An Interesting Memoir from a talented voice!
580807
In my opinion this is written smarter than most chick lit.  This is an insightful memoir from a writer who is a master at expressing herself so that the readers can discover truths about themselves because of the universal appeal and female human condition Susan Shapiro presents in her book.  Another must read is her memoir about writing mentors and gurus Only As Good As Your Word.  I have recently discovered Susan by reading her writing advice in Writer's Digest magazine and on the WD website.  She has and has had an interesting literary life worth writing about it.

Julie E.
768485
I selected this book to read as a part of a book club I decided to join, and what a great selection it was.  The author did a great job of making me believe she was the voice of the main character, a male, so I frequently double-checked her feminine name on the book's cover.  This read much more like a fascinating memoir than a novel, and I haven't been as thrilled with a book's ending as I was with this one in years.
671125
While visiting New York I discovered Ms. Cook's lovely voice and expertise with the Great American Song Book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about her life journey in this memoir and recommend it highly.
3872469
Full disclosure: we were in the same class in high school, and I knew her when she was Carole Bayer. I was envious of her early success, but as the years went by, with one great song after another, as a music lover and song lover my admiration way outpaced my envy. I've always been aware of her, and followed her great success, and now she has given us a most generous and compelling memoir. Filled with delicious vignettes about her A-list friends and collaborators (Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Jackson, Burt Bacharach, Marvin Hamlisch, Peter Allen, Bette Midler, Bob Dylan and on and on and on), she also shares with us how her songs got written, what the creative process is like for her. Most importantly, it is a beautifully told, emotionally honest story of  overcoming  insecurity and cripplingly low self-esteem, making peace with an alcoholic parent, and traversing the hero's journey to find love, wisdom and compassion.
3695527
A memoir that, when reading, you can tell was written solely out of passion and confidence. A little bit of vanity, but that's not a bad thing! Personal insights on life from a woman who's seen it all is recorded here in Jill Randall's "She Bites". The most intriguing part was the second chunk of the book, an autobiographical life story. My only critique is that the first half of the book is a little bit all over the place, although being chock full of Randall's quirky ideas and personal beliefs, just like scrambled eggs topped with a rich seasoning.
3959741
I love memoirs with a passion. There is something oddly titillating at seeing into someone's life, particularly as memoirs tend to be so intimate. This is not unlike peering into the uncovered bedroom window of your neighbour, a neighbour you've always thought might have a secret life.

No Permanent Scars reminds me, in tone at least, of the writing of Sloane Crosley, a favourite of mine. The memoir is snippets of moments in Mr. Hemery's life that had an impact upon his development, and show us the humour and self-depreciation in his character.

Having also grown-up in a small town in the prairies, I have to admit that some of his experiences hit a little too close to home! Of course, I'm a big-city sophisticate now, so I don't run into so many problems now (or so I like to think...).

There wasn't a story in this collection which I didn't enjoy. If enjoy David Sedaris, Sloane Crosly, or David Wallace Foster, I think you'll enjoy Michael Hemery!
4335712
The title is apt.  It is not an ordinary memoir with lots of personal detail, but rather a "Musical Memoir" that tells us in good detail about her development as an artist and how she met and interacted with all the greats that she played with on her albums.  She gives credit where credit is due and the list of artists she played with is a virtual Who's Who of the artists of this great rock and roll era. She is also largely responsible for the success of a lot of famous artists of the period, not least, the Eagles.  I like the strength that she shows in defying the naysayers who disagreed with her decisions to sing Gilbert and Sullivan, opera, standards and Mexican standards.  She did this at a time when she was queen of the rock and roll world when she wanted to expand her own ability to express her musical talents.  She had mixed success in these attempts but most of these attempts broke new ground, and were wildly successful.  I love artists who are not afraid to try new things and who grow throughout their career.  Linda was this kind of artist.
1275205
Piece by Piece by Tori Amos is a thought-provocking, carefully crafted autobiography from my favorite female singer/songwriter. This book is filled with exciting and clever behind the scene stories from the road, family, and personal passions. Co-written by Ann Powers who is a journalist, Tori and Ann converse bath and forth through e-mail and phone conversations. Tori takes the reader into her special little world, she discusses and opens up about her three heartbreaking miscarriages, the day her daughter, Natasha was born, her love of touring, and recording her studio albums. Tori is such a creative force, I wish my brain could work like that! If you are looking for an interesting and mind-bending read then this book is for you. You are gonna love it, I sure did. Enjoy!
2222129
Barbara Walters who has spent more than five decades shattering the glass ceiling for female journalists has delivered a candid new memoir, "Audition," looking back on her extraordinary life. "Audition" begins in Boston where she was born and concludes in New York where she continues to work at age 78 on her ABC specials and "The View." She provides the kind of personal glimpses and secrets she tries to extract from her many high-profile interviews.

Walters got into television by accident and got her big break when she did Alpo dog food commercials as a "Today Girl" on NBC's Today Show. She then became the first woman cohost of the Today show, and after a difficult move to ABC, the first female network news co-anchor. "Audition" provides the behind the scenes stories we have come to expect in books like this, as she made history rising against all odds to the top of a male-dominated industry.

"Audition" is filled with star-studded stories about her famous and infamous interviewees including Richard Nixon, Anwar Sadat, Menachem Begin, Shah of Iran, Henry Fonda, John Wayne, Katherine Hepburn, Yasir Arafat, Warren Beatty, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, Jimmy Carter, Fidel Castro, Hugo Chvez, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Roy Cohn, the Dalai Lama, Princess Diana, King Hussein, Angelina Jolie, Henry Kissinger, Monica Lewinsky, Rosie O'Donnell, Christopher Reeve . . . the list goes on and on.

Walters weaves a very human narrative of her family throughout the book; a narrative that provides clues to where she got her drive, the choices she made, her three failed marriages, being attracted to older (and often married) men, and her willingness to take risk. There is her risk-taking father, Lou Walters, the mercurial nightclub impresario who made and lost several fortunes; her long suffering mother; the family's descent from the penthouse to rent-controlled apartments; her mentally disabled sister, Jackie, who taught her much about patience and compassion; and the troubled teen years of her adopted daughter, Jackie (named in honor of her sister) who got hooked on amphetamines.

"Audition" is a very readable portrait of a deftly calculating woman with an impeccable sense of timing and incredible luck. Walters has given us a story that is heartbreaking and honest, surprising and fun, sometimes startling, and always fascinating. This makes a great companion book to Katie Couric's recently published biography, "Katie: The Real Story."
377594
I was never privileged to meet or know Madame Nilsson personally, but her memoir, _La Nilsson: My Life in Opera_ makes me wish I could! She was a bright spot in the world and her death in late 2005 was a huge loss. I have certainly been an admirer of both her singing and of the woman herself for many years. I do own her earlier book, _My Memoirs In Picures_, which is largely a wonderful collection of photographs from her life and career, and whetted my appetite to know more about her. If you can find a copy, I recommend that book as strongly as I recommend this longer memoir.

  That appetite has been mostly--if not completely--satisfied by La Nilsson, an easy, accessible and "can't-put-it-down" fascinating account of her life. This book is just what I would expect of Birgit Nilsson, unpretentious, friendly and conversational in tone, but awe-inspiring in terms of her artistry and long career; her great accumulation of knowledge and experience, and  about comic moments onstage and off that made me laugh out loud. Some of the funniest of these deal with language barriers, and the difficulties of correctly interpreting foreign musical terms that were misheard, or misunderstood. She is never mean in spirit, although she doesn't sugarcoat  her personal difficulties with von Karajan, and sometimes with Karl Bohm, and Rudolf Bing. But in all cases, she writes in detail about what she admired about them, too. She gave as good as she got in the area of verbal self-defense.

  She writes warmly about all her many long-time friends and colleagues on the operatic stage, most notably Wolfgang Windgassen, Set Svanholm, Jon Vickers, Astrid Varnay, Leonie Rysanek, and Hans Hotter. She was a trouper through some harrowing experiences, and while she did not put up with a lack of professional consideration from anyone, she did not just wilfully indulge in "temperamental diva" behavior.  No wonder so many of her colleagues loved and respected her!

Madame Nilsson also writes about her parents and her beloved husband, Bertil Niklasson, with great warmth, although she doesn't gloss over some of her frustrations with both parents during her childhood and adolescence. The twelve years she had to deal with her stalker, Miss N. filled me with sympathetic dismay, as I had no idea Madame Nilsson had had to endure that persistent, threatening intrusion into her life.

I highly recommend this memoir to any admirer of Madame Nilsson's in particular and of any interested opera fan in general for the insight into the career of one of the great singers of the 20th century in her own, very witty words.

Melissa Houle
3721366
What a phenomenally moving and inspiring memoir. Jazz Jennings really speaks from her heart in her memoir, where she shares the story of her short life thus far (as she is only a teenager after all). For being so young, shes lived quite a lot of experiences as a transgender advocate. Shes touched many lives and inspired and educated many more. Shes truly very inspirational, but she makes sure to remind her audience that despite all this, she is just a kid who has her own troubles as well.

Shes incredibly up front with her experience, from sharing about her depression to her transition to her relationships with friends. Its refreshing to hear such open honesty from such a young voice. I believe if all of us were so honest and up front with our own struggles and emotions, perhaps we would all feel more connected to one another and have achieved world peace by now!

I love memoirs, so I may be a little more biased, but I really recommend this book to everyone I know. Most likely there is something for you to get out of this book that will inspire you to be a better person, and Im sure theres soemthign there for you to learn. Memoirs like this don't come around all the time, so I strongly urge you to pick up a copy and get reading! Its a fast read and I promise it will be worth your while.

The only thing I didn't really like was how it didn't really feel like there was any kind of ending. I suppose each chapter was a short story section and wrapped itself up, but there didn't feel like a cohesive ending. I suppose that may be due in part to the fact that Jazz is so young and therefore her life doesnt really have any endings yet. Everything she speaks of in her memoir is part of an ongoing experience, not something that has an ending yet. I did really appreciate the perspective of each of her family members as well, and perhaps the best spot for those voices to be heard is the end of the book, but I might have liked to have seen them interspersed throughout rather than thrown altogether at the end. Ah well, still a highly recommended read.
2511812
This wonderfully written memoir will appeal to anyone who enjoys a story of self-realization and finding the strength to radically course correct ones own path.  Marion Kenneallys account of her coming of age in the convent is fascinating.  In her portrayal and observation, you feel both the beauty and serenity as well as the trials and struggles of this cloistered life.  It was inspiring to learn how through Marions self-discovery and transformation, she develops the strength to make the very brave and personal decision to reject her Catholic faith and the life she had lead for sixteen years.  This book captures you right away, is well paced, and leaves you wanting more!
681538
Here is the story of an actor i have enjoyed over the years but knew nothing about - except he has an amazing Scottish accent that stops you in your tracks. This memoir is fascinating for its heartfelt and fully open emotional journey.  Its an eye opening childhood history of a self proclaimer "pixie- like" performer who withstood harsh abuse. I believe writing this book was as cathartic for him as it is engrossing for his audience. Yes, he sure did a good job!
4763355
I really enjoyed the book and didn't remember it was a true memoir until I was almost finished with the book!  Interesting!
423238
"A Musical Memoir" is indeed accurate. It's about the music, not her personal life, and it's a memoir, not a biography, hitting what she considers to be the high points, anything but exhaustive.

I've been in love with her voice since the very first time I heard, "Hyew and ah, traavel to thabeat of a diffrn't drum." She may hate the recording, but I still love it for all that raw, natural talent. Yes, I own every album. And a tape of the HBO special during her Nelson Riddle period.

This book was a joy from the standpoint that it increased my knowledge about her and the fabulously talented people that she's worked with. It was a disappointment that it didn't go nearly far enough. Her writing is refreshingly direct and plainspoken, but leaves you wanting more. She seldom gushes, except about her favorite musicians and songwriters, and if she had big conflicts and disappointments, you'd be hard pressed to tease them out of the text.

What does come through is a sense of humility. You get the impression that she believes that she didn't deserve all her successes and she pretty much declares she would love to go back and do it all again, but better, with more singing skill. This blows my mind, of course.

Having read many stories and articles about her, I expected to find anecdotes that I knew, things that were more illustrative than her Spartan "this happened, then that happened" approach. I wanted to be her editor and have her tell some of those stories, put a little meat on the bones. In the same vein, she is exceedingly circumspect about her personal life, modest, even old-fashioned. I thought it was cute when she described her relationship with Pete Hammill as "going steady."

I think that her life and work as an influential, multi-genre singer whose work spanned five decades is important enough for a real biography and a thorough discography. I hope to read that book someday soon. In the meantime, Simple Dreams is a good appetizer.
2187354
Dr. Tower has written an engaging and compelling memoir about her romance. Her story details the extraordinary ability she had to manage her career, family, and a Transatlantic romance with fluidity. Moreover, I highly respect and admire her openness and honesty as Roni Beth
describes the many challenges they encountered over the course of time. This book immediately captured my interest and leaves me with wanting to know more about this talented person. My husband subsequently read and became quickly absorbed in this book  also.
4191881
Marcia Butler has written a memoir that reads like a novel.  The narrative is structured in a most interesting way with short chapters that mark incredible experiences.  Her imagery is art itself and the words flow beautifully.  Perhaps the flow has to do with MBs lifelong love and training in music.  MBs instrument was primarily the oboe and she played with just about every major orchestra in New York, around the USA and Europe.  She also accepted jobs playing in Broadway plays, a gig that most freelance musicians accept to pay the bills. I was enthralled with all the inside views of life as a musician in New York, in venues that over my lifetime I have visited and enjoyed, and Im sure that on more than one occasion most definitely heard the oboe played by Marcia Butler.

This memoir included MBs personal struggles that made this book all the more dramatic and urgent in the telling.  The child lived first in Massachusetts and then Long Island, NY.  Her parents were cruel people who abused her with unique and not so unique ways, ones that can destroy the character and soul of even the strongest children.  Marcias sister got out of the house early on and suffered her own kind of hell.  Marcia had to wait to until she entered a music conservatory for her freedom.  True to the narrative of most abused children, she tried well into her adult life to gain approval and love from her deranged parents.  It is more hurt and one that usually needs professional help if the adult child can heal and live a decent life.

Marcia Butler was blessed with the gift of music that teachers discovered early in her childhood and we can all be thankful for that.  She shared that gift with countless audiences around the world and I can only praise and congratulate her for her brilliance and her survival.