Biography & Memoir

In this thrilling history of post-colonial Ghana, a man named Blay-Miezah returns home with evidence of secret millions in a Swiss bank that ex-president Nkrumah revealed to him on his deathbed. The problem? That isn’t his name and he was a prisoner in America when Nkrumah died. He will get the money though he promises. But first he just needs cash from everyone. An election, a coup, jail-time, and several heart-attacks commence, but the clock ticks!

—Stuart

Even if you never learned her name, you will recognize Anna May Wong, the first Asian-American international movie star. Yunte Huang approaches her life and complex legacy with care and nuance, simultaneously traversing 20th century history to draw a full picture of the world in which she was born and became a star. A multilingual polymath, world traveler, discreet lover, activist, and a dedicated, singularly talented performer, you will love—and be fascinated by—the time you spend with Anna May Wong and her world.

—Jocelyn

Here’s the thing about the best memoirs: Even when they’re about the saddest things, they are so full of truth and humanity that you feel buoyed by their grace, you feel seen by a story that is not yours. This is what it is to read A Living Remedy, a beautiful work about the deaths of Nicole Chung’s adoptive parents, about healthcare and the pandemic, about family, community, and belonging, loving and being loved, in spite of it all, because of it all. What a gift.

—Melinda

As you might expect from one of the most heartfelt songwriters of the last 30 years, Lucinda Williams’s memoir is a brutally honest work of art. From her peripatetic upbringing that included stops in Louisiana, Arkansas, Mexico City, and Santiago, Chile, through the long years she spent holding grim day jobs while playing shows at night, to finally achieving widespread acclaim, she evokes the challenges of overcoming trauma and staying true to herself. The book is sad, funny, eye opening, and deeply inspiring.  —RICO

This hilarious memoir tells the story of Greg Marshall's coming of age as a gay and disabled boy in the ’90s and of his being unaware of either label. Told by his parents that he had “tight tendons,” Marshall did not know that he had cerebral palsy until he was in his thirties. Marshall brings us into his wild and bizarre family, their fights with terminal illnesses, and their determination to avoid labels at all times.  —ZOE

Respected poet Maggie Smith unexpectedly shot to fame when her poem “Good Bones” went viral. As a mother, teacher, wife, and connoisseur of language, Smith explores how each of these roles has shifted over time for her. This memoir is beautifully written, and I loved what Smith’s creative and precise writer’s perspective teaches us about how to tell a personal story.  —S.M.C.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holds an almost mythical place in the American consciousness. While there’s no dearth of literature on him, he remains frequently (often deliberately) misrepresented and misunderstood. Drawing on recently released FBI documents, personal letters, and other historical records, Jonathan Eig endeavors to present Dr. King as he really was: flawed, radical, and deeply complex.  —JADE

Elliot Page has lived much of his life in the spotlight as an incredible actor and activist. The queer community has long looked up to him, but it was still a shock to many when he came out as trans in 2020. As a fan, I cannot wait to read more about his journey of self-discovery. Especially in a world bent on erasing trans people, we need more books like this to combat the stream of hate coming at the queer community. 

—Ivy

Let me just start by saying, I love this book. Mary Laura Philpott’s memoir begins the eve of her teenage son’s first seizure; this is the first bomb, the next, an impending empty nest. What follows is her path to understanding how to protect, how to let go, and how to love amidst it all. Through her warm yet astute essays and lighthearted truth-telling, I found myself wanting to be more appreciative, more alive in my own life. And that is the best part of reading. 

—Melinda

A delightful little book featuring one simple, extended interview with the legend herself. Miss Major’s perspective as a veteran of the original Stonewall riots and as a Black trans elder is vital to any activist, would-be world-changer, or member of the LGBTQ+ community; her thoughts cover every topic from modern Pride parades to the bathroom debates to the question of how to really change the world for the gurls on the streets. Inspiring, hilarious, and ultimately totally perspective changing.  —YVES