Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt is my all-time favorite memoir. He describes how he grew up in the slums of Limerick, Ireland after being born in Depression-era Brooklyn to Irish immigrants.
Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth is about the experiences of a trainee midwife in London in the 1950s.
Educated by Tara Westover is her life story of being born to a family of survivalists who did not send their kids to school or hospitals. The kids had to try to teach themselves if they wanted any education, and all illnesses and injuries were treated at home with herbal remedies and superstition.
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. This man is younger than me but he's already lived such an incredible life.
Let's Pretend this Never Happened and Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson are two of the best books I have ever read. The author is hilarious and raw and honest and her life story is interesting and helpful, particularly to people who have anxiety and/or depression.
Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things that Happened and Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Brosh. These two books made me laugh and cry and I love them. They are illustrated accounts of her memories and struggles.
This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor by Adam Kay is his account of his days as a British OBGYN. Dude is crazy funny, and his point is well made.
Ghost in the Wires: My Adventures as the World's Most Wanted Hacker by Kevin D. Mitnick is about his adventures as a phone and computer hacker.
Hand to Mouth: Living in Bootstrap America by Linda Tirado is about her struggles as a member of the working poor in America. Very telling.
How to be a Woman by Caitlin Moran is the memoir of this funny British lady.
Idiot by Laura Clery. Hilarious. I follow her online videos, and she's a rare type of lady.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. Powerful and compelling life story.
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J D Vance. Success story with considerable insight into a specific culture that many people overlook.
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes and Other Lessons from the Crematory by Caitlin Doughty. Informative and interesting look at the death industry.
The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit by Michael Finkel. This book is very well-researched, and only came about due to the extreme tenacity of the author. I did not give it 5 stars because about three-quarters of the way through, it hits a dull patch of extraneous information. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the outliers of society or unusual biographies.
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed is her story of hitting rock bottom in life, and finding redemption on the trail.
Invisible: How Young Women with Serious Health Issues Navigate Work, Relationships and the Pressure to Seem Just Fine by Michele Lent Hirsch.
Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman. This is her memoir of her time in prison, and there is a TV show based on it.
Moms Who Drink and Swear: True Tells of Loving My Kids While Losing My Mind by Nicole Knepper.
Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive by Stephanie Land. Inspiring story and excellently written.
I'm a Believer: My Life of Monkees, Music, and Madness by Micky Dolenz. This is his very entertaining life story of my favorite Monkee. Gotta love this dude.
If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B Movie Actor by Bruce Campbell.
I'm the One that I Want by Margaret Cho. This comedian's funny life stories.
Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets, and Advice for Living Your Best Life by Ali Wong. Comedian.
Full Metal Jacket Diary by Matthew Modine. He chronicles his time working on the movie. I loved it.
The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish. This talented comedian/actress had me crying laughing as I read this book.
Inside Out by Demi Moore. I've always liked her as an actress, and I really enjoyed the juicy stories she tells in this book.
A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love, and Faith in Stages by Kristin Chenoweth. I picked this one up because she's an Okie, but this singer/actress has good stories to tell.
Stories I Only Tell My Friends and Love Life by Rob Lowe. I never really thought about this actor much, as I haven't seen the West Wing or many of his movies, but these books won me over. He is a very thoughtful, candid, talented, and funny dude. He does great impressions of other celebrities, too.
Prairie Tale: A Memoir by Melissa Gilbert. She is mostly known for her role as Laura on the TV show Little House on the Prairie. This book chronicles her life, including her time as an actress and her relationship with Rob Lowe.
Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology by Leah Remini. This actress is known for her TV roles, but this book focuses on her experiences with Scientology.
Why We Don't Suck by Denis Leary. Funny actor/comedian. The Asshole song/video.
My Mother Was Nuts by Penny Marshall. This actress/director had an incredible life.
Hungry Heart: Adventures in Life, Love, and Writing by Jennifer Weiner. This is the author of many women's fiction books, including Good in Bed and In Her Shoes.
I'm Your Huckleberry: A Memoir by Val Kilmer. Actor.
How Precious Was That While by Piers Anthony. Sci-fi/fantasy author, mostly known for the Xanth books.
I am C-3PO: The Inside Story by Anthony Daniels. This is a good book for Star Wars fans.
I. Asimov by Isaac Asimov. Sci-fi author who wrote the Foundation series, the I, Robot series, and much more.
Find Me by Rosie O'Donnell. Actress/comedian/talk show host.
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey. Dude has cool stories.
Girl Walks Into a Bar: Comedy Calamities, Dating Disasters, and a Midlife Miracle by Rachel Dratch. Actress comedian known for performing on SNL.
Almost Interesting by David Spade. Actor/comedian.
As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes.
Based on a True Story by Norm Macdonald. Comedian. Dude is crazy.
The Bassoon King: My Life in Art, Faith, and Idiocy by Rainn Wilson. Actor. Fascinating individual.
Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life by Steve Martin.
Bossypants by Tina Fey. Actress.
Brave by Rose McGowan. Actress.
Bunny Tales by Izabella St. James. Life inside the Playboy mansion.
Buseyisms: Gary Busey's Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth by Gary Busey. Dude is insane. Read this for the crazy stories.
Coreyography by Corey Feldman. Actor, mostly known for 1980s movies.
Dirty Daddy: The Chronicles of a Family Man Turned Filthy Comedian by Bob Saget.
Down the Rabbit Hole: Curious Adventures and Cautionary Tales of a Former Playboy Bunny by Holly Madison.
Life by Keith Richards. Rolling Stones musician.
Little Girl Lost by Drew Barrymore. Actress.
My Boring-Ass Life: The Uncomfortably Candid Diary of Kevin Smith by Kevin Smith. Director/actor/writer who got his start with the movie Clerks, which I love.
Riding the Elephant: A Memoir of Altercations, Humiliations, Hallucinations, and Observations by Craig Ferguson. Scottish comedian who hosted an American late night show.
Unqualified by Anna Faris. Very candid actress.
Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes. TV show creator.
You'll Grow Out of It by Jessi Klein.
You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) by Felicia Day.
