Literature

You Gotta Get Bigger Dreams: My Life in Stories and Pictures

A magical concoction of the mischievous, tender, whimsical, and debauched real-life adventures of Alan Cumming, told in his own words and pictures. Described by the New York Times as “a bawdy countercultural sprite” and named one of the most fun people in show business by Time magazine, Alan Cumming is a genuine quadruple threat—an internationally acclaimed, award-winning star of stage, television, and film, as well as a New York Times best-selling author whose real-life vivacity, wit, and charm shine through every page of his third book, You Gotta Get Bigger Dreams. In these forty-five picture essays, Cumming recounts his real-life adventures (and often, misadventures), illustrated by his own equally entertaining photographs. From an awkward bonding session with Elizabeth Taylor to poignant stories about his family and friends to some harsh words of wisdom imparted by Oprah that make up the title of this collection, You Gotta Get Bigger Dreams is as eclectic, enchanting, and alive as its author.

About The Author

Alan Cumming is the author of two books: Tommy’s Tale: A Novel of Sex, Confusion, and Happy Endings and the #1 New York Times best-selling memoir Not My Father’s Son. He has also had an exhibition of his photographs, Alan Cumming Snaps! His day job is acting, and most recently he was seen on TV as Eli Gold in the CBS drama The Good Wife, on Broadway in his Tony Award–winning role as the Master of Ceremonies in Cabaret, and in concert, touring the world with his cabaret show, Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs, which was also released as a live album. Alan is also a loudmouth—sorry, activist—who believes that knowledge is power and equality is a right, not a privilege. To find out every single thing he’ s ever done, visit www.alancumming.com, and to find out what he’s doing on a daily basis follow @alancumming on Twitter and @alancummingsnaps on Instagram.

  • Publish Date: September 13, 2016
  • Format: eBook
  • Category: Biography & Autobiography - Entertainment & Performing Arts
  • Publisher: Rizzoli Ex Libris
  • Pages: 272
  • US Price: $14.99
  • CDN Price: $19.99
  • ISBN: 978-0-8478-4901-7

Reviews

"There’s a lot of joy in this book and a lot of laughs. You Gotta Get Bigger Dreams is the best part of experiencing New York nightlife: all the gossip without the hangover."
New York Journal of Books

The pictures—and stories—are intimate, mischievous, funny, and poignant. It's a rare self-portrait by an actor in an era when most are wary of revealing too much.”
—Town & Country Magazine

"...a fun, heartfelt, adorably catty collection of anecdotes and accompanying photographs from the entertainer's personal and professional life."
—Edge Media Network

"A passion for photography has stayed with Cumming, all his life, and stage, film and television actor, has just released a book of 45 short essays accompanied by his photos."
—San Francisco Chronicle

"Cumming’s delight in life’s unexpectedly joyful experiences — of which he’s had plenty in his fortunate career — runs throughout the 45 essays in “You’ve Gotta Get Bigger Dreams,” his third book. . . . Cumming’s new book is rife with entertaining anecdotes, as well as personal reflections and at times shrewdly insightful commentary on his adopted country."
—SF Gate

"Cumming’s witty and incisive essays cover everything from a cross-country road trip with his beloved dog Honey to an unforgettable encounter with Oprah, whose one-line response to one of Cumming’s friends became the title of his book."
—Daily Front Row

"Alan Cumming is just plain old delightful. Instead of just writing another memoir book, he peppers his crazy life stories with his photographs to give them an extra visual punch most people don't have in their writing."
—Ain't It Cool News 

"Must Read" selection:. . . 45 vignettes, with photos, name-checking Oprah, Seam Combs, and Elizabeth Taylor."
Harper's Bazaar

"Cummings says that as a photographer, hes just a "snapper," capturing moments."
—Pittsburgh City Paper

". . . a brisk, entertaining read that makes the reader feel like Cumming is in your head relating each mischievous adventure."
Metrosource NY

". . . 45 charming, naughty, thoughtful, and wickedly hilarious stories, all illustrated by Cumming’s own memorable photographs."
Good Morning Washington / WJLA-TV 

"If you’re a fan of Cumming, You Gotta Get Bigger Dreams is fun and lively enough to sustain interest. For those less familiar, it is a teasing glimpse into an impressive achiever’s high life and downtime."
StageBuddy.com 

"...a charming mosaic of anecdotes and photos..."
Out Magazine

"Flipping through feels like passing a couple hours with the scrapbook of your most fabulous older cousin."
Passport Magazine 

Author Bookshelf: Alan Cumming