Biography, Autobiography, Memoir discussion
Biography, Autobiography, and Memoir read in 2025
Mod
3 stars
I have loved the Osmonds since I was a teenager. This book is more of a joke book with a few paragraphs of stories by Wayne and his family. Most of the jokes are pretty corny and most have been around for years, but once in a while there was one worth a chuckle. Really, if you want some jokes you could tell your kids or grandkids, this would be a good resource. On a side note, the author passed away a couple of months ago.
Koren wrote: "Laugh Lines: 50 Years of Jokes, Stories, and Life As an Entertainer by Wayne Osmond3 stars
I..."
I loved the Osmonds! Will have to look for it!
Hi everyone! 😊I’m loving all the great recommendations here! Memoirs and personal stories are some of my favorites because of how deeply they connect us to each other’s experiences.
I’d love to hear from you all—
👉 Which memoirs have you read that really made you think differently about resilience and transformation? What about them left a lasting impact on you?
Looking forward to adding more titles to my TBR list! 💕
The Last Queen: Elizabeth II's Seventy Year Battle to Save the House of Windsor by Clive Irving3 Stars
While I have no doubt that Queen Elizabeth II fought to save the House of Windsor, the fight was not well described here. Perhaps if I had been British citizen, maybe most particularly an English citizen I would have understood much more. As the book is written, there is not much discussion of background, of things necessary to make the argument more clear to me an American/non Brit.
However having watched much of the series The Crown, I am glad to see a little more clearly where the truth/lie line is laid.
Mod
I’m loving all the great recommendations here! Memoirs and personal stories are some of my favorites because of how deeply they connect us to each other’s experiences.
I’d love to he..."
Check out my 'strong women' shelf. All of these women have been an inspiration to me and many others.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Love Is a Burning Thing: A Memoir, by Nina St. Pierre5 stars!
This was, for me, a very powerful read about the author unravelling the reasons behind her mother's bizarre decision, made in 1971 before the author was born, to set herself on fire with a friend. There was a small attempt to fit the episode into context as part of the larger -- fad? -- of people setting themselves on fire between the early 1960s and mid-1970s, but mostly this was about figuring out this one woman. St. Pierre's life was full of unanswered questions and confusing circumstances, and this book is about how she made sense of it all. Beautifully written and hard to put down.
Mod
2 stars
Throughout this book, I kept thinking that I was glad I didn't have to worry about this person becoming my doctor. She is seriously screwed up, eventually being diagnosed bipolar and later with addiction. I didn't feel sorry for her at all when she was reprimanded several times for her bedside manner and didn't seem to have any remorse whatsoever. She can't afford regular medical school, so enlists in the military to get her schooling paid for, but then nothing ever seems to go right for her. This book just seemed to be never-ending whining.
Daughter of Daring: The Trick-Riding, Train-Leaping, Road-Racing Life of Helen Gibson, Hollywood’s First Stuntwoman
Mallory O'Meara
5/5 stars
What a wonderful book about Helen Gibson, the first stunt performer/actress in Hollywood. This was a great story and a fast read. Books On Film and Entertainment
Mod
4 stars
Interesting story about growing up on a farm that had been in the author's family for a century and how much farming has changed since he was a kid. Also, interesting was the fact that the family was Mennonite. I thought they were more like Amish, where they do not embrace technology, but the author's father actually invented some things that made farming easier.
Mod
3 stars
The author explores death and dying in our current high-tech world. Are we really better off than we were years ago? I enjoyed the case studies of real people, but the rest seemed a little text-bookish at times.
I have just read Remembering Selena: A Tribute In Pictures & Words / Recordando Selena: Un Tributo en Palabras y Fotos by Himilce Novas. This book is written for a more popular audience, one that sometimes lives near or on the Spanish-English language line. I did learn some things I did not know before, such as Selena playing a part in a telenovela/Mexican soap opera series, Dos Mujeres un Camino. Written and published in the uear of Selena's death on 1995, the written has a slight emotional edge. The photographs are abundant. Definitely fan writing. I rated the book 3 stars.For a more academic book with significant rhetorical analysis, I recommend Selenidad: Selena, Latinos, and the Performance of Memory by Deborah Paredez. More informative/Less emotional. I rated it 5 stars.
I've read two memorable memoirs this year. "I'm Glad My Mom Died" by Jennette McCurdy a book about growing up as a child actor with a toxic momRiveting, and I loved every minute of it. Also, "The Magnificent Lives Of Marjorie Post" which I loved for the history of breakfast food, processed food, and corporate power. Marjori Post does not do herself any favors in her honest self-professed love for opulence and finer things. but I was heartened to learn of the beginnings and how Post grew.
I didn't realize she built Mar-A-Lago.
Mod
Riveting, and I loved every minute of it. Also, "The..."
I've been wanting to read I'm Glad Your Mom Died so thanks for the review.
Mod
I've read a few books by and about the Monkees. This one seemed to be the most unbiased and well-researched. Published in 2010, so before the deaths of Davy, Peter and Mike. This is mostly about the business side of the group and contains very little personal information.
Koren wrote: "Monkee Business: The Revolutionary Made-For-TV Band: Revised 2024 by Eric Lefcowitz"This is timely; someone mentioned The Monkeys at Toastmasters earlier today.
Mod
I've r..."
I edited my post to include my review.
Mod
4 stars
It was amazing what this woman went through just because she spoke up at a meeting about book banning. She was bullied online, made out to be a pedophile among other things, and accused of saying things she didn't say. She is an amazing woman who stands up for what she believes in.
I am still a little out of breath after reading Dandelion Child: Based on a true story. The author has produced a short memoir about her years as a foster child of Mitch and Doris Jones, including multiple rapes, ongoing battering, constant humiliation and being an eyewitness to more than one murder. I could only read this one in small pieces, even though made a point of leaving out a lot of the worst parts. I gave it 4 stars. Read it if you dare!
Mod
On my list it goes!
Find a Way
Diana Nyad
4/5 stars
This was an amazing autobiography of Diana Nyad, a professional long-distance swimmer who would never give up on her goals. She swam from Cuba to Florida after several failures and was able at the age of 64 to secure her goal. Biography
Mod
5 stars
Fascinated look into what goes on in the Secret Service. I don't think most of us have a clue what goes into protecting the president. The author's biggest claim to fame is being present during the assassination of John Kennedy. He is actually in the photo at the moment the president was shot, climbing on the back of the car to protect him. He also had a front row seat during the Eisenhower, Johnson, Nixon and Ford administrations.
Mod
4 stars
This book brought back memories, both good and bad, of having an autistic child. My child is grown now but I remember well those sleepless nights. The author's child would have periods where he was awake for a portion of the night. My child would want to be awake for 3 days straight and then want to sleep for 3 days straight. I also identified with trying to find the right teachers and aides at school. I think it is helpful just to know others are going through the same thing you are, and this book does just that.
Koren wrote: "Make a Wish for Me: A Family's Recover[bookcover:Make a Wish for Me: A Family's Recovery from Autismy from Autism|26076427] by LeeAndra Chergey4 stars
[bookcover:Make a Wish for Me..."
Finding the right teachers was key for my Aspie, although I pulled her out to homeschool when she was 8 for a list of reasons (then expelled her at 15 to public high school in grade 10/sophomore year--both were the best choices at those times.)
Thankfully my daughter never was one to stay awake for days in a row, etc.
Mod
4 stars
[bookcover:Make..."
I didn't have much problems with teachers, but just as the author did, we had problems with having multiple paraprofessionals, sometimes in one year, who were not trained or knowledgeable about autism. Long story short, (really I should have kept a journal so I could write a book), we had a very poor para in 7th grade. When one of her coworkers told me she constantly belittled my son, we asked not to have her the following year. We were told we could request who we wanted. As luck, or maybe divine intervention, she became pregnant and took the last 3 months of the school year off. The aide who took her place was wonderful and we saw a remarkable change in my son after she left and we were able to get the good para the next year.
Koren wrote: "Karin wrote: "Koren wrote: "Make a Wish for Me: A Family's Recover[bookcover:Make a Wish for Me: A Family's Recovery from Autismy from Autism|26076427] by LeeAndra Chergey4 stars
[..."
We were blessed with only good teachers and once we got a one-on-one she was fabulous. We had trouble with others though; the last principal (her one-on-one moved with her to this school) was horrible and her one-on-one wasn't allowed to do some of her most important jobs such as meet my daughter at the van (or, once I had to quit using the van due to an idiot driver, my van) or take her out at the end of the day. We didn't have the money to hire the advocate to fix it who told me we'd win for sure.
She had FIVE different people take her out at the end of the day even though her one-on-one had to go that way. Worse, one of the women was legally blind so couldn't even see who my daughter was running off to meet.
I'm not sure about autistic kids, but Aspies are known for not doing well with more than one figure in authority, so that alone made this inane.
There's more, but it's too long :)
Hello everyone!I’m a new author here and excited to join this community. I’ve written three memoirs based on my life growing up—each one shaped by the experiences, silences, and small moments that stayed with me.
• The Daughter Who Waited
• Letters to My Late Drunk Uncle
• My Grandmother’s Hands
These books are personal, honest, and deeply rooted in the memories that made me who I am. They’re all available on Kindle, and if any of them speak to you, I’d be so grateful for a review—it would truly mean a lot.
Looking forward to connecting with fellow memoir lovers!
REGINAH wrote: "Hello everyone!I’m a new author here and excited to join this community. I’ve written three memoirs based on my life growing up—each one shaped by the experiences, silences, and small moments that..."
This is your author page https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... . It would be best if you claimed it. Also, it's better to not have your author name in all caps. You can claim your page by scrolling to the bottom and clicking on the "Let us Know" link.
Mod
I’m a new author here and excited to join this community. I’ve written three memoirs based on my life growing up—each one shaped by the experiences, silences, and small moments that..."
Welcome Reginah!
How Did I Get Here?: A Memoir
Bruce McCall
3/5 stars
This is the interesting memoir of Bruce McCall who became a writer/artist. He wrote for National Lampoon and also for Saturday Night Live. Memoir/Biography.
Mod
4 stars
Ken Osmond is best known for his role in Leave It To Beaver. Unable to find any meaningful roles after that, he became a police officer. Fans will like this book. I did not know until I read the reviews for this book that Ken Osmond passed away a few years ago.
Wow, even I saw some reruns of that show growing up.
Mod
5 stars
Although this book was published in 2006, it is relevant to what is going on today. The author follows the story of one immigrant family from Honduras to the United States. Many people from that region decide to go to the United States because they are so poor they cannot feed their families. Many women leave their children behind with relatives to go to the States. But the journey is rough and many do not make it. Their plan is to work long enough to earn money to send to their families and save so they can go back to their country and buy a house or start or business or just survive. Enrique's journey is very hard. His mother left to go to the States and all he wants to do is see her. He is robbed, beaten and has to hop on trains to get to his destination but once he arrives it is not easy.
Mod
I’m Glad My Mom Died
Jennette McCurdy
4/5 stars
Jeanette McCurdy was a child/teen actor in iCarly and other..."
Finished this book. I would agree with your review. The description of the book says it is hilarious. I didn't really see it that way. I thought it was horrible how her mom treated her, although I was expecting this book to be more about physical abuse, but it was more about emotional abuse. I could identify with her in some instances. My mother was also emotionally abusive and tried to shame me for being overweight, but instead of becoming anorexic and bulimic like the author, I was the opposite and took comfort in food.
The Fall Guy: Pickton in His Own Words, by Willie Pickton2.5 stars
This memoir -- taken from notebooks left in the cell of serial killer Willie Pickton -- was a very tough read because of the author's incoherent writing style. I hope he didn't speak the way he wrote because it would have made the tough work of representing him in court even harder for his attorneys. Pickton seemed to insist on using as many words as possible while giving us as much extraneous detail as he could. His point was to show us the holes in the RCMP's case against him, but the real gift to the reader is his detailed description of the attack on Wendy Eistetter (called Sandra Ringwald by the Canadian newspapers). It's the only really close description we have of what happened to any of these unlucky women, and it told me a great deal about him. He made clear that in his mind, he was the only victim in this story. RIP ladies.
Hello! I'm new to the group. The only thing I read now it seems is a good biography or memoir. I'm eagerly anticipating the rollout of Ron Chernow's biography of Mark Twain next week, but at 1,200 pages it's going to be a bear. Just finished Lovely One by Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. It's a fascinating story of her meteoric rise to the highest court in the land. Beautifully written. I look forward to participating in this group. Thanks.
Mod
Welcome James! That Twain biography does look intimidating.
Mod
4 stars
This memoir is more introspective than most. He is a deep thinker. He briefly touches on his most famous works like Shogun and Thornbirds and of course, his first and possibly most iconic role, Dr. Kildare. He talks a bit about being gay at a time when it was not generally accepted. At times he does ramble on a bit too much. This book caught my attention because the author recently passed away at the age of 90.
Mod
4 stars
This book made me think about people I know that were raped by people they knew or family members. It made me wonder how men can do something that they must know could cause lifetime trauma to that person. This was sad because so many people seemed to know what was going on, but did nothing. They belonged to a religion who thought women should be virtuous, but boys will be boys. On top of that, they lived in a small community where everyone either knew or was related to everyone else. This was a sad story, but also one that needed to be told.
Mod
3 stars
I unintentionally finished this on Mother's Day, so it seemed a fitting book to read for the occasion. The author reflects on his mother's life as she lays dying. It was kind of sad, but she was in her 80's so I also was happy that the author loved his mother and had a long and interesting life with her.
Mod
4 stars
The author suffers from a staph infection at birth, which leaves his face disfigured. His parents are unable to cope with this and give him away for adoption. I cannot imagine what it would be like to be a young child with a facial deformity, but I was hoping somewhere along the way, he would get more self-confident and just tell people what had happened to him. This book gave me insight into what it would be like to live with a condition that makes people stop and stare. The book follows him from childhood to adult and his various relationships.
My Next Breath: A Memoir by actor Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye in Marvel movies).
The actor nearly died on 1 January, 2023. The book is heart-wrenchingly detailed in describing the accident when he forgot to apply a brake and a snowcat started to move, threatening to smash Renner's nephew. The actor jumped into the air to stop the machine but got knocked down and crushed by it... I recommend listening to an audiobook: it has real 911 calls from the scene, with his all-too-real groans in the background...
It's 5 stars from me; the best nonfiction book of 2025 for me
Resolute: How We Humans Keep Finding Ways to Beat the Toughest Odds by Benjamin Hall
The author is a Fox News war correspondent. 'Resolute' follows his first book, 'Saved,' that described his near-fatal experience: he was a lone survivor out of 5 people, whose car was blown up by Russian missiles near Kyiv. This book tells how he adjusted to new life with prosthetics and damage from a brain injury.
4 stars from me. I loved 'Saved.' This book falls short from being as engaging as the first one
Darya Silman wrote: "My Next Breath: A Memoir by actor Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye in Marvel movies).
The actor nearly died on 1 January, 20..."
Wow, two survival stories in a row! I've added the Benjamin Hall to my want to read list.
Karin wrote: "Darya Silman wrote: "My Next Breath: A Memoir by actor Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye in Marvel movies).
The actor nearly ..."
Karin, two books go together, first 'Saved' (about the missile attack), then 'Resolute' (about recovery)
Gator Country: Deception, Danger, and Alligators in the Everglades, by Rebecca Renner3 stars
This is a great read if you like biography combined with really, really, really slow-burn true crime. The whole front end of the book is the author's autobiographical account of her relationship with swamp life, and the next section is the biography of the undercover wildlife officer she is trying to find out more about. Right at the end the crime story starts to pick up speed, and it's a good one. This is must-have reading material for alligator fans!
Darya Silman wrote: "Karin wrote: "Darya Silman wrote: "My Next Breath: A Memoir by actor Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye in Marvel movies).
The..."
Okay, good to know; I marked both of them to read.
Mod
3 stars
Don't let the title fool you! There really aren't any huge secrets here. Just librarians and booksellers who tell how they got into their professions and how much they like their jobs. After a while they all started to sound the same. I expected more from the most popular writer in America.
This book is a must-read for anyone looking for motivation and useful strategies to turn their suffering into a meaningful purpose. This raw, heartfelt memoir traces the author's journey from addiction, divorce, and a criminal past in the UK to spiritual awakening through an ayahuasca ceremony in Peru’s Amazon. With the Blue Morpho butterfly as a powerful metaphor, it weaves gripping stories of resilience with psychological insights, like growth mindset and post-traumatic growth, offering readers a roadmap to heal and grow. This book is perfect for personal growth enthusiasts, aspiring writers, or anyone facing challenges, and it will leave you inspired to embrace your own metamorphosis.THE MORPH: The Alchemy of the Animal
Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith
Deborah Heiligman
4/5 stars
This is the true story of Charles and Emma Darwin. Darwin, who believed in evolution, which was a very big controversial issue in 1859. This is a young adult novel but I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Biography
Every Day Is a Gift: A Memoir
by Tammy Duckworth
5/5 stars
Great autobiography of Tammy Duckworth in which she includes her family life, her life in the military, her role in government and her devastating loss of her legs. Biography
Biography, Autobiography, Memoir
Books mentioned in this topic
Black Bear: My Life Story (other topics)Black Bear: My Life Story (other topics)
I Will Find You: A Reporter Investigates the Life of the Man Who Raped Her (other topics)
The Gas and Flame Men: Baseball and the Chemical Warfare Service during World War I (other topics)
It's Okay to Laugh (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Jim Leeke (other topics)William J. Hall (other topics)
Jeremy Renner (other topics)
John Green (other topics)
Jan Gradvall (other topics)
More...
4+ stars
This is a powerful account of religious persecution in China which continues to today. Fu converted while in university, and it cost him dearly.
The book starts before Fu was born when his mother was kicked out of her first husband's house with his older siblings in the 1960s due to shortages under the communist regime (how divorce worked, not sure if it's still like that.) He chose the name Bob in his first English class, by swapping with another boy, and it's how he's referred to through most of the book. Fu, who was living in the US when he wrote this along with Nancy French.