My Top 4
Southern Celebrity Women's Memoirs
One of my favorite genres is memoirs, and biographies. As I've mentioned several times, I love reading about people. I love hearing their stories. People fascinate and intrigue me.
Especially, good, old-fashion southern women. They truly are a whole special breed. They will make you laugh, scold you, pray for you, give you their last biscuit, pour you a cup, and bless your heart all in the same day.
For me, there is a great respect and comfort for those people. It's almost like a sure thing. They've always been that way, and probably always will.
These 4 memoirs I have chosen, in no particular order, are a few of my favorites.
(Don't come at me. Loretta will get a whole post of her own!)
She's A 1 at the top, top of my favorites.
I was raised listening to Dolly. I would bet, I knew lyrics to whole songs of hers, before I could recite my address and phone number. Yes, Jolene, Coat of Many Colors, and 9 to 5 are still some of my favorites.
In this book, Dolly takes you through the stages of her life, through lyrics. She tells how so many of the songs she has written came to be.
{Jolene has two parts. First, the name came from a little girl (fan) asking for an autograph. Dolly asked her name, and she replied, "Jolene". Apparently, Dolly didn't want to forget it, so she claims to have repeated it over and over until she could write it down. Jolene, Jolene, Jolene...
The story of the song, is about a red-headed woman at the bank who seemed to have a serious crush on Dolly's new husband.}
The book is full of these stories and so much more.
I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook edition, and I'm so glad I did. Dolly does the narration, so it truly is like sitting around listening to her tell you all her stories.
Reese quotes her grandmother, Dorthea "A combination of beauty and strength made Southern women "Whiskey in a teacup." We may be delicate and ornamental, on the outside, she said, but inside, we're strong and fiery."
From the beginning of this book, you'll see how Reese truly embraces her roots.
She talks about her love of wallpaper, her collection of handmade quilts, and even her flea market frog soap dish she displays.
Each one of these, to me, says southern home.
Would you agree?
There are also a few recipes in the physical book.
This one I also had the audiobook, and again I feel the author being the narrator created a wonderful experience to hearing the story.
Sissy Spacek will forever be "Coal Miner's Daughter, Loretta Lynn" to me. That is where my love for her began. Through the years I've come to admire her and enjoy so many more of her roles, in films such as, Carrie, The Straight Story, and The Help.
Her book covers everything from growing up in rural Texas, to going to New York as a seventeen-year old with two guitars on her back, off to California, and finally to Virginia with her husband and daughters. She has been East, West, North, and South.
This book, for me, shows no matter how small you feel, or how ordinary; you can achieve big dreams and still be you.
As a teen, I remember watching Grace Under Fire. I loved her 'take no crap' attitude, and her nurturing love through all the struggles. She was hilarious, and always seemed so real to me. I had no idea how much her character had in common with her real life. Born in Alabama, and moving at least two more times by early childhood, she not only grew up around alcoholism, abuse, and mental health issues, sadly she began repeating the cycle. Her book takes you through all of it in true Brett fashion. She's never been one to sugar coat things, and she keeps true to that. This was one of those that you have to say "I loved it, but it was so sad." kind of books.
Writing this review has made me want to go back and re-read these. Ah, but which one first?
Have you read any of these or looking forward to? Leave me a comment.
The reviews may be short, but I do recommend all four of these.
I'm trying to get back into writing and blogging. I hope you'll watch for more to come.
You can always go back and read some of my older reviews and recommendations also.
Happy Reading!
I don’t read too many memoirs, but you’re making me want to add these to my list.
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