"Stories I Only Tell My Friends" by Rob Lowe

"Wow!" is all I can say as I finish the book. "Who knew Rob Lowe was so smart, funny and reflective?" Stories I Only Tell My Friends is an autobiography written by Rob Lowe himself (no ghost writer, I checked) and it is a must read for anyone who grew up in the eighties and has fond memories of the "brat pack" (a term, you find out, was completely misconstrued by a nasty writer).

In the book, Lowe takes you through his childhood dreams of becoming an actor, the heady days as a teen idol, to his more recent experiences as a family man and producer.Although Lowe, as mentioned, is extremely reflective and we are drawn into his interior world, his descriptions of the different celebrities he encountered and insider info on the movie shoots do not disappoint. Especially memorable and rich is his depiction of the shooting of The Outsiders with Francis Ford Coppola. Makes me want to watch the movie again!

The book gives a realistic, yet kind, view of Hollywood and the determination, hardwork and balls it takes to have a long career as an actor. This book reminded me of another autobiography I recently read by Regis Philbin, How I Got This Way, which also focuses on the mentors he meets and the lessons he learns in the business.