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Idol truth: A memoir
By Leif Garrett. 2020
Former teen idol Leif Garrett bares his soul for the first time ever, revealing his deepest secrets about the extraordinary…
highs and devastating lows he has survived over the years. He was a hardworking child actor in the early 1970s, appearing on dozens of popular films and TV programs. Then he was offered a chance to make a record and "Leif Garrett, teen idol" was born. Millions of teenage girls all over the world covered their walls with his picture. His face adorned hundreds of international magazine covers as he became one of the biggest and most desired heartthrobs in history. There were jet-setting tours, TV specials, and hit records, along with an endless supply of beautiful women, alcohol, and ultimately, the drugs that sent this shooting star into the darkest depths of addiction. Idol Truth is a harrowing survivor's story as well as a charmed tale filled with compelling pop culture characters-from Michael Jackson and Brooke Shields to John Belushi, Freddie Mercury, and many more. It's the first time ever that Leif Garrett has come clean about his life, revealing all the details of his spectacular journey
All about me!: My remarkable life in show business
By Mel Brooks. 2021
At 95, the legendary Mel Brooks continues to set the standard for comedy across television, film, and the stage. Now,…
for the first time, this EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) winner shares his story in his own words. &“Laugh-out-loud hilarious and always fascinating, from the great Mel Brooks. What else do you expect from the man who knew Jesus and dated Joan of Arc?&” —Billy Crystal For anyone who loves American comedy, the long wait is over. Here are the never-before-told, behind-the-scenes anecdotes and remembrances from a master storyteller, filmmaker, and creator of all things funny. All About Me! charts Mel Brooks&’s meteoric rise from a Depression-era kid in Brooklyn to the recipient of the National Medal of Arts. Whether serving in the United States Army in World War II, or during his burgeoning career as a teenage comedian in the Catskills, Mel was always mining his experiences for material, always looking for the perfect joke. His iconic career began with Sid Caesar&’s Your Show of Shows , where he was part of the greatest writers&’ room in history, which included Carl Reiner, Neil Simon, and Larry Gelbart. After co-creating both the mega-hit 2000 Year Old Man comedy albums and the classic television series Get Smart, Brooks&’s stellar film career took off. He would go on to write, direct, and star in The Producers, The Twelve Chairs, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, Silent Movie, High Anxiety , and Spaceballs , as well as produce groundbreaking and eclectic films, including The Elephant Man, The Fly , and My Favorite Year. Brooks then went on to conquer Broadway with his record-breaking, Tony-winning musical, The Producers. All About Me! offers fans insight into the inspiration behind the ideas for his outstanding collection of boundary-breaking work, and offers details about the many close friendships and collaborations Brooks had, including those with Sid Caesar, Carl Reiner, Gene Wilder, Madeleine Kahn, Alfred Hitchcock, and the great love of his life, Anne Bancroft. Filled with tales of struggle, achievement, and camaraderie, listeners will gain a more personal and deeper understanding of the incredible body of work behind one of the most accomplished and beloved entertainers in history
God bless this mess: Learning to live and love through life's best (and worst) moments
By Hannah Brown. 2021
"My life was a complete a mess, and God bless all of it. Because it's in the messes where we…
learn the most—as long as we slow down enough to realize what God is trying to show us." Suddenly in the spotlight, twenty-four-year-old Hannah Brown realized that she wasn't sure what she wanted. After years of competing in beauty pageants, and then starring on The Bachelorette and Dancing with the Stars, she had become incredibly visible. There she was, in her early twenties, with millions around the world examining and weighing in on her every decision. She found herself wondering what it would mean to live on her terms. What it would mean to stop seeking approval from others and decide – for the first time – what it was she wanted from her own life. An honest and earnest examination of her own mid-twenties, God Bless This Mess is a memoir that doesn't claim to have all the answers. Hannah knows she doesn't have all the answers. What she does have is the insight of someone who has spent critical years of her youth under public scrutiny. Thus what emerges is a quarter-life memoir that speaks to the set of difficulties young women face, and how to move through them with grace. By pushing against her engrained need to seek approval, and learning how to think critically about her own goals and desires, Hannah inspires others to do the same - and to embrace the messiness that comes hand-in-hand with self-discovery (even it that sometimes means falling flat on your face). Using her time on The Bachelorette as a launching pad, Hannah doesn't shy away from the most painful experiences of her life: moments when her faith was tested, when she feared it was lost, and the moments when she reclaimed it on national television. "And Jesus still loves me." Fans will be inspired by the never-before-told stories: the ones about facing depression and anxiety during her pageant years, the ways in which therapy and journaling have proven to be a saving grace, and the previously private moments – both at home and on television - that have shaped the star's outlook. Honest and emotionally urgent, God Bless This Mess is a reminder that true growth doesn't come without strife – and it's through those dark, messy moments that self-acceptance and love can bloom
I am oprah winfrey (Ordinary People Change the World)
By Brad Meltzer. 2021
Deeply influential cultural icon Oprah Winfrey is the twenty-fifth hero in this New York Times bestselling picture book biography series,…
adapted for audio. This friendly, fun biography series focuses on the traits that made our heroes great—the traits that kids can aspire to in order to live heroically themselves. Each book tells the story of an icon in a lively, conversational way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers and that always includes the hero's childhood influences. This book features critically acclaimed talk show host Oprah Winfrey, who used her struggles in childhood as motivation to become "Queen of All Media."
The wreckage of my presence: Essays
By Casey Wilson. 2021
"Magnificent." —People Magazine The instant New York Times bestseller: Laugh-out-loud, deeply insightful, and emotion-filled essays from multitalented actress, comedian, podcaster,…
and writer Casey Wilson. Casey Wilson has a lot on her mind and she isn't afraid to share. In this dazzling collection, each essay skillfully constructed and brimming with emotion, she shares her thoughts on the joys and vagaries of modern-day womanhood and motherhood, introduces the not-quite-typical family that made her who she is, and persuasively argues that lowbrow pop culture is the perfect lens through which to examine human nature. Whether she's extolling the virtues of eating in bed, processing the humiliation over her father's late in life perm, mourning her mother's passing, or revealing her patented method for keeping the mystery alive in a marriage, Casey is witty, candid, and full of poignant and funny surprises. Humorous dives into her obsessions and areas of personal expertise—self-help, nice guys, cool girls (not her) and how to receive visitors in the bath—are matched by touching meditations on female friendship, anger, grief, motherhood, and identity. Reading The Wreckage of My Presence is like spending time with a close friend—a deeply passionate, full-tilt, joyous, excessive, compulsive, shameless, hungry-for-it-all, loyal, cheerleading friend. A friend who is ready for any big feelings that come her way—and isn't afraid to embrace them
Does the noise in my head bother you?: a rock 'n' roll memoir
By Steven Tyler. 2011
Aerosmith lead singer and American Idol judge, born in 1948, reminisces about his childhood in the Bronx as the son…
of a classical pianist, early musical career, and the rise and fall of the band that made him a rock star. Strong language. Bestseller. 2011
If you ask me: (and of course you won't)
By Betty White. 2011
Eighty-nine-year-old award-winning actress from The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Golden Girls, and Hot in Cleveland comments on aging and…
friendships. Discusses her love of animals and continuing popularity, as evidenced by her hosting Saturday Night Live and starring in a Super Bowl commercial in 2010. Bestseller. 2011
Things I should have said
By Jamie Lynn Spears. 2022
In this intimate memoir, actress and singer Jamie Lynn Spears tells her unfiltered story on her own terms about being…
a child star, becoming a teen mom, the years she stepped away from the spotlight, the terrifying ATV accident that threatened her daughter's life, and discovering the most important elements of life: faith, love and family. Southern Roots will reveal the intimate details behind Jamie Lynn's highest and lowest moments. She will share never-before-heard stories that are at times funny, inspiring, messy, and uncomfortable, like: Having her mom's credit card declined at Limited Too when her sister was on the radio. What it feels like to have inspired 16 and Pregnant with your own life story. Who was there for her when she needed them and who wasn't. How she handles her crippling stage fright. Why her daughter's ATV accident caused her to reevaluate and redirect her life.And of course, why her family is just like any other family. The world met Jamie Lynn as a child star, when it was her job to perform, both on set and for the press. She spent years escaping into different characters—on All That! , Zoey 101 and even in the role of Britney's kid sister. Pretending to be other people was easy, but when she decided to start a career in music in Nashville, she realized she could no longer hide behind the characters she played, and soon the real Jamie Lynn started to take center stage – a raw, blemished, and imperfect woman, standing in her own power. Just Jamie Lynn- wife, momma, sister, daughter, actress and musician doing the best she can to show up for herself and teaching her daughters to have the courage to love every part of themselves too. Jamie Lynn, at her core, is down to Earth. She wants to use her experiences in what she calls "the family business" to help young women everywhere see the unique power and strength that comes from believing in themselves, taking risks, learning from their relationships, and embracing a not-always-so-perfect journey
Unprotected: A memoir
By Billy Porter. 2021
"This is not a coming-out story. It's not a down-low story either. I never could have passed for straight, even…
if I'd wanted to, and so I never had the dubious luxury of living a lie." From the incomparable Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award winner, a powerful and revealing autobiography about race, sexuality, art, and healing It's easy to be yourself when who and what you are is in vogue. But growing up Black and gay in America has never been easy. Before Billy Porter was slaying red carpets and giving an iconic Emmy-winning performance in the celebrated TV show Pose; before he was the groundbreaking Tony and Grammy Award–winning star of Broadway's Kinky Boots; and before he was an acclaimed recording artist, actor, playwright, director, and all-around legend, Porter was a young boy in Pittsburgh who was seen as different, who didn't fit in. At five years old, Porter was sent to therapy to "fix" his effeminacy. He was endlessly bullied at school, sexually abused by his stepfather, and criticized at his church. Porter came of age in a world where simply being himself was a constant struggle. Billy Porter's Unprotected is the life story of a singular artist and survivor in his own words. It is the story of a boy whose talent and courage opened doors for him, but only a crack. It is the story of a teenager discovering himself, learning his voice and his craft amid deep trauma. And it is the story of a young man whose unbreakable determination led him through countless hard times to where he is now; a proud icon who refuses to back down or hide. Porter is a multitalented, multifaceted treasure at the top of his game, and Unprotected is a resonant, inspirational story of trauma and healing, shot through with his singular voice
The Garner files: A Memoir
By Jon Winokur, James Garner. 2011
Actor, born James Scott Bumgarner in 1928 into a hardscrabble Oklahoma life, recounts his reluctant route to stardom. Discusses his…
television shows, including Maverick and The Rockford Files, and movies such as The Great Escape, Support Your Local Sheriff, and The Notebook. Some strong language. 2011
Apparently there were complaints: A memoir
By Sharon Gless. 2021
Emmy Award–winning actress Sharon Gless tells all in this laugh-out-loud, juicy, and touching memoir about her five decades in Hollywood,…
where she took on some of the most groundbreaking roles of her time. Anyone who has seen Sharon Gless act in Cagney & Lacey , Queer as Folk , Burn Notice , and countless other shows and movies, knows that she's someone who gives every role her all. She holds nothing back in Apparently There Were Complaints, a hilarious, deeply personal memoir that spills all about Gless's five decades in Hollywood. A fifth-generation Californian, Sharon Gless knew from a young age that she wanted to be an actress. After some rocky teenage years that included Sharon's parents' divorce and some minor (and not-so-minor) rebellion, Gless landed a coveted spot as an exclusive contract player for Universal Studios. In 1982, she stepped into the role of New York Police Detective Christine Cagney for the series Cagney & Lacey , which eventually reached an audience of 30 million weekly viewers and garnered Gless with two Emmy Awards. The show made history as the first hour-long drama to feature two women in the leading roles. Gless continued to make history long after Cagney & Lacey was over. In 2000, she took on the role of outrageous Debbie Novotny in Queer as Folk . Her portrayal of a devoted mother to a gay son and confidant to his gay friends touched countless hearts and changed the definition of family for millions of viewers. Apparently There Were Complaints delves into Gless's remarkable career and explores Gless's complicated family, her struggles with alcoholism, and her fear of romantic commitment as well as her encounters with some of Hollywood's biggest names. Brutally honest and incredibly relatable, Gless puts it all out on the page in the same way she has lived—never with moderation
Role models
By John Waters. 2010
Baltimore director of cult films Pink Flamingos and Hairspray pens essays about the people he admires, including singers Johnny Mathis…
and Little Richard, writer Tennessee Williams, former Charles Manson groupie Leslie Van Houten, gay pornographers, and bar owners. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 2010
Life itself: a memoir
By Roger Ebert. 2011
Autobiography of Roger Ebert (born 1942), a Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic who worked for the Chicago Sun-Times. Highlights his early…
newspaper days, years of alcoholism, and family life. Discusses his relationship with colleague Gene Siskel and the cancer that robbed Ebert of his ability to eat, drink, or speak. 2011
All that is bitter & sweet: a memoir
By Maryanne Vollers, Ashley Judd. 2011
Judd, a well-known actress and the sister and daughter of country-music stars, explains her international human-rights advocacy for public-health nonprofit…
Population Services International. Discusses her depressions stemming from her troubled childhood and the therapy that led to her recovery and gave her tools to use in her new career. 2011
The woman I was born to be: my story
By Susan Boyle. 2010
Susan Boyle details being catapulted into fame in 2009 at age forty-eight on television's Britain's Got Talent. Describes her audition…
and elimination, debut album, international tour, and life in her small Scottish village before and after her new career. Addresses media speculation about her appearance, mental capacity, and lifestyle. 2010
Is everyone hanging out without me? (and other concerns): (And Other Concerns)
By Mindy Kaling. 2011
Known for her role as Kelly Kapoor on television's The Office--and her Emmy-nominated writing for the show--Kaling expands on her…
blog and tweets with tidbits about sitcom life, her "normal American woman" body type, fashion faux pas, and her eleven favorite moments in comedy. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2011
Then again
By Diane Keaton. 2011
Award-winning actress Diane Keaton, from Annie Hall, reminisces about movie roles and lovers, including Woody Allen, Warren Beatty, and Al…
Pacino. Tells of becoming a single mom at fifty and discusses her own mother, who kept numerous journals before succumbing to Alzheimer's. Strong language. Bestseller. 2011
How I got this way
By Regis Philbin. 2011
Memoir of talk-show host Regis Philbin (born 1931) recalls his climb to fame, including his stint on The Joey Bishop…
Show. Shares anecdotes about famous guests and their influence on him. Highlights working with morning cohosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Kelly Ripa. Foreword by Dave Letterman. Bestseller. 2011
I was a dancer: a memoir
By Jacques D'Amboise. 2011
Memoir of American classical dancer D'Amboise, born Joseph Ahearn in 1934. Discusses his family, training, and career with the New…
York City Ballet. Highlights the evolution of dance in America and the principal dancers he worked with, including Lincoln Kirstein and George Balanchine. 2011
Wendy and the lost boys: the uncommon life of Wendy Wasserstein
By Julie Salamon. 2011
Biography of playwright Wendy Wasserstein (1950-2006), who was the first woman to win a Tony Award for playwrighting. Examines Wasserstein's…
family, experience at the Yale School of Drama with Meryl Streep and Sigourney Weaver, friendships with gay men, and career. Some strong language. 2011