The two best celebrity autobiographies I've read are Kurt Browning's ("Forcing The Edge") and Anthony Rapp's ("Without You: A Memoir of Love, Loss and The Musical Rent"). I re-read those all the time.
I really cant see the fasination with these celebrity books,i mean wayne rooney and michael owen etc etc..
"uhh went to school,played football,got quite good at it ..uhh and the rest is well,quite boring".
I think that most people with any literary sense would stay well clear of these so called books,isn`t it more interesting to read about everyday man on the street who has had an extraordinary life and experiences?
I usually hate celebrity autobiographies, particularly those written by people under 30 or by people who have some pathetic claim to fame and regularly appear in "Now" or "OK".
The only autobiog I've read is Andre Agassi's, and I thought it was brilliant, a riveting and thoroughly interesting insight into the surreal life of a tennis player. As a tennis fan, it was enthralling.
Just finished reading I am Ozzy, by Ozzy Osbourne. Fantastic, just couldn't put it down, and i have read many autobiogs. Laughed out loud at some of the things he says. I highly recommend it, a brilliant read.
Both Sharon Osbourne ones
Richard Hammond
David Essex
Donny Osmond
David Cassidy
Tony Hadley
Martin Kemp
Robbie Williams
Brenda Blethyn
Peter Kay - that had me laughing out loud
David Ginola
Kevin Keegan
Lee Sharpe
James Martin
Tina Turner
John Barrowman
Richard and Judy
Martine McCutcheon
Barbara Windsor
John Barnes
Sally Gunnell
Denice Lewis
and have the following on my bookshelf waiting to be read
Julie Walters, Dawn French
More to be added to my list
Sheila Hancock
John Thaw
Marco Pierre White
Chris Evans
Jo Brand
Both Jade Goody ones:o
Kerry Katona:o
Gary Barlow
Colin Jackson
John McEnroe
At the moment, I'm reading 'The Gospel According to Chris Moyles'. It's quite good. I didn't realise he had written anything til I saw it in a charity shop the other day.
My favourite of all is Roy Keane's, his was one of the first I read, really let you know how he became the player and person that he was/is, his values and determination to succeed. For light reading I was surprised to discover I really enjoyed Patsy Palmer's, how she battled her problems, it seemed very honest for a younger person's story. Along the same lines was Craig Revel Horwood's, which had plenty of challenging and interesting moments in it but also delivered in the 'celeb' department with plenty of "Strictly" gossip towards the end.
On the downside (unpopular maybe, but) the worst I've read was Chris Moyles, I found it really heavy going. Julie Walters and Dawn French's were two that I was really looking forward to coming out but both disappointed me in the end. With Dawn French I didnt really take to the 'letters' style of writing at all, which was a shame because I did enjoy her story. But Julie Walters' I found a bit 'samey' after about half way and struggled to finish it off.
Can't believe I forgot one of, if not the best I've read - Marcus Trescothick "Coming back to me". I do like cricket, and I think if you don't it would probably be too heavy going (Cricketers can't resist chucking their stats in, fair enough I suppose! ), but the central theme of his struggle with depression is totally engaging, honest and brilliantly written.
John Barrowman (Both)
Alan Carr
Paul O'Grady
Jonathan Ross
Dawn French
Roberta Taylor
Richard Hammond
Torvill and Dean
Patrick Swayze
Ant n Dec
Shane Richie
Girls Aloud:o
Bon Jovi
Chris Moyles
Bobby Robson
Michael Owen
Paul Gascoigne
Sharon Osbourne
Richard Branson
Steven Gerrard
Barack Obama
Jimmy Nail
Alan Shearer
Want to read:
Ronnie O'Sullivan
Elisabeth Sladen
Jo Brand
Stephen Fry
Katie Price
Doris Day
Sharon Osbourne
Ricky Tomlinson
Steven Gerrard
Ant and Dec
David Beckham
Peter Kay
Alan Carr
Jenna Jameson
Robbie Fowler
Craig Phillips
Jeremy Kyle
Paul O'Grady
Girls Aloud
I've read a lot more than that but I can't remember all of them, I've read quite a few wrestling autobios as well. I've also got a few 'to read' as well in my never ending to read pile of books.
Westlife - 'Our Story'
Shane Lynch - 'The Chancer'
Ant and Dec - 'Ooh! What A Lovely Pair'
I have signed copies of the first two, I love them. Westlife's is good, but I think they've updated it since I bought it.
Shane Lynch's I liked the first half but not so much the second half. But that's probably just a personal thing.
I think I've posted in this thread before, but I still think Paul Gascoigne's are probably the most interesting of the autobiographies I've read. I found Gary Barlow's strangely interesting as well - I liked him anyway, but I wasn't expecting to enjoy his book as much as I did.
Comments
The two best celebrity autobiographies I've read are Kurt Browning's ("Forcing The Edge") and Anthony Rapp's ("Without You: A Memoir of Love, Loss and The Musical Rent"). I re-read those all the time.
"uhh went to school,played football,got quite good at it ..uhh and the rest is well,quite boring".
I think that most people with any literary sense would stay well clear of these so called books,isn`t it more interesting to read about everyday man on the street who has had an extraordinary life and experiences?
The only autobiog I've read is Andre Agassi's, and I thought it was brilliant, a riveting and thoroughly interesting insight into the surreal life of a tennis player. As a tennis fan, it was enthralling.
Lucky Man - Michael J Fox.
It's one of only a few books that I recommend to mates. I just wish there was a follow up.
I thought there was? I'm sure he'd released a second part recently.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Always-Looking-Up-Michael-Fox/dp/0091922674
More to be added to my list
Sheila Hancock
John Thaw
Marco Pierre White
Chris Evans
Jo Brand
Both Jade Goody ones:o
Kerry Katona:o
Gary Barlow
Colin Jackson
John McEnroe
to be read -
David Beckham
Len Goodman
Michael Parkinson
Paul O'Grady
Peter Kay
Brill, thats getting ordered today. It's been a while since I checked online. Thanks!
No probs! I was waiting for it too (Lucky Man is wonderful) and couldn't remember when it was out in paperback. I'll get it ordered too.
and beverley callard
They weren't high literature, although I have read both more than once. They're alright if you like them
On the downside (unpopular maybe, but) the worst I've read was Chris Moyles, I found it really heavy going. Julie Walters and Dawn French's were two that I was really looking forward to coming out but both disappointed me in the end. With Dawn French I didnt really take to the 'letters' style of writing at all, which was a shame because I did enjoy her story. But Julie Walters' I found a bit 'samey' after about half way and struggled to finish it off.
Johnnie Walker. (Loved it, particularly the parts about pirate radio).
John Peel - sadly, John died mid-way and his wife finished the book. (Loved it, great pity John wasn't around to tell all his story in his own words).
Roger Moore. (Loved it, Roger is a great storyteller and a gentleman).
Tom Courtenay. (Enjoyed it until it came to the letters he and his Mother exchanged, they were too dull).
Alex James. (Read it because I like Blur, but he came across as a bit of an idiot).
Sharon Osbourne. (Some of her tales I didn't believe, but it was interesting because of her background and the rock music connections).
Have just started Paul O'Grady's book. Very pleasant so far.
Barry Norman's "And Why Not?" was very well written and had some amusing stories in it.
Anne Robinson's one was I suppose interesting because it dealt with her alcoholism and her marriage breakdown.
John Barrowman
Simon Cowell
Robbie Williams
Dawn French
Chris Moyles
Loads more but can't remember obviously nothing to write home about
The most fascinating book is of a dead celebrity....Edith Piaf- incredible life
Alan Carr
Paul O'Grady
Jonathan Ross
Dawn French
Roberta Taylor
Richard Hammond
Torvill and Dean
Patrick Swayze
Ant n Dec
Shane Richie
Girls Aloud:o
Bon Jovi
Chris Moyles
Bobby Robson
Michael Owen
Paul Gascoigne
Sharon Osbourne
Richard Branson
Steven Gerrard
Barack Obama
Jimmy Nail
Alan Shearer
Want to read:
Ronnie O'Sullivan
Elisabeth Sladen
Jo Brand
Stephen Fry
I need to get out more :rolleyes:
Westlife - 'Our Story'
Shane Lynch - 'The Chancer'
Ant and Dec - 'Ooh! What A Lovely Pair'
Doris Day
Sharon Osbourne
Ricky Tomlinson
Steven Gerrard
Ant and Dec
David Beckham
Peter Kay
Alan Carr
Jenna Jameson
Robbie Fowler
Craig Phillips
Jeremy Kyle
Paul O'Grady
Girls Aloud
I've read a lot more than that but I can't remember all of them, I've read quite a few wrestling autobios as well. I've also got a few 'to read' as well in my never ending to read pile of books.
I have signed copies of the first two, I love them.
Shane Lynch's I liked the first half but not so much the second half. But that's probably just a personal thing.
I think I've posted in this thread before, but I still think Paul Gascoigne's are probably the most interesting of the autobiographies I've read. I found Gary Barlow's strangely interesting as well - I liked him anyway, but I wasn't expecting to enjoy his book as much as I did.