Looking to crawl up by the fire with a good memoir? Check out these thrilling reads by some of Hollywood's biggest names to inspire your confidence.
As the glam of the new year begins to dissipate and the uncertainty of the world during this political climate furthers (especially living in the DMV area), people begin to find themselves “taking a break” from their resolutions and going back to their usual mundane routines. But we all need an escape every now and then. Not everyone can afford a Caribbean vacation, so find your adventure and inspiration to take on the world in a book or memoir. These memoirs by some of today’s biggest names in comedy, politics, and acting are the perfect narrations for feeling down and getting back up.
Bossypants (Tina Fey)
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This memoir by Fey is a classic and is filled with laughs. From her upbringing to her days at the University of Virginia, to her comedic rise on Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock, Fey brings an enjoyable story to the pages. While it has mainly funny anecdotes, Fey also touches on serious topics in her perfectly humorous way.
Born a Crime (Trevor Noah)
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The Daily Show host was born a crime. Born to a white father and black mother in South Africa, Noah spent his early years hidden from the government due to the threat that he could be taken away. After the country was liberated, Noah and his mother find themselves for the first time free and set on an adventure that was once not allowed for them. The stories range from dramatic, to humorous, to poignant. The perfect combination in a compelling memoir.
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Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (Mindy Kaling)
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The first book by Kaling is my personal favorite (Why Not Me? is also great, but I have a soft spot for this one). Kaling discusses her life as a child of immigrant parents, her rise into the uneasy comedy world, and of course, quirky and possibly unneeded advice on everything you can imagine. This memoir doesn’t even seem like a book; it just seems like you’re having a conversation with Kaling over coffee.
Scrappy Little Nobody (Anna Kendrick)
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Kendrick uses her sharp wit in this collection of essays. She talks about her life as a “scrappy little nobody” in her journey from a middle school student on Broadway to A-list actress. The essays are extremely honest and highly entertaining. It would be hard to put this one down.
Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose (Joe Biden)
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This memoir chronicles one of the most trying years of former Vice President Biden’s life, from the constant traveling and nagging question of whether he should run for president to the illness of his son Beau. The year brought triumph and pain for Biden, but he found the strength in family and friendships, which is a lesson we all can learn from.
Talking As Fast As I Can (Lauren Graham)
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In this collection of personal essays, Graham details her life as a struggling actress and now as a working woman in Hollywood. This memoir borderlines stream-of-consciousness writing, so that may turn some people off, but Graham is extremely self-deprecating and comes across as a friend, not a big-shot Hollywood starlet (which she’s not even sure she is).
The Actor’s Life (Jenna Fischer)
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Pam from The Office also wrote a memoir. But before she was one of television’s most beloved characters, Fischer was a struggling actress, and as a result, wrote this as a guide to anyone who needs inspiration and faces challenges -- especially if you want to work in the acting field. It is hilarious and endearing, but what else would you expect from Pam?
Have you read one of these memoirs? Which is YOUR favorite? Please tell us in the comments below!
And while any of these titles can be found on Amazon, D.C. has an amazing treasure trove of bookstores! Check out
one of these bookstores first!
