Best Memoir

Trevor Noahs memoir about growing up in apartheid South Africa is a masterclass in audiobook performance. Because Noah is a comedian and a master of accents and languages, he brings his own story to l...

Hemingway's memoir chronicles his early years as a struggling writer in Paris during the 1920s. It offers a poignant and intimate glimpse into the lives of artists and intellectuals, including F. Scot...

Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential is a raw and unflinching memoir detailing his experiences in the restaurant industry. It's a darkly humorous and often shocking look at the realities of profess...

While technically a diary, Anne Franks account of her time in hiding during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands is one of the most powerful biographical documents in history. It provides a raw, int...

This is a genre-bending work that combines a memoir of the author's own traumatic past with a deep, investigative look at a brutal murder case they worked on as a law student. Alexandria Marzano-Lesne...

Malala Yousafzai's memoir details her advocacy for girls' education in Pakistan and the assassination attempt by the Taliban. The book highlights her resilience and global impact as a Nobel Peace Priz...

Ruth Reichl, former restaurant critic for The New York Times and editor-in-chief of Gourmet magazine, is celebrated for her engaging and personal writing style. Her memoir, 'Comfort Me With Apples,' b...

Joan Didions memoir is a raw, clinical, and deeply moving account of the year following the sudden death of her husband. It is widely regarded as one of the most honest depictions of grief ever writte...

Joan Didions classic exploration of grief follows the sudden death of her husband and the simultaneous illness of her daughter. Didion, a master of journalistic precision, applies her analytical mind...

This documentary serves as a powerful memoir and urgent call to action from legendary naturalist David Attenborough. He recounts his life's work witnessing the Earth's beauty and documenting its decl...

John Bolton's memoir provides a controversial and detailed account of his time as National Security Advisor in the Trump administration. The book offers a behind-the-scenes look at policy decisions, i...

Gabrielle Hamiltons Blood, Bones & Butter is a powerful memoir that intertwines her experiences running a farm and a restaurant. It explores themes of privilege, hard work, and the complexities of the...

Richard Thaler provides a fascinating history of the behavioral economics movement, told through his own career. He recounts the struggle to convince traditional economists that human beings are not a...

Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle chronicles a year her family spent eating locally and seasonally in rural Virginia. Its a celebration of food, family, and the importance of reconnectin...

This specialization, offered through Coursera and the University of Michigan, provides a comprehensive introduction to creative writing. It comprises five courses covering short story, poetry, creativ...

Edmund de Waal's memoir traces his family's ownership of a collection of Japanese art, including the famous 'Hare with Amber Eyes' sculpture. The book weaves together personal history with art history...

Paul Kalanithi's posthumously published memoir recounts his experience as a neurosurgeon diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Written with remarkable grace and insight, Kalanithi reflects on life, dea...

Michelle Obama's memoir, 'Becoming,' offers a deeply personal and relatable account of her life, from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as First Lady. The book is written in a co...

Jeannette Walls' 'The Glass Castle' recounts her unconventional and impoverished upbringing by eccentric and irresponsible parents. The memoir details their nomadic lifestyle, often living in dilapida...

Barack Obama's 'A Promised Land' chronicles his journey from his early political aspirations to the end of his first term as president. The memoir provides insights into his decision-making process, t...

Carmina Tarra's memoir, 'Cult Sutra,' offers a harrowing firsthand account of her involvement with NXIVM, a self-help organization that devolved into a criminal enterprise. Tarra details the insidious...

Andy Murray's 'Open' is a brutally honest and deeply affecting autobiography, detailing his career highs and lows, including his struggles with injuries and mental health. Murray doesn't shy away from...

Elizabeth Gilbert's memoir 'Eat, Pray, Love' documents her year-long journey of self-discovery after a painful divorce. She travels to Italy to indulge in food, India to seek spiritual enlightenment,...

Thi Buis 'The Best We Could Do' is a deeply moving illustrated memoir that chronicles her family's escape from Vietnam and their subsequent struggle to build a new life in America. Through delicate, e...

Craig Thompsons 'Blankets' is a sprawling, beautifully illustrated coming-of-age memoir that chronicles the author's upbringing in a strict evangelical household and his first love. The book is celebr...

Ann Rule, a former police officer and experienced crime writer, found herself working alongside Ted Bundy at a crisis hotline while he was actively committing his horrific crimes. This book is a chill...

Matt Haig's 'Reasons to Stay Alive' is a deeply personal and moving memoir about his battle with severe depression and suicidal thoughts. Haig shares his experiences with honesty and vulnerability, of...

David Shields' 'Darkness Visible' is a powerful and unflinching memoir chronicling his experiences with bipolar disorder and depression. Written in collaboration with Kay Redfield Jamison, the book of...

Julia Whelans narration of this memoir is widely considered one of the best in the non-fiction genre. She captures the intensity, trauma, and eventual triumph of Tara Westovers life with incredible se...