Memoirs & Autobiographies

A great memoir is the most inspiring kind of book. Of course I love fictional stories, and words telling lies can be captivating and beautiful, but reading about someone’s life story and how they’ve overcome obstacles is a unique experience. I don’t read memoirs or autobiographies too often (I don’t think I’ve ever read an actual “autobiography”), but the few that I have read left a lasting impression on my mind.

Back in high school, when I was a little more wrapped up in celebrity culture, I loved Learning to Sing by Clay Aiken (yes, I went through a Clay Aiken phase) and Without You by Anthony Rapp. Both of these books covered completely different content, but I loved learning the personal stories behind “celebrity” figures.

There are two memoirs that immediately come to mind when I think of this genre. The Glass Castle and Girl, Interrupted. The Glass Castle explores issues of poverty (there are a couple scenes that are described a little too well for my liking). Girl, Interrupted explores life in a mental institution (a subject that I always find fascinating). I recommend both of these books if you’re looking for a captivating read.

I’m excited to read through everyone’s posts and write down a few memoirs and autobiographies to add to my to-read list. If you have a book in mind, please join us for this week’s book chat – hosted by The Tangerine.