Welcome to Litsy!

My first finish of #joyousjanuary. A powerful tale of overcoming abuse. A love how honest Cummings was in telling his story.

Book 106

Could not get used to the accent of the narrator

This is not a complete memoir, but tackles the relationship between him and his father. Sadly I identified with a lot of this. I'm actually glad I listened to this instead of reading it. His lovely accent kept me engaged even through the tough bits. There was also a mystery involving his grandfather's death on his mother's side that is solved. Now I want to watch the show (WDYTYA) that was referenced. Trigger warning for physical and mental abuse.

I am using the tagged book for January's prompt for #ReadingwithMaja challenge.

@maich

Good. Very emotional and important to listen to as it describes his painful experience during his childhood with his father. Talks a little bit about his early years of fame as well. I listened to the audiobook version of this book so it was easier to get a better feel to the story.

Reading this for my #newyearwhodis thank you @AsYouWish and @monalyisha

#Audible

I expected this to be more focused on the stories of Cumming's painful childhood, but this wasn't the case. He does share those details, but also spends a lot of time reflecting on how his relationship w/his father & other family members have influenced his path & made him who he is. There's also a lot of discussion of mental health. While these are heavy topics, the book felt fairly quick-paced & readable, helped by his Cumming's clever wit.

I really enjoyed this memoir. Told in a back and forth manner, we see glimpses of his childhood with an abusive father and the present during which he is filming Who Do You Think You Are? It is because of this filming that his father tells him a secret that changes everything for him. The fallout is heart wrenching. I loved listening to Alan read as well.
#nfn2020 @rsteve388 @Clwojick

Beautifully honest dive into the heartbreaking memories that set the actor on a path and life full of talent and pain. He revisits the childhood trauma and violence endured growing up at the hands of his father with the raw honesty any survivor can relate to. It was poignant and stunningly written. He ranged from deep pain to exceptional grace towards his father

https://onthebl.org/2020/11/12/childhood-trauma-in-alan-cummings-not-my-fathers-...

Since it is #NonfictionNovember I thought I‘d share this memoir by actor Alan Cumming as a book that #StartsWithN

The book is focused on a specific period of his life and inspired by his appearance on a genealogy show, Who Do You Think You Are?

#ForeverNovember

My recent fav reading.

Day 12: #fallfinds #factual

1. Yes I vote regularly, but I live in the UK so won't be this year 😂. We really need to get rid of Boris!

2. Readathons and the progress I'm making on #bookspinbingo

Thanks for the tag @TheAromaofBooks

#thoughtfulthursday @Cosmos_Moon

654pts #teamslaughter @Clwojick #scarathlon2020

Alan Cumming has had quite the life! I loved listening to him tell his story which is full of such drama ❤️

I think I could listen to his voice forever

Emotional & powerful read, beautifully narration by the author. I always prefer reading, but I m glad I picked this audiobook. It‘s very sad to know about his childhood at the same time it‘s inspiring to know how he overcomes from it. Complex emotions are put in simple words. “ sometime ppl do u a favour when they drop out of your life” many more quotes like this. 4.5🌟

Thanks for suggesting this book @Cinfhen
#Booked2020 #parentchildmemoir

I have been in love with Alan Cumming since I was 9. Every thing he does amazing- singing, acting, giving interviews-EVERYTHING! But I have been afraid to read this book, not because I didn‘t think it would be amazing, because I knew the subject matter. Listening to him talk about his childhood- the physical & mental abuse, was difficult. He is an amazing story teller that made me laugh & cry in the span of minutes, I loved this book!

💙💙💙💙💙

What an incredible memoir! Alan‘s writing was heartfelt and genuine, and listening to him felt more like being in a conversation. Truly a triumphant story of survival. I just want to give him a big hug!

#Booked2020 #parentandchildmemoir

This was so good. Alan Cumming writes so well, and it truly felt like a mystery from start to finish.

Starting my first book of the #secondquarter for #booked2020! I bought this at a little bookstore that shared a courtyard with the theater I worked with in middle and high school, and I haven‘t touched it! So excited to get to it now!

Err, What the *BLEP* just happened in this crazy story?! ☠️👇

I went through a whirlwind of emotions whilst reading this - thanks @Annl !

Second physical book for #MarchUnshelfing & I'll be giving it to a Litten on the reading retreat! @Clwojick

I hope this works for #parentandchildmemoir #booked2020 @Cinfhen @BarbaraTheBibliophage @4thhouseontheleft

5 🌟

""You need a haircut, boy!""

Doing two of these as I'm currently reading them!

#firstlinefridays @ShyBookOwl

#memoirmonday #magnificentmarch @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620

I‘d never heard of Alan Cumming before, but I like memoirs, and I‘d heard good things about this one. I was not disappointed. This was more well written and more engaging than several fiction books I‘ve read. A raw and honest look at dealing with childhood abuse as an adult, and the many ways it can shape your life. The past and present are woven skillfully together to make this engrossing and hard to put down. Five full stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Starting this one today.

Every child deserves to know they belong in the home in which they reside and it is their right to feel, and indeed be, safe in that home. My first thought upon finishing this #NFNov story was gratitude that Alan Cumming was able to rise above the muck that was his father. I was then overcome with sadness realizing that it is every single day he must continue to rise above that failure to love.

Very intriguing to see the stories unfold in this memoir. I didn‘t know anything about Alan Cumming before starting; I just read the description about how he learned of his family history, which is something I am so interested in, so I got the audiobook. His Scottish accent was also fantastic!

#gratefulreads Day Five is #nonfiction

Here are just a few from my shelves 📚📚

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620

I adored this audiobook, even though it was a hard subject at times to which to listen. I love Alan Cumming and he wrote a beautiful book. I suggest the audiobook, as it‘s read by Alan in his beautiful Scottish accent.

This book. Holy hell. It's a wild emotional rollercoaster from cover to cover. Every time you think you know where this story is going, it goes exactly the opposite.

It was honestly hard to listen to, just on a visceral level. I did the audio book, like most books, and I'm glad Alan himself was reading. That made it better, somehow.

Definitely worth reading. Highly recommended. I can't imagine I'd ever reread, though. It's a one-timer for me.

Wow! I recommend listening for Cumming's lovely Scottish accent; but, I'll also be borrowing the print edition for the photos and to revisit some passages that particularly spoke to me.

This was the heart wrenching story of Alan Cumming‘s relationship with his abusive father interspersed with the search for information on the mysterious death of his maternal grandfather. Although he covers some very difficult topics, I really enjoyed listening to Alan Cumming‘s narration with his lovely Scottish accent.

Wow. This was a powerful memoir of Alan Cumming as he recounts the abuse suffered at his father's hands and the impact it had throughout his life. Honest and beautifully written, I definitely recommend.

"Memory is so subjective. We all remember in a visceral, emotional way, and so even if we agree on the facts—what was said, what happened where and when—what we take away and store from a moment, what we feel about it, can vary radically."

I've been a fan of Alan Cumming since he played a creepy git in Circle of Friends. Loved hearing his story of overcoming a childhood full of an abusive father, and the power of his love for his mother and brother. It's also the story of the secrets of Alan's maternal grandfather and the way both men have shaped his life- by their presence and absence.

I didn‘t know anything about Alan or his book when I decided to check this out from my library. It‘s easily one of my favorite memoirs and probably my favorite book/audiobook of 2019. #LitsyAtoZ

I stopped on my way home from work to walk and enjoy the warmer weather. #Litsywalkers @kaye

I walked the full length of this hall 20x and took the cat for a walk so he could could check out his favorite plants along the driveway. Started the tagged audiobook that I intend to continue on the treadmill later tonight. #LitsyWalkers @kaye

Finally, FINALLY finished this one. I‘m so glad I decided to keep listening to it via Scribd rather than read it, because Alan‘s beautiful and unique voice/accent really makes the book. His story is painful, but uplifting, then more painful, but inspiring. Highly recommend!

What an interesting story! Just when you (and Alan) think you have everything figured out something happens and changes the story again. He narrates it in his thick Scottish accent so it really feels like he's telling you this story. No one is safe from family scandal and drama, not even celebrities whose lives we so often glamourize. Sadly no mention of his role in Spice World 😔

I‘ve really enjoyed my last few days with Alan Cumming. While there was a lot of heart break in his story, Alan managed to provide several lighter moments, too. I especially enjoyed his take on Eurovision, wearing female undergarments and dealing with stilettos 👠 This memoir unravels the mystery of his maternal grandfather, Tommy Darling‘s death while detailing his own traumatic childhood. I found his story 💯authentic and admire his fortitude.

OMG!!! This memoir is heartbreaking 💔💔💔#NonFiction2019 @Riveted_Reader_Melissa

#MusicalNewYear Years ago, I was extremely fortunate to see the incredibly talented Alan Cumming preform on Broadway in #Cabaret ❤️🎭 Yesterday, I was extremely fortunate to find his audio available on Hoopla 😄I‘m told it‘s a moving memoir.

Reading plus wine going on for the rest of the day. My youngest son reading on his Kindle in the background. #readingfamily

#HumpDayPost
1. Tape+meme (first thing I saw on my desk)
2. A big door
3. Memoir. It was incredibly sad but very good
4. Maybe a few months ago. I try not to eat fried foods..
5. Absolutely not.
@MinDea

👍

1. 93
2. 75
3. The tagged book. Did the audio edition read by Alan Cumming and it was fantastic.
4. I‘m not sure. I believe a new Paper Girls vol comes out this fall, and a new Anne Rice Lestat novel as well. Both are on my list to purchase.
#2018checkin

Wow this book was a brutal one. It details Cumming‘s relationship with his violent father, and how he has tried to deal with his past. Cumming also discusses the filming of a TV show, the kind that digs into your family‘s past, and he reconnects w his father after more than 10 years and learns of a shocking secret. This journey through the past seems to bring some closure to Cumming and his family. And sometimes that‘s just what‘s needed.

I started this last night as I was trying to go to sleep, thinking at first, oh maybe a nice memoir will calm my brain down and I can fall asleep after a few pages. Well I was wrong. I ended up reading some 50 pages and then reluctantly letting the tablet go and falling asleep. I do wish I could have borrowed the audiobook as I love his voice (I‘ve listened to 3 Alan Cumming-narrated books, all fiction) but alas I just have to read this to myself

I saw Alan Cumming‘s cabaret-style show Legal Immigrant in DC on Saturday and I gotta tell ya...it was amazing.

So many things resonated and so many things to think about. He‘s just so damn good.

#alancumming #cabaret #lgbtq

“I smelled the roses to try and figure out how I came to be in the garden at all.”
Currently at a rest stop because this QUOTE, y‘all! This quote is everything. It‘s so good that I had to pull over to post 😂😂😂