Great Biographies & Memoirs

 Home A Memoir of My Early Years by Julie Andrews If you’re a fan of musicals and Julie Andrews like I do, you will enjoy “Home A Memoir of My Early Years,” by Julie Andrews. It’s been a while since I read it but I remember loving it. Julie talks about her early life before she became famous, her difficult childhood and how she slowly became famous over time. Julie was Eliza DoLittle in the West End and Broadway play of My Fair Lady and years after the movie version came out Audrey Hepburn told Julie that Julie should have been the one to play the part but she didn’t have the guts to say it at the time  they were filming. The novel stops at the end where Julie Andrews meets with Walt Disney and his wife Lillian. A fact many people don’t know is he waited till after Julie had her baby so they could start filming Mary Poppins. We know the story of the author P.L. Travers loathing the finished product of Mary Poppins based on her novels. Julie also spoke about meeting her once but never reading the Mary Poppins novel. Travers told Andrews she did have the right nose for Mary Poppins that was the only compliment Julie would get from Travers. I can’t wait to read her sequel novel, “Home Work A Memoir of My Hollywood Years.”

Part of My World by Jodi Benson “Part of My World,” by Jodi Benson is definitely for Disney fans as we all know she voiced Ariel the Little Mermaid and Barbie in Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3 as well as many others. Jodi speaks about her life on Broadway and how a show of hers didn’t work out which eventually led her to be the famous voice actress she is now. We also read about her devotion to Jesus and her highs and lows. While it’s a little repetitive here and there, it’s an enjoyable read, especially for those who love Disney and Christian inspiration. Christian books can either end up being really good or very cringe and Jodi’s book is in the good category. Fun fact is Jodi and Paige O Hara the voice of Belle in Beauty and the Beast are best friends in real life. I was lucky enough to get an early copy through Netgalley and reviewed it back in May. The novel comes out September 13^th which is only a month away. Pre-order now.

Bookends by Zibby Owens “Bookends,” by Zibby Owens is a memoir about her life how she dealt with the ups and downs in life especially losing her friends.  Zibby also had her podcast, and being a writer herself. I can relate to Zibby because we are women who understand the importance of books not just how they entertain us but also change us and how we relate to characters authors create. We are both very ambitious women with our goals, her with her writing, and podcast and me with my blog and possibly writing my own stories. I do have ideas written down. Thank you Zibby for writing this book for all of us who love books.

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier “A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier,” is an autobiography written by Ishmael Beah about his time as a child solder in Sierra Leone. It’s unfortunately not a unique story as many children in Africa and in some Middle Eastern countries are trained to use a gun and kill. I am glad Ishmael was able to get out of the country after speaking at a United Nations Event. It’s a book everyone should read and help us all realize how fortunate we never had to grow up like this.

Tokyo Vice An American Reporter on The Police Beat in Japan by Jake Adelstein

“Tokyo Vice An American Reporter on The Police Beat in Japan,” by Jake Adelstein is his firsthand account of him being a crime reporter in Japan. I had to read the book to see how it differs from the HBO Max show. Also I’m a curious cat what can I say? Jake investigated the Yakuza, the Lucie Blackman murder, sex trafficking and it was also interesting seeing how the police and the justice system in Japan is different compared to the US. I also did a review of his book. I recently did a Q&A with Jake which was so much fun. I can’t wait to read his next book “Tokyo Private Eye,” when it comes out.