Memoirs/Personal Narratives: Celebrities

A biography of the Nobel laureate writer, Isaac Bashevis Singer, as told by the author, who at twenty-one in 1975 offered to drive the writer to Bard Collage, in return for permission to attend his course, which grew into a twelve-year-long apprenticeship as Singer's assistant, editor, and translator.

Author Sherman Alexie traces the relationship he had with his mother up until her death, as well as the haunting ghosts of his childhood on the Spokane Indian Reservation.

Award-winning actress Drew Barrymore shares stories from her past and present told from the place of happiness she's achieved today. Wildflower is a portrait of Drew's life in stories as she looks back on the adventures, challenges, and incredible experiences of her earlier years. It includes tales of living on her own at 14 (and how laundry may have saved her life), getting stuck in a gas station overhang on a cross country road trip, saying goodbye to her father in a way only he could have understood, and many more adventures and lessons that have led her to the successful, happy, and healthy place she is today. It is the first book Drew has written about her life since the age of 14.

Eric Clapton reflects on his life and career, discussing his rise to fame, family, the death of his son, marriage to Patti Boyd, work with various musicians, and more.

The inventor of shock rock discusses his life, career, and shift from drinking to the game of golf, and covers his struggles with addiction, how he fell in love with the sport, and a wide array of anecdotes about his friends over the years, including George Burns, Groucho Marx, Elvis, Tiger Woods, and members of Led Zeppelin and The Doors.

A memoir and meditation on creativity by Bryan Cranston, the star of "Breaking Bad," who chronicles his theatrical childhood and recommitment to acting in the aftermath of his father's disappearance, describing his early acting jobs, as well as the performances that earned him Tony and Emmy Awards.

The author shares her experiences as a high fashion model living in New York and provides insight into the industry.

Lena Dunham shares personal experiences about the struggles of growing up, illuminating falling in love, feeling alone, being ten pounds overweight, being a woman trying to prove herself to a room full of men twice her age, how sex did not live up to expectations, and exploring her lifelong obsession with death and dying.

Actress Tina Fey recounts her life, sharing how she managed to fulfill her dream of one day becoming a comedian on television and discussing her childhood, marriage, career, and views on beauty, politics, motherhood, and relationships.

Actor Michael J. Fox discusses his life since he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, discussing his career, political views, family, faith, health, and overall perspective on life.

Statesman Benjamin Franklin recalls his life, from his youth as a rebellious runaway apprentice, to successful leader, printer and journalist, social and political reformer, scientist, and philosopher.

Joey Graceffa, a YouTube sensation, thoughtfully looks back on his journey from pain to pride and self-doubt to self-acceptance, discussing his homelife, career and more.

Platinum-selling rapper Gucci Mane details his life and career in rural Alabama, from selling drugs to altering the course of hip-hop music.

Diane Guerrero, television actress from the hits "Orange is the New Black" and "Jane the Virgin," recalls the day her parents were detained and deported when she was 14, and how she was able to remain in the country, finish her education, and build a successful acting career.

The Emmy Award-winning star of How I Met Your Mother shares his experiences as a child star, Broadway performer and father in an over-the-top, humorous account creatively designed in the style of the popular interactive adventure series.

Sketches of the author's early life in Paris in the twenties provide nostalgic reminiscences of his first marriage and the discipline of developing his own literary craft.

Sean Madigan Hoen recounts the years that he was struggling with making a name for himself as a punk rock musician while dealing with the discovery of his father's crack cocaine addiction, his sister's depression and his mother's efforts to hold the family together.

Comedian and activist Akilah Hughes shares everything about her journey from a childhood in the south to the big screen while dispensing invaluable big-sister-style advice to a generation of future YouTubers.

Hip-hop icon and actor Ice-T recounts his life, discussing his orphan upbringing in South Central Los Angeles, his four-year stint in the army, the car crash that nearly killed him, his decision to turn his life around, his music and acting careers, and other related topics.

A collection of memoiristic essays by social media influencer LeJuan James about growing up Hispanic in the US.

Actress and singer Anna Kendrick recounts her life and career in movies, on Broadway and more.

"In this ... full-color graphic memoir, Stan Lee--comic book legend and co-creator of Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Avengers, the Incredible Hulk, and a legion of other Marvel superheroes--shares his iconic legacy and the story of how modern comics came to be... Lee tells the story of his life with the same inimitable wit, energy, and offbeat spirit that he brought to the world of comics.

In his memoir, Isaac delves into his lifelong battles with weight, insomnia, and depression. He tells what it was like to be an out gay man in a homophobic age and to witness the ravaging effects of the AIDS epidemic.

The author reflects on how running has influenced his life and writing, discussing the places he has trained, the people he has met, and the races he has run.

Trevor Noah's unlikely path from apartheid South Africa to the desk of The Daily Show began with a criminal act: his birth. Trevor was born to a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother at a time when such a union was punishable by five years in prison. .... Born a Crime is the story of a mischievous young boy who grows into a restless young man as he struggles to find himself in a world where he was never supposed to exist. It is also the story of that young man's relationship with his fearless, rebellious, and fervently religious mother-his teammate, a woman determined to save her son from the cycle of poverty, violence, and abuse that would ultimately threaten her own life

Barack Obama tells the story of his life as the son of a black African father and a white American mother, searching for a workable meaning to his life as an African-American.

Actor and carpenter Nick Offerman recounts his life and career, from growing up in Minooka, Illinois, to Chicago, where he received theater training, to starring on the television show "Parks and Recreation."

The actress best known for her work on 'Parks and Recreation' and 'Saturday Night Live' reveals personal stories and offers her humorous take on such topics as love, friendship, parenthood, and her relationship with Tina Fey.

A collection of humorous essays on what it's like to be unabashedly awkward in a world that regards introverts as hapless misfits, and black as cool ... In this debut collection of essays, ... Rae covers everything from cybersexing in the early days of the Internet to deflecting unsolicited comments on weight gain, from navigating the perils of eating out alone and public displays of affection to learning to accept yourself-natural hair and all

Chronicles the life of actress, producer, and writer Leah Remini, and her experiences when she broke with the church of Scientology.

A memoir in which the author, a successful rapper and music producer, discusses his life and work while interweaving his worldview and thoughts on the philosophy of Wu Tang, which is based on his study of martial arts and general artistic style.

An autobiography of Gil Scott-Heron, musician and pioneer of spoken-word poetry.

Gary Shteyngart discusses his life with a focus on his immigration to the United States and his writing career.

Oscar-nominated actress Gabourey Sidibe reflects on her life amidst a polygamous father and her rise to fame as a movie star, reflecting on dispatches of friendship, depression, celebrities, haters, fashion, race, and weight.

Gloria Steinem shares her stories of traveling and her feminism work.

Looks at the life and career of American author, poet, and literary arts organizer Michelle Tea.

Takes an unguarded look at the mind of a brilliant entrepreneur and describes the day to day operation of his life and his business.

Michael Uslan chronicles his life, shares memories from his childhood, and describes his life-long fondness for Batman, his realization that he would never become a superhero, how his love of comics led to the Batman franchise, and other related topics.

Autobiography of American businessman Sam Walton peppered with his philosophy of life and practical business advice.

The author shares her life growing up in Communist Hungary and the events that made her family move to New York City. She shares how her experiences shaped her vision of OPI, a global beauty brand she started.

A heartfelt and inspiring memoir and celebration of Deaf culture by Nyle DiMarco, actor, producer, two-time reality show winner, and cultural icon of the international Deaf community Before becoming the actor, producer, advocate, and model that people know today, Nyle DiMarco was half of a pair of Deaf twins born to a multi-generational Deaf family in Queens, New York. At the hospital one day after he was born, Nyle "failed" his first test?a hearing test?to the joy and excitement of his parents. In this engrossing memoir, Nyle shares stories, both heartbreaking and humorous, of what it means to navigate a world built for hearing people. From growing up in a rough-and-tumble childhood in Queens with his big and loving Italian-American family to where he is now, Nyle has always been driven to explore beyond the boundaries given him. A college math major and athlete at Gallaudet?the famed university for the Deaf in Washington, DC?Nyle was drawn as a young man to acting, and dove headfirst into the reality show competitions America's Next Top Model and Dancing with the Stars?ultimately winning both competitions. Deaf Utopia is more than a memoir, it is a cultural anthem?a proud and defiant song of Deaf culture and a love letter to American Sign Language, Nyle's primary language. Through his stories and those of his Deaf brothers, parents, and grandparents, Nyle opens many windows into the Deaf experience.

Brian Cox shares his troubled, working-class upbringing in Scotland to the enormous effort that has gone into the making of the legend across theater, film, and television we know today.

When Ginger Zee opened her life to readers in Natural Disaster, the response was enormous. She put a very relatable if surprising face on depression and has helped lessen the stigma surrounding mental health issues. But Ginger tells us, Natural Disaster was ""Ginger Lite" and only scratched the surface. In this moving follow-up, Ginger shares her truest self. She spent most of her life shielding her vulnerabilities from the world all while being a professional people pleaser. Her stormy childhood, her ongoing struggles with crippling depression, her suicide attempts, and many other life experiences will resonate with readers who are likely to see themselves along the way. In spite of its serious subject matter, Ginger's positive, life-affirming outlook comes through loud and clear. Written with great heart and quite a bit of humor, Ginger normalizes issues and challenges millions of people face every day.

Most people know Andrew McCarthy from his movie roles in Pretty in Pink, St. Elmo's Fire, Weekend at Bernie's, and Less than Zero, and as a charter member of Hollywood's Brat Pack. That iconic group of ingenues and heartthrobs included Rob Lowe, Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, and Demi Moore, and has come to represent both a genre of film and an era of pop culture. In his memoir Brat: An '80s Story, McCarthy focuses his gaze on that singular moment in time. The result is a revealing look at coming of age in a maelstrom, reckoning with conflicted ambition, innocence, addiction, and masculinity. New York City of the 1980s is brought to vivid life in these pages -- scoring loose joints in Washington Square Park and skipping school in favor of the dark revival houses of the Village where he fell in love with the movies that would change his life. Filled with personal revelations of innocence lost to heady days in Hollywood with John Hughes and an iconic cast of characters, Brat is a surprising and intimate story of an outsider caught up in a most unwitting success.

The actress reveals her journey of self-discovery through her childhood in India, her teenage years in the United States, her success in beauty competitions, the challenges and triumphs of her acting career, and her marriage to Nick Jonas

What story begins in a bedroom in suburban New Jersey in the early '60s, unfolds on some of the country's largest stages, and then ranges across the globe, demonstrating over and over again how Rock and Roll has the power to change the world for the better? This story.

The first true heartbeat of Unrequited Infatuations is the moment when Stevie Van Zandt trades in his devotion to the Baptist religion for an obsession with Rock and Roll. Groups like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones created new ideas of community, creative risk, and principled rebellion. They changed him forever. While still a teenager, he met Bruce Springsteen, a like-minded outcast/true believer who became one of his most important friends and bandmates. As Miami Steve, Van Zandt anchored the E Street Band as they conquered the Rock and Roll world.