Fans of memoirs and family histories won’t want to miss out on these three fascinating personal narratives, especially audiobook listeners. Each is narrated by the author. Learn about Anderson Cooper’s link to the tumultuous Vanderbilt family, follow along as Sharon Stone navigates life after a stroke, and salivate over Stanley Tucci’s descriptions of his family’s Italian recipes. Links to the print and electronic versions are below.
Vanderbilt: the Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty
by Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe
Broadcast journalist and political commentator Anderson Cooper examines in detail for the first time the rise and fall of the maternal side of his family - the Vanderbilts. Cooper recounts the humble beginnings of Cornelius "the Commodore" Vanderbilt from running a ferry business in the New York harbor at age eleven to founding a massive empire of shipping and railroads. Staggering wealth ultimately afforded the Vanderbilts a place in New York high society, lavish lifestyles, and excessive materialism until the pocketbook was empty. Cooper includes chapters on the historic beginnings of New Amsterdam/New York, touching times spent with his late mother, Gloria Vanderbilt (herself a spendthrift), and his own upbringing.
This is a wild ride if one has interest in the rise and demise and over-the-top extravagant lives of the Vanderbilt men and women. Anderson Cooper narrates the audiobook. I like his voice and found the audio option adds a personal touch and enriches the listener's experience.
Print Book | Audio on CD | Audio via Libby | Ebook via Libby
The Beauty of Living Twice
by Sharon Stone
Film actor Sharon Stone chronicles her comeback from a massive stroke and the life changes this experience led her to make. The tone of her story is intimate, touching upon such topics as abuse suffered as a child in a difficult home, making a name for herself in Hollywood, the struggles as an outspoken actor, love for her children, and reconciliation with her family. Despite offering some glamour, hard truths about the film industry, and celebrity glitz, this is a survivor's story where the life-threatening health issue ultimately leads Stone to spiritual healing, forgiveness, and service.
Sharon Stone narrates the audio version, which I find as a listener adds a personal touch to the story. I am not one to follow celebrities, but I found this memoir compelling.
Print Book | Audio via Libby | Ebook via Libby
Taste: My Life Through Food
by Stanley Tucci
Actor, writer, director, and former fashion model, Stanley Tucci serves up a delicious memoir, rich with personal stories, anecdotes, and recipes. Tales of growing up in an Italian-American family, new beginnings, lost love, children, life-threatening illness, and elbow rubbing with Hollywood and food celebrities fill up the pages. Each topic circles back to food sometimes accompanied with a family recipe carried down through generations and brought over from Italy to the United States. As a listener via the e-audio book, I especially enjoyed the author's recitation of the recipes, salty language and all.
If you seek an entertaining memoir centered on a man who savors the best in authentic Italian food and in his life, I recommend this title. Please note, hunger may ensue.
Print Book | Audio on CD | Audio via Libby | Ebook via Libby
