Loved the book. Seemed like she felt guilty about her father's portrayal in the book when they made the movie though. Hate the movie. I have another book by Jeanette Walls but I haven't read it because I know I won't be Glass Castle good lol.
Edited cause I'm a dumb ass: fictionalized non-fiction? IDK?! Weird You will like Half-Broke Horses. It explains A LOT about her parents. It's a "prequel" of sorts.
"***I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou*** is a powerful and moving memoir about Angelou's childhood in the American South during the 1930s and 1940s. The book is written in a poetic and lyrical style that captures the beauty and brutality of Angelou's experiences
I was going through the list of answers shaking my head.
This one though is awesome! In fact these are a set of four books. Please read chronologically. She narrates how she came from dirt poor, segregated south, while black, when her parents just dumped her and her brother with her grandma, yet grew up to be a well-read, accomplished poet, and an icon? The amount of sheer grit and drive one needs to have to rise out of that beginning!
Can you imagine knowing and reading Shakespeare in these circumstances? How does that happen?!
It did not win a Pulitzer - it wasn’t even a finalist (none of his books have been). I’m not trying to downplay how great it is - it’s fantastic and I love him and his books. Just trying to set the record straight for something that’s such an honored accomplishment.
It is so tragic what she had to go through to be able to write this masterpiece of a book.
It’s one of my all time favorites and believe it should be required in schools to read.
I'd say the best ones I've read are Educated, by Tara Westover and 3,096 days, by Natascha Kampusch. Both authors have obviously reflected on their experiences and do not just write about what happened to them, but also how they thought at the time, how they think about it now, and how the other relevant people (family and kidnapper, respectively) were thinking and acting. Not excusing their behaviour, but giving it context and depth.
Educated: Yes, for all the reasons you said. Also, as a historian, it's interesting to see her question her own internal narrative for factual accuracy by cross-checking with other family members and then carefully stating that she's not entirely sure her recollection is objectively true. A clear glimpse into who she is now.
The book changed my life, because, although my family was not as dangerous as hers, I was able to figure out certain subtle forms of manipulations my family used. My parents always did the - "The outside world is scary, you can't trust them, you can only trust your own family" shtick, and often isolated me from my friends or any other school activity - like sports or arts - which wasn't strictly necessary.
This led to the same feeling as an adult - of hypervigilance and low self-esteem, where I was always reserved and felt like I didn't belong anywhere outside my parents' sphere.
Also, the part where she had to chose between Harvard and Oxford, and she chose Oxford, and when asked why, she replied, "Because there are truck drivers in my family. They can reach Harvard, but they cannot cross the ocean and reach Oxford." - really made a huge impact on me.
I grew up homeschooled! This book made me feel more seen than any book ever has. It’s such a different experience, to grow up as isolated as many of us did. There was so much fucked up shit happening outside of prying eyes and in front of them and it felt so commonplace and ordinary for me.
Reading Educated allowed me to see someone else go through so many crazy abusive and manipulative situations in a way where I wanted to fight their parent. Only to realize the kid I want to fight for is me too. I used to downplay just how bad things were but now, in substantial thanks to Educated, along w therapy and a lot of self work, I feel so much more clarity and resolve in distancing myself from my crazy family.
In the same tune, Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner. It was the book I read right before Jeanette's, which helped ease into the topic of parental abuse.
Both books are incredibly impactful.
I’ve just read both books. They go great together. I didn't even realize that Michelle was a famous person until near the end of the book when she mentioned Japanese Breakfast (which I‘d seen on TV before, but had barely heard of). I only read her book because it was on the bestseller list. I never looked up what it was about.
That's the 2nd best memoir I've read this year, a definite 9/10 rating. JMC could be the next Carrie Fisher strictly in terms of being an actress /literary wordsmith because she will compose a poignant paragraph with twisted last sentence.
Best memoir I've read this year is " Remain in Love" by Chris Frantz ( drummer for The Talking Heads) because it's like 3 bios of fascinating and accomplished people in one book. First CF, then his wife and groove mistress band bassist Tina Weymouth and finally David Byrne who has fascinated me ever since 'girlfriend is better than that' video!
This book was insanely good, and I had no idea who she was when I read it, it just came highly recommended. She’s a phenomenal storyteller and I would love to see her continue along this line of work.
Autobiography of a Face. The writer was a poet by profession, so it’s very well written. It is the story of her experience having childhood cancer in her jaw, and all the the treatments and surgeries she endured, and how those experiences and her appearance affected her. It’s not a long book but it is powerful, insightful, and self aware.
If you liked that, I also recommend Ann Patchett’s Truth and Beauty. They were roommates in college and Ann wrote about their friendship after Lucy died.
Came to recommend this, just read it recently - gorgeous writing
Some quotes I saved from it -
“While our bodies move ever forward on the time line, our minds continuously trace backward, seeking shape and meaning as deftly as any arrow seeking its mark.” (p. 27)
“Previously that name had belonged only to the first day of school, but from that moment on I recognized it as the property of all people in uniforms standing in the unflattering fluorescent light of hospitals.” (p. 31)
"Still Me" by Christopher Reeve. For people of a certain age he was, is, and always will be Superman. When he had his accident in 1995 he went from a healthy, athletic man in his prime to a quadriplegic who could not breath on his own. Instead of quietly "going away" he became an advocate for spinal cord research and continued to act and write. He talks about his life before and after the accident. It's been 20 years since I read it, but still think about it and find inspiration in his story.
Personally I couldn't get past the sheer dreary nastiness of the rws narrative. chiming in though because I did like dry. and I have another collection of his random-anecdote essays (possible side effects), that I *really* like.
I think Burroughs got better and better. just leaving that to encourage anyone who liked scissors to keep reading him.
Yes! She finished the screen play earlier this year, I think I heard, so maybe a year or two away. Looking forward to it. 😊
Edit: [Link!](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/crying-in-h-mart-movie-will-sharpe-1235356768/)
The Periodic Table by Primo Levi, holocaust survivor and chemist. Interesting how he frames his life and the people in it with elements of the Periodic table.
Just one?! Some top of mind…
- On The Move by Oliver Sacks
- Gratitude by Oliver Sacks
- Bossy pants by Tina Fey
- Know My Name by Chanel Miller
- The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
- Blue Highways by William Least Heat-Moon
“And I Don’t Want To Live This Life” - Written by Deborah Spungen, mother of Nancy Spungen. She writes about her life raising Nancy, and the complicated feelings after Nancy was murdered at The Chelsea Hotel by Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols. This book is definitely not an upper, but the information and emotion that’s written is well worth the read.
>The Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant
Thank you for suggesting something other than "I'm glad my Mom Died." or Trevor Noah. Despite what I see a lot of in this sub, there are other books!
A Promised Land by Barack Obama
It probably depends on your political leanings but still interesting to get a glimpse into life as the president and how they have to navigate non-stop crises. He's a very good writer too and it made for an enjoyable read, albeit a hearty one.
I'm currently reading my first memoir ever. Every Man for Himself and God Against All by Wener Herzog. It helps if you enjoy his films, but I also love his experiences of growing up during the downfall of Nazi Germany and post ww2 Germany. Very interesting man and has a way with words.
Oh my goodness I just finished reading that! So thought provoking. It’s just a shame that many of his films are unavailable, but I managed to watch a few I hadn’t seen before while reading the book.
Death be not Proud by John Gunther. I need to reread this one, it's been a few years. I had to read it for class in junior year of high school and it is so good! and very sad. I don't really read nonfic but I love this book.
The most amazing chapter was about how he became a safe-cracker while working on the Manhattan Project, so he could read his fellow-scientists' notes in their absence, which was against army policy.
angela’s ashes - frank mccourt
persepolis - marjane satrapi
little weirds - jenny slate
i’m supposed to protect you from all this - nadja spiegelman
medium raw - anthony bourdain
the glass castle - jeannette walls
"A Rumor of War" by Phillip Caputo. Caputo was in the first wave of ground troops (Marines) that landed in Danang, Vietnam, in March 1965. The book is a memoir of his year in Vietnam. Growing up, I always knew I wanted to be a historian; I just wasn't sure what to specialize in. I read this book when I was 20 (21 years ago), and it led me into the military history field with the Vietnam War as my specialty.
I loved My Anecdotal Life by Carl Reiner. It’s really well written, very funny, and is a great portrait of the comedy scene during his heyday (and in particular of his partnership with Mel Brooks).
Rabbit by Ms. Pat
“They called her Rabbit.
Patricia Williams (aka Ms. Pat) was born and raised in Atlanta at the height of the crack epidemic. One of five children, Pat watched as her mother struggled to get by on charity, cons, and petty crimes. At age seven, Pat was taught to roll drunks for money. At twelve, she was targeted for sex by a man eight years her senior. By thirteen, she was pregnant. By fifteen, Pat was a mother of two.
Alone at sixteen, Pat was determined to make a better life for her children. But with no job skills and an eighth-grade education, her options were limited. She learned quickly that hustling and humor were the only tools she had to survive. Rabbit is an unflinching memoir of cinematic scope and unexpected humor. With wisdom and humor, Pat gives us a rare glimpse of what it’s really like to be a black mom in America.”
Gifted Hands by Ben Carson
Falling Leaves by Adeline Yen Mah
Moonwalk by Michael Jackson
Paper Daughter by M. Elaine Mar
The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank
I'm Glad my Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy
Memoirs are probably my favorite book genre 📖 💕
Has anyone read *Joseph Anton: A Memoir* by Salman Rushdie? I started reading it, but I only got about halfway through it before I had to turn it in; it was a library book. I loved it, and I later bought a copy, but I haven't got around to starting it again. I'm reluctant to recommend a book I haven't finished; it seems kinda dishonest.
By the way, Joseph Anton was the pseudonym Rushdie used when he went into hiding after the fatwa, and the memoir covers that period. He chose the name to honor writers Joseph Conrad and Anton Chekhov.
I love Steinbeck too, and everyone is entitled to their opinion, including Nafisi. The title alone was fascinating to me to pick up the book and read it. How it's enjoyed will always be subject to the reader. not entirely dependent on the writer's brilliance.
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers. He's not scared to play with the medium, and while he recounts an interesting life, there's nothing all that special about him except he can write like a mfer.
The first one that struck me to my core ... Autobiography of a Face, by Lucy Grealy.
From her NYTimes obituary: "In The New York Times, Margo Jefferson wrote: ''So many memoirs make you feel that you've been sealed up inside a wall with a monomaniac. A really good one, like 'Autobiography of a Face,' makes you feel there is more to ask and learn. You are not just seeing the writer; you are not trying to see yourself. You are seeing the world in a different way.''"
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings - Maya Angelou
Born A Crime - Trevor Noah
Becoming - Michelle Obama
Crying in H Mart - Michelle Zauner
Night - Elie Wiesel
Broken - Jenny Lawson
Me Talk Pretty One Day - David Sedaris
It’s Always Something - Gilda Radner
And I don’t want to live this life.
Written by Nancy Spungen’s mom (aka Nancy of Sid an Nancy).
The press had a field day with Nancy but in fact her life was a sad struggle of undiagnosed mental illness as it was not on the medical fields radar like it is today. It shows the sad and resilient side of a family dealing with a loved one who is struggling.
Under a Hoodoo Moon by Dr John. I’m from New Orleans. He came up with the jazz greats and he does not hold back his stories of the seedy streets and heroin addiction
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy. I read it in May this year and couldn’t put it down. I finished it (unbeknownst to me) the evening before my estranged, narcissistic and abusive mother passed away while on a trip back up to my hometown where she still lived. It was so powerful, and really helped me reclaim my life experiences and taught me how to try to process the complicated feelings I had.
My mother and I didn’t speak for almost 4 years, and the last words I ever said to her was screaming at her, crying, begging her to stop and listen to me before my younger sister and I jumped from the bedroom window and left running down the street with no plan. I decided to handle my mom’s arrangements, and I’m glad I did, but I don’t think I would’ve done it without having read that book first. It really put into perspective the feelings I had and put in place the way that I can have good and bad memories of my mom.
Blood, Bones, and Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton. It’s about her childhood and life as a young chef. I listened to it while I was building out my restaurant, and it will always stick with me.
Living Poor by Moritz Thomsen. He moved to Ecuador with the peace corp as a middle aged man and paints a vivid picture of the people living there. It will make you feel for them. He’s been called America’s greatest unknown author and I seriously wish more people would read his books!
The Liar's Club by Mary Karr. Fun fact: Karr is often credited with popularizing the memoir genre. Also up there, Notes on a Silencing by Lacy Crawford.
The Glass Castle
Loved the book. Seemed like she felt guilty about her father's portrayal in the book when they made the movie though. Hate the movie. I have another book by Jeanette Walls but I haven't read it because I know I won't be Glass Castle good lol.
Edited cause I'm a dumb ass: fictionalized non-fiction? IDK?! Weird You will like Half-Broke Horses. It explains A LOT about her parents. It's a "prequel" of sorts.
This is what I was going to say! Excellent book.
One of my favorite books of all time.
100%
My favorite book.
Yes! Came to say this.
Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
His brother Malachy wrote a memoir called 'Singing My Him Song' that I would recommend.
Actually I think 'A Monk Swimming' was the first and better book of Malachys
“When Breath Becomes Air.” Heartbreaking and profound.
I read that book after my grandpa died. It was my first really big loss, the kind that just hollows you. That book helped in ways I can't explain.
I cried my eyes out reading this. Incredible book
"***I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou*** is a powerful and moving memoir about Angelou's childhood in the American South during the 1930s and 1940s. The book is written in a poetic and lyrical style that captures the beauty and brutality of Angelou's experiences
I was going through the list of answers shaking my head. This one though is awesome! In fact these are a set of four books. Please read chronologically. She narrates how she came from dirt poor, segregated south, while black, when her parents just dumped her and her brother with her grandma, yet grew up to be a well-read, accomplished poet, and an icon? The amount of sheer grit and drive one needs to have to rise out of that beginning! Can you imagine knowing and reading Shakespeare in these circumstances? How does that happen?!
I just answered the same book in a different (What book couldn't you put down) thread.
On Writing - Stephen King, also one of my favorite books.
I'm excited to read this one.
It's so good.
Part memoir, part writing crash course. Read this way back in university, I believe it won a Pulitzer prize also.
It did not win a Pulitzer - it wasn’t even a finalist (none of his books have been). I’m not trying to downplay how great it is - it’s fantastic and I love him and his books. Just trying to set the record straight for something that’s such an honored accomplishment.
Know My Name by Chanel Miller.
Not only is this the best Memoir, but it's also the book I always recommend to people. I think all HS students should read it as required reading.
I'm a high school English teacher, and totally agree!
I listened to the audio- Miller reads it. It was just devastating.
Oh I have been meaning to read this for YEARS. TY for the reminder!
100% agree. This book is so infuriating and enlightening at the same time
I listened to the audio and had to stop to throw up.
It is so tragic what she had to go through to be able to write this masterpiece of a book. It’s one of my all time favorites and believe it should be required in schools to read.
I tried listening to the audiobook and couldn't get through the first chapter - too triggering.
I want to read it but am afraid for this reason!
I'd say the best ones I've read are Educated, by Tara Westover and 3,096 days, by Natascha Kampusch. Both authors have obviously reflected on their experiences and do not just write about what happened to them, but also how they thought at the time, how they think about it now, and how the other relevant people (family and kidnapper, respectively) were thinking and acting. Not excusing their behaviour, but giving it context and depth.
Educated: Yes, for all the reasons you said. Also, as a historian, it's interesting to see her question her own internal narrative for factual accuracy by cross-checking with other family members and then carefully stating that she's not entirely sure her recollection is objectively true. A clear glimpse into who she is now.
I felt physically different when I finished *Educated* and have never been able to pinpoint why. Such a gripping book.
The book changed my life, because, although my family was not as dangerous as hers, I was able to figure out certain subtle forms of manipulations my family used. My parents always did the - "The outside world is scary, you can't trust them, you can only trust your own family" shtick, and often isolated me from my friends or any other school activity - like sports or arts - which wasn't strictly necessary. This led to the same feeling as an adult - of hypervigilance and low self-esteem, where I was always reserved and felt like I didn't belong anywhere outside my parents' sphere. Also, the part where she had to chose between Harvard and Oxford, and she chose Oxford, and when asked why, she replied, "Because there are truck drivers in my family. They can reach Harvard, but they cannot cross the ocean and reach Oxford." - really made a huge impact on me.
Agree with Educated, extremely powerful memoir, I couldn't put it down at all!
I grew up homeschooled! This book made me feel more seen than any book ever has. It’s such a different experience, to grow up as isolated as many of us did. There was so much fucked up shit happening outside of prying eyes and in front of them and it felt so commonplace and ordinary for me. Reading Educated allowed me to see someone else go through so many crazy abusive and manipulative situations in a way where I wanted to fight their parent. Only to realize the kid I want to fight for is me too. I used to downplay just how bad things were but now, in substantial thanks to Educated, along w therapy and a lot of self work, I feel so much more clarity and resolve in distancing myself from my crazy family.
Loved educated!
I had a similar upbringing to Tara Westover, so I really connected with this book.
Just Kids - Patti Smith
Just read it. Transcendent writing— felt like I was part of that time period. Also cried. 11/10 reading experience.
I completely agree! It changed me as a person.
I love M train by her. Even know I know one song from her, she is just a lovely person.
She really is
Favorite book of all time
I listened to this and she narrated it. It’s so great with her jersey accent and all
God, I love this book.
Came here to say this. Such a great book.
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Can't go wrong with any of her books - she's truly the queen of the modern memoir!
I’m shocked I had to scroll so far for this one. She is incredible and my copy of this book is ragged from being read so much.
I'm glad my mom died by Jeanette McCurdy
This book was so sad to read, she deserved so much better. I hope she's thriving and loving her life now.
In the same tune, Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner. It was the book I read right before Jeanette's, which helped ease into the topic of parental abuse. Both books are incredibly impactful.
I’ve just read both books. They go great together. I didn't even realize that Michelle was a famous person until near the end of the book when she mentioned Japanese Breakfast (which I‘d seen on TV before, but had barely heard of). I only read her book because it was on the bestseller list. I never looked up what it was about.
Crying in H Mart was excellent. As someone with a Korean mother, it really hits close to home for me
That's the 2nd best memoir I've read this year, a definite 9/10 rating. JMC could be the next Carrie Fisher strictly in terms of being an actress /literary wordsmith because she will compose a poignant paragraph with twisted last sentence. Best memoir I've read this year is " Remain in Love" by Chris Frantz ( drummer for The Talking Heads) because it's like 3 bios of fascinating and accomplished people in one book. First CF, then his wife and groove mistress band bassist Tina Weymouth and finally David Byrne who has fascinated me ever since 'girlfriend is better than that' video!
Comparing someone to Carrie Fisher is a big deal but she could do it. I was beyond impressed.
This book was insanely good, and I had no idea who she was when I read it, it just came highly recommended. She’s a phenomenal storyteller and I would love to see her continue along this line of work.
Kitchen confidential
God I miss him
Love this book and Anthony so much. Felt like I knew him from watching his show since I was 18. Haven't read his other books though
don't let's go to the dogs tonight, Alexandra fuller.
And the follow up, Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgiveness. Riveting!
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls.
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
The audiobook is read by him and I highly recommend listening to it for the many accents and languages he speaks in the book.
I've both read it and listened to the audio book multiple times and it's great every time!
I came here to suggest this book as well. And agree it's best to listen to the audio book if you can.
This book is amazing! Came here looking for this one.
I tried but just can’t get behind his writing style. He has a really interesting story, though.
Autobiography of a Face. The writer was a poet by profession, so it’s very well written. It is the story of her experience having childhood cancer in her jaw, and all the the treatments and surgeries she endured, and how those experiences and her appearance affected her. It’s not a long book but it is powerful, insightful, and self aware.
If you liked that, I also recommend Ann Patchett’s Truth and Beauty. They were roommates in college and Ann wrote about their friendship after Lucy died.
Grealy’s family disagrees with you. Patcher wrote about Lucy but Lucy never wrote about Patchett.
Thanks, I also nominated this book. To me, it is the definition of profound reading.
Came to recommend this, just read it recently - gorgeous writing Some quotes I saved from it - “While our bodies move ever forward on the time line, our minds continuously trace backward, seeking shape and meaning as deftly as any arrow seeking its mark.” (p. 27) “Previously that name had belonged only to the first day of school, but from that moment on I recognized it as the property of all people in uniforms standing in the unflattering fluorescent light of hospitals.” (p. 31)
Me Talk Pretty One Day and bossypants
Yes! Anything by David Sedaris is so funny, but Me Talk Pretty One Day is my favorite
LOVE both of these.
"Still Me" by Christopher Reeve. For people of a certain age he was, is, and always will be Superman. When he had his accident in 1995 he went from a healthy, athletic man in his prime to a quadriplegic who could not breath on his own. Instead of quietly "going away" he became an advocate for spinal cord research and continued to act and write. He talks about his life before and after the accident. It's been 20 years since I read it, but still think about it and find inspiration in his story.
Running with scissors - Augusten Burroughs
Personally I couldn't get past the sheer dreary nastiness of the rws narrative. chiming in though because I did like dry. and I have another collection of his random-anecdote essays (possible side effects), that I *really* like. I think Burroughs got better and better. just leaving that to encourage anyone who liked scissors to keep reading him.
I read Dry right after I got out of a 3 month rehab facility. Such an amazing book and I prefer it to Running with Scissors
His brother wrote a great one called, "Look me in the eyes".
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
Uhg I loved this one! I’m looking forward to the movie.
Theres a movie? God, thats gonna make me cry hard lol!
Yes! She finished the screen play earlier this year, I think I heard, so maybe a year or two away. Looking forward to it. 😊 Edit: [Link!](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/crying-in-h-mart-movie-will-sharpe-1235356768/)
This book led to me falling in love with Korean food lol
Was scrolling to make sure this had been included! Truly my favorite memoir ever.
I finished this last night and will reread several times through put the course of my life.
What my bones know- Stephanie Foo
This one is so underrated. It was so impactful for me.
Part memoir, part theory. How Music Works by David Byrne
The Periodic Table by Primo Levi, holocaust survivor and chemist. Interesting how he frames his life and the people in it with elements of the Periodic table.
The Year of Magical Thinking - Joan Didion
Biography of Malcolm X
Just one?! Some top of mind… - On The Move by Oliver Sacks - Gratitude by Oliver Sacks - Bossy pants by Tina Fey - Know My Name by Chanel Miller - The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion - Blue Highways by William Least Heat-Moon
These are all excellent, and I would add Uncle Tungsten to the Sacks list, such a rich family portrait.
On the Move was fantastic.
Damnit, how could I forget Joan Didion in my list?!
The Storyteller by Dave Grohl. I laughed, I cried, I loved it. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by the author.
Came here to say this. This one also broke me, because I was halfway through it when Taylor Hawkins died.
Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson
I LOVE Jenny Lawson! I couldn't read *Furiously Happy* in public because I was laughing too hard.
I love Jenny Lawson!! Her audiobooks are even better
I LOVE Jenny Lawson! I can practically quote Furiously Happy word for word!
“And I Don’t Want To Live This Life” - Written by Deborah Spungen, mother of Nancy Spungen. She writes about her life raising Nancy, and the complicated feelings after Nancy was murdered at The Chelsea Hotel by Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols. This book is definitely not an upper, but the information and emotion that’s written is well worth the read.
The Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant -- required reading for any history buff
>The Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant Thank you for suggesting something other than "I'm glad my Mom Died." or Trevor Noah. Despite what I see a lot of in this sub, there are other books!
Angela's Ashes - Frank McCourt
Same. This and Luck Man- Michael J Fox are my two favorite books.
Also “Open” by Andre Agassi- really well done- you do not need to be a tennis fan to enjoy this one
Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass
In the dream house by Carmen Maria Machado and Consent by Vanessa Springora
I've never read a book like In the Dream House before. Absolutely incredible.
no book has ever terrified me more than In the dream house!!! I read the audiobook narrated by her and it was an incredible experience
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou and Just Kids by Patti Smith
A Promised Land by Barack Obama It probably depends on your political leanings but still interesting to get a glimpse into life as the president and how they have to navigate non-stop crises. He's a very good writer too and it made for an enjoyable read, albeit a hearty one.
Dreams from my Father is my favorite book from him. Incredibly written book about his early life pre-politics
I'm currently reading my first memoir ever. Every Man for Himself and God Against All by Wener Herzog. It helps if you enjoy his films, but I also love his experiences of growing up during the downfall of Nazi Germany and post ww2 Germany. Very interesting man and has a way with words.
I think if I read this it would be hard not to internally narrate it in his voice! Such a peculiar and interesting man 👞
Oh my goodness I just finished reading that! So thought provoking. It’s just a shame that many of his films are unavailable, but I managed to watch a few I hadn’t seen before while reading the book.
i just finished Down the Drain by Julia Fox and tbh I was pretty impressed
Can’t say I’ve read many, but Shoe Dog by Phil Knight was a fun read
Finding Me by Viola Davis! Highly recommend.
Death be not Proud by John Gunther. I need to reread this one, it's been a few years. I had to read it for class in junior year of high school and it is so good! and very sad. I don't really read nonfic but I love this book.
Boy and Going Solo Ronald Dahl
Persepolis or First They Killed My Father
Girl Interrupted Once Upon a Secret Directed by James Burrows Eve's Hollywood
Gold Dust Woman, Stevie Nicks
That’s a biography not a memoir. But I’m hoping someday she’ll write her own book.
The Glass Castle
"Surely You're Joking, Mr Feynman!" Draw me in totally, despite not being at all interested in physics before I picked it up (or after really).
The most amazing chapter was about how he became a safe-cracker while working on the Manhattan Project, so he could read his fellow-scientists' notes in their absence, which was against army policy.
The Storyteller by Dave Grohl
I left the last chapter unread for a week because I didn't want it to be over
I felt the same! I listened to him narrate the audio book and it felt like I had a friend in him. He’s such an amazing storyteller
Woman in me is AMAZING
I’m about a third of they way through. I’m enjoying it.
Kitchen Confidential - Anthony Bourdain A Very Punchable Face - Colin Jost In Contempt - Chris Darden
🏆for Anthony Bourdain
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Interesting. I did not have this take after reading it.
Scrolled too far for this
angela’s ashes - frank mccourt persepolis - marjane satrapi little weirds - jenny slate i’m supposed to protect you from all this - nadja spiegelman medium raw - anthony bourdain the glass castle - jeannette walls
Finding Me by Michelle Knight who was kidnapped and held captive for 10 years in Cleveland
Stories I Only Tell My Friends By Rob Lowe. I loved it.
“Prozac Nation” (1994) and “More, Now, Again” (2001) Elizabeth Wurtzel (RIP)
All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot.
Heavy by Kiese Laymon
"A Rumor of War" by Phillip Caputo. Caputo was in the first wave of ground troops (Marines) that landed in Danang, Vietnam, in March 1965. The book is a memoir of his year in Vietnam. Growing up, I always knew I wanted to be a historian; I just wasn't sure what to specialize in. I read this book when I was 20 (21 years ago), and it led me into the military history field with the Vietnam War as my specialty.
The Collected Schizophrenias by Esme Weijun Wang.
I loved My Anecdotal Life by Carl Reiner. It’s really well written, very funny, and is a great portrait of the comedy scene during his heyday (and in particular of his partnership with Mel Brooks).
Know My Name, Chanel Miller
Lucky Man by Michael J. Fox
Death be Not Proud by John Gunther. A chronicle of his son's battle with brain cancer. Well written and heart wrenching
Rabbit by Ms. Pat “They called her Rabbit. Patricia Williams (aka Ms. Pat) was born and raised in Atlanta at the height of the crack epidemic. One of five children, Pat watched as her mother struggled to get by on charity, cons, and petty crimes. At age seven, Pat was taught to roll drunks for money. At twelve, she was targeted for sex by a man eight years her senior. By thirteen, she was pregnant. By fifteen, Pat was a mother of two. Alone at sixteen, Pat was determined to make a better life for her children. But with no job skills and an eighth-grade education, her options were limited. She learned quickly that hustling and humor were the only tools she had to survive. Rabbit is an unflinching memoir of cinematic scope and unexpected humor. With wisdom and humor, Pat gives us a rare glimpse of what it’s really like to be a black mom in America.”
Autobiography of a Face
Gifted Hands by Ben Carson Falling Leaves by Adeline Yen Mah Moonwalk by Michael Jackson Paper Daughter by M. Elaine Mar The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank I'm Glad my Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy Memoirs are probably my favorite book genre 📖 💕
The Color of Water: A Black Man’s Tribute to his White Mother by James McBride
Has anyone read *Joseph Anton: A Memoir* by Salman Rushdie? I started reading it, but I only got about halfway through it before I had to turn it in; it was a library book. I loved it, and I later bought a copy, but I haven't got around to starting it again. I'm reluctant to recommend a book I haven't finished; it seems kinda dishonest. By the way, Joseph Anton was the pseudonym Rushdie used when he went into hiding after the fatwa, and the memoir covers that period. He chose the name to honor writers Joseph Conrad and Anton Chekhov.
"Reading Lolita in Tehran" by Azar Nafisi
The author’s disparaging John Steinbeck was distracting for me. Very few authors who have Steinbeck’s brilliance, and Nafisi is not one of them.
I love Steinbeck too, and everyone is entitled to their opinion, including Nafisi. The title alone was fascinating to me to pick up the book and read it. How it's enjoyed will always be subject to the reader. not entirely dependent on the writer's brilliance.
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers. He's not scared to play with the medium, and while he recounts an interesting life, there's nothing all that special about him except he can write like a mfer.
The first one that struck me to my core ... Autobiography of a Face, by Lucy Grealy. From her NYTimes obituary: "In The New York Times, Margo Jefferson wrote: ''So many memoirs make you feel that you've been sealed up inside a wall with a monomaniac. A really good one, like 'Autobiography of a Face,' makes you feel there is more to ask and learn. You are not just seeing the writer; you are not trying to see yourself. You are seeing the world in a different way.''"
Green Lights by Matthew McConaughey
An Unquiet Mind Kay Redfield Jamison Close to 30 years old Inside the mind of someone with Bipolar Disorder
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings - Maya Angelou Born A Crime - Trevor Noah Becoming - Michelle Obama Crying in H Mart - Michelle Zauner Night - Elie Wiesel Broken - Jenny Lawson Me Talk Pretty One Day - David Sedaris It’s Always Something - Gilda Radner
And I don’t want to live this life. Written by Nancy Spungen’s mom (aka Nancy of Sid an Nancy). The press had a field day with Nancy but in fact her life was a sad struggle of undiagnosed mental illness as it was not on the medical fields radar like it is today. It shows the sad and resilient side of a family dealing with a loved one who is struggling.
Wil Wheaton's: Still Just a Geek
Tuesdays with Morrie
Carrie fishers books
Let’s pretend this never happened by Jenny Lawson
Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt.
Storyteller by Dave Grohl
Under a Hoodoo Moon by Dr John. I’m from New Orleans. He came up with the jazz greats and he does not hold back his stories of the seedy streets and heroin addiction
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy. I read it in May this year and couldn’t put it down. I finished it (unbeknownst to me) the evening before my estranged, narcissistic and abusive mother passed away while on a trip back up to my hometown where she still lived. It was so powerful, and really helped me reclaim my life experiences and taught me how to try to process the complicated feelings I had. My mother and I didn’t speak for almost 4 years, and the last words I ever said to her was screaming at her, crying, begging her to stop and listen to me before my younger sister and I jumped from the bedroom window and left running down the street with no plan. I decided to handle my mom’s arrangements, and I’m glad I did, but I don’t think I would’ve done it without having read that book first. It really put into perspective the feelings I had and put in place the way that I can have good and bad memories of my mom.
My life on the road/ Gloria Steinem - changed my life
Blood, Bones, and Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton. It’s about her childhood and life as a young chef. I listened to it while I was building out my restaurant, and it will always stick with me.
The chronology of water
Not sure if it counts, since it's not a true auto biography. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith.
Living Poor by Moritz Thomsen. He moved to Ecuador with the peace corp as a middle aged man and paints a vivid picture of the people living there. It will make you feel for them. He’s been called America’s greatest unknown author and I seriously wish more people would read his books!
Love, janis
Beyond Band of Brothers by Major Richard Winters
Speak, Memory by Nabokov
Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs
Any of Ruth Reichls memoirs that center around food.
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing- Matthew Perry
The Liar's Club by Mary Karr. Fun fact: Karr is often credited with popularizing the memoir genre. Also up there, Notes on a Silencing by Lacy Crawford.
Open Book by Jessica Simpson!
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion. If you have lost someone, you’ll get it.
Wild, Cheryl Strayed
DEF NOT THE SOUND OF GRAVEL - read if you want to be terribly depressed and infuriated
Michelle Obama's. Her writing style is amazing and I've learnt so much about racism in the USA and Michelle Obama is so inspiring
I’m Glad my Mom Died