The Woman I Was Born To Be by Susan Boyle
Published On: October 12, 2010
Genres: Memoir
Source: Library

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The Short, Sweet, and Spoiler-Free Blurb:

In April 2009, a modest middle-aged woman from a village in Scotland was catapulted to global fame when the YouTube video of her audition for Britain’s Got Talent touched the hearts of millions all over the world. From singing karaoke in local pubs to a live performance with an eighty-piece orchestra in Japan’s legendary Budokan Arena and a record-breaking debut album, Susan Boyle has become an international superstar. This astonishing transformation has not always been easy for her, faced with all the trappings of celebrity, but in the whirlwind of attention and expectation, she has always found calm and clarity in music. Susan was born to sing. Now, for the first time, she tells the story of her life and the challenges she has struggled to overcome with faith, fortitude, and an unfailing sense of humor.

It gets slow in the middle, but when you get to the part about her overnight fame and her incredibly honest reaction to it, it was very inspiring. If you’ve never heard her audition from Britain’s Got Talent, then look it up on YouTube before you read this book.

Content Rating: Mild, at the most there were a few swear words.  She’s a very devout Catholic and keeps it clean.

My Life in France by Julia Child
Published On: April 4, 2006
Genres: Memoir, Non-fiction
Source: Purchased

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The Short, Sweet, and Spoiler-Free Blurb:

Filled with the beautiful black-and-white photographs that Paul loved to take when he was not battling bureaucrats, as well as family snapshots, this memoir is laced with wonderful stories about the French character, particularly in the world of food, and the way of life that Julia embraced so wholeheartedly. Above all, she reveals the kind of spirit and determination, the sheer love of cooking, and the drive to share that with her fellow Americans that made her the extraordinary success she became.

It made me want to cook, eat and live in France! She’s very funny and honest. It took forever to realize that when she said “marketing” she really meant “shopping at the market.” Her story was very inspiring and it was fun to know that she loved cooking for no better reason than she loved eating.  Same here!

Content Rating: Mild.  Julia swears here and there, but nothing terrible.

About Julia Child

Julia Child was a famous American cook, author, and television personality who introduced French cuisine and cooking techniques to the American mainstream through her many cookbooks and television programs. Her most famous works are the 1961 cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking and, showcasing her sui generis television persona, the series The French Chef, which premiered in 1963.