Are celebrity autobiographies worth the hype?

To read or not to read? That is the question.

Marcus Rashford has recently joined the long list of celebrities who have published books that take us on a journey through their lives and childhoods. The idea behind his book, You Are A Champion, is to inspire children to achieve their dreams.

But are these books, written by celebrity authors, as motivational as they seem?

Autobiographies make the famous appear more relatable and allow them to appeal to the everyday person. They give the general public an insight into their childhoods and current daily lives, helping to remind us that despite having millions of followers on social media, they are still human.

Readers may be disheartened by the inevitable jealousy they will feel by being reminded of the privileges these celebrities now have. However, a look into their road to fame may be the motivation that many need to achieve their goals.

There is a tendency among people to see these autobiographies as another way for celebrities to make money, however you can still learn important life lessons by having a read.

Not everyone dreams of being a professional footballer or singer in a world-renowned girl group, and so the many tales of hard work, dedication and determination do provide an uplifting message to those who are looking to make a positive change in their lives.

One book that is definitely on my reading list is Becoming by Michelle Obama. Having read Afua Hirsch’s review in The Guardian, I am intrigued to learn more about her story as First Lady and how she stood her ground as a woman in a role centred around her husband.

Learning about the life and childhood of people like Michelle Obama can inspire many to improve their own lives or to work harder and make their dreams come true.

Furthermore, even if it's not everyone’s cup of tea, there is every possibility that the next Marcus Rashford is being inspired by reading his autobiography.

We should not underestimate the value that celebrity autobiographies add to our bookshelves.

There is no need to go out and read the books from every celebrity in the world. That would be impossible! But if you ever have the time, pick up your favourite singer, footballer or even journalist’s autobiography as you will be surprised at how much they can inspire you.

Edited by Hannah Youds