Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing up a Wizard by Tom Felton

Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing up a Wizard by Tom Felton-304 pages

I am a huge fan of all things Harry Potter, so when I heard this was coming out I immediately wanted to read it. Felton is open and brutally honest in this memoir. I enjoyed the stories from his childhood and from his years on set filming Harry Potter. I learned quite a bit about life and routine on set, especially for children. Felton shares about his triumphs and his struggles, including seeking help in rehab for substance abuse. This was a really good read and I give it four out of five stars.

Life Itself: a Memoir, by Roger Ebert

Life Itself: a Memoir, by Roger Ebert, 436 pages

I was pretty bummed out when Roger Ebert died- I've always regarded him pretty fondly as a good writer, read his blog, and valued his opinions regarding film (even if I didn't agree).  Reading this memoir really helped, because Ebert was very much at peace with what he knew was the end.  Ebert relates the story of his life- his childhood, alcoholism, hits and misses with women, his health, and so much more.  He also devotes chapters to some of his most enlightening interview subjects- including John Wayne, Woody Allen,  and Martin Scorcese, among others.  I thought it was well-written and full of interesting anecdotes.