Saturday, January 01, 2011

Happy New Year

I don’t read celebrity books. I have in the past, two or three at most, but now I don’t. I think most celebrities rarely write their own books and, frankly, I don’t think they have much to say that I can relate with.

But clearly no one gives a patootie what I think ‘cause the celebrity books keep coming. This past year we had books from Jay-Z, Tony Blair, Justin Bieber, Nicole Richie, the Kardashians, The Situation, George W. Bush, and many more.

As we look to the new year, what celebrities would you want to write a book on their life or views or advice?

No matter what you read, though, have a New Year full of books, friends, love and good health.

46 comments:

  1. Happy New Year, Helen. I don't read celebrity books either, but I've always wanted to meet Tony Blair. I've seen him interviewed a few times, and I think the man is more interesting than the politician.

    It's been a pleasure meeting you online this year. All the best for you, family, and friends for the New Year.

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  2. Happy New Year, Helen. May it be a fresh new one for you & yours.

    My 2011 will sparkle if I don't have to look at or hear about a single celebrity book published. Whether a celebrity turns fiction author or it's a celebrity life story, I don't care. Just save me from them!! :)

    Judy (South Africa)

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  3. I don't read them either - I'm not interested enough in them and their lives to invest that much time. The only exception I can think of is Mr. Peabody's Apples by Madonna - it's a wonderful kid's book.

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  4. I actually like reading the occasional celebrity book, as long as I'm a fan of the celebrity. Kathy Griffin's book was fun as was Dog the Bounty Hunter's first one. I know they're not classics of Western literature but there's nothing wrong with having a little fun reading now and then. I also would think of politicians like Blair and Bush as being in a slightly different category from media stars- as world leaders and people who've influenced history for good or ill, their books have for a me a little more intellectual appeal. And if you like them their books are probably fun and interesting, too.

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  5. A difficult question, I'm not into this celebrity thing, although I wouldn't mind if my books became sort after and I became a minor celebrity... oh, well, a very Happy New Year to you, hugs...

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  6. I find it good news that others like celebrity books. It'd be a sad world if everyone was like me! I'm trying to think if there is a celebrity or politician whose book I would want to read, and I'm coming up empty. Maybe the bio of someone unimportant who had done something extraordinary.

    I'm wishing each of you a wonderful 2011.

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  7. I've read very few celebrity books. In fact, the only one that comes to mind is Queen Latifah's Put On Your Crown. It was more about motivating young girls than it was about herself. Hope you have a Happy New Year filled with wonderful books to read.

    Mason
    Thoughts in Progress

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  8. I'm like you, Helen. I don't read celebrity books at all. Happy New Year.

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  9. I don't read celebrity books either. At least not the 'non-fiction' titles. I do want to read Steve Martin's novels someday though because I have heard excellent things about them.

    I read a review the other day for Snookie's (the girl from the Jersey Shore) novel. Just the fact that she has a novel was very depressing.

    Happy New Year.

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  10. I've never read a celebrity book, but with Stephen Fry and Simon Pegg's books out, this will hopefully change :) Happy New Year!

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  11. Happy New Year, Helen.

    I agree with you about the celerity books. They don't appeal to me. Lucky for us, there are lots of real writers out there, good ones, to keep us occupied throughout the year. :)

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  12. Mason, that kind of celebrity book I might read.

    Haleine, that is so depressing! And the idea that it will sell is even more depressing.

    You're right, Laurita, we do have so many great books to choose from.

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  13. I rarely read celebrity books and, in fact, recently posted something about my annoyance about Justin Beiber's book. Seriously, does anyone believe that sixteen year old has enough life experience to qualify for a memoir? Don't even get me started!

    Happy New Year!

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  14. Happy New Year, my favourite mermaid!
    I don't think I read celebrity books - if I have I can't remember. I don't care if they write them though - keeps them out of pool halls and bad marriages I guess. As I don't watch much television (no cable and no plans for it) - I don't hear about them. So.
    I do want to read the two new books on Cleopatra however! She didn't write them though. ha.

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  15. Celebrity books are such a waste. Can't believe there's even a movie coming out for the Justin kid. His life story? He's sixteen! He hasn't even lived yet!
    Okay, that said, I might read a book by quarterback Tim Teboe, because it would be faith-based.

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  16. Happy New Year, Helen. Hope you have a terrific 2011. (Wow, I typed the year right - wonder how long that will last?)

    I too do not read celebrity "autobiographies" and to tell the truth I can't think of a single one I'd like to see "write" one. An occasional biography is OK, but never one on someone still living. I doubt the integrity of those.
    ~jon

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  17. Celebrity books are boring, but biographies can be interesting. Right now I'm reading The Strangest Man, a biography about Paul Dirac. Great book >:)

    Cold As Heaven

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  18. Happy new year, Helen! I'm just like you. I think celebrity bios are usually money grabs without much heart.

    But the trend these days seems to be leaning toward promoting celebrity bios as gritty, real, fully exposed, etc. eg: Unbearable Lightness by Porcia Di Rossi.

    I haven't read it yet, but it's on my long list of books to check out of the library.

    cheers, Jenn
    Do you have any love to share in 2011? Check out Love Every Day

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  19. I rarely read a celebrity book. I think the last one I read was Lee Iaccoca's book on business back in the 80s, or was it the 70s? He's not considered a celebrity, but he was a sound businessman and well known. I think this current craze of people becoming celebrities because they have a reality show, or some other nonsense that is supposed to be entertainment, is not worth the air time or the paper to print a book.

    Of course, that is just my humble opinion. LOL

    Happy New Year, Helen.

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  20. I'll probably read George W. Bush's book or at least some of it one of these days. I'd like to know what went in his mind when he made important decisions.

    Normally I don't bother with celebrity books either.

    Morgan Mandel
    http://morganmandel.blogspot.com

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  21. Linda, I am with you on Bieber!

    Jan, Cleopatra is always interesting, IMO.

    So true, Jon. If you're writing your own bio or story, can you be totally honest?

    Maryann, that's my opinion, as well.

    I'm so weary of politics, I don't want to read any politician's book.

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  22. I'm less against celebrity books if they actually write the words themselves.

    Happy New Year!

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  23. Happy New Year Helen!

    I'm not a big celebrity book fan either. I've read a few over the years I enjoyed. Maybe one on Queen Elizabeth but from her point of view would be interesting.

    all these political platform books leave me cold--Bush, Palin, etc.

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  24. Sometimes you can't tell, Golden Eagle.

    Amen, Sia!

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  25. I couldn't think of anyone when I read this post yesterday. Still can't today. I was hoping to come back and find lots of suggestions!

    It's something to do with them being famous for being a celebrity (or vice-versa) and not because they are interesting or intelligent or insightful and wise. They seem to live in such a rarefied atmosphere that I'd be a tad cynical about the quality and relevance of their advice.

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  26. I don't read them either, and I'm drawing a blank when trying to think of one I would read. I used to think I didn't read memoirs either, but I've some non-celebrity ones that are really good.

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  27. Happy New Year, Helen! I don't read books by celebrities either. Nothing to learn, most of the time.

    Fire and Cross

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  28. I'd take a memoir by someone like Susan Albert over a celebrity almost every time. Pat Bean

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  29. Happy New Year, Helen! I don't read celebrity books, although I did enjoy Queen Noor's book some time back.

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  30. Sue, I'm with you. I find it difficult to relate to celebrities.

    An ordinary person who does something extraordinary is different, I think. We read with the belief that we could do something extraordinary.

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  31. Celebrity memories? Nah! I might read one written by Ann Richards, or say......Barbara Jordan...but other than that, I agree with Sue's words about reading one written by someone who has done something extraordinary--other than making millions on screen or microphone.

    Sue Monk Kidd's Dance of the Dissident Daughter blew me away--since she 'plagiarized my life!" But since she's already written it, I don't have to! And since I'm not a celebrity, I don't have to worry about it anyway! But I did get a brief review of A WAR OF HER OWN in today's Dallas Morning News--so i'm ecstatic!
    Sylvia Dickey Smith

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  32. Sylvia, that's fabulous! The Dallas paper reaches a lot of people. I hope you see a strong uptick in sales. I'm really excited for you.

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  33. How many of those celebs wrote their own books? Maybe--maybe Tony Blair. And W is likely to have something important to say, even if he uses a ghost writer.

    The others? Nah.

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  34. That's the thing, Bob. Did the Hollywood celebs write the book? I'd like to know how involved they were. (And this question is coming from a ghost writer, mind you.)

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  35. The only celebrity books I care to look at are the ones by Carrie Fisher and David Sedaris (and David is really a celebrity BECAUSE of what he writes)--Carrie Fisher though, sees herself as a writer who got roped into some acting gigs... she just happened to have famous parents. Her books are HYSTERICAL. Most celebrities? No thanks (though if I liked non-fiction... at all... there are some world politicians that interest me--the variety that ARE NOT on talk radio)

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  36. Thanks for the recommendations, Hart. Now, a funny memoir would appeal to me, I think.

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  37. Looks like ghostwriting might be a good field to go into! No, I don't like reading them either...although I've been tempted by Keith Richards' book.

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  38. I love hearing what each person would consider reading. This should be a whole interactive post by itself.

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  39. I don’t read celebrity books either – for the reasons you mention. I can’t even think of a celebrity who I’d want to write a book.

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  40. I don't read celebrity books ... waste of my time. The words I want to describe most of these people should not be used on your blog. Have a great 2011!

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  41. I bet I've heard worse words, Stephen.

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  42. I wouldn't care about any celebrities at the moment. They get enough coverage and enough money.
    Nancy
    N. R. Williams, fantasy author

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  43. The only celebrity book I'm interested in the Twain's new version of his biography that just released.

    I am still sneering at the Justin Beiber book. He's not even old enough to drive...how can he possibly have enough to say to make a book? *eye roll*

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  44. Isn't the Bieber book listed as his life story? Seriously?

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  45. I wouldn't know a celebrity if one stood in front of me in line at the grocery store.

    I seldom watch TV anymore and can probably find a bazillion books I'd rather read than about a celebrity.

    I might change my mind if one were written about Tom Selleck and someone gave it to me. But otherwise, no thank you.

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  46. Linda, better yet -- if he signed it for you. He's still cute.

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