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Jess Rogers

Hi readers! I’m Jessica, or as I was known for most of high school, Vicki’s sister. I am also the proud aunt of her daughter, who I call Peanut. I’m a lifelong reader and credit a lot of that to my parents reading with me as a kid. Whether I am rereading Harry Potter for the thousandth time, rediscovering my love for YA fiction, or powering through a stack of non-fiction titles, I always have a book in my hands.

Latest posts by Jess Rogers (see all)

• Spooky YA Books that Bring Adult Scares - October 24, 2019
• Untold Histories: Stuff I Wish I Had Learned in School - August 12, 2019
• When Reality is Stranger than Fiction: 5 Must Read Memoirs - June 6, 2019

I have such a respect for people willing to relive their most painful, embarrassing and awkward moments for the rest of us to enjoy. Writing about the exploits of a fictional character could almost be considered easy compared to compiling moments you might prefer to forget in a neat little package for others to dissect and examine. If these authors are brave enough to gift us with pieces of their history, we owe it to them to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Check out some of my favorite must read memoirs below and take a trip down someone else’s memory lane.

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The Glass Castle: A Memoir

Written by Jeannette Walls

The Walls family are nomads, traveling the country in search of a place to call home. Jeannette’s father Rex is an unstable alcoholic. But he is also a charming, brilliant man who promises his children that one day they will find the perfect place to build their “Glass Castle”. Her mother Rose finds more fulfillment painting and writing than of taking care of her children. Packing up and leaving every time Rex loses a job, Jeannette and her siblings spent their childhood relying on each other for strength and support. Jeannette’s story of family loyalty and tenacity will inspire anyone who feels like they need a little more gumption in their lives.

Let’s Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir

Written by Jenny Lawson

This book is the sole reason that my sister regularly sends me pictures of giant metal chickens she sees for sale, threatening to leave one on my front porch. (I swear, it will make sense if you read it). I previously recommended Jenny’s second book, Furiously Happy, in my resolution booklist. But I would be remiss if I didn’t encourage you to check out her first book, Let’s Pretend this Never Happened. Filled with hilarious anecdotes from her rural Texas childhood, her time as an HR employee, and her journey to blogging stardom, Jenny never shies away from the awkward, embarrassing or downright insane details of her life. Jenny’s humor and irreverence will make anyone feel better about their own embarrassing moments. It may also inspire you to find the hilarity in your own life.

Related Post: Read Your Way to Resolution Success

Where Am I Now?: True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame

Written by Mara Wilson

Admit it, when you were a kid, you probably had dreams of stardom. As an adult, we have the perspective to realize that child stars often get a raw deal. Sometimes treated like show ponies, it is not uncommon to see them turning to drugs or alcohol in later life. Mara Wilson is breaking that stereotype. The star of Matilda and Miracle on 34th Street, Mara became famous for her acting skills at a young age. In Where Am I Now, Mara takes readers on a journey from her life as a cherubic child star to a stable adult, happily living away from the limelight that surrounded her childhood. With a refreshingly frank take on fame, mental health and the foibles of growing up, Mara’s story is the perfect nostalgia read.

Bitter is the New Black: Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass, Or, Why You Should Never Carry A Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office

Written by Jen Lancaster

Jen Lancaster isn’t always the kindest person. She is blunt to the point of rudeness, and always seems poised for a fight. Bitter is the New Black opens with Jen telling the story of how she once stole a Coach bag from a homeless man. With a high paying corporate job, love of designer clothes, and a seriously over inflated ego, Jen is hard to root for. But after losing her job in the fall of 2001, her life takes a turn from shopping sprees at Niemen Marcus to struggling to keep the lights on in her apartment. With a biting wit and brutal honesty, Jen’s riches to rags story with resonate with anyone who has seen their life take a turn they never expected.

Related Post: Like This? Read This! Books to Read Based on Your Favorite TV Shows

Educated: A Memoir

Written by Tara Westover

Tara Westover’s parents did not prepare her for life outside the Idaho mountains where she was raised. Her mother believed any and all maladies, including cancer and major injuries, could be cure by herbs and positive energy. Her father’s religious lectures often turned paranoid as he warned his children about the dangers of the government and public schools. Determined to teach herself, Tara dedicated herself to studying math and grammar, eventually being admitted to Brigham Young University, where she struggles to reconcile the real world with the bubble of her mountain home. I won’t lie to you; parts of this book are tough to read. Tara was on the receiving end of violence from her older brother, and neglect from her parents. But the bleak picture she paints only serves to make her journey to being educated all the more triumphant.

What are your favorite must read memoirs? Share in the comments below!