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The best biographies and memoirs
Sharp observations and emotional reflections on life, love, and loss.
Published on October 30, 2023
I'm Glad My Mom Died
Jennette McCurdyMcCurdy, an actress best known for playing Sam on the Nickelodeon sitcom “iCarly,” pens an honest account of child stardom under the control of an abusive mother. Darkly funny, this coming-of-age story offers hope for those struggling to overcome trauma. “I'm Glad My Mom Died” is making waves on Everand and beyond.
Pageboy: A Memoir
Elliot PageIn one of the most anticipated celebrity memoirs of 2023, Page reveals the complex process of shaking off outside expectations and embracing one’s true self. The Oscar-nominated actor (“Juno,” “The Umbrella Academy”) came out as transgender in 2020, but his memoir begins much earlier, allowing readers to follow along with Page’s vulnerable and powerful journey.
Finding Me: A Memoir
Viola Davis“It’s an eenie, meenie, miny, mo game of luck, relationships, chance, how long you’ve been out there, and sometimes talent,” says Davis when pressed to describe her professional triumphs. While the EGOT winner remains modest, her emotional memoir, narrated by the author and actress herself, chronicles her journey from growing up in a rat-infested apartment to attending Julliard and beyond — truly an uplifting story of hard work and dedication.
Dirtbag, Massachusetts: A Confessional
Isaac FitzgeraldFrom his childhood marred by poverty to globe-trotting quests for enlightenment, Fitzgerald explores topics like toxic masculinity and racism, ultimately proving that our pasts don’t define us and knowing oneself is an ongoing pursuit. “Dirtbag, Massachusetts” comes highly recommended by literary notables like Roxane Gay, Min Jin Lee, and Saeed Jones.
Making a Scene
Constance WuIn a memoir-in-essays, “Crazy Rich Asians” actress Wu reflects on her journey from a girlhood of “fitting in” in Richmond, Virginia to making plenty of scenes (on and off screen) in Hollywood. In straightforward and sometimes self-deprecating prose, Wu addresses Asian American stereotypes, on-set sexual harassment, and how acting enabled her to find her voice and sense of self.
Somebody's Daughter: A Memoir
Ashley C. FordFord, notable podcaster (“Lovecraft Country Radio,” “The Chronicles of Now”), writer and educator, discusses growing up without her father, who was in prison most of her childhood, and her complicated relationship with her mother. “‘Somebody’s Daughter’ is the heart-wrenching yet equally witty and wondrous story of how Ford came through the fire and emerged triumphant, as her own unapologetic, Black-girl self,” writes The New York Times.
Men We Reaped: A Memoir
Jesmyn WardWard’s (“Sing, Unburied, Sing”) multi award-winning 2013 memoir about the Black men in her life who died too soon injects some much-needed perspective and humanity into the larger narrative about systemic racism, sexism, and classism.
The Yellow House: A Memoir (2019 National Book Award Winner)
Sarah M. BroomThis breathtaking memoir won the 2019 National Book Award for nonfiction. In it, Broom chronicles how her family rides out Hurricane Katrina — and generations of social injustices — through the framework of their beloved yellow house in New Orleans. You’ll feel the humidity and hear the Mississippi rising through Broom’s evocative writing.
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic
Alison Bechdel“Fun Home” is a story of family dysfunction, including closeted homosexuality, abuse, and suicide, but heartbreak has never been this funny. Bechdel’s widely lauded comic memoir pushes the boundaries of both the medium and the genre. The “fun home” of the title refers to the funeral home run by Bechdel’s father’s family.
The Glass Castle: A Memoir
Jeannette WallsWith millions of copies sold and a film adaptation starring Brie Larson, reporter Walls’ memoir is a triumphant exposé of her family. Dysfunctional as her nomadic upbringing was, Walls’ experiences molded her into the successful person she is today. Witty storytelling turns her less-than-blissful childhood into an engaging read.
Angela's Ashes: A Memoir
Frank McCourtMcCourt’s Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir about his childhood split between Brooklyn and Ireland stole readers’ hearts the moment it came out in 1996. This touching book doesn’t shy away from the hardships of growing up in poverty with an alcoholic father, but it also basks in the joys of storytelling and the tenderness of his loving mother.
Kitchen Confidential
Anthony BourdainBefore he was a famous chef, author, and travel TV personality, the late, great Bourdain wrote an essay called “Don’t Eat Before Reading This.” The article earned him a book deal within days, according to an interview he gave NPR. And so “Kitchen Confidential” was born, launching the beloved storyteller onto a worldwide stage with behind-the-scenes stories of life in the kitchen.
Just Kids: A National Book Award Winner
Patti SmithSet in the bohemian glamour of New York City’s Chelsea Hotel in the late ’60s, “Just Kids” chronicles Smith’s loving relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and their early years as struggling artists. This beautifully rendered memoir won the 2010 National Book Award.
The Year of Magical Thinking
Joan DidionDidion’s (“Slouching Towards Bethlehem”) passionate and vulnerable memoir is an honest portrayal of coming to terms with the loss of both a partner and a child. This depiction of love, loss, and the stages of grief is (unsurprisingly) moving in the hands of one of America’s most influential writers.
Giving Up the Ghost: A Memoir
Hilary MantelMantel, the late author of a dozen novels, including Booker Prize winners “Wolf Hall” and “Bringing Up the Bodies,” grapples with ghosts both literal and figurative in this memoir. Struggles with chronic illness, infertility, and mental health play a significant role in her musings, as well as how those experiences shaped her into a writer with a singular voice. “Giving Up the Ghost” is wry with righteous indignation.
Sixty-One: Life Lessons from Papa, On and Off the Court
Chris PaulPaul delivers far more than a sports memoir in “Sixty-One” (co-written with ESPN commentator Wilbon). The Phoenix Suns “Point God” discusses family and faith, with a major focus on how his late grandfather, Nathaniel “Papa” Jones, shaped the very values that led to Paul’s success on the court at Wake Forest and now in the NBA. Jones, a valued community member in Winston-Salem, was tragically murdered at the age of 61, but his legacy endures, as seen in this moving debut.
In the Dream House: A Memoir
Carmen Maria MachadoWinner of the 2020 Lambda Award for best LGBTQ Nonfiction. Machado (“Her Body and Other Parties”) doesn’t just break all the rules with her marvelous memoir — she transcends them. Masterfully weaving together dozens of genres, from gothic and folktales, to lesbian pulp and road trips, Machado tells the frightening story of a past relationship with an abusive girlfriend. “In the Dream House” breaks the destructive silence surrounding abusive queer relationships — and breaks open a new way of nonfiction storytelling.
Prozac Nation: Young and Depressed in America
Elizabeth Wurtzel“Prozac Nation” sparked a national conversation about clinical depression and mental health. Wurtzel’s courageous honesty about her experience opened the door to discussions and continues to make it easier for others struggling with similar issues to speak up and get support. The journalist and author died in 2020 after battling metastatic breast cancer.
When Death Takes Something from You Give It Back: Carl's Book
Naja Marie AidtWritten after the tragic death of her son, Aidt’s genre-bending memoir is one of grief and reckoning. The book’s movement from prose to poetry to stream of consciousness in staccato style highlights the enormity of Aidt's loss, pulling readers in and refusing to let go.
How To Write An Autobiographical Novel: Essays
Alexander CheeChee’s book is mostly memoir mixed with morsels of writing tutorial as he attempts to both unravel and connect all the disparate parts that shape our identities. Chee’s observations as a mixed-race gay man who grew up with sexual abuse provide a powerful and clear perspective.
The Art of Memoir
Mary KarrEverybody has a story to tell. Drawing insight from the real world and the lecture hall, renowned memoirist Karr (“The Liars’ Club,” “Cherry,” “Lit”), helps you tell yours in the most engaging way possible. Karr’s teaching style at Syracuse has been as highly praised as her prose, which means this book is one of the best memoir writing tutors around.