5 memoirs that give me goosebumps
Like, *chills* (biweekly antics wk of 9/28)
I’ve read almost 25 books so far in 2022. For me, that’s a whole lot.
Especially given my background as a struggling reader in my youth. Cue violins as I motion to tragic public school failings that made me hate reading for years.
Fast forward to today + the last decade or so—I’m making strides!
I think I'm able to read more now because most of the books I choose are hard to put down. If a book doesn’t move me within the first chapter, or even the intro, I tend to close it and move on to something else.
Now, maybe this is unfair.
I recognize there are slow burners. But for some of us, an immediately enthralling book is the only way we’re able to stay motivated till the end.
I’ve been especially into memoirs lately. Initially to learn more about how writers shape and establish their voice, but now just for fun. I genuinely love the genre.
Speaking of, I just read I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy. In case you’re wondering, it is everything everyone says it is. Perhaps I’ll do a review later.
But today, we’re going to focus on five other memoirs. All of which shook me to my core in some way.
So for all the slow readers and busy folks out there who want something that’s no problem to get through, maybe one of these is a good start…
Zami: A New Spelling of My Name by Audre Lorde
Technically speaking, Zami is a biomythography. A term coined by Audre to signify the combining of personal truths, our history, and some myth in a written form.
It’s an epic retelling of Audre Lorde’s childhood in and during World War II New York City, through to her early twenties in the 50s and early 60s, navigating love, identity, and self-acceptance.
Reading it changed my life. Quite literally. Not just because of what a brilliant writer and poet she is. Because Lorde is that.
She has this fascinating ability to hyper-focus, almost microscopically, on a feeling or a thought and slowly, lyrically, zoom out into a nearly aerial view. It’s unique to her. I’ve never read anything quite like Lorde’s work, and Zami to me is the best and most beautiful representation of her magic.
But it’s this particular story that has opened up my mind in ways I never thought it could.
“I knew what it was like to be haunted by the ghost of a self one wished to be, but only half-sensed.” ― Audre Lorde, Zami
As a Black queer woman of immigrant parents, Lorde had to be fluent in so many different languages and spaces. In Zami, she speaks of twin tongues and double messages, always switching between one truth and another.
You can get lost that way. And it is tricky to know where you want to be but not know who you are to belong there.
Zami taught me how to ask myself better questions, when to, and why. To inch closer to knowing oneself and all of your you-ness without shaming.
This is a liberating story on introspection and how to exist in your own mind. I’ll forever be grateful to Audre for Zami.
Heavy by Kiese Laymon
The title is a warning. Kiese’s story is no light read.
Heavy is a very true story of a tenacious young Kiese’s Jackson, Mississippi upbringing and relationship to his brilliantly, beautifully complicated Black mother.
He makes the bold and gripping choice from jump to speak directly to his mother throughout the book.
It may seem that we, the readers, will feel like mere bystandars with this approach but somehow that’s not the case at all. We become an important part of the journey.
Every single person that chooses to read this book becomes a part of the story, and of the larger conversation Laymon poses in this book which is; how should we practice love? And, are you moving with love, or something else?
(It’s giving very much memoir book-child to All About Love by bell hooks but let me get off my hooks soap box)
And this is going to sound ridiculous because, c’mon, but Laymon somehow, someway, is able to make a book about cw: eating disorders, toxic sexual situations, gambling, racism—funny!
It’s that Black southern finesse. And not just that he has it, but that he so clearly loves those truths about himself. So his story reads tenderly, and is so, so entertaining.
Now, I read slooooooow. I’m talking molasses. So when I tell you I breezed through this book in 2 days, that’s no small feat.
If you have the emotional bandwidth for Heavy, read it. I’m telling you, it’s worth it.
Kitchen Confessional by Anthony Bourdain
Many of you might know of the thoughtful and witty Anthony Bourdain from Parts Unknown or No Reservations, two of the pro chef and writer’s wildly popular food travel shows. And after news of his passing, you may have even bought or checked out Kitchen Confessional: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly to learn more about Bourdain.
The memoir, published in 2000, follows dishwasher-turned head chef-turned-TV show host through wild culinary adventures only a man whose been in the kitchen trenches can relay. And it’s funny! Bourdain’s style is quick and punchy, though empathetic and raw, constantly informing the reader on insider secrets and interesting though often useful facts about food and food people. Like this one,
Garlic is divine. Few food items can taste so many distinct ways, handled correctly. Misuse of garlic is a crime...Please, treat your garlic with respect...Avoid at all costs that vile spew you see rotting in oil in screwtop jars. Too lazy to peel fresh? You don't deserve to eat garlic.
I live. I learned so much about food and the people who make that food. I also learned so much about what it means to dedicate your life to a trade that can be so harrowing on your body, mind and spirit. I highly recommend this read.
Poet Warrior by Joy Harjo
Poet Warrior is the inspiring true tale of trailblazer Joy Harjo, the first Native Indigenous American to serve as U.S. poet laureate.
Harjo’s been on many adventures in this life already, and I so appreciate that she decided to share them with us in this book. She offers multiple life lessons that aren’t just useful to artists and poets but to anyone looking to follow their heart’s path.
Possibly the most moving part of this book is Harjo’s gentle though constant reminder to any of Poet Warrior’s readers of the purpose of art—to bring love and galvanize justice.
She gracefully weaves through poetry and prose, often citing her ancestors who so lovingly speak to her through captivating poetic verse.
They gave her the name Poet Warrior. This book does a beautiful job explaining why, and what her journey to accepting that truth looked like.
Harjo also presents several teachings in Native knowledge and more specifically Muscogee (Creek) Nation knowledge. This is such a special gift for those of us not from this world, who are only fed pro-colonialist propaganda.
It’s refreshing, and it’s informing, and it’s special. Very.
She’s officially one of my favorite poets. But what I love about Joy Harjo is how loving and hopeful her art is. I’m always left in a better mood, often smiling, after I read any of her work.
Generations: A Memoir by Lucille Clifton
You want chills, read Generations. 104 pages of it. Short but effective.
In so few words, Generations paints such a vivid and moving picture of Clifton’s family and Black American history.
Beside some of her words are striking black and white photos of some of her ancestors and kin. It makes the whole book feel all that more profound.
Here’s an excerpt I especially love,
My father had become an old man, and I didn't even know it. This old man in a box was my father. Daddy had been an old man. My sisters stood behind me. Don't he look good, Lue? They kept saying it. No, I finally answered. He's dead. I walked away.
I’m a Lucille Clifton stan. Stan, okay?
She exemplifies the art of simplicity to me. To encapsulate beauty and pain and complexity and truth in so few yet so right words that need no further explanation. That’s hard! She does it like it’s nothing.
I’m constantly inspired by Clifton’s work.
And there we have it. If you’ve read some of these I’d love to hear your thoughts! Or if you’re planning to, love that for you.
Also, I’m always open to adding new titles to my reading list. If you think you’ve read something I might like, let me know!
Thanks ya’ll
…see you in two weeks,
Jasper