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sophcart_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
informative
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Homophobia, Violence, and Toxic relationship
lowkeymarie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
I've had "Philadelphia Freedom" stuck in my head for like a week straight and I regret nothing.
I've been a fan of Sir Elton Hercules John's music since I was a kid, but this book has made me a fan of him as a person. What a life, what an extraordinary man.
Highly recommend the audiobook performed by Taran Egerton, who does an absolutely phenomenal job.
I've been a fan of Sir Elton Hercules John's music since I was a kid, but this book has made me a fan of him as a person. What a life, what an extraordinary man.
Highly recommend the audiobook performed by Taran Egerton, who does an absolutely phenomenal job.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Incest and Rape
faithtrustozdust's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
4.75
A week ago I did not know anything about Elton John beyond the cursory he's gay and he wrote Your Song. I picked up this book after watching Rocketman and instantly falling in love with it and wanted to get his memoir to know more. I have come out of this book a true fan and excited to dive into his music. The book has such a warm conversational tone (helped by the amazing Taron Egerton who reads the audiobook!) that makes the funny parts laugh out loud hilarious, and the more serious parts hit me like a ton of bricks.
In particular I was touched with the way he discussed meeting and falling in love with his husband and them having their sons. Yes the stories about rock and roll legends are hilarious. Yes his story about getting sober was deeply moving. But hearing a queer person, an older queer person, have a fulfilling and happy marriage and two amazing sons, was so touching to me. Stories like that are far too rare.
Even if you don't think you like Elton John, I insist you pick this up. There really is something in here for everyone, and you may come away like I did as a new fan.
In particular I was touched with the way he discussed meeting and falling in love with his husband and them having their sons. Yes the stories about rock and roll legends are hilarious. Yes his story about getting sober was deeply moving. But hearing a queer person, an older queer person, have a fulfilling and happy marriage and two amazing sons, was so touching to me. Stories like that are far too rare.
Even if you don't think you like Elton John, I insist you pick this up. There really is something in here for everyone, and you may come away like I did as a new fan.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
madisonfrank's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Grief, Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cancer, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Death of parent, and Sexual content
that_tattooed_librarian's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug use, and Eating disorder
sophieink's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Me naming my blog 'me & ink' and elton john naming his autobiography 'me' is the same thought process.
I definitely was tempted into reading this partly because of Taron Edgerton being the narrator of the audiobook but I have no regrets. Also, I would definitely recommend the audiobook.
I had previously watched and enjoyed Rocketman so I was intrigued to see more from Elton John's life in a more personal manner. As I had watched the movie I had found myself more interested in the events that followed what had occurred in the movie.
I liked how this book was full of stories from throughout his life, some emotional, some funny and some interesting. Or all three. It was definitely great to read about especially when you got to see the presence of other famous (iconic) people.
I think what also really added to it was how self-aware Elton was. It seems to be a very candid report of his life from the habits of his life to his mistakes and to him willing to admit to things that some people would probably try and hide. This openness not only made for an entertaining read but ultimately left a quality to be admired especially from the angle of growth.
That leads me on to saying as much as this is a story which is about what it is like to become a huge singer and what that lifestyle can look like, it is also a story about how you can damage yourself but most importantly, how you can get out of that to become a stronger, healthier person. This message is always important and seeing it written from someone who has been on this journey and come out stronger, just makes the message seem somehow more precious and for that, I am grateful.
I definitely was tempted into reading this partly because of Taron Edgerton being the narrator of the audiobook but I have no regrets. Also, I would definitely recommend the audiobook.
I had previously watched and enjoyed Rocketman so I was intrigued to see more from Elton John's life in a more personal manner. As I had watched the movie I had found myself more interested in the events that followed what had occurred in the movie.
I liked how this book was full of stories from throughout his life, some emotional, some funny and some interesting. Or all three. It was definitely great to read about especially when you got to see the presence of other famous (iconic) people.
I think what also really added to it was how self-aware Elton was. It seems to be a very candid report of his life from the habits of his life to his mistakes and to him willing to admit to things that some people would probably try and hide. This openness not only made for an entertaining read but ultimately left a quality to be admired especially from the angle of growth.
That leads me on to saying as much as this is a story which is about what it is like to become a huge singer and what that lifestyle can look like, it is also a story about how you can damage yourself but most importantly, how you can get out of that to become a stronger, healthier person. This message is always important and seeing it written from someone who has been on this journey and come out stronger, just makes the message seem somehow more precious and for that, I am grateful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Body shaming, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Homophobia, Grief, Emotional abuse, Eating disorder, Drug use, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, and Addiction
Minor: Cancer, Child abuse, and Suicide
savgulick's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Eating disorder, Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, and Alcoholism
roshou's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Homophobia, and Suicidal thoughts
writtenontheflyleaves's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Me, by Elton John 🕶
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
-
In his memoir published by @panmacmillan, Elton John reflects on his life and career, and how he went from being a music nerd in a north-west London suburb to one of the most famous and enduring singer-songwriters of all time.
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In case you can’t tell by my t-shirt, I am a huge fan of Elton John. My dad was obsessed with him the entire time we were growing up - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Songs From the West Coast were the soundtracks to our car journeys, and he would go to see him in concert every chance he got. Living on the periphery of that kind of adoration it’s hard for it not to rub off on you, so I was pretty confident I was going to like this book. Still, I wasn’t prepared for how much I would love it.
-
This book is as funny and colourful as you would expect from Elton John. It’s so packed with anecdotes about the most famous pop culture figures of the last century that at times it feels like some kind of fever dream, and (joy of all joys with a book like this) not only is the story good, but it’s well-told. I knew long before I finished it that it would be a 5-star read for me.
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It was also bittersweet. My dad died in 2018, and he never got to see Rocketman, the film of Elton John’s life, or to read this book. He would have absolutely loved both of them, and he would have been the first to buy tickets for Elton’s farewell tour. The voice that comes through in this memoir reminds me so much of him, and I wish I could talk to him about this sudden wealth of Elton John content and hear what he thought. Still, I can see myself returning to this book in the future and enjoying it all over again.
-
🌟 Read it if you like pop culture history (especially the 1970s!), and of course Elton John or Rocketman.
-
🚫 Avoid it if reading about addiction is a sensitive subject for you, as it is a powerful presence for much of the book!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
-
In his memoir published by @panmacmillan, Elton John reflects on his life and career, and how he went from being a music nerd in a north-west London suburb to one of the most famous and enduring singer-songwriters of all time.
-
In case you can’t tell by my t-shirt, I am a huge fan of Elton John. My dad was obsessed with him the entire time we were growing up - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Songs From the West Coast were the soundtracks to our car journeys, and he would go to see him in concert every chance he got. Living on the periphery of that kind of adoration it’s hard for it not to rub off on you, so I was pretty confident I was going to like this book. Still, I wasn’t prepared for how much I would love it.
-
This book is as funny and colourful as you would expect from Elton John. It’s so packed with anecdotes about the most famous pop culture figures of the last century that at times it feels like some kind of fever dream, and (joy of all joys with a book like this) not only is the story good, but it’s well-told. I knew long before I finished it that it would be a 5-star read for me.
-
It was also bittersweet. My dad died in 2018, and he never got to see Rocketman, the film of Elton John’s life, or to read this book. He would have absolutely loved both of them, and he would have been the first to buy tickets for Elton’s farewell tour. The voice that comes through in this memoir reminds me so much of him, and I wish I could talk to him about this sudden wealth of Elton John content and hear what he thought. Still, I can see myself returning to this book in the future and enjoying it all over again.
-
🌟 Read it if you like pop culture history (especially the 1970s!), and of course Elton John or Rocketman.
-
🚫 Avoid it if reading about addiction is a sensitive subject for you, as it is a powerful presence for much of the book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Drug use
a_robin_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
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Information:
- Storytel audiobook
- Second read
- Nonfiction November: Industry
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Review 2020:
I loved this. After seeing the movie Rocketman and falling in love with it, this was a very nice follow up.
The writing and narration were very good.
The writing was sometimes a bit all over the place, therefore not the full 5 stars.
Review 2021:
Going from 4 stars to 5 stars, because I just loved it! Probably also because the movie is one of my favs as well.
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Review previously placed on my blog 2020:
Review previously placed on my blog 2020:
I'm currently reading Me by Elton John. I'm listening to the audiobook narrated by Elton John and Taron Egerton, got it from Spotify for free.
Really liking this book so far. I really loved the movie Rocketman and it's fun to get to know the details from that story. The narration is super good and therefore it keeps me interested. The story itself is fun to read, but the writing is a little bit all over the place sometimes. Think I would give it 3,5 stars so far.
A solid autobiography. Gave it 4 stars. Nothing else to add.
Review previously placed on my blog 2021:
I'm currently reading Me by Elton John. I'm listening to the audiobook narrated by Taron Eggerton. I'm reading this for Nonfiction November for the prompt: Industry.
This is a reread for me. I'm super loving it again. More than the first time, because I gave it only 4 stars then. But I probably love it more since watching the movie, which has become one of my favorites of all time.
I loved this even more than the first time! I think because I love the movie so much, it connected with me more this time around. All the things Elton tells us about celebrities and his life is just so interesting and ridiculous, I love it. I also love that it shows more than the movie, especially because the movie ends when Elton is still pretty young. I just loved this a lot! Gave it 5 stars this time.
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Homophobia, and Suicide
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