Literary voyeurism

By Stacy Vogel ( Contact ) May 13, 2008 - 3:45 p.m.

I really don't like reality TV. It's unrealistic and often inane.

So when I want an in-depth glimpse into someone's personal life, I read a biography.

Right now, I'm reading Julie Andrews's new autobiography, "Home." I love reading about the early years of one of my favorite actresses.

A good biography can be even better than a novel. You learn about someone's motives, opinions, accomplishments. Basically, you learn what makes them tick.

Some of my favorite biographies have been of entertainers and artists, from Natalie Wood and Michael J. Fox to Walt Disney and Charles Schultz. I also enjoy biographies of journalists, politicians and 16th-century monarchs. (I've probably read three biographies of Queen Elizabeth I by now.)

What are your favorite biographies?

gazettefan
May 14, 2008 at 6:52 p.m.
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Though Janesville author Den Adler's novel To Become A Priest: A Love Story is not strickly non-fiction or an autobiography it is somewhat based on his life. I'm halfway through it and it's quite an unabashed story.

I have Hedberg's copy and will be returning it soon.

rstricker
May 14, 2008 at 5:40 p.m.
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I've been reading SNL "insider" books lately.
Jay Mohr has a good one titled, "Gasping for Airtime".
The new Chris Farley book ("The Chris Farley Show") is on order at a few Rock County libraries, too.

kbunge
May 13, 2008 at 6:49 p.m.
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I read "Living History," Hillary Rodham Clinton's autobiography a few years ago. It was a great read and provided some definite insight into a woman who now has become very politically devisive.

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