Amina's Bookshelf

Memoir

I hate non-fiction but there’s something about memoir that hits different. Maybe it’s because I’m drawn to memoirs that read like novels, with clear character arcs, emotional themes and beautiful writing. Maybe it’s because I like hearing people narrate their life story on audiobook. I don’t know why, but I’m a fiend for a good memoir. So, here are my top memoir book recommendations.

From the south side of Chicago to becoming the First Lady of the U.S.A.
The Nickelodeon child star writes about child abuse and eating disorders.
 The mixed-race comedian’s upbringing in South Africa during Apartheid.
 The actress who played Luna Lovegood details her eating disorder.
 A Jamaican woman breaks free of her patriarchal Rastafarian upbringing.
 Growing up on a council estate outside Birmingham in the 1980’s, Tracy escapes a born-again Christian cult.
 The Scottish comedian writes about her diagnosis with autism.
A diagnosed sociopath sets out to prove she’s not a monster.
The actresses’ triumph over poverty.
After losing her teenage brother to cancer, Freya swam in every UK tidal pool.
A Chinese takeaway in rural Wales.
In 1970’s America, a young boy is born into a cult.
The Booker-Prize winning authors writes about resilience and creativity.
The Asian-American muscian loses her mother to cancer.
 A hilarious book about trying to make it as an actress.
 A Syrian woman becomes a refugee in Ireland.
 A champion tells her story about gender in sports.