Since I’m working on a memoir, I’ve been reading a lot of them. These are the ones that have strayed into my path in the last six months.
Inheritance: Dani Shapiro writes a moving story about the emotional stages of learning her father was not her biological father after she submits a DNA sample to a genealogy website.
The Light of the World: Elizabeth Alexander captures both grief and love in this tribute to her husband who died unexpectedly. Her husband’s artwork was recently featured in the New York Times.
The Color of Water: A Black Man’s Tribute to His White Mother: James McBride captures the chaotic family life that produced well-educated, successful children in this tribute to his mother.
In the Dream House: Carmen Maria Machado writes a wildly innovative memoir about being in an abusive lesbian relationship.
Know My Name: Chanel Miller reclaims her name and identity after her sexual assault. This is a stellar and unflinching behind-the-scenes portrayal of Emily Doe and how she became Chanel again.
In Pieces: Sally Field’s memoir is really a biography, a listing of life events. There are moments of transformation, as when she describes using her experience with dissociation from traumatic childhood events to portray Sybil in “The Three Faces of Eve.” That’s what the title refers to.
The Yellow House: Sarah Broom uses the story of a house destroyed by Katrina to intertwine an intergenerational story of New Orleans. As the youngest of 12 children, she has a unique perspective on the history of her family.
What Comes Next and How to Like It: Abigail Thomas’s book feels like a quick read. Each chapter is only one or two pages long, but by the end, she has wandered her way into coming to terms as well as she can with aging and dying.
Question: Up until I started this project, I was reading mostly literary fiction. I’m glad my range has expanded. What’s been your favorite genre recently? Share in the comments below.
Sally field was so good in Sybil. Haven’t seen it for many years but I can imagine she had to go deep for that role. Thanks for sharing your reading list! – TSV
Thanks for your interest!
All of these memoirs look terrific, and I am adding them to my to read list! I normally read literary fiction as well but do appreciate a good memoir. Speaking of which–if you want to read an excellent literary memoir, I recommend The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls: https://www.amazon.com/Glass-Castle-Memoir-Jeannette-Walls/dp/074324754X Thanks for sharing.
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Yes! I’ve read The Glass Castle, and I agree it’s a great model for what I’m trying to write.
I’ve read the glass castle. I thought it was very good … I especially liked when she wrote how their father brought the kids outside on Christmas Eve one by one and leave them next to them and told them to pick a star and that was going to be there very own personal star for their Christmas gift because they were too poor for presents. To me that was so touching and special and what a creative idea to do to make the kids happy …..first of all for not going to have presents under the tree but secondly it was something that I wish my father would have done even though we had everything we could’ve wanted …..the father was such an alcoholic and not very good person, however there were certain traits about him that I really really fond of…. the mother. Not so much…..hiding the candy bar under the cover when her daughter walked in……starving….I can’t believe it a true story and how far that girl or woman I should say now came I wish I had that drive