Biographies for Book Club

I am a part of two book clubs. One is an online book club and we all read the same book each month and then have some online chat about our thoughts on the book. The second is an in person book club where we meet up once a month and discuss a theme. The theme for May was our favourite biography.

Because of this theme, I put out a post on my social media and asked Matilda’s Room followers what their favourite biography is. I received many amazing responses, which I thought I would share with the world … well, my subscribers.

Before you come at me, we didn’t have rules about what a biography was/is – so some of these may not fall within some dictionary definition. I guess we could say that our definition is a biography, an autobiography or a non-fiction book based around a persons’ life. We don’t need to get pedantic on it…

In no particular order, here are some biographies to look into.

• Becoming by Michelle Obama. This was my pick. After much discussion, our book club came to the conclusion that the reason we choose these books was largely because we read them at a significant moment in our lives, and the book stayed with us more for what was going on in our life at the time, and not necessarily because of the book (sorry Michelle). This book is sitting at 4.48 on Good Reads so maybe there were a lot of people who decided to end their law career that year (just me? Oh ok.. )

• The biography that was recommended the most through my social media post, would you believe, was Open by Andre Agassi. Now, I have not read this book myself, but the masses can’t be wrong. This is also one of our book club members recommendations too. Multiple endorsements by many sources. I have this in my to read pile, so I will report back. This is currently sitting at 4.29 on Good Reads. Can’t go wrong! Another “sports” biography that received a mention is Straight Up by Ruby Tui. This is also on my list to read. I haven’t heard a bad thing about this book, so I feel confident to endorse this without having read it.

• Another common theme that came up was biographies by musicians. Books specifically named were Me by Elton John, Scar Tissue by Anthony Kiedis, Slash (by Slash), NoFX Hepatitis Bathtub, the Storyteller by Dave Grohl, the Heroin Diaries by Nikki Six, and The Dirt by Motley Crue. Clearly I am not particularly cool, as I have not read any of these. Again, these are all highly rated on Good Reads. As a result of this social media post asking for recommendations, I have started listening to the Storyteller by Dave Grohl (audiobook) and I am LOVING it. I am halfway through, but I definitely feel my coolness increasing. Another book which I will include in the music category is Will by Will Smith. A couple of us in book club really enjoyed this one – for different reasons. It isn’t a book I would ordinarily read as I tend to read books by and about women, but I did read this last year and I really enjoyed it. You might too? It was written before “the slap” though if you were looking for some tea to be spilled.

• Other books recommended were the Bookseller at the End of the World by Ruth Shaw. I have read this one, and I absolutely loved it. A definite five stars from me. This book actually helped to inspire me to start the book selling side of Matilda’s Room. After reading this, I said to Mr Matilda, one day I want to start a book store where I can recommend books to people. The more I thought about it, the more I thought – why put off my dream, and away we went! Ruth Shaw is a New Zealand author as well – go out and grab this one. Buy it if you can. Same applies to Straight Up to Ruby Tui.

• More recommendations received, coincidentally all by strong women – Educated by Tara Westover (agree), Wild by Cheryl Strayed (yes!), anything by Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling, and I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy (agree – about the book not about my mother – she is well and truly alive and I am glad about that).

• Finally, I also received an endorsement for Grand: Becoming My Mothers Daughter by Noelle McCarthy. This has recently won the Best First Book in the General Non Fiction category of the New Zealand Book Awards for 2023 - that is a mouthful. I read Grand this month and I loved it, so I can wholeheartedly endorse this endorsement. I couldn’t put it down. It might be even more fascinating for those who remember McCarthy from her broadcasting days. I am far too young, and/or was listening to another radio station. (Obviously ones featuring rock n roll – see above). Cool, cool.  Please go out and buy this book, because life is too short to read bad books!

Thank you to my book club for letting me talk about you, even though you haven’t given me permission; and to all of the people who responded to my post. You have helped add to my ever growing TBR