If you had to sit down, for hours on end, day after day, and write a book about your life: what would you say?
Memoirs have always been fascinating to me. Half diary, half novel – there is nothing quite like them. They transcend genre and often, time itself. I can never quite picture myself doing it; sprawled in an acceptably old armchair, tea in hand, candle burning and writing about myself. To sift through the uncomfortable truths of your life, aspirations for the future and past experiences is not for the faint of heart.
Memoirs can impact your life in a way that I believe few other genres of books do. They are unspeakably honest, have the ability to truly ground you and change your perspective on life. University can be a challenging time for many, so whether you are a new student or a returning one, here are the memoirs that have impacted my life at university and helped me along the way.
Educated by Tara Westover
This is an inspiring story about Tara’s unique experience growing up in a religious family and her winding journey with education. No book has ever impacted my outlook on the privilege of learning and the desire to seek more knowledge about the world quite like this one.
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
This is the harrowing account of Paul’s cancer diagnosis and his guttural emotions as he looks back on his life; his hopes, dreams, passions, outlook on life and love. It is at times agonising to read, but there will be a newfound appreciation and care for so many different aspects of you life after reading this breath-taking book.
Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
I’m sure many confused twenty-somethings have heard of this book and for good reason. It is open and honest and encompasses the roller coaster that is navigating life. The ups, downs and everything in between – this book discusses the importance of friendships, learning how to be alone and every relationship under the sun. If you want to feel less alone on a Saturday night, then pick up this gem.
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
This one delves into Zauner’s complex relationship with her mother as she wades through her deep sense of grief after her death. She discusses how food became the language in which her and her mother communicated through and the profound influence that this has had on her life. It is intricate and powerful all at once.
East Winds by Rachel Rueckert
Rachel embarks on a journey across the world, writing about the beliefs she holds onto and lets go of, her travels which provide triumphs and challenges and the relationships that she builds along the way. It is deeply personal and shines with the clear desire to understand people and what makes us who we are.
One Of Them by Musa Okwonga
Okwonga details his experience of being a young, working-class, Black boy at Eton College in the 1990’s. He talks frankly about his upbringing and at times, the alienating experience of growing up in this environment.
“books in a stack (a stack of books)” by austinevan is licensed under CC BY 2.0