by Nagham Mashraqi
Photo by Grianghraf on Unsplash
The memoir genre was not something I ever had interest in exploring when I first began to read as a child. Compared to the captivating fantasy and mystery genres, memoir seemed boring and too informative to be enjoyable. But as I grew up and became exposed to new types of novels, I discovered that memoirs were some of my favorite books.
Memoirs follow the personal record of events written from memory by the individual who experienced them. Their classification as a nonfiction text and their history of existing prominently in educational settings leads the memoir genre, in my opinion, to be very underrated and underappreciated by book readers.
My first exposure to memoirs was in high school, when I was assigned to read multiple autobiographies in AP Lang. I believe most people think negatively of memoirs because they usually associate them with school, giving them the reputation of being just a boring homework assignment.
At first glance they appear to be just autobiographies of people deemed important, without any relatability that would appeal to the reader. While the nature of memoirs can make it appear that they must be written by self-centered individuals or those who are historically well-known with the resources to ensure that their work is published, these novels can be very eye opening and inspirational when written by the right person.
Though there is the existing stereotype that memoirs can be overdramatic and exaggerated, the genre allows its readers to be exposed to new perspectives and gather the wisdom of those who have been through unique experiences. Memoirs have the power to inspire by motivating their readers through descriptions of what the author has had to overcome. They allow you to completely immerse yourself in a story that isn’t your own while still reading a narrative that is realistic, something you can picture someone else going through because it’s the genuine memories of someone’s life.
Depending on the memoir’s author, readers can also find stories that they relate to, learning lessons they can apply to their own lives. Even if the experiences of an author are not relatable to a large audience, the tales of their life can still be seen as emotional or interesting to those who read their story.
Here are some memoir recommendations for those wanting to explore more of the genre:
- The Glass Castle
Jeannette Walls’s 2006 memoir centers around her childhood growing up with a dysfunctional family in unstable living conditions. It follows her life through her adolescence, where she eventually moves to New York to pursue journalism. You will enjoy this memoir for its portrayals of the strength of sibling relationships and the bond of family.
2. Born a Crime
Born a Crime follows Trevor Noah’s experience being born into apartheid in South Africa. The novels documents his struggles and follows his journey in finding his identity from childhood into young adulthood. This honest memoir discusses serious topics made approachable by Noah’s profound storytelling abilities.
3. I’m Glad My Mom Died
Jennette McCurdy’s memoir discusses the author’s experience growing up and being forced into acting and the struggles she goes through due to unhealthy family relationships. This novel is a story of acceptance and recovery as McCurdy progresses from her childhood into her twenties. This captivating memoir delves into the untouched background of one of Nickelodeon’s biggest stars.
I hope you consider these recommendations when picking out your next book. Memoirs have the ability to be entertaining reads, while also being enlightening and valuable to the reader.
Nagham Mashraqi is a junior majoring in Editing, Writing, and Media with a minor in history. She is an editorial assistant for Kudzu’s visual arts team. She loves reading, music, and baking.
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