I love depressing memoirs where the author has a really hard childhood and have been chasing the high I first felt when I read The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. Does anyone have any books they can suggest that are well written and have similar vibes? I just want my heart broken but like in a literary way
I have already read Half Broke Horses, Educated, and Angela’s Ashes, which are commonly suggested to me when looking for recs.
by bananamilkcat
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Crying in H Mart
I am not your perfect Mexican daughter
Zarna Garg’s memoir This American Woman
The Tell
Maame
Educated by Tara Westover is very similar: young girl grows up in abusive household, makes a life for herself, pursues her education.
I’m glad my mom died by Jeanette mccurdy: she recalls growing up as a child star and dealing with her mother’s toxic behavior and the complex relationship that comes from that
You need to do the ‘sad Jeanette Trilogy’!! Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls ✅ Now time for Oranges are Not The Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson ( biography about growing up lesbian in a pentecostal church) and I’m Glad My Mum Died by Jeanette McCurdy
4th feature is ‘ Why be happy when you could be normal’ by Jeanette Winterson which like a behind the scenes on Oranges, but not as good imo
From the Ashes by Jesse Thistle!
* I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy
* Semi Well Adjusted Despite Literally Everything by Alyson Stoner (former child star who dealt with horrible stage mom and mental health challenges)
* Paris by Paris Hilton (trust me on this one, her memoir was so much darker than I ever expected)
* How Far The Light Reaches by Sabrina Imler (one of the best memoirs i’ve ever read)
* Kissing Girls on Shabbat by Sara Glass (queer woman growing up in an extremely oppressive haredi jewish community)
* Fun Home by Alison Bechdel (graphic novel, about a gay woman who lives in a funeral home growing up and her relationship with her father)
* Coming Home by Britney Greiner (current WNBA player who was detained in Russia prisoner camp for an extremely long period of time)
* Hello, Molly! by Molly Shannon (actress’ memoir of a comedian who has dealt with shit)
* Hostage by Eli Sharabi (an Israeli man who was kidnapped and held underground in tunnels in Gaza for over a year)
* Driving Forwards by Sophie L Morgan (a woman who becomes paralyzed at 18 reflecting on what freedom means)
Definitely The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner.
Agree with the suggestion for I’m Glad My Mom Died. Also would suggest Viola Davis’ memoir.
Listened to the authors read them all on audio!
Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal by Jeanette Winterson
Throughout The Glass Castle I was reminded of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and I really think she took some inspiration from it.
Shuggie Bain. I can’t recommend it enough.