This article highlights ten memoirs that offer readers insight into the experiences, struggles, and triumphs of the authors. From the haunting tale of Elie Wiesel’s experiences in Nazi concentration camps in “Night” to the inspiring journey of Cheryl Strayed finding redemption in the wilderness in “Wild,” these memoirs provide powerful stories that can move readers to tears or inspire them to make changes in their lives. Additionally, works like “Born a Crime” and “Just Mercy” offer unique perspectives on issues like race and justice, making them both informative and emotionally impactful. Overall, these memoirs provide valuable life lessons and are sure to touch the heart and souls of readers in different ways.
10 Memoirs That Will Touch Your Heart and Soul
Memoirs are books that allow us to see life from the perspective of the author. They give us insight into their struggles, their triumphs, and ultimately, their humanity. A great memoir can move us to tears, inspire us to change our lives, and provide us with valuable life lessons. Here are ten memoirs that will touch your heart and soul:
1. “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls
“The Glass Castle” tells the story of Walls’ unconventional upbringing in poverty, with a dysfunctional family that traveled around the country to evade debt collectors. The memoir is both heartbreaking and uplifting, as Walls ultimately triumphs over her difficult childhood to achieve success.
2. “Night” by Elie Wiesel
“Night” is a haunting and powerful memoir detailing Wiesel’s experiences in Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust. It is a stark reminder of the horrors of war and the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable suffering.
3. “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed
“Wild” is a memoir about Strayed’s 1,100-mile hike on the Pacific Crest Trail, in an effort to heal from the death of her mother and the dissolution of her marriage. The memoir is both a physical and emotional journey, as Strayed confronts her demons and finds redemption in the wilderness.
4. “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson
“Just Mercy” is a memoir and a call to action, as Stevenson chronicles his work as a lawyer fighting for justice on behalf of the poor, the wrongfully convicted, and those on death row. It is a sobering reminder of the systemic injustices in our criminal justice system, and the power of fighting for what is right.
5. “The Year of Magical Thinking” by Joan Didion
“The Year of Magical Thinking” is a memoir about grief and loss, as Didion chronicles the year following the sudden death of her husband. It is a raw and honest portrayal of the emotional rollercoaster that comes with losing a loved one, and the ways in which our minds attempt to make sense of the incomprehensible.
6. “Educated” by Tara Westover
“Educated” is a memoir about Westover’s journey from a survivalist family in rural Idaho to earning a PhD from Cambridge University. It is a story of the power of education, but also the trauma of growing up in a dysfunctional and abusive family.
7. “When Breath Becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi
“When Breath Becomes Air” is a memoir about Kalanithi’s experiences in his final years as a neurosurgeon, after being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. It is a poignant and reflective look at what it means to live a meaningful life in the face of mortality.
8. “Hunger” by Roxane Gay
“Hunger” is a raw and vulnerable memoir about Gay’s experiences with body image and unrelenting trauma. It is a call to action for a society that values thinness and demonizes those who do not fit into conventional beauty standards.
9. “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot
“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” is a fascinating and informative memoir about the woman whose cancer cells became the immortal cell line used in medical research to this day. It is a story about medical ethics, scientific discovery, and the impact one woman’s cells have had in the world.
10. “Born a Crime” by Trevor Noah
“Born a Crime” is a humorous and heartwarming memoir about Noah’s childhood in apartheid South Africa, born to a black mother and a white father. It is a story of resilience and overcoming adversity, and the power of humor to bring people together.
All of these memoirs offer unique perspectives on life and the human experience, and are sure to touch your heart and soul in one way or another.