Memoirs

Memoirs!

I freaking love memoirs. It probably stemmed from my early love of diary-style stories (Dear America series, specifically the Titanic one because I really liked the Titanic, Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli, Amelia’s Notebook series by Marissa Moss though I only read one of them because my mom thought it had too many pictures, and of course the first few Diary of a Wimpy Kid books while they were relevant to my age demographic). I also participated in the creation of diaries (both my own and of fictional characters). Most recently (like a year ago), I read Diary by Chuck Palahniuk which I loved but I’ll talk about that later maybe.

ANYWAY I think these fictional stories were a gateway to memoirs, specifically those kinds where you’re like “wait, what, how is that not made up, that’s amazing/hilarious”. Here are some of my favorite memoirs that I’ve read so far in life.

Let’s Pretend This Never Happened (A Mostly True Memoir) by Jenny Lawson

A taxidermy mouse on the cover, a chapter titled “I Was a Three-Year-Old Arsonist”, and another named “And That’s Why Neil Patrick Harris Would Be the Most Successful Mass Murderer Ever”… it seems like this book has it all already. It was the humor (primarily the stories of her father bringing wild animals home through her childhood) that drew me in but it was Lawson’s personality and discussion about mental illness that kept me reading. Another great thing about memoirs is when photos are included, to show the author as a child (or a bottle-fed porcupine) and make the stories feel more personal. I read this book (multiple times) several years ago (2014?) but it has a special place in my heart.

Furiously Happy, A Funny Book About Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson

Imagine my surprise as I wandered aimlessly through Barnes and Noble and turned to see a crazy-eyed, smiling taxidermy raccoon greeting me on the shelf. Jenny Lawson? Wait a second… she published a second memoir? I wasted no time and purchased it, somewhat angry at myself for not realizing she had written a second book, though not like I kept tabs on her. It came out in 2015, but I think I got my hands on it early 2018, and remember reading it senior year in the library during my ILT (“individual learning time” for you non-EL education folks, though I prefer the name ‘idle tea time’). At any rate, it is a logical continuation of Lawson’s personal story, though more focus on her progress combating her mental illnesses and her growth as an adult and parent. I feel like it I didn’t devour it the way I did the first book, but I am still a fan of her humor and storytelling.

Maus (I and II) by Art Spiegelman

I sought out Maus I and II after reading about how the layout of the narrative on the page utilized the medium of a graphic novel and the purpose of showing the past and present. I was already a graphic novel lover so I eagerly bought them at Books-A-Million in sophomore year of high school. The extended metaphor and showing both the past and present help portray the story, and definitely is a unique look at the Holocaust as compared to history books or documentaries.

Literally Anything by Lucy Knisley

That’s not a book title, I mean literally any book of hers. Her works are a unique and balanced blend of essay/information and her personal story and I am just simply a fan of her art style. I have devoured everything Knisley has made since I first stumbled upon her on Instagram. Her work wasn’t available near me so in my first fall semester of college I promptly bought what books they had of hers at Greenlight. I read Relish and Something New, and was unbelievably excited when I saw that her book tour was coming on the release date to Books Are Magic. Thank GOD it was on a Tuesday night when I didn’t have class and it was only a few subway stops away. I got a copy of her book Kid Gloves, had it signed, got to see her parents in the crowd who she regularly illustrates which was bizarre, and got my portrait done, while I gave her a portrait I drew of her. I felt so inspired leaving that bookstore and reading the entire thing in line (over an hour long line but worth itttt, though I feel sorry for her drawing hand). I’ve never really met an author I’d really admired until then. I kind of want to be her when I grow up.

Other Notable Mentions:

• Fun Home by Allison Bechdel was a required read (my first required graphic novel which I was pumped for), which focuses around her relationship with her father, as well as her personal growth as it comes to sexuality and overcoming mental illness. I also recently read Are You My Mother? the day after Mother’s Day as I was coming home from college.
• Stay Sexy and Don’t Get Murdered by Georgia Hardstark and Karen Kilgariff. My most recent read, do recommend, though I did find that there are inside jokes/phrases that those who listen to the podcast will easily pick up on that those who don’t listen may not get but they’re very minor. The chapter titles are phrases often used in the podcast, but the phrase is thoroughly explained in the content of the chapter. They tackle lessons they’ve learned through combating mental illnesses, growing up as latchkey kids, and not trusting their gut in a potentially dangerous situation because of the social expectation to be polite. Read it in a night and a morning.