Tag Archives: memoir

A Few Good Memoirs

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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.

2025 MEMOIRS, PLUS A BIOGRAPHY (Part 1)

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I love a good celebrity memoir, especially if the author is candid and sprinkles a little dirt. Seven years ago, I wrote about memoirs, which you can read here, if you so desire. Here is a rundown of the memoirs I’ve read so far in 2025. Part 2 will arrive in a few days.

How to Lose Your Mother by Molly Jong-Fast. I read Erica Jong’s ground-breaking novel, Fear of Flying, when it was published in 1973, and then followed her career over the years. Turns out Erica was a bit of a narcissist and an alcoholic. When she started sliding into dementia, not only did Molly become her caregiver, but at the same time, Molly’s husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Compelling, although some have felt Molly got a little too whiny at times, but you know what? Molly deserved to be a wee bit chagrined over her situation.

Softly, As I Leave You by Priscilla Presley (publication date September 23). Well. This was verrry interesting. There is some repeated information from her first memoir, Elvis and Me, but this continues the story of their divorce and the raising of their daughter, Lisa Marie. Like many celebrities, there is an aggravating air of entitlement throughout, but what is most interesting is what Lisa Marie wrote about Priscilla in her book, From Here to the Great Unknown. While neither could be considered a reliable narrator, it’s interesting to compare what they said about each other — at least it is if you care about this stuff at all, and I do, I do!

Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old by Brooke Shields. Another entry into the menopausal memoirs by celebrities. It was interesting when Brooke talked about her career and life, but it got a little tedious when she delved into the “change of life” stuff; it’s like no one has ever gone through this before. If you like her, give it a try; otherwise, skip it.

Stay tuned for four more titillating stories by people who think readers want to hear their life stories. Here is a sneak peek: