It’s been a while since I have participated in the activities of the Bloggers’ Alliance of Nonfiction Devotees. This seems like a good time, as I’ve been having trouble writing my next book review post.
Kim over at Sophisticated Dorkiness is the host for the BAND question of the month which is: What is one type of nonfiction you dislike and why? And, as an extra challenge (if you choose to accept it), ask your readers to recommend a book to try!
I don’t read much in the way of biographies at all, but one type that I just don’t have the taste for is the entertainer biography/memoir. I can’t say that I actively dislike them; I just don’t see them as worth my time. I do have favorite musicians and actors and filmmakers, but I have a limited curiosity about their lives. I might read a brief bio, but I don’t really see myself reading a whole book about a musician or actor (or director, or dancer, or artist). I feel like those books are for die-hard fans of that person, and I’m usually a die-hard fan of the works rather than their creators.
Memoirs of entertainers particularly make me wary. I suspect rampant name-dropping and the whiff of the ghost-writer.
But I’m willing to consider recommendations. I could see myself being interested in an entertainer biography if the author did a good job with context: what were the places and times like during that person’s career? I could see myself being interested if it’s a biography that would be interesting even if one had little acquaintance with that person’s work.
So have at it in the comments.
A Good Stopping Point 
I have to agree for the most part. The one exception are the more historical books. I get a kick out the “golden age” of films and the people involved in them. So, my recommendation is Me: Stories of My Life by Katharine Hepburn. Her writing voice is exactly like her speaking one.
I was in a book club at my last workplace and people strongly recommended “The moon’s a balloon” (autobiography) by David Niven – I didn’t think this would be my sort of thing at all but I think the pace and interest levels were perfect for an introduction to this era. I was also told that it was a lovely audiobook. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Niven
Not an entertainer, but Nine Lives by William Dalrymple is also stunning – each chapter is about a religious devotee and it’s a wonderful journey through India with fascinating small insights into people’s lives. I was transfixed – favourite book of the year so far.
http://www.williamdalrymple.uk.com/pages/
I don’t really read entertainer biographies either — I’m afraid they’d ruin my view of a person. I do try to read a presidential biography a year, and the best one I’ve read so far is The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt — it’s a long book, but a fascinating overview of Teddy’s life from birth to his presidency. I also read a good biography a couple years ago on Ernie Pyle, a WWII journalist who is buried down-island from where I live.
You mean you didn’t love the Dylan biography we read at Messiah?!
I treat entertainer bios like book-length issues of People Magazine. Junky and gossipy but sometimes fun. I hate two types of non-fiction equally: self-help and “of the moment” political books, especially the ones that are “written” by candidates running for something.
You’re the second person who said celebrity memoir, funny! I’m not such a fan of them either, but I did really love Mindy Kaling’s recent book, and I want to read Tina Fey’s book, so I might not be as against them as I thought.
yeah I agree. I have no interest in their lives, I’m listening/watching their music/film not learning about what they had for dinner last Friday.
Though I haven’t read it myself, one that I have added to my own TBR list (and I think it’s the only one on there!) is Portia de Rossi’s Unbearable Lightness; an employee at my favourite local indie (whose taste is somewhat similar to mine and runs counter to celebrity memoirs most, if not all, of the time) recommended it as stand-out — even if not perfectly written. I’m curious…
Joy – Yeah, I could see myself making an exception for entertainers from the older film eras. But then, I might feel like I should do homework: watch more of that person’s films or listen more of their songs in order to be “prepared” to read a book about them.
Menai – I actually have Dalrymple’s book City of Djinn’s on my to-read list.
Jason – I have a book by Ernie Pyle around someplace. I think it’s This Is Your War, but I haven’t read it yet. Now, him I wouldn’t mind reading about.
Scott – I don’t even remember reading a biography about Dylan!!
Thomas – Ugh, yeah I’ve never read a politician’s campaigning books, er, memoirs. As far as self-help, sometimes they can be helpful. I have a book about acne that has been very helpful to me. But the latest weird diet or money-making or guide to happiness book is not really my thing either.
Kim – See I have been intrigued by both the books you mention. I think it is because Kaling and Fey are comedians.
A Damned Conjuror – What I fear most from biographies (of any person) is a dreary play-by-play of everything that happened to this person.
Buried in Print – I looked up a summary of de Rossi’s book after reading your comment. I liked her in Arrested Development so it makes me sad to know she has been so sick with an eating disorder. I’m not sure I want to read the book though.