Life in Progress: 8 Memoirs I Love About the Paths We Take
{Nonfiction November Week 2}

Every journey has a starting point. Then come steps forward, backward, and sideways. We may never see the final ending point of anyone else’s journey.

We are all on a unique journey of our our own. Life is a work in progress for each of us.

For Week 2 of Nonfiction November, we’re sharing books that reflect a journey for their authors, readers, or both. I’m sharing 8 favorite memoirs that I read this year. Visit more blog linkups at Volatile Rune.

[See Nonfiction November Week 1: 5 Themes That Captured My Attention]

8 Favorite Memoirs

# 1-3 The first three memoirs are by celebrities: an actor best known as The Fonz, the singer who danced on the ceiling “All Night Long,” and a lovely and beloved First Lady of the United States.

Although their destinations may be places we’ll never arrive, their journeys have stopping points along the way that we can relate to.

• Being Henry
  The Fonz . . . and Beyond
  by Henry Winkler
• Truly
  An Inspirational Journey Through the Life of a Musical Legend
  by Lionel Richie
• The Look
  by Michelle Obama

# 4-5 The next two memoirs are by humorous yet poignant storytellers. And interestingly, their own journeys have now merged together into a special relationship.

I actually got to hear both of these authors in person this year on their book tours. Both were so personable, engaging, and kind human beings.

• Awake
  A Memoir
  by Jen Hatmaker
• This Changes Everything
  A Surprisingly Funny Story About Race, Cancer, Faith, and Other Things We Don’t Talk About
  by Tyler Merritt

# 6-8 The final three are by authors who have been marginalized, displaced, or victimized. They each write about the challenges they met and eventually overcome. Inspiring!

• Dear America
  Notes of an Undocumented Citizen
  by Jose Antonio Vargas
• Brown Girl Dreaming
  by Jacqueline Woodson
• I Belong to Me
  A Survivor’s Guide to Recovery and Hope after Religious Trauma
  by Tia Levings

Each of these authors tells their amazing journeys with courage and clarity, through both the ups and the downs. Their stories remind us that life is never a straight path for anybody.

I highly recommend all 8.

What nonfiction journeys or memoirs have you loved this year? Please share in the comments.

• ← What We’re Made Of: 6 Books About People, Beliefs, and Possibilities