Biography, Autobiography, and Memoir read in 2026 > Likes and Comments
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Koren
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Dec 31, 2025 05:41PM
Welcome 2026! Let's make this the best reading year yet!
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For me this will mean reading fewer books I don't like. I've not been very good with memoirs or biographies lately, either, but have no idea how that will go :)
Karin wrote: "For me this will mean reading fewer books I don't like. I've not been very good with memoirs or biographies lately, either, but have no idea how that will go :)"Life is too short to read uninteresting books! Read what gives you pleasure and don't feel obligated. Sometimes I have so many challenges to do that I feel overwhelmed. That's one reason why I quit doing challenges here. The other reason is that only 1 or 2 people were doing the challenges.
Koren wrote: "Karin wrote: "For me this will mean reading fewer books I don't like. I've not been very good with memoirs or biographies lately, either, but have no idea how that will go :)"Life is too short to..."
I agree--I enjoy this group so come for the social part of it most of the time :)
Sergeant Stubby: How a Stray Dog and His Best Friend Helped Win World War I and Stole the Heart of a Nation by Ann Bausum
4 stars!
A great read about a forgotten war hero, who wore the Iron Cross obtained in combat where it would tell onlookers the most. Reminds us that dogs are better than humans and we genuinely do not deserve them, whether they are just playing ball with children or capturing enemy soldiers in a combat zone. My only quibble with this book is that the author spent so much time on the Second Battle of the Marne and the Meuse-Argonne campaign that sometimes Stubby got lost for a while...but she always circled back to the heroes of the story, Stubby and his human, Bob Conroy, who loved his dog so much that he managed to get him installed as part of the Great War display at the Smithsonian, next to Cher Ami. Well worth your time, whether your are interested in biography, animal stories or the Great War.
Softly, As I Leave You: Life After Elvis3 stars
I had mixed feelings about this book. It was interesting enough to finish, but I felt like I was reading about the 'poor little rich girl'. I was sympathetic to her because she has faced so much death, but I felt like she was still trying to profit from her life with Elvis. I wondered why she divorced him when she never completely let go. She said it was because he always had so many people surrounding him that he never had time for her. Seemed like a strange reason to divorce when she repeatedly throughout the book stated how much she still loved him. If you're a huge Elvis fan you will probably enjoy this book, but there are others that are better.
Born Lucky: A Dedicated Father, A Grateful Son, and My Journey with Autism by Leland Vittert4 stars
I did not know who the author was and I was almost to the end of the book before I learned that he was previously on Fox network and is now on NewsNation. Actually, I still don't know who he is because I don't watch either network. He is autistic and it was refreshing to read how he went on to a successful career even with his learning disabilities and lack of social skills, largely due to the support of a loving family.
Hi Koren ~ Hoping you might check out my memoir, Clearly Lies Are True and let me know what you think.
Clearly Lies Are True
Pamela Nickel Williams
I'd love to hear your review!
Best,
Pamela Nickel Williams - Author
Clearly Lies Are True - A Memoir about growing up in the cult of Scientology
Propaganda Girls: The Secret War of the Women in the OSS
Lisa Rogak
5/5 stars
This is an amazing true story of four women in the military in WW II and who spread false rumors to throw off the enemies and helped win the war. Great book! Non-Fiction
That's a Great Question, I'd Love to Tell You by Elyse Myers 3 stars
This just seemed to ramble on and on without a purpose or direction, although I did enjoy the story about meeting the guy that turned out to be a prostitute!
Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father's Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success by Russ Buettner and Susanne Craig5 stars
I wish everyone would read this book but I'm sure some will be turned off by the title. Obviously it is not complimentary. This book covers the Trump dynasty from the beginning of Fred Trump, the patriarch of the family and ends right before the last election. Let me say, the apple didn't fall far from the tree. If you are not familiar with that expression, it means that Donald learned a lot of his dishonest ways from his father but invented a lot of his own dishonesty also. This book is meticulously researched, with over 50 pages of sources noted at the end, so no one can say it is biased. In fact, I think it is as unbiased as possible. I was the most interested in the Apprentice years. I liked that show until I found out what happened behind the scenes.
Sisters in Death: The Black Dahlia, the Prairie Heiress, and Their Hunter
Eli Frankel
5/5 stars
This is the stories of two women, one who was known as The Black Dahlia and the other was known as the Prairie Heiress. Both of these women were killed by the man who was obsessed by them. This book hard to put down. Non-Fiction
Julie wrote: "Sisters in Death: The Black Dahlia, the Prairie Heiress, and Their Hunter
[author:El..."
I wonder if this is the same Black Dahlia I read about a while ago. The one the son wrote claiming that he thought his father was the Black Dahlia killer. Don't remember the name right now.
Just updated the information on my first title Ultimate Punch
Zoo Nebraska: The Dismantling of an American Dream by Carson Vaugn3 stars
Not what I thought going into this. I thought somewhere there was going to be a happy ending, but this story is just so darn tragic. It reinforces my belief that I do not like small zoos where the animals are pretty much kept in cages.
Letters from New Orleans by Rob Walker
These letters posted on his social media accounts grew on me! I liked the Rob and his girlfriend E experienced New Orleans at deeper level than the touristy books describe. I got moree insider information than what tourists have time or care for. By reading this book I was reminded and was taught more about the lesser known information about the ceremonial aspects of Madi Gras celebrations and about housing projects issues so that quite few aspects New Orleans life just beyond the facade was described. There are topics that. These 14 to explore, but he felt he had satisfied his friends and family members interest.
I recommend this book be read after reading a more superficial book about New Orleans, perhaps Why I Love New Orleans: A Collection of Blogs by Heather Graham
These two books work well together to learn about some of the nature of what a long visit to New Orleans might be like.
Windfall: The Prairie Woman Who Lost Her Way and the Great-Granddaughter Who Found Her by Erika Bolstad5 stars
There are many layers to this story. One is the search for information on her great-grandmother and how she became the owner of mineral rights in South Dakota in a time where women were not usually landowners. Another is the environmental impact of oil drilling in North Dakota. And on a side note, her challenges on becoming a mother at 40. Very interesting story and it made me realize that it is a good thing to ask your parents and grandparents about their history while they are still here and to leave a written record for your children and grandchildren know about your past.
Chasing Evil: Shocking Crimes, Supernatural Forces, and an FBI Agent’s Search for Hope and Justice
John Edward
5/5 stars
What a wonderful and interesting non-fiction book! The authors talked about how they searched out crimes and apprehended criminals. I really loved this book! Non-Fiction/Biography
The Long Awakening by Lindsey O'Connor 4 stars
True story about a woman who went into the hospital to have a baby and hemorrhaged and was in a coma for 47 days. She ended up with a brain injury that took years to recover from. As a nurse, I'm always interested in the patient prospective. I can't imagine waking up and not being able to talk or hold my baby. Interesting book!
Koren wrote: "The Long Awakening by Lindsey O'Connor 4 stars
True story about a woman who went into the hospital to have a baby and hemorrhaged and was i..."
I added this to my want to read shelf even though I've been carefully avoiding doing that for a long time.
The $64 Tomato: How One Man Nearly Lost His Sanity, Spent a Fortune, and Endured an Existential Crisis in the Quest for the Perfect Garden by William Alexander 3 stars
There were some things about this book that I could totally relate to. The part about trying to grow apples organically I have been through the exact same thing. But there were some things I felt were misleading as far as how much it costs to have a garden. At the end of the book the author details how much he has spent over the course of the years and how much the garden has produced. I will admit, gardening is not cheap. But he pays people to do a lot of things that I would never do. For instance, he paid people to design and landscape his garden. He claims his initial construction was $8,500. He paid $1,100 for irrigation and drip hoses, almost $2000 for edging and someone to install it, and on it goes. He also has no end to all the problems. There is virtually nothing positive that ever happens to him, except eating his bounty. But even that he complains about because he has too much and has to give it away. The chapter about the possum is deeply disturbing as possums are not harmful and are good for the environment. If you are thinking about gardening I would skip this one and look for something more positive. You really don't need to spend a lot of money to garden.
Hearing with My Heart by Justin Osmond4 stars
If you are familiar with the Osmond family, Justin is the son of Merrill Osmond. Justin was born with a profound hearing loss, as was two of the Merrill's brothers. This book mostly about Justin's experience with hearing loss. He is an amazing person who doesn't let his disability bring him down. There is a lot here to learn about hearing loss and the struggles they go through, but he is also an inspiration. This would be a good book for someone to read who is struggling with a hearing loss and their families.
Koren wrote: "Hearing with My Heart by Justin Osmond4 stars
If you are familiar with the Osmond family, Justin is the son of Merrill Osmond. Justin wa..."
Justin takes after his uncle Donny in looks! Not the spitting image, but you can tell they're related.
Sorry I haven't posted in so long...have a lot of catching up to do!Here are some memoirs I've read so far this year
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears
Good to hear from Ms Spears herself.
From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley
Sad that Lisa Marie died before her memoir was completed so her daughter filled in the gaps. So interesting from the daughter of the King. She married Michael Jackson! She lived in Elvis shadow! He died when she was so young. And scientology actually helped her!
Takeaway: Stories from a Childhood Behind the Counter by Angela Hui
Loved this one, could have been my cousin's life..and her name was Angela. Solidarity with those who grew up with Chinese Takeaway parents...
Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man by Mary L Trump
Mary is Donald Trump's niece and tells it like it is. Uncomfortable reading. Seems like Trump was favoured golden child of the family who was taught he could never do anything wrong even though he was incapable of doing most things..and he had a tonne of Dad's money to play with.
Some moreProtecting Whitney: The Memoir of Her Bodyguard by David Roberts
Art imitates life...
Where Madness Lies: The Double Life of Vivien Leigh by Lyndsy Spence
Biographer went full on with Viven's mental illness. Not sure why she felt the need to use a medium to contact Vivien in the afterlife though..
Karin wrote: "Koren wrote: "Hearing with My Heart by Justin Osmond4 stars
If you are familiar with the Osmond family, Justin is the son of Merrill Osm..."
Yes. He told a story in his book about when he went to a concert ( I don't remember now who it was but it was a country artist) and Justin and his date got up and danced in the aisle and the artist said "Hey, that guy looks like Donny Osmond", not knowing who Justin was.
Selina wrote: "Some moreProtecting Whitney: The Memoir of Her Bodyguard by David Roberts
Art imitates life...
Where Madness Lies: The Double Life of Vivien Leigh by Lyndsy Spe..."
We missed you Selina! Been kind of quiet around her without you!
Selina--it's great to see you again :) We have missed you here!
A Different Kind of Power by Jacinda Ardern
Just finished this one. I don't know why, I cried at the end. But then Jacinda was emotional too. In her first term as Prime Minister of New Zealand and leader of the Labour Party she was pregnant with her daughter, named Neve, and unwed to her partner Clarke Gayford. Her second term was overshadowed by a string on national disasters - the Mosque shooting in Christchurch, the White Island/Whakaari volcanic eruption, and then Covid.
Various policies that are now undone by the opposition National Party were put into place, championing children, the disadvantaged poor, Maori, LBQT community, environment. However Jacinda was known for her different kind of power, of kindness instead of aggressiveness, and challenging the old boys club of patriarchy. The book follows her journey to the top job of the land from childhood living in the small forestry town of Murupura, teenage years in Morrinsville, and twenties exploring what she wanted to do in life.
Jacinda never craved power, but said yes to being a leader when things looked rocky for the Labour Party. That she was able to take on the job for two terms as the third female Prime Minister and the youngest, not to mention giving birth while in office, is a feat in itself. To this day Jacinda is admired as well as hated, and time will only tell what impact she had on the nation, but as a personal memoir it's a fascinating account of someone who felt she was too thin-skinned and sensitive to be a politician. But that's what made her so different and remarkable - and powerful.
The Trauma Cleaner: One Woman's Extraordinary Life in the Business of Death, Decay, and Disaster by Sara Krasnostein
Another 'one woman' book but told by a journalist, about Sandra a trauma cleaner. She goes into houses where a death has occurred and cleans it up, she also helps clear out hoarders homes.
Her work is demanding and not for everyone, but the narrator focuses on Sandra's personal life, where she was originally known as Peter, so it is a bit about how 'he' changed to a 'she' as well.
It was hard sometimes to read this memoir as it kept jumping back and forth between present and past. Also traumatic (trigger warning - sexual assault) but am glad I finished it and appreciated the life Sandra was able to make for herself by helping others.
Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum
Michael J. Fox
5/5 stars
I enjoyed this autobiography by Michael J. Fox from movies and his time on Family Ties. It is a quick read. Entertainment/Autobiography
Julie wrote: "Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum
..."
I've read two other memoirs by Michael J. Fox. It's been a while, so I don't remember a lot about them. If you have read the others, do you think this one is different?
The Look by Michelle Obama5 stars
This is a coffee table size book of First Lady Michelle Obama and many of the dresses and outfits she has worn as First Lady along with hair styles and make-up choices. These are beautiful pictures of a beautiful lady, and we learn how many thoughts go into deciding what to wear and how to look on special occasions.
Speaking in Tongues by Tom Tilley
An Australian journalist writes about growing up in a Christian sect called the Revivialist Centre. It had many strict rules about who could fellowship and speaking in tongues were required for salvation. Tom and his brother broke the 'no fornication, no parties' rule and were excommunicated for a time and in the end Tom left the church, which was his main support and family. He couldn't speak in tongues either.
He had his doubts, but it was mostly about his twenties and party years, going overseas and exploring the world with a string of monagamous girlfriends, which he felt guilty about. This memoir was kinda ordinary as a lot of people go through a period where they get crash converted by evangelicals, or grow up in church and then leave when they adult.
The speaking in tongues thing..yea jury is still out on that one. I think its a real phenomenon but for the most part people make it out to be more than it really is.
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey3 stars
Well, he certainly has led an interesting life. At times there was a little too much information-I wasn't very interested in his solo sex life! If you're interested in his life work, there isn't a lot here about that. There's a lot of what he calls 'notes to self' which are in his own handwriting and sometimes hard to read, but if you listen to the audio book he does usually tell you what they say. I listened to some of this on audio and I think fans will like hearing his voice.
God and the Angel Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier's Tour De Force of Australia and New Zealand by Shiroma Perera-NathanIt's not listed on Goodreads because its more of a vanity publication of album photographs found in the archives collection of the couples theatrical tour to Australia and NZ in 1948.
It follows the tour as they go to each town/city downunder and is similar to Darlings of the Gods: One Year in the Lives of Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh which is more of a memoir, while this is kind of like a tour commentary of the places they went to and their encounters with the audience.
For fans of the Oliviers, it's more of a coffee table book, mostly black and white photographs in landscape format. It does touch on the personal lives of the couple, which was tumultous to say the least. It was in Australia where Larry felt like he lost Vivien (to Peter Finch - who she had an affair with later on).
Koren wrote: "Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey3 stars
Well, he certainly has led an interesting life. At times there was a little too much information-I wasn'..."
Wasn't he in...How to lose a guy in 10 days...and Failure to Launch?
Friendly Fire: A Fractured Memoir, by Paul Rousseau
5 stars!
This book is a great read and a valiant effort to describe something that must be ultimately indescribable: becoming a different person in a single instant because your reckless, stupid best friend accidentally shot you in the head. I highly recommend this one for anyone who loves a good memoir and anyone who writhes at an injustice. There are so many of those in here. By all means, read it.
Shiroma Perera-Nathan Coffee table books belong on Goodreads--there's even at least one Listopia for them. There are many self-published and vanity published books on GR.It's already on Goodreads because it's on Amazon. God and the Angel: Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier's Tour De Force of Australia and New Zealand I corrected the author's name so it can be found correctly.
Karin wrote: "Shiroma Perera-Nathan Coffee table books belong on Goodreads--there's even at least one Listopia for them. There are many self-published and vanity published books on GR.It's al..."
Just FYI, everyone: if you can't find a book in the Goodreads database you can appeal to the librarians here:
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
They can add it. It goes much faster if you can just give them the link to where it is being sold at Amazon or at least give the vital statistics like title, author, year of publication, who published it, and page count.
Fishface wrote: "Karin wrote: "Shiroma Perera-Nathan Coffee table books belong on Goodreads--there's even at least one Listopia for them. There are many self-published and vanity published books o..."Thanks I didn't know that it was just spelled wrong, thought maybe it was my fault. I borrowed my copy from the library. It's recent, and I'd never seen it before. If I was still collecting as a fan I probably would have bought it.
Selina wrote: "Fishface wrote: "Karin wrote: "Shiroma Perera-Nathan Coffee table books belong on Goodreads--there's even at least one Listopia for them. There are many self-published and vanity ..."Not a problem--I found it by searching for the title rather than the author :)
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
I read this last year but just remembered I had, it was about Michelle's mum dying and how she missed her and she was crying in H mart, which is a Korean supermarket.
I can't remember what happened to her dad if he was still alive, but I suppose I could relate because my mum had recently passed. But so far I haven't broken down crying in Tai Ping or Golden Apple (Chinese supermarket) as I generally know what I'm going to buy, even if I can't read or speak much Chinese. My mum loved her food.
Michelle seemed to be an only child and her dad was not Korean like her mother so I suppose she felt alone and didn't have much family support, also she was in her 20s which is young to be orphaned. She made a name for herself in an Indie band and I suppose that was her way of grieving, other than writing a book about it.
I don't know if I would write and publish a book about my mother, but I do have a book or sort of memories, as well as several recipe books with clippings of recipes mum collected over the years. She wrote things down as well as cutting out the ones in magazines.
Selina wrote: "Crying in H Mart by Michelle ZaunerI read this last year but just remembered I had, it was about Michelle's mum dying and how she missed her ..."
Hi Selina,
Grieving the loss of a mother can take so many forms. Writing a memoir was very cathartic for me.
Clearly Lies Are True
Pamela Nickel Williams
Fishface wrote: "Friendly Fire: A Fractured Memoir, by Paul Rousseau
5 stars!
This book is a great read and a valiant effort to describe s..."
Thank you for the recommendation! As both a sexual abuse survivor and a cult survivor, writing a memoir has been such a healing journey.
Clearly Lies Are True
Pamela Nickel Williams
Julie wrote: "Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum
..."
Hi Julie ~
Thanks for the review! Michael J. Fox is an amazing advocate for Parkinson's. His quote, "Gratitude makes optimism sustainable," really speaks to how he chooses to live his life. Have you read his first memoir, Lucky Man?
If you like memoirs, I'm wondering if you might be interested in my story?
Clearly Lies Are True
Pamela Nickel Williams
The Girl Bandits of the Warsaw Ghetto: The True Story of Five Courageous Young Women Who Sparked an Uprising – The Holocaust Biography of Female Resistance Leaders
by Elizabeth Hyman
4/5 stars
This is a very interesting book about the Warsaw Ghetto in which five young women in the Holocaust who helped lead the resistance, sabotage the Nazis, and aid Jews in hiding across occupied Poland and Eastern Europe. I enjoyed it. Non-Fiction
A Biography of a Mountain: The Making and Meaning of Mount Rushmoreby Matthew Davis
4/5 stars
This was a very interesting book on the history and the building of the South Dakota Mount Rushmore. It also talks about the Wounded Knee tragedy and the history behind Wounded Knee and much more! Non-Fiction
Forever Two As One by Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner with Martha Lowder Kimball
3 stars
've had this book sitting here for at least a year, although I hadn't added it to my GR shelves, apparently.
This memoir is primarily written by three people, Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner with Martha Lowder Kimball, but there are sections written by others that appear at the bottom of some pages or two page spreads as well. They were American pairs figure skaters last century; she was the first part black woman figure skater (she refuses to categorize herself in this book; her mother is African-American but her late father was half Filipino and half Hopi. Her first name was suggested by her Japanese godfather.)
The entries main alternate between Randy and Tia. I liked this, but didn't think it was spectacular--the best parts are the photos. My rating is not about their skating or the importance of Tia's role in the integration of competitive skating (there was an African-American boy who did well in the 1960s.) A significant part of this book is heartbreaking.
Fly, Wild Swans: A Sweeping Story of Family, Exile, and China’s Transformation Across Generations by Jung Chang
I first listened to the audiobook CD in the car, but found I kept getting interruptions, so I borrowed the book and it's much easier to just read the book. Plus has photos.
If you've read Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China then read this one as a followup. The subtitle of my version is slightly different, it says 'My Mother, Myself and China'
It is not a Mommie Dearest type memoir, Jung clearly loved her mother and she had gone through a lot. Her mother protected her from a lot of what was going on in China. Her books are banned in China, she lives in London.
I think I may have to read Wild Swans again at some point because it's been a few years since it was first published back in 1993.
