Best Emigrants & Immigrants Biographies Books of 2025

While Time Remains by Yeonmi Park is a cautionary tale about the dangers of identity politics, cancel culture, and authoritarianism in America. As a North Korean defector and human rights activist, Park draws parallels between the censorship and political indoctrination she witnessed in her home country and the growing trend in the US. Her eye-opening account highlights the hypocrisies and mob tactics used in the name of social justice. This memoir is a reminder of the fragility of freedom and what we must do to preserve it.

Tremendous: The Life of a Comedy Savage is a candid and hilarious memoir by Joey Diaz, a Cuban-American actor, comedian, and podcast host. Diaz shares his story of growing up as an outsider and misfit, dealing drugs, serving time, and eventually finding his true calling in comedy. The book is not for the faint of heart, as it includes dark episodes of addiction and depression, but Diaz shares it all with brutal honesty and humor. Overall, Tremendous is a unique and inspiring tale of how the direst of circumstances can change in unimaginable ways.

What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo is a powerful and thoroughly researched memoir that explores the science behind complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD). Foo, an award-winning radio producer, shares her personal experience with C-PTSD and how it affected her health, relationships, and career. She interviews scientists and psychologists, tries innovative therapies, and uncovers family secrets to learn how trauma can be inherited through generations. The book is a brave and enlightening narrative that provides hope for those who long to heal. Overall, this memoir is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the impact of trauma on one's life.

Solito is a memoir that tells the story of Javier Zamora's journey from El Salvador to the United States at the age of nine. He travels alone through Guatemala and Mexico, and across the U.S. border to reunite with his parents. The journey is perilous and full of danger, but also full of unexpected kindness and love. Zamora's memoir is a gripping and moving account of a treacherous and near-impossible journey that millions of others have had to make. It's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love. Solito is a must-read for anyone interested in the immigrant experience.

They Called Us Enemy is a gripping graphic memoir that tells the story of George Takei's childhood spent in American concentration camps during World War II. The book provides a firsthand account of the legalized racism and injustice that Japanese Americans faced during that time. It is a moving and powerful read, which explores themes of courage, loyalty, and love. The book is unique in its graphic format, which makes the story even more impactful. Overall, They Called Us Enemy is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of Japanese Americans and the fight for civil rights in America.

You're That Bitch: & Other Cute Lessons About Being Unapologetically Yourself is a collection of essays and never-before-seen photos that goes beyond what we know of Bretman Rock from social media. The book provides an unfiltered and unprecedented look at what it means to be one of the first digital celebrities and that bitch. With his signature honesty, Bretman writes about dealing with cancel culture, drama, heartbreak, and what it means to love yourself and your community. This book is a hilarious, impossible-to-put-down memoir that takes readers on a roller-coaster ride through Bretman's first two decades.

The People's Hospital by Ricardo Nuila follows the lives of five uninsured Houstonians as they struggle to find access to healthcare. The book sheds light on the broken healthcare system in America and emphasizes the importance of genuine care over insurance. Nuila's empathy towards his patients is evident in his writing, making their stories all the more moving. The innovative model of Ben Taub hospital, which prioritizes people over payments, offers hope for the future. The People's Hospital is an eye-opening and thought-provoking read for anyone interested in healthcare reform.

Biting the Hand: Growing Up Asian in Black and White America is a poignant memoir that explores the complexities of racial identity and complicity in America. Julia Lee's story is a powerful journey of racial reckoning, atonement, and self-discovery. Through her experiences, Lee argues that Asian Americans must work towards lasting social change alongside Black and brown communities to combat the scarcity culture of white supremacy through abundance and joy. Lee's prose is scathing and heart-wrenching, laying bare the disorientation and shame that stem from America's imposed racial hierarchy. Overall, this memoir is a beautiful incantation for the ongoing project of Asian American identity in America.

"You Sound Like a White Girl" by Julissa Arce is a powerful polemic against the myth that assimilation leads to happiness and belonging for immigrants. Arce argues that assimilation is a moving finish line designed to keep Black and brown Americans and immigrants chasing racist American ideals. In this dual polemic and manifesto, she combs through history and her own story to break down this myth. The book is an essential read and a love letter to the Hispanic and Latino community.

The Happiest Man on Earth is a memoir by Eddie Jaku, a Holocaust survivor who shares his story of courage, resilience, kindness, and love. Despite unimaginable horrors in Buchenwald, Auschwitz, and a forced death march, Eddie found the will to survive and made a promise to smile every day in thanks for the precious gift he was given and to honor the six million Jews murdered by Hitler. Today, at 100 years of age, Eddie calls himself the “happiest man on earth.” The book is a beautifully told, poignant story that offers timeless lessons for readers of all ages.