25 Comments

This is an awesome list, thanks Bowen.

Expand full comment
author

You’re very welcome. Please share.

Expand full comment
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.

Expand full comment

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 ☺️

Expand full comment
author

yeah, I loved Kiedis' book too... I will add it! Good to read in conjunction with Flea's book—and a ton more rock 'n roll memoirs, I love how they all tie together, with my own life as well.

Expand full comment

And of course Keith’s. Never knew about his distinctive 5-string sound 😉

Expand full comment
author

yeah, funny, his was on my list on bookshop, I just hadn't quite yet added it to this article. thanks!

Expand full comment

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.

Expand full comment

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

Expand full comment

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.

Expand full comment

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.

Expand full comment
Apr 8, 2023Liked by Bowen Dwelle

Same prompt, different reader.... Fascinating! yours from cosmopolitan New York.

Expand full comment

Well, of course, my books. Memoirs that aren’t memoirs in a conventional sense. 😎🦩🥃

Expand full comment
Apr 8, 2023Liked by Bowen Dwelle

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

Expand full comment
author

Hi Faye, thanks so much for stopping by, and for the recommendations! I've been reading some of your work and really enjoying the intimacy—and strangeness—of it.

Expand full comment

Oh I’m so happy you’ve been enjoying! Oh, the gifts of strangeness 🙃😂 there was no escaping writing for me

Expand full comment

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.

Expand full comment
author

Hi Jen -- thanks for stopping by -- and for the reminder about Dave Grohl's book!

I've been meaning to read it. I don't like the Foos music much either, but I love Dave. He's such a cool cat, a sweet guy and so impressively prolific. The series (Sonic Highways, I think) that he did recording with different people at various historic recording studios was really touching -- and now I see he's got a new series out out rock 'n roll moms.

Expand full comment
Apr 8, 2023Liked by Bowen Dwelle

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!

Expand full comment
author
Apr 8, 2023·edited Apr 8, 2023Author

Esther! Amazing to see you here, thanks for stopping by -- and for your list! I haven't heard of any of these. Much appreciated, and I hope you are well. Sending my best to you from sunny Sausalito.

Expand full comment

Cool! I just found your substack and much appreciate this post.

Expand full comment
author
Apr 8, 2023·edited Apr 8, 2023Author

Thanks Brett, glad you are digging it! Any memoirs to recommend?

Expand full comment

Thanks so much for mentioning me. 🦩💕🥃

Expand full comment
author

Hi Laurie, thanks for stopping in! Any memoirs to recommend?

Expand full comment

Memoirs are my jam! I’d also recommend: Hollywood Park, I’m Glad My Mother Is Dead, Stay True, and Dirtbag, Mass.

Expand full comment