While epic fantasies and sentimental contemporary fiction will always have a spot on our bookshelves, sometimes we want to enjoy a sliver of real life (and maybe learn a thing or two in the process!). Biographies are many people's go-to choice for non-fiction titles, as they offer up-close and personal looks at someone's life. If you've ever wanted to learn more about your favorite celebrity's upbringing or to understand the lives of political figureheads, this is the genre for you.
What’s the Difference Between Biographies, Memoirs, and Autobiographies?
When it comes to shopping in the non-fiction section, seeing the different categories can make it feel a little confusing. Simply put, a biography is the story of someone's life written by someone else, an autobiography is the story of someone's life written by that person, and a memoir is a collection of the author's memories surrounding one aspect or theme. These can all be separated into further book genres!
How to Choose a Biography to Read
Biographies are a great way to learn about the lives of real-life people and historical events. When choosing which biography to buy or listen to on audiobook, consider things like:
- Subject matter (comedians, actors, athletes, historical figures, etc.)
- Publishing date
- Author credibility
- Writing style
- Community reviews
Look Out for These Great Biographies at the Bookstore
When you find a biography you love, you can’t help but try to convince everyone in your life to read it next! Try out some of our must-reads:
Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine, and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard
The average person probably has no idea that James A. Garfield may be one of the most extraordinary men ever elected president—but this biography gives you the inside scoop you need. In Destiny of the Republic, you get a glimpse at every staggering stage of his life, from his start in complete poverty to his success as a Civil War hero and renowned congressman to his attempted assassination four months after his presidential inauguration in 1881—and more importantly, the aftermath. Candice Millard's meticulously researched book spins the story of a forgotten chapter of US history, revealing the multi-layered power struggle involving the president, his administration, and, shockingly, his medical care.
A Very Punchable Face: A Memoir by Colin Jost
You've seen and loved him on Saturday Night Live and Weekend Update, but how did the talented and charismatic Colin Jost get his start in comedy? A Very Punchable Face is a collection of hilarious essays detailing all the times Jost had to learn to take a punch, metaphorically and occasionally physically, to get the thick skin required for his career. From his earliest years growing up in a family of firefighters on Staten Island to attending Harvard during Facebook's early days to the backstage secrets of SNL life and more, this joke-filled memoir blends self-deprecation and pull-on-your-heartstrings feels with every story told.
Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II by Liza Mundy
Did you know that more than ten thousand women across the United States served as codebreakers during World War II? If your answer is no, that's okay—not many people did until the brilliantly written biography Code Girls was released. When their brothers, fathers, and boyfriends took up arms to fight for their country, women recruited from small towns and elite colleges around the country moved to Washington to learn the detailed and difficult work of code-breaking, something that ended up shortening the war and saving countless lives. But a strict vow of secrecy meant they couldn't speak about their efforts—until now. Through intricate research and interviews with the surviving women, Liza Mundy brings this riveting and empowering true story to the public eye.
Crying in H Mart: A Memoir by Michelle Zauner
Michelle Zauner shows a new side to the dedicated fans of her indie-rock band, Japanese Breakfast, in the powerful, vulnerable, and oh-so-human memoir Crying in H Mart. When 25-year-old Michelle's mother receives a terminal cancer diagnosis, she is forced to face her identity, reclaim the Korean heritage she worked so hard to lose, and, most importantly, soak up the time with her umma before the inevitable. From her earliest memories of sitting in her relative's apartment in Seoul to meeting and marrying her now husband, this memoir is woven together through something she and her mother will always have in common: a love of food. Whether you listen to her bring it to life on audiobook or cry into the pages of a physical copy, this intimate and lyrical look at grief and the relationship between mother and daughter is one that can't be missed.
Knocked Up, Knocked Down: Postcards of Miscarriage and Other Misadventures from the Brink of Parenthood by Monica Murphy LeMoine
After years of exploring the world and writing postcards from strange, far-off places with her Peace Corps husband, Monica Murphy LeMoine was setting off on the new adventure of a lifetime: parenthood. But when her pregnancy ends before it’s meant to, she's thrown into a new world of "almost" parenthood. Finding herself isolated with grief for both real and imaginary lives lost, she writes a memoir—in postcard form, of course. If you've ever experienced this type of loss, the ever-so-uplifting Knocked Up, Knocked Down will give you solace and a soft place to land when things get hard.
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir by Matthew Perry
Everyone knows him best as the witty and sarcastic Chandler from the '90s hit show Friends, but did anyone actually know the real Matthew Perry? His recently published autobiography gives us an intimate and heartfelt look into his life, from childhood fame to years of addiction, a life-threatening health scare, and a couple of stints of rehab—and everything in between! In Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, Perry masterfully told his life story, exploring dark topics and castmate anecdotes with his signature deprecating humor on every page.
3 Ways to Enjoy Our Favorite Biographies and Memoirs
If you ask us, there's no "right" way to read! If any of these biographies interest you, we encourage you to read (or listen) to them in whatever way works best for you. Try our three favorite methods:
- Listen to them through an audiobook service—especially the memoirs, since they're normally narrated by the author!
- Buy a physical copy of the biography at your favorite independent bookstore to support local businesses.
- Start a book club with your friends to discuss each tantalizing chapter in detail!
Learn a bit about historical heroes, beloved celebrities, life experiences, and empowering moments throughout history with biographies! With Novel opening recently, consider which of our favorite biographies and memoirs sparks your interest and get ready to stop by.
