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Award–winning author Bernice L. McFadden and actor Ione Skye offer memoirs while biographies feature F1 race car driver Sir Lewis Hamilton and three free-spirited Victorians on a quest to decipher cuneiform.
This thoughtful audio adaptation of Bell’s powerful work is not to be missed. A timely production that should be showcased everywhere.
Alton Brown, star of the Food Network’s Good Eats; award-winning Edgar Gomez; and Pushcart Prize–nominated essayist Theresa Okokon explicate their lives through essays.
A memoir from legendary dancer and singer Josephine Baker receives its first U.S. publication, while notable authors Jennifer Finney Boylan and Geraldine Brooks share reflections on their experiences.
PREMIUM
Who’s That Girl?: A Memoir
Eve’s historic place in hip-hop is highlighted in this candid memoir that will appeal to both music lovers and fans of the artist.
This title is a strong and welcome addition to the genre of biblio-memoirs. Give to fans of Alberto Manguel’s Packing My Library, Hamlet’s Dresser by Bob Smith, and Sixpence House by Paul Collins.
A recommended debut memoir, perfect for those interested in the intersection of golf, travel, and the complexity of the human spirit.
Well written and moving, and readers of activist memoirs will appreciate Africa’s candor. Pair with Let it Burn by Michael Boyette.
A poignant, engaging, important, and personal perspective of the conflict between Israel and Palestine, in which Smolar cleverly combines political and historical aspects with elements of memoir.
A distinguished insider’s view of United States–Russia relations and what a diplomatic role entails personally and politically, especially in wartime.
Radclyffe’s riveting, moving memoir about his journey of self-discovery is a page-turner that reads like a novel.
Poignant and well-written, this memoir not only celebrates the achievements and talents of its author but also grounds readers in the customs of Nigeria. It is a must-have for fans of Aduba or Orange Is the New Black and for those wanting to read about the African diaspora.
Jacobs’s narration may not be perfect, but his likability and unique firsthand experiences more than compensate. This entertaining and informative audiobook will appeal to a broad audience of listeners who enjoy memoirs, history, or civics.
PREMIUM
Brittle Joints
Sweeney’s debut graphic novel embodies a plea for understanding and empathy regarding the possible hidden health problems of others. A sobering read-alike to What’s Wrong?? by Erin Williams, Ripple Effects by Jordan Hart, and Notes from a Sickbed by Tessa Brunton.
Looking through a camera’s viewfinder, a director focuses in on the best shots to tell a movie’s story; with his filmmaker’s eye, it’s no surpise that Chu’s memoir (written with Jeremy McCarter) tells an effective story. Film students will relish his insight into filmmaking.
Foodie memoirs, an indie rocker's life story, and multiple books that wrestle with racial justice are on offer this month, along with a memoir from The Book Thief author Markus Zusak.
Explore the varied landscape of social sciences publishing via LJ’s top picks in anthropology, parapsychology, parenting, economics, memoir, and more.
Jones’s deeply personal account of her battle to regain her reputation and combat intolerance in libraries is essential reading and ultimately a clarion call for others to help defend intellectual freedom and democracy.
Readers interested in true crime or the legal system will be delighted with Rosenberg’s narrative gift. They won’t want to miss her memoir’s unique perspectives.
Jones’s deeply personal account of her battle to regain her reputation and combat intolerance in libraries is essential reading and ultimately a clarion call for others to help defend intellectual freedom and democracy.
PREMIUM
Entrances and Exits
Comedy fans will enjoy this revealing memoir that proves there’s much more to Richards than Kramer.
PREMIUM
The Backwards Hand: A Memoir
Lee’s candid and poignant writing style will appeal to numerous readers. His highly recommended memoir about what it’s like to be a person with a rare congenital disability is insightful.
This book’s tone is compassionate as Specter creates a foundation for accepting oneself and rejecting stereotypes. Self-help, sociology, entertainment, and memoir readers from many generations will appreciate this wholehearted approach, which challenges society to do a better job of understanding the realities of eating disorders.
A sensual and vibrant essay collection and memoir that spotlights the different types of connections people yearn for and enjoy.
For police memoir fans and people who enjoy reading about triumph over adversity. This isn’t as blistering as Edwin Raymond and Jon Sternfeld’s An Inconvenient Cop, which was about the NYPD, but this is a worthwhile and insightful account from a retired police superintendent.
PREMIUM
brother. do. you. love. me
Readers who are or have been caregivers will relate the most to this moving, highly recommended work, but readers who enjoy stories about people uniting to overcome obstacles will appreciate this title too. Coe’s touching illustrations adorn and enhance this book.
This memoir is not about Hollywood or gossip; it’s about being human and embracing grace and empathy toward family and self. Haddish makes room for jokes about sex and bodily functions and provides plenty of laughs and heart in this ribald, raw, and candid memoir.
An absorbing illustration of the mutuality of music and politics. For musicians, business people in the music industry, and readers interested in the intersection of politics and art.
This dynamic memoir is a transformative read about the importance of being true to oneself. Recommended for listeners seeking a voice to guide them through adversity and come out stronger on the other side.
PREMIUM
Hogbook and Lazer Eyes
This brief, visually rich graphic novel evokes an imperfect, appealing vision of domestic harmony.
On offer this month are a debut memoir from global activist Jaha Marie Dukureh, a biography about Edna Ferber, and two memoirs that reflect on learning the crafts of carpentry and woodworking.
A thoughtful and engaging exploration of life on and off the soccer field. It will resonate with readers interested in the human side of professional sports and fans of When Nobody Was Watching by Carli Lloyd with Wayne Coffey, Abby Wambach’s Forward, and Raised a Warrior by Susie Petruccelli.
PREMIUM
I Talk About It All the Time
This is an important and exceptional memoir that will give readers greater insight into and understanding of the pervasiveness of racism, bias, and discrimination against a person’s sexual orientation.
PREMIUM
The Heartbreak Years: A Memoir
Listeners will relate to the sticky situations the author gets into, as well as the moments when she realizes she’s fallen short and must work to redeem herself.
Morimoto’s quirky debut perfectly captures the idea that what may be nothing to one person could be full of meaning for another. A charming, tender memoir.
A tale of perseverance and resilience, Zed’s memoir will resonate deeply with fans of his other work, offering a compelling glimpse into the human spirit’s capacity for growth and redemption amid adversity.
PREMIUM
You and a Bike and a Road
Davis evokes each episode of her long journey with perfectly chosen, keenly observed details and raw honesty, providing a sense of intimate insight into her life, mind, and creative process.
Butler adeptly chronicles his trajectory into television, film, and Broadway and as a producer, and he’s candid about his personal and career achievements and missteps. He is as charming a writer as an actor. Fans will enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at his life and career.
PREMIUM
Feh: A Memoir
A page-turning memoir that shouldn’t be missed. Auslander’s nonfiction writing style is often compared to David Sedaris, and readers will see why with this title. It could motivate readers to keep trudging onward, even when life seems overwhelming.
PREMIUM
Desolation: A Heavy Metal Memoir
A highly readable and often touching memoir about Lamb of God’s guitarist and lyricist.
PREMIUM
A Long Way Home: A Memoir
An uplifting story of resilience and one young man’s determined search for the family he lost long ago. Recommended for listeners who enjoyed Nicole Chung’s All You Can Ever Know or Jenny Heijun Wills’s Older Sister, Not Necessarily Related.
A memoir for foodies, travel enthusiasts, or entrepreneurs, and an especially fitting recommendation for expatriates who need inspiration in their new home.
There’s something for everyone, from avid birdwatchers to listeners who look in the sky and see only feathered mysteries. O’Kane’s message to listeners is clear: it is never too early or too late to discover that transformational gateway bird.
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking a playful yet poignant narrative about a variety of life experiences, from AA to EDM. Recommended for fans of Maria Bamford’s Sure, I’ll Join Your Cult and Natasha Leggero’s The World Deserves My Children.
Candidly exploring her relationship with her mother in life as well as the shattering effect of her death, Lieu’s memoir is highly recommended.
PREMIUM
No Judgment: Essays
Though Oyler clearly can speak to a specific cultural moment, lackluster narration and a tedious level of self-referentiality make this an optional purchase for most libraries.
A moving collection of posthumous writings, both finished and unfinished, from a unique and impassioned young author whose life ended tragically early.
From start to finish, this is an excellently executed audio primer on the devastating consequences of structural injustices and the importance of enacting better care for people most in need.
Figueroa crafts a compelling story about culture and heritage based on childhood memories and adult reflections on her mother’s efforts to make the mainland of the United States her adopted home.
PREMIUM
Between Two Trailers: A Memoir
In this stunning story of resilience and strength, Trent shares how she overcame her fraught upbringing without losing her love for her home and her family.
PREMIUM
Father and Son: A Memoir
An affecting blend of memoir and history, highly recommended for fans of Paul Hendrickson’s Fighting the Night.
Luckinbill fills his autobiography with many intriguing stories about life in the theater and film industries.
Bill Clinton details his life after the White House; Angela Merkel writes about her life as the first woman chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany; several celebrities pen memoirs; and fascinating historical figures inspire biographies.
PREMIUM
Thunder Song: Essays
A captivating collection of essays highlighting LaPointe’s unique experiences and inheritances as a modern Coast Salish woman. Strongly recommended for fans of Red Paint and similar memoirs; essential for Pacific Northwest library collections.
Memoirs offer a fascinating firsthand glimpse into someone else's life. Build a display or restock the shelves with this list of new and classic memoirs.
PREMIUM
The World Got Away: A Memoir
A detailed account of Rouse’s work that’s also part memoir. The latter is presented nonchronologically, which may be too difficult for some readers to easily follow.
Told mostly in chronological order, this breezy and moving memoir portrays a close-knit family that includes a daughter who is also a celebrity. A fine addition to biography collections.
A unique and detailed self-portrait that will prompt readers to seek recordings of Gordon’s innovative works. The discography and lists of compositions and publications are thorough and helpful.
PREMIUM
Home and Alone
Stern’s life, from a dyslexic child to a successful movie actor, is fascinating. Mixing behind-the-scenes insights from iconic movies with witty accounts of interactions with Hollywood A-listers creates a top-notch celebrity memoir.
PREMIUM
Blue Remembered Hills
The antithesis of so-called “misery lit,” this charming recollection captures the origins of a novelist who engaged her disability on her own terms and translated her experiences into captivating narratives that continue to inspire countless young readers to this day.
PREMIUM
What a Fool Believes: A Memoir
An engaging story that readers of music bios will enjoy. McDonald’s musical journey as a backing singer, a side musician, and a front man is fascinating because it is different from that of many other pop/rock stars.
Energetic and revealing, this title will surely please Devantez’s listeners and fans. Aficionados of tragicomic, gossip-tinged memoirs will like it too.
Scheer’s memoir addresses somber truths of adolescence and abuse while never losing a sense of hope and humor along the way. Recommend this beautiful book to fans of Sam Neill, Casey Wilson, and Samantha Irby.
A wide range of readers and book clubs will appreciate this moving, healing, and absorbing memoir/music history.
A must-have for any collection, especially in school and academic libraries. This memoir celebrates the power of one young woman to make a difference by speaking up and daring to be herself.
James’s reflection on returning to the office in her fifties captures the dysfunction of the pre-pandemic corporate world.
This poignant memoir about overcoming devastating odds is a treasure and likely to become a classic. Essential reading for deepening understanding of society, the world, familial relationships, and the meaning of art and life.
The incredible not-to-miss story of an evolutionary scientist who combined her passion for science with her love and devotion to her family, the environment, and many social causes.
An excellent production, combining surrealism and fantasy with the relatable hardships of life. Humorous, heartbreaking, and determinedly honest, this unique memoir offers an unforgettable listening experience.
PREMIUM
Whiskey Tender: A Memoir
A must-listen for those seeking a nuanced discussion of the difficulty of balancing the complexities of assimilation with a desire to remain connected to one’s culture and history. Audiences who enjoyed Tommy Orange’s There There or Terese Marie Mailhot’s Heart Berries should take note.
Fans of the latter-era metal scene will gain a lot from this music memoir. It’s also ideal for readers involved in political and social activism.
PREMIUM
You Never Know: A Memoir
The lack of juicy personal information may disappoint celebrity gossip mavens, but Selleck’s earnestness and self-deprecating folksy style will satisfy celebrity watchers, especially Magnum, P.I. and Blue Bloods fans.
Two memoirs not to miss: one from cooking maven Ina Garten and another from the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
This powerful memoir is ultimately about keeping a family together as things begin to fall apart. It’s consistently vivid, sometimes humorous, and engaging from start to finish.
These collections feature literary observations and reminiscences from Deborah Levy and Steve Wasserman and humorous insights from comedians Randy Rainbow and Jenny Slate.
Hollywood and musical memoirs are highlights, along with a memoir about reading and books, science, and the supernatural.
The daughter of Mama Cass Elliot of the Mamas & the Papas and Blondie guitarist Chris Stein share life stories centered in sound.
PREMIUM
Under a Rock: A Memoir
Written in an off-the-cuff style, this memoir offers a descriptive, highly impressionistic account of the author’s role in Blondie and his life in New York City. Will engage general readers.
A quick and easy read about the life and career of a trailblazing filmmaker. Will appeal to many audiences, including those unfamiliar with Seidelman’s career. Fans of Jay and Mark Duplass’s Like Brothers, Tim Murphy’s Christodora, or Alice Bag’s Violence Girl will especially enjoy.
Raw and painful to read at times but compelling in its honesty, this memoir about the Dunnes will appeal to movie and true-crime fans.
PREMIUM
My Mama, Cass: A Memoir
A unique perspective from the daughter of a rock star. General audiences will get a fresh glimpse into the manipulative music business, which demanded ceaseless hard work, personal sacrifices, and a determined focus on glittery celebrity.
Martin’s memoir about living through and emerging from devastation, together with her reflections on history and climate change make for a rich and timely listen.
A gracefully told portrait of resilience, enhanced with recipes that are both mouthwatering and evocative.
This memoir’s intellectual, grounded tone enables readers to go along with the author as she explores the joy and despondency that coexist within modern parenting, plus the sheer exhaustion and helplessness of advocating for someone (in this case, one’s child) who can’t yet advocate for themselves. A perfect fit for fans of Dani Shapiro’s work.
PREMIUM
Woman of Interest: A Memoir
Suggested for readers who enjoy poetic memoirs, such as Lindsey Frazier’s Oh Love, Come Close and Jane Wong’s Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City.
A fascinating, beautifully written memoir about a woman determined to carve out a fulfilling life for herself.
PREMIUM
Endless Fall: A Little Chronicle
This discourse on death, suicide, queerness, youth, and small-town bigotry is a recommended title, but it’s best for readers comfortable with academic works.
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