With the colder evenings drawing in, there’s nothing better than lighting a few candles & sitting down with a good book. If fiction isn’t your thing, then we’ve got 8 Artist biographies you NEED to add to your to-be-read lists to get you through the autumn months.
First up on our list, the tell-all memoir, My Thoughts Exactly by Lily Allen. Since its release in 2018, it has been highly rated by many for Lily’s brutal honesty. This book showcases her vulnerability but also her bravery and strength in detailing not only the way others have hurt her, and the emotional pain she has gone through, but the ways in which she has failed herself too. If you think this is going to be a typical trashy celebrity book, you would be wrong, and this goes for most of our picks on this list. Instead, it is a deeply personal account. Lily’s words on the way women are treated in the music industry are also incredibly important and will hopefully help and inspire others to speak out, therefore creating a wave of change going forward. All in all, a lot to unpack, but definitely worth the read.
Mariah Carey is incredibly well known in the music industry. Mostly for being THE QUEEN of the high notes, for having one of the best Christmas songs of all time, and she has also faced a lot of criticism for being a diva. However, there is so much more to her than those things, and this book explores and analyses the moments in her life that made her who she is. Mariah has faced a lot of hardship in her life, from growing up in a tumultuous family dynamic, to her first marriage to a controlling music executive, her experience with racism and sexism, and everything in between. It is also a joy however to learn of the paths she took to go from a normal young girl to one of the most successful music artists of all time – a household name. It is emotional yet an educating read, even if you’re not a particular fan of hers or her music. To top it off, it’s very up to date as it was released in September 2020.
Our World is our insight into the world of the biggest girl group in the UK – Little Mix. Released in 2016, it tells us the story of Little Mix’s journey and each individual member, in both their professional and their personal lives, along with many great photos capturing important moments in Little Mix’s history. Unlike their first autobiography ‘Ready To Fly’, Our World is a more mature read and definitely more personal and honest. Each member of the girl group (Perrie Edwards, Jade Thirlwall, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and now ex-member Jesy Nelson) take turns in writing from their perspective which is more a collaborative, personal approach to which many find appealing. Some parts are hard-hitting, and some parts are celebratory, but either way, it allows us to get to know the girls on a deeper level. You’ll definitely feel a mix of emotions with this one!
Cheryl’s autobiography is a slightly older one, released in 2012. Nonetheless, it’s still just as much of a riveting read as it was when it was first released. Cheryl bares all and reveals her side to some of the most publicized events of her life, including her divorce from Ashley Cole after his infidelity during their marriage, her brush with death after becoming unwell after contracting Malaria, her life as an X Factor judge, the highs, and lows of being in a girl group and then making it as a solo artist, as well as opening up about her childhood years in Newcastle. Cheryl’s life has changed drastically since the release of My Story, especially after becoming a mother for the first time after giving birth to son Bear in 2017 with ex-One Direction member Liam Payne. We’d love an updated book but for now, this is still a firm favourite of ours.
Another Girls Aloud mention on our list, but a slightly different read. Released very recently in March 2021, Hear Me Out is Sarah’s way of taking the microphone and finally being able to regain her own story. Of course, Sarah’s book details Girl Aloud’s early days and rise to fame but again, the main focus of the book is her own personal accounts. Especially her battles with being a sufferer of ADHD, alcoholism, and breast cancer; which she sadly passed away from this weekend. Sarah is incredibly open and transparent within her storytelling while still maintaining her sense of humour throughout. Inspirational and touching, are the best words to describe this book.
A bit of an odd one out on our list, but a book that is so interesting that it got its own Netflix Original movie, it had to be mentioned! If you’re after the shock value, the explicit and the downright horrific, this is the book for you. Written by the members of heavy metal band Motley Crue (Nikki Sixx, Vince Neil Tommy Lee and Mick Mars) who experienced superstardom in the ’80s and released in 2002, the band disclose everything that went on behind the scenes and believe me it is eventful, and in parts quite devastating. An absolute must-read, whether you’re too young to have heard of them or not, they have some extraordinary and disturbing stories to tell.
When this book was released in 2016, fangirls everywhere went absolutely crazy. The usually private and quiet Zayn had released a book detailing his thoughts on many moments in his life and his career with One Direction. Not only that, but it coincided with his ex-girlfriend’s Perrie Edwards’ autobiography, previously mentioned on our list – Our World by Little Mix. But this book stood out uniquely on its own for being more of an artistic and intimate scrapbook. Zayn didn’t throw any shade towards his ex-band members or ex-girlfriend, instead, his words are full of his love for his family and his upbringing, and he allows himself to be fully raw when opening up on his struggles with his mental health. A therapeutic and heartening read.
Ok, so this one is a slight cop-out, as it is more of a picture book/photo album, but it felt only right to include it in our list! Billie Eilish very quickly made a reputation for herself for being incredibly iconic, and gained fame and success almost overnight, therefore creating a whole new fandom. Her book takes us through her entire life, telling a visual story of the making of who she is, beginning with photographs of early childhood, right through to current times. Like Zayn’s book, it is more of a personal scrapbook, which we as fans feel honoured to be allowed to peek through.
If you’re wanting to purchase any of these books; check them out here!
Thank you, fellow fangirl!
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