20 Best Memoir Writers You Must Read

Are you interested in the best memoir writers? If so, check our reading list and learn about some of the lives of memorable authors, writers, and historical figures

The best memoir books are entertaining, honest, and sometimes heartbreaking. It’s a great genre because readers can get an insight into the mindset, life story, and even personal life of a typically inaccessible public figure or a great writer.

Table of Contents

1. Maya Angelou, 1928 - 2014

Maya Angelou is a great example of someone who knew how to write a powerful memoir. Angelou was a civil rights activist, memoirist, and African American poet. She published several poetry books, multiple plays, collections of essays, and autobiographies during her life.

She experienced many challenging, unique, and powerful events in her life. She worked as a sex worker, a fry cook, and was a cast member of Porgy and Bess. Even though there are countless beautiful books that you should read, you should consider picking up a copy of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

Published in 1969, the book tells the story of her life from birth until she was 17. This book brought her international stardom and acclaim, positioning her as one of the most influential civil rights activists of the 20th century. Later in her career, Angelou played a role in developing movies and television shows and received countless awards and dozens of honorary degrees.

2. Alison Bechdel, Born 1960

If you are looking for a graphic memoir, check out Alison Bechdel. She is a famous American cartoonist and positioned herself as one of the greatest writers with her comic strip, Dykes To Watch Out For.

She experienced commercial success with her graphic memoir Fun Home, which was published in 2006. This work was subsequently adapted into a musical that earned a Tony Award in 2015. Since then, she has published multiple memoirs, which have added to her legacy.

Many of her graphic memoirs are based on her experiences as a lesbian. She came out aged 19, and gender nonconformity is at the center of many of her works. She has spent time in California and Vermont and is a powerful advocate in the LGBT community. You might be wondering, why write a memoir?)

3. Anne Frank, 1929 - 1945

Jewish girl Anne Frank was born in Frankfurt, Germany. When Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party came to power, Anne Frank moved with her family to Amsterdam.

While hiding from the Nazis, she wrote a diary about the war, thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Eventually, they were discovered, and she and her sister were transported to Auschwitz. She was ultimately moved to Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp, where she passed away just 14 days before the camp was liberated. She was 15. Her mother and sister were also victims of concentration camp starvation. Her father, Otto Frank, survived the war and died in 1980, aged 91.

After her death, Anne Frank: the Diary of a Young Girl became a powerful testimony to the atrocities of the Holocaust. Her work is a powerful reminder of the human capacity for hope and resilience in the face of adversity. Frank’s diary was adapted into a play and a movie, with the former winning a Pulitzer Prize.

4. Frank McCourt, 1930 - 2009

Frank McCourt was an Irish American writer and teacher. He was born in Brooklyn, New York City, in 1930, the oldest child of Irish Catholic immigrants. He also had four younger siblings. He grew up in the middle of the Great Depression. His family decided to move back to Ireland in 1934 to escape the depression devastating New York City. His family couldn’t work in Limerick, and his father suffered from alcoholism.

In Angela’s Ashes, Frank McCourt wrote about his difficult childhood. The powerful memoir describes what his difficult, improvised childhood was like. With vivid attention to detail, pointing at memories, and unforgettable stories, his memoir earned a Pulitzer Prize by telling the story of the misery of his childhood. As great as this book is, many people in Ireland (including McCour’s Mother) acknowledge he embellished some details. Still, that’s something many writers do.

5. Joan Didion, 1934 - 2021

Barack Obama’s memoir, Dreams From My Father, was published a year before he was elected to become a member of the Illinois senate, before his time at the White House. In his memoir, Obama tells the story of his upbringing and heritage. His father was from Kenya, and his mother was from Kansas, yet Obama was born in Hawaii and lived in Indonesia for some time. This memoir gives readers an inside look at Obama’s life, and we can see how his experiences allowed him to become one of the most influential US Presidents of all time.

“Sometimes you can’t worry about hurt. Sometimes you worry only about getting where you have to go.”

Barack Obama, Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance

10. Ernest Hemingway, 1899 - 1961

David Sedaris is an American but British-based humorist, comedian, and essayist. He is famous for his witty, self-deprecating, and often satirical essays. He regularly speaks on radio programs on the BBC and This American Life. He’s also turned many of his hit essays into books, including,Me Talk Pretty One Day*,Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim*, andLet’s Explore Diabetes with Owls**. In 2022, he publishedHappy-Go-Lucky.*

Sedaris reflects on his personal history and observations in his essays and talks, employing a famously humorous and absurdist touch. He writes about his relationships with his father, sister, and family. Using many characteristics of a good memoir, he mixes these insights with critiques about politics, culture, and society.

Critics regard Sedaris as one of the most entertaining and original voices in contemporary humor writing.

12. James Baldwin, 1947 - 1985

Patti Smith is an American singer, songwriter, poet, and visual artist, but her fans know her best as the “Godmother of Punk.”

Born in Chicago in 1946, Smith moved to New York City in the late 1960s and became involved in the city’s vibrant and avant-garde music and art scene. Smith’s music combines elements of punk, folk, and rock. Her distinctive and raw voice, often accompanied by her powerful and politically charged lyrics, has made her a cultural icon. Her 1975 debut album, Horsesis a punk and alternative rock classic. I saw her perform tracks for that album a few years ago, and she’s engaging as ever.

Smith’s memoir Just Kidsis about Patti’s early career and life with the photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. It’s worth picking up the audiobook of this memoir as Smith narrates it. Arguably, it’s also a type of coming-of-age book for creatives too.

14. Henry David Thoreau, 1817 - 1862

Elizabeth Gilbert’s *Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything *is an incredibly famous modern memoir that chronicles her travels around the world as she goes on a journey of self-discovery. Gilbert is an American journalist and author born in Connecticut.

Gilbert’s early career began as a highly paid freelance writer for media corporations such as Spin, GQ, The New York Times Magazine, and Allure. Then, she landed a book deal with a publisher with Eat, Pray, Love,

Gilbert’s must-read travel memoir sold over 12 million copies and has been translated into over 30 languages. After becoming one of the most famous memoirs in modern times, Eat, Pray, Lovewas made into a film in 2010.

“This is a good sign, having a broken heart. It means we have tried for something.”

Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

16. David Carr, 1936 - 2009

David Carr was an American columnist, author, and newspaper editor who wrote for The New York Times. He had a very successful career as an investigative journalist, but Carr’s most influential work is his memoir, The Night of The Gun*. *

This memoir looks at Carr’s struggle with addiction. For more than 25 years, Carr was a drug addict until the prospect of losing his newborn twins changed his life forever. In this emotional memoir, Carr looks back at his life and recalls his memories of important moments. However, in hindsight, post-addiction, he realizes that his memory of the events differs from reality.

Using his skills as an investigative journalist, he begins a quest to research his own life and discover the reality of what has happened. This is a challenging read, with raw emotions and unparalleled honesty.

“But I’ve seen enough to know that we all carry a measure of guilt and innocence among us.”

David Carr, The Night of the Gun

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes great poetry?

Great poetry combines beautiful language, emotional depth, and meaningful themes. It should resonate with readers on both intellectual and emotional levels, offering new insights or perspectives through carefully chosen words and imagery.

How do I start reading poetry?

Start with accessible poets like Mary Oliver, Billy Collins, or Rupi Kaur. Read slowly, don’t worry about understanding everything immediately, and focus on how the poems make you feel. Poetry is meant to be experienced, not just analyzed.

Why should I read poetry?

Reading poetry can improve your language skills, emotional intelligence, and appreciation for beauty. It offers unique ways of seeing the world and can provide comfort, inspiration, and new perspectives on life and human experience.

What are the best poetry books for beginners?

Great poetry books for beginners include ‘A Thousand Mornings’ by Mary Oliver, ‘The Trouble with Poetry’ by Billy Collins, and ‘Milk and Honey’ by Rupi Kaur. These books offer accessible, beautiful poetry that resonates with modern readers.

17. Maxine Hong Kingston, Born 1940