Margaret Atwood has sold more than 40 million books worldwide but found the idea of writing about herself "dead boring". She proved wrong, however. Her latest memoir, Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts, clocks in at an impressive 624 pages and promises to be a masterclass in wisdom and wit.
It's hard not to admire Helen Garner for tackling her life story in the same chunky manner as Atwood's magnum opus. Garner has written a diary collection spanning 20 years, How to End a Story, which captures piquant snapshots of her life, work, and marriages in a delightful mix of everyday observation and self-examination.
Arundhati Roy gets her mother top billing in Mother Mary Comes to Me, with Roy revealing how her own father was abusive. The complicated dynamics between Mary and Roy are revealed with candour and compassion, making for an unforgettable portrait.
In Fly, Wild Swans, Jung Chang recounts the role of his mother who helped shape his life by sharing stories from their family's history in China. This sequel to the bestselling Wild Swans is a testament to the power of a woman's love and resilience.
Anthony Hopkins' We Did OK, Kid: A Memoir is an unvarnished account of the actor's struggles with anxiety and addiction as well as his discomfort with fame. It digs deep into his personal life, offering a glimpse into the complexities of an extraordinary man.
Tina Knowles' Matriarch shares her story as Beyoncé and Solange's mother, guiding them towards stardom while instilling their blackness and womanhood. This memoir is more than just an account of famous family dynamics; it delves into the realities of stage parenting.
Helen Burke's A Mind of My Own takes readers through her rough-and-tumble childhood, from poverty to a successful career in theatre. The book has plenty of laughs, but don't expect Burke to wallow in self-pity – this is an entertaining memoir full of sharp observations about the theatre world.
Patti Smith shares the story of Bread of Angels, where she reflects on her past and her experiences with illness as well as loss. This memoir is intimate, moving, and provides a candid look at life's brutal highs and lows.
Lionel Richie's Truly showcases his journey from Tuskegee to chart-topping success. He recounts meeting famous people like Gregory Peck, Sammy Davis Jr., and Nelson Mandela – it's like reading a travelogue of incredible encounters.
Cameron Crowe has penned A Different Kind of Power: The Uncool Memoir, which explores the days when he was the teenage music journalist for Creem and Rolling Stone. His account is full of charm and lyricism as he looks back on iconic relationships with David Bowie, Iggy Pop, and the Stones.
It's been a notable year for biographies about cultural giants like Mark Twain and Vermeer: A Life Lost and Found. Ron Chernow provides an in-depth look at Twain while Andrew Graham-Dixon delves into Vermeer's mysterious life. Meanwhile, Frances Wilson gives us Electric Spark – a study of Muriel Spark – as well as Gertrude Stein: An Afterlife by Francesca Wade.
Gerri Kimber's Katherine Mansfield: A Hidden Life captures the essence of this modernist writer who inspired Woolf and left her own indelible mark on literature. Another fascinating biography is Hanna Diamond's Josephine Baker's Secret War, where she unravels the story of a star who played an integral role in World War II.
In The Acid Queen by Susannah Cahalan, Timothy Leary's fourth wife Rosemary Woodruff takes center stage as we explore her remarkable life filled with communes, drugs, and counter-culture adventures.
It's hard not to admire Helen Garner for tackling her life story in the same chunky manner as Atwood's magnum opus. Garner has written a diary collection spanning 20 years, How to End a Story, which captures piquant snapshots of her life, work, and marriages in a delightful mix of everyday observation and self-examination.
Arundhati Roy gets her mother top billing in Mother Mary Comes to Me, with Roy revealing how her own father was abusive. The complicated dynamics between Mary and Roy are revealed with candour and compassion, making for an unforgettable portrait.
In Fly, Wild Swans, Jung Chang recounts the role of his mother who helped shape his life by sharing stories from their family's history in China. This sequel to the bestselling Wild Swans is a testament to the power of a woman's love and resilience.
Anthony Hopkins' We Did OK, Kid: A Memoir is an unvarnished account of the actor's struggles with anxiety and addiction as well as his discomfort with fame. It digs deep into his personal life, offering a glimpse into the complexities of an extraordinary man.
Tina Knowles' Matriarch shares her story as Beyoncé and Solange's mother, guiding them towards stardom while instilling their blackness and womanhood. This memoir is more than just an account of famous family dynamics; it delves into the realities of stage parenting.
Helen Burke's A Mind of My Own takes readers through her rough-and-tumble childhood, from poverty to a successful career in theatre. The book has plenty of laughs, but don't expect Burke to wallow in self-pity – this is an entertaining memoir full of sharp observations about the theatre world.
Patti Smith shares the story of Bread of Angels, where she reflects on her past and her experiences with illness as well as loss. This memoir is intimate, moving, and provides a candid look at life's brutal highs and lows.
Lionel Richie's Truly showcases his journey from Tuskegee to chart-topping success. He recounts meeting famous people like Gregory Peck, Sammy Davis Jr., and Nelson Mandela – it's like reading a travelogue of incredible encounters.
Cameron Crowe has penned A Different Kind of Power: The Uncool Memoir, which explores the days when he was the teenage music journalist for Creem and Rolling Stone. His account is full of charm and lyricism as he looks back on iconic relationships with David Bowie, Iggy Pop, and the Stones.
It's been a notable year for biographies about cultural giants like Mark Twain and Vermeer: A Life Lost and Found. Ron Chernow provides an in-depth look at Twain while Andrew Graham-Dixon delves into Vermeer's mysterious life. Meanwhile, Frances Wilson gives us Electric Spark – a study of Muriel Spark – as well as Gertrude Stein: An Afterlife by Francesca Wade.
Gerri Kimber's Katherine Mansfield: A Hidden Life captures the essence of this modernist writer who inspired Woolf and left her own indelible mark on literature. Another fascinating biography is Hanna Diamond's Josephine Baker's Secret War, where she unravels the story of a star who played an integral role in World War II.
In The Acid Queen by Susannah Cahalan, Timothy Leary's fourth wife Rosemary Woodruff takes center stage as we explore her remarkable life filled with communes, drugs, and counter-culture adventures.
so many of these memoirs are about strong women who aren't afraid to share their stories & it's honestly really inspiring... like margaret atwood's latest book is all about how she thought writing about herself would be boring but ended up being this 624 page masterpiece 
... and then there's helen garner's diary collection which is like a snapshot of her life in all its messy beauty 
... what do you think draws people to memoirs about famous women & the secrets they share? 
, it's like we're getting a behind-the-scenes look into their lives. and i'm loving the fact that most of them are just being their wonderful selves 
no pretenses, no apologies – just real stories from people who've lived some amazing lives 
! Helen Garner's diary collection sounds like a must-read for anyone who loves honest writing, and Arundhati Roy's book is so inspiring - it takes courage to share family secrets like that 
. And can you believe Margaret Atwood has sold 40 million books but found her own memoir idea "dead boring" 
? I think we can all relate to wanting to write about ourselves eventually... or at least, try to 
. Anyway, I'm definitely adding some of these titles to my reading list! 
Anthony Hopkins is basically the poster child for "rich person struggling" and now he's cashing in on his 'tortured artist' persona. 
And can we talk about how all these books are just a vehicle for the authors to promote their own work or get famous again? Like, I don't know if Helen Garner was that struggling as a writer or if she just wanted a book deal to secure her place in literary history... 
. But what I find really inspiring is how these memoirs are shedding light on women's lives - Arundhati Roy's portrayal of her complicated relationship with her mother, Patti Smith's candid reflections on illness and loss... it's all so deeply human 
.