Memoirs I Still Think About

I wanted to share some of my favorite memoirs with you. These are books that come back to me over and over. Many of them I’ve read in the last 5 years, so there might be some recency bias, but when people ask me for book recommendations, I always throw a few memoirs in there.

My mom, who was the most voracious reader I’ve ever known, really didn’t like memoirs. I think she read a few when she was younger that felt more like self-promotion or People magazine exposes than true life accounts or biographies, which she did like. I shared many of my favorites with her, and she started changing her mind about memoirs before she passed. They’re not for everyone, and I get that.

Do you read memoirs? What are your favorites? These are not the highest rated or a complete list of the ones I’ve read and recommend. But they are the ones that I remember vividly, and recommend regularly.

The Year of Magical Thinking was on my to-read list for several years. I finally listened to it through my library (voiced by Vanessa Redgrave), and it was more touching than I realized it would be. It’s brief and wistful.

A Girl Named Zippy was introduced to me in a former book club. I loved it and shared it with the Litwits. I’ve given copies to several people. The adventures and struggles growing up in a small town without much. Charming.

As You Wish is almost required reading if you are a die-hard The Princess Bride fan like my family is. I gave this book to my mom, assuming she would not read it, but she did and loved it. It’s always fun to hear behind the scenes, but this one is handled as a delicate retelling and not salacious in any way. Loved it.

The Storyteller resonates with me simply because I listened to it on the drive from the midwest to the south after my mom had a stroke. I needed something to keep my mind off of what lay ahead and this was an upcoming Litwits read. It was exactly what I needed and the fact that Dave and his mom have a special connection made it even more relevant.

Driven is a fish out of water story about growing up in a family with different levels of mental health concerns. The author grew up in the town where I live and members of our book club know her. Besides that connection, I found it a compelling read and recommend it regularly.

Finding Me was a complete surprise from the first paragraph of the book. It is a reminder that you never know what someone is dealing with, or where they come from. I assumed that Julliard-educated Viola Davis grew up in a middle or upper class family with resources and connections. This story changed my perspective in so many ways.

Kitchen Confidential is a must read. Anthony Bourdain paints a scene that is less juicy details and much more a compassionate, but raw, reveal of life as a chef in his time.

I Will Always Write Back was recommended by a librarian and I listened to it through the Libby app. The story of two young people randomly assigned to be pen pals and how these letters changed both of their lives. Should be required reading in middle or high school.

A Very Punchable Face was not that remarkable of a memoir, but for some reason a number of the chapters have stayed with me over the years. The story of his mom on 9/11 – she was the chief medical officer for the NYC Fire Department. Surfing with Jimmy Buffet. And how he grew up – again I look at SNL’s Colin Jost in a completely different light now.

Taste is a relaxing read combining Stanley Tucci’s childhood memories, his Italian heritage, his love of food / cooking / entertaining, and a little about his experience in movies.

Becoming and Educated I read back to back a few winters ago and I needed a reading break after I finished them both. I include Michelle Obama’s book here because I think about her smart, straightforward writing approach often.

A Year in Provence is another that had been on my TBR for years and I finally read it this year. Charming. Lovely. Funny. Makes me want to move to France for a year!

Born a Crime is likely the book I’ve recommended more than any other. Trevor Noah’s recounting of his childhood in South Africa to a black mother and a Caucasian father is a compelling look at how you never know what someone has had to deal with in their lives. So well written.

I’d love to hear about your favorite memoirs!