Cameron Crowe – The Uncool. If you’ve seen the movies Almost Famous or Fast Times at Ridgemont High (or read the book), then you may be familiar with Cameron. But did you also know he was a wunderkid who, by age 16, was interviewing and writing articles about (and at times touring) with Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bob Dylan, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Fleetwood Mac, and once spent a few months with David Bowie? His memoir includes stories about being with the bands, the arc of his career, and stories about his family life. I was enthralled, but my only criticism is that it wasn’t nearly long enough, and he needs to write a sequel.

David Archuleta – Devout. If anyone remembers David Archuleta from the 2008 American Idol season, you’ll most likely remember his angelic voice singing “Imagine” (I wept). This is his story about how he, as an upstanding member of the Mormon Church, came out in 2021 as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, and how it affected his family. This is excellent in audio and is one of my favorite memoirs of the year.

Christina Applegate – You With the Sad Eyes. I enjoyed Applegate in the TV show Married With Children, and while I wasn’t that familiar with her later career, I enjoyed reading this memoir about her trials over the years with abuse, breast cancer, and her current affliction, multiple sclerosis. She is very candid and sometimes funny, but a few times was a little annoying (later in the book she talks about recently lighting a cigarette, and, sorry, I couldn’t help but be a little judgey).

Lindy West – Adult Braces. I haven’t read her earlier books, nor have I watched her TV show, Shrill, but for the most part enjoyed her story about trying to come to terms with an unorthodox marriage (that includes a third person) while on a road trip across the U.S. I enjoyed the road trip part, but I’m not sure I’m buying into her final decision.

Next up, I’m looking forward to Liza Minelli’s recent release, Kids! Wait Till You Hear This! and Lisa Rinna’s You Better Believe I’m Going to Talk About It.