The Best Female Memoirs
Feeling lost? Unmotivated? Cranky, but can't identify why? Or just plain blah?
Welcome to womanhood, where everything makes no sense and you are tired all the time.
I don't know about you, but I've felt each of these on rotation in my 28 years on planet Earth and one sure-fire way to get me feeling unstuck (besides therapy) is submerging myself in some quality reads written by other women.
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There is nothing like feeling seen, understood, or finding words for what you can't describe by reading someone else's story.
Dive into this list and fill your nightstand with some powerful stories to build you up bit by bit.
Best Female Memoirs
There are so many books whose authors have poured their hearts into every page.
I find that cherishing the words and stories of others who have been through unimaginable (and relatable) hardships is the most valuable way to add perspective and connection into my own life.
Tiny Beautiful Things, by Cheryl Strayed
This book will pull your heart right out of your chest and hold it up to the light. Nothing goes unseen. If you have read Wild, then you already love this author! Cheryl changed her own last name when she was feeling stuck in her life. She wrote in Wild the following explanation of her name change: "Cheryl Strayed, because she did."
This book is full of powerful writing that answers the questions of every human, and is a book I have gifted to many friends over the years.
A Case for Kindness, by Lisa Barrickman
If you are feeling weighed down by the world and the stories or coverage of humanity deteriorating before our very eyes, you need to pick up this book ASAP.
The author, an Ohioan, expertly offers a different view, an enduring and hopeful view of simple actions that bring us back into connection with others and ourselves. She begins a daily Random Act of Kindness to strangers that turns into a lifestyle - one that is very much worth living.
Who Thought This Was a Good Idea? by President Obama’s Chief of Staff Alyssa Mastromonaco.
Alyssa talks everything from her struggles with IBS at the Vatican, coming to terms with infertility, and her triumph getting a tampon machine placed in the women’s bathroom at the White House.
This book will have you laughing and crying, often within the very same paragraph.
In the Country We Love, by Orange is the New Black (OITNB) actress, Diane Guerrero.
This book is soulful beyond description. Diane begins the story by illustrating the day her parents were taken by immigration and deported back to Columbia when she was just a teenager. Child protective services never came looking for her to offer foster care placement, so Diane lived with friends and worked her way into an art-centered high school and the rest is history.
Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets, and Advice for Living Your Best Life, by comedian Ali Wong.
It’s no secret that Ali Wong is a woman who can say it like it is. If you haven’t seen her Netflix specials, Baby Cobra and Hard Knock Wife, it’s worth blocking out a few hours to binge watch them both.
Her memoir is written as a letter to her two young daughters and is full of stories from her childhood and time she spent breaking into the standup comedy world. This is truly a must read!
Untamed, by Glennon Doyle
Untamed is a bestseller for a reason. Glennon digests for us all of the intricate unspoken societal norms and expectations that we (often unknowingly) inherit and embody. She uses hilarious metaphors to push us to our own "ah ha!" moments, and gives us permission to say fuck that.
Glennon also dyed her hair bright pink during COVID-19 quarantine, which has nothing to do with her book and everything to do with illustrating her coolness. No topic is off limits. Untamed is the ultimate book to build yourself up.
Bossypants, by comedian, actress, writer, and director, Tina Fey.
Tina Fey is one of the funniest women I have ever watched on TV. She is just as talented of a writer as she is an actress, and Tina shares some relatable childhood stories (periods aren’t blue?!) as well as the realities of being a woman in show business.
She is truly one of the greats and her words have echoed in my brain for years after reading this book. Highly recommend!
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by comedian and actrress Mindy Kaling.
If you have felt like you were living on the outer circle trying desperately to wiggle your way in or figure out where you fit, this book is for you. Mindy is not only hilarious, but honest and unafraid to tell it like it is.
Humans of New York Stories, by Brandon Stanton
I know I know, Brandon Stanton is not a female author, but this book gets to sneak onto our list because he interviews people in New York, men and women alike, who have some valuable stories to share. We know and Humans of New York (HONY for short) from the wonderful world of Instagram.
Brandon trails all over New York City and brings us stories of vulnerability, bravery, strength, humor, and connection in a manner that feels rare to encounter today. Plus unmatched photography! We need HONY like we need 64 oz of water in a day. Brandon also just published his third book, Humans, with interviews of people from not just NYC, but around the world.
The Girl With the Lower Back Tattoo, by comedian Amy Schumer.
Ah, Amy. She is a breath of fresh air in the comedy space if you ask me. In her memoir, Amy Schumer balances hilarious anecdotes with tackling real issues like the importance of consent.
Educated, by Tara Westover.
This book shook me in ways I still have difficulty describing. Tara grew up in an isolated family who believed that the rapture was coming at any moment, and preparing for it was the greatest priority.
Tara’s education lied in working on the homestead, until one day she found a textbook in her basement and decided to teach herself math, reading, and writing, then finally fight to pursue a formal education. Her memoir details the impacts of religious paranoia, physical and emotional abuse, and her road to Oxford.
Life Will Be the Death of Me…and You, Too, by talk show host and comedian Chelsea Handler.
Chelsea Handler has written many books in her life, but not like this. In her most recent book, Life Will Be the Death of Me, Chelsea offers us an inside look at her sessions with her therapist and her deep dive into unpacking the childhood trauma of losing her older brother, and the impact it has had on her life since.
This book is serious, comedic, and an emotional rollercoaster that will leave you with an expanded view on just how any of us becomes who we are.
Becoming, by Michelle Obama.
Michelle Obama, also known as the classiest woman to ever live, wrote this incredible memoir that details her childhood, her love story with Barack, navigating parenthood, and her experience as the first lady of the United States of America.
Michelle details her upbringing, education, advocacy, and everything in between with such realness that to walk away from this book uninspired or unchanged is an impossibility.
Anything by Brene Brown… literally any of her books
My personal favorites are I Thought it Was Just Me, Daring Greatly, and Braving the Wilderness. You get it! Girl is busy!!! If you are not in a reading mood, but still would love a good dose of Brene, sit down on the couch with a jar of peanut butter and a spoon (her recommendation) and watch her Netflix special, "The Call to Courage." Or, watch her Ted Talk, or listen to her interview on Armchair Expert Podcast, or listen to her own podcast! Like I said, she is busy! This woman has done lots of things and is all over the internet realm. You will be grateful that you found such a diamond. We do not deserve her!
Scrappy Little Nobody, by actress Anna Kendrick.
Anna Kendrick is one of those celebrities who seems unencumbered by fame; she’s just exactly who she is no matter what.
In her memoir, Anna details the path to her acting career (hint: lots of theater camp!) and the joys and pitfalls that come with being famous. Her road to stardom is littered with weird roommates, job opportunities, and pairing high dollar jewelry with sweatpants because why not.
What Will You Add to your Nightstand Reading Stack?
Consuming a good lady memoir has been the most meaningful force in changing my perceptions - of myself, my career, and my feelings of worthiness.
I hope that you find value in surrounding yourself with stories from others and pick up a title that speaks to you to add to your nightstand stack and crack it open whenever you need a word of wisdom.
I truly believe that our individual wholeness is a result of our collective connectedness. Story sharing has incredible power to heal and inspire us, and what more could you ask for?
Yours with book in hand,
Emily Rose // Miss Magnolia
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