Apr 9, 2023·edited Apr 9, 2023Liked by Bowen Dwelle
Damn, that's a good list. Wish I could live another 100 years, just to get to all of them. Lots of overlap with my faves, but I'd mention In Pharaoh's Army, by Tobias Wolff as well. And while we're in Vietnam, Dispatches, by Michael Herr is incredible.
What a great list Bowen. So much to do!! 🤔 I’ve only read but a few of those on your list. I’d add “Scar Tissue” by Anthony Kiedis. So raw and funny and reads like what you’d imagine a kid growing up in Hollywood as the son of a drug dealer to the stars might read like ☺️
One of the first memoirs I truly loved is I am, I am, I am by Maggie O’Farrell. It’s a life story told using seventeen near death experiences, so beautifully told and harrowing. I’m planning to reread it soon, and I can’t recommend it enough.
Thanks for all the great recs! And for mentioning my newsletter again.
One of my favorite books period is A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers. It’s mostly a memoir with some small narrative tweaks and parts that are definitely, and obviously fictional
It’s almost cheating, but all three of Mary Karr’s memoirs. The Liars Club, Cherry, and Lit. I adored This Boys Life, but you mentioned that one. The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien. I don’t know if it’s technically memoir but it had the same function for me when I read it.
The Glass Castle, Jennette Walls -- her first few sentences are stunning. Excellent read. Norah Vincent! Now that's a name from 90s NYC. Interesting book indeed.
Well my reading list just grew! Three of my favorites: Wasted by Maria Hornbacher (a memoir of anorexia and bulimia), The Surrender by Toni Bentley (erotic memoir), and The Chronology of Water by Lidia Yuknavitch which I don’t exactly know how to describe - a full body metaphorical experience dripping with exciting and strange and chaotically grounded poetic prose. That one rearranged my thought patterns quite a bit
Last year I read David Grohl’s memoir and really enjoyed it. I’ve never been a Foo Fighter’s fan, per se, but his relationship with his mom is delightful!
This Will All Be Over Soon by SNL alum Cecile Strong hit me at the right time. She lost someone close to her to cancer right as the pandemic hit, so she conveys the mixture of personal and collective grief of that season, plus a side of fear and uncertainty.
some more favorites: Susan Faludi, In the darkroom. Adam Minter, Junkyard Planet (part memoir, part a wonderful history or recycling and logistics). Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, Tightrope. Frank Bruni, The beauty of dusk. Kati Marton, Enemies of the people. Fiona Hill, There is nothing for you here. SHerry Turkle, The empathy diaries. Leana Wen, Lifelines. Deborah Tannen, Finding my father. Brittany Kaiser, Targeted. More on request!
This is an awesome list, thanks Bowen.
Damn, that's a good list. Wish I could live another 100 years, just to get to all of them. Lots of overlap with my faves, but I'd mention In Pharaoh's Army, by Tobias Wolff as well. And while we're in Vietnam, Dispatches, by Michael Herr is incredible.
What a great list Bowen. So much to do!! 🤔 I’ve only read but a few of those on your list. I’d add “Scar Tissue” by Anthony Kiedis. So raw and funny and reads like what you’d imagine a kid growing up in Hollywood as the son of a drug dealer to the stars might read like ☺️
Thanks so much for the mention, friend!
One of the first memoirs I truly loved is I am, I am, I am by Maggie O’Farrell. It’s a life story told using seventeen near death experiences, so beautifully told and harrowing. I’m planning to reread it soon, and I can’t recommend it enough.
Thanks for all the great recs! And for mentioning my newsletter again.
One of my favorite books period is A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers. It’s mostly a memoir with some small narrative tweaks and parts that are definitely, and obviously fictional
It’s almost cheating, but all three of Mary Karr’s memoirs. The Liars Club, Cherry, and Lit. I adored This Boys Life, but you mentioned that one. The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien. I don’t know if it’s technically memoir but it had the same function for me when I read it.
The Glass Castle, Jennette Walls -- her first few sentences are stunning. Excellent read. Norah Vincent! Now that's a name from 90s NYC. Interesting book indeed.
Same prompt, different reader.... Fascinating! yours from cosmopolitan New York.
Well, of course, my books. Memoirs that aren’t memoirs in a conventional sense. 😎🦩🥃
Well my reading list just grew! Three of my favorites: Wasted by Maria Hornbacher (a memoir of anorexia and bulimia), The Surrender by Toni Bentley (erotic memoir), and The Chronology of Water by Lidia Yuknavitch which I don’t exactly know how to describe - a full body metaphorical experience dripping with exciting and strange and chaotically grounded poetic prose. That one rearranged my thought patterns quite a bit
Thanks for the shout out!
Last year I read David Grohl’s memoir and really enjoyed it. I’ve never been a Foo Fighter’s fan, per se, but his relationship with his mom is delightful!
This Will All Be Over Soon by SNL alum Cecile Strong hit me at the right time. She lost someone close to her to cancer right as the pandemic hit, so she conveys the mixture of personal and collective grief of that season, plus a side of fear and uncertainty.
some more favorites: Susan Faludi, In the darkroom. Adam Minter, Junkyard Planet (part memoir, part a wonderful history or recycling and logistics). Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, Tightrope. Frank Bruni, The beauty of dusk. Kati Marton, Enemies of the people. Fiona Hill, There is nothing for you here. SHerry Turkle, The empathy diaries. Leana Wen, Lifelines. Deborah Tannen, Finding my father. Brittany Kaiser, Targeted. More on request!
Cool! I just found your substack and much appreciate this post.
Thanks so much for mentioning me. 🦩💕🥃
Memoirs are my jam! I’d also recommend: Hollywood Park, I’m Glad My Mother Is Dead, Stay True, and Dirtbag, Mass.