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Mirror Book Club: Journey through the rollercoaster of Elton John's turbulent life


This week, Mirror readers delved into the turbulent life of Elton John – who in his latest autobiography recalls how his life spiralled out of control as he battled a drink and drug addiction.

And American writer Bill Bryson also struck a cord with his entertaining look at the human body – packing some fascinating facts into his latest read, The Body: A Guide For Occupants.

While on a darker note, Hallie Rubenhold’s take on Jack the Ripper offered a little less grisly detail and more of an insight into the tragic and poverty-stricken lives of some of his victims.

Read below for full reviews on this week’s top picks.

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Me, by Elton John

Me, by Elton John

The music legend looked back on his extraordinary life in one of the most eagerly anticipated memoirs of the year. And it lived up to the hype.

Elton recalled the early rejection of his work with song-writing partner Bernie Taupin before finally becoming a chart-topping superstar, and developing drink and drug addictions which spiralled out of control and led him to rehab.

He also recounts meeting his husband, David Furnish, and becoming a father. It’s a candid memoir, full of stories about famous names such as John Lennon, Rod Stewart and Tina Turner. Our reviewer called it ”the most entertaining celebrity memoir of the year”.

Macmillan, £25

The Body: A Guide For Occupants, by Bill Bryson

The Body: A Guide For Occupants, by Bill Bryson

The American writer returned with an entertaining book explaining the workings of the human body. As he says: “Most of the best technology that exists on Earth is right here inside us. And everybody takes it almost completely for granted.”

He’ll teach you fascinating facts such as how much the adult brain weighs (about three pounds) and the weight of the food we eat over the course of a lifetime (60 tons).

You’ll also get to grips with everything we don’t know, from why we hiccup to why we yawn. After reading this book, you’ll never look into a mirror in the same way again.

Doubleday, £25

On Chapel Sands: My Mother And Other Missing Persons, by Laura Cumming

On Chapel Sands: My Mother And Other Missing Persons, by Laura Cumming

In this bewitching blend of history and mystery, Laura Cummings tells the tale of her mother Betty’s mysterious origins. Betty was 10 when she learned she was adopted but her parents never told her the truth of her parentage, driving a lifelong wedge between them. But Laura turns detective and unnpicks clues hiding in plain sight.

She learns that her mother was kidnapped from a Lincolnshire beach when she was three, only to be returned unharmed 12 days later, and this incident holds the key to Betty’s identity. Laura uncovers secrets, lies and sorrows in a bygone Britain.

Chatto & Windus, £16.99

The Five: The Untold Lives Of The Women Killed By Jack The Ripper, by Hallie Rubenhold

The Five: The Untold Lives Of The Women Killed By Jack The Ripper, by Hallie Rubenhold

 

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Top news stories from Mirror Online

Jack the Ripper has spawned an entire library of gore-spattered books but this rich, moving, award-winning biography is unexpectedly shocking.

Hallie Rubenhold ignores the monster murderer and instead focuses on his victims.

Condemned by poverty, childbirth and their sex, these five strangers come to life again as they move through the filth of Victorian London to their inevitable doom.

Rubenhold unpicks much of the myth – including the false presumption that they were prostitutes. Heartrending.

BY LIZ HAZELTON

Doubleday, £16.99





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