10 Unique Memoirs That Tell Meaningful Stories
When you think about memoirs, you might picture an old man sitting at a typewriter, recounting his life story. But the truth is that this style of writing is more diverse than most people imagine. If you need proof of that, look no further than the ten wonderful books on this list. When you click links from this website, we may receive advertising revenue to support our research. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
10 Unique Memoirs That Tell Meaningful Stories
8 Great Movies Based on Memoirs
- Girl, Interrupted (1999)
- Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002)
- A Mighty Heart (2007)
- Eat Pray Love (2010)
- Catch Me If You Can (2002)
- A Beautiful Mind (2001)
- October Sky (1999)
- Persepolis (2007)
How to Write a Memoir
In Depth
Reading memoirs can give you a glimpse into another person's life. Not only do you get to see in someone's point of view, but you also get to live vicariously through their experiences, relate with their struggles, and be inspired by their journey. We've compiled ten unique memoirs that will satisfy your hunger for meaningful stories. Please note that this list is presented in no particular order.
Starting off at #1 is "Drawing Blood." Having found a sense of worth in drawing, Molly Crabapple details her life-long struggle to be recognized as an artist. She narrates how she supported her creative pursuits by working in the adult industry, where she did lucrative sex work, posed as a nude model on a porn site, and danced burlesque at nightclubs. With compelling illustrations, the book also shows the cultural history of New York City, giving vivid descriptions of the 9/11 terrorist attack and its aftermath.
At #2 is "Party of One," a hilarious and poignant memoir of former MTV VJ, Dave Holmes. After placing second in the contest "Wanna be a VJ," Holmes found himself in a pivotal moment of his life that paved the way for self-acceptance. He unfolds his experience as a closeted gay at an all-boys school and a Catholic college, highlighting how pop culture helped him cope with internal hardships and his struggles as a misfit. He structures his journey around soundtracks from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, filling his narrative with numerous cultural references.
He unfolds his experience as a closeted gay at an all-boys school and a Catholic college, highlighting how pop culture helped him cope with internal hardships and his struggles as a misfit.
Coming in at #3 is "Boy Erased." As the son of a Baptist pastor, Garrard Conley was given a choice at a young age. He could either be disowned by his family or attend a conversion therapy program meant to "cure" him of his homosexuality. He describes how his two-week stay at the camp made him face abusive treatment, and how the minister forced him to admit his non-existent hate for his father. However, despite the fact that these people treated him with homophobia and disgust, Conley manages to humanize them, turning to forgiveness instead of anger and resentment.
At #4 is "Stranger Here," which tackles Jen Larsen's weight loss journey through surgery. After diet and slimming programs failed to give her dream appearance, Larsen decided to try bariatric surgery, thinking that it would change her life and help her achieve her goals. With her humor and brutal honesty, she chronicles her painful recovery and how she realized that getting what she wanted was not the cure for her fear and loneliness. Having been a smoker and an alcoholic, she also shares how she adjusted to a new perspective about food and herself.
At #5 is "My Salinger Year." After leaving graduate school and moving to New York to become a poet, Joanna Rakoff took a poorly paid secretarial job at a well-known literary agency. Set in the mid-90s, her memoir describes her coming-of-age in a pre-digital world. It details her first work where she was tasked with answering fan mail from J.D. Salinger's devotees. She narrates how she got to know Salinger through the letters, began reading his famous novel, and was able to strike a telephone relationship with the author.
Set in the mid-90s, her memoir describes her coming-of-age in a pre-digital world.
Next, at #6 is "Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies." Entertainment journalist Michael Ausiello shares a heartbreaking and inspiring memoir of his relationship with his husband, Kit, who battled with a rare form of cancer. He chronicles eleven months of hope and fear, and narrates intimate moments from their 14-year relationship as he describes their personal differences, petty bickering, and how they grew as a couple. Ausiello also reflects on both of his parents' deaths from cancer, and details how he pulled strength from his love for Kit even in the midst of loss.
At #7 is "Sting-Ray Afternoons," which takes readers back to 1970s America through the eyes of award-winning sports journalist, Steve Rushin. Raised in a middle-class family in Bloomington, Minnesota, Rushin captures what it is like growing up in a decade of cultural and technological revolution. With his evocative writing, the narrative overflows with vivid descriptions of 70's pop culture, sports craze, and popular fads such as romper stomper toys and sting-ray bicycles. He also illustrates how his love for sports as a kid translated to a fulfilling career.
At #8 is "The Last Act of Love," a harrowing story about Cathy Rentzenbrink's love for her younger brother, Matty. In the summer of 1990, 16-year-old Matty was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver that left him in a vegetative state. While the hospital declared that his case was hopeless, his family took care of Matty for 8 years before eventually writing to the courthouse for permission to let him die. Rentzenbrink chronicles how her family came to that heart-wrenching decision, which she describes as their last act of love for her brother.
While the hospital declared that his case was hopeless, his family took care of Matty for 8 years before eventually writing to the courthouse for permission to let him die.
Coming in at #9 is "Into the Magic Shop." Neurosurgeon James Doty combines his life story with self-help guides that he used to reach the pinnacle of his professional success. Having grown up with an alcoholic father and a chronically depressed mother, twelve-year-old Doty feared for his future, until he wandered into a magic shop where he met a woman who taught him the secret to getting his innermost desires.
He details step-by-step instructions about meditation and visualization, and shares his personal theories about the unique relationship of the brain and heart, and how to harness their power to change one's life.
Finally, at #10 is "The Year of Reading Dangerously." Editor and former bookseller Andy Miller shares his year-long journey reading the fifty classic works of fiction on his "List of Betterment." Filled with literary examination, his memoir describes his honest and humorous observations on each book, and he reflects on their ability to resonate in one's life.
Filled with literary examination, his memoir describes his honest and humorous observations on each book, and he reflects on their ability to resonate in one's life.
Beginning with Mikhail Bulgakov's "The Master and Margarita," Miller faithfully devoured 50 pages per day, documenting his insightful literary adventure and magnifying the importance of reading.
