New Biographies

by Paul Birkhead  Rowan Public Library


      Did you know that one of the fastest growing book categories in the United States happens to be biographies/memoirs?  I tend to believe that because from what I see being checked out at the library, biographies are pretty popular right now in Rowan County.  Why are biographies so popular?  The simple answer would be because they give us insight into the mind of a person we don’t know personally and who we might admire or just be curious about.  Another reason could be that biographies give us a wider view on the world.  It helps to see things through the actions and experiences of another person, especially if that person was a witness to history, a celebrity, or simply someone who lived in another culture or time period.
      There is quite a mixture of new biographies/memoirs on the shelves at Rowan Public Library.  One book cover that will surely catch your eye is Perfect is Boring: Tyra and her Mama.  Tyra Banks wrote this book with her mother, Carolyn London.  In it, they talk about what it was like to experience Tyra’s journey from ordinary to extraordinary.  In between the witty back-and-forth are life lessons for succeeding in whatever you put your mind to.
        Another American celebrity with a new memoir is Nick Nolte.  In Rebel: My Life Outside the Lines, Nolte tells the story of how his life changed when he left the Midwest as a shy athlete and discovered acting.  During his decades-long career, Nolte has played many roles and not all were on film.  His string of marriages and relationships, as well as his infamous mugshot, have made his life interesting to read about.
      The American prairie spawned these next two biographies.  In A Prairie Girl’s Faith, author Stephen Hines writes about the Christian life of Laura Ingalls Wilder.  The Little House on the Prairie series is beloved by many and this book explores the deep spirituality found in those books and in anecdotes about Laura Ingalls’ real life.  Fans of Little House or pioneer life in general are sure to enjoy this book.  They may even wish to try their hand at several recipes found inside.
      The Man Who Caught the Storm: The Life of Legendary Tornado Chaser Tim Samaras is a new biography and the debut of author Brantley Hargrove.  This book chronicles the life of storm chaser Tim Samaras, and how his obsession with twisters led him to cross paths with a monster storm. 
      When you see an actor on television week after week, they begin to feel like family.  That’s why biographies of television personalities can be so interesting.  If you’re of a certain age, you will remember the TV sitcom, “Happy Days.”  The show centered on the lives of the Cunningham family, particularly son Richie (played by Ron Howard) and family friend, Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli.  Well, the woman who played Richie’s mother, “Mrs. C.”, was Marion Ross.  In her book, My Days: Happy and Otherwise, Marion tells about her experiences on the show and in real life.
      A very popular television show today is NBC’s “This Is Us”, and one of its stars is Chrissy Metz.  Chrissy’s character, Kate Pearson, continually struggles with her weight on the show.  In her book, This is Me, Chrissy talks candidly about personal weight struggles and how pain from the past has made her the person she is today. 
    Come by Rowan Public Library and check out some of our new biographies.  Going on a trip and want to listen in the car or on your phone?  Some biographies are available as audiobooks in CD form or digital downloads.