29 Best Entertainment & Performing Arts, Biography & Autobiography Books
Entertainment & Performing Arts, Biography & Autobiography is a popular category for many book lovers. Our team at Speechify has curated a list of the top Entertainment & Performing Arts, Biography & Autobiography audiobooks everyone must read.
See the top 29 Entertainment & Performing Arts, Biography & Autobiography audiobooks below.
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Miracle of The Music Man
- By: Mark Cabaniss
- Narrator: Mark Cabaniss
- Length: 7 hours 5 minutes
- Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
- Publish date: January 01, 2022
- Language: English
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5(5 ratings)
5(5 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.0016.95 USDThe Music Man stands as one of the greatest achievements in American musical theatre, but few know about its rocky beginnings and the against-all-odds success story of its creator, Meredith Willson. Mark Cabaniss steps back into the Golden Age ofThe Music Man stands as one of the greatest achievements in American musical theatre, but few know about its rocky beginnings and the against-all-odds success story of its creator, Meredith Willson.
Mark Cabaniss steps back into the Golden Age of Broadway and brings to life the origins of this classic show, the music behind it, and the unlikely story of its creator. Interweaving behind-the-scenes accounts of people who worked with Willson, Cabaniss looks at his long and unusual career as a composer, conductor, radio personality, and flutist, which reached its pinnacle in The Music Man.
No one initially believed in Willson’s “Valentine to Iowa,” seeing it as nothing but a corny flop or, worse, a recipe for disaster. But when the curtain fell on opening night, a star called The Music Man was born. Over sixty-five years later, that star is still marching right to this day, endeared by millions around the world. To understand Willson, his career, and his music is to understand how the Music Man came to be: he was truly the only person who could have ever written this show due to his unique background, talent, incredible persistence, and belief. The show’s ultimate success and longevity was anything but inevitable–rather, it was truly a miracle.
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Judy Canova
- By: Ben Ohmart
- Narrator: Diana Canova
- Length: 5 hours 9 minutes
- Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
- Publish date: January 01, 2015
- Language: English
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4.75(7 ratings)
4.75(7 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.0013.95 USDDiana Canova delightfully reads Singin’ in the Corn!, the biography of her mother, Judy Canova. Judy Canova was a popular American comedienne, actress, singer, and radio personality who appeared on Broadway and in films. The popularity of theDiana Canova delightfully reads Singin’ in the Corn!, the biography of her mother, Judy Canova.
Judy Canova was a popular American comedienne, actress, singer, and radio personality who appeared on Broadway and in films.
The popularity of the Canova family led to numerous performances on radio in the 1930s, and they made their Broadway debut in the revue Calling All Stars. During her career, Judy recorded for the RCA Victor label and appeared in more than two dozen Hollywood films, including Scatterbrain (1940), Joan of Ozark (1942), and Lay That Rifle Down (1955). In 1943 she began her own radio program, The Judy Canova Show, which ran for twelve years.
Teeming with family interviews and Canova’s own writing, Singin’ in the Corn! is the only book that will ever need to be written about “everyone’s favorite rube.”
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Tell Me Why
- By: Archie Roach
- Length: 10 hours 12 minutes
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Australia
- Publish date: January 01, 2020
- Language: English
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4.64(1184 ratings)
4.64(1184 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.0039.99 USDWinner of the 2021 ABIA Audiobook of the Year A powerful memoir of a true Australian legend: stolen child, musical and lyrical genius, and leader. Not many have lived as many lives as Archie Roach – stolen child, seeker, teenage alcoholic,Winner of the 2021 ABIA Audiobook of the Year
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A powerful memoir of a true Australian legend: stolen child, musical and lyrical genius, and leader.
Not many have lived as many lives as Archie Roach – stolen child, seeker, teenage alcoholic, lover, father, musical and lyrical genius, and leader – but it took him almost a lifetime to find out who he really was.
Roach was only two years old when he was forcibly removed from his family. Brought up by a series of foster parents until his early teens, his world imploded when he received a letter that spoke of a life he had no memory of.
In this intimate, moving and often shocking memoir, Archie’s story is an extraordinary odyssey through love and heartbreak, family and community, survival and renewal – and the healing power of music. Overcoming enormous odds to find his story and his people, Archie voices the joy, pain and hope he found on his path through song to become the legendary singer-songwriter and storyteller that he is today – beloved by fans worldwide.
Tell Me Why is a stunning account of resilience and the strength of spirit – and of a great love story.
Winner of the 2020 Indie Book of the Year Non-Fiction
Winner of the 2021 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Indigenous Writing
Shortlisted for the 2020 ABIA Biography Book of the Year
Shortlisted for the 2020 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards, Non-Fiction
Shortlisted for the Booksellers’ Choice 2020 Book of the Year Awards, Non-Fiction
Archie Roach was the 2020 VIC Australian of the Year
‘Tell Me Why is an extraordinary odyssey and offering. Archie has come through snares, pits and suffering to bring us an inspiring tale of survival, grace and generosity. This book should be in every school.’ Paul Kelly
‘Just like his early songs, Tell Me Why was written with empathy as its impetus and that intent shines through on every page. This is a phenomenal work by one of the most articulate and recognisable members of the Stolen Generations. It will be read, studied and discussed for many years to come.’ The Australian
‘Beautiful, gut-wrenching and compelling memoir’ Sydney Morning Herald
‘Archie’s deeply resonant voice sings out – of a broken country and a life renewed. The voice of Australia.’ Daniel Browning, ABC journalist and producer
‘Roach is honest and humble in his oft-heartbreaking retelling of his search for identity, belonging and purpose’ Courier Mail
‘Best book of 2019: Tell Me Why by Archie Roach, a beautifully written autobiography that captures one of the most remarkable lives in Australian music’ Weekend Australia -
Unprotected
- By: Billy Porter
- Length: 12 hours 25 minutes
- Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
- Publish date: December 14, 2021
- Language: English
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4.52(3700 ratings)
4.52(3700 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.0024.99 USD“This is not a coming-out story. It’s not a down-low story either. I never could have passed for straight, even if I’d wanted to, and so I never had the dubious luxury of living a lie.” From the incomparable Emmy, Grammy,“This is not a coming-out story. It’s not a down-low story either. I never could have passed for straight, even if I’d wanted to, and so I never had the dubious luxury of living a lie.”
From the incomparable Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award winner, a powerful and revealing autobiography about race, sexuality, art, and healing
It’s easy to be yourself when who and what you are is in vogue. But growing up Black and gay in America has never been easy. Before Billy Porter was slaying red carpets and giving an iconic Emmy-winning performance in the celebrated TV show Pose; before he was the
groundbreaking Tony and Grammy Award-winning star of Broadway’s Kinky Boots; and before he was an acclaimed recording artist, actor, playwright, director, and all-around legend, Porter was a young boy in Pittsburgh who was seen as different, who didn’t fit in.
At five years old, Porter was sent to therapy to “fix” his effeminacy. He was endlessly bullied at school, sexually abused by his stepfather, and criticized at his church. Porter came of age in a world where simply being himself was a constant struggle.Billy Porter’s Unprotected is the life story of a singular artist and survivor in his own words. It is the story of a boy whose talent and courage opened doors for him, but only a crack. It is the story of a teenager discovering himself, learning his voice and his craft amid deep
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trauma. And it is the story of a young man whose unbreakable determination led him through countless hard times to where he is now; a proud icon who refuses to back down or hide. Porter is a multitalented, multifaceted treasure at the top of his game, and
Unprotected is a resonant, inspirational story of trauma and healing, shot through with his singular voice. -
That’s Still Not All, Folks
- By: Joe Alaskey
- Narrator: Joe Bevilacqua
- Length: 5 hours 40 minutes
- Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
- Publish date: January 01, 2021
- Language: English
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4.5(4 ratings)
4.5(4 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.0016.95 USDThe autobiography of master impressionist Joe Alaskey takes listeners on a fun-filled behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood and how he became Mel Blanc’s replacement as the voices of Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny, and many of the Warner Bros. cartoonThe autobiography of master impressionist Joe Alaskey takes listeners on a fun-filled behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood and how he became Mel Blanc’s replacement as the voices of Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny, and many of the Warner Bros. cartoon characters.
Joe Bevilacqua performs as Alaskey and even demonstrates some of the voices along the way, including a sketch that pits Daffy Duck against Columbo, and Archie and Edith Bunker as Romeo and Juliet. Bevilacqua was trained with Mel Blanc and Daws Butler (Yogi Bear).
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Just as I Am
- By: Cicely Tyson
- Narrator: Cicely Tyson
- Length: 16 hours 8 minutes
- Publisher: HarperAudio
- Publish date: January 26, 2021
- Language: English
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4.5(6926 ratings)
4.5(6926 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.004.99 USD“In her long and extraordinary career, Cicely Tyson has not only exceeded as an actor, she has shaped the course of history.” -President Barack Obama, 2016 Presidential Medal of Honor ceremony “Just As I Am is my truth. It is me,“In her long and extraordinary career, Cicely Tyson has not only exceeded as an actor, she has shaped the course of history.” -President Barack Obama, 2016 Presidential Medal of Honor ceremony
“Just As I Am is my truth. It is me, plain and unvarnished, with the glitter and garland set aside. Here, I am indeed Cicely, the actress who has been blessed to grace the stage and screen for six decades. Yet I am also the church girl who once rarely spoke a word. I am the teenager who sought solace in the verses of the old hymn for which this book is named. I am a daughter and mother, a sister, and a friend. I am an observer of human nature and the dreamer of audacious dreams. I am a woman who has hurt as immeasurably as I have loved, a child of God divinely guided by His hand. And here in my ninth decade, I am a woman who, at long last, has something meaningful to say.” –Cicely Tyson
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We Were Dreamers
- By: Simu Liu
- Narrator: Simu Liu
- Length: 8 hours 10 minutes
- Publisher: HarperAudio
- Publish date: May 17, 2022
- Language: English
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4.44(11027 ratings)
4.44(11027 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.0024.99 USDThe star of Marvel’s first Asian superhero film, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, tells his own origin story of being a Chinese immigrant, his battles with cultural stereotypes and his own identity, becoming a TV star, and landingThe star of Marvel’s first Asian superhero film, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, tells his own origin story of being a Chinese immigrant, his battles with cultural stereotypes and his own identity, becoming a TV star, and landing the role of a lifetime.
In this honest, inspiring and relatable memoir, newly-minted superhero Simu Liu chronicles his family’s journey from China to the bright lights of Hollywood with razor-sharp wit and humor.
Simu’s parents left him in the care of his grandparents, then brought him to Canada when he was four. Life as a Canuck, however, is not all that it was cracked up to be; Simu’s new guardians lack the gentle touch of his grandparents, resulting in harsh words and hurt feelings. His parents, on the other hand, find their new son emotionally distant and difficult to relate to – although they are related by blood, they are separated by culture, language, and values.
As Simu grows up, he plays the part of the pious child flawlessly – he gets straight A’s, crushes national math competitions and makes his parents proud. But as time passes, he grows increasingly disillusioned with the path that has been laid out for him. Less than a year out of college, at the tender age of 22, his life hits rock bottom when he is laid off from his first job as an accountant. Left to his own devices, and with nothing left to lose, Simu embarks on a journey that will take him far outside of his comfort zone into the world of show business.
Through a swath of rejection and comical mishaps, Simu’s determination to carve out a path for himself leads him to not only succeed as an actor, but also to open the door to reconciling with his parents.
We Were Dreamers is more than a celebrity memoir – it’s a story about growing up between cultures, finding your family, and becoming the master of your own extraordinary circumstance.
Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.
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Trejo
- By: Danny Trejo
- Narrator: Danny Trejo
- Length: 13 hours 18 minutes
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
- Publish date: January 01, 2021
- Language: English
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4.42(5291 ratings)
4.42(5291 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.0023.99 USDIn this “celebration of a life fully lived” (Reyna Grande, author of The Distance Between Us), discover the full, fascinating, and inspirational true story of Danny Trejo’s journey from crime, prison, addiction, andIn this “celebration of a life fully lived” (Reyna Grande, author of The Distance Between Us), discover the full, fascinating, and inspirational true story of Danny Trejo’s journey from crime, prison, addiction, and loss–it’s “enough to make you believe in the possibility of a Hollywood ending” (The New York Times Book Review).
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On screen, Danny Trejo the actor is a baddie who has been killed at least a hundred times. He’s been shot, stabbed, hanged, chopped up, squished by an elevator, and once, was even melted into a bloody goo. Off screen, he’s a hero beloved by recovery communities and obsessed fans alike. But the real Danny Trejo is much more complicated than the legend.
Raised in an abusive home, Danny struggled with heroin addiction and stints in some of the country’s most notorious state prisons–including San Quentin and Folsom–from an early age, before starring in such modern classics as Heat, From Dusk till Dawn, and Machete. Now, in this funny, painful, and suspenseful memoir, Danny takes us through the incredible ups and downs of his life, including meeting one of the world’s most notorious serial killers in prison and working with legends like Charles Bronson and Robert De Niro.
An honest, unflinching, and “inspirational study in the definition of character” (Kevin Smith, director and actor), Trejo reveals how he managed the horrors of prison, rebuilt himself after finding sobriety and spirituality in solitary confinement, and draws inspiration from the adrenaline-fueled robbing heists of his past for the film roles that made him a household name. He also shares the painful contradictions in his personal life. Although he speaks everywhere from prison yards to NPR about his past to inspire countless others on their own road to recovery and redemption, he struggles to help his children with their personal battles with addiction, and to build relationships that last.
Redemptive and painful, poignant and real, Trejo is a portrait of a magnificent life and an unforgettable and exceptional journey that proves “though we may fall down at some point in our lives, it’s what we do when we stand back up that really counts” (Robert Rodriguez, filmmaker and producer). -
Grateful American
- By: Gary Sinise
- Narrator: Gary Sinise
- Length: 12 hours 13 minutes
- Publisher: Thomas Nelson
- Publish date: February 12, 2019
- Language: English
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4.42(3554 ratings)
4.42(3554 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.0027.99 USDDiscover the moving, entertaining, never-before-told story of how one man found his calling: to see that those who defend this country and its freedoms are never forgotten. As a kid in suburban Chicago, Gary Sinise was more interested in sports andDiscover the moving, entertaining, never-before-told story of how one man found his calling: to see that those who defend this country and its freedoms are never forgotten.
As a kid in suburban Chicago, Gary Sinise was more interested in sports and rock ‘n’ roll than reading or schoolwork. But when he impulsively auditioned for a school production of West Side Story, he found his true purpose–or so it seemed.
Within a few years, Gary and a handful of friends created what became one of the most exciting and important new theater companies in America. From its humble beginnings in a suburban Chicago church basement and eventual move into the city, the Steppenwolf Theatre Company launched a series of groundbreaking productions, igniting Gary’s career along with those of John Malkovich, Joan Allen, Gary Cole, Laurie Metcalf, Jeff Perry, John Mahoney, and countless others.
Television and film came calling soon after, and Gary starred in Of Mice and Men (which he also directed) and The Stand before taking the role that would change his life in unforeseeable ways: Lieutenant Dan in the Academy Award-winning Forrest Gump.
The military community’s embrace of the character of the disabled veteran was matched only by the depth of Gary’s realization that America’s defenders had not received all the honor, respect, and gratitude their sacrifices deserve. In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, this became Gary’s new calling.
Grateful American, now a New York Times bestseller, documents Gary’s dedication to working tirelessly on behalf of those who serve this country, sharing stories about how he has:
- Entertained more than a half million troops around the world playing bass guitar with his Lt. Dan Band
- Raised funds on behalf of veterans
- Founded the Gary Sinise Foundation with a mission to serve and honor America’s defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need
Grateful American is the moving, entertaining, profoundly gripping story of how one man found his life’s work: to see that those who defend this country and its freedoms are never forgotten.
Praise for Grateful American:
“Gary Sinise writes as he lives, and as the artist and actor he has always been: with American authenticity, purpose, and a conviction that is inseparable from his nature.”
–Tom Hanks, actor and filmmaker
“No entertainer alive today has visited and performed more for our troops at veterans hospitals and military bases all over the world than Gary Sinise. For years his foundation has built ‘smart homes’ for our troops that were severely wounded in combat. The book is called Grateful American, and I promise that after you read it you will be grateful for what Gary has accomplished and contributed to our country. He’s truly one of a kind.”
–Clint Eastwood, actor, director, producer, and musician
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Bridge Over Troubled Dreams
- By: Delta Goodrem
- Narrator: Delta Goodrem
- Length: 1 hours 20 minutes
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Australia
- Publish date: January 01, 2021
- Language: English
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4.42(138 ratings)
4.42(138 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.0011.99 USDThe emotional stories behind Delta Goodrem’s sixth studio album.This audiobook features acoustic teasers from the Bridge Over Troubled Dreams album. In her first-ever book, Australian singer-songwriter Delta Goodrem shares the intimateThe emotional stories behind Delta Goodrem’s sixth studio album.
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This audiobook features acoustic teasers from the Bridge Over Troubled Dreams album.
In her first-ever book, Australian singer-songwriter Delta Goodrem shares the intimate stories behind each of the tracks on her sixth studio album, Bridge Over Troubled Dreams, taking readers on a deep dive into her inspiration for each song and revealing the truth behind the lyrics. From the touching account of her birth – two months premature – to battling bouts of missing home and many incredible self-discoveries along the way, Bridge Over Troubled Dreams is truly the book of the artist’s life. She speaks candidly about love, family, highs and lows, patience, freedom, faith, hope and survival, and how she uses lessons learned to drive herself forward. -
The Encore
- By: Charity Tillemann-Dick
- Narrator: Charity Tillemann-Dick
- Length: 10 hours 44 minutes
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
- Publish date: January 01, 2017
- Language: English
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4.38(261 ratings)
4.38(261 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.0019.99 USDIn this “heartrending, passionate, and surprisingly humorous account of the conjunction between art and death” (Andrew Solomon, New York Times bestselling author), acclaimed opera singer Charity Tillemann-Dick recounts her remarkableIn this “heartrending, passionate, and surprisingly humorous account of the conjunction between art and death” (Andrew Solomon, New York Times bestselling author), acclaimed opera singer Charity Tillemann-Dick recounts her remarkable journey from struggling to draw a single breath to singing at the most prestigious venues in the world after receiving not one but two double lung transplants.
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Charity Tillemann-Dick was a vivacious young American soprano studying at the celebrated Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest when she received devastating news: her lungs were failing, her heart was three and a half sizes too big, and she would die within five years. Medical experts advised Charity to abandon her musical dreams, but if her time was running out, she wanted to spend it doing what she loved.
In just three years, she endured two double lung transplants and had to slowly learn to breathe, walk, talk, eat, and sing again. With new lungs and fierce determination, she eventually fell in love, rebuilt her career, and reclaimed her life. More than a decade after her diagnosis, she has a chart-topping album, performs around the globe, and is a leading voice for organ donation.
Weaving Charity’s extraordinary tale of triumph with those of opera’s greatest heroines, The Encore illuminates the indomitable human spirit and is “an uplifting story of overcoming significant odds to fulfill a dream” (Kirkus Reviews). -
Still Alive
- By: Forrest Galante
- Narrator: Forrest Galante
- Length: 5 hours 40 minutes
- Publisher: Hachette Audio
- Publish date: June 01, 2021
- Language: English
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4.38(180 ratings)
4.38(180 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.0018.99 USDExperience the thrilling adventures in wildlife conservation from “the Indiana Jones of Biology” (Entrepreneur) in this action-packed and educational memoir filled with danger and intrigue. Very few individuals can truthfully say thatExperience the thrilling adventures in wildlife conservation from “the Indiana Jones of Biology” (Entrepreneur) in this action-packed and educational memoir filled with danger and intrigue.
Very few individuals can truthfully say that their work impacts every person on earth. Forrest Galante is one of them. As a wildlife biologist and conservationist, Galante devotes his life to studying, rediscovering, and protecting our planet’s amazing lifeforms. Part memoir, part biological adventure, Still Alive celebrates the beauty and determined resiliency of our world, as well as the brave conservationists fighting to save it.
In his debut book, Galante takes readers on an exhilarating journey to the most remote and dangerous corners of the world. He recounts miraculous rediscoveries of species that were thought to be extinct and invites readers into his wild life: from his upbringing amidst civil unrest in Zimbabwe to his many globetrotting adventures, including suspenseful run-ins with drug cartels, witch doctors, and vengeful government officials. He shares all of the life-threatening bites, fights, falls, and jungle illnesses. He also investigates the connection between wildlife mistreatment and human safety, particularly in relation to COVID-19.
Still Alive is much more than just a can’t-put-down adventure story bursting with man-eating crocodiles, long-forgotten species rediscovered, and near-death experiences. It is an impassioned, informative, and undeniably inspiring examination of the importance of wildlife conservation today and how every individual can make a difference. ... Read more -
Life is Magic
- By: Jon Dorenbos
- Narrator: Jon Dorenbos
- Length: 6 hours 54 minutes
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
- Publish date: January 01, 2019
- Language: English
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4.37(629 ratings)
4.37(629 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.0019.99 USD“Jon Dorenbos is a magical person. Life Is Magic shows how we can all choose happiness in the face of overwhelming odds.” –Ellen DeGeneres An extraordinary and empowering story of resilience, forgiveness, and living a life of“Jon Dorenbos is a magical person. Life Is Magic shows how we can all choose happiness in the face of overwhelming odds.” –Ellen DeGeneres
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An extraordinary and empowering story of resilience, forgiveness, and living a life of purpose in the face of unfathomable obstacles.
You may know him as an NFL All-Pro or as a world-class magician who made the finals of America’s Got Talent, but Jon Dorenbos says that what he does is not who he is. He is someone who coached himself, at the most tender of ages, to turn tragedy to triumph.
One morning in August 1992, when Jon was twelve years old and living a seemingly idyllic childhood in suburban Seattle, he woke up for baseball camp. His dad waved goodbye. Later that day, Jon heard the news: his father had murdered his mother in the family’s three-car garage. In an instant, his life had shattered. He’d essentially been orphaned.
Thrust into foster care while his father stood trial for murder, Jon struggled. Left to himself, he discovered an unlikely escape performing magic tricks. If you found a way to alter your reality, after your dad–your hero–killed your mom, wouldn’t you cling to it too? Then came football, which provided a release for all of his pent-up anger. Together, magic and football saved him, leading to fourteen NFL seasons on the gridiron and raucous sleight of hand performances to packed houses across the globe. In 2017, he was diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition leaving him with a choice. To either break down or–as he’d by now long taught himself–bounce back.
“Life Is Magic shows how we can all choose happiness in the face of overwhelming odds” (Ellen DeGeneres) and provides a roadmap for overcoming even the darkest of times. Jon’s story is poignant and powerful, told by a charismatic and optimistic man who has overcome life-or-death challenges with grace, persistence, a childlike sense of wonder…and jaw-dropping card tricks. -
Hard to Handle
- By: Steve Gorman
- Narrator: Steve Gorman
- Length: 13 hours 37 minutes
- Publisher: Hachette Audio
- Publish date: September 24, 2019
- Language: English
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4.32(1060 ratings)
4.32(1060 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.0025.98 USDBlack Crowes drummer and cofounder Steve Gorman shares the band’s inside story in this behind-the-scenes biography, from their supernova stardom in the ’90s to exhilarating encounters with industry legends.“This book is literallyBlack Crowes drummer and cofounder Steve Gorman shares the band’s inside story in this behind-the-scenes biography, from their supernova stardom in the ’90s to exhilarating encounters with industry legends.“This book is literally the Angela’s Ashes of rock memoirs. .. I absolutely loved this book.”-BILL BURR, comedian “I couldn’t put the book down-absolutely unbelievable read!”-JOHN MCENROE, New York Times bestselling author of But Seriously and You Cannot Be Serious “I honestly couldn’t put [this book] down. Made me nostalgic, sad, and happy too.”-CHRIS SHIFLETT, lead guitarist of Foo Fighters... Read more
“Essential reading for rock fans everywhere.”-BRIAN KOPPELMAN, co-creator and showrunner of Billions For more than two decades, The Black Crowes topped the charts, graced the cover of Rolling Stone, and reigned supreme over MTV and radio waves alike with hits like “Hard to Handle,” “She Talks to Angels,” and “Remedy.” But as the old cliche goes, stardom can be fleeting, and the group’s success slowly dwindled as the band members got caught up in the rock star world and lost sight of their musical ambition. On any given night, they could be the best band you ever saw-or the most combative. Then, one last rift in 2013 proved insurmountable for the band to survive. After that, The Black Crowes would fly no more. Founding member Steve Gorman was there for all of it-the coke- and weed-fueled tours; the tumultuous recording sessions; the incessant fighting between brothers Chris and Rich Robinson; the backstage hangs with legends like Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and the Rolling Stones. As the band’s drummer and voice of reason, he tried to keep The Black Crowes together musically and emotionally. In Hard ToHandle-the first account of this great American rock band’s beginning, middle, and end-Gorman explains just how impossible that job was with great insight, candor, and humor. They don’t make bands like The Black Crowes anymore: crazy, brilliant, self-destructive, inspiring, and, ultimately, not built to last. But, man, what a ride it was while it lasted. -
Miss Memory Lane
- By: Colton Haynes
- Narrator: Colton Haynes
- Length: 6 hours 22 minutes
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
- Publish date: January 01, 2022
- Language: English
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4.31(1251 ratings)
4.31(1251 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.0017.99 USDA brutally honest and moving memoir of lust, abuse, addiction, stardom, and redemption from Arrow and Teen Wolf actor Colton Haynes.Four years ago, Colton Haynes woke up in a hospital. He’d had two seizures, lost the sight in one eye, almostA brutally honest and moving memoir of lust, abuse, addiction, stardom, and redemption from Arrow and Teen Wolf actor Colton Haynes.
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Four years ago, Colton Haynes woke up in a hospital. He’d had two seizures, lost the sight in one eye, almost ruptured a kidney, and been put on an involuntary psychiatry hold. Not yet thirty, he knew he had to take stock of his life and make some serious changes if he wanted to see his next birthday.
As he worked towards sobriety, Haynes allowed himself to become vulnerable for the first time in years and with that, discovered profound self-awareness. He had millions of social media followers who constantly told him they loved him. But what would they think if they knew his true story? If they knew where he came from and the things he had done?
Now, Colton bravely pulls back the curtain on his life and career, revealing the incredible highs and devastating lows. From his unorthodox childhood in a small Kansas town, to coming to terms with his sexuality, he keeps nothing back.
By sixteen, he had been signed by the world’s top modeling agency and his face appeared on billboards. But he was still a broke, lonely, confused teenager, surrounded by people telling him he could be a star as long as he never let anyone see his true self. As his career in television took off, the stress of wearing so many masks and trying to please so many different people turned his use of drugs and alcohol into full-blown addiction.
A lyrical and intimate confession, apology, and cautionary tale, Miss Memory Lane is an unforgettable story of dreams deferred and dreams fulfilled; of a family torn apart and rebuilt; and of a man stepping into the light as no one but himself. -
Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies
- By: Michael Ausiello
- Narrator: Michael Ausiello
- Length: 10 hours 0 minutes
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
- Publish date: January 01, 2017
- Language: English
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4.3(4735 ratings)
4.3(4735 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.0023.99 USDNow a major motion picture starring Jim Parsons! A “heartbreaking but surprisingly hilarious memoir” (People) about the lessons, love, and laughter of the fourteen years a respected TV columnist shared with his late husband before heNow a major motion picture starring Jim Parsons! A “heartbreaking but surprisingly hilarious memoir” (People) about the lessons, love, and laughter of the fourteen years a respected TV columnist shared with his late husband before he succumbed to cancer.
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For over a decade, TV fans have counted upon Michael Ausiello’s insider knowledge to get the scoop on their favorite shows and stars. From his time at Soaps In Depth and Entertainment Tonight to his influential stints at TV Guide and Entertainment Weekly to his current role as cofounder of the wildly popular website TVLine, Michael has established himself as the go-to expert when it comes to our most popular form of entertainment.
What many of his fans don’t know, however, is that while his professional life was in full swing, Michael had to endure the greatest of personal tragedies: his longtime boyfriend, Kit Cowan, was diagnosed with a rare and very aggressive form of neuroendocrine cancer. Over the course of eleven months, Kit and Michael did their best to combat the deadly disease, but Kit succumbed to his illness in 2015.
In this heartbreaking and darkly hilarious memoir, Michael tells the story of his harrowing and challenging last year with Kit while revisiting the thirteen years that preceded it, and how the undeniably powerful bond between him and Kit carried them through all manner of difficulties–always with laughter front and center in their relationship.
“Engrossing, poignant, tragic, and hilarious” (Jenny Lawson, #1 New York Times bestselling author), Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies is “a story about love and loss, joy and heartbreak. And in the midst of personal turmoil, we learn that bravery comes in many forms” (The Washington Post). -
Double Feature
- By: Terence Stamp
- Narrator: Terence Stamp
- Length: 9 hours 31 minutes
- Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
- Publish date: January 01, 2015
- Language: English
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4.29(31 ratings)
4.29(31 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.0019.95 USDIn this second installment of Terence Stamp’s captivating memoirs, he takes us right into the heart of the swinging ’60s. From his Academy Award nomination for Billy Budd to his coming of age under the direction of the legendary FedericoIn this second installment of Terence Stamp’s captivating memoirs, he takes us right into the heart of the swinging ’60s. From his Academy Award nomination for Billy Budd to his coming of age under the direction of the legendary Federico Fellini, the “marmalade skies” are the limit. With beautiful women and beautiful people from London to California, Stamp captures the spirit of the decade. He was the face, the man to be seen with. And then the decade ended, along with his romance to famous model Jean Shrimpton. While the Beatles play their last concert on the rooftop of the Apple building in Mayfair, Stamp, unemployed and brokenhearted, boards a plane for a solo pilgrimage to India.
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A Body of Work
- By: David Hallberg
- Narrator: Vikas Adam
- Length: 12 hours 11 minutes
- Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
- Publish date: January 01, 2017
- Language: English
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4.28(389 ratings)
4.28(389 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.0022.95 USDDavid Hallberg, the first American to join the famed Bolshoi Ballet as a principal dancer and the dazzling artist the New York Times described as “the foremost classical stylist of our day,” presents an intimate journey through hisDavid Hallberg, the first American to join the famed Bolshoi Ballet as a principal dancer and the dazzling artist the New York Times described as “the foremost classical stylist of our day,” presents an intimate journey through his artistic life up to the moment he returns to the stage after a devastating injury almost cost him his career.
Beginning with his real-life Billy Elliot childhood–an all-American story marred by intense bullying–and culminating in his hard-won come-back, Hallberg’s brave memoir dives deep into life as an artist as he wrestles with ego, pushes the limits of his body, and searches for ecstatic perfection and fulfillment as one of the world’s most acclaimed ballet dancers.
While rich in detail ballet fans will adore, this is a book that anyone interested in a life of creativity will love. Hallberg reflects on themes like inspiration, self-doubt, and perfectionism as he takes listeners into daily class, rigorous rehearsals, and triumphant performances, searching for new interpretations of ballet’s greatest roles. He reveals the loneliness he felt as a teenager leaving America to join the Paris Opera Ballet, the ambition he had to tame as a new member of American Ballet Theatre, and the reasons behind his headline-grabbing decision to be the first American to join the top rank of Bolshoi Ballet, tendered by the artistic director who would later be the victim of a vicious acid attack. Then, as Hallberg performed throughout the world at the peak of his abilities, he suffered a crippling ankle injury and unsuccessful surgery leading to an agonizing retreat from ballet and an honest reexamination of his entire life.
Combining his powers of observation and memory with emotional honesty and artistic insight, Hallberg has written a great ballet memoir and an intimate portrait of an artist in all his vulnerability, passion, and wisdom.
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Size Matters Not
- By: Warwick Davis
- Narrator: Gideon Emery
- Length: 8 hours 20 minutes
- Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
- Publish date: January 01, 2011
- Language: English
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4.26(635 ratings)
4.26(635 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.0021.95 USDThe life and times of Warwick Davis, star of Ricky Gervais’ sitcom, Life’s Too Short Actors work their entire careers hoping to achieve the kind of cult movie hero status that Davis achieved at the age of eleven playing Wicket W.The life and times of Warwick Davis, star of Ricky Gervais’ sitcom, Life’s Too Short
Actors work their entire careers hoping to achieve the kind of cult movie hero status that Davis achieved at the age of eleven playing Wicket W. Warrick, the lead ewok in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. In this lively and down-to-earth memoir, Davis offers personal stories on the making of some of the most popular films of the last few decades–including the Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Leprechaun movie franchises, among many others–and shares the unique perspective of life as experienced by someone with a one-in-a-million genetic condition.
Here is the story of the real life of the man who helped destroy a Death Star, saved a princess, defeated an evil sorceress, taught magic to Harry Potter, became a Jedi Master, and embodied a mass murdering, gold-obsessed leprechaun–the one and only Warwick Davis.
Warwick Davis’ honest look at the highs and lows of life as an actor and pop-culture icon ranges from his screen debut in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi to his starring role in Ricky Gervais’ sitcom, Life’s Too Short.
Includes behind-the-scenes stories, from sweltering inside a furry Ewok costume and filling in for R2-D2 to sliding down a glacier at Mach 2 with Val Kilmer and getting kicked in the face by Ricky Gervais again and again. The book features a foreword by George Lucas, who has been friends with Davis for three decades.
Both refreshingly frank and highly entertaining, this book will help you see what life is like when it really is too short.
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Sinatra and Me
- By: Tony Oppedisano
- Narrator: Pete Simonelli
- Length: 10 hours 34 minutes
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
- Publish date: January 01, 2021
- Language: English
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4.26(303 ratings)
4.26(303 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.0023.99 USDThis intimate, revealing portrait of Frank Sinatra–from the man closest to the famous singer during the last decade of his life–features never-before-seen photos and new revelations about some of the most famous people of the past fiftyThis intimate, revealing portrait of Frank Sinatra–from the man closest to the famous singer during the last decade of his life–features never-before-seen photos and new revelations about some of the most famous people of the past fifty years, including Jackie Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Sam Giancana, Madonna, and Bono. “If you are a Frank fan, buy this book” (Jimmy Kimmel).
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More than a hundred books have been written about legendary crooner and actor Frank Sinatra. Every detail of his life seems to captivate: his career, his romantic relationships, his personality, his businesses, his style. But a hard-to-pin-down quality has always clung to him–a certain elusiveness that emerges again and again in retrospective depictions. Until now.
From Sinatra’s closest confidant and an eventual member of his management team, Tony Oppedisano, comes an extraordinarily intimate look at the singing idol that offers “new information on almost every page” (The Wall Street Journal). Deep into the night, for more than two thousand nights, Frank and Tony would converse–about music, family, friends, great loves, achievements and successes, failures and disappointments, the lives they’d led, the lives they wished they’d led. In these full-disclosure conversations, Sinatra spoke of his close yet complex relationship with his father, his conflicts with record companies, his carousing in Vegas, his love affairs with some of the most beautiful women of his era, his triumphs on some of the world’s biggest stages, his complicated relationships with his talented children, and, most important, his dedication to his craft.
Toward the end, no one was closer to the singer than Oppedisano, who kept his own rooms at the Sinatra residences for many years, often brokered difficult conversations between family members, and held the superstar entertainer’s hand when he drew his last breath.
“Frank Sinatra fans, pull up a chair and let longtime confidante and road manager Tony Oppedisano regale you with tales from the entertainer’s inner circle” (Parade magazine)–Sinatra and Me pulls back the curtain on a man whom history has, in many ways, gotten wrong. -
No Job for a Man
- By: John Ross Bowie
- Narrator: John Ross Bowie
- Length: 8 hours 38 minutes
- Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
- Publish date: January 01, 2022
- Language: English
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4.2(49 ratings)
4.2(49 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.0019.95 USDA darkly witty, deeply affecting, and finely crafted memoir by the Big Bang Theory and Speechless star and comedian, John Ross Bowie. From his earliest memories of watching Rhoda with his parents in their tiny Hell’s Kitchen apartment, JohnA darkly witty, deeply affecting, and finely crafted memoir by the Big Bang Theory and Speechless star and comedian, John Ross Bowie.
From his earliest memories of watching Rhoda with his parents in their tiny Hell’s Kitchen apartment, John knew that he wanted to be an actor. The strange, alternate world of television–where people always cracked the perfect joke, lived in glamorous Upper East Side buildings, and made up immediately after fighting–seemed far better than his own home life, with a mother and father on the brink of divorce and a neighborhood full of crumbling pre-war architecture and not-so-occasional muggings. And yet that other world also seems unattainable. Besides crippling stage fright (which would take him years to overcome) John’s father, ever aloof and cynical, has instilled within him the notion that acting is “no job for a man.”
His father would impart that while theater, film, and television should be consumed and even debated, to create was no way to make a living or support a family. Putting aside his acting dreams, John stumbles through his twenties. He tries his hand at teaching and other traditional occupations, but nothing feels nearly as fulfilling as playing with his fleetingly on-the-map punk band, Egghead.
When he and his bandmates break up, John lands a joyless job copywriting for a consulting agency and slips into a dark depression. He loses weight, begins drinking heavily, and his relationships flounder.
But everything changes when John discovers improv (and anti-depressants). As a part of New York’s now-famous Upright Citizens Brigade, John not only explores his passion for acting and comedy–and begins to envision himself doing so professionally–he also meets his future wife and fellow actor, Jamie Denbo.
No Job for a Man follows the couple as they relocate to Los Angeles and try to make it in the arts, meeting success and failure, wins and losses, despair and hope along the way. Though his father chronically refuses to acknowledge pride in his adult son’s accomplishments, John comes to realize what being a man truly means.
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James Patterson by James Patterson
- By: James Patterson
- Narrator: James Patterson
- Length: 7 hours 6 minutes
- Publisher: Hachette Audio
- Publish date: June 06, 2022
- Language: English
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4.19(3692 ratings)
4.19(3692 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.0024.99 USD“It’s quite a life, Patterson’s, and this fizzing, funny, often deeply moving memoir is a perfect way to understand the dizzying world of a best-selling writer.” —Daily Mail “Damn near addictive. I loved it . . .“It’s quite a life, Patterson’s, and this fizzing, funny, often deeply moving memoir is a perfect way to understand the dizzying world of a best-selling writer.” —Daily Mail
“Damn near addictive. I loved it . . . that Patterson guy can write!” -Ron Howard
THE INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER–How did a kid whose dad lived in the poorhouse become the most successful storyteller in the world?- On the morning he was born, he nearly died.
- Growing up, he didn’t love to read. That changed.
- He worked at a mental hospital in Massachusetts, where he met the singer James Taylor and the poet Robert Lowell.
- While he toiled in advertising hell, James wrote the ad jingle line “I’m a Toys ‘R’ Us Kid.”
- He once watched James Baldwin and Norman Mailer square off to trade punches at a party.
- He’s only been in love twice. Both times are amazing.
- Dolly Parton once sang “Happy Birthday” to James over the phone. She calls him J.J., for Jimmy James.
- Three American presidents have invited him to golf with them.
How did a boy from small-town New York become the world’s most successful writer? How does he do it? He has always wanted to write the kind of novel that would be read and reread so many times that the binding breaks and the book literally falls apart. As he says, “I’m still working on that one.”
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Around the Way Girl
- By: Taraji P. Henson
- Narrator: Taraji P. Henson
- Length: 7 hours 27 minutes
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
- Publish date: January 01, 2016
- Language: English
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4.19(4538 ratings)
4.19(4538 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.0017.99 USD2017 Audie Award Finalist for Autobiography/MemoirFrom Taraji P. Henson, Academy Award nominee, Golden Globe winner, and star of the award-winning film Hidden Figures, comes an inspiring and funny memoir–“a bona fide hit”2017 Audie Award Finalist for Autobiography/Memoir
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From Taraji P. Henson, Academy Award nominee, Golden Globe winner, and star of the award-winning film Hidden Figures, comes an inspiring and funny memoir–“a bona fide hit” (Essence)–about family, friends, the hustle required to make it in Hollywood, and the joy of living your own truth.
With a sensibility that recalls her beloved screen characters, including Katherine, the NASA mathematician, Yvette, Queenie, Shug, and the iconic Cookie from Empire, Taraji P. Henson writes of her family, the one she was born into and the one she created. She shares stories of her father, a Vietnam vet who was bowed but never broken by life’s challenges, and of her mother who survived violence both at home and on DC’s volatile streets. Here, too, she opens up about her experiences as a single mother, a journey some saw as a burden but which she saw as a gift.
Around the Way Girl is also a classic actor’s memoir in which Taraji reflects on the world-class instruction she received at Howard University and how she chipped away, with one small role after another, at Hollywood’s resistance to give women, particularly women of color, meaty significant roles. With laugh-out-loud humor and candor, she shares the challenges and disappointments of the actor’s journey and shows us that behind the red carpet moments, she is ever authentic. She is at heart just a girl in pursuit of her dreams in this “inspiring account of overcoming adversity and a quest for self-discovery, written with vitality and enthusiasm” (Shelf Awareness). -
Apparently There Were Complaints
- By: Sharon Gless
- Narrator: Sharon Gless
- Length: 9 hours 51 minutes
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
- Publish date: January 01, 2021
- Language: English
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4.18(1090 ratings)
4.18(1090 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.0019.99 USDEmmy Award-winning actress Sharon Gless tells all in this laugh-out-loud, juicy, “unforgettably memorable” (Lily Tomlin) memoir about her five decades in Hollywood, where she took on some of the most groundbreaking roles of herEmmy Award-winning actress Sharon Gless tells all in this laugh-out-loud, juicy, “unforgettably memorable” (Lily Tomlin) memoir about her five decades in Hollywood, where she took on some of the most groundbreaking roles of her time.
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Anyone who has seen Sharon Gless act in Cagney & Lacey, Queer as Folk, Burn Notice, and countless other shows and movies, knows that she’s someone who gives every role her all. She holds nothing back in Apparently There Were Complaints, a hilarious, deeply personal memoir that spills all about Gless’s five decades in Hollywood.
A fifth-generation Californian, Sharon Gless knew from a young age that she wanted to be an actress. After some rocky teenage years that included Sharon’s parents’ divorce and some minor (and not-so-minor) rebellion, Gless landed a coveted spot as an exclusive contract player for Universal Studios. In 1982, she stepped into the role of New York Police Detective Christine Cagney for the series Cagney & Lacey, which eventually reached an audience of 30 million weekly viewers and garnered Gless with two Emmy Awards. The show made history as the first hour-long drama to feature two women in the leading roles.
Gless continued to make history long after Cagney & Lacey was over. In 2000, she took on the role of outrageous Debbie Novotny in Queer as Folk. Her portrayal of a devoted mother to a gay son and confidant to his gay friends touched countless hearts and changed the definition of family for millions of viewers.
Apparently There Were Complaints delves into Gless’s remarkable career and explores Gless’s complicated family, her struggles with alcoholism, and her fear of romantic commitment as well as her encounters with some of Hollywood’s biggest names. Brutally honest and incredibly relatable, Gless puts it all out on the page in the same way she has lived–never with moderation. -
A Work in Progress
- By: Connor Franta
- Narrator: Connor Franta
- Length: 3 hours 8 minutes
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
- Publish date: January 01, 2015
- Language: English
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4.18(18600 ratings)
4.18(18600 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.0017.99 USD*NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER *GOODREADS CHOICE AWARD WINNER FOR BEST MEMOIR/AUTOBIOGRAPHY *FORBES TOP 5 BREAKTHROUGH BOOK OF THE YEAR In this intimate memoir of life beyond the camera, Connor Franta shares the lessons he has learned on his journey*NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
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*GOODREADS CHOICE AWARD WINNER FOR BEST MEMOIR/AUTOBIOGRAPHY
*FORBES TOP 5 BREAKTHROUGH BOOK OF THE YEAR
In this intimate memoir of life beyond the camera, Connor Franta shares the lessons he has learned on his journey from small-town boy to Internet sensation–so far. Here, Connor offers a look at his Midwestern upbringing as one of four children in the home and one of five in the classroom; his struggles with identity, body image, and sexuality in his teen years; and his decision to finally pursue his creative and artistic passions in his early twenties, setting up his thrilling career as a YouTube personality, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and tastemaker.
Exploring his past with insight and humor, his present with humility, and his future with hope, Connor reveals his private struggles while providing heartfelt words of wisdom for young adults. His words will resonate with anyone coming of age in the digital era, but at the core is a timeless message for people of all ages: don’t be afraid to be yourself and to go after what you truly want.
This full-color collection includes photography and childhood clippings provided by Connor and is a must-have for anyone inspired by his journey. -
A Chosen Destiny
- By: Drew McIntyre
- Narrator: Drew McIntyre
- Length: 8 hours 7 minutes
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
- Publish date: January 01, 2021
- Language: English
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4.18(72 ratings)
4.18(72 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.0019.99 USDIn this thrilling, no-holds-barred memoir that shows why he is “an inspiration to millions of WWE fans around the world” (Triple H), WWE Champion Drew McIntyre tells the incredible roller-coaster story of his life, from a small villageIn this thrilling, no-holds-barred memoir that shows why he is “an inspiration to millions of WWE fans around the world” (Triple H), WWE Champion Drew McIntyre tells the incredible roller-coaster story of his life, from a small village in Ayrshire, Scotland, to the bright lights of WWE.
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From a young age, Drew McIntyre dreamed of becoming a WWE Champion and following in the footsteps of his heroes “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and The Undertaker. With his parents’ support, he trained and paid his dues, proving himself to tiny crowds in the UK’s Butlin circuit. At age twenty-two, McIntyre made his WWE debut and was touted by none other than WWE Chairman Vince McMahon as “The Chosen One” who would lead WWE into the future. With his destiny in the palms of his hands, Drew watched it all slip through his fingers.
Via a series of ill-advised choices and family tragedy, Drew’s life and career spiraled. As a surefire champ, he struggled under the pressure of expectations and was fired from the company. But the WWE Universe had not seen the last of this promising athlete. Facing a crossroads, the powerful Scotsman set a course to show the world the real Drew McIntyre.
Buoyed by the support of his wife, Kaitlyn, and the memory of his beloved mother, Drew embarked on a mission to recharge, reinvent, and revitalize himself to fulfill his destiny. This is a story of grit, courage, and determination as a fallen Superstar discovers who he truly is and storms back to reclaim his dream. -
The Queens of Animation
- By: Nathalia Holt
- Narrator: Saskia Maarleveld
- Length: 11 hours 37 minutes
- Publisher: Hachette Audio
- Publish date: October 22, 2019
- Language: English
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4.17(1352 ratings)
4.17(1352 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.0025.98 USDFrom the bestselling author of Rise of the Rocket Girls, the untold, “richly detailed” story of the women of Walt Disney Studios, who shaped the iconic films that have enthralled generations (Margot Lee Shetterly, New York Times... Read moreFrom the bestselling author of Rise of the Rocket Girls, the untold, “richly detailed” story of the women of Walt Disney Studios, who shaped the iconic films that have enthralled generations (Margot Lee Shetterly, New York Times bestselling author of Hidden Figures).
From Snow White to Moana, from Pinocchio to Frozen, the animated films of Walt Disney Studios have moved and entertained millions. But few fans know that behind these groundbreaking features was an incredibly influential group of women who fought for respect in an often ruthless male-dominated industry and who have slipped under the radar for decades.
In The Queens of Animation, bestselling author Nathalia Holt tells their dramatic stories for the first time, showing how these women infiltrated the boys’ club of Disney’s story and animation departments and used early technologies to create the rich artwork and unforgettable narratives that have become part of the American canon. As the influence of Walt Disney Studios grew — and while battling sexism, domestic abuse, and workplace intimidation — these women also fought to transform the way female characters are depicted to young audiences.
With gripping storytelling, and based on extensive interviews and exclusive access to archival and personal documents, The Queens of Animation reveals the vital contributions these women made to Disney’s Golden Age and their continued impact on animated filmmaking, culminating in the record-shattering Frozen, Disney’s first female-directed full-length feature film.
A Best Book of 2019: Library Journal, Christian Science Monitor, and Financial Times -
Backstory
- By: Avani Gregg
- Narrator: Avani Gregg
- Length: 4 hours 33 minutes
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
- Publish date: January 01, 2021
- Language: English
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4.16(64 ratings)
4.16(64 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.0017.99 USDIn this funny, vulnerable, and genuine memoir, award-winning content creator and actress Avani Gregg takes you behind the scenes of her incredible life, sharing how a girl from small-town Indiana went on to become TikToker of the Year.With more thanIn this funny, vulnerable, and genuine memoir, award-winning content creator and actress Avani Gregg takes you behind the scenes of her incredible life, sharing how a girl from small-town Indiana went on to become TikToker of the Year.
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With more than fifty million followers on social media; invitations to glamorous events around the world; awards, magazine covers, and even her own makeup line–Avani Gregg never imagined this wild ride for herself. After all, she was just from a small town, spending her time hanging with friends and family and combing thrift-store racks for finds. It only took one video–her famous “Clown Girl Check”–and she suddenly found herself vibing as one of the original Hype House creators. “People think I exploded overnight,” the eighteen-year-old TikTok sensation says. “But they don’t know the half of it. They don’t know what came before or after. They don’t know my Backstory.”
In this eye-opening memoir, Avani shares the ups and down of her remarkable life, including the devastating back injury that forced her to retire from gymnastics and abandon her dreams of Olympic gold. In the aftermath, struggling to make sense of it all, she found her calling: creating jaw-droppingly dramatic makeup looks on social media that leave her “Bebs” begging for more. Diving deep into topics like mental health, relationships, bullying, and more, Avani shares her private sketchbook and most intimate thoughts: “There’s a lot we all think and feel but are afraid to say out loud. Well, I’m saying it…and it’s gonna get deep.”
This is the unfiltered, revealing, and deeply inspiring Backstory of someone with big dreams and how she worked to achieve them. And Avani is not holding back. -
Total Recall
- By: Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Narrator: Stephen Lang
- Length: 23 hours 21 minutes
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
- Publish date: January 01, 2012
- Language: English
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4.15(16703 ratings)
4.15(16703 ratings)Regular Price:Try for $0.0029.95 USDIn his signature larger-than-life style, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Total Recall is a revealing self-portrait of his illustrious, controversial, and truly unique life.The greatest immigrant success story of our time. His story is unique, andIn his signature larger-than-life style, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Total Recall is a revealing self-portrait of his illustrious, controversial, and truly unique life.
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The greatest immigrant success story of our time.
His story is unique, and uniquely entertaining, and he tells it brilliantly in these pages.
He was born in a year of famine, in a small Austrian town, the son of an austere police chief. He dreamed of moving to America to become a bodybuilding champion and a movie star.
By the age of twenty-one, he was living in Los Angeles and had been crowned Mr. Universe.
Within five years, he had learned English and become the greatest bodybuilder in the world.
Within ten years, he had earned his college degree and was a millionaire from his business enterprises in real estate, landscaping, and bodybuilding. He was also the winner of a Golden Globe Award for his debut as a dramatic actor in Stay Hungry.
Within twenty years, he was the world’s biggest movie star, the husband of Maria Shriver, and an emerging Republican leader who was part of the Kennedy family.
Thirty-six years after coming to America, the man once known by fellow bodybuilders as the Austrian Oak was elected governor of California, the seventh largest economy in the world.
He led the state through a budget crisis, natural disasters, and political turmoil, working across party lines for a better environment, election reforms, and bipartisan solutions.
With Maria Shriver, he raised four fantastic children. In the wake of a scandal he brought upon himself, he tried to keep his family together.
Until now, he has never told the full story of his life, in his own voice.
Here is Arnold, with total recall.
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Cliff Weitzman
Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.
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