Difference between Memoir and Biography
memoirs are very personal in nature; biographies are more formal
the terms are often used interchangeably
Popular Authors:
- David McCullough
- Andrew Morton
- Kitty Kelly
- Alison Weir
Biography is the most popular area of the nonfiction collection
In recent years, many biographies aren't being classified as Biography in OPPL's collection (i.e. entertainers, sports figures). They are being picked up by the Nonfiction Biography and Memoir breakout collection.
I would recommend reading "Memoir: A History" by Ben Yagoda. He explains the differences between memoir and autobiography. Autobiography - you actually did a little research on your own life or confirmed details from your contemporarily-written diaries. Memoir - this is just how you remember things. If Augustin Burroughs remembers his life this way, it doesn't matter if it is actually true or not because it's only HIS truth (memory) that is being reported.
ReplyDeleteIf you read often in this genre, this is a good, short book to help you understand it.
Title: Manhood for Amateurs
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Chabon, Michael
Brief Summary: Michael Chabon's collection of insightful, exquisitely written collection of essays on aspects of being a husband, father, and son.
Thoughts on Appeal: There are many different ways to be a man and Pulitzer prize winner Chabon sees himself as a failure (not a bad thing) and an amateur, in the good sense of the word. As complex and enjoyable as his novels- highly recommended. Very quotable!
Who I Would Recommend This To: Chabon fans, toung men coming of age, etc.
Title: Blackbeard
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Konstam, Angus
Brief Summary: Although described as a history of Blackbeard it's more of a general review of piracy.
Thoughts on Appeal: 3 stars. Interesting enough to get me thinking, although too little true history exists about Blackbeard for there to be a non-speculative biography written. Lots of the reasons I don't generally like nonfiction were prevalent here- dry presentation of "facts" (much was simply speculated), vocabulary I don't know and isn't explained, boring sections.
Who I Would Recommend This To: Nautical enthusiasts, those interested in commerce trade.
Title: Queen Isabella: Treachery, Adultery, and Murder in Medieval England.
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Weir, Alison
Brief Summary: This is a story of Isabella of France, who marries bisexual Edward II of England at age 12 in medieval England. 17 years later, she escapes to France and then returns with her lover, Roger Mortimer, an exiled English traitor, to depose her husband. She places her son, Edward III on the throne. Her lover, Mortimer, is executed by her son.
Thoughts on Appeal: Queen Isabella is a character-driven, slow paced biography. Readers feel sympathy for her, despite the fact that she was labeled as the "She-Wolf of France" by some critics. One historical fact is not accurate (i.e. the way King Edward II died). Overall, I enjoyed learning more about Queen Isabella's life.
Who I Would Recommend This To: I would recommend this to those who are interested in English and French history.
Title: Shakespeare: The World as Stage
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Bryson, Bill
Brief Summary: The real story of Shakespeare tries to leave out the conjecture and inject some humor, leaving a tight, 200-page overview of the bard as we know him.
Thoughts on Appeal: Bryson rattles off the trivia in a lightning quick style, which is fun but left me wanting more in a few spots. Since so much is dedicated to what we DON'T know about Shakespeare, it can be a strange read.
Who Would I Recommend This To: Topical nonfiction browsers, Bryson fans, audiobook lovers.
Title: Zeitoun
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Eggers, Dave
Brief Summary: Meet Zeitoun, a well-respected builder in New Orleans. Lovely family. Katrina hits, the flood builds, he sends his family away and saves people with the use of an aluminum canoe. Arrested for looting, he's considered Taliban and broken by Blackwater, National Guard, and the cops.
Thoughts on Appeal: The best in narrative nonfiction, Zeitoun, crystallizes Hurricane Katrina's aftermath and post 9/11 America in 2 ways, that is both profound and highly relatable. This will be assigned to high schools.
Who Would I Recommend This To: ANYONE
Title: Ghosty Men
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Lidz, Franz
Brief Summary: A most compact biography of Homer and Langley Collyer, NYC's greatest hoarders. These brothers spent more than half their lives in the family brownstone, all the while collecting everything from pianos to discarded newspapers. The Collyer Bros. saga alternates with the author's uncle Arthur, who also managed to amass dumpster upon dumpster of urban treasures.
Thoughts on Appeal: Although both brothers were educated, one a lawyer, one an engineer, they began to withdraw from daily life until they lost all contact with family, employers, or neighbors. Because of their unique neighborhood standing, a local reporter brought to light the story of their decline in the NYC press. She dubbed them "The Hermits of Harlem".
Who I Would Recommend This To: This unusual biography captures and holds the attention of any reader who loves a train wreck. The fact that they eventually pulled out 140 tons of trash from their home does boggle your mind.
Title: The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Egan, Timothy
Brief Summary: Follows the lives of people who stayed in the Southern Plains and tried to survive the Dust Bowl years. Also explains the contributing causes of the Dust Bowl and efforts to reverse the effects.
Thoughts on Appeal: The writing is engaging- I would seek out other titles by this author. I learned so much about the Dust Bowl that I had never been aware of before. Told interesting stories about many people but I'm not sure why it was on a biography list-- more of a history.
Who I Would Recommend This To: Anyone interested in 20th century American history, particularly little-known or under-explored aspects.
Title: The Woman Behind the New Deal
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Downey, Kirstin
Brief Summary: Life of Frances Perkins, first woman Cabinet secretary- Dept. of Labor- who pushed FDR on New Deal legislation and was responsible for Social Security, and also wage, and hour laws.
Thoughts on Appeal: She accomplished a lot and is worth reading about. Interesting topic may overcome quirks in the book itself. Where are the editors??
Who I Would Recommend This To: People interested in current health care debate, feminist history, FDR, labor history.
Title: With Dance Shoes in Siberian Snows
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Kalniete, Sandra
Brief Summary: This is the unknown history ofthe genocide of the Latvian (also the other Baltic peoples) people committed by the Russian government. In one night alone, in 1949, 43,000 people were deported in 4,437 cattle cars. Families were separated. Babies died en route to Siberia. Another huge deportation took place in 1941.
Thoughts on Appeal: Harrowing reading. Kalniete's mother was shipped off with her dancing shoes at age 15. In order to survive, people were forced to become like animals, starvation, disease, and hard labor.
Who I Would Recommend This To: Any person interested in European history, especially World War II. Obligatory reading for all.
Title: Life list: A Woman's Quest For the World's Most Amazing Birds
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Gentile, Olivia
Brief Summary: Phoebe Snetsinger, modern housewife had found the hobby of birdwatching as a way to escape from her suburban life. In 1981, diagnosed with terminal cancer , she pursued the hobby of with renewed ferocity, accruing over 8,400 species.
Thoughts on Appeal: This book will appeal to both birders and non-birders alike. Gives a detailed portrait of life as a housewife in the post-modern era.
Who I Would Recommend This To: Birders, women, cancer survivors. Anyone that has a passion for something and will do almost anything to feed it.
Title: What Dreams May Come
ReplyDeleteAuthors: Kenyon, Sherrilyn + York, Rebecca + Owens, Robin D.
Brief Summary: A trio of books: Rebecca York, Shattered Dreams. Robin D. Owen, Road of Adventure. Sherrilyn Kenyon, Knightly Dreams- sophisticated story about writing, absolute wish fulfillment. Bad day for Taryn; boyfriend's cheating with her secretary, car breaks down, enters Magic bookstore, given special book. Sparhawk the Brave jumps off the cover and into her bed.
Thoughts on Appeal: Dirty, but not gratuitously so, masterfully crafted. Extremely sophisticated. This author has a huge fanbase, tons of books in the Dark... series, a website with all of her dark romance characters, a convention.
Who I Would Recommend This To: Fans of romance, horror/SF/Fantasy, Twilight crossover.