Dishy memoirs are not, alas, a formal publishing designation. But they really should be. Dishiness may be an inexact term, but we know it when we see it: gossipy celebrity memoirs, scandalous family secrets, self-revelatory deep dives.
Slightly guilty pleasures—let’s call them that.
We have collected here some of the best memoirs of the year so far, selected for general dishiness and overall popularity—each title has scored a 3.5-star average rating or higher with Goodreads regulars. Most of the books featured are on U.S. shelves now, with three bonus upcoming titles listed at the end.
Highlights include this year’s runaway memoir sensation
I'm Glad My Mom Died, from former child actor
Jennette McCurdy, and Matthew Perry’s buzzy autobiography
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. (Could we
be any more excited for that one?) Also look for several titles from authors you'll know from other corners of pop-culture conversation—like books from
Hannah Gadsby,
Michael K. Williams, and
Viola Davis.
From the trendspotting desk, we can report that quite a few books this year explore themes of family, secrets, and dramatic revelations. Check out
Carmen Rita Wong’s
Why Didn’t You Tell Me or
Chrysta Bilton’s
Normal Family, whose subtitle is:
On Truth, Love, and How I Met My 35 Siblings.
Some final notes: Any year is a good year for a
David Sedaris book, and keep a bookmark handy for
Uphill, the highly anticipated memoir from author and pioneering sports journalist
Jemele Hill.
Scroll over the cover images for links and details, and anything that looks promising to your
Want to Read shelf.
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The best memoir I read this year was by Amanda Knox Waiting to Be Heard: A Memoir about her four years in an Italian prison.
Burning Butch by R/B Mertz should definitely be on this list. A must read.
Always loved Geena Davis- can't wait to read Dying of Politeness.
