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You Gotta Get Bigger Dreams
You Gotta Get Bigger Dreams: My Life in Stories and Pictures | Alan Cumming
33 posts | 17 read | 27 to read
A magical concoction of the mischievous, tender, whimsical, and debauched real-life adventures of Alan Cumming, told in his own words and pictures. Described by the New York Times as a bawdy countercultural sprite and named one of the most fun people in show business by Time magazine, Alan Cumming is a genuine quadruple threatan internationally acclaimed, award-winning star of stage, television, and film, as well as a New York Times best-selling author whose real-life vivacity, wit, and charm shine through every page of his third book, You Gotta Get Bigger Dreams. In these forty-five picture essays, Cumming recounts his real-life adventures (and often, misadventures), illustrated by his own equally entertaining photographs. From an awkward bonding session with Elizabeth Taylor to poignant stories about his family and friends to some harsh words of wisdom imparted by Oprah that make up the title of this collection, You Gotta Get Bigger Dreams is as eclectic, enchanting, and alive as its author.
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Verity
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Pickpick

A fun glimpse at moments in Alan Cumming‘s life that feels revealing as you read it but is actually very cleverly picking what it‘s divulging. Fun. And the pictures are great.

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Verity
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Finally getting around to reading this!

25 likes1 stack add
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DebinHawaii
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#HeatIfJuly OneDance

I was trying to think of a good 'one dance' book and happened to turn on Romy and Michele's High School Reunion right before the big dance scene with Alan Cumming (author of the tagged book which is on my #TBR after reading "Not My Father's Son." )
It's one dance scene that never fails to make me laugh. ??????

daniwithtea I just downloaded Not My Father‘s Son for listening at work today - how was it? 6y
Soubhiville @daniwithtea I loved Not My Father‘s Son. Parts are hard to hear, but it‘s a great audiobook. 6y
Cinfhen Such a FUN movie!!!! Now I want to watch it 🤗🤗🤗 6y
86 likes3 comments
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Reecaspieces
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Audio walking before the monsoon hits the ‘sip

AmyG So pretty. 6y
Reecaspieces @AmyG thank you! 6y
98 likes2 comments
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KarenUK
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#friyayintro @jesshowbooks
1. Dynasty and The Colbys! 😂
2. Tagged⬆️
3. Most candy 🤢
4. Planning a weekend trip with my hubby maybe... (if I can find a dog sitter! 😆)
5. Will do👍

merelybookish I loved Dynasty!!! 6y
AlaMich You are soooo lucky you don‘t like candy!! 6y
58 likes1 stack add2 comments
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HippieChickHomeschool
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Pickpick

I needed something light and fun after finishing the Poisonwood Bible, and this totally fit the bill. Alan Cumming retells stories from his life, and meetings with celebrities. He‘s completely charming, never sounds like he‘s name dropping to impress. Plus I could listen to his accent all day. I wish I could hang out with him in real life!

Kristy_K Have you read his other book? I loved it and am wondering if this one is similar. (edited) 6y
HippieChickHomeschool @Kristy_K I have, this one is much more light hearted. I think you would enjoy it as well. 6y
32 likes3 comments
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Crinoline_Laphroaig
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Pickpick

Rollicking Fun! 3 Hours of listening to Alan Cumming's Scottish accent. 😍

JanuarieTimewalker13 How many Americans are UK obsessed? ✋🏽 I have no idea why, but I am. 6y
JanuarieTimewalker13 I hope that means I‘m raising my hand! Or does it mean stop? I need an emoji guide. 6y
dariazeoli I need to read this! His memoir was great! 6y
44 likes4 comments
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KarenUK
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Super excited for tonight! Festive fun with friends and family, my favorite memoirist and a local gay men‘s choir! 💕💕

DeborahSmall Sounds great! Have fun ❤️ 6y
LiteraryinLawrence That sounds amazing!! 6y
Owlizabeth Oooh that sounds fantastic - enjoy!! 6y
KarenUK @DeborahSmall @LiteraryinLititz @Owlizabeth It was so much fun! He‘s so adorable and the choir were amazing.... 💕 6y
49 likes4 comments
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MissLiteraryAli

Sometimes in life I fall to pieces. But when I‘m at the very bottom, I know in my heart I‘ll be able to scrabble things together and start my journey upward again.

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KarenUK
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#day16 #awesomeautumnbooks #marvelousmemoirs My favorites I've read in the last year....All so different from each other.... all fantastic....

GypsyKat Born a Crime ❤️❤️❤️ 7y
58 likes1 comment
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NicoleCeBallos
Mehso-so

I love Alan Cumming. This book had a lot of pictures that were taken by him, so it made it feel very personal. He seems like a really genuine guy.

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Thndrstd
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Mehso-so

Alan Cumming shares stories and photos he‘s gathered over his years as a celebrity. It‘s a bit like having him tell tales over drinks at a party. A lot of name-dropping here, and his takes on American culture as a Scot are amusing.

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bookdrunkard78
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Pickpick

What can I say about this book? I loved it! Every little bit of it. I don't know much about Alan Cumming, I think the only thing I've seen him in is Tin Man. However, I need him to write more books. He comes across as authentic and just a little eccentric and I love that to bits!

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bookdrunkard78
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I saw Alan Cumming had a new book out and yes, please! I need to read it NOW!! #pride #lgbtqauthors

KarenUK It's really fun 👍💕 7y
bookdrunkard78 @KarenUK I'm looking forward to it! He's one of my favorites! ❤️❤️ 7y
36 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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KarenUK
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#rockinmay #itsmylife These two memoirs from the wonderful human that is Alan Cumming couldn't be more different, but both are fantastic. NMFS looks at his relationship with his brutal father, structured cleverly around his appearance on an ancestry tv show. The tagged book is a memoir in personal snaps and stories- fun, gossipy and raw- the title is an Oprah quote from when his pal met her and he told her that meeting her was a dream come true 😂

thegirlwiththebookishcandle I love him 😍😍😍 7y
Cinfhen He is amazing 💙 7y
LauraBrook I adore him! 7y
ValerieAndBooks The one on the left is in my TBR and I've been eyeing it recently-- now I feel like reading it ASAP! And you introduced me to Alan with the other book -- loved the Oprah story, too' 7y
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ValerieAndBooks
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Pickpick

I loved Alan Cumming's story-telling which is supplemented with many photos, all of which are ones he had snapped. Mostly funny but also some poignant pieces especially when he talks about his dogs. It was fun to see how this book looks "uncovered " also ??. Again, thank you to @KarenUK for this enjoyable read!

KarenUK 👍😍💕 7y
LauraBrook I ❤️ Alan! 7y
60 likes2 comments
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KarenUK
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#LitsyAtoZ update.... 12/26 so far.... @BookishMarginalia

L_auren This is awesome! 7y
ErinC I love this visual of it! 7y
Lola Another beautiful graphic! Love it! 7y
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tjwill I love how you did the graphic! 7y
ValerieAndBooks Very cool collage!! I'm slow going, but that's because I'm determined to do this in strict alphabetical order and author only 😂 7y
kspenmoll Fantastic graphic!!! 7y
76 likes7 comments
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ValerieAndBooks
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I am totally loving this book so far. @KarenUK gave this to me via #secretsantagoespostal and I'm just now finally reading it. I knew very little about Alan Cumming going in, but now I wish he was my brother! (He was asked to leave the gym because some members were offended by what his yoga mat said).

KarenUK I'm so happy you are enjoying it! 😍He is such a quirky guy, and this is so different from his more harrowing memoir 7y
Hooked_on_books Now I want to see his yoga mat! 7y
ValerieAndBooks @KarenUK I'm curious to read his other memoir now even if the tone is different. The story in this memoir of his dad's attitude when he got his first camera had me sad! 7y
ValerieAndBooks @Hooked_on_books right?! it's hard to believe that he'd be kicked out because his mat said Fuck Yoga 😂 7y
ValerieAndBooks @Hooked_on_books oops...he also had a shirt saying that...the shirt was actually what got him booted from the club! 7y
50 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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KarenUK
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#readjanuary #day19 #endpapers Re-posting these super cute end papers....illustrations of the wonderful "bawdy countercultural sprite" that is Alan Cumming, taking snaps with his phone....

JoeStalksBeck 😂😂❤️ 7y
68 likes3 comments
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KarenUK
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Pickpick

Gossipy, intimate, random..... I loved this collection of personal snaps and stories from the 'bawdy, conutercultural sprite' that is Alan Cumming. I love his lust for life and his joyful spirit, that is captured amongst these pages. His memoir of his childhood 'Not my Father's son' is so raw and heartbreaking, so I loved this contrasting vibe, so full of fun and warmth.... #letterY #LitsyAtoZ #LRC17 #Aboutmusictheater

Verity I saw him in concert a few months ago - magical. 7y
KarenUK @verity I saw him last year in FL and also in his last week in Cabaret the year before in NYC... he's wonderful isn't he?...💕💕💕 7y
ValerieAndBooks I plan on reading this during the readathon next weekend! 7y
Verity @KarenUK he's brilliant. ❤️ 7y
KarenUK @ValerieAndBooks I hope you enjoy it... 💕 7y
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KarenUK
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Diving into this today....I'm loving these #endpapers ... so cute! Little illustrations of Alan shooting pics on his phone, for this collection of his personal stories and photos.... I also love the NYT blurb on the cover that describes him as "a bawdy countercultural sprite"! So perfect.... love Alan! ?

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Readingrobin
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Pickpick

If you enjoy Alan Cumming as an actor especially if you're read his other books, you will love this! Great way to kickstart the new year!

16 likes2 stack adds
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Readingrobin
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After listening to Not My Father's Son through Overdrive from the library, I had to take a look at this book.

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KarenUK
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A very tentative TBR for #LitsyAtoZ .... I'm sure it'll change, but so far I've included upcoming book club books, BOTM picks not yet read, and things from my shelves.... only add in is 'X' of course! Thanks so much @BookishMarginalia for this fun challenge!

Cinfhen Nice list! Like your pic collage too💜❤️💙 7y
KarenUK @Cinfhen you inspired me! 💕 7y
Cinfhen It was fun, right??? 7y
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RiotMom You've got some awesome titles on there! Great list! 7y
KarenUK @Cinfhen totally! 👍 7y
KarenUK @riotmom thanks😊 7y
JoeStalksBeck 😄❤️📚😊🎶🎶🎶 7y
Cinfhen My pleasure, and I love your list... 7y
erzascarletbookgasm Good choices! 💛 7y
DeborahSmall Great list! I see 5 of mine in there too 💞 7y
BookishMarginalia I have quite a few overlaps with your #abecedarianTBR too! 👍🏼 7y
LauraBeth Awesome list! ⭐️ 7y
KarenUK @Book_Addict @BookishMarginalia @LauraBeth @DeborahSmall @erzascarletbookgasm thanks! I'm so looking forward to getting started 😊 7y
britt_brooke Great list! You're motivating me to start working on mine. I'm a terrible book planner. 😬 7y
BookishMarginalia @britt_brooke 🙋🏻I don't plan my reads either 😎 7y
85 likes1 stack add16 comments
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Verity
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I already mentioned this here on Saturday when I saw him live (sorry not sorry) but I'm currently reading it so it's my #queerbooks choice for #NationalComingOutDay. Did I mention it's signed?!

KarenUK Soooo jealous! He's so great 😍 8y
Libby1 My friends were there on Saturday! 8y
Verity It was so good @Libby1 and @KarenUK I want the cd of him doing it in New York but it sold out on Amazon 😔 8y
16 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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KarenUK
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#bookhaul I only just discovered I can get BnN $50 gift cards for my credit card points! So book shopping is the perfect way to spend my day off (followed by reading of course!)😊....Alan Cumming and Brunch, two of my favorite things 💗💗...
Re the book title, this is what Oprah said to a friend of Alan's when he told her he'd always dreamed of meeting her!

Laura317 Best day ever is a day book shopping!! 8y
35 likes1 comment
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Verity
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A new (signed!) book on my to-read pile after seeing Alan Cumming doing his cabaret show singing "sappy songs" at the London Palladium tonight. The show was great and I have high hopes for the book!

Books_Wine_Repeat Omg so jealous!! 😍❤️ 8y
Verity It was brilliant @Books_Wine_Repeat - if he's coming (cumming?!) anywhere near you you should try and go. I'm off to order the cd! 8y
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KarenUK
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Just listening to this great episode of the NYPL podcast... Love Alan Cumming so much, and this interview is as hilarious, honest, gossipy and political as you would expect... And his new book sounds amazing... Definitely adding to the TBR...

LeeRHarry Thanks for bringing this to my attention - downloaded! Alan Cumming is fab 😍 8y
wen4blu I'm listening to him on the audio version of 8y
KarenUK @wen4blu I listened to that one on audio too... So good... 8y
35 likes1 stack add3 comments
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GregoryCass
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A bonus #signedsundays because I just worked a fantastic event with Alan Cumming!

Bookworm83 Ooooohhhh!!! I'm so jealous. 8y
SharonGoforth Awesome!! 8y
LeahBergen Nice!! 👍🏼👍🏼 8y
GregoryCass He was truly lovely, and went out of his way to be kind to us staff. 8y
MrBook Niiiice! 8y
25 likes5 comments
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Bookish_B
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My signed book from last night. I wanted to ask him to put a curse word in it like with Jenny Lawson's book but I chickened out! I'm still reeling from the fact he didn't ask me to be his BFF like I pictured he would in my head! 🤓😜

MrBook Niiiice! 8y
Bookzombie Awesome! 8y
LeahBergen 👍🏼👍🏼 8y
See All 7 Comments
Beckys_Books Now that's a signature! 8y
LisaJo ❤️📚🎉👏 8y
DebinHawaii Very cool! I think that the whole BFF thing is probably because it would have been difficult to ask you to be BFFs with all of the other people around. Otherwise I am sure he would have done it! 😀😀😀👍 8y
RealLifeReading Alan Cumming❤️❤️❤️!! 8y
45 likes7 comments
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Bookish_B

My signed book from last night. I wanted to ask him to put a curse word in it like with Jenny Lawson's book but I chickened out! I'm still reeling from the fact he didn't ask me to be his BFF like I pictured he would in my head! 🤓😜

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Bookish_B
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I adore Alan Cumming. Got to see him "In Conversation" tonight discussing his new book. It was a lovely talk! And the physical book itself is a nice looking book. Compact, glossy pages, lots of pics. It'd make a great gift!

Michelle_mck Beyond jealous 8y
Books_Wine_Repeat Love him!! 😍💕 8y
DebinHawaii Very jealous! So cool that you got to see him! 👍😀 8y
Bookish_B @Michelle_mck @Books_Wine_Repeat @DebinHawaii : I was very excited to be able to go. Rather disappointed it didn't end with us becoming best friends though! 😝 8y
45 likes4 stack adds4 comments
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LovettReads
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Got to hear Alan Cumming talk about his new book at NYPL Live #signed

Louise Now THAT's a squiggly signature extraordinaire! 🌟 8y
MrBook That's a heck of a sig! 😂 7y
3 likes2 comments