Finding My Way: A Memoir

by Malala Yousafzai

How do you rebuild yourself when your whole world changes overnight?

Thrust onto the public stage at fifteen years old after the Taliban’s brutal attack on her life, Malala Yousafzai quickly became an international icon known for bravery and resilience. But away from the cameras and crowds, she spent years struggling to find her place in an unfamiliar world. Now, for the first time ever, Malala takes us beyond the headlines in Finding My Way—a vulnerable, surprising memoir that buzzes with authenticity, sharp humor, and tenderness.

Finding My Way is a story of friendship and first love, of anxiety and self-discovery, of trying to stay true to yourself when everyone wants to tell you who you are. In it, Malala traces her path from high school loner to reckless college student to a young woman at peace with her past. Through candid, often messy moments like nearly failing exams, getting ghosted and meeting the love of her life, Malala reminds us that real role models aren’t perfect—they’re human.

In this astonishing memoir, Malala reintroduces herself to the world, sharing how she navigated life as someone whose darkest moments threatened to define her—while seeking the freedom to find out who she truly is. Finding My Way is an intimate look at the life of a young woman taking charge of her destiny—and a deeply personal testament to the strength it takes to be unapologetically yourself.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography Memoir, Biography, Feminism, Adult

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 21, 2025

About the author

Girls education activist and youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate.

New memoir, FINDING MY WAY, and book tour tickets available for pre-order today!

Reviews

[SH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malala!!! The woman you are!!!! I could not love a memoir more. It was full of honesty and vulnerability. I may not have won a Nobel peace prize, but Malala was beyond relatable. Like sitting down for a cup of tea with your friend who unapologetically gets it and gets you. Cup is overflowing

[Clare Mulroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible memoir with so much heart, humor and wisdom. I’m going to beg everyone in my life to read this.

[Ashley 💙]

Pre-reading: I read Malala’s first memoir and was immersed. Looking forward to this one!

[Sarah Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding My Way
By Malala Yousafzai
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Finding My Way is Malala Yousafzai’s memoir in her own words. Malala won the Nobel Prize at the young age of 17 for her activism in education. Malala stood up for her beliefs for female education in Pakistan at a time when the Taliban were outlawing it. On October 9, 2012, in response to speaking out against them, the Taliban issued an attack on Malala’s life - Malala was shot in the face on a bus returning home.

I had read “I am Malala” by Malala Yousafzai and Christiana Lamb when it came out in 2013, so I had previous knowledge of Malala’s life. When NetGalley sent me a widget for this book, I immediately accepted & started to read. I wasn’t disappointed- Malala shows herself as more than an activist or founder of the Malala Fund, she’s shown as such a real person. The story shows her life after the catastrophic event, through high school and into college at Oxford - her struggles with classes, connecting with friends, and living her life the way she wants while trying to maintain her Pakistani values.

I was impressed with how open she was about her difficulties in her classes. I can understand the stress and frustration as she held the weight of the world’s expectations to be at the top of her classes. I felt like I could relate - another girl finding her way through the obstacles of balancing a social life and a heavy course load.

I hadn’t know about Malala’s marriage, so it was nice to hear she’s with someone that makes her happy. I enjoyed reading how their relationship formed and the tribulations that surrounded it.

Finding My Way is available on October 21, 2025.

Thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Malala Yousafzai for this eARC

[Brianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited for this to come out, and it definitely lived up to my expectations. The story is open and genuine, and the writing is engaging.

I listened to the audiobook, which was great. I love listening to her talk. Someone who’s done public speaking as much as she has is bound to make an engaging narrator

[Amelia Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this all in one day. i read malala’s autobiography, i am malala, back in elementary school. i was really excited when finding my way was announced and finally getting to read it was so touching. i’m not surprised that being a public figure and activist and also a college student was hard on her. this felt very authentic and shows the pressure she went through

[Kim Irwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring. Scary and mind opening.

[Stroop · Rating 5 out of 5]

A joy to read. Malala opens up about her college years, anxiety, the pressures of her high-profile and public expectations, and falling in love. Recommended to everyone.

Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

[Muthu LMK]

Good book

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you wondered what happened to the girl from I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban, I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World, Malala: My Story of Standing Up for Girls' Rights, Malala's Magic Pencil, and My Name Is Malala, wonder no longer.

[H.R.H. Carpathia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hardly ever read memoirs. Aside from this one, I have two on my shelf. I won this book in a giveaway thinking it was the first book as I had not realized she wrote another. Malala’s story is interesting and she showed herself here as someone far beyond the school girl shot by the Taliban. She has friends, yes, tangible friends and applies herself to fulfill her dream of furthering her education. She experiences falling in love and expresses her conflicting feelings about it which I can understand. She talks extensively on the importance of education for women and girls and how a lack of education can be damaging yet she also says she is not the sort who thinks everyone must go to college and I agree with this. In fact, I found her relatable in many ways. She talks about her struggles with a haunting past and how it nearly damaged her and learning she has PTSD. I am glad she did not shy away from what happens to people, mostly women, in certain lands. It is an ugly truth that people need to be more aware of. After all, knowing the truth will set you free.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Malala’s earlier book “I am Malala” was the story about how an average girl became an icon - growing up in Pakistan, advocating for girls’ education, being targeted and attacked by the Taliban, and getting the Nobel Peace Prize. This new memoir reminds us that underneath all that, Malala is still an average girl.

“Finding My Way” covers Malala’s years at Oxford, from making new friends, balancing school and social life, navigating her relationship with her parents, struggling with what to do after graduation, and finding love when you weren’t looking for it. I especially liked how open and honest she was about finally addressing her mental health and her struggles with anxiety attacks and PTSD. It was fun to read and reminisce about my own college years and early 20s.

Finding My Way is available on October 21, 2025.

Thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Malala Yousafzai for this eARC

[Ipsita Saikia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completed this book in 2 sittings! Really loved it! I love how relatable Malala’s stories were, made me see her through a lens that makes the Nobel laureate in her seem human and like a normal woman in her twenties navigating life, questioning the choices, dealing with expectations and things like anxiety and struggles of coping up with academics, her work and her dreams. This book would definitely find a place in my favourite autobiographical works of all time! :)

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed hearing Malala’s perspective on her personal growth from the girl we knew in “I Am Malala” to the mature woman she is today. Transitioning into adulthood was not without its challenges and it was interesting to hear about how she dealt with both the everyday struggles we all experience and the struggles that were unique to Malala. A book that I will be reflecting on for a while.

[Beth Hunsberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this book.

This is a very open and honest memoir from Malala Yousafzai, sharing her life experiences after she was quickly and unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight after being attacked by the Taliban in her teenage years. Malala shares about living life with security always around, adjusting to college life, and developing friendships and relationships. It was a very open and honest telling of some of her experiences so far.

[Brenda Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. Truly one of the best (and most well written!!) memoirs I’ve ever read. So many lines I’m still replaying in my head. The storytelling is just incredible. Also, I didn’t expect to laugh so much!! Malala is FUNNY. At the same time, she opens up about so many heavy and important topics, particularly around mental health. Gifting to every one in my life. Could not recommend more.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a brilliant book
i knew she was an activist but i didn't know she was a comic too!
the candor in this book was refreshing and her mission is admirable
i'm glad she is using her gift for the good of the world
the definition of empowerment is the freedom to choose, and i hope that every woman can do that in their lives.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a memoir, autobiography, biography girl by any means but WOW did I love this. I can’t believe Malala was in her freshman year the same time I was. I appreciated her honesty throughout, especially on her relationship with her parents.

[Patti Jannetty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another amazing book!

[J R · Rating 5 out of 5]

so much vulnerability and unveiling in the memoir. the writing is great and this feels a lot like sitting down for a cup of tea and a catchup with a friend. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.