What do you think?
Rate this book
Natural Born Keller
One of Australia's favourite and most multi-talented entertainers lifts the lid on life on-screen and off with not so longing looks back at growing up in the burbs in the decade taste forgot.
By turns hilarious and moving, Amanda Keller takes us on a nostalgia filled journey through her life. From her childhood in sunny Brisbane to her daggy teen years in suburban Sydney. Then onto heady college days in Bathurst, where wine was called 'claret' and came in a box, and finally to establishing a stellar career in TV and radio.
Along the way she falls in love with 'a nice Kiwi boy' who becomes her husband and she tells the story of the arrival of their two hard-won sons. But without too many icky bits.
Amanda also takes us behind the scenes of her TV career - from the challenge of turning on a typewriter at Simon Townsend's Wonder World! to the fun of travelling the globe for Beyond 2000, despite having no scientific background and absolutely no sense of direction. More recently she was able to officially represent an entire generation on Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation and share a couch with three blokes and the odd snake on The Living Room.
Amanda loves 'the wireless' and looks back on twenty years of radio. From sharing a mic with Andrew Denton on Triple M to topping the breakfast show ratings with Jonesy on WSFM.
Vivid, funny and hugely entertaining, Natural Born Keller will have you laughing out loud, nodding in recognition and occasionally bawling uncontrollably - in a cathartic sort of way.
By turns hilarious and moving, Amanda Keller takes us on a nostalgia filled journey through her life. From her childhood in sunny Brisbane to her daggy teen years in suburban Sydney. Then onto heady college days in Bathurst, where wine was called 'claret' and came in a box, and finally to establishing a stellar career in TV and radio.
Along the way she falls in love with 'a nice Kiwi boy' who becomes her husband and she tells the story of the arrival of their two hard-won sons. But without too many icky bits.
Amanda also takes us behind the scenes of her TV career - from the challenge of turning on a typewriter at Simon Townsend's Wonder World! to the fun of travelling the globe for Beyond 2000, despite having no scientific background and absolutely no sense of direction. More recently she was able to officially represent an entire generation on Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation and share a couch with three blokes and the odd snake on The Living Room.
Amanda loves 'the wireless' and looks back on twenty years of radio. From sharing a mic with Andrew Denton on Triple M to topping the breakfast show ratings with Jonesy on WSFM.
Vivid, funny and hugely entertaining, Natural Born Keller will have you laughing out loud, nodding in recognition and occasionally bawling uncontrollably - in a cathartic sort of way.
336 pages, Paperback
First published October 21, 2015
18 people are currently reading
241 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Keller
17 books7 followersAmanda Keller is a much loved Australian personality who has been on our screens and air-waves for over 30 years. She spent her early years in Queensland and Western Australia before moving to suburban Sydney with her family. She studied communications at Mitchell College, where she became friends with Andrew Denton. She got a job straight out of university at Simon Townsend's Wonder World! before moving to Ray Martin's Midday Show, Beyond 2000, Talkin' About My Generation and The Living Room.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
November 29, 2015
I’m a huge fan of Amanda’s and she didn’t disappoint in this tell all memoir.
Natural Born Keller is a must read for all baby boomers. I read it with a perpetual smile nodding along as I remembered funny little anecdotes from my own teenage years. It’s a trip down nostalgia lane as Amanda talks of being a teen in the 70’s and what we thought was cool back then and comparing the pop scene of the 70’s to today’s role models.
Her memoir is written in a light, easy to read manner coming across as effortless and unpretentious. Full of laugh out loud moments as Amanda shares her journey from suburban dag to the heady heights of prime time TV and day time radio.
If you weren’t a 70’s teen there is still the Wonder World years for the 80’s child and anecdotes from the multitude of shows Amanda has been involved in through the 80’s, 90’s, 2000’s and beyond.
Amanda writes on being selected to be part of the Madame Tussauds wax emporium in Sydney.
” As I get older, It’s been a revelation to discover just how many people have this syndrome, where we think we don’t deserve our good fortune, and that any minute we’ll be ‘caught out’ for being untalented and undeserving.”
She truly is a humble person starting each new job with ‘I was lucky enough’ to be offered this job, playing down her talent and aptitude.
Amanda writes with wit and whimsy giving her readers the highs and the lows. Through all this her love of family and friends shines brightly and her gratitude for the life she has is very clear.
The only thing better than reading Natural Born Keller would be listening to Amanda reading it herself, interspersed with her infectious laughter.
If you are yet to be entranced by the delightful Amanda Keller tune in to breakfast radio on WSFM101.7 weekdays 5:30 – 9am or The Living Room Friday nights 7:30pm on Channel 10.
I would like to thank Allen & Unwin for my copy to read and review.
Natural Born Keller is a must read for all baby boomers. I read it with a perpetual smile nodding along as I remembered funny little anecdotes from my own teenage years. It’s a trip down nostalgia lane as Amanda talks of being a teen in the 70’s and what we thought was cool back then and comparing the pop scene of the 70’s to today’s role models.
Her memoir is written in a light, easy to read manner coming across as effortless and unpretentious. Full of laugh out loud moments as Amanda shares her journey from suburban dag to the heady heights of prime time TV and day time radio.
If you weren’t a 70’s teen there is still the Wonder World years for the 80’s child and anecdotes from the multitude of shows Amanda has been involved in through the 80’s, 90’s, 2000’s and beyond.
Amanda writes on being selected to be part of the Madame Tussauds wax emporium in Sydney.
” As I get older, It’s been a revelation to discover just how many people have this syndrome, where we think we don’t deserve our good fortune, and that any minute we’ll be ‘caught out’ for being untalented and undeserving.”
She truly is a humble person starting each new job with ‘I was lucky enough’ to be offered this job, playing down her talent and aptitude.
Amanda writes with wit and whimsy giving her readers the highs and the lows. Through all this her love of family and friends shines brightly and her gratitude for the life she has is very clear.
The only thing better than reading Natural Born Keller would be listening to Amanda reading it herself, interspersed with her infectious laughter.
If you are yet to be entranced by the delightful Amanda Keller tune in to breakfast radio on WSFM101.7 weekdays 5:30 – 9am or The Living Room Friday nights 7:30pm on Channel 10.
I would like to thank Allen & Unwin for my copy to read and review.
March 1, 2018
I borrowed this book with the intention of just dipping in and out of sections I was interested in, but ended up reading the whole thing. Amanda has a writing style very much like her on-screen personae. Very funny and self-deprecating. There were many actual laugh-out-loud moments for me, especially all the cultural references. I'm only six months older than Amanda, so I could really relate to all of the pop culture and trends she mentioned about her childhood and adolescence (e.g. the conga line of taffeta). Though I do draw the line with her lifelong obsession with Barry Manilow. Good grief Amanda, get a grip! LOL
I also really loved all of the behind-the-scenes glimpses into the many shows she's worked on over the years (e.g. Simon Townsend's Wonderworld, Beyond 2000, Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation, The Living Room, and all of her radio work and other TV appearances). Who would have thought that the segment of the Amazon jungle they filmed on Beyond 2000 was just a few feet from the back door of the hotel? And did you know that she and her co-host hold the world record for talking under water during a radio broadcast?
She also talks about her personal life, of course, including poignant details of her struggle with many failed IVF attempts before eventually having two sons. Anyone who's gone through the fertility/infertility rollercoaster would relate to her honesty. If you haven't been through it yourself, it gives a great insight into what others go through.
I read Judith Lucy's autobiography a few weeks ago, and this one couldn't be more different (apart from the fact that they both have great one-liners). Judith Lucy is the sort of person you'd have a drink with after your group therapy session. Amanda is the person you'd ring if you wanted someone to organise a fun hen's night.
Recommended for anyone who likes a good laugh and a behind-the-scenes look at Aussie TV and radio.
I also really loved all of the behind-the-scenes glimpses into the many shows she's worked on over the years (e.g. Simon Townsend's Wonderworld, Beyond 2000, Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation, The Living Room, and all of her radio work and other TV appearances). Who would have thought that the segment of the Amazon jungle they filmed on Beyond 2000 was just a few feet from the back door of the hotel? And did you know that she and her co-host hold the world record for talking under water during a radio broadcast?
She also talks about her personal life, of course, including poignant details of her struggle with many failed IVF attempts before eventually having two sons. Anyone who's gone through the fertility/infertility rollercoaster would relate to her honesty. If you haven't been through it yourself, it gives a great insight into what others go through.
I read Judith Lucy's autobiography a few weeks ago, and this one couldn't be more different (apart from the fact that they both have great one-liners). Judith Lucy is the sort of person you'd have a drink with after your group therapy session. Amanda is the person you'd ring if you wanted someone to organise a fun hen's night.
Recommended for anyone who likes a good laugh and a behind-the-scenes look at Aussie TV and radio.
June 6, 2016
I read this book as part of the Aussie Author Challenge 2016 and the Australian Women Writers Challenge 2016.
Amanda Keller, popular Australian radio and TV personality, takes us on a nostalgia filled journey through her life, from her childhood and ‘daggy’ teenage years to her varied career in TV and radio, from her first job as a reporter for Simon Townsend’s Wonderworld, to travelling the world as a reporter for Beyond 2000, being a resident panellist on Talkin’ Bout Your Generation and her current gig on a top rating radio breakfast show.
This is a very entertaining, funny and heart-warming book, written with Keller’s trademark self-deprecating, zany humour – there were several places where I laughed out loud. She is a self-confessed ‘dag’ and some of the funniest bits were her accounts of her lifelong adoration of singer Barry Manilow – let’s face it, that’s about as daggy as you can get!
There are also some emotionally wrenching parts too, especially her attempts through IVF to have children, (which were finally successful) but the overall tone of the book is positive and upbeat, and her warm and down-to-earth personality shines through. She’s the sort of person you could imagine sitting down and having a couple of wines with.
Just a nice little touch, all the chapter headings are names of songs.
Amanda Keller, popular Australian radio and TV personality, takes us on a nostalgia filled journey through her life, from her childhood and ‘daggy’ teenage years to her varied career in TV and radio, from her first job as a reporter for Simon Townsend’s Wonderworld, to travelling the world as a reporter for Beyond 2000, being a resident panellist on Talkin’ Bout Your Generation and her current gig on a top rating radio breakfast show.
This is a very entertaining, funny and heart-warming book, written with Keller’s trademark self-deprecating, zany humour – there were several places where I laughed out loud. She is a self-confessed ‘dag’ and some of the funniest bits were her accounts of her lifelong adoration of singer Barry Manilow – let’s face it, that’s about as daggy as you can get!
There are also some emotionally wrenching parts too, especially her attempts through IVF to have children, (which were finally successful) but the overall tone of the book is positive and upbeat, and her warm and down-to-earth personality shines through. She’s the sort of person you could imagine sitting down and having a couple of wines with.
Just a nice little touch, all the chapter headings are names of songs.
May 24, 2016
I loved this. It was a light quick read.. a few tears, lots of laughs. Highly entertaining!
January 30, 2022
Fabulous read. I felt neither positive nor negative about her and this book languished on my reading pile for years. After reading this I am now a fan, despite her Barry Manilow obsession. A story that ranged from laugh out loud reminiscences, fart jokes, embarrassing moments to lump in the throat feelings as she tells of her IVF journeys and the joy in her family and friends. I’m putting my copy of this book in a street library so someone else can enjoy the read.
December 17, 2017
The only thing I miss about living in Sydney is listening to Jonesy and Amanda on my morning commute, so it was great to catch up with Amanda again through her memoir.
The title is entirely appropriate as this book slayed me. I just love Amanda's style of humor and her total lack of pretension. She's traveled all over the world and met many famous people, but she remains so down to earth that it's impossible to hate her. I belly-laughed several times while reading this and also shed a few tears.
Spoiler alert: Expect more fart anecdotes than the average celebrity memoir. There's even one involving the great Barry Manilow himself!
The title is entirely appropriate as this book slayed me. I just love Amanda's style of humor and her total lack of pretension. She's traveled all over the world and met many famous people, but she remains so down to earth that it's impossible to hate her. I belly-laughed several times while reading this and also shed a few tears.
Spoiler alert: Expect more fart anecdotes than the average celebrity memoir. There's even one involving the great Barry Manilow himself!
April 3, 2024
Absolutely hilarious.
March 7, 2024
Funny light read.
Bought it at the Lifeline Bookfair.
Bought it at the Lifeline Bookfair.
January 5, 2020
Stumbled upon this autobiography while on holidays and was interested in her ivf experience having been through my own journey. I found Keller’s memoir very readable, in parts moving and other parts laugh out loud funny.
November 7, 2015
If you are an Amanda fan, you will love this book.
I didn't read it, Amanda read it too me! It is light hearted, witty, it is just Amanda!
You will laugh, cringe and even cry.
5 stars
I didn't read it, Amanda read it too me! It is light hearted, witty, it is just Amanda!
You will laugh, cringe and even cry.
5 stars
Read
December 31, 20153(ish)/5? Some very funny bits
January 4, 2016
I love Amanda she is amazing and this book was amazing and had some really funny stories :)
May 9, 2017
Hysterically funny. Don't eat or drink while reading this.
January 22, 2021
A hilarious insight into Amanda's life. I was laughing and crying at the same time!!! So open and honest, loved it!
January 26, 2018
Such a bore. Would have gained more of a profile with a ghost write. Did not get a laugh out of it at all
January 12, 2019
Amanda Keller is a quirky media personality, and her autobiography was a hoot. Still have a memory of her on Beyond 2000 with her huge shoulder pads and dulcet tones; interesting times...
Read
February 6, 2021very very Amanda - and that's a good thing!
August 15, 2022
This book made me laugh out loud (a rare occurence while reading), and also made me very sad. A wonderfully written memoir by a very smart and talented woman. Highly recommended.
January 20, 2025
I really enjoyed Amanda’s writings about her family and her career. It was a great holiday read.
December 24, 2025
a nice easy read, enjoyed learning more about this icon of Australian TV and radio
February 21, 2016
I heard Amanda Keller being interviewed by Richard Fidler on his ABC radio program The Conversation Hour. You can listen to it or download it here.
As often happens when I listen to Conversation Hour, I find myself walking into work and putting the book on request! So I did and a couple of weeks later, there is was, waiting for me.
I read this in a day. It's not a hard read, but it is entertaining. Keller's ability to laugh at herself translates easily to the page and it's obvious she doesn't take herself to seriously. I didn't realise how long she had been in the entertainment industry and how many things she has been involved in. Her willingness to give just about anything a go has lead to some great opportunities for her.
If your not a fan or don't have any interest in the popular entertainment industry this book may fall a bit short for you. For me though, Keller's irreverent sense of humour shines through and makes this a worthwhile read.
As often happens when I listen to Conversation Hour, I find myself walking into work and putting the book on request! So I did and a couple of weeks later, there is was, waiting for me.
I read this in a day. It's not a hard read, but it is entertaining. Keller's ability to laugh at herself translates easily to the page and it's obvious she doesn't take herself to seriously. I didn't realise how long she had been in the entertainment industry and how many things she has been involved in. Her willingness to give just about anything a go has lead to some great opportunities for her.
If your not a fan or don't have any interest in the popular entertainment industry this book may fall a bit short for you. For me though, Keller's irreverent sense of humour shines through and makes this a worthwhile read.
April 26, 2016
Written in an easy to read conversational style this book took me back through the years of Australian pop culture. A great insight into the world of popular entertainment by one of the best in the industry. As a bonus, Amanda doesn't shy away from sharing painful details of her personal life and her observations on how the media treat women and the personal lives of anyone deemed "of interest" coupled with the snippets of how our fledgling TV & breakfast radio industry became what they are today also makes for some interesting reading.
December 17, 2015
This book was hilarious and I loved it! I'm a big fan of Amanda and Jonesy in the Morning and a big part of that is Amanda's sense of humour and witty remarks.
I enjoyed reading all about Amanda's life, especially the weird adventures she's had on TV and in radio. I laughed out loud at a number of points in the book. It's written in a conversational style and you get the feeling Amanda's telling you her story in person.
I'd definitely recommend the book to anyone who enjoys a good laugh.
I enjoyed reading all about Amanda's life, especially the weird adventures she's had on TV and in radio. I laughed out loud at a number of points in the book. It's written in a conversational style and you get the feeling Amanda's telling you her story in person.
I'd definitely recommend the book to anyone who enjoys a good laugh.
July 15, 2016
Not a bad holiday read - lighthearted and fluffy which perhaps matches my assessment of her tv/radio persona. A few insights into her personal life but mainly focuses on her career and what has thankfully been a pretty good life (albeit with some pretty difficult times in trying to have a child). Started reading Magda Szubanski's memoir straight afterwards and Magda's has so much more personal insights and provides a fascinating portrait into her life. The two don't really compare.
January 1, 2016
I loved Amanda Keller's autobiography. It was exactly like listening to Amanda speak herself, so many of her childhood memories awoke a chime in me from my own childhood. I laughed aloud, spluttered and almost spat out my coffee at one point, I also shed a tear or two in sympathy for her traumatic moments. Highly recommended, even if you're not a fan like me.
December 23, 2015
Bit of fun
I really enjoy Amanda on television and feel she's witty, smart and sassy. While her stories are interesting and heartfelt the actual writing falls a little short with this book. I wonder if it was written quite quickly? Anyway it's another one I feel is in need of a few more trips to the editor's desk.
I really enjoy Amanda on television and feel she's witty, smart and sassy. While her stories are interesting and heartfelt the actual writing falls a little short with this book. I wonder if it was written quite quickly? Anyway it's another one I feel is in need of a few more trips to the editor's desk.
January 13, 2016
Hilarious and brilliant read, I totally recommend this book for a really great laugh and entertaining read.
This book just confirms that the person I have seen on tv and on the radio is completely genuine and as brilliant as I thought she was. Love this book!!!
This book just confirms that the person I have seen on tv and on the radio is completely genuine and as brilliant as I thought she was. Love this book!!!
March 21, 2016
A few laugh out loud moments, but also a lot about the various tv/radio shows she's worked on and various 'famous' people she's known or met. Seems to assume you're a fan, whereas I just picked it up in hopes of a funny read. Ok.
December 2, 2015
Loved it!!
March 26, 2016
Very entertaining read - some parts you can't help but laugh out very loud!
It reminded me of reading Bridget Jones.
It reminded me of reading Bridget Jones.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews