As you all already probably know, I’m not a huge fan on nonfiction books. I can’t tell you why but I know I have tried to read a few and I ALWAYS never make it past the 50% mark. That being said, I really enjoy listening to memoirs and autobiographies at least once a year. I decided to make this short list because I think when people inspire us, we should share and shout them out to the world as you never know who else they can inspire. Here is a list of autobiographies I think everyone should read.
Just as I am by Cicely Tyson
It’s interesting that I never really paid close attention to her and I have probably only seen three movies/tv shows she featured in but what I definitely know is I remember the characters she played so well that when I heard of her death, her characters were all that came to mind. I then found out she just released her memoir and knew I had to get on it. Being in Nigeria, getting hardcover/paperback books is always a struggle because they’re never available until a few months after and buying from amazon can be a bit expensive and I’m trying to be a little smarter financially so shh don’t judge me. I quickly searched scribd and was so happy to see the audiobook available. The foreword was written and narrated by Viola Davis and the rest of the book by Cicely herself.
Yes please by Amy Poehler
If you are like me, you don’t take life too seriously and you find the humor in things even when life is a shitstorm, then you’ll love this.
”In Amy Poehler’s highly anticipated first book, Yes Please, she offers up a big juicy stew of personal stories, funny bits on sex and love and friendship and parenthood and real life advice (some useful, some not so much), like when to be funny and when to be serious. Powered by Amy’s charming and hilarious, biting yet wise voice, Yes Please is a book full of words to live by.”
Year of yes by Shonda Rhimes
If you don’t know Aunty Shonda, then you probably need to get your life/shit together because sis. How? Anyway, this is why I started this blog. To bless you with knowledge. Jk but Shonda is the Queen of TV shows at the moment. From Greys anatomy to Scandal to How to get away with murder to The Bridgerton. My goodness. What a legend. I love her so much and this was everything!!!! You should read this and thank me later.
We’re going to need more wine by Gabrielle union
I love Gabrielle Union so much and when I read this, I loved her a little more. She was so honest, vulnerable and just raw. I was so shocked by some of the things she revealed because she’s such a bag of positivity. It made me so aware of the fact that people assume celebrities have it all great but most of them have been through unimaginable trauma and still have to put on a bright face/smile for their fans.
‘We’re going to need more wine is a powerful collection of essays about gender, sexuality, race, beauty, Hollywood, and what it means to be a modern woman.’
Educated by Tara Westover
Every time I think about this book, I remember how shook I was when I first read it. I checked my Instagram post on it and this was what I wrote. “This book is so raw, honest, amazing, powerful, painful and overwhelming.” That is A LOT of adjectives. HAHA
Becoming – Michelle Obama
It is no secret that I absolutely adore the Obamas. I mean! What’s there not to love? I won this in a giveaway and I remember being so happy because I really wanted to read it. This book is honestly a gem! Michelle is so inspiring to say the least. It was nice to see what goes on behind the scene in the white house and quite amazing to read she and Barrack’s love story. It gave me all the feels! I am struggling to find my review of it on my lifestyle blog but when I do, I’ll definitely share.
If you are into memoirs/autobiographies, I think you should absolutely read these 6 memoirs and if you’re not, these are also great to start with. Most of these books are available on scribd.
Let me know if you’ve read any of the memoirs on this list. Also, feel free to recommend some in the comment section. If you like book lists, you might like some of my old lists.
I loved Amy Poehler’s memoir and of course, Michelle Obama’s! Great recommendations. I have to read Cicely Tyson’s soon.