Need some new material to keep your summer reading going through fall? Biographies are a window into lives we otherwise would never have the joy of learning about. The stories and life lessons of others can help us gain experience and perspective, as well as improve our decision making. Travel through the U.S., Iraq, Paris, Hollywood, or Bolivia in these twelve biographies.
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"A Quantum Life" by Hakeem Oluseyi and Johsua Horwitz
Oluseyi tells the story of his upbringing and how his interest in science, math, astronomy, and reading developed, being a nerdy kid, his family moving around, and navigating dangerous neighborhoods. Follow Oluseyi through his time in the Navy and his higher education where we witness him become the person he is today.
"My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood" by Danny Trejo with Donal Logue
Trejo grew up in an abusive environment where him and his cousins were each on a path to prison time. In this well-written memoir, he reveals details about going to prison, dealing with the horrors he experienced there, how he got clean, and became the most-killed actor in Hollywood instead of on the streets.
"The Triumph of Nancy Reagan" by Karen Tumulty
Discover how Nancy Reagan helped Ronald Reagan after his turn from acting to politics. Between shaping the White House team, having an astute sense for coming trouble, and helping push Ronald Reagan toward what she saw as his purpose, Nancy Reagan was incredibly influential and her tale will enthrall history buffs.
"An Indian Among Los Indigenas" by Ursula Pike
Growing up in the U.S., Pike experiences the differences between the expectation of Native American culture from non-native populations in contrast with her reality of being native American. Then, Pike travels to Bolivia as a member of the peace corps to conduct missionary work and help the local native population. When she arrives, she realizes that the South American indigenous population see her as white and privileged, forcing her to deal with the long shadow of missionary work and colonialism. This title is great for book clubs and travel readers.
"Kiss Myself Goodbye" by Ferdinand Mount
In "Kiss Myself Goodbye," Mount goes on a quest to discover the true about his Millionairess Aunt Munca, who as it turns out, lied about everything. She used false identities and many deceptions. Mount travels through English history and society to discover the truth of who Munca was. This unforgettable and cryptic, literary aunt and intriguing tale will stick with you.
Funnyman Seth Rogen in Year Book tells stories from his upbringing and his Hollywood career that he hopes readers find and funny as him, such as dating, Jewish summer camp, and his time with the Simpsons. For readers that enjoy Rogen's comedy work.
"Paris Without Her" by Gregory Curtis
After the loss of his wife, Curtis returns to a city with fond memories—Paris. In Paris, Curtis remembers his life with Tracy. "Paris Without Her" is a portrait of a marriage and an ode to a wife.
"Thanks for Waiting" by Doree Shafrir
In "Thanks for Waiting," Shafrir discusses her "delayed" life. She and her husband met on Tinder in her late 30s and after infertility struggles, Shafrir became pregnant at 41. This memoir is meant to encourage others to live life at their own pace and worry less about when milestones are achieved. For late bloomers everywhere.
"Somebody's Daughter" by Ashley C. Ford
"Somebody's Daughter" begins when Ford takes a call from her mom, who tells her that her dad is finally getting out of prison. Ford describes her family life, her upbringing with her siblings, mother, grandmother, and father—before and while he was in prison. Then, before Ford meets her newly released father from prison, her grandmother tells Ford what he did that put him there.
"My Remarkable Journey" by Katherine Johnson
In "My Remarkable Journey," Katherine Johnson writes her story, which inspired the movie, Hidden Figures. Johnson begins with stories of her parents and childhood, her education, her children and marriages, and her time as a computer at NASA. Johnson passed away during the writing of this memoir and did not see it to print.
"I'm in Seattle, Where Are You?" by Murtaḍá Kazār, translated by William Hutchins
Iraqi novelist Gzar recants the story of his life starting in college in Bagdad, when he met and fell in love with a Black, American soldier, Morise, who returns to the US. Gzar details his childhood in Iraq, his journey to the US, the marginalization he felt in Iraq as a gay man, and the racism he has experienced in the U.S.
"A Coat of Yellow Paint" by Naomi Davis
Part family life biography, part positivity how-to book, this title is for anyone looking to add a little bit of pep to their step. The tagline of this book is "moving through the noise to love the life you live." Davis is a former dancer at Juilliard and a Forbes parenting influencer. The book includes occasional ballet metaphors and post it notes at the start of each themed chapter which accent the story of the birth of her children and their family's life together.