Women’s memoirs are deep, emotional and often empowering. These memoirs, penned by brave women willing to bare their souls, hold a power to transform our perceptions and broaden our understanding of what it means to navigate our world.
I’m not saying they’re written for women only, as men can learn a lot from such stories and maybe even understand different concepts of the society in a more effective manner.
I remember the first time I read a woman’s memoir that truly shifted my perspective. To me it was like opening a door to a room I never knew existed.
Here, I’ve compiled a list of a few different books that have changed the way I see things, Let’s see!
6 Best Inspiring Women’s Memoirs
Educated, by Tara Westover (2022)
The first book in our list isn’t your typical feel-good read, and it might not leave you feeling uplifted, but it’s a journey worth taking. This memoir, written with pure honesty, offers a moving and unforgettable glimpse into her world.
Tara Westover walked into a classroom for the first time at 17. She spent most of her life in the mountains, getting ready for the end of the world. Her parents were against modern medicine too, so everything was sorted at home with herbal approaches.
Tara taught herself the basics, just enough to be admitted to a university, where she discovered history, important events in the past and geography. Her thirst for education kept pushing her further, showcasing the necessity for self invention that can change one’s life. Definitely an inspiring story!
I’m Glad My Mom Died, by Jennette McCurdy (2022)
At first, I thought this title was a bit grim. I knew Jennette McCurdy from her times in Nickelodeon, but that was it. Her memoir is quite heartbreaking as you dig deeper, especially as you get to understand how difficult it is to be a child actor.
Throw in an overbearing mother and addictions and you have the perfect drama.
While it looks like it was her mother’s dream for Jennette to be a star, she started rediscovering herself after her mother died of cancer. She quit acting, went through therapy and started working on the life that she really wanted.
There’s a bit of humor here and there and plenty of drama, but to me, it’s the idea of understanding our children and the fact that they’re not our extensions. Instead, they need to build their own lives and that’s what makes this book one of the best memoirs by women.
Scrappy Little Nobody, by Anna Kendrick (2017)
Anna Kendrik gained notoriety with Pitch Perfect or Twilight, among other titles. But back then, most fans had no clue what she was thinking. She learned to keep the crazy inside her head, rather than let it out. But there are times when the crazy has to go out, what do you do then?
Written with great candor and plenty of humor, Scrappy Little Nobody lets fans get into her brain and heart. Go through the hassle and stress, but also explore the toxic relationship and fun experiences. To me, this is all about learning to be yourself without being ashamed of it.
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, by Mindy Kaling (2011)
This is one of those female memoirs that will take you through a series of different lives, cultures and places. Mindy Kaling has experienced different scenarios in life, some of them influenced by romance or human connections, others affected by the drama from Hollywood.
To me, this is one of the best memoirs for women looking for a chilled read, without too much stress or internal drama. It feels like taking a tour of the author’s life, with nice and witty observations on friendship, love, work and so on. It’s great for your next holiday or a quiet Sunday afternoon in the garden.
Becoming, by Michelle Obama (2018)
I’ll be honest with you, I’m not so much into politics, but this book has been advertised as one of the most inspiring women’s memoirs, so I thought I’d give it a shot. Quite impressed!
Michelle Obama takes us through her life from her childhood in Chicago to the triumphs around the White House. She always looked strong and powerful, but this time, we have the opportunity to understand her negative experiences too, not to mention her disappointments.
It’s quite a mesmerizing story with interesting storytelling skills. I’d say it’s warm most of the time, just like you’d imagine her. But it also showcases some revelations, plus the struggle of being one of the most powerful women in the world.
The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls (2010)
I find it hard to describe The Glass Castle. I’d say it defines redemption, but also loyalty. It’s about dealing with struggles and dysfunctional behaviors, but also about keeping hopes alive. It’s definitely a vibrant book though, teaching us a bit of everything, but most importantly, about how to win at life.
Jeannette’s father used to be an amazing teacher, educating his children on how to be good in life. But at the same time, everything changed whenever he drank, becoming a destructive character, far from the role model she was used to.
Throw in a mother who believes in being a free spirit rather than a mother and you have the perfect dysfunctional family. With children who taught themselves how to work together for success, this book reveals some secrets that are hard to understand. How can a dysfunctional family be so loyal?
