8 revealing memoirs from TV stars to read this winter

Carol Burnett used the Tarzan yell to fend off a robber.

Images: Amazon

Aside from watching classic television, there's nothing better than curling up with a good book during these chilly winter months.

Why not combine the two activities by reading the memoirs of some of television's most notable faces?

TV legends like Carol Burnett and Dick Van Dyke have all penned autobiographies about their experiences in the industries.

Here are eight of the best books to read this winter if you want to know more about these classic TV stars. Take a look!

1. Betty White - 'Here We Go Again'

No one has worked harder in the television industry than Betty White. In her memoir Here We Go Again, published in 2010, the icon talks about her first five decades in Hollywood. White talks about everything, from her first starring role on Life with Elizabeth to the friendships she's made along the way. You know she has some good gossip!

Find it on Amazon.

Image: Amazon

2. Carol Burnett - 'This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection'

If there's one constant in Carol Burnett's life, it's the power of laughter. The comedian's 2011 memoir talks about her famous friendships, behind-the-scenes stories and how the Tarzan yell saved her from a mugging. Even through the low points in her life, Burnett stresses the power of laughter.

Anyone who wants a more in depth look at The Carol Burnett Show will find Burnett's new memoir, In Such Good Company, a must-read as well. 

Find it on Amazon.

Image: Amazon

3. Barbara Walters - 'Audition'

For a more serious read, try out Barbara Walter's 2009 memoir Audition. The groundbreaking TV journalist recounts her childhood as the daughter of a nightclub owner with a disabled sister, two experiences that dramatically shaped her life. 

Of course, Walter's career and personal life aren't off limits. The journalist talks about being the first woman to cohost the TODAY show, interviewing heads of state and celebrities, 20/20, and The View.

Find it on Amazon.

Image: Amazon

4. Dick Van Dyke - 'My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business'

Not only was Dick Van Dyke one of the brightest stars on television in the 1960s with The Dick Van Dyke Show,he was also one of the biggest names in Hollywood thanks to Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. In his 2012 memoir, Van Dyke talks in detail about his immense success and how he handles it. Carl Reiner also wrote the forward.

Find it on Amazon.

Image: Amazon

5. Lucille Ball - 'Love, Lucy'

Published eight years after her death in 1989, Lucille Ball's memoir recounts her childhood in rural New York, her marriage to Desi Arnaz, the turbulent years between them and (of course) making it big on I Love Lucy. Readers will discover backstage anecdotes from the show and intimate memories of her two children. Ball's second marriage to Gary Morton closes out the memoir.

Find it on Amazon.

Image: Amazon

6. Penny Marshall - 'My Mother Was Nuts'

Despite coming from a successful family, Marshall claims her immense success was somewhat of a fluke. Nothing is off limits in the Laverne & Shirley star's 2012 memoir, which includes tales about her acting gigs, directorial roles, failed marriages, and friendships with Cindy Williams and Carrie Fisher.

Find it on Amazon.

Image: Amazon

7. Carl Reiner - 'My Anecdotal Life'

Reiner flips the traditional autobiography on its head by recounting his life through short comic takes with the 2003 memoir My Anecdotal Life. Some of the short stories sound too good to be true, like his first audition impersonating a dog impersonating humans. But with a storied career like Reiner's, we'll have to take his word for it! His famous friends also pop up from time to time, including Mary Tyler Moore, Mickey Rooney and Johnny Carson.

Find it on Amazon.

Image: Amazon

8. Valerie Harper - 'I, Rhoda'

In her 2013 memoir, Harper recounts how she started as an unknown actress on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and blossomed into one of the most visible symbols for feminists in the 1970s. The actress' inspiring life story is sprinkled with personal triumph and tragedy, but readers will find hints of her famous character's grit and determination throughout.

Find it on Amazon.

Image: Amazon

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