By Christen A. Johnson
Chicago Tribune
For some strange reason, we common folk love getting an inside scoop on the lives of the rich and famous. For reasons even stranger, some celebrities often quench our desire to know the ins and outs of their lives by baring all in memoirs, and giving details on all the parts of their lives they want us to know. Here are five celebrity memoirs that are sure to make you laugh, cry, think and be inspired.
“The Last Black Unicorn”
By Tiffany Haddish
Gallery, 288 pages, $26
Turning the pages in this comedian’s debut memoir is like leaning in during a juicy brunch session with one of your closest girlfriends who is giving spare-no-detail recaps of her jaw-dropping, eye-bugging escapades. She unashamedly takes us through the nuances of her upbringing and familial woes, early talents and interests, former love life and sexual encounters, and her meteoric rise in the comedy industry and Hollywood.
“Room to Dream”
By David Lynch and Kristine McKenna
Random House, 592 pages, $32
This memoir-biography hybrid takes a deep dive into the personal and creative life of artistic visionary David Lynch. Lynch offers insight into some of his biggest projects and the struggles he experienced in bringing them to life. Interviews with his colleagues, family members, actors and even ex-wives shed light on the intricacies of the artist’s life.
“The Seasons of My Mother: A Memoir of Love, Family, and Flowers”
By Marcia Gay Harden
Atria, 336 pages, $26
Academy Award-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden bares her heart in this memoir as she details a wrenching mother-daughter relationship. Harden offers a biography of her mother, Beverly, and an account of how Alzheimer’s disease has affected their lives. Using one of her mother’s passions — the ancient art of Japanese flower arranging, ikebana — as a muse, Harden describes the seasons of her mother’s life and their parallels to her own.
“Creative Quest”
By Questlove
Ecco, 288 pages, $27.99
If you’re itching to know how to live a creative life of abundance, Questlove of the Roots has provided you with a how-to guide, all supplemented by his own life experiences and anecdotes. The musician and producer touches on keys, such as finding a mentor and learning how to deal with critics and even fame. Whether you’ve been following Questlove since the genesis of his career or just recently saw him drumming on “The Tonight Show,” there’s something of use in this guide for everyone.
“Brave”
By Rose McGowan
HarperOne, 272 pages, $27.99
In his review of “Brave,” Chicago Tribune film critic Michael Phillips calls McGowan’s memoir “rough around the edges and rough at its core,” as it is “a serrated, up-and-down (in every way) account of a lifetime feeling, as she says, ‘hunted and objectified.’” From detailing her alleged sexual assault encounter with Harvey Weinstein to recalling her upbringing in a polygamous cult, McGowan’s memoir is a raw call to action for the #MeToo movement.
