20 Great Autobiographies And Memoirs
by Sughnen Yongo · ForbesPicking up a good memoir or autobiography can give readers an unfiltered look into people’s lives, minds and journeys, sometimes without the inhibitions safeguarding our most sheltered thoughts and vulnerable moments. These books can inspire readers to think differently, engage with the world in an unexplored way, or understand that perhaps their lives aren’t so strange after all.
Top Autobiographies
Sometimes memoirs and autobiographies are used interchangeably, but they have their subtle differences. While autobiographies are shaped by the broad scope of the author’s life and follow a wide sequence in the storytelling process, a memoir, which originates from the French word “mémoire,” often hones in on specific moments that stick out in the author’s life. This difference can inform each work’s scope and make both memoirs and autobiographies appealing for different reasons. Both are different than biographies, which are entirely written by another author about the person in question.
A few autobiographies have become cultural touchstones, shifting paradigms and allowing readers a glimpse into the lives of everyday people who have lived an extraordinary life. Among the best known autobiographies are those of Malcolm X, whose book reflects on his transformation from a hoodlum to a civil rights icon; Anne Frank, whose diary remains an act of remarkable courage in the face of atrocity; and Maya Angelou, whose book I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a poetic yet bullet-sharp analysis of grit and race in America. Literary art—in fact, art in general—is a subjective experience, but this list includes some of the most noteworthy autobiography books of all time.
10. The Soul of a Butterfly by Muhammad Ali and Hannah Yasmeen Ali (2003)
Three-time World Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali’s The Soul of a Butterfly is unlike any other sports autobiography that hones in on performance and athletics. In this co-authored book, the renowned boxer focuses on his personal and spiritual evolution outside of boxing. Ali’s perspective in this book is fraught with overarching and, at times, meditative moments, covering everything from his professional experiences to his views on civil rights and his challenges with Parkinson’s disease. The collage-like storytelling shows Ali as a man with philosophical richness who is guided by the principles he values most.
Who should read this book? Readers interested in books that focus on spirituality and the search for personal meaning.
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9. Becoming by Michelle Obama (2018)
In Becoming, Michelle Obama becomes one to read about in her own words with the powerful and intimate autobiography of her life from the South Side of Chicago to the White House. By turns funny and romantic, this book shares the behind-the-scenes story of an iconic woman from our day. Michelle is unrehearsed as she remembers her childhood, her years at Princeton and Harvard Law School, her love story with Barack Obama in Chicago, and the ups and downs of helping him with his political career. Becoming also shows Michelle’s journey as a mother, an advocate, and First Lady, all through the periscope of self-exploration, meaning, and becoming.
Who should read this book? Anyone interested in books about politics, politicians, and how their family lives coincide with civic action?
Where can you read this book? Penguin Random House.
8. A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway (1964)
A Moveable Feast was published posthumously and showed Ernest Hemingway at his most charming and vulnerable. The book shows a never-before-seen part of Hemingway, first as an expatriate, then as a journalist and husband. The book has the typical sense of wit and romanticism that defined Hemingway’s work but also captures his bohemian life and his thoughts on love, art and writing. A major part of the book is its references to many prominent literary greats, including F. Scott Fitzgerald, Zelda Fitzgerald, James Joyce and several notable others.
Who should read this book? Readers who want to understand the origins of Ernest Hemingway’s career beyond the controversy that often shrouded his art.
Where can you read this book? Simon & Schuster.
7. Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela (1994)
This powerful autobiography by Nelson Mandela is a time capsule that follows the origins of his unique political life. Here, Mandela leads readers through his remarkable history by tracing time back to his early days as a young child growing up in the South African countryside. Mandela gives a credible account of his family background, education, vision and determined fight against apartheid. This book also hones in on the life-changing 27 years Mandela spent in prison after he was jailed at Robben Island by the apartheid government. Those years he spent in jail would prove to be some of the most reformative of his life and culminate in his eventual political role as the first Black South African president.
Who should read this book? Readers who are interested in historical and inspiring political figures.
6. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah (2006)
Comedian Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime is a hilarious yet powerful autobiographical retelling of his experiences growing up as a mixed-race child in apartheid and post-apartheid South Africa, where his very existence was seen as a “crime” that challenged the strict racial laws in South Africa. Through a collage of vivid stories, he narrates his experiences, often focusing on his fiercely resilient mother, whose humor, protection and grit helped him make his way through a world defined by poverty, racial divides and hardship. Noah’s writing in this book is fluid, moving seamlessly from poignant to comedic and offering readers a nuanced view of life under oppression while maintaining a light-hearted, hopeful tone.
Who should read this book? Readers who enjoy first-person accounts that are laced with humor.
Where can you read this book? Penguin Random House.
5. The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music by Dave Grohl (2021)
Dave Grohl’s The Storyteller is a picturesque memoir that brings readers along on the ride of his extraordinary career. He reflects on early snippets of his early years as a member of punk group Scream as well as being a drummer for Nirvana for four years, all of which helped him form the Foo Fighters. Apart from his celebrity, Grohl’s book portrays him as a storyteller who is engaged and contemplative. This New York Times best seller includes many raw, funny, up-close and personal stories that point back to his childhood as a big dreamer, leading him to become one of the greatest rock stars of our time.
Who should read this book? Anyone who grew up influenced by Nirvana or Foo Fighters and enjoys rock history.
Where can you read this book? Simon & Schuster.
4. The Autobiography of Malcolm X as Told by Alex Haley (1965)
This classic autobiography was released just nine months after Malcolm X was assassinated and traces his famed story back to his troubled childhood and the decisions that defined his future. The story takes readers back to Malcolm's origin, whose early life began in Omaha, Nebraska, but later moved to Michigan, where his father, Earl Little, Sr., was killed. There is an underlying theme of despair, triggered by systemic oppression, that inspires the early chapters of this book and leads readers to understand how much Malcolm X’s story was influenced by a systemically racist society that shaped his metamorphosis from a disenfranchised youth into a militant advocate for Black empowerment and the Nation of Islam.
Who should read this book? Readers who are fascinated by the life and times of Malcolm X and want to understand who he inherently was.
Where can you read this book? Penguin Random House.
3. Educated by Tara Westover
Tara Westover’s Educated is an inspiring memoir that focuses on education as its major theme and the impact it can have on a person’s life. Westover, who was born into a Mormon family in rural Idaho, grew up with no formal schooling, was isolated from the world, and had to conform to extremist beliefs that defined her childhood. Cut off from mainstream society, Westover taught herself enough to be admitted into Brigham Young University, where she would get a formal education for the first time. That door ultimately led to her earning a Ph.D. from Cambridge. Westover’s focus on the power of education forms the baseline for this book but also addresses the grief that comes with self-actualization and growth.
Who should read this book? Readers who enjoy inspiring stories about education, learning, and forming new habits.
Where can you read this book? Penguin Random House.
2. The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank (1947)
No discussion of autobiographies is complete without The Diary of Anne Frank. The book is one of the most moving and credible firsthand accounts of the Holocaust from the perspective of Anne, a courageous Jewish teenager grappling with an uncertain future. Anne’s nifty insights on faith, the future, and hope tell the story of a young mind wrestling with deep questions, some of which she ultimately never finds the answer to. Anne’s voice is both intimate and universal, capturing the tragic loss of a life brimming with potential. Through her journal entries, readers get a front seat to her dreams, aspirations, and complex inner life, which is both bittersweet and gut-wrenching. The diary has since been published in more than 70 languages.
Who should read this? Readers who are interested in history, human rights, and courageous main characters.
Where can you read this book? Penguin Random House.
1. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou (1969)
Maya Angelou’s masterpiece I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings remains one of the most influential autobiographies for its poetic approach to narrating the impacts of racial trauma, American conscience, endurance and identifying self. Angelou’s approach to writing about her Black childhood experience in the segregated South sticks and, perhaps, becomes a symbol for most Black women who had similar experiences growing up. Angelou’s brilliant approach to critiquing racism and the trauma that it leaves in its tracks also makes this a well-rounded book to reference, especially as it relates to civil rights issues.
Who should read this book? Readers interested in the impact of racism, the history of segregation, and how these two extremes colored Angelou’s life and work.
Top Memoirs
Memoirs often focus on a specific moment in time in a person’s life. Some of the most celebrated memoirs include Ernest Hemingway’s nostalgic A Moveable Feast, which reads like a love letter to 1920s Paris where he finds inspiration and friendship among artists and other writers; Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, a soul-searching travelogue; and Jennette McCurdy’s candid I’m Glad My Mom Died. Below is a list of other memoirs to enjoy.
10. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed (2012)
In this book about self-reflection and growth, Cheryl Strayed writes about her 1,100-mile solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail, which starts off in the Mojave Desert and leads her through California, Oregon and Washington. Strayed’s adventure, which was inspired by a series of personal hardships, including her mother’s death and a difficult divorce, takes her on a gritty journey of physical endurance through the rugged wilderness and an emotional and spiritual rebirth.
Who should read this book? Readers who enjoy nature writing with themes of self-discovery, healing and reflection.
Where can you read this book? Amazon.
9. The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother by James McBride (1996)
In The Color of Water, James McBride confronts his family heritage as the son of Ruth Zylska, a Jewish woman who married Andrew Dennis McBride, a black man from North Carolina. His mother’s journey from a difficult childhood in Virginia to raising 12 children in Brooklyn is interlocked with McBride’s own search for identity and makes this body of work specifically poignant. McBride’s memoir, in many ways, is also about his mother’s reluctance to reconcile with her heritage, one that brings up painful memories for her. The memoir connects family history and personal reflections to create a heartwarming focus on the effects of race and its impact on lineage.
Who should read this? Readers who are interested in memoirs that address racial heritage and complicated family ties.
Where can you read this book? Barnes & Noble.
8. A Promised Land by Barack Obama (2020)
Some books are successfully able to blur the lines between being an autobiography and a memoir, and Promised Land is one of those books. From a reader’s perspective, Barack Obama’s book chronicles his experience in the Oval Office, leading up to specific moments like the killing of militant leader Osama bin Laden. The book also takes a backward look in time at his early years, details about his first presidential campaign and the moments that defined his first term as president. The narrative technique of this book has an honesty within it that goes beyond mere policy and politics but looks inwardly at Obama’s philosophy on leadership, the influence of family, and his dedication to the pillars of democracy and American justice.
Who should read this book? Readers interested in American politics, presidential history, and thoughtful commentary on ethical leadership.
7. The Moon’s a Balloon by David Niven (1971)
David Niven’s The Moon’s a Balloon is a colorful, laugh-out-loud memoir of his life. Niven starts the book by narrating his early days as a young, impoverished Brit who rose in the ranks to become one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors. In this 1971 classic, Niven pays homage to Hollywood’s golden age while focusing on his experiences with legends like Errol Flynn and Clark Gable, as well as the chaotic flow of life behind the scenes of superstardom. Always with a sense of wit, Niven describes his time in the British military, his misadventures in Hollywood, and his successful film career, all while making readers feel like they are catching up with an old friend.
Who should read this book? Perfect for fans of old Hollywood and classic cinema who want an insider’s look at its golden age.
6. I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb (2013)
This memoir follows the remarkable journey of Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani hero who became a symbol of courage and advocacy. This remarkable book is about fierce advocacy and determination. At just 15, Malala was shot in the head by the Taliban for advocating for girls’ education. The novel chronicles her childhood in Swat Valley, which was defined by both beauty and intense challenges to show her passion for learning and the rise of extremism that inspired her dedication to education rights. There’s a wisdom that shines through on every page and shows Yousafzai’s remarkable strength and wisdom.
Who should read this book? Readers who are passionate about human rights, education reform, and social justice.
Where can you read this book? Hachette Book Group.
5. The Truths We Hold: An American Journey by Kamala Harris (2019)
In The Truths We Hold, Kamala Harris, then-Senator and later Vice President of the United States, shares her life story, starting from her journey and upbringing as the daughter of immigrants and civil rights activists to her career as a prosecutor, Attorney General of California and eventually U.S. Senator. Harris provides insight into the personal and professional experiences that have defined her beliefs and focuses on emphasizing the shared values that people collectively hold, regardless of their backgrounds.
Who should read this? Readers interested in books about groundbreaking political figures and the values that guide them.
Where can you read this book? Penguin Random House.
4. I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy (2022)
Jennette McCurdy’s I’m Glad My Mom Died is an unflinching story about the ugly parts of child superstardom. In this book, McCurdy pulls back the curtain on her life before, during and after her role in Nickelodeon’s iCarly. This book is truly an uninhibited, darkly humorous, and honest account of what often remains hidden about the less-than-favorable parts of fame, all of which McCurdy knows too well. It is an expose about her struggle with an eating disorder, addiction and a toxic relationship with her mother, who later passed away from cancer. In this memoir, McCurdy is present and retrospective but, most remarkably, is relieved to be free from the baggage of celebrity.
Who should read this? Readers interested in celebrity memoirs that go beyond the glitz and glamor of fame.
Where can you read this book? Simon & Schuster.
3. Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert (2006)
There are two core themes central to this book: self-discovery and rebirth. In Eat, Pray, Love Elizabeth Gilbert is the ultimate travel guide who leads readers on a transformative journey across three countries in a year-long adventure. The basis of this book focuses on Gilbert's culinary adventures in Italy (“Eat”), her spiritual explorations in India (”Pray”), and her quest for love and balance in Bali. The memoir offers readers a glance at what finding healing and adventure after romantic loss looks like. It also offers readers a sense of hope and engages their senses to feel as though they’re by her side, tasting the gelato in Rome, meditating in India and welcoming new love in Indonesia.
Who should read this? Readers who are interested in adventure stories that also rely on travel, self-discovery and personal growth.
Where can you read this book? Penguin Random House.
2. Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay (2017)
Roxane Gay’s Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body is a visceral investigation into societal expectations that can shape our understanding of beauty and self-worth. At its core, though, this memoir is raw and unapologetic, often incorporating her own experiences with commentary on how culture can influence our perception. Gay's sharp and vivid storytelling superpower helps readers to follow her on a journey back in time as she remembers moments from her childhood that shaped her relationship with food, her body and her self-image. Gay’s memoir is not only an account of personal battles but also a profound critique of how society marginalizes those who defy narrow ideals of beauty.
Who should read this? Readers interested in uncomfortable discussions about body image, trauma and self-acceptance.
Where can you read this book? HarperCollins.
1. Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt (1996)
Frank McCourt’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Angela’s Ashes is one of the most remarkable memoirs of all time. On its face, McCourt talks about his childhood in Limerick, Ireland. A major part of his upbringing was defined by the hunger and poverty that he and his family endured. His struggling mother, Angela Sheehan, and alcoholic father, Malachy Gerald McCourt, struggled to make ends meet, and to worsen things, Malachy Sr. frequently used all of his income to fund his bad habit. Despite the bleakness, McCourt’s story is softened by the bond with his mother and his father’s bedtime tales that inspired him to love stories.
Who should read this book? Readers who enjoy books centered around Irish history, family dynamics, and overcoming adversity.
Where can you read this book? Simon & Schuster.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Are The Best Rock Autobiographies?
Rock stars are known to live a very “rock star” life, and these artists certainly did not disappoint. Here are some well-known rock autobiographies.
Life by Keith Richards and James Fox (2010)
In Life, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards shares the highs and lows of a life devoted to music, from his humble beginnings to worldwide fame. He also speaks openly about his personal battles with addiction.
The Dirt: Confessions of the World’s Most Notorious Rock Band by Mötley Crüe and Neil Strauss (2001)
The Dirt is a no-holds-barred, shocking account of Mötley Crüe’s journey through fame, addiction and excess. The book journals the band’s raw, chaotic rise to fame and is filled with jaw-dropping stories of debauchery and addiction and is the ultimate behind-the-scenes peek into the highs and lows of rock stardom.
What Are The Best Sports Autobiographies?
Sports autobiographies give readers insight into the discipline, struggles and perseverance of top athletes. Here are some of the best.
Open by Andre Agassi (2009)
Andre Agassi’s Open follows the true-life story of personal battles behind legendary tennis icon Andre Agassi’s career. From his early years under the intense pressure of his father to his struggles with addiction and his complicated relationship with the game that would define his iconic status.
I Am Zlatan by Zlatan Ibrahimović (2011)
In I Am Zlatan, Swedish soccer icon Zlatan Ibrahimović shares his journey from a difficult upbringing to becoming one of the world’s most charismatic and talented players. Ibrahimović delivers his story on his terms: with his usual charisma, outspokenness and flair.
What Are The Best Celebrity Memoirs?
Celebrity memoirs give readers a juicy peek into the glamorous world of some of the favorite public figures. Here are some of the best.
The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher (2016)
In The Princess Diarist, Carrie Fisher writes about the whirlwind of fame that came with playing Princess Leia in Star Wars. Fisher shares her private diary entries from that era, discussing her complicated relationship with fame, mental health and her romantic entanglements, including her affair with co-star Harrison Ford.
Bossypants by Tina Fey (2011)
Tina Fey’s Bossypants takes a look at her early days starting out in comedy to her time as a writer and performer on Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock. Fey reflects on her struggles with self-confidence, her rise in a male-dominated industry and the balancing act of being a woman in comedy.