Library Staff Directory
Posted Jan 16, 2015
Some stories and characters tend to stick with us long after we finish the book, but what about when we read non-fiction titles and encounter the lives of real people? Enter the world of memoirs- short, autobiographical stories of those daring enough to tell their own stories from a first-person point-of-view. From dysfunctional families to extreme adventures, some writers are willing to put it all on the table. This week, we’ve highlighted a few memoirs from our collection that will invite you into the lives of others while inspiring you to think about your own personal journey.
The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls
Born to Rex, an alcoholic, and Rose Mary, an eccentric artist, Jeannette Walls found herself one of four children living in quite the remarkable dysfunctional family. Wandering around the Southwest and then the coal towns of West Virginia, Walls reflects on her childhood- the poverty, the hunger, and the betrayals. But more importantly, Walls highlights her upbringing with humor, affection, and unconditional love. A candid bildungsroman full of adventure and hardship, The Glass Castle is a compelling read with a zest for life.
Angela’s Ashes: A Memoir by Frank McCourt
Growing up in Limerick, Ireland, Frank McCourt relates his impoverished childhood with touches of grief combined with laugh-out-loud moments. Despite living in the direst state of poverty, McCourt learned the basics of survival from his mother, Angela, and how to tell a tale from his alcoholic father, Malachy. McCourt tells his story from the point-of-view of a child while tying in the compassion and wisdom of an older adult. Turning sad memories into heart felt stories, Angela’s Ashes is a memoir that will stick with you long after the book ends.
The Liar’s Club: A Memoir by Mary Karr
At a young age, Mary Karr was introduced to the Liar’s Club- a group of men, including her own brash father, who told stories based on a combination of fact and fiction. Learning to spin her own tales, Karr relates the joys and traumas of her troubled childhood. Set in a small Texas refinery town, Karr’s dark secrets include a neighborhood rape, familial alcoholism, and her mother’s psychotic breaks. Told in a wickedly funny tone, The Liar’s Club is raw and witty, leaving readers relieved that their childhood anguish is nothing like Karr's.
Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer
Into Thin Air recounts Jon Krakauer’s May 1996 harrowing journey to the peak of Mount Everest, an adventure that left eight climbers dead, including two of the world’s best mountaineers. A seasoned journalist and mountaineer, Krakauer recounts balanced accounts of climbers as well as the haunting events that lead to tragedy. Intense from beginning to end, this memoir relays both the triumphs and perils of climbing Mount Everest from the safety of your favorite reading chair.
Share This: