Best memoirs/biographies?

[Anonymous]

I loved Born a Crime, Trevor Noah

[Anonymous]

I love autobiographies and memoirs but question their accuracy. its a serious question of do you want to get an accurate historical record of this person's life or just a first hand narrative? I like the autobiographies for the first hand narrative, not really caring about truth. I kinda compare it to sitting in grandpa's lap as a young kid. I couldn't verify those stories but they were fun to listen to.

But there's also the question about who's getting the money. Some autobiographies were written during stretches in a person's life when they were in jail or unable to continue their former careers and so they got a really bad deal for their life story and sometimes it was ghostwritten and just put out there more than a real project.

That said, some of my favorite autobiographies
- Somebody's Daughter
- Miles Davis
- Zora Neal Hurston
- Harry Belefonte
- Charles Persons
- Chuck Berry
- Cicely Tyson
- Herbie Hancock

Some good biographies
- BB King
- Satchel Paige

There are a lot more in the local libraries and I haven't found any that weren't good reads, some were better than others but none were "bad" in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

Acne - Laura Chinn

Between Two Kingdoms - Suleika Jaouad

[Anonymous]

If it can be a biography per the subject line, as opposed to strictly memoir, one of my all time fave books is Mountains Beyond Mountains about Dr Paul Farmer, by Tracy Kidder.

Roald Dahl’s daughter features fairly prominently in the book as well, which I found interesting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it can be a biography per the subject line, as opposed to strictly memoir, one of my all time fave books is Mountains Beyond Mountains about Dr Paul Farmer, by Tracy Kidder.

Roald Dahl’s daughter features fairly prominently in the book as well, which I found interesting.

Oh sorry that’s not by women.

I loved the Glass Castle and Educated as previously mentioned. Michelle Obama’s Becoming is worth a read if you haven’t read it.

I also liked Orange is the new black more than I was expecting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:+1 to Educated, The Glass Castle, and Know My Name

Other suggestions:
-Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed. She also wrote Wild, but I really liked the letter/essay format of Tiny Beautiful Things so I prefer it.
-Somebody's Daughter by Ashley C. Ford
-You'll Grow Out of It by Jessi Klein
-Wishful Drinking or The Princess Diarist, both by Carrie Fisher
-Unbound by Tarana Bourke (this one is heavy buy very good)

If you liked this format, check out Mary-Lou Parker's book Dear Mr. You.

[Anonymous]

What Remains (Carol Radziwell) and Memorial Drive (Natasha Tretheway)

[Anonymous]

Born a crime by Trevor noah
Kathie Griffin’s memoir

Surprisingly good writers and so much depth

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Educated
Bully Market
Know My Name
Group
Maybe you should talk to someone

This list. Plus Glass Castle.

[Anonymous]

Julie Andrews's memoir is terrific -- candid, thoughtful and funny. Home Work: A Memoir of my Hollywood Years

[Anonymous]

Stephanie Foo's memoir 'What My Bones Know'.

It's about her healing from complex trauma and just is a fabulous well written and relatable book.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is Jeannette McCurdy’s book?

I listened to the audiobook. I think it would make a quick read. It's good. And I heard and read it as an adult/mom who was exposed to iCarly through my kids. I didn't really know who she was/that much about her in general. Fascinating look at the child star industry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love autobiographies and memoirs but question their accuracy. its a serious question of do you want to get an accurate historical record of this person's life or just a first hand narrative? I like the autobiographies for the first hand narrative, not really caring about truth. I kinda compare it to sitting in grandpa's lap as a young kid. I couldn't verify those stories but they were fun to listen to.

But there's also the question about who's getting the money. Some autobiographies were written during stretches in a person's life when they were in jail or unable to continue their former careers and so they got a really bad deal for their life story and sometimes it was ghostwritten and just put out there more than a real project.

That said, some of my favorite autobiographies
- Somebody's Daughter
- Miles Davis
- Zora Neal Hurston
- Harry Belefonte
- Charles Persons
- Chuck Berry
- Cicely Tyson
- Herbie Hancock

Some good biographies
- BB King
- Satchel Paige

There are a lot more in the local libraries and I haven't found any that weren't good reads, some were better than others but none were "bad" in my opinion.

Oh, I agree, but they’re still enjoyable. They focus only on what they want, spin it as they wish, leave out major events. But you still get a sense of their personality and some behind the scenes stories. I still find them entertaining but they are not objective and do not tell the full story.

[Anonymous]

Marlon Brando's autobiography famously left out ALL the murders and suicides and imprisonments of his own kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Huma Abedin's book was a wild ride. Still unsure how I feel about it, but I don't know many people who have read it and can compare notes.

I loved it. She’s a remarkable woman.