1. Charlie Chaplin ‘My Autobiography’

Price: $12.89 at amazon.com
My favourite screen star ever, I just adore Chaplin’s work. He certainly had an eventful life as well, and I’m just fascinated by every aspect of his life and career. This book is at the top of my list in more ways than one!

2. Diana Athill ‘Somewhere towards the End’

Price: $10.04 at amazon.com
In the present age, ‘celebrities’ barely out of their teens are writing their autobiographies. What have they actually done, I wonder, to merit a book deal when they’ve hardly lived? Diana Athill, on the other hand, had a long career as a book editor, dealing with authors of the calibre of Margaret Atwood and Philip Roth. Now in her nineties, she writes in her own book about her experience of aging, but in a forthright and positive way.

3. Kim Woodburn ‘Unbeaten: the Story of My Brutal Childhood’

Price: $10.19 at amazon.com
You may know Kim Woodburn from TV’s ‘How Clean is your House’ and ‘Kim’s Rude Awakenings’. What you probably don’t know is that Kim had an abusive childhood, a violent first marriage, and more tragedy besides. It’s hard to imagine that anyone could ever have mistreated the strong-minded woman, but what makes this stand out from the usual ‘misery memoirs’ is knowing that Kim has made a success of her life in spite of her early experiences.

4. Katherine Hepburn ‘Me: Stories of My Life’

Price: $12.24 at amazon.com
This is far from being one of those sanitised, ghost-written autobiographies. Katherine Hepburn has long been known as a woman who did not follow conventions, and in this book she avoids simply relating a list of her movies while revealing nothing of herself. ‘Me’ is an apt title, as Hepburn talks about the person rather than the actress.

5. Stephen Fry ‘Moab is My Washpot’

Price: $10.08 at amazon.com
If ever there was a modern Renaissance Man, it would be Stephen Fry. Actor (you may have seen him in the film ‘Wilde’), comedian, writer, presenter … Stephen’s use of words is a rare talent and he is a joy to read. In this first volume he discusses his first twenty years.

6. Graham Norton ‘so Me’

Price: $6.30 at amazon.com
Definitely not one to read if you’re easily offended! Graham may not be as well known in the States, but is a comedian and presenter who frequently appears on British TV. Those of us who’ve seen his late-night shows know exactly what to expect, his humour generally being rather, well, naughty …

7. Ozzy Osbourne ‘I Am Ozzy’

Price: $17.81 at amazon.co.uk
Frankly, I’m surprised Ozzy can even remember who he is, after the life he’s led! A bit of light relief in the autobiography field, I want to read this not because I’m a huge fan, but because it strikes me as a good laugh. Fan or not, Ozzy is a real character, and if you can take the inevitable swearing then I’m sure this would be a lot of fun.

8. Johnny Cash: ‘Cash the Autobiography’

Price: $10.87 at amazon.com
I first became interested in Johnny Cash’s music in his later years, as he began to work with musicians like Nick Cave. Cash’s willingness to experiment intrigued me, as did the slightly mysterious aura around him. I’d love to read this book to learn more about Cash the person.

9. Harpo Marx ‘Harpo Speaks!’

Price: $13.60 at amazon.com
My dad introduced me to silent movies, Laurel & Hardy, and the Marx Brothers, and decaded later I still love them all. Harpo was the Marx brother who never spoke a word on screen, but here you get a strong impression of what he was like as a person. He comes across strongly as a very happy soul, very aware of his good fortune professionally and in his family life. Harpo certainly had some hilarious stories to tell, and I wore my copy out flicking through it over and over again.

What’s your favourite autobiography? Are there any on your wishlist, and do you think the writers are ever honest about themselves?