpful.

Although I grew up knowing Whoopi’s name, voice and face, I didn’t really know much about her early career. Mostly because I just wasn’t alive at this point. It was absolutely fascinating and introduced me to another side of Hollywood that I hadn’t quite anticipated. I really enjoyed learning more and finding out how she rose to fame. I didn’t even know that Goldberg was a mum, so the idea of embracing your fame and chance, whilst also trying to single parent was pretty intense.

Whoopi Goldberg is wonderfully honest about the challenges of juggling motherhood and a career. Not only in her own life, but the empathy she feels towards her mum in her own challenges. I particularly found her compassion for Emma (her mother’s) breakdown and how she was committed to hospital against her will. I just can’t even imagine the fear and uncertainty that the whole family experienced and how strong these women were to pick themselves up from such an upheaval and move forward in their lives.

I knew that I liked pretty much everything that I had seen with Whoopi Goldberg in it, but I honestly didn’t expect to enjoy her biography anywhere near so much. I absolutely demolished this in a really short period of time and I was really disappointed when it finished. This is definitely parts of a fascinating story and a life well-lived so far, and I’m disappointed that there wasn’t more to digest!

<- The GapWe Wish To Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families ->

Image source: Target

The Prison Doctor by Dr. Amanda Brown

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Prison Doctor
Author: Dr. Amanda Brown
Series: The Prison Doctor #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Medical, Memoirs, True crime
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I haven’t actually read this trilogy of memoirs in order – I read Women Inside (the second book) first. So it was really good to see just how Brown ended up in her chosen career as a prison doctor. I mean, it’s a pretty big leap to go from a GP to a prison doctor. And I’d imagine a pretty steep learning curve, both mentally and emotionally. It was definitely interesting reading just how Brown was able to make this leap and how she processed all of the extreme changes that such a change bought about in her life.

I found, aside from how interesting all of Brown’s anecdotes were, that this was a great reminder to stop, take a deep breath and just appreciate what you have. I mean, how could stories of people who have to spend a good portion of their lives incarcerated not make you stop and think? Or maybe that’s just me… there is so much compassion and sympathy throughout this story, it’s definitely a humbling read.

This is an amazing journey and a humbling tale. I want to help people, but this is a whole other level of assistance and giving that I can’t really fathom. I mean, helping people is one thing, being in a situation that can feel potentially dangerous to do so? A whole other level. And, there is a whole lot of surprising stories throughout that make you feel even more strongly for those who are battling to carve out their own lives.

I honestly expected a whole heap of danger and violence from this memoir. I mean, it’s about a woman who goes and works in prisons. But there is almost none of that. Yes, the violence is touched upon. And the challenges faced. But mostly this is a story about the triumph of humanity. The ways in which we are able to fight against all odds and come out on top. At least, that’s how it read to me.

<- More Dr. Amanda BrownThe Prison Doctor: Women Inside ->

Image source: Amazon

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: I’m Glad My Mom Died
Author: Jeanette McCurdy
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Actors, Celebrity, Memoirs, Mental health
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

I’m not going to lie, this was an incredibly difficult book to read. Where I normally tend to just dive into a book of this quality and get really stuck into it, I definitely had to stop and start this one quite a few times. A lot of what McCurdy writes about it really hard to stomach. And heartbreaking. And difficult. But it was also written with a sense of humour and humility that left me smiling and wanting more, more, more.

There would have been so many nuances throughout McCurdy’s life and experiences that she could have written about. But, as the title indicates, this story really focuses on her mother and the lasting impressions that she has left upon her daughter. Where it would be easy to just write this with anger and hurt (I mean, the woman did a number on her), McCurdy is able to write with humour and love. The realism of the fact that you can both hate and love a person. That you can be aware of their bullshit, but also still want their approval. McCurdy was able to indicate this complex mix of emotions beautifully.

I think what I found the most confronting about this story was the amount of love that is there. It is so easy to be angry and hateful. It is hard to heal when you are stuck in that negative. I can’t imagine having the strength of personality and kindness to not be angry and hateful to be completely frank. I mean, there is a whole lot of other stuff throughout this to be angry at too. But in particular, the relationship with family and the different influences that have been around since childhood – it was hard.

I’ve never had an eating disorder, but I know plenty who have. And, more than that, I completely understand the work and difficulties that come with overcoming your mental health nonsense. The fact that McCurdy has been able to do this is honestly inspiring. The fact that she is able to be open about her struggles even more so. I absolutely loved this memoir and it is definitely one I would probably enjoy reading again in the future.

<- Twelve PatientsBlack Saturday ->

Image source: Amazon

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

We Bought a Zoo by Benjamin Mee

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: We Bought a Zoo
Author: Benjamin Mee
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: BBC, Book to Film, Memoirs, Nature
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2008

Thoughts

I bought this because I genuinely loved the movie, and I was intrigued when I found out that the true story movie was actually based on a book. It was good to see that, although starkly different from the movie, this was just as enjoyable. I actually found that once I dug into it, I really couldn’t put it down. Seriously fun and most definitely an enjoyable, thought-provoking journey that Benjamin Mee takes you on.

If you’ve seen the movie, there are some pretty stark differences to the movie (and I’d now be interested in seeing the BBC mini-series). For starters, buying the zoo and getting it up and running wasn’t just some hair-brained scheme from Benjamin, in fact it was the whole family. He is just featured so heavily because he was the journalist with a gift for writing. I love that it’s Benjamin, his sister and two of his three brothers who act in support of their mother in running this as a team. They all had their own roles and responsibilities, working as a seriously wonderful team.

I was also surprised that the children didn’t feature in this so strongly, rather they are kind of peripheral. You can tell from Benjamin’s writing that they feature heavily in his own thoughts and life. Particularly when he talks about the difficulties of having his wife pass, but they don’t feature in this memoir. I kind of respected and liked that. After all, it made it feel like his family life was actually quite private and separate from his publicity. And sharing this in a book removes that privacy.

Although this whole book is overall a chronological tale, each chapter does have it’s own theme. There’s some overlap between the timelines, but I really loved how it was separated. Each chapter gave you closure and acted as it’s own story in and of itself. It gave a story that I would have loved anyway a whole new level of cohesiveness. And I’ll definitely be reading this again, I just enjoyed it that much.

I loved this novel and look forward to reading it again. Not only was it a fascinating journey, but it was also well written. I also thoroughly enjoyed the insight it gave into the machinations of running a zoo. Whilst I knew that there was a lot to it, there were so many more intricacies that I was really surprised by.

<- Black SaturdayThe Beekeeper of Sinjar ->

Image source: Publishers Weekly

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