5 Unforgettable Memoirs Published in 2022

Book Recommendations

Unforgettable Memoirs of 2022

If you’re a fan of memoirs, these are five 2022 releases you definitely don’t want to miss!

One of the reason I love reading is because books enable us a means to view the world from another human’s perspective. In my view, reading is one of the best ways to learn about and build empathy for people who have completely different backgrounds and life experiences than us. While there is certain much we can learn from all different literary genres, I particularly love memoirs as they quite literally allow the reader to view the world through the writer’s eyes.

I truly cannot recommend all five of these books enough! Each had a profound impact on me and I hope (should you choose to read them), you’ll find them equally educational, inspirational and/or engaging.

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

Best known for her role in the Nickelodeon show, iCarly, Jennette McCurdy recounts her adolescence as a child actor in this darkly funny and revelatory memoir. As she pulls back the curtain and share her life behind the scenes, McCurdy discusses everything from addition and sexual misconduct to eating disorders and a strained relationship with her mother. I highly recommend this one on audio!

Don’t be discouraged by the uncomfortable book tile, as it’s purely for shock value. While the author certain had a complex relationship with her mother - which she discusses at length in the book - the tile is certainly a bit over overzealous.

 
Solito by Javier Zamora

In this unforgettable story about immigration, coming of age and found family, the author recounts his tumultuous journey from El Salvador to the United States with a group of strangers. At just nine-years-old, Javier encounters danger and obstacles beyond his wildest dreams as he makes the perilous 3,000 mile trek to the US border in hopes of reuniting with his parents.

Given all the political upheaval surrounding immigration and the US border in recent years, I highly recommend reading this memoir as a means to better understand the perspective of those “on the other side.” Not only does this book bring to life the actual human beings involved in the immigration debate, but it makes clear that these individuals are not a threat to American values or seeking to do harm to our society. Rather, they’re simply families, hard-working individuals and/or refugees in search of a better life (and will to risk everything in pursuit of such).

For additional educational resources on this topic, I highly recommend reading The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio and/or The Beast: Riding the Rails and Dodging Narcos on the Migrant Trail by Oscar Martínez (translated from Spanish).

What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo

In this deeply personal memoir about healing from complex trauma, author Stephanie Foo recounts her abusive upbringing and explores the science and psychology behind her diagnosis of C-PTSD (complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). The book combines thorough research and personal anecdotes as the author reckons with her past and paves a way forward.

Despite the heavy subject matter, the book manages to be equal parts heartbreaking, inspiring and educational. I highly recommend this one to fans of psychology and/or science books!

 
The Man Who Could Move Clouds by Ingrid Rojas Contreras

⁣A memoir that reads like a magical realism book, The Man Who Could Move Clouds details the author's Colombian upbringing in a family of powerful curanderos - healers who have otherworldly powers to see the future, heal the sick and commune with the dead. A must read for those fascinated by spirituality or culture!

This one took me a couple tries to get into, but I ended up loving it. Certainly one of the most unique memoirs I’ve ever read! AND it was included on the shortlist for the National Book Award for Nonfiction.

Year of the Tiger by Alice Wong

This incredibly eye-opening memoir is all about disability rights and advocacy as activist. Alice Wong discusses the challenges of her own disability, her ongoing battle against ableism and her endless pursuit of justice and equal rights/access for the disabled community.

You may recognize Alice Wong as the editor of Disability Visibility, a highly-acclaimed collection of short stories written by various members of the disabled community. I also highly recommend adding that book to your TBR!

That's all for now! Stay tuned for more fabulous book recs. And in the meantime, hop on over to The Bookmarkparty Shop to check out my bookish merchandise and gifts for book lovers. If you’re a fan of memoirs and nonfiction, you may want to check out the Nonfiction Enthusiast Book Spines Mug.