I just finished Gisele Pelicot’s memoir, and before that I finished Virginia Guiffre’s memoir. I think I’m interested in reading more memoirs, specifically about those who have overcome some serious life events and trauma. Any recommendations?
by twilson1209
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“i’m glad my mother died” by jeanette mccurdy especially if you grew up with the Nick era of shows she was on – it’s so raw and powerful, highly suggest the audiobook
– Strong Female Character by Fern Brady
– Waiting to be Arrested at Night by Tahir Hamut Izgil
Born a Crime is my favorite memoir. By Trevor Noah, about growing up biracial in apartheid South Africa. It is SO good. The audiobook is extra extra good.
Educated by Tara Westover. Utterly fascinating and engrossing.
*Tell Me Everything* by Minka Kelly was a big surprise. She had a tough life and it was a fascinating story.
* *Confessions of a Prairie Bitch* by Alison Arngrim
* *In Pieces* by Sally Field
The Glass Castle is a great one! The author talks about her basically nomadic childhood with “eccentric” parents.
So many good ones out there. Here are some of my favorites:
Patriot–Alexei Navalny
Sure I’ll Join Your Cult–Maria Bamford
Mailman: My Wild Ride Delivering the Mail in Appalachia and Finally Finding Home–Stephen Starring Grant
Permanent Record–Edward Snowden
Yes, Chef–Marcus Samuellson
A piece of cake by cupcake brown. She is a high ranking lawyer now after overcoming the California foster system (her father was denied custody after her mother died), California gang life, a crack addiction, and a few more things. It’s very good.
In my skin by Kate Holden. Former heroin addict/prostitute turned author.
Mary Turner Thompson’s The Bigamist
Another great memoir is In My Mother’s Footsteps by Mona Hajjar Halaby. The author’s mother is a Palestinian lady who was displaced in 1948 and follows her struggles since then
Not My Father’s Son – Alan Cumming
The Glass Castle – Jeannette Walls
Persepolis – Marjane Satrapi (graphic novel)
Haldol and Hyacinths – Melody Moezzi
Black Boy – Richard Wright
Know My Name: A Memoir by Chanel Miller is one of the most powerful personal narratives from a survivor of sexual assault and everything thereafter. She’s an amazing writer.
If you liked Educated and The Glass Castle you might also enjoy A Girl Named Zippy: Growing Up Small in Mooreland, Indiana by Haven Kimmel and the sequel She Got Up Off the Couch.
I’ve heard powerful reviews of In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado but I’ve not read it yet.
Chronology of Water. I can’t recommend it enough.