Jennifer Grey's memoir about her life before, during and after Dirty Dancing and the nose job heard around the world. From Hollywood parents and celebrity family friends to her own celebrity and struggles to maintain it, this book covers significant details that the world both was, and wasn't, privy to before.
Years ago, Wil Wheaton wrote a memoir. Recently, he's gone back to re-write, or more specifically annotate, that memoir making notes where previous Wil had room to grow, and showing us just exactly who that previous version has become.
Patrick Swayze's memoir, this book was written after the pancreatic cancer diagnosis that eventually ended his life. This book is full of the stories that led him to his over 30-year acting career and his love story with wife Lisa Niemi.
An inside look into the life of one of Hef's girlfriends. Before she was in the mansion, during and after; Holly's struggle to get away from the public perception, and how that public perception helped her find a life where she could finally figure out who she was meant to be.
The third biographical book by Valerie Bertinelli switches pace from her previous books to talk about life, loss and joy. This book isn't about a particular journey or struggle, but about all the journeys and struggles that make life what it is. And about learning how to be (and love) yourself today, despite societies expectations.
If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won't) by Betty White
One of many books that Betty White took part in writing. This one is a collection of memories, a nostalgic memoir separated into bite-sized pieces with snappy subtitles. A quick read, and not a waste of time, but definitely showcases White's humour and reflections on her life and career.
Valerie Bertinelli shares her story up to losing weight as a Jenny Craig spokesperson. She talks about her time on One Day at a Time, through marrying Eddie Van Halen, divorcing him, having her son and the acting roles she played up to and between. Her struggles with self-image and societal/Hollywood expectations are central to her continuing story, which she shares herself in a way that helps to motivate and inspire her reader, even if it's not necessarily her intention.
This is the second biographical book written by the legendary Betty White. It is not the second book written by Betty though - I don't even want to count how many books she was involved in. This one follows her career in show business, from early years up until the original publishing of the book. This version has an updated introduction and conclusion from 2010 that brings it closer to the current day.
Will by Will Smith
Clearly, based on the cover this book is about and by Will Smith. If you couldn't tell by the title, the picture would absolutely give it away.
I'm not sure exactly why I felt compelled to read this, and immediately after its release too, but I did find it interesting. There's a lot about Will Smith's earlier years that I didn't know anything about. And honestly, I forget how young he was when he first became a known entity. His rise as an actor was not meteoric, but it was well constructed from a publicity and marketing angle.
It's an interesting book for anyone interested in The Fresh Prince and his journey as a star.
#92-2021
This is a beautiful memoir of a normal family in a crazy industry. Opie Taylor, Mark Wedloe, Leon, Richie Cunningham. The story behind the characters is even more interesting than the shows they appeared in.
This book almost reads like its own television show. There is some drama and some antics (from Hee-hee man especially) and even a lesson or two sprinkled in for good measure. Written alternately in Ron's or Clint's voices in nice digestible chunks with the occasional sidebar to give us a glimpse at the still existing brotherly relationship. This is the Hollywood memoir that we needed. Even if we didn't know we needed it.
Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology by Leah Remini
I've been meaning to read this for a while, but it just never made it to the top of the pile. So when I started re-watching King of Queens I figured it was the right time.
I'd watched the A&E series about Scientology with Leah Remini and Mike Rinder and found myself more and more intrigued by the hold this "church" has on its "parishioners." Having read the book, and watched the series, I'm not going to say anything other than it is amazing. And not in a good way.
How to be Lovely: The Audrey Hepburn Way of Life by Melissa Hellstern
This is a cute little volume of Audrey Hepburn quotes, and life theories. It gives a little bit of biographical information to give context to her quotes. By title, you expect it to be an etiquette book of sorts, a guide for how to be someone like Audrey Hepburn.
In reality, even Audrey Hepburn herself wouldn't have been able to give those instructions, as she wasn't entirely sure who she was at any given moment. She did the things that seemed right to her in every moment, and really that's the best advice of all. Be yourself, and follow your heart and mind.
#7-2021
