Genre Sampler

Worth-Your-Time Biographies

By Chris O'Brien, adult department assistant at Bremen Public Library

Below are some recent biographies that have caught my eye, and I think they are worth your time and attention.

If you are an “oldie but goodie,” you might be interested in one of these books about some well-recognized names of days gone by:

• I Loved Her In The Movies: Memories of Hollywood’s Legendary Actresses by Robert Wagner: Some really old memories by one of Hollywood’s most dashing heartthrobs, and all the while he remains a true gentleman!
• Some Enchanted Evenings:   The Glittering Life and Times of Mary Martin by David Kaufman: She started out playing Peter Pan. She raised J. R. Ewing. You have to read the book to find out the rest of her tale!
• The Nine of Us – Growing Up Kennedy by Jean Kennedy Smith:  Again, those of us who are a bit “older” like myself, just eat up any and all books Kennedy, especially if it’s written by one of the family! 

The next three are chock-full of grit, glitz and lots of juicy details for those interested in personalities from the music world, the movie world, and/or TV leading ladies:

• The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher:  Timely, touching, especially now!
• Talking As Fast As I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls by Lauren Graham:  Fast, fun, funny, addictive.
• River of Time: My Descent Into Depression and How I Emerged With Hope by Naomi Judd: Informative, sad, eye-opening.

Finally, maybe these three don’t all necessarily belong in the same category, so I’ll just categorize them under “Miscellany Do Not Misses.”

• Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly:  The movie based on this book is in theaters now. An amazing true story. Read the book, see the movie, for sure!
• Lab Girl by Hope Jahren:  An illuminating memoir of a woman in science. A moving portrait of a longtime friendship and a stunningly fresh look at plants that will forever change how you see the natural world! Sounds quirky, but do give it a try. You might not want to put it down!
• Settle For More by Megyn Kelly:  I read it because I was curious. Turns out, I was pleasantly surprised. Well written, moving, eye-opening, maybe even a bit inspiring, all by that blonde from Fox News! Pretty, classy, down-to-earth, and gutsy.