Maren's Favorite Biographies #1

I'm a big fan of swoony romances, but my Goodreads account proves I love my nonfiction a tad more—especially my biographies. People are fascinating! And I love reading about how all their "failures" got them to a place where millions want to emulate them.

Here are the first five of Maren's Favorite Biographies.

But check back regularly, I have at least 15 more for you.

The Good Neighbor by Maxwell King

Do you know how I learned to play a kazoo?

Mr. Rogers.

Do you know how I learned to sit still for a minute?

Mr. Rogers?

Do you know how I relearned how to play a kazoo?

I bet you know. The editor of The Good Neighbor was more than lucky. I mean, was there anyone more beloved than Mr. Rogers?

The Good Neighbor shares Mr. Roger's story from childhood to death, including how he discovered his love for puppets, the hilarious proposal to his wife, and his church ministry that he upheld in his congregations on and off the screen.

Put on your coziest sweater. You're not going to want to put this book down.

Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher by Timothy Egan

Last year I vacationed in the Red Woods, and I took a detour to see the massive Paul Bunyan statue. But the statue could only hold my attention for so long, and a museum caught my eye. 

Maren does love herself a good museum.

The whole museum was about the many Native American tribes that used to cover the Western United States. I was expecting to see artifacts, but I never imagined I would see more than a couple of photographs. Thankfully, I was very wrong. And with the pictures, there were poems, songs, and other languages recorded almost in full.

On a tiny plaque in a dark corner, I read that a man named Edward Curtis had given up his whole life to record the lives of the Native American tribes. What started as a few pictures for profit turned into his most treasured relationships. He died a penniless man, furious with the government for destroying so many lives and cultures.

I hope you also get to see this incredible museum, but until you make it out to California, Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher holds some of the most incredible stories and photographs of lives that have been lost to history.

The Day the World Came to Town by Jim DeFede

The current political climate is rough. Often it makes me wish I lived off the grid on acres of land in Wyoming or something. But this book restored my faith in people.

The Day the World Came to Town is all about the small town-- the very small town-- that suddenly doubled overnight when all the planes got rerouted to the island of Gander, Newfoundland when the Twin Towers went down on 9/11.

Perhaps the town didn't realize that there could be hidden terrorists onboard the planes that landed. Or maybe they did and decided to be exceptionally kind anyway. People volunteered their houses for showers and sleeping. Rival businesses banded together to provide enough resources for the temporary refugees. All kinds of religious leaders prayed for all, especially anyone who requested a special blessing. Hidden hurts in so many of the people were uncovered and miraculously healed.

The Day the World Came to Town is a collection of the incredible love all of us can have for each other, even when we've just met. 

Singin' in the Rain by Earl J. Hess and Pratibha A. Dabholkar

My favorite album, musical, and movie will forever be Singin' in the Rain. I can't think of any other story that can be so simple and still steal your breath. And the dancing?! Derek Hough is an incredible dancer, but Gene Kelly can never be beaten.

When I found this book all about the history of filming this movie, I was thrilled! I've heard rumors about how Gene Kelly acted or the pain Debbie Reynolds was in, but Singin' in the Rain gave me so much context about the external relationships that influenced each of the actors, along with what they were each thinking the movie would be.

Spoiler alert: they all thought the movie would be popular for a time and then fade like most. That so many on-set stories were preserved is miraculous when almost everything else about the movie was not.

If you love the movie as much as I do (impossible), you'll love Singin' in the Rain.

Beyond the Wand by Tom Felton

Brace yourself, I'm about to hurt you a bit.

I loved the Harry Potter movies just as much as the books.

I know, I know, am I even a true fan or editor?

Beyond the Wand is all about actor Tom Felton's experiences in Hollywood. Draco was no Harry Potter, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who found him more attractive than the hero.

Tom Felton is an incredible actor, but I like his writing even more. The way he describes his first acting experience or his botched stage-fighting practice with Emma Watson is vivid. If you read this in public, you're going to get weird looks when you dissolve into laughter. And if you're wondering what happened to Tom after his wizarding days, he explains that all too.

This wasn't a biography I would usually pick up, but I'm so glad I did!

Remember, most of these books can be found at your local library, so don't go spending all your money until you're sure you like the book. (Or find them at thrift stores, I usually do :-D)

Happy Reading!

*All links are simply links, I don't get any money if you click them. I just want to make finding great stories as easy as possible for you!*

Similar Reads:

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10 Historical Fiction Books that ARE NOT Set in WWII

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