Read: George Michael: A Life (#59-2022)

George Michael: A Life by James Gavin

Lengthy, but engaging biography of singer George Michael. This book contained details that I wasn't expecting and perspectives that weren't necessarily at the forefront during the years Michael was actively pursuing his musical career.  

I've lost no respect for the artist, and have gained an appreciation for the personal struggle that he put himself through based on what he thought the world's expectations were for him. 

Despite some amazing success and a lot of talent, it was not an easy life for Michael. And that makes the loss of his life at a fairly early age even more sad. Imagine what else he could have done if he hadn't gotten in his own way. 

(#59-2022)

Read: Out of the Corner (#36-2022)

Out of the Corner by Jennifer Grey

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. 

Read: Still Just a Geek (#32-2022)

Still Just a Geek: An Annotated Memoir by Wil Wheaton

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. 

Read: Harry & Meghan: A Royal Wedding Album (#30-2022)

Harry & Meghan: A Royal Wedding Album 

Mostly photos, beautiful photos, with some trivia and detail to discuss the photos, this is a beautiful book.  The wedding and preparations were gorgeous, it's unfortunate that life following the wedding took such an unsightly turn. 

(#30-2022)

Read: Time of My Life (#29-2022)

The Time of My Life by Patrick Swayze & Lisa Niemi

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.

Read: High on Arrival (#14-2022)

High on Arrival by Mackenzie Phillips

Mackenzie Phillips relates the story of the first 50 years of her life. Family, drugs, sexuality, television stardom, addiction and recovery are all central facets of the story and are interwoven in an intricate repeating pattern. Definitely a repeating pattern. The book is not entirely chronological, but it's possible that's because the person relating it doesn't know what that chronology would actually be. 

Read: Down the Rabbit Hole (#12-2022)

Down the Rabbit Hole: Curious Adventures and Cautionary Tales of a Former Playboy Bunny by Holly Madison

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.

Read: Enough Already (#11-2022)

Enough Already: Learning to Love the Way I am Today by Valerie Bertinelli

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.

Read: If You Ask Me (#10-2022)

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.

Read: Losing It (#08-2022)

Losing It, and Getting My Life Back One Pound at a Time by Valerie Bertinelli

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.

Read: Here We Go Again (#07-2022)

Here We Go Again: My Life in Television, 1949-1995 by Betty White

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.

Read: The Clanlands Almanac (#06-2022)

The Clanlands Almanac: Seasonal Stories from Scotland by Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish

(companion to Clanlands and the Men In Kilts TV series)

This is an anthology of history, geography, stories, thoughts and conversations from Sam and Graham with tidbits of information about Outlander and their own histories and lives. Separated into months with a Dram of the Month and Clan of the month section in each, and a list of historically significant dates this is an interesting companion to the escapades we've seen previously from Sam and Graham. 

I Read: Will

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

I Read: The Boys

The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family by Ron Howard & Clint Howard

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.

I Read: The Storyteller

The Storyteller by Dave Grohl

 The Storyteller was a perfect title for this collection of incidents from the life and career of Dave Grohol. It feels as if this is what a conversation with Grohl would feel like - as if he's telling a friend the things he's been through. It reinforces the personality that he's built among music fans of being just a regular guy who's got a pretty irregular life. He's made some great music and some even greater musical connections and he's not in any way bragging when he tells you about them. He's actually as astonished as anyone else. 

I Read: Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty by Anderson Cooper (and Katharine Howe)

In this book, we go on a historical journey of the Vanderbilt family. The Rise and the fall as the title suggests. There is a lot to unpack here because anyone who knows anything about the Vanderbilts generally knows that they're rich. But are they still? The book would tell you otherwise, because of their own mismanagement and behaviour. From the patriarch who built the empire to his children and their families, the Vanderbilt family is still interesting even while they may not remain powerful or influential. 

I Read: Nobody Ever Asked Me About the Girls

Nobody Ever Asked Me About the Girls by Lisa Robinson

This is a  great memoir of conversations and interviews a music journalist has had with female musicians. Focussing on the fact that the experience of a female artist is different than anything a male artist would go through while still going through the same music industry hoops. 

As expected, the issues female musicians face are exacerbated by their gender, and by the old boys club that exists within every industry but especially entertainment. And women have the added familial expectations on top of it. 

There are some serious heavy hitters discussed in this book, past and present, whose impact on the industry may have been, and may continue to be, overlooked due solely to their gender. People should pay attention. 

But apparently, nobody ever asked about the girls. 

#77-2021

I Read: Troublemaker

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. 

I Read: Remembering Whitney

Remembering Whitney: My Story of Love, Loss, and the Night the Music Stopped by Cissy Houston

I picked this up figuring that if I was going to read a book about Whitney Houston, who better to have written it than her mother. I should have realized by the subtitle of this that the book would really be more about Cissy's relationship than about Whitney. I've always had that impression of Cissy Houston anyway - that she's really more interested in how the world affects her than anything else. 

It's kind of a mutual biography - of both Cissy and Whitney. It is interesting to read how Cissy got where she was and became who she is, as well as knowing how that framed her relationship with her kids. She's led a very musically influential life even without being Whitney Houston's mother, and I would imagine that she often gets overlooked because of that fact. 

I Read: The Princess Diarist

The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher

The world lost a great mind when we lost Carrie Fisher a few years ago. She was witty and self-effacing, and far smarter than she gave herself credit for. She wrote a number of books; this one happens to be an account of her first experiences being Princess Leia, making Star Wars and reflections on more recent situations that sprouted from that past. 

I watched Fisher's special called "Wishful Drinking" based on her book of the same name, and hurriedly picked up as many of her books as I could find. This was the first one I picked up to actually read. It's the penultimate book that she wrote while covering almost the oldest content. 

It was fun to hear her tales of the early days of Star Wars, interwoven with the fandom that it's become.  And her perspective of being in the midst of that fandom through no fault of her own. She respects the fans and their passion, while not really understanding how she's become such an idol within it. It's an interesting take on celebrity. 

I enjoy the personal way that Carrie writes (and yes, Carrie, because that's how she writes) - almost as if she's telling you the stories herself in person. Sharing what she knows with a group of friends. I wish I had read her books sooner. I would have appreciated her more. 

#44-2021