Best Memoirs Books of 2025

The Light We Carry is an inspiring follow-up to Michelle Obama's bestselling memoir Becoming. In this book, the former First Lady shares practical wisdom and powerful strategies for staying hopeful and balanced in today's highly uncertain world. Michelle offers a series of fresh stories and insightful reflections on change, challenge, and power, drawing from her experiences as a mother, daughter, spouse, friend, and First Lady. She encourages readers to work through fear, find strength in community, and live with boldness. With trademark humor, candor, and compassion, Michelle explores issues connected to race, gender, and visibility. This book is a rewarding blend of powerful stories and profound advice that will ignite conversations and inspire readers to recognize their own light.

In Look for Me There, Luke Russert embarks on a journey of self-discovery and grieving after the unexpected death of his father. Chronicling his travels across six continents, Russert shares the lessons and historical understandings he discovers along the way. A poignant reflection on taking risks, examining our choices, and discovering our truest selves, Look for Me There is a beautifully written story of a young man finding his faith and understanding his purpose. This book offers encouragement to anyone uncertain about the direction of their life or unsure of how to move forward after a loss.

Spare by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, is a poignant and raw memoir that chronicles his journey after the death of his mother, Princess Diana. The book offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the life of a member of the British royal family and the struggles he faced dealing with grief, trauma, and mental health. Spare is a landmark publication that is full of insight, self-examination, and hard-won wisdom about the power of love over grief. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the British royal family and the human experience of loss and healing.

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.

The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman is a perennial New York Times bestseller that has transformed millions of relationships worldwide. Chapman's practical and insightful approach to showing and receiving love helps couples experience deeper and richer levels of intimacy with their partners. The book includes the Couple's Personal Profile assessment, which helps readers discover their love language and that of their loved one. This updated edition reveals intrinsic truths and applies relevant, actionable wisdom in ways that work. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to keep their relationship fresh and growing.

Jennette McCurdy's memoir, "I'm Glad My Mom Died," is a heartbreaking yet inspiring story of a former child actor's struggles with eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother. The book chronicles her journey to take control of her life after her mother's death from cancer. McCurdy's candid and darkly humorous writing style makes this a compelling read for anyone looking for a story of resilience and independence. It's not a flippant exposé of childhood stardom, but rather a layered account of a woman reckoning with love and violence at once. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the entertainment industry and the challenges of growing up in the limelight.

The long-awaited memoir of Sir Patrick Stewart, titled "Making It So," is a captivating and revealing portrait of an artist whose career spans six decades. The memoir takes readers on a journey from his humble beginnings in Yorkshire, England, to his illustrious career on both stage and screen, including his iconic portrayals of Star Trek's Jean-Luc Picard and X-Men's Professor Charles Xavier. Stewart's writing style is engaging and his storytelling is both heartfelt and humorous, making this book a must-read for fans of the actor and anyone interested in the entertainment industry. Overall, "Making It So" is a remarkable memoir that showcases the enduring talent and charisma of Sir Patrick Stewart.

The 10th-anniversary edition of Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed is a must-read for those seeking wisdom and guidance. This bestselling collection of advice columns, initially published online and later through a hit podcast and newsletter, features humor, insight, and compassion, making it a balm for everything life throws our way. The new preface and six additional columns add to the richness of the book. Cheryl Strayed's unique approach to the advice column makes this book stand out from the rest. It's a revolutionary therapeutic experience that's destined to become a classic of the form.

All My Knotted-Up Life by Beth Moore is a memoir that offers a personal glimpse into the author's life and ministry. With candor and vulnerability, Moore shares her experiences of love, loss, and resilience, as well as the origins of Living Proof Ministries. The book includes eight pages of photos, and readers will find themselves moved by Moore's poignant storytelling. Whether one is familiar with Moore's work or not, All My Knotted-Up Life is a must-read for those seeking a deeper understanding of faith and personal growth.

Tell Me Everything: A Memoir by Minka Kelly is a powerful and page-turning story of triumph over adversity. The actress and philanthropist shares her life story, which was anything but easy, growing up with a single mother who worked as a stripper and struggled with addiction. Despite the challenges, Minka persevered, reconnected with her father, and landed the role of a lifetime on Friday Night Lights. The book is an intricate portrait of a vulnerable yet resilient woman, and her story is a reminder that love and resilience are all we have in the end. This memoir is a heart-stopping debut and a unique contribution to the actor and entertainer biography genre.