What do you think?
Rate this book
Spinning Plates: Music, Men, Motherhood and Me
Singer, broadcaster and mother Sophie Ellis-Bextor shares her experiences, insights and reflections on men, music and motherhood.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor's kitchen discos became a source of much-needed escapism, catharsis and sequined joy for a swathe of the population during lockdown. From knackered mothers and fed-up fathers, to cooped up partiers with nowhere to go, Sophie's gloriously chaotic Friday kitchen performances have cheered and revived us.
Now Sophie is bringing that same mixture of down-to-earth candour and optimistic sparkle to her first book. Part memoir, part musings, Sophie will write about the conjuring act of adulthood and motherhood and how her experience of working while raising her five sons has given her the inescapable lesson of how to navigate life in the face of failure and imperfection.
Covering relationships, good enough parenting, the importance of delusion and dancing, Sophie writes about the things that take on greater importance as life becomes more complicated.
From the non-negotiables (solitude, music, glitter) to the unimportant (clean hair, deadlines, appropriate behaviour), this is a book about learning from our experiences and not being afraid to smash a few plates for the sake of what we actually need want and value.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor's kitchen discos became a source of much-needed escapism, catharsis and sequined joy for a swathe of the population during lockdown. From knackered mothers and fed-up fathers, to cooped up partiers with nowhere to go, Sophie's gloriously chaotic Friday kitchen performances have cheered and revived us.
Now Sophie is bringing that same mixture of down-to-earth candour and optimistic sparkle to her first book. Part memoir, part musings, Sophie will write about the conjuring act of adulthood and motherhood and how her experience of working while raising her five sons has given her the inescapable lesson of how to navigate life in the face of failure and imperfection.
Covering relationships, good enough parenting, the importance of delusion and dancing, Sophie writes about the things that take on greater importance as life becomes more complicated.
From the non-negotiables (solitude, music, glitter) to the unimportant (clean hair, deadlines, appropriate behaviour), this is a book about learning from our experiences and not being afraid to smash a few plates for the sake of what we actually need want and value.
Audible Audio
Published October 7, 2021
38 people are currently reading
314 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
March 28, 2022
It was really difficult for me to rate this book. The first third was a solid 4 star, then some little bits started to creep in which were a 2 star, then up to a 3, but I can’t be true to myself unless I rate it as a 2 as overall as this book made me quite cross.
It’s the privilege. The earnest writing. The writing by numbers “I am privileged but let’s do a sympathetic shout out for those who not.” I think this is summed up most in the page about September 11th (and also the bit about not having a room in the house to work in although her husband has his own studio - please check yourself, Sophie), no spoilers but such a weird rhetoric.
As I say, her career beginnings are interesting but also quite “poor me” despite living in a very wealthy way and essentially getting spotted in a club because of her good looks, then realising (almost spontaneously) that she can sing. I really feel for anyone who is trying desperately to hone their craft reading about experiences like this.
The other part which made me rate it so low is the shockingly poor editing; so much repetition. Why not keep it concise and relevant to the point in hand instead of repeating a sentence from a previous chapter? This is also coupled with the amount of typing errors (it felt like I was reading a proof but it was bought from Amazon about 4 months after release…). Even the acknowledgements section had a bizarre repeat thanks to someone.
She seems like a nice person but just utterly out of the loop with the world due to how everything has landed on a plate for her. Good for her; however please don’t try and tell me how hard life can be while having the privilege. It really leaves a sour taste in the mouth.
It’s the privilege. The earnest writing. The writing by numbers “I am privileged but let’s do a sympathetic shout out for those who not.” I think this is summed up most in the page about September 11th (and also the bit about not having a room in the house to work in although her husband has his own studio - please check yourself, Sophie), no spoilers but such a weird rhetoric.
As I say, her career beginnings are interesting but also quite “poor me” despite living in a very wealthy way and essentially getting spotted in a club because of her good looks, then realising (almost spontaneously) that she can sing. I really feel for anyone who is trying desperately to hone their craft reading about experiences like this.
The other part which made me rate it so low is the shockingly poor editing; so much repetition. Why not keep it concise and relevant to the point in hand instead of repeating a sentence from a previous chapter? This is also coupled with the amount of typing errors (it felt like I was reading a proof but it was bought from Amazon about 4 months after release…). Even the acknowledgements section had a bizarre repeat thanks to someone.
She seems like a nice person but just utterly out of the loop with the world due to how everything has landed on a plate for her. Good for her; however please don’t try and tell me how hard life can be while having the privilege. It really leaves a sour taste in the mouth.
April 10, 2022
I adore Sophie and this was a lovely treat, some good anecdotes and she comes across lovely.
May 13, 2024
This was a book I bought back in 2022 😭and was on my TBR for a while, but when her no.1 song “Murder on the dance floor” got a revival this year, it was the kick up the arse I needed to give it a go.
She discusses her early family life, growing up as an only child and then once her parents divorced and started their “second families” she was surrounded by siblings. She felt a bit lost and no longer fitted in those household settings, so she deferred college to give it a go with her band theaudience. This was a short lived adventure and once they broke up she soon reinvented herself as a solo artist.
We hear about all the plates she’s spinning simultaneously, the panic attacks, the bad haircuts, the constant mispronunciation of her name, the controlling relationship where she was banned from singing and going out on her own and how she lost airplay and interest once she became a mother at 25.
But we also hear about the joy of her finding love with her husband and starting their family together and continuing to work together, because it works.
Definitely took a while to get into, but once I did I stopped skipping over to the other books I was reading
She discusses her early family life, growing up as an only child and then once her parents divorced and started their “second families” she was surrounded by siblings. She felt a bit lost and no longer fitted in those household settings, so she deferred college to give it a go with her band theaudience. This was a short lived adventure and once they broke up she soon reinvented herself as a solo artist.
We hear about all the plates she’s spinning simultaneously, the panic attacks, the bad haircuts, the constant mispronunciation of her name, the controlling relationship where she was banned from singing and going out on her own and how she lost airplay and interest once she became a mother at 25.
But we also hear about the joy of her finding love with her husband and starting their family together and continuing to work together, because it works.
Definitely took a while to get into, but once I did I stopped skipping over to the other books I was reading
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2022
Reflections and lessons learned:
“For some parts of my career I’ve had to be my own cheerleader…”
Growing up in the 80s, Blue Peter and young mom childhood association; indie kid and 90s clubbing and dating; gigs, house/dance and pop music and dancing in fields; family; setting up on your own in life and taking risks; motherhood… I mostly enjoy the music, singing and dancing, and clothes (and have danced along a few times live (rocking back and forth as though the video was stuttering!) as well as some kitchen discos) but, as ever, it’s the approach to life that makes her so easy to like and admire - the love for making her own path by indulging in joy, eccentricity and guilty pleasures as well as admitting the daft mistakes - she owns it all with a contemporary adjusted poise each time but only if it suits. Fabulous and I’m a fan…
“Why does it feel so good? It bloody doesn’t!”
“For some parts of my career I’ve had to be my own cheerleader…”
Growing up in the 80s, Blue Peter and young mom childhood association; indie kid and 90s clubbing and dating; gigs, house/dance and pop music and dancing in fields; family; setting up on your own in life and taking risks; motherhood… I mostly enjoy the music, singing and dancing, and clothes (and have danced along a few times live (rocking back and forth as though the video was stuttering!) as well as some kitchen discos) but, as ever, it’s the approach to life that makes her so easy to like and admire - the love for making her own path by indulging in joy, eccentricity and guilty pleasures as well as admitting the daft mistakes - she owns it all with a contemporary adjusted poise each time but only if it suits. Fabulous and I’m a fan…
“Why does it feel so good? It bloody doesn’t!”
May 21, 2023
Needs a good edit (the odd glaring typo suggests it’s barely been proof-read!) to cut out the repetition, filter some of the more extraneous anecdotes and consolidate this collection of honest and heartfelt thoughts into the concise, polished memoir it deserves to be.
March 26, 2023
A must read for every Sophie Ellis-Bextor fan! Sophie gives some very interesting insights into her career, the recording of her albums and - of course - being mother of five children. She is such a charming personality and for me her sense of humor came across in the book as well. It felt like talking to a dear friend and was a very lovely read! :)
January 28, 2022
A very open and honest tale from the star of the ‘KitchenDisco’ which entertained so many during lockdown. Sophie Ellis Bexter writes with feeling and honesty about growing up as the daughter of a famous tv mom, her parents divorce, her subsequent relationships with her extended family,her teenage years spent exploring her musical talents and her journey to arrival on the musical world stage. She speaks openly and passionately about being a working first time mum and her growing family in the following years, all the while building her successful career as one of the music world’s most entertaining stars. A refreshing and enjoyable read.
October 14, 2021
If I had to try and summarise this book with a word it would be 'Lovely', it has a warm, homely friendly feel to it as though you are chatting with a friend.
The title also does a very good job of summing up the book as the majority of the book is about how Sophie balances motherhood and her career. Each chapter has a theme; Music, Me, Men or Motherhood. It's a chronological autobiography but sometimes there is overlap of chapters where Sophie might be talking about her music career during a certain period but then the next chapter will focus upon her relationships during that period.
Sophie comes across as lovely lady who is unaffected by her fame with her feet firmly on the ground. She chats openly about motherhood, past and present relationships and her music career. I found the pages about her pre-Groovejet music career to be particularly interesting as that wasn't something I was familiar with. Sophie also chats honestly about her experience raising 5 children and also her relationships both good and bad. I liked that she also included a bit about the lockdown kitchen discos.
Highly recommended!
The title also does a very good job of summing up the book as the majority of the book is about how Sophie balances motherhood and her career. Each chapter has a theme; Music, Me, Men or Motherhood. It's a chronological autobiography but sometimes there is overlap of chapters where Sophie might be talking about her music career during a certain period but then the next chapter will focus upon her relationships during that period.
Sophie comes across as lovely lady who is unaffected by her fame with her feet firmly on the ground. She chats openly about motherhood, past and present relationships and her music career. I found the pages about her pre-Groovejet music career to be particularly interesting as that wasn't something I was familiar with. Sophie also chats honestly about her experience raising 5 children and also her relationships both good and bad. I liked that she also included a bit about the lockdown kitchen discos.
Highly recommended!
February 16, 2022
Some funny, interesting and surprisingly dark moments in this autobiography but there's a lot of repetition and about 1/3 of the book is talking about babies and families and the majority of that isn't too exciting.
January 25, 2022
My god how much more can you talk about children. Loved the first half, but is it sexist that I'm so tired of reading about being pregnant over and over again?
Cancel me, idgaf.
Cancel me, idgaf.
September 1, 2022
A good autobiography should take you on a ride, introduce you to a world you weren't fully aware of – and if you're not a massive fan of the author, be well-enough written that you remain engaged and fascinated from start to finish.
And, to be fair, Ms Ellie-Bextor ticks all those boxes.
A busier, more random and longer solo career than I knew about, she's happy to also talk about her loves, her family, Strictly (missed that series it seems) and some of the darker parts of her life growing up.
And all with her delightful, almost etherial voice. Authenticity is not an issue here.
For her fans, this is the perfect addition to the SEB empire of albums and podcasts – but this is also an important book for new mothers (Soph has some experience here) and young women growing up, as she reveals some of her early sexual encounters and what unfolded.
This isn't all smiles and glitter.
But that's what makes this such an engaging book – the lid gets lifted, and SEB shines a light on what life is really like for a woman in the entertainment industry.
And, to be fair, Ms Ellie-Bextor ticks all those boxes.
A busier, more random and longer solo career than I knew about, she's happy to also talk about her loves, her family, Strictly (missed that series it seems) and some of the darker parts of her life growing up.
And all with her delightful, almost etherial voice. Authenticity is not an issue here.
For her fans, this is the perfect addition to the SEB empire of albums and podcasts – but this is also an important book for new mothers (Soph has some experience here) and young women growing up, as she reveals some of her early sexual encounters and what unfolded.
This isn't all smiles and glitter.
But that's what makes this such an engaging book – the lid gets lifted, and SEB shines a light on what life is really like for a woman in the entertainment industry.
February 1, 2023
I seem to have found myself on a bit of a non-fiction streak lately, which I normally don’t enjoy as much.
I however, I throughly enjoyed this one.
Spinning Plates takes you through Sophie’s early life (briefly), her first band, her path into a solo career, and lockdown. Throw in a kid or five, and you have a biographical book that doesn’t drag on or give too much detail.
Plus it’s funny! There are a lot of moments I found myself chucking away at due to the way this was written. To me it honestly read like we were sitting in her kitchen and she was regaling me with stories of how she got to where she is now.
That’s not to say that there are some downfalls to the book, there’s a fair bit of repetition with lines or facts repeated a couple of pages apart, but I can overlook that because, honestly, when I’m telling stories I do the same.
One thing that stood out to me is that Sophie is self-aware. She knows she’s lucky to be where she is, and has had a lot of opportunities that others haven’t. She has also worked hard which she shows throughout the book.
I however, I throughly enjoyed this one.
Spinning Plates takes you through Sophie’s early life (briefly), her first band, her path into a solo career, and lockdown. Throw in a kid or five, and you have a biographical book that doesn’t drag on or give too much detail.
Plus it’s funny! There are a lot of moments I found myself chucking away at due to the way this was written. To me it honestly read like we were sitting in her kitchen and she was regaling me with stories of how she got to where she is now.
That’s not to say that there are some downfalls to the book, there’s a fair bit of repetition with lines or facts repeated a couple of pages apart, but I can overlook that because, honestly, when I’m telling stories I do the same.
One thing that stood out to me is that Sophie is self-aware. She knows she’s lucky to be where she is, and has had a lot of opportunities that others haven’t. She has also worked hard which she shows throughout the book.
May 14, 2023
I’ve always liked Sophie as a person and for her big hits so I had this book near the top of my TBR pile for a while. This autobiography is a continuation of the author’s podcast of the same name (which I’ve just subscribed to after finishing the book!).
Sophie’s stories of coming up in the music industry in the late 90s/early 00s are typical of what you’d expect of the time, and her honesty about trying to look “cool” among her peers should be commended. I won’t lie, the writing itself in this book wasn’t spectacular, but I wasn’t expecting Shakespeare to begin with 😅 I particularly loved her chapters on motherhood, where she covers topics such as childhood illness, breastfeeding, c-sections, and the difficult-for-many choice of how many children to have.
Some harder topics to be aware of before reading this book include abusive relationships and parental loss.
September 20, 2023
I really wanted to enjoy this book, as Sophie comes across as a really joyful person, however there were multiple sections throughout where there is poor grammar and editing which made for really clunky reading. By way of a couple of examples, referring to her band 'theaudience' sometimes (which was their name) but using this interchangeably with 'The audience' whilst still talking about the band (and not the people who watched them).
There was also a couple of parts where I thought a section/chapter had been dropped in last minute from the way it had been written about later in the book, such as her time on Strictly.
I bought it a couple years ago in hardback so it may have been an earlyish copy, so maybe these have been rectified since, but was disappointed something with such poor editing had made it as far as the bookshop.
There was also a couple of parts where I thought a section/chapter had been dropped in last minute from the way it had been written about later in the book, such as her time on Strictly.
I bought it a couple years ago in hardback so it may have been an earlyish copy, so maybe these have been rectified since, but was disappointed something with such poor editing had made it as far as the bookshop.
January 26, 2024
Not only is Sophie Ellis-Bextor one of the most self-aware nepo babies, but her anecdotes from the last 20 years of her balancing her ‘Spinning Plates’ from a career as a disco pop star to raising 5 children are magnetising.
Assisted by the frequently rented second person perspective, ‘Spinning Plates’ is garnished with a personal narrative, exuded by Sophie’s charismatic cadence that establishes a strong connection to readers. While the memoir meets the criteria of competency in its genre by exploring and embellishing every facet of her career, the drawbacks lie in repetitive sections and the compartmentalised coverage of topics confined to individual chapters. Regardless, it still made for a focused yet easy read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Assisted by the frequently rented second person perspective, ‘Spinning Plates’ is garnished with a personal narrative, exuded by Sophie’s charismatic cadence that establishes a strong connection to readers. While the memoir meets the criteria of competency in its genre by exploring and embellishing every facet of her career, the drawbacks lie in repetitive sections and the compartmentalised coverage of topics confined to individual chapters. Regardless, it still made for a focused yet easy read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 30, 2021
I’ve adored Sophie since I first heard “Murder on the Dancefloor” back when it was originally released. Her first 4 albums are the soundtracks to my early teens and even now in my 30s. I truly enjoyed reading Spinning Plates. It felt genuinely honest and full of warmth. I loved reading what went into her writing some of her most popular hits and her switch to a more traditional pop music but with her great twist. I greatly enjoy reading auto/biographies are singers, bands, and musicians and Sophie’s is one the best I have read. Now I’m off to have my own Kitchen Disco dance around to her music.
November 15, 2022
Sophie Ellis Bextor is living life her way. In this autobiography she doesn’t really follow a chronological order, she focuses on themes and jumps around a bit to before and after she was famous. She talks about the realities of becoming a young mum, and trying to keep her career alive in an industry that puts you out to pasture when you have a baby. I respected the fact that she has forged her own path to happiness, which for her is being an involved mum to 5 kids and making music she is proud of. Life has been hard but she has learnt a lot.
I liked this book and would recommend it. Trigger warnings: relationship with food, domestic violence and sexual assault.
I liked this book and would recommend it. Trigger warnings: relationship with food, domestic violence and sexual assault.
October 26, 2021
Brilliant read
Well I just loved this book. So many things resonated with me when I was younger and so insecure. I never had any confidence in myself and honestly thought everyone was better than me. Even when I started working I would think would love to do that job but again no confidence. I love how Sophie is so open about her life and relationships. So glad fate brought her and Richard together. Sophie is a remarkable woman with a busy career and five children. After reading this book I have so much respect for her.
Well I just loved this book. So many things resonated with me when I was younger and so insecure. I never had any confidence in myself and honestly thought everyone was better than me. Even when I started working I would think would love to do that job but again no confidence. I love how Sophie is so open about her life and relationships. So glad fate brought her and Richard together. Sophie is a remarkable woman with a busy career and five children. After reading this book I have so much respect for her.
July 13, 2022
Started out great, like her way of writing, but towards the end it started feeling a bit like the publisher had requested a few additional chapters while the story had pretty much been told? Might be because I’m mostly invested in the music side but there was a chronological buildup that seems to get left behind towards the end of the book and with it the momentum also gets kinda lost.
Also ‘Be nice to anyone you meet because you might need them later’ was an.. odd bit of advice. How about just being nice?
Also ‘Be nice to anyone you meet because you might need them later’ was an.. odd bit of advice. How about just being nice?
January 19, 2022
Listened to the audio book on a couple of long journeys. It’s fun. Narrated by Sophie, it’s a very honest and self aware account of her life to date. I found it quite uplifting. She’s had her challenges but has a genuine sense of humour that both makes some hard hitting points as well as giving a realistic account of her faults and challenges. It’s inspirational and energising in a way that “inspirational” books are not. Perfect for a car journey.
April 19, 2024
Was it the re-release of "Murder on the dancefloor" when the gorge-rising "Saltburn" came out (gag). Was it the fact SEB has 5, that's FIVE, sons (I stopped at 2, due to exhaustion) ... whatever, I picked up her autobiography, and really enjoyed it!
She's an early nepo baby for sure, but she just comes across as really nice and down to earth, and the sort of person who knows she's had a lot of luck but is grateful for it, and not up herself. So I'm going to call myself a fan of hers now!
She's an early nepo baby for sure, but she just comes across as really nice and down to earth, and the sort of person who knows she's had a lot of luck but is grateful for it, and not up herself. So I'm going to call myself a fan of hers now!
October 17, 2024
I was interested to read about Sophie’s life, but in this book she’s given rather too much information. She’s so hard on herself. The book is repetitive and could have done with editing down; I did lose interest a few times.
I appreciate photos in a memoir, and there are many, but they are small and black and white, hard to see.
Interesting to read of her Strictly experience, especially in light of recent complaints.
I appreciate photos in a memoir, and there are many, but they are small and black and white, hard to see.
Interesting to read of her Strictly experience, especially in light of recent complaints.
February 23, 2025
I enjoyed reading about Sophie, she's had an interesting life... She comes across as a lovely person... I didn't know much about her other than her mum, some of her songs and a strictly appearance, so it was lovely finding out more, I enjoyed it.
However it did feel like it could have done with a bit more of an edit, as it did have lots of repetition in her stories, however this did make it feel like you were talking with an old friend (who can't get to the point!). Overall a fun read!
However it did feel like it could have done with a bit more of an edit, as it did have lots of repetition in her stories, however this did make it feel like you were talking with an old friend (who can't get to the point!). Overall a fun read!
June 3, 2025
I really enjoyed reading this! It felt more like a conversation, which was nice. So great too to learn more about how kids and how well rounded they're all growing up to be - definitely need more kind people in the world right now!
October 12, 2021
4*. I enjoyed this book. She seems to live a nice homely life. Nice to here. Famous people usually have a bit of going of the rails. But she seems to have managed nicely without that.
October 23, 2021
Honest, nice and a fun read.
Sophie is adorable and she puts her heart into this book.
Sophie is adorable and she puts her heart into this book.
Currently reading
October 26, 2021Book of lives and lies....
October 27, 2021
A quick, fun read with a lot of warmth.
January 29, 2022
A fab read
January 31, 2022
This is a lovely read! Sophie seems really down to earth, level headed and family orientated. I’d recommend to fans!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews