What Biographies or Memoirs are you reading now? Chapter 2

I thought the old thread was getting a little long.

Tell us about what you are reading now, please.

ETD: duplicate post.

Carry on.

Thanks! Do "memoirs" fit here, too? I'm picking my way through Dancing Fish and Ammonites by Penelope Lively, as well as one of her novels. Interesting.

Absolutely, it's in the title :-).

I just finished The Moon's a Balloon, the autobiography of the late actor David Niven. It was terrific, the man could really write. The most interesting parts of his life had nothing to do with his acting career.

I've just finished Punk Rock Blitzkrieg: My Life As a Ramone by Marky Ramone. I went to his book signing last week.

I finished a book titled Che: A memoir which wasn't really a memoir at all, but a collection of speeches about Che by Fidel Castro.

I got dragged to the movie so now I'm reading American Sniper. I've known a few of those guys and Chris Kyle fits the type for a typical American soldier these days. It's very matter of fact and I know has come in for a lot of criticism for the lack of introspection. It's just my opinion, but philosophers don't make good soldiers. It's pretty informative if you don't understand how the military works and its culture. I'll be back with a full review soon.

I saw a news item this morning where concern is expressed that the movie will prejudice the jury pool for the trial of the man accused of murdering Chris Kyle. Interesting issues are being raised by the practice of making fiction books and movies out of real life, and whether or not fictionalizing reality is risky business.

I'm now reading The Ciano Diaries 1939-1943. Count Galeazzo Ciano was Mussolini's son-in-law and his Foreign Minister, as well. Or he was until he turned on Mussolini, took part in the coup to oust him from power, and was subsequently arrested and then executed by the Gestapo. That's why the diary stops in 1943. At any rate, I'm still in the early days, pre-war, when everything is looking rosy for the Fascist government and the biggest headache is figuring out how to carve up Albania.

I'm reading Intolerable: A Memoir of Extremes by Kamal Al-Solaylee for Canada Reads.

I finished up the very interesting The Ciano Diaries 1939-1943 and I've begun Carlos Santana's autobiography, The Universal Tone.

Having just finished Middlemarch, I'm now reading My Life in Middlemarch by Rebecca Mead.

I'm reading Life of Richard Savage by Samuel Johnson. Savage was a mediocre poet and playwright, convicted of murder, a deadbeat and extortionist, but also Johnson's friend.

I recently finished The Universal Tone: Bringing My Story to Light Carlos Santana's recent autobiography. It was long, and could have used some editing, but overall I enjoyed it. Santana's had an interesting life, all right, and tells about it well. I could have used a little less information about his spiritual endeavors and philosophy, but, hey, the guy's telling his life story and that's all important to who his is, so I mostly gave him a pass on it. You can find my more in-depth review on the book's work page and on my 50-Book Challenge thread.

I just finished "Along The Way" by Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez.

I'm reading Königin Charlotte von Württemberg by Hans Haug.

Charlotte (nee Princess of Schaumburg-Lippe) war the second wife of King Wilhelm II. of Württemberg, the last ruler of that Kingdom.

I'm re-reading Final Verdict by Adela Rogers St. Johns because even though I read it as a young teenager, parts of it have stayed with me.

I don't know if strictly this book is a "biography" however it reads like one - The Secret History of Wonder Woman. Very interesting, mostly about the man who created the Wonder Woman comics and it shows how much of the comic strips conflicts and victories reflected experiences in his life. It also comments on the controversy comic books started about whether or not they were appropriate reading material for young people.

I've just finished Michelangelo: Biography of a Genius by Bruno Nardini which did a good job of showing what the life of an artist in the 1500s was like.

Finally getting to Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi.

Speaking of Tehran, I've started In the Rose Garden of the Martyrs: a Memoir of Iran by Christopher de Bellaigue.

I'm reading A Beautiful Mind: the Life of Mathematical Genius and Nobel Laureate John Nash by Sylvia Nasar.

I'm reading a Canadian memoir, Projection: Encounters with my Runaway Mother by Priscila Uppal.

I'm reading another Canadian memoir, Up Ghost River: A Chief's Journey Through the Turbulent Waters of Native History by Edmund Metatawabin. I used to work with the author, so I know he's had a difficult journey.

I'm reading a memoir A Crazy Public Servant Eh by Paul Poutine

That title sounds very interesting -- runaway mother. I just read Lit, by Mary Karr, as well as The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls. I like memoir about people who overcame atrocious family situations. My main criteria though, is that the writing has to be absolutely delicious. Does "Projection" fit the bill?

it is well written, and not a made-for-TV movie type where everyone just loves everyone else.

ok, well that's a good sign. I hate that. I want real life.
I'm new to Library Thing. There should be a way to click on something and get reviews. Member reviews are good, but I like to read a good NY times review if there has been one. I'm gradually figuring all this out.

I think if you see a book title in blue you can click on it and read the member reviews, and then scroll down farther there are some "professional" reviews also. Or you can search for a title and when you look at the book's page look on the far left and there several versions of the page, and I believe those also include other reviews.

Long articles are not likely included. You would probably have to go on the magazine's site, and search for the book to see if there were longer reviews.

I'm reading Fairyland: A Memoir of my Father by Alysia Abbott.

I'm reading Madame Curie by her daughter, Eve Curie

I'm also reading Stephen Harper by John Ibbitson.

I finished Why You Crying?: My Long, Hard Look at Life, Love, and Laughter by George Lopez. This is the memoir of comedian/actor/TV star George Lopez. I picked it up from my store's Memoir section more or less on a whim, and ended up finding it more interesting than I expected.

I'm reading Unflinching: The Making of a Canadian Sniper by Jody Mitic.

I finished Poisoned Heart: I Married Dee Dee Ramone a few days ago. The author spent about 15 years with the man who is credited with inventing punk rock.

I'm reading Without You There is no Us: My Time with the Sons of North Korea's Elite by Suki Kim

My local library is holding a group discussion of I Am Malala, so I'm reading it and will check out this group.

I am listening to I am Malala and I think it is an excellent book for introducing Westerners to the complexity of the current conflicts in the Moslem world, and in our Western world, also.

I'm reading The Wright Brothers by David McCullough

I'm now reading The Concubine's Children by Denise Chong

I've begun T.E. Lawrence's classic memoir, Seven Pillars of Wisdom. 60 pages in, it's fascinating, with information about Arab culture that resonates strongly today.

took a long time, but it was worth it, I thought. Having read a couple of novels in between, I have now begun Still Talking, a memoir by Joan Rivers. It begins with some very rough stuff about her husband's suicide. Seems quite well written.

I'm reading Vidocq by Philip John Stead. It's about a Napoleon-era French criminal turned police spy, who later formed his own police agency staffed only by ex-convicts with a phenomenal conviction rate. A master of disguise, Vidocq went on to become one of the first private detectives. Fascinating!

I've added Vidocq to my wish list.

I'm reading It Happened to Nancy.

Dear Cary. It was cheap on Kindle. I enjoyed getting to know Dyan Cannon a bit. Cary Grant, not so much. I don't quite regret the time spent reading it.

Between a Heart and Rock Place - Enjoyed, Pat Benatar is just as good and straightforward a person on the page as she is on stage. Saw her 36th anniversary tour last year - she and Neil still rock.

I'm reading Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan.

The Little Girl Who Fought the Great Depression- Shirley Temple and 1930's America by John F. Kasson
4/5 stars
This is a fascinating story of the rise of Shirley Temple told against the backdrop of the Great Depression. Kasson discusses what is going on during that historical time period and the rise of Temple's career along with what was going on in the movie business and the treatment of child actors. Highly recommended for film buffs and anyone interested in that time period.

I'm reading The Mistress's Daughter by A.M. Homes.

>50 LynnB: I read this when it came out. I liked it.

Not My Father's Son: A Memoir
by Alan Cumming
5/5 stars

This is the unbelievable story of the relationship between Alan Cumming and his father. Not a complete biography but Cumming writes about life growing up in Scotland, his family and about secrets that are revealed when he agrees to be on the show Who Do Think You Are? Could not put this down.

I'm reading Alan Napier's autobio, Not Just Batman's Butler. Not super far in yet, but I'm really liking it. I had no idea he had such an illustrious lineage!

>53 .Monkey.: I would definitely read this - would love to hear your review when done with the book.

It's an ER book, I was super excited I won it! :D Been taking a few days off to play some of my new games, but I will hopefully finish before the month is up! :)

I'm reading Against Medical Advice by James Patterson.

Onions in the Stew by Betty MacDonald 1954

Betty is one of my favorite authors and she wrote so few books that I re-read this one about her life with her daughters and second husband on Vashon Island in Washington state at the end of WWII. She is funny and smart and has the same problems we have with our children even in different time periods. My favorite book of hers was The Plague and I and talked about her time with TB. She is best known for her book The Egg and I which was made into a film and covered her first marriage while living on a farm. And how can I forget her children's series about Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle which I loved as a child.

>54 JulieLill: My review is posted (here)! Forgot to come mention it sooner, sorry. :) But basically, it was great, and his life is worth reading about if for no other reason than he seemed such a wonderful man with such passion! I only wish I could have known him.

>57 JulieLill: When I lived on Vashon Island some friends had purchased a property which was said to have belonged to her family. It was a wonderful hidden cove which unfortunately was very damp, and a bit dark. The sun would only reach it occasionally which is a big disadvantage in the sun-starved northwest. But the property was beautiful and we enjoyed dinners in their home many times.

I also spent 10 years loving living on Vashon and have missed it terribly ever since. Once I was able to spend 6 weeks dog sitting on a piece of property which had an apple orchard of ancient days (old trees) which I also loved desperately. I do not have the physical strength that the pioneers had to live on and work the land; but I do appreciate the rural life! Betty's books illustrate the ups and downs of all that, don't they?

I just finished Lee and Grant: A Dual Biography . It was excellent and I'd like to read more, especially about Grant and perhaps I'll read his famous autobiography.

>59 maggie1944: Betty did a nice job writing about the rural life. It made me exhausted reading about all that they had to do to keep up the house and property. I just love Betty- what a character.
My brother and sister in-law live on Whidbey Island in Washington and we have visited them there. Those areas in Washington are just beautiful.

>58 .Monkey.: Definitely going to read that book. .Monkey- thanks for the link.

Keep Moving Short, fun read. Part memoir, part how to live (I think his advice is good for all ages). As you would expect, upbeat, classy guy. Recommended.

I've finished Levels of Life by Julian Barnes which is defined as a memoir, but I wouldn't call it one. Well worth reading, though.

Are You My Mother?
by Alison Bechdel
3/5 stars

Cartoonist Alison Bechdel who chronicled her relationship with her father, takes on her relationship with her mother in this graphic novel. Bechdel has a tumultuous relationship with both parents but her father had died before she wrote Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic. However, as we find in this book her mother is still alive and her dread in showing this book to her mother is a big part of this book along with her relationships with her lovers and therapists. As Bechdel deals with her psychological issues with her mother, she also writes about the history of the psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott who she is studying to get a grip on her issues. Not an easy read. Uncomfortable subject matter but interesting. I liked Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic better because the story line flowed better for me. This has a lot of psychological discussion and the story line breaks when she discusses Winnicott which is somewhat distracting but this is an amazing and brave book and kudos to her for writing it.

Reading Betty: The Story of Betty MacDonald, Author of The Egg and I by Anne Wellman.

I'm reading I Am Hutterite by Mary-Ann Kirkby.

The Girl in Alfred Hitchcock's Shower by Robert Graysmith
3.5/5 stars

Robert Graysmith writes an intriguing true life story that centers around the movie Psycho, especially Marli Renfro, the body double for Janet Leigh in Psycho; Sonny Busch, the killer of elderly women in California in the 1960's and the changing morality of the country at that time including the rise of Playboy, the sex industry and gambling. This was hard to put down and my only complaint was that times he was a bit wordy but it was still worth reading.

Much Laughter, a Few Tears: Memoirs of a Woman's Friendship With Betty Macdonald and Her Family
by Blanche Caffiere
4/5 stars

I love Betty MacDonald, author of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and The Egg and I and have read a lot of her books years ago but now with the internet I have been able to find more books about her and this book was about her and her friendship with the author. I thought this book would be just so-so but I really enjoyed this book, it was well written and a fast read. This is not just about MacDonald, Caffiere talks about her life, her family and life in Washington State. It was also a peek to what life was like during and after the depression and before TVs and computers. This book was not readily available at a lot of libraries but thank goodness for inter-library loan-I got this from a state 1400 miles away but it is also available to buy online.

Starting H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald for a book club.

And now I'm on to They Left Us Everything by Plum Johnson.

>70 LynnB: Johnson's book looks interesting. Interested in your review.

Looking over my 2016 list, I've only managed two biographies this year, Boswell's: The Life of Samuel Johnson and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Just about as different as different can be.

>72 varielle: The Lacks book was interesting. My husband was working on his biology major in college and worked with her cells.

Betty –The Story of Betty MacDonald, Author of The Egg and I by Anne Wellman
4/5 stars

This is a biography of Betty MacDonald, author of The Egg and I and the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books. Wellman follows the life of Betty from the very beginning, including what family history could be found. If you are fan, you will appreciate this biography. I gave this a higher rating because she covered a lot of information that I had never read about her. I loved the fact that she has a big fan base in England and Czechoslovakia.

>73 JulieLill: I heard Rebecca Skloot speak. She was really committed to go after the story of Henrietta Lacks.

>75 varielle: I bet she was really interesting.

The Dating Game Killer: The True Story of a TV Dating Show, a Violent Sociopath, and a Series of Brutal Murders
by Stella Sands
4/5 stars
Stella Sands weaves a horrifying tale of the true story of photographer Rodney Alcala, sociopath and sadistic murderer of girls and women across the country and still sits in prison today. Terrifying and sad.

Started Galileo's Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith, and Love by Dava Sobel.

I loved Galileo's Daughter. I'm reading One Woman's War by Gladys Arnold

>79 LynnB: I am enjoying it so far.

I'm starting The Man Without A Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin by Masha Gessen which is described as a "Biography/History".

>81 LynnB: Will be interested in your review of this book.

Here's what I thought of the Man Without a Face:

Here are my thoughts on The Man Without a Face:

This book, like many other recent nonfiction works, doesn't use footnotes. So, despite the 16 pages of notes and sources, the work often seemed speculative to me as I read it. There is nothing in the text to indicate when something is referenced in the notes. I hope this is a short-lived fad and not a “new normal”.

Another trend I've noticed in my recent nonfiction reading is evident here: this is a book which is not quite about what its title implies. The book is interesting, but doesn't shed much light on how Mr. Putin rose to power.

I think the author was very brave to write this book and her perspective is unique and fascinating. She is Russian, a journalist in a time of media suppression and gay at a time of retrograde oppression.

Putin is crude, blunt, and sometimes threatening. But for a while, this was his appeal; he was believed to be the kind of strong leader needed in challenging times. I can't help but compare his tough-guy persona to that of Donald Trump and his positions on immigration and trade. Is the initial basis for approval the same?

What's especially scary to me is that while the author blames Putin for Russia's backward-sliding trend away from democracy, she also shows that he is just one of a type of old guard that hasn't really gone away. It's terrifying to realize how quickly Putin dismantled the building blocks of democracy. Democracies have to be vigilant.

I'm now reading another biography, Open Heart, Open Mind by Clara Hughes.

>84 LynnB: I would like to know how he rose to such power also. Nice review!
Also when you click on the title it goes to the young adult book of the same title but definitely not the same subject.

I just finished Noa Noa, Paul Gauguin's memoir of his time in Tahiti. I found it interesting and it had his wonderful woodcuts.

I'm about to start Istanbul: Memories and the City by Orhan Pamuk.

Galileo's Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith, and Love
by Dava Sobel
3/5 stars
This was an interesting book on Galileo and his relationship with his daughter Virginia, later changed to Suor Maria Celeste when she entered the convent at the age of 13 with her sister. Galileo and his daughter were very close and her letters to him had been saved and make up part of this book. They remained loyal to each other through his trials with the church. The book did discuss his work and the problems that caused with the church. The only problem I had with the book was that at times reading about his work took a lot of concentration but I did enjoy his daughter's letters. His letters to her were never found or had been destroyed.

It is a fascinating look back at that time period and Suor Maria Celeste shed a light on what it was like living in a convent in that time period. Had she been born in modern ages, I could see her working with her father in his area since she comes across as very intuitive and smart.

The Annotated Alice: 150th Anniversary Deluxe Edition by Lewis Carroll, Martin Gardner (Editor), John Tenniel (Illustrations)

4/5 stars
I never quite truly understood the Alice books and so they never appealed to me and now I know why. They aren't truly children's books. In this version of the famous stories, certain lines are annotated and are explained on the side of the page. This technique really helped explain what was going on in the books and made me truly appreciate them. Another nice thing about this book is that they include the art work of a lot of the artists that ever drew Alice and the many characters in the book.

Though technically not a biography, the annotated notes talk about Carroll and Tenniel, their works and lifes.

Below Stairs: The Classic Kitchen Maid's Memoir That
Inspired "Upstairs, Downstairs" and "Downton Abbey"
by Margaret Powell
4/5 stars
This is an enjoyable true story about the life of a kitchen maid in England. She lends a nice perspective regarding that time period.

I'm going to preview Wild by Cheryl Strayed for a book club.

>91 LynnB: I have not read the book but I thought they did a nice job on the movie version.

I'm reading White Walls: A Memoir About Motherhood, Daughterhood, and the Mess in Between by Judy Batalion.

>93 LynnB: Will be interested in your review when you are done. It sounds interesting.

I'm reading another biography: How to Live: A Life of Montaigne in One Question and Twenty Attempts at an Answer by Sarah Bakewell.

Still processing White Walls...will post a review soon.

Just started reading Nobody Said Not to Go: The Life, Loves, and Adventures of Emily Hahn
by Ken Cuthbertson. So far I am enjoying it.

I'm reading The Shepherd's Life: Modern Dispatches from an Ancient Landscape by James Rebanks.

On to another autobiography: Fair Game: How a Top CIA Agent was Betrayed by her own Government by Valerie Plame Wilson.

>96 JulieLill: I loved Nobody Said Not to Go: The Life, Loves, and Adventures of Emily Hahn. What an adventurous woman she was!

Here's my review- I loved this book.

Nobody Said Not to Go: The Life, Loves, and Adventures of Emily Hahn
by Ken Cuthbertson
5/5 stars

As I finished this book, what came to my mind was Dos Equis's Beer ad campaign, “The Most Interesting Man in the World". If they had to pick a female for that role it would have had to have been Emily Hahn as the world's most interesting woman.
Hahn was born in St. Louis, Missouri into a large Jewish family in 1905. The family eventually moved to Chicago, Illinois. She ended up as the only female mining engineering student at college. She and a girlfriend traveled in a Model T-Ford across the US. She also traveled alone to Africa and lived there for a few years before moving home and writing a book about her experiences. She then traveled to Hong Kong and was stuck there during the Japanese invasion during WWII and where she met her future husband and had a child. She was a writer most of her life and wrote novels and short stories. She also wrote for The New Yorker till a few months before her death at the age of 92. Cuthbertson weaves a wonderful tale of her adventures and her accomplishments. I had a hard time putting this down. Highly recommended!

Anybody Can Do Anything
Betty MacDonald
4/5 stars
I am a big fan of Betty MacDonald and was glad to be able to find a copy of Anybody Can Do Anything which was one of her adult books that I haven't read. Betty relates her experiences trying to get and keep a job during the depression after she left her husband. Her and her two daughters moved into her mother's house already filled with unemployed siblings and her sister Mary did everything she could to help Betty with her unemployment status. Betty's humor shines through these stories even though life was very hard for her and her family.

A cross between history and biography: History's People: Personalities and the Past by Margaret MacMillan.

Norman Rockwell Illustrator
by Arthur L. Guptill
3/5 stars
Originally written in 1946 and re-released several times, Arthur L. Guptill had been given permission and cooperation from Norman Rockwell to write this book on Rockwell's life as an illustrator. The book contains some of Rockwell's most famous paintings and provides details of his art process. Rockwell goes over how he decides on what to paint, facts about some of his most famous paintings and his use of his neighbors and family as models. While not a true biography, we get a look at his life as an artist. Very interesting!

Oneida: From Free Love Utopia to the Well-Set Table
Ellen Wayland-Smith
3.5/5
In the mid 1800's a young man called John Humphrey Noyes feels a calling to start a new faith community in rural New York called the Oneida Community. This community based on free love, equality of the sexes and eugenics takes off. Ellen Wayland-Smith, an ancestor of Noyes writes a compelling story of the history of her ancestor, the community he developed and the silver wear the community made to support themselves.

Nothing Daunted: The Unexpected Education of Two Society Girls in the West
Dorothy Wickenden
3.5/5 stars
In 1916, two young, upper class women graduates of Smith College decide to travel to a rural mountain community in Colorado to teach children for a year.
Dorothy Woodruff and Rosamund Underwood had spent time on the continent and were home wondering what they were going to do. Neither was engaged to be married at the time and were at loose ends. In the meantime, Ferry Carpenter, lawyer and businessman from Colorado was looking for women to come and teach in his community and maybe even marry and stay in the community. The two women eagerly take on this commitment in a far different environment and cultural setting than they were used to in their lives and came away with an appreciation for their experience. This book is based on the women's letters and readers will experience their lives in a unfamiliar setting and feel their enthusiasm in taking on a new adventure.

I really enjoyed this book which was written by Dorothy's granddaughter who is an executive director and writer at The New Yorker.

I finished All Things Wise and Wonderful by James Herriot. Although the accounts are fictionalized and "Herriot" a nom de plume, this book is a mostly autobiographical account of the life of an English country vet in the 1930s. But you probably already knew that. Anyway, this book, and the series it is a part of, holds up very well.

>106 rocketjk: I know I have recommended The Real James Herriot: A Memoir of My Father by James Wight on LT but I can't remember if it was to you. Well, if I haven't I recommend you read this. One of my favorite books.

I'm reading Epic Wanderer: David Thompson and the Mapping of the Canadian West by D'Arcy Jenish.

I've now started Madame Curie, the classic biography by Marie Curie's daughter Eve.

>109 rocketjk: I have read a book on Curie, I think it was this one. She was very interesting person.

>110 JulieLill: Yes, very interesting, indeed. I think that the biography of her by her daughter is the most famous one, so most likely that is the one you read.

Started The Lady and Her Monsters by Roseanne Montillo.

I'm reading The Girl's Guide to Homelessness by Brianna Karp.

I'm reading Elephant Company so slowly that I returned the library book and bought my own copy. Billy Williams is a person to spend time with.

>114 2wonderY: That book looks interesting!

I tore quickly through the short but very moving My Folks Don't Want Me to Talk About Slavery: Twenty-One Oral Histories of Former North Carolina Slaves edited by Belinda Hurmence.

The Lady And Her Monsters: Real-Life Frankensteins and How Mary Shelley’s Masterpiece Came to Life
by Roseanne Montillo
4/5 stars
This was a very interesting book and it covers a multitude of topics surrounding Mary Shelley's life and her famous book Frankenstein including grave stealing, re-animation of tissue, medicine, literature and the social mores during the time period. The author even covers the strange story of what happened to the BBC's Alastair Cooke's remains.

I'm reading Evita: The Life of Eva Peron by Jill Hedges.

I recently finished Washington and his Generals by Joel T. Headley. The book was published in 1875 and contains short biographies on every man who served as a general in the Continental Army. The chapters are of varying lengths and mostly cover each man's war service, but they also offer quick surveys of each person's early life and time after the revolution as well. My copy is a first edition, so it's 142 years old!

I'm reading Augustus by Anthony Everitt. It's very lively. I'm kind of surprised at what a military screw-up Octavian/ Augustus was when he was young. He has to be rescued after his plans go awry which they do with worrying regularity. It's an excellent biography!

I recently finished Fight in the Fields about Cesar Chavez and the farmworkers movement. Very good read; I learned a lot about Chavez, (as well as others close to him including Dolores Huerta), his motivations, and the movement in general. Recommended.

I read and am leading a book discussion next week on Born A Crime and autobiography of Trevor Noah. He is absolutely evidence that environment is not the only vital factor in a child's development. His environment was horrific.

I've stated Secrets of the Flesh: A Life of Colette by Judith Thurman.

Emily Hahn is amazing!

....and I just replied to a 2016 comment, go me.

>119 rocketjk: wow! I was impressed with my boots from the late 19th century. Was it good reading?

>125 MDGentleReader: It was interesting reading and a lot of fun in many respects. My full descriptions is on my 2017 50-Book Challenge thread. The direct link to that particular post is here: https://www.librarything.com/topic/245926#6290614

I love memoirs and biographies. I just read Kinsey and Me, by the late Sue Grafton, which has two autobiographical essays about her upbringing/writing, and a series of very autobiographical short stories about her mother. I also read Prairie Fires, the dual biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder and her daughter Rose Wilder Lane, Wilder's annotated autobiography Pioneer Girl, and I loved the Letters of Sylvia Plath (vol 1) published earlier this year.

I'm listening to Carol Burnett read In Such Good Company.

I'm STILL reading The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant. It's a door-stop, yet his Civil War history is at very high level. Battles are treated with brevity. It's keeping me running off to Wikipedia.

This year I read (and finally recently reviewed) Art Garfunkel's book What is it now but luminous? . An utterly unique work; not sure if I'd call it a memoir or not? It's interspersed, spoken word, poetry, reminisce, a quote here, a one line chapter there. Brilliant stuff; a true thinker.

Footsteps in the Snow
by Charles Lachman
5/5 stars
Fascinating true life tale about Maria Ridulph, a 7 year old girl from Sycamore, Illinois who went missing and was later found murdered in 1957 and the trial of John Tessier (aka John McCullough) who was the last to have seen her. The trial took place 55 years after her death. Lachman does a wonderful job relating the case and the trial.