I recently read the autobiography of Malcom X, and Jeannette McCurdy’s “I’m Glad My Mom Died”. I want to read more biographies, I think it’s interesting to read someone’s life story and memories and see things through a new perspective. Any recommendations? Can be anyone or anything.
by Life_Wall2536
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I remember really enjoying [I, Asimov: A Memoir](https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/287853f8-86d0-45b9-9d20-daff67043eaa)!
‘Land without Justice’ by Milovan Djilas
‘Guerrilla days in Ireland’ by Tom Barry
and Maxim Gorky’s autobiographical trilogy to name a few.
I read Swamp Fox by John Oller last year and really enjoyed it. Anpretty detailed account of the life and campaigns of Francis Marion, a general in the Civil War and considered one of the progenitors of modern guerilla warfare. Not everyone’s cup of tea though.
Years ago, when I was in High School, I read Dreamseller by Brandon Novak. If you were ever into Jackass or Viva La Bam or that whole crowd you’d be familiar with Novak. It’s his memoirs of being a heroin addict. It can get pretty dark, though I guess that’s to be expected, but I remember really enjoying it way back when – no idea if it holds up.
All the Frequent Troubles of our days (Rebecca Donner) – a Midwestern woman becomes a spy in Nazi Germany
Uncanny Valley (Anna Weiner) – life in Silicon Valley startup culture
The Warmth of Other Suns (Isabel Wilkerson) – 3 for 1 lives during the great migration. A little more than a biography tbh
Brother I’m dying (Edwige Danticat) growing up in Haiti, then an unccle caught in the nightmare of US immigration service
Strange Glory (Charles Marsh) the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German pastor and leader of Nazi opposition
A Bright Shining Lie (Niel Sheehan) John Paul Vann was a Lt Col in Vietnam with a clear vision of what was going on
Ron Chernow writes excellent biographies about American figures.
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
I read a lot of memoirs, these are some of my favorites:
My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward by Mark Lukach – his wife suffers from severe mental health issues following the birth of their son. It’s a really intimate look at what dealing with those kinds of mental health issues looks like for a family. It’s clearly a work of love and he writes about it in a really compassionate and empathetic way that doesn’t stigmatize mental health.
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer – Krakauer is a phenomenal writer and I’ve read all his stuff but this book, his personal experience of a disastesous Everest climb, will haunt me forever. It’s my favorite of everything he’s written.
Everything is Fine by Vince Granata – his brother murdered their mother during a psychotic break. It goes through the lead up to the crime and how he and his family dealt with the aftermath. It was a very gruesome crime but this book does not go into any graphic detail of the murder.
Being Lolita by Allison Wood – about the author’s experience being groomed by her high school teacher.
Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction by David Sheff and Tweak by Nic Sheff. Each of these books is excellent. Reading them together and getting both the father and the son’s perspective is phenomenal. I always recommend reading both.
Rising Out of Hatred: The Awakening of a Former White Nationalist by Eli Saslow. He grew up in a family that was basically the head of white nationalists, his god father was David Duke. And his story of how he came to realize all of those views were wrong was a very interesting read.
Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson. A much lighter read than the rest of the ones I listed. Jenny Lawson is absolutely hilarious, this is a book that can make me laugh on my worst days.
Room full of mirrors was a good Jimi Hendrix biography, along with inside out an excellent history of Pink Floyd written by Nick Mason, the only member who recorded on every project. Also dave grohls the storyteller is good.
When breath becomes air by Paul Kalanithi
(I’m glad my Mom died was so good!!)
A Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela is a classic I think everyone should read.