Primates of Park Avenue

Book 20 of 2017 is Primates of Park Avenue by Wednesday Martin.

I've avoided reading this book because I expected a bragfest from a WASP that would leave me mostly disgusted. I was pleasantly surprised.

The cheeky anthropological dissertation style structure made this much more palatable. It was like watching these crazy rich women through the scratched perspex of a modern day zoo. Thoroughly disturbing and fascination all at once.

4 Birkin bags out of 5.

Should I read this? Yes but don't consider it science.
What did I learn? Women are women.

Dear Mr. You

Book 66 of 2015 is Dear Mr. You by Mary-Louise Parker.

This is an original and well-written autobiography from an actor I have enjoyed and respected since watching Fried Green Tomatoes. Weeds is still one of my favourite TV shows of all time and she my favourite suburban sociopath.

She writes this as a series of letters to the people who were important in changing her life. Sometimes it is overly wordy and feels like she is trying too hard to write a good book and then she writes a chapter that leaves you crying and telling those around you that you are ok and not to worry.

Even if you don't know Mary-Louise Parker, you should read this. This is my second favourite memoir of 2015 after Not My Father's Son.

4 letters to my dearest loved ones out of 5.

Should I read this? Totally. Absolutely. Yeah, like now.
What did I learn? I need to rewrite my whole book.

Let's Pretend This Never Happened (A Mostly True Memoir)

Book 45 of 2015 is Let's Pretend This Never Happened (A Mostly True Memoir) by @thebloggess (AKA Jenny Lawson).

I've been following @thebloggess on twitter for many years. There are twitter moments she talks about in her autobiography that I remember seeing on her twitter stream and that is always a cool experience.

My recent foray in to the autobiography scene was never enthusiastic but I have been pleasantly surprised again by this book and can call it one of the best books I've read this year.

I literally laughed out loud through every chapter of this book, even the ones I also cried through.

She is a crazy lady who makes those of us who aren't quite conventional feel a little less alone. I've always liked her for that and this book concreted that for me.

5 taxidermied Hamlet mice out of 5.

Should I read this? Without a doubt, yes.
What did I learn? The broken people are my favourite kind of people.

Not My Father's Son: A Memoir

Book 23 of 2015 is Not My Father's Son: A Memoir by Alan Cumming.

I had no idea who this guy was. I picked up the book because I liked his hair and it was rated 4+ stars.

Little did I know that his brokenness would give me freedom and peace that I wouldn't have known before I read this book.

Life shits on you. It does. You can either work through it and be mindful or let it own you. Alan Cummin made me realise that facing all my demons was well worth the effort.  Sure, it will take me a very long time but I will get to a place where my existence is good... or better.

4 floggings out of 5.

Should I read this? Only if you like memoirs. This is a very good one.

What did I learn? They can beat you and you will still survive.