Memoir Book Reviews - Biographies - Memoirs
Read book reviews of bestselling biographies and memoirs.
A Million Little Pieces by James Frey - Book Review
Contemporary literature guide, Mark Flanagan, reviews A Million Little Pieces by James Frey and provides his take on the contoversy surrounding this Oprah Book Club pick.
Contemporary literature guide, Mark Flanagan, reviews A Million Little Pieces by James Frey and provides his take on the contoversy surrounding this Oprah Book Club pick.
Brainiac by Ken Jennings - Book Review
You might expect Ken Jennings’ Brainiac to be a straightforward memoir from this unlikely celebrity about his record-breaking winning streak on Jeopardy!; however, Brainiac also a history of trivia and a discussion of today’s trivia subcultures, from pub quizzes to quiz bowls.
You might expect Ken Jennings’ Brainiac to be a straightforward memoir from this unlikely celebrity about his record-breaking winning streak on Jeopardy!; however, Brainiac also a history of trivia and a discussion of today’s trivia subcultures, from pub quizzes to quiz bowls.
'Eat Pray Love' by Elizabeth Gilbert - Book Review
'Eat Pray Love' is Elizabeth Gilbert's memoir of her year traveling to Italy, India and Indonesia in pursuit of pleasure, devotion and balance.
'Eat Pray Love' is Elizabeth Gilbert's memoir of her year traveling to Italy, India and Indonesia in pursuit of pleasure, devotion and balance.
Fathers and Sons by Alexander Waugh - Book Review
Alexander Waugh is the son, grandson, and great-grandson of prominent British writers. He examines this literary heritage in his memoir, Fathers and Sons, which tells his family’s story through the relationships each had with his father.
Alexander Waugh is the son, grandson, and great-grandson of prominent British writers. He examines this literary heritage in his memoir, Fathers and Sons, which tells his family’s story through the relationships each had with his father.
Heat by Bill Buford - Book Review
Heat is a fascinating and surprising story of one man’s journey from journalist to kitchen slave to culinary apprentice. Bill Buford’s memoir covers his time working in a first-class New York restaurant and repeated journeys to Italy to apprentice with the country’s best chefs.
Heat is a fascinating and surprising story of one man’s journey from journalist to kitchen slave to culinary apprentice. Bill Buford’s memoir covers his time working in a first-class New York restaurant and repeated journeys to Italy to apprentice with the country’s best chefs.
'The House at Sugar Beach' by Helene Cooper - Book Review
'The House at Sugar Beach' is an astonishing and moving memoir about growing up in Liberia during a violent civil war. Helene Cooper is the daughter of one of Liberia's elite families, but after a coup threw her people out of power she moved to the United States, eventually becoming a journalist.
'The House at Sugar Beach' is an astonishing and moving memoir about growing up in Liberia during a violent civil war. Helene Cooper is the daughter of one of Liberia's elite families, but after a coup threw her people out of power she moved to the United States, eventually becoming a journalist.
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson - Book Review
Bill Bryson is an immensely popular writer who has tackled a wide variety of subjects. The focus of his latest book is something pretty personal: his childhood in Des Moines, Iowa.
Bill Bryson is an immensely popular writer who has tackled a wide variety of subjects. The focus of his latest book is something pretty personal: his childhood in Des Moines, Iowa.
Marley & Me by John Grogan - Book Review
Marley & Me by John Grogan tells the story of a badly behaved and loveably loyal Labrador retriever. Find out how this nonfiction bestseller stacks up and whether Marley & Me is worth adding to your bookshelves.
Marley & Me by John Grogan tells the story of a badly behaved and loveably loyal Labrador retriever. Find out how this nonfiction bestseller stacks up and whether Marley & Me is worth adding to your bookshelves.
Night by Elie Wiesel - Book Review
This review of Night, by Elie Wiesel, examines why this account of the Holocaust is so powerful and what purpose it it serves almost half a century after it was first published. Night is an Oprah's Book Club selection, and Wiesel is the 1986 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.
This review of Night, by Elie Wiesel, examines why this account of the Holocaust is so powerful and what purpose it it serves almost half a century after it was first published. Night is an Oprah's Book Club selection, and Wiesel is the 1986 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Pursuit of Happyness by Chris Gardner - Book Review
Chris Gardner’s life story is impressive. Despite having never gone to college, and after a period of being homeless, he became a wildly successful stockbroker and wrote his memoir, Pursuit of Happyness. It’s not surprising that Hollywood turned his story into a blockbuster film starring Will Smith.
Chris Gardner’s life story is impressive. Despite having never gone to college, and after a period of being homeless, he became a wildly successful stockbroker and wrote his memoir, Pursuit of Happyness. It’s not surprising that Hollywood turned his story into a blockbuster film starring Will Smith.
'Three Cups of Tea' by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
'Three Cups of Tea' by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin is the true story of Mortenson's work building schools in remote villages in Pakistan. Mortenson moves from a lost climber who promises a school to one small village to a major player in promoting peace through education in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
'Three Cups of Tea' by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin is the true story of Mortenson's work building schools in remote villages in Pakistan. Mortenson moves from a lost climber who promises a school to one small village to a major player in promoting peace through education in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
'When You are Engulfed in Flames' by David Sedaris - Book Review
David Sedaris, the incredibly popular author of humorous memoirs including 'Me Talk Pretty One Day' has written a new collection of essays on his life called 'When You Are Engulfed in Flames.' His new book has a slightly more melancholy slant than some of his previous works, but when it’s funny, it’s laugh-out-loud, embarrass-yourself-in-public funny.
David Sedaris, the incredibly popular author of humorous memoirs including 'Me Talk Pretty One Day' has written a new collection of essays on his life called 'When You Are Engulfed in Flames.' His new book has a slightly more melancholy slant than some of his previous works, but when it’s funny, it’s laugh-out-loud, embarrass-yourself-in-public funny.
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion - Book Review
The Contemporary Literature Guide weighs in on this memoir.
The Contemporary Literature Guide weighs in on this memoir.