Books are magical. It can teach you life lessons and take you to places you didn’t know about or doesn’t even exist – all while sitting at the comfort of your home.
Fascinating isn’t it!
Books are incredible to change your perspective and add meaning to life. Memoirs does this on a whole different level.
You get to know the life about people you admire and of those you didn’t know about. These are raw accounts of people’s lives who has gone through so much, the things we might not be even able to imagine.
In this post I am sharing a simple list of 5 memoirs that stayed with me long after I read.
If you are looking for books that are honest, raw, emotional and inspiring, you will find something from this small collection of best memoirs to read.
1. Born A Crime by Trevor Noah
What it’s about
Through this book, Trevor gives a first hand account of what it is like living in apartheid. He explains why he is born a crime and how that has shaped him.
Why it’s worth reading
Trevor has the rare quality of able to blend humor into anything. Not only is he funny, he is charismatic and wise. He has a the ability to make readers laugh and cry at the same time. He has the quality to instill humor without taking away the pain in the emotionally charge chapters. Only Trevor Noah can pull it off.
Through this book you get to know South Africa and apartheid and how it affected people living there. Perfect for anyone who wants a mix of humor, reality and a true story told from heart.
2. Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
What it’s about
Phil Knight – the creator of Nike shares the unbelievable, chaotic, wild story of how this global brand was born. Its about how the creation of this industry shifting company – right from the seed of thought to how it germinated and became such a humungous success.
Why it’s worth reading
Honestly, I couldn’t put this book down. It was incredibly inspiring to read how Phil solved one problem after another. When I read the book, it felt like I was in the office, with those bunch of ‘misfits’ who were doing everything in their power to make Nike a success.
Shoe Dog is about resilience. Its the story of a person who had to navigate through endless problems, constant pressure and still chose to believe in his ‘crazy idea’ even when reality kept punching in his face.
Even if you aren’t interested in business, this one is for you. Because this one is about grit, perseverance, believing in yourself, teamwork. All of these are important life lessons that can help you navigate life no matter wherever you are.
3. Finding Me by Viola Davis
What it’s about
Viola Davis shares the brutal honest story of her life in this raw memoir. How she grew up in poverty, faced relentless bullying, survived abuse and navigated a world that made her feel small, you get to know all of this through her memoir that will leave a mark on you.
Why it’s worth reading
The harsh realities of being poor, being Black and trying to rise above these circumstances all while finding and accepting yourself is what makes this memoir an intense read. Viola writes with a vulnerability that almost scares you. You see the struggles, the health issues and having to fight to break the stereotypes of being Black make this book an unforgettable read.
This book s deeply honest. A book about survival and rising from the depths of circumstances that guaranteed one’s failure is what this is. This perfect for readers who want something deep, emotional yet inspiring.
4. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
What it’s about
Paul Kalanithi was a brilliant neurosurgeon who was almost going to complete a decade’s training. That’s when a cancer diagnosis shattered all his plans. Suddenly, he went from being a doctor to a patient.
Why it’s worth reading
This book is a brutal reminder that how quickly life can change. What matters when you are facing end of life. Life is short is something we mention all the time, casually. The true meaning of it can be found in this book. You will not be able to look life the same way as you did till you finished reading this book.
This is not an easy read. It’s heavy and it will stay with you. Explore the themes or morality, purpose and what it really means to be a human.
5. Becoming by Michelle Obama
What it’s about
Through this memoir, Michelle Obama takes us through her life’s journey. You will get to see her journey as a child from the South Side of Chicago to juggling a career being a mom of 2 kids while her husband was away to her life inside White House.
Why it’s worth reading
This memoir will remind you why she is a globally celebrated icon. She writes about womanhood, motherhood, identity, sacrifice with immense honesty. In this book, she explores the difficulties faced in her marriage and of being constantly watched, bringing up children in White House and the challenges she faced. It cements the fact that she is someone worth celebrating.
If finding your voice as a woman in this demanding world interest you, this book is a must read.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this collection of memoirs.
Have you read any of these books? Which one have you decided to add to your TBR?
If you haven’t read a memoir till now, I encourage to read anyone from this list.
Sometimes all it takes is one story to see your own.
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➡️15 Life Changing Books Every Woman Must Read
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