GHOST STORIES The writers behind the celebrity memoirs – and their other books
Loved that novel by a celebrity? Now read a book by the person who actually wrote it
Celebrities are known for being some of the busiest people on the planet, yet somehow these showbiz troupers still have time to fit in writing a bestseller. The secret: a ghostwriter, a sometimes invisible wordsmith who can craft the most scintillating prose out of even the most monosyllabic of subjects. This month, as we welcome Cara Delevingne’s and Rio Ferdinand’s books to our bedside tables, we unveil not only the people who helped write them, but the other titles they’ve put their names to.
THE THRILLER
Cara Delevingne / Rowan Coleman The Book Mirror, Mirror* Described as a ‘collaboration’ between the model/actress and her favourite author, Mirror, Mirror follows a group of 16-year-olds who are in a band together. All is well, until one of them dies in mysterious circumstances. Impressive, with an absolute knockout twist.
Liked that? Now read…
The Memory Book by Rowan
Coleman See Coleman’s real prose in action in this genuine tear-jerker of a novel about a young woman who is diagnosed with dementia and whose husband gives her a notebook to record her memories for her children. As devastating to read now as it was when it was published back in 2014. Packing tissues: absolutely essential.
THE MEMOIR
Rio Ferdinand / Decca Aitkenhead The Book Thinking out Loud* Remember sobbing to BBC One’s Rio Ferdinand: Being
Mum And Dad in March? In this follow-up, the footballer shares what’s helped him get through the death of his wife, while raising two children. His aim is to encourage more men to speak out about their own grief.
Liked that? Now read…
All At Sea by Decca Aitkenhead A devastatingly honest memoir in which Aitkenhead explores her own grief surrounding the unexpected death of her partner, Tony, in 2014. The
Guardian journalist is one of the most accomplished writers in the business and writes beautifully – this book about loss will make you laugh as much as it will make you cry.
THE SELF-HELP
Sheryl Sandberg / Adam Grant Option B When Sandberg lost her husband suddenly, she turned to her old friend Grant – a psychologist whose insight helped her recover. Together (he’s credited as a co-author), they combined her personal experience (with parts of her journal) and his research to create a manual for moving on.
Liked that? Now read…
Originals: How Non-Conformists Change The World by Adam Grant There’s a reason this book was a New York Times bestseller and lines the bookshelves of pretty much every CEO the world over. Grant dissects what it means to become and be an original thinker in a world of sameness. Big brownie points if the boss sees this one poking out of your bag.
THE FASHION TOME
Victoria Beckham / Hadley Freeman
That Extra Half An Inch Remember 2006? When WAGs ruled the World Cup and we all wore dresses over jeans? This was in VB’s pre-fashion-designer years (when she had beige hair and lips). Tips such as ‘accessorise with a Gucci carrier bag’ and ‘it’s crucial jeans are long enough’ abound. Read for laughs only.
Liked that? Now read…
Be Awesome: Modern Life For Modern Ladies by Hadley Freeman If you devoured Caitlin Moran’s How To Be A Woman, you’ll appreciate this lighter version, which explains everything from guiding friends through break-ups to the lessons movies can teach you. Warning: there are a lot of ’80s references, so anyone born north of 1979 may want to keep Wikipedia close to hand.