MeMOiRs

You know what they say, sometimes the truth can be stranger than fiction. I couldn’t put these 6 memoirs down and I don’t think you’ll be able to either!

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Everything I Know About Love

Dolly Alderton

A blurb on the back describes this one as “Nora Ephron for the Tinder generation” and after reading this, I think that’s a spot on description. It’s essentially a coming of age memoir about life, love and growing up in Britain. Everything about this one was super honest and heartfelt and I thought you really got into Alderton’s head throughout. While some of the humor in this one was pretty British, which isn’t always my cup of tea (get it? Because British people love tea?), I thought it was really funny and wellwritten. Definitely would recommend, especially if you want a book that really encapsulates what it’s like to grow up, fall in love and find yourself.

Heavy

Kiese Laymon

HEAVY follows Laymon through a turbulent coming of age in Jackson, Mississippi, where he revisits his complicated relationship with his single mother and his struggles with eating disorders and body image, and explores what it’s like to grow up Black in the south. I’m not one to annotate books as I read, but if I were an annotater, this one would be completely marked up — the language is that gorgeous and stirring. I found myself taking photos of certain quotes, which is something I’ve never done before. Like most good memoirs, it’s hard to write a review because it’s so deeply personal for Laymon, as the book is written directly to his mother. Each sentence is expertly crafted and Laymon is so unabashedly honest throughout.

More Than Enough

Elaine Welteroth

Throughout her entire life, Welteroth has been making space for herself as a biracial woman, whether its on the playground as a child or in the boardroom. A childhood interest in journalism propels her to the forefront of the media world, where she becomes the youngest editor in chief of Teen Vogue. At the helm of the magazine, Welteroth makes key changes and national news. This was the perfect dose of behind the scenes media nittygritty (which I LOVED!) + motivation + inspiration. It’ll 100% be one of those books that I look back on often. Elaine also writes a lot about being her experiences being Black in the media world. I really enjoyed reading this perspective and would highly recommend if you’re looking for a media memoir that takes on being Black in the industry.

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Kitchen Confidential

Anthony Bourdain

This book charts Bourdain’s rise to kitchen glory. He doesn’t leave anything out: he writes about life working in a kitchen, developing recipes and working with chefs. He also writes a lot about how restaurant kitchens work (some of it is SO gross!). Bourdain was honestly a genius. He’s so funny and dry. He drops some kitchen gems in here, but he also shares some of the darker underbelly of life working in busy kitchens.

A Very Punchable Face

Colin Jost

Tbh, I knew I was going to love this because I think Colin Jost might just be my dream man: smart, funny, hot and a little d-baggy (I am who I am). Scarlett Johansson better STEP ASIDE. This book is laugh-until-you-cry, pee-your-pants funny. I know some people love to hate on SNL but I love it, so naturally I was super into those chapters. And the chapter about his mom? TEARS! Jost is a fabulous writer and he’s so dang funny and charismatic.

Wild Game

Adrienne Brodeur

Adrienne is 14 years old when Malabar, her mother comes in her room and drops a bombshell on her: “Ben Souther just kissed me.” This revelation, that her step-father’s best friend is embarking on an affair with her mother becomes an all-consuming secret for Adrienne, as she is tasked with keeping their affair under wraps from her stepfather and Ben’s wife Lilly. Brodeur is a really talented writer and the details in this one were SO vivid and intense.

OTHER MEMOIR MOMENTS YOU NEED

Cork Dork Bianca Bosker

Pretty much the KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL of the wine world!

Small Fry Lisa Brennan-Jobs

A poignant look back on childhood by Steve Jobs’ daughter

Unbelievable

Katy Tur

Follow Tur on the Trump campaign trail as she reported on his unlikely rise