Memoirs are having a major moment, and the ones worth reading twice this year are the ones that change how we see ourselves. They are honest, beautifully written and deeply moving. These are the must-haves for any reading list.
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner is breathtaking. A meditation on grief, identity and food, it is one of the most powerful memoirs in recent memory.
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy continues to be a cultural moment. Raw, brave and unexpectedly funny, the memoir is unforgettable.
Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad is a stunning exploration of illness, recovery and the meaning of life. It is the kind of book that gives you perspective.
Becoming by Michelle Obama is timeless. A reminder of the power of grace, ambition and quiet strength.
Maid by Stephanie Land is humbling and inspiring. The story of a single mother’s resilience offers compassion and clarity in equal measure.
Untamed by Glennon Doyle has changed countless lives. Raw, witty and feminist, it is a memoir for anyone who has ever felt caged.
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo, while technically novel-shaped, reads like a series of mini memoirs. Beautiful, layered and genuinely diverse.
Educated by Tara Westover is a modern classic. The story of self-education in extreme circumstances is impossible to put down.
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion remains essential. Grief, love and memory are dissected with breathtaking clarity.
Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby is hilarious and brilliantly honest. Read it for the laughs and stay for the wisdom.
Heavy by Kiese Laymon is tender and gut-wrenching. A meditation on bodies, memory and family.
Memorial Drive by Natasha Trethewey is poetry meets memoir. Loss has rarely been written about so beautifully.
What makes these memoirs worth reading twice is depth. The first read is for the story. The second is for the lessons hidden in every line. They reveal more on revisits, like good friendships.
Grab one, settle in and let the words work their magic. Memoir reading is a love letter to your own self-awareness. Each one will leave you slightly different, slightly braver and definitely more inspired.
